Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures are adequate to enable a reasonable understanding of the information presented.  The information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Part I, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the “2014 Form 10-K”).

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared consistent with the accounting policies described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in our 2014 Form 10-K except as noted below.  In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only a normal and recurring nature) necessary to present fairly our financial position at September 30, 2015, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The Company has classified its investments in certain sponsored funds as either equity method investments (when the Company owns between 20% and 50% of the fund) or as available for sale investments (when the Company owns less than 20% of the fund) as described in Note 4 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements. Effective July 1, 2015, $160.2 million of investments previously classified as available for sale investments were reclassified as equity method investments, representing seed investments in which the Company owns between 20% and 50% of the fund.  Prior to July 1, 2015, the difference in accounting for these investments as available for sale investments compared to equity method investments was considered immaterial. However, due primarily to market action during the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, the difference in applying the equity method of accounting became more significant. As a result of this classification change, during the three months ended September 30, 2015, $2.1 million of unrealized losses were reclassified from other comprehensive income and recognized in the consolidated statement of income. In future periods, the Company will account for all investments in sponsored funds in which the Company owns between 20% and 50% as equity method securities.

Consolidation

Consolidation

We provide seed capital to our new investment products at the time we launch the products.  These investment products include certain of the Advisors Funds and the Ivy Funds (“1940 Act Mutual Funds”), the SICAV and IGI Funds, limited liability companies (“LLCs”), and an open-end mutual fund organized in Canada (the “Canadian Mutual Fund”).

Seeded investments in 1940 Act Mutual Funds and the Canadian Mutual Fund are organized under a series fund structure, whereby each open-ended mutual fund represents a separate share class of a legal entity organized under a statutory trust.  The Company has determined that the 1940 Act Mutual Funds and the Canadian Mutual Fund are voting interest entities because the structure of the investment product is such that the voting rights held by the equity holders provide for equality among equity investors.  To the extent material, these investment products would be consolidated if Company ownership, directly or indirectly, represents a majority interest.

The Company has concluded that seed investments in the privately offered funds, which are structured as investment companies in the legal form of LLCs, are variable interest entities, but qualify for the deferral to certain provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 810-10, “Consolidation — Overall,” afforded by Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-10, “Consolidation — Amendments for Certain Investment Funds” (the “Investment Company deferral”).  The Company is not the primary beneficiary of the LLC investments as we do not absorb a majority of the expected variability of the LLC.  The LLCs are investment companies and follow the guidance within ASC Topic 946, “Financial Services — Investment Companies.”  If the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary of a LLC, the LLC would be consolidated on the Company’s financial statements to the extent material.

The Company has determined the SICAV to be a voting interest entity, as its legal structure and the powers of its equity investors prevents the SICAV from meeting the characteristics of being a variable interest entity. To the extent material, the Company would be required to consolidate the SICAV if ownership of the SICAV, directly or indirectly, represents more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of the SICAV.