Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 for Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (referred to in these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements as "the Company," "management," "we," "us," and "our") have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair statement of the financial condition and results of operations at the dates and for the interim periods presented, have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for any full fiscal year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 ("2014 Annual Report") as filed with the SEC.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions related to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassification

Certain prior period amounts and disclosures may have been reclassified to conform to the current period's financial presentation.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Segment Information

Management has determined that the Company operates in one business segment, namely providing investment management and administration services to mutual funds, institutional accounts, and private investment funds. Therefore, no disclosures relating to operating segments are presented in annual or interim financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits and money market mutual funds.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded when they are due and are presented on the balance sheet net of any allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable are written off when they are determined to be uncollectible. Any allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on the Company’s historical losses, existing conditions in the industry, and the financial stability of those individuals or entities that owe the receivable. No allowance for doubtful accounts was deemed necessary at June 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

Valuation of Investment Portfolio

Investments held by the Company are classified as trading securities and are valued based upon the definition of Level 1 inputs and Level 2 inputs. Level 1 inputs are defined as fair values which use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are defined as quoted prices in markets that are not considered to be active for identical assets or liabilities, quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, and inputs other than quoted prices that are directly observable or that may be corroborated indirectly with observable market data. The following table summarizes the values of the Company’s investments based upon Level 1 and Level 2 inputs as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:



	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Level 1 Inputs	$	80,175,798	$	62,595,546
Level 2 Inputs	11,820,752		14,652,589

Level 1 investments are all registered investment companies (mutual funds) and include as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $38.6 million and $31.8 million, respectively, of money market mutual funds that the Company classifies as cash equivalents. Level 2 investments are all limited partnerships. Equity securities in limited partnerships are valued based upon readily available market quotations obtained from an independent pricing service. Debt securities in limited partnerships are valued by an independent pricing service which uses pricing techniques which take into account factors such as trading activity, readily available market quotations, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit rates and other observable inputs. The Company determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers in or out of the levels.

The changes in fair values of the investments are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as investment income.

Limited Partnership Interests

DHCM is the managing member of Diamond Hill General Partner, LLC (the "General Partner"), which is the general partner of Diamond Hill Investment Partners, L.P. ("DHIP"), Diamond Hill Global Fund, L.P. ("DHGF"), Diamond Hill High Yield Fund, L.P. ("DHHY") and Diamond Hill Valuation-Weighted 500, L.P. ("DH500") (collectively, the "Partnerships"), each a limited partnership whose underlying assets consist of marketable securities. During the period, the Company converted DH500 to the Diamond Hill Valuation-Weighted 500 ETF by liquidating its investment in the partnership and purchasing into the Diamond Hill Valuation-Weighted 500 ETF (refer to Note 3).

DHCM, in its role as managing member of the General Partner, has the power to direct each Partnership’s economic activities and has the right to receive investment advisory and performance incentive fees that may be significant to the Partnerships. The Company evaluated these Partnerships to determine whether or not to consolidate the entities in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification ("FASB ASC") 810, Consolidation. Certain of these Partnerships are considered to be variable interest entities ("VIEs") while others are considered to be voting rights entities ("VREs'), both of which are subject to consolidation consideration. The Company would consolidate VIEs where the Company is considered the primary beneficiary or VREs where the General Partner is considered to control the Partnership. For the Partnerships that were considered VIEs, the Company was not deemed to be the primary beneficiary. For the Partnerships that were considered VREs, it was determined that the DHCM in its role of managing member of the General Partner did not control the Partnerships. Therefore, the investments are accounted for under the equity method rather than being consolidated in the accompanying financial statements.

DHCM’s investments in these Partnerships are reported as a component of the Company’s investment portfolio, valued at DHCM’s proportionate interest in the net asset value of the marketable securities held by the Partnerships. The Partnerships are not subject to lockup periods and can be redeemed on demand. Gains and losses attributable to changes in the value of DHCM’s interests in the Partnerships are included in the Company’s reported investment income. The Company’s exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Partnerships is limited to the amount of its investments. DHCM is not obligated to provide, and has not provided, financial or other support to the Partnerships, other than its investments to date and its contractually provided investment advisory responsibilities. The Company has not provided liquidity arrangements, guarantees or other commitments to support the Partnerships’ operations, and the Partnerships’ creditors and interest holders have no recourse to the general credit of the Company.

Certain board members, officers and employees of the Company invest in DHIP and are not subject to a management fee or an incentive fee. These individuals receive no remuneration as a result of their personal investment in DHIP. The capital of the General Partner is not subject to a management fee or an incentive fee.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, consisting of leasehold improvements, computer equipment, furniture, and fixtures, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated life of the assets.

Revenue Recognition – General

The Company earns substantially all of its revenue from investment advisory and fund administration services. Investment advisory and administration fees, generally calculated as a percentage of assets under management ("AUM"), are recorded as revenue as services are performed. In addition to fixed fees based on a percentage of AUM, certain client accounts also provide periodic variable incentive fees.

Revenue Recognition – Variable Incentive Fees

The Company manages certain client accounts that provide for variable incentive fees. These fees are calculated based on client investment results over rolling five year periods. The Company records variable incentive fees at the end of the contract measurement period. No variable incentive fees were earned during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. The table below shows AUM subject to variable incentive fees and the amount of variable incentive fees that would be recognized if the contracts were terminated as of June 30, 2015 and 2014:



	As of June 30,
	2015		2014
AUM subject to variable incentive fees	$	576,430,237	$	498,891,932



	As of June 30,
	2015		2014
Contractual Period Ends:
Quarter Ended June 30, 2017	$	3,655,964	$	3,614,204
Quarter Ended December 31, 2018	265,040		—
Quarter Ended September 30, 2019	278,658		—
Quarter Ended March 31, 2020	8,518		—
Total variable incentive fees that would be recognized if contract terminated	$	4,208,180	$	3,614,204

The contractual end dates highlight the time remaining until the variable incentive fees are scheduled to be earned. The amount of variable incentive fees that would be recognized if the contracts were terminated as of June 30, 2015 or 2014 will increase or decrease based on future client investment results through the contractual period end, and there is no assurance that the above amounts will ultimately be earned.

Revenue Recognition – Mutual Fund Administration

DHCM has an administrative and transfer agency services agreement with the Funds, under which DHCM performs certain services for each Fund. These services include mutual fund administration, fund accounting, transfer agency and other related functions. Effective January 1, 2015, for performing these services, each Fund pays DHCM a fee, which is calculated using an annual rate of 0.24% for Class A, C, and I shares and 0.10% for Class Y shares, times the average daily net assets of each respective series and share class. Prior to January 1, 2015, the annual rate was 0.25% for Class A, C, and I shares and 0.10% for Class Y shares.

The Funds have selected and contractually engaged certain vendors to fulfill various services to benefit the Funds’ shareholders or to satisfy regulatory requirements of the Funds. These services include, among others, required shareholder mailings, federal and state registrations, and legal and audit services. DHCM, in fulfilling a portion of its role under the administration agreement with the Funds, acts as agent to pay these obligations of the Funds. Each vendor is independently responsible for fulfillment of the services it has been engaged to provide and negotiates fees and terms with the management and board of trustees of the Funds. The fee that each Fund pays to DHCM is reviewed annually by the Funds’ board of trustees and specifically takes into account the contractual expenses that DHCM pays on behalf of the Funds. As a result, DHCM is not involved in the delivery or pricing of these services and bears no risk related to these services. Revenue has been recorded net of these Fund related expenses, in accordance with FASB ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Considerations. In addition, DHCM finances the upfront commissions which are paid to brokers who sell Class C shares of the Funds. As financer, DHCM advances the commission amount to be paid to the selling broker at the time of sale. These advances are capitalized and amortized over 12 months to correspond with the repayments DHCM receives from the principal underwriter to recoup this commission advancement.

Beacon Hill has underwriting and administrative service agreements with certain clients, including registered mutual funds. The fee arrangements vary from client to client based upon services provided and are recorded as revenue under mutual fund administration on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Part of Beacon Hill’s role as underwriter is to act as an agent on behalf of its mutual fund clients to receive 12b-1/service fees and commission revenue and facilitate the payment of those fees and commissions to third parties who provide services to the funds and their shareholders. The majority of 12b-1/service fees are paid to independent third parties and the remainder are retained by the Company as a reimbursement of expenses the Company has incurred. The amount of 12b-1/service fees and commissions are determined by each mutual fund client, and Beacon Hill bears no financial risk related to these services. As a result, 12b-1/service fees and commission revenue has been recorded net of the expense payments to third parties, in accordance with the appropriate accounting treatment for this agency relationship.

Mutual fund administration gross and net revenue are summarized below:



	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Mutual fund administration:
Administration revenue, gross	$	6,883,451		$	5,565,081		$	13,263,411		$	10,608,498
12b-1/service fees and commission revenue received from fund clients	2,799,190			2,689,494			5,543,341			5,171,264
12b-1/service fees and commission expense payments to third parties	(2,418,508		)	(2,342,897		)	(4,792,371		)	(4,499,409		)
Fund related expense	(2,908,128		)	(2,419,569		)	(5,746,922		)	(4,508,744		)
Revenue, net of related expenses	4,356,005			3,492,109			8,267,459			6,771,609
DHCM C-Share financing:
Broker commission advance repayments	247,922			218,108			499,281			391,999
Broker commission amortization	(240,616		)	(210,100		)	(485,558		)	(385,202		)
Financing activity, net	7,306			8,008			13,723			6,797
Mutual fund administration revenue, net	$	4,363,311		$	3,500,117		$	8,281,182		$	6,778,406

Contractual Expense Reimbursements

During the fourth quarter of 2013, BHIL entered into an agreement with an investment adviser that is part of an umbrella trust sponsored by BHFS to provide staff to support the wholesaling functions and sales support services to distribute shares of the registered investment companies managed by the investment adviser and distributed by BHIL. Under the agreement, the investment adviser is obligated to reimburse BHIL for all expenses incurred in association with these efforts. The amount of expense incurred and reimbursed for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $666,749 and $401,313, respectively. The amount of expense incurred and reimbursed for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $1,214,504 and $797,354, respectively. In addition, the third party investment adviser is obligated to reimburse BHIL for any contractual obligations entered into by BHIL as a result of this arrangement. BHIL is not involved in the delivery or pricing of these services and bears no risk related to these services. Revenue has been recorded net of these expenses in accordance with FASB ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition - Principal Agent Considerations.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for current and deferred income taxes through an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

The Company is subject to examination by various federal, and applicable state and local jurisdictions for various tax periods. The Company’s income tax positions are based on research and interpretations of the income tax laws and rulings in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company does business. Due to the subjectivity of interpretations of laws and rulings in each jurisdiction, the differences and interplay in tax laws between those jurisdictions, as well as the inherent uncertainty in estimating the final resolution of complex tax audit matters, the Company’s estimates of income tax liabilities may differ from actual payments or assessments. The Company regularly assesses its position with regard to tax exposures and records liabilities for these uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties, if any, according to the principles of FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes. As of June 30, 2015, the Company has not recorded any liability for uncertain tax positions. The Company records interest and penalties, if any, within income tax expense on the income statement.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding for the period, which includes participating securities. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of EPS due to unvested restricted stock grants with forfeitable rights to dividends and restricted stock units. For the periods presented, the Company has unvested stock-based payment awards that contain both forfeitable and nonforfeitable rights to dividends and restricted stock units. See Note 7.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which supersedes existing accounting standards for revenue recognition and creates a single framework. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period and requires either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, as well as the available transition methods. Early adoption is prohibited.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, "Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis". This standard modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires either a retrospective approach to adoption or a modified retrospective approach, by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements, as well as the available transition methods.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)". This standard will eliminate the requirement to categorize investments in the fair value hierarchy if their fair value is measured at net asset value (NAV) per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient in the FASB’s fair value measurement guidance. ASU 2015-07 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires a retrospective approach to adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements, as well as the available transition methods.