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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and sponsored investment products in which it has a controlling interest. Material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company’s significant accounting policies, which have been consistently applied, are summarized in the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Certain amounts in the prior years’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and sponsored investment products in which it has a controlling financial interest. The Company is generally considered to have a controlling financial interest when it owns a majority of the voting interest in an entity or otherwise has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the subsidiary. See Note 15 for additional information related to the consolidation of sponsored investment products.

The Company also evaluates for consolidation any variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. A VIE is an entity in which either (a) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or (b) the group of holders of the equity investment at risk lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has the obligation to absorb a majority of the expected losses or the right to receive the majority of the residual returns. The Company evaluates whether entities in which it has an interest are VIEs and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of any VIEs identified in its analysis.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interests related to certain consolidated sponsored investment products are classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests because investors in these funds may request withdrawals at any time.