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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The Company prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Intercompany transactions have been eliminated for all periods presented. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

During the second quarter of 2019, an adjustment was identified relating to the presentation of changes in the Company’s ownership interest in PJT Partners Holdings LP, which resulted in a reclassification between Additional Paid-In Capital and Non-Controlling Interests. This immaterial correction had no impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Statements of Cash Flows. The adjustment increased Additional Paid-In Capital by $60.0 million as of December 31, 2018, with a corresponding decrease to Non-Controlling Interests. The adjustment decreased Additional Paid-In Capital by $6.8 million as of December 31, 2017, with a corresponding increase to Non-Controlling Interests. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, the Company evaluated the materiality of this adjustment from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives, and concluded that it was immaterial to the prior periods. Consequently, the Company revised the historical consolidated financial information presented herein.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period in which they are determined to be necessary. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates regarding the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts, evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets, realization of deferred taxes, measurement of equity-based compensation and other matters that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

Business Combinations

The purchase price allocations for acquisitions are based on estimates of the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company engages independent valuation specialists, when necessary, to assist with purchase price allocations and uses recognized valuation techniques, including the income and market approaches, to determine fair value. Management makes estimates and assumptions in determining purchase price allocations and valuation analyses, which may involve significant unobservable inputs. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed is allocated to goodwill. In certain circumstances, the allocations of the purchase price are based upon preliminary estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, the allocations may be subject to revision when the Company receives final information, including appraisals and other analyses.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations are recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of the respective acquisition dates based upon their estimated fair values at such dates. The results of operations of businesses acquired by the Company are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations from their respective dates of acquisition.

Revenue Recognition

The services provided under contracts with customers include advisory and placement services, which are recorded as Advisory Fees and Placement Fees, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additionally, the Company is typically reimbursed for certain professional fees and other expenses incurred that are necessary in order to provide services to the customer. These expenses are recorded in the relevant expense caption in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when incurred and recognized as revenue and recorded in accounts receivable when these amounts are invoiced to the customer. Such revenue amounts are recorded in Interest Income and Other in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

At contract inception, the Company assesses the services promised in its contracts with customers and identifies a performance obligation for each promise to transfer to the customer a service (or a bundle of services) that is distinct. To identify the performance obligations, the Company considers all of the services promised in the contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices. Additionally, the Company allocates the transaction price to the respective performance obligation(s) by estimating the amount of consideration in which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised services to the customer.

Advisory Fees

Strategic advisory services include a broad range of financial advisory and restructuring services, which includes providing financial advice regarding acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, minority investments, asset swaps, divestitures, takeover defenses, corporate finance advisory, shareholder advisory, distressed sales, recapitalizations and restructurings, including raising various forms of financing, and portfolio liquidity solutions related to unfunded commitment relief and investments in secondary markets.

With respect to contracts for which Advisory Fees are recognized, the Company’s primary performance obligation is to stand ready to perform a broad range of services the client may need over the course of the engagement. For such engagements, the customer obtains a benefit from the assurance that the Company is available to it, when-and-if needed or desired. Fees related to these stand-ready performance obligations are recognized over time using a time-based measure of progress.

The Company may also be engaged to provide a fairness opinion to the client or the client may request that the Company arrange interim financing. The Company has determined that the delivery of either of these services represents a separate performance obligation that is satisfied at a point in time when the opinion or interim financing is delivered to the client as the customer is able to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the benefits from, the service at that point.

With respect to the transaction price for advisory services, the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled is predominantly variable as the consideration is susceptible to factors outside of the Company’s influence and/or contain a large number and broad range of possible consideration amounts. As such, these amounts are excluded from the transaction price until the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved and the Company has determined it is probable that there is not a significant risk of a revenue reversal in the future. The types of fees may vary in each engagement, but payments for Advisory Fees are generally due promptly upon completion of a specified event or, for retainer fees, periodically over the course of the engagement.

Placement Fees

The Company’s fund placement services are provided within PJT Park Hill and primarily serve private equity, real estate and hedge funds. PJT Park Hill advises on all aspects of the fundraising process including competitive positioning and market assessment, marketing materials and related documentation and partnership terms and conditions most prevalent in the current environment. The Company also provides private placement fundraising services to corporate clients and earns placement fees based on successful completion of the transaction.

With respect to contracts for which Placement Fees are recognized, the Company has determined that the provision of overall capital advisory services in contemplation of a potential fund placement or capital raise is satisfied over time. Fees related to this performance obligation are recognized over time using a time-based method as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the capital advisory services as they are provided.

With respect to the transaction price for placement services, the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled is predominantly variable as the consideration is susceptible to factors outside of the Company’s influence and/or contain a large number and broad range of possible consideration amounts. As such, these amounts are excluded from the transaction price until the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved and the Company has determined it is probable that there is not a significant risk of a revenue reversal in the future. Placement Fees are typically payable upon completion of a fund closing or may be paid in installments over three or four years with interest being charged to the outstanding balance. With respect to such fees paid over time, the Company has determined there is not a significant financing component related to such contracts. Placement fees earned for services to corporate clients are typically payable upon completion.

Determining the Timing of Satisfaction of Performance Obligations

For performance obligations that are satisfied over time, determining a measure of progress requires management to make judgments that affect the timing of revenue recognized. The Company has determined that the methods described above provide a faithful depiction of the transfer of services to the customer.

For performance obligations that are satisfied at a point in time, the Company has determined that the customer is able to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the benefits from, the output of the service at the time it is provided to the client. Additionally, the Company considers control to have transferred at that point because the Company has a present right to payment, the Company has transferred the output of the service and the customer has significant risks and rewards of ownership.

Contract Balances

The timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment. The Company records a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to payment and the Company has an unconditional right to payment. The beginning and ending balances of Accounts Receivable, Net are included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The Company may receive non-refundable up-front fees in its contracts with customers, which are recorded as revenues in the period over which services are estimated to be provided. Additionally, the Company may receive payment of certain announcement, retainer or milestone fees before the performance obligation has been fully satisfied. Such fees give rise to a contract liability and are recorded as Deferred Revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The beginning and ending balances of Deferred Revenue are included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The Company does not establish a provision for refunds or similar obligations. Additionally, the Company is the principal in the satisfaction of performance obligations.

To obtain a contract with a customer, the Company may incur costs such as advertising, marketing costs, bid and proposal costs and legal fees. The Company has determined that these costs would have been incurred regardless of whether the contract with the customer was obtained. Additionally, the Company does not expect to recover any of these costs from the customer; therefore, the costs of obtaining contracts with customers are expensed as incurred.

The compensation of employees assigned to provide services to customers are direct costs of fulfilling the contract. In addition, out-of-pocket expenses may be incurred as part of fulfilling the promised services under the contract. As these costs are related to performance obligations that are satisfied over time, the costs do not meet the criteria for capitalization.

Interest Income and Other – Interest Income and Other represents interest typically earned on Cash and Cash Equivalents, investments in Treasury securities and outstanding placement fees receivable; miscellaneous income; foreign exchange gains and losses arising on transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars; sublease income; and the amount of expense reimbursement invoiced to clients related to out-of-pocket expenses. Interest on placement fees receivable is earned from the time revenue is recognized and is calculated based upon the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an additional percentage as mutually agreed upon with the receivable counterparty. Interest receivable is included in Accounts Receivable, Net in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of financial instruments approximates fair value. Financial instruments held by the Company include Cash Equivalents, Investments, Accounts Receivable and Loan Payable.

GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework that 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.

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 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical financial instruments as of the reporting date.

 

Level II – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.

 

Level III – Pricing inputs are unobservable for the financial instruments and includes 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.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given financial instrument is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Investments in common stock are measured based on quoted closing exchange prices and are categorized within Level I of the fair value hierarchy. To the extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied.

In making an assessment of the fair value hierarchy classification of investments in Treasury securities, the Company considers the amount of trading activity, observability of pricing inputs as well as whether the securities are of the most recent issuance of that security with the same maturity (referred to as “on-the-run”, which is the most liquid version of the maturity band).

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments

Cash and Cash Equivalents include short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and have original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. Cash and Cash Equivalents are primarily held at three major U.S. financial institutions. Also included in Cash and Cash Equivalents are amounts held in bank accounts that are subject to advance notification to withdraw. Such amounts totaled $16.8 million as of December 31, 2019.

Treasury securities with original maturities greater than three months when purchased are classified as Investments in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. These securities are recorded at fair value using broker quotes, reflecting inputs from auction yields.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable includes placement fees, interest and advisory fee receivables. Accounts receivable are assessed periodically for collectibility and an allowance is recognized for doubtful accounts, if required.

Included in Accounts Receivable are long-term receivables which relate to placement fees that are generally paid in installments over a period of three to four years. Additional disclosures regarding Accounts Receivable are discussed in Note 5. “Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.” The Company charges interest on long-term receivables based upon LIBOR plus an additional percentage as mutually agreed upon with the receivable counterparty.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company performs periodic reviews of outstanding accounts receivable and its clients’ financial condition. The Company generally does not require collateral and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances and the current economic conditions that may affect a counterparty’s ability to pay such amounts owed to the Company.

After concluding that a reserved accounts receivable balance is no longer collectible, the Company will reduce both the gross receivable and the allowance for doubtful accounts. This is determined based on several factors, including the age of the accounts receivable balance and the creditworthiness of the counterparty.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill recorded arose from the contribution and reorganization of Blackstone’s predecessor entities in 2007 immediately prior to Blackstone’s initial public offering (“IPO”), the acquisition of PJT Capital LP that occurred on October 1, 2015 and the acquisition of CamberView Partners Holdings, LLC (“CamberView”) that occurred on October 1, 2018. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually utilizing a qualitative or quantitative approach and more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is a component of an operating segment for which discrete financial information is available that is regularly reviewed by management. The impairment testing for goodwill under the qualitative approach is based first on a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit is less than its respective carrying value. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value or when the quantitative approach is used, a quantitative assessment is performed to (a) calculate the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to its carrying value, and (b) if the carrying value exceeds its fair value, to measure an impairment loss.

The Company’s intangible assets are derived from (a) customer relationships that were established as part of Blackstone’s IPO and acquired as part of CamberView, and (b) the value of the trade name as part of the acquisitions of PJT Capital LP and CamberView. Identifiable finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of four to fifteen years, reflecting the average time over which such intangible assets are expected to contribute to cash flows. Amortization expense is included in Depreciation and Amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not hold any indefinite-lived intangible assets. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net consist primarily of leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment and office equipment, and are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful economic lives, which for leasehold improvements are the lesser of the lease terms or the life of the asset, generally ten to fifteen years, and five to seven years for other fixed assets. The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Depreciation and amortization are included in Depreciation and Amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fixed assets held under finance leases are recorded at the present value of the future minimum lease payments, less accumulated depreciation and amortization in Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the life of the lease and are included in Depreciation and Amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The finance lease liabilities are included in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Leases

The Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance as of January 1, 2019. The Company determines if an arrangement is, or contains, a lease at inception.

The Company leases office space under non-cancelable lease agreements, which expire at various dates through 2036. The lease arrangements for office space typically contain payments to the lessor for common area maintenance charges and reimbursement for certain other costs that are not fixed. The Company accounts for these costs as variable lease costs and does not include them in the lease component. The Company has also entered into arrangements to sublease a portion of its office space, which expire at various dates through 2025.

The Company leases certain office equipment pursuant to finance leases, which expire at various dates through 2024. The Company does not elect the practical expedient to include the non-lease component with the lease component as a single lease component.

Right-of-Use Assets (“ROU assets”) represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s lease agreements generally do not provide an implicit rate, so the Company estimates the incremental borrowing rate considering the collateral, term and the economic environment of the lease arrangement with reference to the Company’s term loan. Certain leases may include options to extend or terminate; however, the Company only reflects such renewal or termination option in the lease term when it is reasonably certain to exercise the option.

The Company records ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases in Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets and Operating Lease Liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The Company does not record ROU assets or lease liabilities for leases with a term of twelve months or less. Lease expense for such leases is recognized on a straight-line basis.

Foreign Currency

In the normal course of business, the Company may enter into transactions not denominated in U.S. dollars. Foreign exchange gains and losses arising on such transactions are recorded in Interest Income and Other in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, the Company consolidates a number of businesses that have a non-U.S. dollar functional currency. Non-U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the reporting date and income, expenses, gains and losses are translated at the prevailing monthly average exchange rate on the dates they were recorded. Cumulative translation adjustments arising from the translation of non-U.S. dollar denominated operations are recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss) consists of Net Income (Loss) and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). The Company’s Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) is comprised of foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments.

Non-Controlling Interests

Prior to October 1, 2017, the ownership interests of holders (other than PJT Partners Inc.) of the common units of partnership interest in PJT Partners Holdings LP (“Partnership Units”) were considered redeemable non-controlling interests. Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests were presented separately from Equity in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and the portion of net income (loss) attributable to the redeemable non-controlling interests was presented separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

On October 1, 2017, certain of the restrictive covenants entered into in connection with the spin-off expired. Previously, the ability to settle exchanges of Partnership Units in shares of the Company’s Class A common stock was not entirely within the Company’s control. Consequently, the value of these interests was reclassified from Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests to Non-Controlling Interests at their redemption value as of October 1, 2017. The portion of net income (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests is presented separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company previously elected to recognize any changes in the redemption value immediately as they occurred and adjusted the carrying amount of the redeemable non-controlling interests to its redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Reductions in the carrying amount of the redeemable non-controlling interests were only recorded if the Company had previously recorded increases in the carrying amount of the redeemable non-controlling interests. The change in redemption value was recognized in Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests with a corresponding adjustment to permanent equity in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Repurchases of Common Stock

Shares of the Company’s Class A common stock may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The Company may structure such repurchases as either a purchase of treasury stock or a retirement of shares. The Company records its purchases of treasury stock at cost as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The Company may re-issue treasury stock, at average cost.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and Benefits includes salaries, cash bonuses, benefits, employer taxes and equity-based compensation associated with the grants of equity-based awards to partners and employees. Compensation cost relating to the issuance of equity-based awards with a requisite service period to partners and employees is measured at fair value at the grant date, taking into consideration expected forfeitures, and expensed over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Equity-based awards that do not require future service are expensed immediately. Cash settled equity-based awards are classified as liabilities and are remeasured at the end of each reporting period.

In certain instances, the Company may grant equity-based awards containing both a service and a market condition. The effect of the market condition is reflected in the grant date fair value of the award. Compensation cost is recognized for an award with a market condition over the requisite service period, provided that the requisite service period is completed, irrespective of whether the market condition is satisfied. If a recipient terminates employment before completion of the requisite service period, any compensation cost previously recognized is reversed unless the market condition has been satisfied prior to termination. If the market condition has been satisfied during the vesting period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost is accelerated.

At the Company’s discretion, the Company may provide compensation to certain employees with repayment obligations and/or service provisions. Such payments are recorded in Compensation and Benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company assesses the potential risk of forfeiture and likelihood of recouping amounts paid, and if deemed necessary, records a provision for forfeitures in the financial statements.

Income Taxes

PJT Partners Inc. is a corporation subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes in jurisdictions where it does business. The Company’s businesses generally operate as partnerships for U.S. federal and state purposes and as corporate entities in non-U.S. jurisdictions. In the U.S. federal and state jurisdictions, taxes related to income earned by these entities generally represent obligations of the individual members and partners.

The operating entities have generally been subject to New York City Unincorporated Business Tax and to entity-level income taxes imposed by non-U.S. jurisdictions, as applicable. These taxes have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

PJT Partners Inc. is subject to U.S. corporate federal, state and local income tax on its allocable share of results of operations from the operating partnership (PJT Partners Holdings LP).

Current tax liabilities are recorded in Taxes Payable in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred tax assets and liabilities. 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 bases, using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period when the change is enacted. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when the Company believes that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process: (a) 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 recognition threshold described in the first step are recorded based on the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority.

The effects of tax adjustments and settlements with taxing authorities are presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the period to which they relate as if the Company were a separate tax filer in those years.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in Other Expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, as applicable.

Unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in Taxes Payable in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, as applicable.

Amount Due Pursuant to Tax Receivable Agreement

Holders of Partnership Units (other than PJT Partners Inc.) may, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the partnership agreement of PJT Partners Holdings LP, on a quarterly basis (subject to the terms of the exchange agreement), exchange their Partnership Units for cash or, at the Company’s election, for shares of Class A common stock of PJT Partners Inc. on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for splits, unit distributions and reclassifications. PJT Partners Holdings LP has made an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code effective for each taxable year in which an exchange of Partnership Units for cash or for shares of Class A common stock occurs, which is expected to result in increases to the tax basis of the assets of PJT Partners Holdings LP at the time of an exchange of Partnership Units. Stock-settled exchanges and certain of these cash-settled exchanges are expected to result in increases in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of PJT Partners Holdings LP. These increases in tax basis may reduce the amount of tax that PJT Partners Inc. would otherwise be required to pay in the future. These increases in tax basis may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain capital assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those capital assets.

The Company has entered into a tax receivable agreement with the holders of Partnership Units (other than PJT Partners Inc.) that provides for the payment by PJT Partners Inc. to exchanging holders of Partnership Units of 85% of the benefits, if any, that PJT Partners Inc. is deemed to realize as a result of the increases in tax basis related to such exchanges of Partnership Units and of certain other tax benefits related to entering into the tax receivable agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the tax receivable agreement. This payment obligation is an obligation of PJT Partners Inc. and not of PJT Partners Holdings LP. PJT Partners Inc. expects to benefit from the remaining 15% of cash tax savings, if any, in income tax it realizes.

For purposes of the tax receivable agreement, the cash tax savings in income tax is computed by comparing the actual income tax liability of PJT Partners Inc. (calculated with certain assumptions) to the amount of such taxes that PJT Partners Inc. would have been required to pay had there been no increase to the tax basis of the assets of PJT Partners Holdings LP as a result of the exchanges and had PJT Partners Inc. not entered into the tax receivable agreement. The term of the tax receivable agreement continues until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless PJT Partners Inc. exercises its right to terminate the tax receivable agreement for an amount based on the agreed payments remaining to be made under the agreement or PJT Partners Inc. breaches any of its material obligations under the tax receivable agreement in which case all obligations generally will be accelerated and due as if PJT Partners Inc. had exercised its right to terminate the tax receivable agreement.

The Company accounts for the effects of these increases in tax basis and associated payments under the tax receivable agreement arising from exchanges as follows:

 

the Company records an increase in deferred tax assets for the estimated income tax effects of the increases in tax basis based on enacted federal, state and local tax rates at the date of the exchange;

 

to the extent the Company estimates that it will not realize the full benefit represented by the deferred tax asset, based on an analysis that will consider, among other things, the Company’s expectation of future earnings, the Company reduces the deferred tax asset with a valuation allowance; and

 

the Company records 85% of the estimated realizable tax benefit (which is the recorded deferred tax asset less any recorded valuation allowance) as an increase to the Amount Due Pursuant to Tax Receivable Agreement and the remaining 15% of the estimated realizable tax benefit as an increase to Additional Paid-In Capital.

The effects of changes in estimates after the date of the redemption or exchange as well as subsequent changes in the enacted tax rates are included in net income.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Class A Common Stock

Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding; vested, undelivered restricted stock units (“RSUs”); and unvested RSUs that have met requisite service requirements.

Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share is computed using the number of shares of Class A common stock included in the Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Share calculation, and if dilutive, the incremental common stock that the Company would issue upon the assumed vesting of RSUs using the treasury stock method.

Contingencies and Litigation

The Company records loss contingencies if (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If one or both criteria for accrual are not met, but there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss will occur, the Company does not record an accrual for a loss contingency but describes the contingency and provides detail, when possible, of the estimated potential loss or range of loss. If an estimate cannot be made, a statement to that effect is made. Costs incurred with defending matters are expensed as incurred. Accruals related to loss contingencies are recorded in Other Expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Insurance Reimbursements

Receipts from insurance reimbursements up to the amount of the losses recognized are considered recoveries. These recoveries are accounted for when they are probable of receipt. Insurance recoveries are not recognized prior to the recognition of the related loss. Any receivable for insurance recoveries is recorded separately from the corresponding liability, and only if recovery is determined to be probable and reasonably estimable. Insurance reimbursements are recorded in Other Expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Recent Accounting Developments

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance regarding leases. The guidance requires lessees to recognize, on the balance sheet, assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases. The lease-related assets are amortized to expense over the life of the leases and the liability, and related interest expense, are reduced as lease payments are made over the life of the lease. Entities are also required to provide enhanced disclosure about leasing arrangements. The amendments retain lease classifications, distinguishing finance leases from operating leases, using criteria that are substantially similar for distinguishing capital leases from operating leases in previous guidance.

The Company adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2019 using the transition method that allows such guidance to be applied initially at the adoption date without restating comparative periods. The Company elected the transition package of practical expedients to alleviate certain operational complexities related to the adoption.

The impact of adoption of the lease guidance as of January 1, 2019 was as follows:

 

 

 

December 31,

2018

 

 

Adjustments

 

 

January 1,

2019

 

Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets

 

$

 

 

$

129,479

 

 

$

129,479

 

Other Assets

 

 

26,935

 

 

 

(866

)

 

 

26,069

 

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

 

 

24,657

 

 

 

(1,190

)

 

 

23,467

 

Operating Lease Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

146,220

 

 

 

146,220

 

Deferred Rent Liability

 

 

16,417

 

 

 

(16,417

)

 

 

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance regarding the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The new guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform

credit loss estimates, which primarily impacts the recording of the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable balances. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted this guidance using the modified retrospective method to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2020. The Company is finalizing its assessment of the opening adjustment, but does not expect the adjustment to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance that allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with an option to apply it in the period of adoption or on a retrospective basis for each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate is recognized. Early adoption of the new guidance is permitted for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019 with no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued updated guidance on the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement. The updated guidance requires the capitalization of implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement to be aligned with the requirements for capitalizing costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The updated guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 for cloud computing arrangements on a prospective basis.

In August 2018, the FASB issued updated guidance that modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The updated guidance removes and modifies various disclosures under current guidance and includes additional requirements. The updated guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 with no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued guidance that modifies the accounting for income taxes. The guidance provides clarification on multiple topics, including hybrid tax regimes, the tax basis step-up in goodwill that is not classified as a business combination, separate financial statements of legal entities not subject to tax, intraperiod tax allocation, ownership changes in investments, interim period accounting for enacted changes in tax law and year-to-date loss limitations in interim period tax accounting. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements.