CLEANSPARK, INC. Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosure
Business combinations, Intangible Assets and Goodwill
The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, where the total purchase price is allocated to the identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The purchase price is allocated using the information currently available, and may be adjusted, up to one year from acquisition date, after obtaining more information regarding, among other things, asset valuations, liabilities assumed and revisions to preliminary estimates. The difference between the purchase price, including any contingent consideration, and the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Contingent consideration transferred is initially recognized at fair value. Contingent consideration classified as a liability or an asset is remeasured to fair value each period until settlement, with changes recognized in profit or loss. Contingent consideration classified as equity is not remeasured. Acquisition-related costs are recognized separately from the acquisition and are expensed as incurred.
The Company reviews its indefinite lived intangibles and goodwill for impairment annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value and may not be recoverable. In accordance with its policies, the Company performed an assessment of indefinite lived intangibles and goodwill for the year end September 30, 2023.
During the years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred the following impairment losses:
($ in thousands) |
|
September 30, 2023 |
|
|
September 30, 2022 |
|
||
Impairment of bitcoin |
|
$ |
7,163 |
|
|
$ |
12,210 |
|
Impairment of goodwill |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,048 |
|
Total impairment loss |
|
$ |
7,163 |
|
|
$ |
24,258 |
|
2023 Goodwill Impairment analysis
In accordance with ASC 350-30-35-18A, an entity may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test, and has the unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative analysis. In completing the 2023 annual goodwill impairment analysis, the Company elected to perform a quantitative assessment for our goodwill. The assessment involves comparing the carrying value of the entity, including goodwill, to its estimated fair value. In accordance with ASU 2017-04, a goodwill impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value
unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. In determining the fair value for which the quantitative assessment was performed, the Company engaged a valuation specialist to perform the quantitative impairment analysis. The valuation report included a combination of the market and income approach to test for goodwill impairment. The income approach is a valuation technique under which we estimate future cash flows using the financial forecast from the perspective of an unrelated market participant. Using historical trending and internal forecasting techniques, revenue is projected and applied to fixed and variable cost experience rates to arrive at the future cash flows. A terminal value was then applied to the projected cash flow stream. Future estimated cash flows were discounted to their present value to calculate the estimated fair value. The discount rate used was the value-weighted average of our estimated cost of capital derived using both known and estimated customary market metrics. In determining the estimated fair value, several factors were estimated, including projected operating results, growth rates, economic conditions, anticipated future cash flows and the discount rate. The market valuation approach evaluated the company's market value as compared to the net asset balance.
The fiscal year 2023 assessment indicated that no impairment of goodwill was necessary.
In completing the 2022 annual goodwill impairment analysis, there was an impairment recognized. In fiscal 2022, there was a sustained downturn in the price of bitcoin which resulted in the carrying value of the Company's goodwill to exceed the fair value.
The following table reflects goodwill activity for the years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively:
($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
For the year ended September 30, |
|
|||||
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
||
Balance at beginning of Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
12,048 |
|
New Acquisitions |
|
|
8,043 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Impairment |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(12,048 |
) |
Balance at end of Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
8,043 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
The Company amortizes intangible assets with finite lives over their estimated useful lives, which range between two and twenty years as follows:
|
|
Useful life (years) |
Websites |
|
3 |
Software |
|
4-7 |
Strategic contract |
|
5 |
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dec 1, 2023 | Showing above |
| 2022 | Dec 15, 2022 | |
| 2020 | Dec 17, 2020 | |
| 2019 | Dec 16, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Jan 16, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Dec 30, 2016 | |
| 2015 | Dec 29, 2015 | |
About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures
Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.
Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.