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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES A summary of the significant accounting policies and practices used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements is as follows: Basis of presentation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in real estate ventures over which we exercise significant influence, but do not control, are accounted for either at fair value or under the equity method. When applying principles of consolidation, we begin by determining whether an investee entity is a variable interest entity ("VIE") or a voting interest entity. U.S. GAAP draws a distinction between voting interest entities, which are embodied by common and traditional corporate and certain partnership structures, and VIEs, broadly defined as entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights. For voting interest entities, the interest holder with control through majority ownership and majority voting rights consolidates the entity. For VIEs, determination of the "primary beneficiary" dictates the accounting treatment. We identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise having both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We perform the primary beneficiary analysis as of the inception of our investment and upon the occurrence of a reconsideration event. When we determine we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consolidate the VIE; when we determine we are not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, we account for our investment in the VIE at fair value or under the equity method, based upon an election made at the time of investment. Our determination of the appropriate accounting method to apply for unconsolidated investments is based on the level of influence we have in the underlying entity. When we have an asset management or property management contract with a real estate limited partnership in which we also hold an ownership interest, the combination of our limited partner interest and the management agreement generally provides us with significant influence over such real estate limited partnership. Accordingly, we account for such investments either at fair value or under the equity method. We eliminate transactions with such subsidiaries to the extent of our ownership in such subsidiaries. Use of estimates The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates are utilized in the valuation of equity method investments, valuation of deferred tax assets, analysis of goodwill impairment, and valuation of equity-based compensation. Discontinued Operations On July 23, 2019 the Company completed the transfer of Investors X subject to the Master Transfer Agreement (“MTA”). For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we classified revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities related to Investors X into discontinued operations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, the Consolidated Statement of Operations, and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See Note 19 – Discontinued Operations. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash and short-term investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these investments. Trade Receivables and Concentration of Credit Risk Trade receivables are recorded at the amount invoiced. We reduce accounts receivable by estimating an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. Management determines the estimated allowance for uncollectible amounts based on their judgements in evaluating the aging of the receivables and the financial condition of our clients, which may be dependent on the type of client and the client’s current financial condition. The Company does significant business with related party entities. Financial instruments that subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of related party receivables. The Company generally does not obtain collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to credit risk, but monitors the credit standing of related party entities. The Company derives a substantial portion of its revenues from various related party entities; with related party entities accounting for 81% of the Company’s total consolidated revenues in 2019. See Note 14 – Related Party Transactions for more information. Investments in real estate ventures We invest in certain real estate ventures that primarily own and operate real estate in two sectors, land development and commercial office. These investments take the form of equity ownership interests and, based upon investment-specific objectives, have included three to seven year planned investment periods. Our investments in real estate ventures are not redeemable until the disposition of the underlying real estate investment. We have elected to account for these equity method investments using the fair value option. For investments in real estate ventures reported at fair value, we maintain an investment account that is increased or decreased each reporting period by the difference between the fair value of the investment and the carrying value as of the balance sheet date. These fair value adjustments are reflected as gains or losses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of these investments as of the balance sheet date is generally determined using a Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) analysis, based upon unobservable inputs in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 4, Investments in Real Estate Ventures for additional information on Investments in real estate ventures. Fixed assets, net Fixed assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Leasehold improvements |  | Shorter of asset life or related lease term
Furniture and fixtures |  | 7 years
Office equipment |  | 5 years
Vehicles |  | 3 years
Computer equipment |  | 3 years
Capitalized software |  | 3 years
Leases Substantially all of our operating leases are related to office space we lease in various buildings for our own use. The terms of these non-cancelable operating leases typically require us to pay rent and a share of operating expenses and real estate taxes, generally with an inflation-based rent increase included. We also lease equipment under both operating and finance lease arrangements. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments (e.g. rent) over the lease term beginning at the commencement date. The Operating lease right-of-use assets are adjusted for lease incentives, deferred rent, and initial direct costs, if incurred. Our leases generally do not include an implicit rate; therefore, we use an incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future minimum lease payments. The related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. See Note 6 – Leases for more information Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business acquisition. Following an acquisition, we perform an analysis to value the acquired company’s tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities. With respect to identifiable intangible assets, we consider backlog, non-compete agreements, client relationships, trade names, patents and other assets. We amortize our intangible assets based on the period over which the contractual or economic benefits of the intangible assets are expected to be realized. We assess the recoverability of the unamortized balance of our intangible assets when indicators of impairment are present based on expected future profitability and undiscounted expected cash flows and their contribution to our overall operations. Should the review indicate that the carrying value is not fully recoverable, the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of the intangible assets would be recognized as an impairment loss. We perform our annual goodwill impairment review during our fourth quarter as of October 1. In addition, we regularly evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that may indicate a potential change in recoverability of goodwill. We perform interim goodwill impairment reviews between our annual reviews if certain events and circumstances have occurred, including a deterioration in general economic conditions, an increased competitive environment, a change in management, key personnel, strategy or customers, significant or unusual changes in market capitalization, negative or declining cash flows, or a decline in actual or planned revenue or earnings compared with actual and projected results of relevant prior periods. When assessing goodwill for impairment, the Company may first assess qualitative factors to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than it’s carrying amount or elect to bypass such assessment. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than it’s carrying value, or the Company elects to bypass such assessment, the Company then determines the fair value of each reporting unit. The estimate of the fair value of each reporting unit is based on a projected discounted cash flow model that includes significant assumptions and estimates including the Company's discount rate, growth rate and future financial performance as well as a market multiple model based upon similar transactions in the market. Assumptions about the discount rate are based on a weighted average cost of capital built up from various interest rate components applicable to the Company. Assumptions about the growth rate and future financial performance of a reporting unit are based on the Company's forecasts, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. Market multiples are derived from recent transactions among businesses of a similar size and industry. The fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the carrying amount of the reporting unit. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, then an impairment loss is recognized for the difference Debt Issuance Costs Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are deferred and amortized as interest expense over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method for term debt and on a straight-line basis for revolving debt. To the extent that debt is outstanding, these amounts are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as direct deductions of debt and as assets for costs related to revolving debt. See Note 9 for additional information on the Company's long-term debt and related debt issuance costs. Revenue recognition The Company’s revenues consist primarily of
| • | Asset Management;
| • | Property Management;
| • | Capital Markets;
| • | Leasing;
| • | Project & Development Services; and
| • | Environmental Remediation
Asset Management Asset Management primarily provides comprehensive real estate asset management services to the CDS portfolio, representing a series of daily performance obligations delivered over time. Pricing includes a cost-plus management fee or a market-rate fee form of variable consideration. The Company earns whichever is higher. See Note 14 – Related Party Transactions. The amount of revenue recognized is presented gross for any services provided by our employees, as we control them. This is evidenced by our obligation for their performance and our ability to direct and redirect their work, as well as negotiate the value of such services. In the instances where we do not control third-party services delivered to the client, we report revenues net of the third-party reimbursements. Consistent with the transfer of control for distinct, daily services to the customer, revenue is typically recognized at the end of each period for the fees associated with the services performed. Property Management Property Management provides on-site day-to-day management services for owners of office, industrial, retail, multifamily residential and various other types of properties, representing a series of daily performance obligations delivered over time. Pricing is generally in the form of a monthly management fee based upon property-level cash receipts, square footage under management or some other variable metric. Revenues from project management may also include reimbursement of payroll and related costs for personnel providing the services and subcontracted vendor costs. Project management services represent a series of distinct daily services rendered over time. Consistent with the transfer of control for distinct, daily services to the customer, revenue is typically recognized at the end of each period for the fees associated with the services performed. The amount of revenue recognized is presented gross for any services provided by our employees, as we control them. This is evidenced by our obligation for their performance and our ability to direct and redirect their work, as well as negotiate the value of such services. In the instances where we do not control third-party services delivered to the client, we report revenues net of the third-party reimbursements. Capital Markets We offer clients commercial mortgage and structured financing services. We are compensated for our services via a fee paid upon successful commercial financing from third party lenders. The fee earned is contingent upon the funding of the loan, which represents the transfer of control for services to the customer. Therefore, we typically satisfy our performance obligation at the point in time of the funding of the loan, when there is a present right to payment. Leasing We provide strategic advice and execution for owners, investors, and occupiers of real estate in connection with the leasing of office, industrial and retail space. We are compensated for our services in the form of a commission. Our commission is paid upon signing of the lease by the tenant. We satisfy our performance obligation at a point in time; generally, at the time of the contractual event where there is a present right to payment. Project & Development Services We provide project and construction management services for owners and occupiers of real estate in connection with the management and leasing of office, industrial and retail space. The fees that we earn are typically variable based upon a percentage of project cost. We are compensated for our services in the form management fees. Project and construction management services represent a series of performance obligations delivered over time and revenue is recognized over time. Environmental Remediation We provide environmental remediation services for owners of real estate. Remediation services are generally contracted and performed by Comstock Environmental. We are compensated for our services as well as for the services of subcontractors used to perform remediation services. Fees earned are generally based upon employee time spent as well as a cost-plus arrangement for subcontractors used. Generally, environmental remediation services represent a series of performance obligations delivered over time and revenue is recognized over time. Contract Costs Expenses, primarily employee commissions, incurred on leasing and capital markets transactions represent substantially all our incremental costs to obtain revenue contracts. We apply the applicable practical expedient offered by ASC Topic 606 when the amortization period is one year or less and, therefore, recognize these costs as an operating expense as they are incurred. Stock compensation As discussed in Note 12, the Company sponsors stock option plans and restricted stock award plans. The Company accounts for its share-based awards pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, Share Based Payments. ASC 718 requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements over the service period based on their fair values at the date of grant. For the year ended December 31, 2019, total stock based compensation cost was $479 thousand of which $474 thousand was charged to expenses within ‘general and administrative’ and ‘Direct costs - real estate services’ in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, and $5 thousand was capitalized to ‘Long-term assets of discontinued operations’. For the year ended December 31, 2018, total stock based compensation cost was $257 thousand of which $234 thousand was charged to expenses within ‘general and administrative’ and ‘Direct costs-real estate services’ in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, and $23 thousand was capitalized to ‘Long-term assets of discontinued operations’. Income taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on the deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We provide a valuation allowance when we consider it “more likely than not” (greater than a 50% probability) that a deferred income tax asset will not be fully recovered. Adjustments to the valuation allowance are a component of the deferred income tax expense or benefit in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Recently adopted accounting pronouncements In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” which removes Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and replaces the qualitative assessment. Impairment will be measured using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. Under this revised guidance, failing Step 1 will always result in a goodwill impairment. The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests with measurement dates after January 1, 2017. The Company early adopted this guidance during the fourth quarter of 2018 and the early adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Updated (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). The core principle of the standard is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. A lessee should recognize in its statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The FASB subsequently issued ASU 2018-10 and ASU 2018-11 in July 2018, which provide clarifications and improvements to ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-11 also provides the optional transition method which will allow companies to apply the new lease standard at the adoption date instead of at the earliest comparative period presented. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this standard using the modified retrospective method effective January 1, 2019. As permitted by the guidance, the Company elected to retain the original lease classification and historical accounting for initial direct costs for leases existing prior to the adoption date and did not reassess contracts entered into prior to the adoption date for the existence of a lease. The Company also did not recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases, which are leases in existence as of the adoption date with an original term of twelve months or less. As a result of the adoption of the standard, the Company recognized ROU assets and liabilities of $170 thousand as of the adoption date on its Consolidated Balance Sheet. There was no cumulative effect on beginning retained earnings. The assets and liabilities recognized upon application of the transition provisions were primarily associated with our existing office leases. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), which modifies how companies recognize expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by an entity at each reporting date. Existing GAAP requires an “incurred loss” methodology whereby companies are prohibited from recording an expected loss until it is probable that the loss has been incurred. ASU 2016-13 requires companies to use a methodology that reflects current expected credit losses (“CECL”) and requires consideration of a broad range of reasonable and supportable information to record and report credit loss estimates, even when the CECL is remote. Companies will be required to record the allowance for credit losses and deduct that amount from the basis of the asset. The guidance is effective for the Company for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2022, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”), which removes, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements in Topic 820. ASU 2018-13 removes the following disclosure requirements: (i) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and (ii) the entity’s valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 adds the following disclosure requirements: (i) provide information about the measurement uncertainty of Level 3 fair value measurements as of the reporting date rather than a point in the future, (ii) disclose changes in unrealized gains and losses related to Level 3 measurements for the period included in other comprehensive income, and (iii) disclose for Level 3 measurements the range and weighted average of the significant unobservable inputs and the way it is calculated. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this pronouncement to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740, Income Tax and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this pronouncement to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. We have evaluated all other issued and unadopted Accounting Standards Updates and believe the adoption of these standards will not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, balance sheets, or cash flows

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