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Accounting Standards and Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]  
Accounting Standards and Policies
Accounting Standards and Policies
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
During the quarter the Company adopted several new Accounting Standard Updates (“ASU”). While none of these ASUs had a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company was required to update certain of its significant accounting policies. For a complete list of significant accounting policies, see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (as amended), using a modified retrospective method and, as a result, updated its revenue recognition accounting policy as follows.

Revenue primarily represents asset and performance based fees earned by the Company's Affiliates for managing the assets of clients. Substantially all of the Company’s Affiliate contracts contain a single performance obligation, which is investment management services. Investment management services are performed and consumed simultaneously and, therefore, the Company recognizes asset based fees ratably over time. Broker-dealer and administrative fees for services that are provided and consumed over time, and which are related to Affiliate sponsored investment products, are also included ratably in revenue. Revenue recognized by the Company is adjusted for any expense reimbursement arrangements.

Performance based fees, including carried interests, are recognized only upon the satisfaction of performance obligations, resolution of any constraints and when it is improbable that there will be a significant reversal in the amount of revenue recognized. Performance based fees and carried interest may have a performance period that overlaps more than one reporting period. As such, any performance based fees or carried interest recognized in the current reporting period may relate to performance obligations satisfied in a previous reporting period.

Revenue from investment management, broker-dealer and administrative services is typically based on the value of client assets over time, which are typically determined using observable market data. Services may be invoiced in advance or in arrears and are payable upon receipt. Any fees collected in advance are deferred and recognized as the services are performed and consumed. 

The Company and certain of its Affiliates have contractual arrangements with third parties to provide distribution-related services. Fees received and expenses incurred under these arrangements are primarily based on the value of client assets over time. Distribution-related fees are presented in revenue gross of any related expenses when the Company or its Affiliate is the principal in its role as primary obligor under its distribution-related services arrangements. Distribution-related expenses are presented within Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company and its Affiliates may enter into contracts for which the costs to obtain or fulfill the contract are based upon a percentage of the value of a client’s future assets under management. The Company and its Affiliates record these variable costs when incurred because they are subject to market volatility and are not estimable upon inception of a contract with a client. Any expenses paid in advance are capitalized and amortized on a systematic basis consistent with the transfer of services, which is the equivalent of recognizing the costs as incurred.

Investments in Marketable Securities

On January 1, 2018, the Company also adopted ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, using a modified retrospective method and, as a result, updated its Investments in marketable securities accounting policy as follows.

Investments in marketable securities are carried at fair value and reported within Investments and other assets on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the Company no longer classifies these securities as either trading or available-for-sale securities. Realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments in marketable securities are reported within Investment and other income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Realized gains and losses are recorded on the trade date on a specific identified basis.
Recent Accounting Developments
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to record right-of-use assets and lease liabilities arising from most operating leases on the statement of financial position. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 for the Company and its consolidated Affiliates and for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 for the Company’s equity method Affiliates. The standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective method.  The Company is evaluating the impact of this standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment. Under the new standard, a goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will apply the standard prospectively upon adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact of this standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements.