Organization and Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization and Basis of Presentation

Effective on January 1, 2020, The Carlyle Group L.P. converted from a Delaware limited partnership to a Delaware corporation named The Carlyle Group Inc. (the “Conversion”). As a result of the Conversion, each common unit was converted into a share of common stock. Under the laws of its incorporation, The Carlyle Group Inc. is deemed to be the same entity as The Carlyle Group L.P. (the “Partnership”). Unless the context suggests otherwise, references to “Carlyle” or the “Company,” refer to (i) The Carlyle Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries following the Conversion and (ii) The Carlyle Group L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the Conversion. Because the Conversion became effective January 1, 2020, the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 and related notes reflect the results of a partnership, and not a corporation.

Carlyle is one of the world’s largest global investment firms that originates, structures, and acts as lead equity investor in management-led buyouts, strategic minority equity investments, equity private placements, consolidations and buildups, growth capital financings, real estate opportunities, bank loans, high-yield debt, distressed assets, mezzanine debt, and other investment opportunities. Carlyle provides investment management services to, and has transactions with, various private equity funds, real estate funds, private credit funds, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), and other investment products sponsored by the Company for the investment of client assets in the normal course of business. Carlyle typically serves as the general partner, investment manager or collateral manager, making day-to-day investment decisions concerning the assets of these products. Carlyle operates its business through four reportable segments: Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Credit and Investment Solutions (see Note 17).

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. In addition, certain Carlyle-affiliated funds, related co-investment entities, certain CLOs managed by the Company (collectively the “Consolidated Funds”) and a real estate development company (until its deconsolidation in 2017 – see Note 16) have been consolidated in the accompanying financial statements pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), as described in Note 2. The consolidation of the Consolidated Funds generally has a gross-up effect on assets, liabilities and cash flows, and generally has no effect on the net income attributable to the Company. The economic ownership interests of the other investors in the Consolidated Funds are reflected as non-controlling interests in consolidated entities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements (see Note 2).