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Basis of Presentation | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Aon plc and all of its controlled subsidiaries (“Aon” or the “Company”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Consolidated Financial Statements include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company identified errors related to the recognition of revenue for certain brokerage fee arrangements, specifically the consideration for certain arrangements covering multiple insurance placements was not appropriately allocated to each individual placement. Based on an analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins 99 and 108, the Company concluded that these errors were immaterial, individually and in the aggregate, to the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, Consolidated Statements of Income, or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as presented in the Company’s quarterly and annual financial statements previously filed in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. While Aon concluded that the errors were immaterial to each of the prior reporting periods affected, the Company further concluded that correcting the errors cumulatively in fiscal year 2016 would materially misstate the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2016. As a result, amendment of such reports is not required. In preparing the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company made appropriate revisions to its financial statements for historical periods. Such changes are reflected for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, included in these financial statements, and will also be reflected in the historical periods included in the Company’s subsequent quarterly and annual consolidated financial statements. The impact to the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position was a decrease of $170 million to Receivables, net, an increase of $66 million to Deferred tax assets, and a decrease of $104 million to Retained earnings in all periods presented. The impact to the full year Consolidated Statements of Income and Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income was de minimis in all periods presented. and therefore remains unchanged. There was no impact to the full year cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The impact to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows previously filed in unaudited Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q is as follows (in millions):
| Q1 2016 |  | Q2 2016 |  | Q3 2016
(Unaudited) | As Reported | Effect of Change(1) | As Revised |  | As Reported | Effect of Change(1) | As Revised |  | As Reported | Effect of Change(1) | As Revised
Net Income | $ | 327 |  | $ | 10 |  | $ | 337 |  |  | $ | 607 |  | $ | 38 |  | $ | 645 |  |  | $ | 921 |  | $ | 50 |  | $ | 971 |
Change in assets and liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Receivables, net | 110 |  | (13 | ) | 97 |  |  | 175 |  | (47 | ) | 128 |  |  | 289 |  | (61 | ) | 228 |
Other assets and liabilities | $ | 69 |  | $ | 3 |  | $ | 72 |  |  | $ | 56 |  | $ | 9 |  | $ | 65 |  |  | $ | 83 |  | $ | 11 |  | $ | 94 |
(1) | No net impact to Cash Provided by Operating Activities.
Refer to Note 17 “Quarterly Financial Data” for the impact to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income previously filed in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Reclassification Certain amounts in prior years’ Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation. In prior periods, cash outflows from Restructuring activities were shown as a separate line item within Cash Flows From Operating Activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Beginning in 2016, these amounts are disclosed as a component of the change in Other assets and liabilities within Cash Flows From Operating Activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash outflows for Restructuring reserves were $31 million at December 31, 2015 and $83 million at December 31, 2014. Use of Estimates The preparation of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of reserves and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. Management believes its estimates to be reasonable given the current facts available. Aon adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity markets, and foreign currency exchange rate movements increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined, among other factors, with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment would, if applicable, be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

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