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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements (referred to hereafter as the "financial statements") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").
KKR consolidates the financial results of the KKR Group Partnerships and their consolidated entities, which include the accounts of KKR's investment management and capital markets companies, the general partners of certain unconsolidated investment funds, general partners of consolidated investment funds and their respective consolidated investment funds and certain other entities including CFEs. References in the accompanying financial statements to "principals" are to KKR's senior employees and non-employee operating consultants who hold interests in KKR's business through KKR Holdings.
All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
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 of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues, expenses and investment income (loss) during the reporting periods. Such estimates include but are not limited to (i) the determination of the income tax provision and (ii) the valuation of investments and financial instruments. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the financial statements.
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The types of entities KKR assesses for consolidation include (i) subsidiaries, including management companies, broker-dealers and general partners of investment funds that KKR manages, (ii) entities that have all the attributes of an investment company, like investment funds, (iii) CFEs and (iv) other entities, including entities that employ non-employee operating consultants. Each of these entities is assessed for consolidation on a case by case basis depending on the specific facts and circumstances surrounding that entity.

Pursuant to its consolidation policy, KKR first considers whether an entity is considered a VIE and therefore whether to apply the consolidation guidance under the VIE model. Entities that do not qualify as VIEs are assessed for consolidation as voting interest entities ("VOEs") under the voting interest model.

KKR's funds are, for GAAP purposes, investment companies and therefore are not required to consolidate their investments in portfolio companies even if majority-owned and controlled. Rather, the consolidated funds and vehicles reflect their investments at fair value as described below in "Fair Value Measurements."

An entity in which KKR holds a variable interest is a VIE if any one of the following conditions exist: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, (b) the holders of the equity investment at risk (as a group) lack either the direct or indirect ability through voting rights or similar rights to make decisions about a legal entity's activities that have a significant effect on the success of the legal entity or the obligation to absorb the expected losses or right to receive the expected residual returns, or (c) the voting rights of some investors are disproportionate to their obligation to absorb the expected losses of the legal entity, their rights to receive the expected residual returns of the legal entity, or both and substantially all of the legal entity's activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with disproportionately few voting rights. Limited partnerships and other similar entities where unaffiliated limited partners have not been granted (i) substantive participatory rights or (ii) substantive rights to either dissolve the partnership or remove the general partner ("kick-out rights") are VIEs under condition (b) above. KKR's investment funds that are not CFEs (i) are generally limited partnerships, (ii) generally provide KKR with operational discretion and control and (iii) generally have fund investors with no substantive rights to impact ongoing governance and operating activities of the fund, including the ability to remove the general partner, and as such the limited partners do not hold kick-out rights. Accordingly, most of KKR's investment funds are categorized as VIEs.

KKR consolidates all VIEs in which it is the primary beneficiary. A reporting entity is determined to be the primary beneficiary if it holds a controlling financial interest in a VIE. A controlling financial interest is defined as (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The consolidation guidance requires an analysis to determine (i) whether an entity in which KKR holds a variable interest is a VIE and (ii) whether KKR's involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (for example, management and performance related fees), would give it a controlling financial interest. Performance of that analysis requires the exercise of judgment. Fees earned by KKR that are customary and commensurate with the level of effort required to provide those services, and where KKR does not hold other economic interests in the entity that would absorb more than an insignificant amount of the expected losses or returns of the entity, would not be considered variable interests. KKR factors in all economic interests including interests held through related parties, to determine if it holds a variable interest. KKR determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a VIE and reconsiders that conclusion periodically.

For entities that are determined not to be VIEs, these entities are generally considered VOEs and are evaluated under the voting interest model. KKR consolidates VOEs it controls through a majority voting interest or through other means.

The consolidation assessment, including the determination as to whether an entity qualifies as a VIE or VOE depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding each entity and therefore certain of KKR's investment funds may qualify as VIEs whereas others may qualify as VOEs.

With respect to CLOs (which are generally VIEs), in its role as collateral manager, KKR generally has the power to direct the activities of the CLO that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity. In some, but not all cases, KKR, through its residual interest in the CLO may have variable interests that represent an obligation to absorb losses of, or a right to receive benefits from, the CLO that could potentially be significant to the CLO. In cases where KKR has both the power to direct the activities of the CLO that most significantly impact the CLO's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the CLO or the right to receive benefits from the CLO that could potentially be significant to the CLO, KKR is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and consolidates the CLO.

With respect to CMBS vehicles (which are generally VIEs), KKR holds unrated and non-investment grade rated securities issued by the CMBS, which are the most subordinate tranche of the CMBS vehicle. The economic performance of the CMBS is most significantly impacted by the performance of the underlying assets. Thus, the activities that most significantly impact the CMBS economic performance are the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the underlying assets. The special servicer has the ability to manage the CMBS assets that are delinquent or in default to improve the economic performance of the CMBS. KKR generally has the right to unilaterally appoint and remove the special servicer for the CMBS and as such is considered the controlling class of the CMBS vehicle. These rights give KKR the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the CMBS. Additionally, as the holder of the most subordinate tranche, KKR is in a first loss position and has the right to receive benefits, including the actual residual returns of the CMBS, if any. In these cases, KKR is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and consolidates the CMBS vehicle.

Investments
 
Investments consist primarily of private equity, real assets, credit, investments of consolidated CFEs, equity method, carried interest and other investments. Investments denominated in currencies other than the entity's functional currency are valued based on the spot rate of the respective currency at the end of the reporting period with changes related to exchange rate movements reflected as a component of Net Gains (Losses) from Investment Activities in the consolidated statements of operations. Security and loan transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Further disclosure on investments is presented in Note 4 "Investments."
 
The following describes the types of securities held within each investment class.
 
Private Equity - Consists primarily of equity investments in operating businesses, including growth equity investments.

Credit - Consists primarily of investments in below investment grade corporate debt securities (primarily high yield bonds and syndicated bank loans), originated, distressed and opportunistic debt, real estate mortgage loans and interests in unconsolidated CLOs.

Investments of Consolidated CFEs - Consists primarily of (i) investments in below investment grade corporate debt securities (primarily high yield bonds and syndicated bank loans) held directly by the consolidated CLOs and (ii) investments in originated, fixed-rate real estate mortgage loans held directly by the consolidated CMBS vehicles.

Real Assets - Consists primarily of investments in (i) energy related assets, principally oil and natural gas producing properties, (ii) infrastructure assets, and (iii) real estate, principally residential and commercial real estate assets and businesses.
 
Equity Method - Other - Consists primarily of (i) certain direct interests in operating companies in which KKR is deemed to exert significant influence under GAAP and (ii) certain interests in partnerships and joint ventures that hold private equity and real estate investments.
 
Equity Method - Capital Allocation-Based Income - Consists primarily of (i) the capital interest KKR holds as the general partner in certain investment funds, which are not consolidated and (ii) the carried interest component of the general partner interest, which are accounted for as a single unit of account.

Other - Consists primarily of investments in common stock, preferred stock, warrants and options of companies that are not private equity, real assets, credit or investments of consolidated CFEs.

Investments held by Consolidated Investment Funds

The consolidated investment funds are, for GAAP purposes, investment companies and reflect their investments and other financial instruments, including portfolio companies that are majority-owned and controlled by KKR's investment funds, at fair value. KKR has retained this specialized accounting for the consolidated funds in consolidation. Accordingly, the unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of the investments and other financial instruments held by the consolidated investment funds are reflected as a component of Net Gains (Losses) from Investment Activities in the consolidated statements of operations.

Certain energy investments are made through consolidated investment funds, including investments in working and royalty interests in oil and natural gas producing properties as well as investments in operating companies that operate in the energy industry. Since these investments are held through consolidated investment funds, such investments are reflected at fair value as of the end of the reporting period. 

Investments in operating companies that are held through KKR's consolidated investment funds are generally classified within private equity investments and investments in working and royalty interests in oil and natural gas producing properties are generally classified as real asset investments.

Energy Investments held directly by KKR

Certain energy investments are made by KKR directly in working and royalty interests in oil and natural gas producing properties and not through investment funds. Oil and natural gas producing activities are accounted for under the successful efforts method of accounting and such working interests are consolidated based on the proportion of the working interests held by KKR. Accordingly, KKR reflects its proportionate share of the underlying statements of financial condition and statements of operations of the consolidated working interests on a gross basis and changes in the value of these working interests are not reflected as unrealized gains and losses in the consolidated statements of operations. Under the successful efforts method, exploration costs, other than the costs of drilling exploratory wells, are charged to expense as incurred. Costs that are associated with the drilling of successful exploration wells are capitalized if proved reserves are found. Lease acquisition costs are capitalized when incurred. Costs associated with the drilling of exploratory wells that do not find proved reserves, geological and geophysical costs and costs of certain nonproducing leasehold costs are charged to expense as incurred.
 
Expenditures for repairs and maintenance, including workovers, are charged to expense as incurred.
 
The capitalized costs of producing oil and natural gas properties are depleted on a field-by-field basis using the units-of production method based on the ratio of current production to estimated total net proved oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid reserves. Proved developed reserves are used in computing depletion rates for drilling and development costs and total proved reserves are used for depletion rates of leasehold costs.

Estimated dismantlement and abandonment costs for oil and natural gas properties, net of salvage value, are capitalized at their estimated net present value and amortized on a unit-of-production basis over the remaining life of the related proved developed reserves.

Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of oil and natural gas properties may not be recoverable, KKR evaluates oil and natural gas properties and related equipment and facilities for impairment on a field-by-field basis. The determination of recoverability is made based upon estimated undiscounted future net cash flows. The amount of impairment loss, if any, is determined by comparing the fair value, as determined by a discounted cash flow analysis, with the carrying value of the related asset. Any impairment in value is recognized when incurred and is recorded in General, Administrative, and Other expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value Option
For certain investments and other financial instruments, KKR has elected the fair value option. Such election is irrevocable and is applied on a financial instrument by financial instrument basis at initial recognition. KKR has elected the fair value option for certain private equity, real assets, credit, investments of consolidated CFEs, equity method - other and other financial instruments not held through a consolidated investment fund. Accounting for these investments at fair value is consistent with how KKR accounts for its investments held through consolidated investment funds. Changes in the fair value of such instruments are recognized in Net Gains (Losses) from Investment Activities in the consolidated statements of operations. Interest income on interest bearing credit securities on which the fair value option has been elected is based on stated coupon rates adjusted for the accretion of purchase discounts and the amortization of purchase premiums. This interest income is recorded within Interest Income in the consolidated statements of operations.

Equity Method

For certain investments in entities over which KKR exercises significant influence but which do not meet the requirements for consolidation and for which KKR has not elected the fair value option, KKR uses the equity method of accounting. The carrying value of equity method investments, for which KKR has not elected the fair value option, is determined based on the amounts invested by KKR, adjusted for the equity in earnings or losses of the investee allocated based on KKR's respective ownership percentage, less distributions.

For equity method investments for which KKR has not elected the fair value option, KKR records its proportionate share of the investee's earnings or losses based on the most recently available financial information of the investee, which in certain cases may lag the date of KKR's financial statements by no more than three calendar months. As of December 31, 2018, equity method investees for which KKR reports financial results on a lag include Marshall Wace LLP ("Marshall Wace"). KKR evaluates its equity method investments for which KKR has not elected the fair value option for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable.

The carrying value of investments classified as Equity Method - Capital Allocation-Based Income approximates fair value, because the underlying investments of the unconsolidated investment funds are reported at fair value.

Financial Instruments held by Consolidated CFEs
 
KKR measures both the financial assets and financial liabilities of the consolidated CFEs in its financial statements using the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities which results in KKR's consolidated net income (loss) reflecting KKR's own economic interests in the consolidated CFEs including (i) changes in the fair value of the beneficial interests retained by KKR and (ii) beneficial interests that represent compensation for services rendered.

For the consolidated CLOs, KKR has determined that the fair value of the financial assets of the consolidated CLOs is more observable than the fair value of the financial liabilities of the consolidated CLOs. As a result, the financial assets of the consolidated CLOs are being measured at fair value and the financial liabilities are being measured in consolidation as: (1) the sum of the fair value of the financial assets and the carrying value of any nonfinancial assets that are incidental to the operations of the CLOs less (2) the sum of the fair value of any beneficial interests retained by KKR (other than those that represent compensation for services) and KKR's carrying value of any beneficial interests that represent compensation for services. The resulting amount is allocated to the individual financial liabilities (other than the beneficial interests retained by KKR).

For the consolidated CMBS vehicles, KKR has determined that the fair value of the financial liabilities of the consolidated CMBS vehicles is more observable than the fair value of the financial assets of the consolidated CMBS vehicles. As a result, the financial liabilities of the consolidated CMBS vehicles are being measured at fair value and the financial assets are being measured in consolidation as: (1) the sum of the fair value of the financial liabilities (other than the beneficial interests retained by KKR), the fair value of the beneficial interests retained by KKR and the carrying value of any nonfinancial liabilities that are incidental to the operations of the CMBS vehicles less (2) the carrying value of any nonfinancial assets that are incidental to the operations of the CMBS vehicles. The resulting amount is allocated to the individual financial assets.
Fair Value Measurements
  
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. Except for certain of KKR's equity method investments (see "Equity Method" above in this Note 2 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies") and debt obligations (as described in Note 10 "Debt Obligations"), KKR's investments and other financial instruments are recorded at fair value or at amounts whose carrying values approximate fair value. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation techniques are applied. These valuation techniques involve varying levels of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on a variety of factors.

GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, the characteristics specific to the financial instrument and the state of the marketplace, including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices in active markets generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

Investments and financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed based on the observability of inputs used in the determination of fair values, as follows: 

Level I - Pricing inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date. The types of financial instruments included in this category are publicly-listed equities and securities sold short.

Level II - Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the measurement date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies. The types of financial instruments included in this category are credit investments, investments and debt obligations of consolidated CLO entities, convertible debt securities indexed to publicly-listed securities, less liquid and restricted equity securities and certain over-the-counter derivatives such as foreign currency option and forward contracts. 

Level III - Pricing inputs are unobservable for the financial instruments and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. The types of financial instruments generally included in this category are private portfolio companies, real assets investments, credit investments, equity method investments for which the fair value option was elected and investments and debt obligations of consolidated CMBS entities.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. KKR's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the asset.

A significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability is an indication that transactions or quoted prices may not be representative of fair value because in such market conditions there may be increased instances of transactions that are not orderly. In those circumstances, further analysis of transactions or quoted prices is needed, and a significant adjustment to the transactions or quoted prices may be necessary to estimate fair value.
 
The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial asset or liability and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of instrument, whether the instrument has recently been issued, whether the instrument is traded on an active exchange or in the secondary market, and current market conditions. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by KKR in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level III. The variability and availability of the observable inputs affected by the factors described above may cause transfers between Levels I, II, and III, which KKR recognizes at the beginning of the reporting period.
 
Investments and other financial instruments that have readily observable market prices (such as those traded on a securities exchange) are stated at the last quoted sales price as of the reporting date. KKR does not adjust the quoted price for these investments, even in situations where KKR holds a large position and a sale could reasonably affect the quoted price.
 
Management's determination of fair value is based upon the methodologies and processes described below and may incorporate assumptions that are management's best estimates after consideration of a variety of internal and external factors.

Level II Valuation Methodologies
 
Credit Investments: These instruments generally have bid and ask prices that can be observed in the marketplace. Bid prices reflect the highest price that KKR and others are willing to pay for an instrument. Ask prices represent the lowest price that KKR and others are willing to accept for an instrument. For financial assets and liabilities whose inputs are based on bid-ask prices obtained from third party pricing services, fair value may not always be a predetermined point in the bid-ask range. KKR's policy is generally to allow for mid-market pricing and adjusting to the point within the bid-ask range that meets KKR's best estimate of fair value.

Investments and Debt Obligations of Consolidated CLO Vehicles: Investments of consolidated CLO vehicles are reported within Investments of Consolidated CFEs and are valued using the same valuation methodology as described above for credit investments. Under ASU 2014-13, KKR measures CLO debt obligations on the basis of the fair value of the financial assets of the CLO.
 
Securities indexed to publicly-listed securities: The securities are typically valued using standard convertible security pricing models. The key inputs into these models that require some amount of judgment are the credit spreads utilized and the volatility assumed. To the extent the company being valued has other outstanding debt securities that are publicly-traded, the implied credit spread on the company's other outstanding debt securities would be utilized in the valuation. To the extent the company being valued does not have other outstanding debt securities that are publicly-traded, the credit spread will be estimated based on the implied credit spreads observed in comparable publicly-traded debt securities. In certain cases, an additional spread will be added to reflect an illiquidity discount due to the fact that the security being valued is not publicly-traded. The volatility assumption is based upon the historically observed volatility of the underlying equity security into which the convertible debt security is convertible and/or the volatility implied by the prices of options on the underlying equity security.

Restricted Equity Securities: The valuation of certain equity securities is based on an observable price for an identical security adjusted for the effect of a restriction.

Derivatives: The valuation incorporates observable inputs comprising yield curves, foreign currency rates and credit spreads.

Level III Valuation Methodologies
 
Investments and financial instruments categorized as Level III consist primarily of the following:

Private Equity Investments: KKR generally employs two valuation methodologies when determining the fair value of a private equity investment. The first methodology is typically a market comparables analysis that considers key financial inputs and recent public and private transactions and other available measures. The second methodology utilized is typically a discounted cash flow analysis, which incorporates significant assumptions and judgments. Estimates of key inputs used in this methodology include the weighted average cost of capital for the investment and assumed inputs used to calculate terminal values, such as exit EBITDA multiples. In certain cases the results of the discounted cash flow approach can be significantly impacted by these estimates. Other inputs are also used in both methodologies. In addition, when a definitive agreement has been executed to sell an investment, KKR generally considers a significant determinant of fair value to be the consideration to be received by KKR pursuant to the executed definitive agreement.
 
Upon completion of the valuations conducted using these methodologies, a weighting is ascribed to each method, and an illiquidity discount is typically applied where appropriate. The ultimate fair value recorded for a particular investment will generally be within a range suggested by the two methodologies, except that the value may be higher or lower than such range in the case of investments being sold pursuant to an executed definitive agreement.
 
When determining the weighting ascribed to each valuation methodology, KKR considers, among other factors, the availability of direct market comparables, the applicability of a discounted cash flow analysis, the expected hold period and manner of realization for the investment, and in the case of investments being sold pursuant to an executed definitive agreement, an estimated probability of such sale being completed. These factors can result in different weightings among investments in the portfolio and in certain instances may result in up to a 100% weighting to a single methodology.
 
When an illiquidity discount is to be applied, KKR seeks to take a uniform approach across its portfolio and generally applies a minimum 5% discount to all private equity investments. KKR then evaluates such private equity investments to determine if factors exist that could make it more challenging to monetize the investment and, therefore, justify applying a higher illiquidity discount. These factors generally include (i) whether KKR is unable to freely sell the portfolio company or conduct an initial public offering of the portfolio company due to the consent rights of a third party or similar factors, (ii) whether the portfolio company is undergoing significant restructuring activity or similar factors and (iii) characteristics about the portfolio company regarding its size and/or whether the portfolio company is experiencing, or expected to experience, a significant decline in earnings. These factors generally make it less likely that a portfolio company would be sold or publicly offered in the near term at a price indicated by using just a market multiples and/or discounted cash flow analysis, and these factors tend to reduce the number of opportunities to sell an investment and/or increase the time horizon over which an investment may be monetized. Depending on the applicability of these factors, KKR determines the amount of any incremental illiquidity discount to be applied above the 5% minimum, and during the time KKR holds the investment, the illiquidity discount may be increased or decreased, from time to time, based on changes to these factors. The amount of illiquidity discount applied at any time requires considerable judgment about what a market participant would consider and is based on the facts and circumstances of each individual investment. Accordingly, the illiquidity discount ultimately considered by a market participant upon the realization of any investment may be higher or lower than that estimated by KKR in its valuations.

In the case of growth equity investments, enterprise values may be determined using the market comparables analysis and discounted cash flow analysis described above. A scenario analysis may also be conducted to subject the estimated enterprise values to a downside, base and upside case, which involves significant assumptions and judgments. A milestone analysis may also be conducted to assess the current level of progress towards value drivers that we have determined to be important, which involves significant assumptions and judgments. The enterprise value in each case may then be allocated across the investment's capital structure to reflect the terms of the security and subjected to probability weightings. In certain cases, the values of growth equity investments may be based on recent or expected financings.
 
Real Asset Investments: Real asset investments in infrastructure, energy and real estate are valued using one or more of the discounted cash flow analysis, market comparables analysis and direct income capitalization, which in each case incorporates significant assumptions and judgments.

Infrastructure investments are generally valued using the discounted cash flow analysis. Key inputs used in this methodology can include the weighted average cost of capital and assumed inputs used to calculate terminal values, such as exit EBITDA multiples.

Energy investments are generally valued using a discounted cash flow approach, and where applicable, a market approach using comparable companies and transactions. Key inputs used in our valuations include (i) the weighted average cost of capital, (ii) future commodity prices, as quoted on indices and long-term commodity price forecasts and (iii) the asset’s future operating performance.

Real estate investments are generally valued using a combination of direct income capitalization and discounted cash flow analysis. Certain real estate investments are valued by KKR based on ranges of valuations determined by an independent valuation firm. Key inputs used in such methodologies that require estimates include an unlevered discount rate and current capitalization rate. The valuations of real assets investments also use other inputs.

Credit Investments: Credit investments are valued using values obtained from dealers or market makers, and where these values are not available, credit investments are generally valued by KKR based on ranges of valuations determined by an independent valuation firm. Valuation models are based on discounted cash flow analyses, for which the key inputs are determined based on market comparables, which incorporate similar instruments from similar issuers.

Other Investments: With respect to other investments including equity method investments for which the fair value election has been made, KKR generally employs the same valuation methodologies as described above for private equity investments when valuing these other investments.

Investments and Debt Obligations of Consolidated CMBS Vehicles: Under ASU 2014-13, KKR measures CMBS investments, which are reported within Investments of Consolidated CFEs on the basis of the fair value of the financial liabilities of the CMBS. Debt obligations of consolidated CMBS vehicles are valued based on discounted cash flow analyses. The key input is the expected yield of each CMBS security using both observable and unobservable factors, which may include recently offered or completed trades and published yields of similar securities, security-specific characteristics (e.g. securities ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, credit support by other subordinate securities issued by the CMBS and coupon type) and other characteristics.
 
Key unobservable inputs that have a significant impact on KKR's Level III investment valuations as described above are included in Note 5 "Fair Value Measurements." KKR utilizes several unobservable pricing inputs and assumptions in determining the fair value of its Level III investments. These unobservable pricing inputs and assumptions may differ by investment and in the application of KKR's valuation methodologies. KKR's reported fair value estimates could vary materially if KKR had chosen to incorporate different unobservable pricing inputs and other assumptions or, for applicable investments, if KKR only used either the discounted cash flow methodology or the market comparables methodology instead of assigning a weighting to both methodologies.
 
Revenues

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, revenues consisted of the following:    
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Management Fees
$
724,558

 
$
700,245

 
$
619,243

Fee Credits
(231,943
)
 
(257,401
)
 
(128,707
)
Transaction Fees
988,954

 
783,952

 
350,091

Monitoring Fees
87,545

 
82,238

 
65,418

Incentive Fees
14,038

 
4,601

 
8,709

Expense Reimbursements
146,989

 
121,927

 
81,549

Oil and Gas Revenue
51,465

 
63,460

 
65,754

Consulting Fees
59,720

 
42,582

 
42,851

Total Fees and Other
1,841,326

 
1,541,604

 
1,104,908


 
 
 
 
 
Carried Interest
441,529

 
1,740,661

 
803,185

General Partner Capital Interest
112,981

 
275,015

 
131,925

Total Capital Allocation-Based Income
554,510

 
2,015,676

 
935,110

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
$
2,395,836

 
$
3,557,280

 
$
2,040,018



Fees and Other

Fees and Other, as detailed above, are accounted for as contracts with customers. Under the guidance for contracts with customers, KKR is required to (a) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (b) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (c) determine the transaction price, (d) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (e) recognize revenue when (or as) KKR satisfies its performance obligation. In determining the transaction price, KKR has included variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized would not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved.

The following table summarizes KKR's revenues from contracts with customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue Type
Customer
Performance Obligation
Performance Obligation Satisfied Over Time or
Point In Time (1)
Variable or
Fixed Consideration
Payment Terms
Subject to Return Once Recognized
Classification of Uncollected Amounts (2)
Management Fees
Investment funds, CLOs and other vehicles
Investment management services
Over time as services are rendered
Variable consideration since varies based on fluctuations in the basis of the management fee over time
Typically quarterly or annually in arrears
No
Due from Affiliates
Transaction Fees
Portfolio companies and third party companies
Advisory services and debt and equity arranging and underwriting
Point in time when the transaction (e.g. underwriting) is completed
Fixed consideration
Typically paid on or shortly after transaction closes
No
Due from Affiliates (portfolio companies)

Other Assets (third parties)
Monitoring Fees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fees
Portfolio companies
Monitoring services
Over time as services are rendered
Variable consideration since varies based on fluctuations in the basis of the recurring fee
Typically quarterly in arrears
No
Due from Affiliates
Termination Fees
Portfolio companies
Monitoring services
Point in time when the termination is completed
Fixed consideration
Typically paid on or shortly after termination occurs
No
Due from Affiliates
Incentive Fees
Investment funds and other vehicles
Investment management services that result in achievement of minimum investment return levels
Point in time at the end of the performance measurement period (quarterly or annually) if investment performance is achieved
Variable consideration since contingent upon the investment fund and other vehicles achieving more than stipulated investment return hurdles
Typically paid shortly after the end of the performance measurement period
No
Due from Affiliates
Expense Reimbursements
Investment funds and portfolio companies
Investment management and monitoring services
Point in time when the related expense is incurred
Fixed consideration
Typically shortly after expense is incurred
No
Due from Affiliates
Oil and Gas Revenues
Oil and gas wholesalers
Delivery of oil liquids and gas
Point in time when delivery has occurred and title has transferred
Fixed consideration
Typically shortly after delivery
No
Other Assets
Consulting Fees
Portfolio companies and other companies
Consulting and other services
Over time as services are rendered
Fixed consideration
Typically quarterly in arrears
No
Due from Affiliates
(1)
For performance obligations satisfied at a point in time, there were no significant judgments made in evaluating when a customer obtains control of the promised service.
(2)
For amounts classified in Other Assets, see Note 8 "Other Assets and Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities." For amounts classified in Due from Affiliates, see Note 13 "Related Party Transactions."

Management Fees

KKR provides investment management services to investment funds, CLOs, and other vehicles in exchange for a management fee. Management fees are determined quarterly based on an annual rate and are generally based upon a percentage of the capital committed or capital invested during the investment period. Thereafter, management fees are generally based on a percentage of remaining invested capital, net asset value, gross assets or as otherwise defined in the respective contractual agreements. Since some of the factors that cause the fees to fluctuate are outside of KKR's control, management fees are considered to be constrained and are therefore not included in the transaction price. Additionally, after the contract is established there are no significant judgments made when determining the transaction price.
Management fees earned from private equity funds generally range from 1.5% to 2% of committed capital during the fund's investment period and are generally 0.75% to 1.25% of invested capital after the expiration of the fund's investment period with subsequent reductions over time. Typically, an investment period is defined as a period of up to six years. The actual length of the investment period is often shorter due to the earlier deployment of committed capital. Management fees earned from growth equity, real assets, and core investment strategy funds generally range from 1.0% to 2.0% and are generally based on the investment fund's average net asset value, capital commitments, or invested capital.
Management fees earned from credit funds and other investment vehicles in the Public Markets business line generally range from 0.25% to 1.50%. Such rates may be based on the investment fund's average net asset value, capital commitments, or invested capital. Management fees earned from CLOs include senior collateral management fees and subordinate collateral management fees. When combined, senior collateral management fees and subordinate collateral management fees are determined based on an annual rate ranging from 0.40% to 0.50% of collateral. If amounts distributable on any payment date are insufficient to pay the collateral management fees according to the priority of payments, any shortfall is deferred and payable on subsequent payment dates. For the purpose of calculating the collateral management fees, collateral, the payment dates, and the priority of payments are terms defined in the management agreements.
Management fees earned from KKR's consolidated investment funds, CLOs and other vehicles are eliminated in consolidation. However, because these amounts are funded by, and earned from, noncontrolling interests, KKR's allocated share of the net income from the consolidated investment funds, CLOs and other vehicles is increased by the amount of fees that are eliminated. Accordingly, the elimination of these fees does not impact the net income (loss) attributable to KKR or KKR stockholders' equity.
Fee Credits
Under the terms of the management agreements with certain of its investment funds, KKR is required to share with such funds an agreed upon percentage of certain fees, including monitoring and transaction fees earned from portfolio companies ("Fee Credits"). Investment funds earn Fee Credits only with respect to monitoring and transaction fees that are allocable to the fund's investment in the portfolio company and not, for example, any fees allocable to capital invested through co-investment vehicles. Fee Credits are calculated after deducting certain costs incurred in connection with pursuing potential investments that do not result in completed transactions ("broken-deal expenses") and generally amount to 80% for older funds, or 100% for newer funds, of allocable monitoring and transaction fees after broken-deal expenses are recovered, although the actual percentage may vary from fund to fund. Fee Credits are recognized and owed to investment funds concurrently with the recognition of monitoring fees, transaction fees and broken-deal expenses. Since Fee Credits are payable to investment funds, amounts owed are generally applied as a reduction of the management fee that is otherwise billed to the investment fund. Fee credits are recorded as a reduction of revenues in the consolidated statement of operations. Fee credits owed to investment funds are recorded in Due to Affiliates on the consolidated statements of financial condition (See Note 13 "Related Party Transactions").

Transaction Fees
KKR (i) arranges debt and equity financing, places and underwrites securities offerings and provides other types of capital markets services for companies seeking financing in its Capital Markets business line and (ii) provides advisory services in connection with successful Private Markets and Public Markets portfolio company investment transactions, in each case, in exchange for a transaction fee. Transaction fees are separately negotiated for each transaction and are generally based on (i) in our Capital Markets business line, a percentage of the overall transaction size and (ii) for Private Markets and Public Markets transactions, a percentage of either total enterprise value of an investment or a percentage of the aggregate price paid for an investment. After the contract is established, there are no significant judgments made when determining the transaction price.
Monitoring Fees
KKR provides services in connection with monitoring portfolio companies in exchange for a fee. Recurring monitoring fees are separately negotiated for each portfolio company. In addition, certain monitoring fee arrangements may provide for a termination payment following an initial public offering or change of control as defined in the contractual terms of the related agreement. These termination payments are recognized in the period when the related transaction closes. After the contract is established, there are no significant judgments made when determining the transaction price.
Incentive Fees

KKR provides investment management services to certain investment funds, CLOs and other vehicles in exchange for a management fee as discussed above and, in some cases an incentive fee when KKR is not entitled to a carried interest. Incentive fee rates generally range from 5% to 20% of investment gains. Incentive fees are considered a form of variable consideration as these fees are subject to reversal, and therefore the recognition of such fees is deferred until the end of each fund's measurement period (which is generally one year) when the performance-based incentive fees become fixed and determinable. Incentive fees are generally paid within 90 days of the end of the investment vehicles' measurement period. After the contract is established, there are no significant judgments made when determining the transaction price.
Expense Reimbursements

Providing investment management services to investment funds and monitoring KKR’s portfolio companies require KKR to arrange for services on behalf of them. In those situations where KKR is acting as an agent on behalf of its investment funds or portfolio companies, it presents the cost of services on a net basis as a reduction of Revenues. In all other situations, KKR is primarily responsible for fulfilling the services and is therefore acting as a principal for those arrangements for accounting purposes. As a result, the expense and related reimbursement associated with those services is presented on a gross basis. Costs incurred are classified as Expenses and reimbursements of such costs are classified as Expense Reimbursements within Revenues on the consolidated statements of operations. After the contract is established, there are no significant judgments made when determining the transaction price.

Oil and Gas Revenue

KKR directly holds certain working and royalty interests in oil and natural gas producing properties that are not held through investment funds. Oil and gas revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied, which occurs at the point in time when control of the product transfers to the customer. Performance obligations are typically satisfied through the monthly delivery of production. Revenue is recognized based on KKR's proportionate share of production from non-operated properties as marketed by the operator. After the contract is established, there are no significant judgments made when determining the transaction price.

Consulting Fees
Certain consolidated entities that employ non-employee operating consultants provide consulting and other services to portfolio companies and other companies in exchange for a consulting fee. Consulting fees are separately negotiated with each portfolio company for which services are provided and are not shared with KKR. After the contract is established, there are no significant judgments made when determining the transaction price.
Capital Allocation-Based Income

Capital allocation-based income is earned from those arrangements where KKR has a general partner capital interest and is entitled to a disproportionate allocation of investment income (referred to hereafter as “carried interest”). KKR accounts for its general partner interests in capital allocation-based arrangements as financial instruments under ASC 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323”) since the general partner has significant governance rights in the investment funds in which it invests, which demonstrates significant influence. In accordance with ASC 323, KKR records equity method income based on the proportionate share of the income of the investment fund, including carried interest, assuming the investment fund was liquidated as of each reporting date pursuant to each investment fund's governing agreements. Accordingly, these general partner interests are accounted for outside of the scope of ASC 606. Other arrangements surrounding contractual incentive fees through an advisory contract are separate and distinct and accounted for in accordance with ASC 606. In these incentive fee arrangements, accounted for in accordance with ASC 606, KKR’s economics in the entity do not involve an allocation of capital. See “Incentive Fees” above.
Carried interest is allocated to the general partner based on cumulative fund performance to date, and where applicable, subject to a preferred return to the funds' limited partners. At the end of each reporting period, KKR calculates the carried interest that would be due to KKR for each investment fund, pursuant to the fund agreements, as if the fair value of the underlying investments were realized as of such date, irrespective of whether such amounts have been realized. As the fair value of underlying investments varies between reporting periods, it is necessary to make adjustments to amounts recorded as carried interest to reflect either (a) positive performance resulting in an increase in the carried interest allocated to the general partner or (b) negative performance that would cause the amount due to KKR to be less than the amount previously recognized, resulting in a negative adjustment to carried interest allocated to the general partner. In each case, it is necessary to calculate the carried interest on cumulative results compared to the carried interest recorded to date and to make the required positive or negative adjustments. KKR ceases to record negative carried interest allocations once previously recognized carried interest allocations for an investment fund have been fully reversed. KKR is not obligated to make payments for guaranteed returns or hurdles and, therefore, cannot have negative carried interest over the life of an investment fund. Accrued but unpaid carried interest as of the reporting date is reflected in Investments in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
Prior to January 1, 2018, to the extent an investment fund was not consolidated, KKR accounted for carried interest within Fees and Other separately from its general partner capital interest, which was included in Net Gains (Losses) from Investment Activities in the consolidated statements of operations. Effective January 1, 2018, the carried interest component of the general partner interest and the capital interest KKR holds in its investment funds as the general partner are accounted for as a single unit of account and reported in capital allocation-based income within Revenues in the consolidated statements of operations. This change in accounting principle has been applied on a full retrospective basis. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 $1,740.7 million and $803.2 million were reclassified from Fees and Other, respectively, to Capital Allocation-Based Income in the consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, $275.0 million and $131.9 million were reclassified from Net Gains (Losses) from Investment Activities, respectively, to Capital Allocation-Based Income in the consolidated statements of operations. KKR has concluded that investments made alongside its fund investors in investment funds which entitle KKR to a carried interest represent equity method investments that are not in the scope of the amended revenue recognition guidance.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and Benefits expense includes (i) cash compensation consisting of salaries, bonuses, and benefits, (ii) equity based compensation consisting of charges associated with the vesting of equity-based awards (see Note 12 "Equity Based Compensation") and (iii) carry pool allocations and other performance-based income compensation.
All KKR employees and employees of certain consolidated entities receive a base salary that is paid by KKR or its consolidated entities, and is accounted for as Compensation and Benefits expense in the consolidated statements of operations. These employees are also eligible to receive discretionary cash bonuses based on performance, overall profitability and other matters. While cash bonuses paid to most employees are borne by KKR and certain consolidated entities and result in customary compensation and benefits expense, certain cash bonuses that are paid to certain of KKR's principals can be borne by KKR Holdings. These bonuses are funded with distributions that KKR Holdings receives on KKR Group Partnership Units held by KKR Holdings but are not then passed on to holders of unvested units of KKR Holdings. Because KKR principals are not entitled to receive distributions on units that are unvested, any amounts allocated to principals in excess of a principal's vested equity interests are reflected as employee compensation and benefits expense. These compensation charges are currently recorded based on the amount of cash expected to be paid by KKR Holdings.
Carry Pool Allocation
With respect to KKR's active and future funds and co-investment vehicles that provide for carried interest, KKR allocates to its employees and employees of certain consolidated entities a portion of the carried interest earned in relation to these funds as part of its carry pool. KKR currently allocates 40% or 43%, as applicable, of the carry it earns from these funds and vehicles to its carry pool. These amounts are accounted for as compensatory profit‑sharing arrangements in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities within the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition in conjunction with the related carried interest income or incentive fees and recorded as compensation expense.
Profit Sharing Plan
KKR provides certain profit sharing programs for KKR employees and other eligible personnel. In particular, KKR provides a 401(k) plan for eligible employees in the United States. For certain professionals who are participants in the 401(k) plan, KKR may, in its discretion, contribute an amount after the end of the plan year. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, KKR incurred expenses of $9.5 million, $8.2 million and $8.0 million, respectively, in connection with the 401(k) plan and other profit sharing programs.
General, Administrative and Other
General, administrative and other expense consists primarily of professional fees paid to legal advisors, accountants, advisors and consultants, insurance costs, travel and related expenses, communications and information services, depreciation and amortization charges, expenses (including impairment charges) incurred by oil and gas-producing entities that are consolidated, broken-deal expenses, and other general operating expenses. A portion of these general administrative and other expenses, in particular broken-deal expenses, are borne by fund investors.
Investment Income
Investment income consists primarily of the net impact of:
(i)
Realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments, securities sold short, derivatives and debt obligations of consolidated CFEs which are recorded in Net Gains (Losses) from Investment Activities. Upon disposition of an investment, previously recognized unrealized gains or losses are reversed and a realized gain or loss is recognized.
(ii)
Foreign exchange gains and losses relating to mark‑to‑market activity on foreign exchange forward contracts, foreign currency options and foreign denominated debt which are recorded in Net Gains (Losses) from Investment Activities.
(iii)
Dividends, which are recognized on the ex‑dividend date, or, in the absence of a formal declaration of a record date, on the date it is received.
(iv)
Interest income, which is recognized as earned.
(v)
Interest expense, which is recognized as incurred.
Income Taxes
KKR & Co. Inc. is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and thus is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes at the entity level on KKR’s share of net taxable income. In addition, the KKR Group Partnerships and certain of their subsidiaries operate in the United States as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and as corporate entities in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions. These entities, in some cases, are subject to U.S. state or local income taxes or non-U.S. income taxes.

Prior to the Conversion, KKR & Co. L.P.’s investment income and carried interest generally were not subject to U.S. corporate income taxes. Subsequent to the Conversion, all income earned by KKR & Co. Inc. is subject to U.S. corporate income taxes.

See Note 11 "Income Taxes" for further information on the financial statement impact of the Conversion.

Deferred Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method of accounting. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, using tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the period when the change is enacted.
Deferred tax assets, which are recorded in Other Assets within the statement of financial condition, are reduced by a valuation allowance when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. When evaluating the realizability of the deferred tax assets, all evidence, both positive and negative, is considered. Items considered when evaluating the need for a valuation allowance include the ability to carry back losses, future reversals of existing temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and expectations of future earnings.
For a particular tax‑paying component of an entity and within a particular tax jurisdiction, deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset and presented as a single amount within Other Assets or Accounts Payable, Accrued and Other Liabilities, as applicable, in the accompanying statements of financial condition.
2017 Tax Act
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was enacted in December 2017 (the "2017 Tax Act") made various changes to the U.S. tax code that include, but are not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018 and (2) requiring a one-time transition tax on certain un-repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries.
See Note 11 "Income Taxes" for further information on the financial statement impact of the 2017 Tax Act.
Uncertain Tax Positions
KKR analyzes its tax filing positions in all of the U.S. federal, state and local tax jurisdictions and foreign tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. If, based on this analysis, KKR determines that uncertainties in tax positions exist, a reserve is established. The reserve for uncertain tax positions is recorded in Accounts Payable, Accrued and Other Liabilities in the accompanying statements of financial condition. KKR recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions within the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations.
KKR records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two‑step process: (a) determination is made whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and (b) those tax positions that meet the more‑likely‑than‑not threshold are recognized as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
KKR considers all highly liquid short‑term investments with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Held at Consolidated Entities

Cash and cash equivalents held at consolidated entities represents cash that, although not legally restricted, is not available to fund general liquidity needs of KKR as the use of such funds is generally limited to the investment activities of KKR's investment funds and CFEs.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted cash and cash equivalents primarily represent amounts that are held by third parties under certain of KKR's financing and derivative transactions. The duration of this restricted cash generally matches the duration of the related financing or derivative transaction.

Due from and Due to Affiliates
KKR considers its principals and their related entities, unconsolidated investment funds and the portfolio companies of its funds to be affiliates for accounting purposes. Receivables from and payables to affiliates are recorded at their current settlement amount.
Fixed Assets, Depreciation and Amortization
Fixed assets consist primarily of corporate real estate, leasehold improvements, furniture and computer hardware. Such amounts are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and are included in Other Assets within the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight‑line method over the assets' estimated economic useful lives, which for leasehold improvements are the lesser of the lease terms or the life of the asset, and three to seven years for other fixed assets.
Freestanding Derivatives

Freestanding derivatives are instruments that KKR and certain of its consolidated funds have entered into as part of their overall risk management and investment strategies. These derivative contracts are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. Such contracts may include forward, swap and option contracts related to foreign currencies and interest rates to manage foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk arising from certain assets and liabilities. All derivatives are recognized in Other Assets or Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities and are presented on a gross basis in the consolidated statements of financial condition and measured at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in Net Gains (Losses) from Investment Activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. KKR's derivative financial instruments contain credit risk to the extent that its counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements. KKR attempts to reduce this risk by limiting its counterparties to major financial institutions with strong credit ratings.
Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets consist primarily of contractual rights to earn future fee income, including management and incentive fees, and are recorded in Other Assets in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition. Identifiable finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives and amortization expense is included within General, Administrative and Other in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when circumstances indicate impairment may exist.

Goodwill
 
Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired in connection with an acquisition. Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually in the third quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is recorded in Other Assets in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.

Securities Sold Short
Whether part of a hedging transaction or a transaction in its own right, securities sold short represent obligations of KKR to deliver the specified security at the contracted price at a future point in time, and thereby create a liability to repurchase the security in the market at the prevailing prices. The liability for such securities sold short, which is recorded in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities in the statement of financial condition, is marked to market based on the current fair value of the underlying security at the reporting date with changes in fair value recorded as unrealized gains or losses in Net Gains (Losses) from Investment Activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. These transactions may involve market risk in excess of the amount currently reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances, excluding those resulting from contributions from and distributions to owners. In the accompanying consolidated financial statements, comprehensive income is comprised of (i) Net Income (Loss), as presented in the consolidated statements of operations and (ii) net foreign currency translation.
Foreign Currency
Consolidated entities which have a functional currency that differs from KKR's reporting currency are primarily KKR's investment management and capital markets companies located outside the United States and certain CFEs. Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rates prevailing at the end of each reporting period. Results of foreign operations are translated at the weighted average exchange rate for each reporting period. Translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until realized. Foreign currency income or expenses resulting from transactions outside of the functional currency of a consolidated entity are recorded as incurred in general, administrative and other expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
Adopted in 2018

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”) in May 2014 and subsequently issued several amendments to the standard. ASU 2014-09, and related amendments, provide comprehensive guidance for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. Entities will be able to recognize revenue when the entity transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance includes a five-step framework that requires an entity to: (i) identify the contracts with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contracts and (v) recognize revenue when the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The guidance in ASU 2014-09, and the related amendments, is effective for KKR beginning on January 1, 2018, and KKR adopted this guidance on that date. KKR has concluded that its Fees and Other are within the scope of the amended revenue recognition guidance. Additionally, KKR has concluded that investments made alongside its fund investors in investment funds which entitle KKR to a carried interest represent equity method investments not in the scope of the amended revenue recognition guidance. KKR has implemented ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments, and there were no changes to KKR's historical pattern of recognizing revenue. See the accounting policy for Revenues above.

Cash Flows

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which amends the guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The amended guidance adds or clarifies guidance on eight cash flow matters: (i) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (ii) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, (iii) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (iv) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, (v) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, (vi) distributions received from equity method investees, (vii) beneficial interests in securitization transactions and (viii) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The guidance is effective for KKR beginning on January 1, 2018, and KKR adopted this guidance on that date. This adoption did not have a material impact on KKR's consolidated statements of cash flows.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which amends the guidance to add or clarify guidance on the classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The amended guidance requires the following: (i) restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included in the cash and cash-equivalents balances in the statement of cash flows; (ii) changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents that result from transfers between cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should not be presented as cash flow activities in the statement of cash flows; (iii) a reconciliation between the statement of financial position and the statement of cash flows must be disclosed when the statement of financial position includes more than one line item for cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents and (iv) the nature of the restrictions must be disclosed for material restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents amounts. The guidance is effective for KKR beginning on January 1, 2018, and KKR adopted this guidance on that date. Upon adoption, (i) Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and (ii) Cash and Cash Equivalents Held at Consolidated Entities were (a) included in the cash and cash-equivalents balances in the consolidated statements of cash flows and (b) disclosed in a reconciliation between the consolidated statements of financial condition and the consolidated statements of cash flows. This guidance has been applied on a full retrospective basis. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, $97.9 million and $121.0 million, respectively, of cash used by operating activities and $155.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of cash provided by investing activities were removed from net cash provided (used) by operating activities and net cash provided (used) by investing activities, respectively, and included in net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash-equivalents and restricted cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Equity-Based Compensation

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting ("ASU 2017-09"), which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. ASU 2017-09 provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. ASU 2017-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. This guidance has been adopted as of January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact to KKR.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2018-07"), which generally simplifies the accounting for share-based payments granted to nonemployees for goods and services. Under ASU 2018-07, most of the guidance on such payments to nonemployees is generally aligned with the requirements for share-based payments granted to employees. Prior to adoption of ASU 2018-07, share-based payment arrangements with employees were accounted for under ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, while nonemployee share-based payments issued for goods and services were accounted for under ASC 505-50, Equity - Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees. ASC 505-50, before the ASU’s amendments, differed significantly from ASC 718. Differences included the guidance on (1) the determination of the measurement date (which generally is the date on which the measurement of equity-classified share-based payments becomes fixed), (2) the accounting for performance conditions, (3) the ability of a nonpublic entity to use certain practical expedients for measurement and (4) the accounting for share-based payments after vesting. ASU 2018-07 eliminates most of these differences. The guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018. KKR has elected to early adopt ASU 2018-07 during the second quarter of 2018 with adjustments reflected as of January 1, 2018. Such adoption did not have a material impact to KKR.
Income Taxes

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory ("ASU 2016-16"), which removed the prohibition in ASC 740 against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods. This guidance has been adopted as of January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact to KKR.

Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, which changes the fair value measurement disclosure requirements. The ASU eliminates, amends and adds disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019. KKR has elected to early adopt ASU 2018-13 in its entirety during the third quarter of 2018. Such adoption did not have a material impact to KKR.

Effective on January 1, 2019

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) which has subsequently been amended by ASU 2018-01, 2018-10, 2018-11. The guidance requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The guidance retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases under previous GAAP. The recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not changed significantly from previous GAAP. For operating leases, a lessee is required to do the following: (a) recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in the statement of financial condition; (b) recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term on a generally straight-line basis and (c) classify all cash payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application is permitted. The only material lease arrangements KKR is engaged in are leases of office space where KKR is the lessee under the terms of operating lease agreements. KKR is finalizing its analysis of the impact of this guidance on the financial statements and such guidance is not expected to have a material impact to KKR.

Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities ("ASU 2017-08"). This guidance amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The guidance requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The guidance does not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted and the guidance when adopted should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. KKR is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the financial statements.

Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2018-02"). Under ASC 740-10-45-15, the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recorded as a component of tax expense related to continuing operations for the period in which the law was enacted, even if the assets and liabilities related to items of accumulated other comprehensive income ("OCI"). ASU 2018-02 allows entities to reclassify from accumulated OCI to retained earnings stranded tax effects related to the change in federal tax rate for all items accounted for in OCI. Entities can also elect to reclassify other stranded tax effects that relate to the 2017 Tax Act, but do not directly relate to the change in the federal tax rate. Tax effects that are stranded in OCI for other reasons may not be reclassified. In the period of adoption, entities that elect to reclassify the income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act from accumulated OCI to retained earnings must disclose that they made such an election. Entities must also disclose a description of other income tax effects related to the 2017 Tax Act that are reclassified from accumulated OCI to retained earnings, if any. The guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for periods for which financial statement have not yet been issued or made available upon issuance, including in the period the 2017 Tax Act was enacted. An entity that adopts ASU 2018-02 in an annual or interim periods after the period of enactment is able to choose whether to apply the amendments retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the 2017 Tax Act is recognized or to apply the amendments in the period of adoption. KKR is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the financial statements.

Effective on January 1, 2020

Goodwill

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This guidance simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating the second step from the goodwill impairment test. The ASU requires goodwill impairments to be measured on the basis of the fair value of a reporting unit relative to the reporting unit's carrying amount rather than on the basis of the implied amount of goodwill relative to the goodwill balance of the reporting unit. The ASU also (i) clarifies the requirements for excluding and allocating foreign currency translation adjustments to reporting units related to an entity's testing of reporting units for goodwill impairment and (ii) clarifies that an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is allowed for entities as of January 1, 2017, for annual and any interim impairment tests occurring after January 1, 2017. KKR is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the financial statements.

Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, which addresses a customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement ("CCA") that is a service contract. The ASU aligns the accounting for costs incurred to implement a CCA that is a service arrangement with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. The guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted and this ASU can be applied on either a retrospective or prospective basis. KKR is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the financial statements.