2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting Principles

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The US dollar is used as the reporting currency. All subsidiaries and qualifying special purpose entities are consolidated and all significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation

All assets and liabilities are translated into US dollars at current exchange rates while revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect for the period. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included directly in other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. Gains and losses arising from foreign currency transactions are recognised in income currently.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted cash and cash equivalents generally relate to amounts subject to letters of credit with insurance companies, which restrict the cash from use for general corporate purposes.

Also included in restricted cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2012 is US$138.7 million related to the Company’s expected early contribution to AICF as a result of the favourable outcome of RCI Pty Ltd’s (“RCI”) appeal of the Australian Taxation Office (“ATO”) 1999 disputed amended tax assessment. This amount was contributed to AICF on 2 April 2012.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is generally determined under the first-in, first-out method, except that the cost of raw materials and supplies is determined using actual or average costs. Cost includes the costs of materials, labour and applied factory overhead. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates its inventory balances for excess quantities and obsolescence by analysing demand, inventory on hand, sales levels and other information. Based on these evaluations, inventory costs are written down, if necessary.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Property, plant and equipment of businesses acquired are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, are evaluated each quarter for events or changes in circumstances that indicate that an asset might be impaired because the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. These include, without limitation, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group is being used, a current period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses, a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group and/or a current expectation that it is more likely than not that a long lived asset or asset group will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.

When such indicators of potential impairment are identified, recoverability is tested by grouping long-lived assets that are used together and represent the lowest level for which cash flows are identifiable and distinct from the cash flows of other long-lived assets, which is typically at the production line or plant facility level, depending on the type of long-lived asset subject to an impairment review.

Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized at the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset group.

The methodology used to estimate the fair value of the asset group is based on a discounted cash flow analysis that considers the asset group’s highest and best use that would maximize the value of the asset group. In addition, the estimated fair value of an asset group also considers, to the extent practicable, a market participant’s expectations and assumptions in estimating the fair value of the asset group. If the estimated fair value of the asset group is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognised at an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value of the asset group.

The Company recorded an asset impairment charge of US$14.3 million during the year ended 31 March 2012. Readers are referred to Note 7 for additional information.

Environmental Remediation and Compliance Expenditures

Environmental remediation and compliance expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalised, as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimated liabilities are not discounted to present value. Generally, the timing of these accruals coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the Company’s commitment to a formal plan of action.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognises revenue when the risks and obligations of ownership have been transferred to the customer, which generally occurs at the time of delivery to the customer. The Company records estimated reductions in sales for customer rebates and discounts including volume, promotional, cash and other discounts. Rebates and discounts are recorded based on management’s best estimate when products are sold. The estimates are based on historical experience for similar programs and products. Management reviews these rebates and discounts on an ongoing basis and the related accruals are adjusted, if necessary, as additional information becomes available.

Depreciation and Amortisation

The Company records depreciation and amortisation under both cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the asset’s business use. All depreciation and amortisation related to plant building, machinery and equipment is recorded in cost of goods sold.

Advertising

The Company expenses the production costs of advertising the first time the advertising takes place. Advertising expense was US$8.6 million, US$7.9 million and US$9.1 million during the years ended 31 March 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Accrued Product Warranties

An accrual for estimated future warranty costs is recorded based on an analysis by the Company, which includes the historical relationship of warranty costs to installed product.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognised by applying enacted statutory rates applicable to future years to differences between the tax bases and financial reporting amounts of existing assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognised in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of deferred tax assets will not be realised. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognised in income tax expense.

Financial Instruments

The Company calculates the fair value of financial instruments and includes this additional information in the notes to the consolidated financial statements when the fair value is different from the carrying value of those financial instruments. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realise in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Periodically, interest rate swaps, commodity swaps and forward exchange contracts are used to manage market risks and reduce exposure resulting from fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. Where such contracts are designated as, and are effective as, a hedge, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are deferred and recorded in other comprehensive income. These deferred gains or losses are recognised in income when the transactions being hedged are recognised. The ineffective portion of these hedges is recognised in income currently. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are recognised in income. The Company does not use derivatives for trading purposes.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense represents the estimated fair value of equity-based and liability-classified awards granted to employees, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, and recognised as an expense over the vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense is included in the line item Selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Equity awards with vesting based solely on a service condition are typically subject to graded vesting, in that the awards vest 25% after the first year, 25% after the second year and 50% after the third year. For equity awards subject to graded vesting, the Company has elected to use the accelerated recognition method. Accordingly, each vesting tranche is valued separately, and the recognition of stock-based compensation expense is more heavily weighted earlier in the vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense for equity awards that are subject to performance or market vesting conditions are typically recognised ratably over the vesting period. The Company issues new shares to award recipients upon exercise of stock options or when the vesting condition for restricted stock units has been satisfied.

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using either the Black-Scholes option-pricing model or a binomial lattice model that incorporates a Monte Carlo Simulation (the “Monte Carlo method”).

For restricted stock units subject to a service vesting condition, the fair value is equal to the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, adjusted for the fair value of dividends as the restricted stock holder is not entitled to dividends over the vesting period. For restricted stock units subject to a scorecard performance vesting condition, the fair value is adjusted for changes in JHI SE’s common stock price at each balance sheet date until the end of the performance period. For restricted stock units subject to a market vesting condition, the fair value is estimated using the Monte Carlo method.

Compensation expense recognised for liability-classified awards are based on the fair market value of JHI SE’s common stock on the date of grant and recorded as a liability. The liability is adjusted for subsequent changes in JHI SE’s common stock price at each balance sheet date.

Earnings Per Share

The Company discloses basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). Basic EPS is calculated using net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS except that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding is increased to include the number of additional common shares calculated using the Treasury Method that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares, such as options, had been issued.

Accordingly, basic and dilutive common shares outstanding used in determining net income (loss) per share are as follows:

Potential common shares of 11.1 million, 13.8 million and 13.7 million for the years ended 31 March 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted common shares outstanding because the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Unless they are anti-dilutive, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) which vest solely based on continued employment are considered to be outstanding as of their issuance date for purposes of computing diluted EPS and are included in the calculation of diluted EPS using the Treasury Method. Once these RSUs vest, they are included in the basic EPS calculation on a weighted-average basis.

RSUs which vest based on performance or market conditions are considered contingent shares. At each reporting date prior to the end of the contingency period, the Company determines the number of contingently issuable shares to include in the diluted EPS, as the number of shares that would be issuable under the terms of the RSU arrangement, if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period. Once these RSUs vest, they are included in the basic EPS calculation on a weighted-average basis.

Asbestos

At 31 March 2006, the Company recorded an asbestos provision based on the estimated economic impact of the Original Final Funding Agreement (“Original FFA”) entered into on 1 December 2005. The amount of the net asbestos provision of US$715.6 million was based on the terms of the Original FFA, which included an actuarial estimate prepared by KPMG Actuaries as of 31 March 2006 of the projected future cash outflows, undiscounted and uninflated, and the anticipated tax deduction arising from Australian legislation which came into force on 6 April 2006. The amount represented the net economic impact that the Company was prepared to assume as a result of its voluntary funding of the asbestos liability which was under negotiation with various parties.

In February 2007, the shareholders approved the AFFA entered into on 21 November 2006 to provide long-term funding to AICF, a special purpose fund that provides compensation for Australian-related personal injuries for which certain former subsidiary companies of James Hardie in Australia (being Amaca Pty Ltd (“Amaca”), Amaba Pty Ltd (“Amaba”) and ABN 60 Pty Limited (“ABN 60”) (collectively, the “Former James Hardie Companies”)) are found liable.

Amaca and Amaba separated from the James Hardie Group in February 2001. ABN 60 separated from the James Hardie Group in March 2003. Upon shareholder approval of the AFFA in February 2007, shares in the Former James Hardie Companies were transferred to AICF, which manages Australian asbestos-related personal injury claims made against the Former James Hardie Companies and makes compensation payments in respect of those proven claims.

AICF

In February 2007, the shareholders approved a proposal pursuant to which the Company provides long-term funding to AICF. The Company owns 100% of James Hardie 117 Pty Ltd (the “Performing Subsidiary”) that funds AICF subject to the provisions of the AFFA. The Company appoints three AICF directors and the NSW Government appoints two AICF directors.

Under the terms of the AFFA, the Performing Subsidiary has an obligation to make payments to AICF on an annual basis. The amount of these annual payments is dependent on several factors, including the Company’s free cash flow (as defined in the AFFA), actuarial estimations, actual claims paid, operating expenses of AICF and the annual cash flow cap. JHI SE guarantees the Performing Subsidiary’s obligation. As a result, the Company considers JHI SE to be the primary beneficiary of AICF.

The Company’s interest in AICF is considered variable because the potential impact on the Company will vary based upon the annual actuarial assessments obtained by AICF with respect to asbestos-related personal injury claims against the Former James Hardie Companies.

Although the Company has no legal ownership in AICF, for financial reporting purposes the Company consolidates AICF due to its pecuniary and contractual interests in AICF as a result of the funding arrangements outlined in the AFFA. The Company’s consolidation of AICF results in a separate recognition of the asbestos liability and certain other asbestos-related assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet. Among other items, the Company records a deferred tax asset for the anticipated future tax benefit the Company believes is available to it that arise from amounts contributed to AICF by the Performing Subsidiary. Since fiscal year 2007, movements in the asbestos liability arising from changes in foreign currency or actuarial adjustments are classified as asbestos adjustments and the income tax benefit arising from contributions to AICF is included within income tax benefit (expense) on the consolidated statements of operations when realised.

For the year ended 31 March 2012, the Company did not provide financial or other support to AICF that it was not previously contractually required to provide. Future funding of AICF by the Company continues to be linked under the terms of the AFFA to the Company’s long-term financial success, specifically the Company’s ability to generate net operating cash flow.

AICF has operating costs that are claims related and non-claims related. Claims related costs incurred by AICF are treated as reductions in the accrued asbestos liability balances previously reflected in the consolidated balance sheets. Non-claims related operating costs incurred by AICF are expensed as incurred in the line item Selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. AICF earns interest on its cash and cash equivalents and on its short-term investments; these amounts are included in the line item Interest income in the consolidated statements of operations.

See Asbestos-Related Assets and Liabilities below and Note 11 for further details on the related assets and liabilities recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet under the terms of the AFFA.

Asbestos-Related Assets and Liabilities

The Company has recorded on its consolidated balance sheets certain assets and liabilities under the terms of the AFFA. These items are Australian dollar-denominated and are subject to translation into US dollars at each reporting date. These assets and liabilities are referred to by the Company as Asbestos-Related Assets and Liabilities and include:

Asbestos Liability

The amount of the asbestos liability reflects the terms of the AFFA, which has been calculated by reference to (but is not exclusively based upon) the most recent actuarial estimate of projected future cash flows prepared by KPMG Actuarial. Based on their assumptions, they arrived at a range of possible total cash flows and proposed a central estimate which is intended to reflect an expected outcome. The Company views the central estimate as the basis for recording the asbestos liability in the Company’s financial statements, which under US GAAP, it considers the best estimate. The asbestos liability includes these cash flows as undiscounted and uninflated on the basis that it is inappropriate to discount or inflate future cash flows when the timing and amounts of such cash flows are not fixed or readily determinable.

Adjustments in the asbestos liability due to changes in the actuarial estimate of projected future cash flows and changes in the estimate of future operating costs of AICF are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations during the period in which they occur. Claims paid by AICF and claims-handling costs incurred by AICF are treated as reductions in the accrued balances previously reflected in the consolidated balance sheets.

Insurance Receivable

There are various insurance policies and insurance companies with exposure to the asbestos claims. The insurance receivable determined by KPMG Actuarial reflects the recoveries expected from all such policies based on the expected pattern of claims against such policies less an allowance for credit risk based on credit agency ratings. The insurance receivable generally includes these cash flows as undiscounted and uninflated on the basis that it is inappropriate to discount or inflate future cash flows when the timing and amounts of such cash flows are not fixed or readily determinable. The Company records insurance receivables that are deemed probable of being realised.

Adjustments in insurance receivable due to changes in the actuarial estimate, or changes in the Company’s assessment of recoverability are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations during the period in which they occur. Insurance recoveries are treated as a reduction in the insurance receivable balance.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation claims are claims made by former employees of the Former James Hardie Companies. Such past, current and future reported claims were insured with various insurance companies and the various Australian State-based workers’ compensation schemes (collectively “workers’ compensation schemes or policies”). An estimate of the liability related to workers’ compensation claims is prepared by KPMG Actuarial as part of the annual actuarial assessment. This estimate contains two components, amounts that will be met by a workers’ compensation scheme or policy, and amounts that will be met by the Former James Hardie Companies.

The portion of the estimate that is expected to be met by the Former James Hardie Companies is included as part of the Asbestos Liability. Adjustments to this estimate are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations during the period in which they occur.

The portion of the estimate that is expected to be met by the workers’ compensation schemes or policies of the Former James Hardie Companies is recorded by the Company as a workers’ compensation liability. Since these amounts are expected to be paid by the workers’ compensation schemes or policies, the Company records an equivalent workers’ compensation receivable.

Adjustments to the workers’ compensation liability result in an equal adjustment in the workers’ compensation receivable recorded by the Company and have no effect on the consolidated statements of operations.

Asbestos-Related Research and Education Contributions

The Company agreed to fund asbestos-related research and education initiatives for a period of 10 years, beginning in fiscal year 2007. The liabilities related to these agreements are included in “Other Liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents of AICF are reflected as restricted assets, as the use of these assets is restricted to the settlement of asbestos claims and payment of the operating costs of AICF. The Company classifies these amounts as a current asset on the face of the consolidated balance sheet since they are highly liquid.

Restricted Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments consist of highly liquid investments held in the custody of major financial institutions. All short-term investments are classified as available for sale and are recorded at market value using the specific identification method. Unrealised gains and losses on the market value of these investments are included as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Realised gains and losses on short-term investments are recognised in Other Income on the consolidated statement of operations.

AICF – Other Assets and Liabilities

Other assets and liabilities of AICF, including fixed assets, trade receivables and payables are included on the consolidated balance sheets under the appropriate captions and their use is restricted to the operations of AICF.

Deferred Income Taxes

The Performing Subsidiary is able to claim a tax deduction for its contributions to AICF over a five-year period commencing in the year the contribution is incurred. Consequently, a deferred tax asset has been recognised equivalent to the anticipated tax benefit over the life of the AFFA. The current portion of the deferred tax asset represents Australian tax benefits that will be available to the Company during the subsequent twelve months.

Adjustments are made to the deferred income tax asset as adjustments to the asbestos-related assets and liabilities are recorded.

Foreign Currency Translation

The asbestos-related assets and liabilities are denominated in Australian dollars and thus the reported values of these asbestos-related assets and liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets in US dollars are subject to adjustment depending on the closing exchange rate between the two currencies at the balance sheet date. The effect of foreign exchange rate movements between these currencies is included in Asbestos Adjustments in the consolidated statements of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, which amends some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements. The new guidance states that the concepts of highest and best use and valuation premise are only relevant when measuring the fair value of non-financial assets and prohibits the grouping of financial instruments for purposes of determining their fair values when the unit of account is specified in other guidance. ASU No. 2011-04 is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after 15 December 2011. The adoption of this ASU did not result in a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, which requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, eliminating the option to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. Under either choice, items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income are required to be presented on the face of the financial statements where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. ASU No. 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after 15 December 2011. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to result in a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, which defers the implementation of only those changes in ASU No. 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income. All other requirements in ASU No. 2011-05 are not affected by this update, including the requirement to report comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. The amendments in ASU No. 2011-12 are effective at the same time as the amendments in ASU No. 2011-05, being fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after 15 December 2011. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to result in a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.