AMCT American ED Center Inc (CE)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED September 30, 2020 AND 2019

American Education Center, Inc. (“AEC New York”) is a New York corporation incorporated on November 8, 1999 and is licensed by the Department of the State of New York to engage in education related consulting services.

On May 7, 2014, the President and then sole shareholder of AEC New York formed a new company, American Education Center, Inc. in the State of Nevada (“AEC Nevada”). On May 31, 2014, the President and the sole shareholder of AEC New York exchanged his 200 shares for 10,563,000 shares of AEC Nevada. The share exchange resulted in AEC New York becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of AEC Nevada (hereinafter the “Company”).

On October 31, 2016, the Company completed an acquisition transaction through a share exchange with two stockholders, Rongxia Wang and Ye Tian, of AEC Southern Management Co., Ltd. (“AEC Southern UK”), a company formed in December 2015 pursuant to the laws of England and Wales. The Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of AEC Southern UK in exchange for 1,500,000 shares of its common stock valued at $210,000 (the “AEC Southern UK Share Exchange”). As a result of the AEC Southern UK Share Exchange, AEC Southern UK became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

AEC Southern UK held 100% of the equity interests in AEC Southern Management Limited, a Hong Kong company (“AEC Southern HK”) formed on December 29, 2015. AEC Southern HK then formed Qianhai Meijiao Education Consulting Management Co., Ltd. (“AEC Southern Shenzhen”) on March 29, 2016 pursuant to PRC laws, with a registered capital of RMB 5,000,000. Therefore, under PRC laws, AEC Southern Shenzhen was a foreign wholly owned subsidiary of AEC Southern UK.

On July 13, 2018, pursuant to a Business Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), the Company acquired 51% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of American Institute of Financial Intelligence LLC (“AIFI”), a New Jersey limited liability company formed on May 10, 2017, in exchange for 100,000 shares of the Company common stock issued to the then sole shareholder of AIFI. As a result, AIFI became a 51% majority owned subsidiary of the Company.

On October 23, 2018, AEC Nevada incorporated a subsidiary, AEC Management Ltd. (“AEC BVI”) in the British Virgin Islands, pursuant to the laws of British Virgin Islands. AEC BVI is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEC Nevada, and as of the date of this report, does not have significant business activities.

On April 22, 2019, AEC Southern UK sold 100% of the equity interests of AEC Southern HK to AEC BVI and AEC Southern HK and its subsidiary became wholly-owned subsidiaries of AEC BVI.

On May 1, 2019, the Company sold 100% of the equity interest in AEC Southern UK to three individuals who were Ye Tian, Rongxia Wang and Weishou Li, and received a consideration of 1,000,000 shares of outstanding shares of AEC Nevada.

On May 22, 2020, AEC Southern HK formed Yiqilai (Shenzhen) Consulting Management Co., Ltd. (“AEC YQL”) in Shenzhen, China on May 22, 2020 pursuant to PRC laws. AEC YQL is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEC Southern HK, and as of the date of this report, does not have significant business activities.

On August 18, 2020, AEC YQL entered into a series of contractual arrangements, including an Equity Pledge Agreement, Exclusive Management Consulting Agreement, Exclusive Option Agreement, and Irrevocable Power of Attorney (collectively, the “VIE Agreements”), with Shenzhen Zhongwei Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhongwei”), a PRC company, and Ding Xiang (Shenzhen) Investment Co., Ltd., a PRC company (“Pledgor”), the sole shareholder of Zhongwei controlled by Dewei Li and Bin Liu (collectively, the “Ding Xiang Shareholders”). Pursuant to the VIE Agreements, AEC YQL gained control over Zhongwei. Zhongwei is involved in, among other things, e-commerce, and our company plans to leverage Zhongwei’s current e-commerce platform, and to engage in business such as online education e-commerce. In consideration for entering into the transactions contemplated by the VIE Agreements, on August 18, 2020, the Company entered into a Share Issuance Agreement (the “Share Issuance Agreement”) with the Ding Xiang Shareholders, whereby the Company agreed to issue to the Ding Xiang Shareholders an aggregate of 2,640,690 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001. The transactions underlying the Share Issuance Agreement is closed in August 2020.

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s corporate structure is as follows:

Headquartered in New York with operations in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), the Company covers two market segments through two subsidiaries:

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND Nine MONTHS ENDED SEptember 30, 2020 AND 2019

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary to give a fair presentation have been included.

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of full-year results. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation; none of these reclassifications had an impact on reported financial position or cash flows for any of the periods presented. The information in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with information included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC.

Cash

Cash consists of all cash balances and liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered as cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are carried at net realizable value. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts, periodically evaluates its accounts receivable balances and makes general and/or specific allowances when there is doubt as to their collectability. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balances, customers’ historical payment history, their current credit-worthiness and current economic trends. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance only after exhaustive collection efforts.

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company’s functional currency is US dollars. The Company has three bank accounts located in the PRC and one located in Hong Kong. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates, in the circumstance any subsidiary’s functional currency is not US dollars, from period to period are included as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income included in statements of changes in stockholders’ equity. Gain and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Topic 606 on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. ASC 606 requires the use of a new five-step model to recognize revenue from customer contracts. The five-step model requires that the Company (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, including variable consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant future reversal will not occur, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the respective performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies the performance obligation.

AEC New York delivers customized high school and college placement, career advisory as well as student and family services. Fees related to such advisory services that are collected from individuals are generally paid to the Company in advance and they are recorded as deferred revenue. Revenues are recognized proportionally as services are rendered or upon completion. Fees related to our advisory services provided by AEC New York to corporate customers (such as staffing agencies and placement agencies) are generally collected after services are provided, and are recorded as accounts receivable.

AEC Shenzhen delivers customized high school and college placement and career advisory services. Fees related to such advisory services are generally paid to the Company in advance and they are recorded as deferred revenue. Revenues are recognized proportionally as services are rendered or upon completion.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, approximately $104,000, or more than 38%, of the revenue was realized as accounts receivable and approximately $173,047 of the revenue was realized from services completed.

Property and equipment, net

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Goodwill and Intangible Asset

Goodwill arises from business acquisition and is generally determined as the excess of fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquire, over the fair value of the nets assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently in events and circumstances exists that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed.

Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on our balance sheet.

The Company’s finite-lived intangible asset consists of a customized online campus system that was acquired from a third party. The system is used to provide online training for career advisory services and corporate training and advisory services. The asset was recorded at cost on the acquisition date and is amortized on a straight-line basis over its economic useful life.

The Company reviews its finite-lived intangible asset for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the asset to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to its undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such asset is not recoverable, a potential impairment loss is recognized to the extent the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. Fair value is generally determined using a discounted cash flow approach.

Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill with finite lives are stated at cost less accumulated amortization if there is any. Intangible assets mainly represent the software development in progress of R&D at cost, less accumulated amortization on a straight-line basis over an estimated life of ten years.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

In accordance with ASC Topic 360, the Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, or at least annually. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and carrying amount.

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company uses the fair value-based method for stock issued for services rendered and therefore all awards to employees and non-employees will be recorded at the market price on the date of the grant and expensed over the required period of services to be rendered.

The fair value of stock options issued to third party consultants and to employees, officers and directors are recorded in accordance with the measurement and recognition criteria of FASB ASC 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” and FASB ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Based Compensation,” respectively.

The options are valued using the Black-Scholes valuation model. This model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These subjective variables include but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the expected term of the awards, and actual and projected stock option and warrant exercise behaviors and forfeitures.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires the recognition of deferred income taxes for differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax consequences for those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred taxes are also recognized for operating losses that are available to offset future taxable income. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

Income Taxes (continued)

ASC 740 also addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under ASC 740, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position would be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company does not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The income tax laws of various jurisdictions in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate are summarized as follows:

United States (“US”)

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law. The TCJA results in significant revisions to the U.S. corporate income tax system, including a reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate, implementation of a territorial system and a one-time deemed repatriation tax on untaxed foreign earnings. Generally, the impacts of the new legislation would be required to be recorded in the period of enactment.

The Company is subject to Federal corporate income tax in the US at 21%. Provisions for income taxes for the United States have been made for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

British Virgin Island (“BVI”)

According to BVI corporate taxation, there is a zero-rated income tax regime for all BVI-domiciled corporate entities, and there is no concept of residence applicable to BVI corporate taxation.

AEC BVI was incorporated in the BVI and is governed by the laws of the BVI.

Hong Kong

AEC Southern HK was formed in Hong Kong. Pursuant to the income tax laws of Hong Kong, the Company is not subject to tax on non-Hong Kong source income.

The People's Republic of China (“PRC”)

AEC Southern Shenzhen, AEC YQL and Zhongwei were incorporated in the PRC. Pursuant to the income tax laws of China, the Company is not subject to tax on non-China source income. The Company is subject to corporate tax in China at 25% for the net taxable income. AEC Southern Shenzhen has no income tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 due to the net operating loss for the period.

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

The provisions of ASC 740-10-25, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” prescribe a more-likely-than-not threshold for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. This ASC also provides guidance on the recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and related disclosures.

Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs). In accordance with ASC 820, the following summarizes the fair value hierarchy:

FASB ASC 820 requires the use of observable market data, when available, in making fair value measurements. When inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The Company did not identify any assets or liabilities that are required to be presented at fair value on a recurring basis. Non-derivative financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses, taxes payable, and loan from stockholders. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, the carrying values of these financial instruments approximated their fair values due to their short-term nature.

COVID-19 Outbreak

In March 2020 the World Health Organization declared coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, workforces, customers, and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. It has also disrupted the normal operations of many businesses, including ours. This outbreak could decrease spending, adversely affect demand for our services and harm our business and results of operations. It is not possible for us to predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the outbreak and its effects on our business or results of operations at this time.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

Earnings (Loss) per Share

Earnings (loss) per share is calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Basic earnings (loss) per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is based on the assumption that all dilutive convertible shares and stock options are converted or exercised. Dilution is computed by applying the treasury stock method. Under this method, options and warrants are assumed to be exercised at the beginning of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later), and as if funds obtained thereby were used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Options and warrants are only dilutive when the average market price of the underlying common stock exceeds the exercise price of the options or warrants because it is unlikely that they would be exercised if the exercise price were higher than the market price.

Related Party Transactions

A related party is generally defined as (i) any person and or their immediate family hold 10% or more of the company’s securities (ii) the Company’s management, (iii) someone that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, or (iv) anyone who can significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Company. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties. The Company conducts business with its related parties in the ordinary course of business. Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities.

Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s-length basis, as the requisite conditions of competitive, free market dealings may not exist. Representations about transactions with related parties, if made, shall not imply that the related party transactions were consummated on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s-length transactions unless such representations can be substantiated. It is not, however, practical to determine the fair value of amounts due from/to related parties due to their related party nature.

Selling and Marketing

Selling and marketing costs are related to promoting, advertising, and other marketing activities, and are expensed as incurred. For the periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the marketing and advertising expenses were $74,119 and $317,257, respectively.

Noncontrolling interest

According to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 160, the noncontrolling interest shall be reported in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, separately from the parent’s equity. That amount shall be clearly identified and labeled, for example, as noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries. An entity with noncontrolling interests in more than one subsidiary may present those interests in aggregate in the consolidated financial statements.

Bargain Purchase

According to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards, a barging purchase is defined as a business combination in which the total acquisition-date fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired exceeds the fair value of the consideration transferred plus any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, and it requires the acquirer to recognize that excess in earnings as a gain attributable to the acquire.

Contingent Consideration

The Company recognizes the fair value of any contingent consideration that is transferred to the seller in a business combination on the date at which control of the acquiree is obtained. This value is generally determined through a probability-weighted analysis of the expected cash flows.

Contingent consideration is classified as a liability or as equity on the basis of the definitions of an equity instrument and a financial liability. The contingent consideration is payable in cash and, accordingly, the Company classified its contingent consideration as a liability. It is not remeasured, and any gain or loss on settlement at an amount different from its carrying value will be recognized in net income in the period during which it is settled.

Leases

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), as amended, which supersedes the lease accounting guidance under Topic 840, and generally requires lessees to recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use (ROU) assets on the balance sheet and to provide enhanced disclosures surrounding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements.

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

The Company adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application and not restating comparative periods. The most significant impact was the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases, while accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged.

The Company determined if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and short- and long-term lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, other current liabilities, and other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

As of adoption of ASC 842 and as of January 1, 2019, the Company was not a party to finance lease arrangements.

ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company use the industry incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company use the implicit rate when readily determinable. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. The lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Under the available practical expedient, the Company account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

Adoption of the standard resulted in the recognition of $2,016,142 of ROU assets and $2,237,583 of lease liabilities for leases on our consolidated balance sheet at adoption on January 1, 2019 related to office space lease commitment on March 1, 2015 and which was terminated on August 31, 2020. The Company recognized a gain of $239,537 in according Lease Topic 842-10-25-13 for the difference between the balances of the lease asset and liability as of the date of termination on August 31, 2020.

For the lease commitment on May 1, 2019, the company initially recognized $414,157 (RMB2,899,099) of ROU assets and lease liabilities of $399,048 (RMB2,793,341). The difference between the ROU assets and lease liabilities was due to prepaid rent and initial direct cost.

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

In January 2017, the FASB issued accounting standard update which simplifies the test for goodwill impairment. To address concerns over the cost and complexity of the two-step goodwill impairment test, the amendments in this update remove the second step of the test. An entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. This update is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted the update in the fourth quarter of 2018. The adoption of the new standard did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to the Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities. ASU 2018-17 changes how entities evaluate decision-making fees under the variable interest entity guidance. To determine whether decision-making fees represent a variable interest, an entity considers indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis, rather than in their entirety. This guidance will be adopted using a retrospective approach and is effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The Company has evaluated the effect of the adoption of this ASU and the standard did not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures from the adoption of the new guidance.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12 - Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU provides an exception to the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when a year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the year. This update also (1) requires an entity to recognize a franchise tax (or similar tax) that is partially based on income as an income-based tax and account for any incremental amount incurred as a non-income-based tax, (2) requires an entity to evaluate when a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill should be considered part of the business combination in which goodwill was originally recognized for accounting purposes and when it should be considered a separate transaction, and (3) requires that an entity reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. The standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, depreciation expense was $552 and $1,898, $262 and $262 respectively.

The Company’s customized online campus system is being amortized on a straight-line basis over four and a half years. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, amortization expense was $34,045, $74,090 and $37,045, $74,090, respectively.

The following table is the future amortization expense to be recognized:

The Company recognized goodwill in the amount of $139,725 which represents the amount of total consideration transferred in excess of the fair value assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business acquisition. The Company performed testing of goodwill impairment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value. Significant judgments required to estimate the fair value of reporting units include estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and other assumptions. Based on the assessments, the Company did not recognize an impairment of its goodwill for the period ended September 30, 2020.

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

On October 31, 2016, 1,500,000 shares of common stock of the Company were granted and issued to AEC Southern UK’s CEO who would provide service over a three-year period commencing November 1, 2016. The shares were valued using the market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date of $0.14 per share. On the grant date, $210,000 was recognized as deferred compensation, which was expensed over the three-year period using the straight-line method. On December 31, 2017, the remaining balance of $198,333.33 deferred compensation was expensed due to the resignation of AEC Southern UK’s CEO.

On December 31, 2016, the Company granted and issued 6,000,000 shares of common stock to AEC Southern UK’s Chairman who would provide services over a three-year period commencing November 1, 2016. The shares were valued using the market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date of $0.55 per share. On the grant date, $3,300,000 was recognized as deferred compensation, which was expensed over a three-year period using the straight-line method. The Company decided not to cancel or retrieve the shares issued to the CEO of AEC Southern UK as compensation and recognized the remaining of the compensation as part of the loss from disposal during 2019.

The Company has security deposits with the landlord for its offices of $16,851 and $285,041 as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 respectively. The Company terminated the lease of its New York office in August and the landlord retained the entire security deposits to offset the rent payable on the termination date of August 31, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, AEC New York has security deposits of $0 and AEC Shenzhen has security deposits of $16,851 (translation from RMB114,412).

The Company maintains its cash accounts at two commercial banks in the US, three commercial banks in the PRC and one commercial bank in Hong Kong.

Funds held in US banks and insured by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category.

Funds held in the PRC banks are covered by Deposit Insurance Ordinance (index: 000014349/2015-00031) that insures RMB500,000 for the total of all depository accounts.

Funds held in HK banks are insured by Hong Kong Deposit Protection Board covers up to HK$500,000 per bank for the total of all depository accounts.

The Company performs ongoing evaluation of its financial institutions to limit its concentration of risk exposure. Management believes this risk is not significant due to the financial strength of the financial institutions utilized by the Company.

The following table represents major customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s gross revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

AMERICAN EDUCATION CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

On May 1, 2019, AEC Nevada sold 100% of the equity interest in AEC Southern UK to three individuals, Ye Tian, Rongxia Wang and Weishou Li, and received a consideration of 1,000,000 shares of outstanding shares of AEC Nevada which was valued at $660,000 and the debt owed to AEC Southern UK in the amount of $268,475 was forgiven by AEC Southern UK. The Company has classified the results of AEC Southern UK as discontinued operations in the unaudited consolidated statement of income for all periods presented. The Company decided not to cancel or retrieve the shares issued to the CEO of AEC UK as compensation and recognized the remaining of the compensation as part of the loss from disposal. Additionally, the related assets and liabilities associated with the discontinued operations in the prior year consolidated balance sheet are classified as discontinued operations. The Company recognized a gain of $561,808 from the disposition.

Pursuant to ASC Topic 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operations, the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and year ended December 31, 2018 from discontinued operations have been classified to loss from discontinued operations line on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss presented herein. The assets and liabilities also have been classified as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The carrying amount of the major classes of assets and liabilities of discontinued operation as of May 1, 2019 and December 31, 2018 consist of the following: