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Accounting Principles and Practices (Policies)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto (the “Financial Statements”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).  The Financial Statements include the accounts of Aon plc and all of its controlled subsidiaries (“Aon” or the “Company”).  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.  The Financial Statements include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and reclassifications) necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.
Certain information and disclosures normally included in the Financial Statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. 
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the accompanying Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Financial Statements, and the reported amounts of reserves and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgments.  Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. Management believes its estimates to be reasonable given the current facts available.  Aon adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate.  Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity markets, and foreign currency exchange rate movements increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions.  As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.  Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment would, if applicable, be reflected in the Financial Statements in future periods.
New Accounting Standards
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Presentation of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance on the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The new guidance requires that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. It also requires the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Additionally, only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization, when applicable. The Company has applied the new guidance retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income, and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension costs and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in assets. The new guidance allows a practical expedient that permits an employer to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. The Company did not apply the practical expedient upon adoption of this guidance. The new guidance was effective for Aon in the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the net income of the Company. 
Upon adoption of the guidance, the presentation of the results reflect a change in Operating income offset by an equal and offsetting change in Other income (expense) for the period ended June 30, 2017 as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2017
 
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
As Adjusted
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
As Adjusted
Operating income (loss) (1)
 
$
(118
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(127
)
 
$
225

 
$
(17
)
 
$
208

Other income (expense)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
9

 
$
4

 
$
(15
)
 
$
17

 
$
2

(1)
Reclassification from Operating income is recorded in Compensation and benefits.
Income Tax Consequences of Intercompany Transactions
In October 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the income tax consequences of intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory. The guidance requires that the seller and buyer recognize the consolidated current and deferred income tax consequences of a transaction in the period the transaction occurs rather than deferring to a future period and recognizing those consequences when the asset has been sold to an outside party or otherwise recovered through use (i.e. depreciated, amortized, or impaired).  The Company has applied the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption.  The new guidance was effective for Aon in the first quarter of 2018.  Upon the adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018, the Company recognized an increase to Deferred tax assets of $23 million, an increase to Deferred tax liabilities of $12 million, and a decrease to Other non-current assets of $26 million on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position through a cumulative adjustment of $15 million decrease to Retained earnings. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the impact of adopting this standard on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income was insignificant.
Statement of Cash Flows
In August 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments. Under the new guidance, an entity no longer has discretion to choose the classification for a number of transactions, including contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, and distributions received from equity method investees. The new standard was effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Financial Assets and Liabilities
In January 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The amendments in the new guidance make targeted improvements, which include the requirement to measure equity investments with readily determinable fair values at fair value through net income, simplification of the impairment assessment for equity investments without readily determinable fair values, adjustments to existing and additional disclosure requirements, and additional tax considerations. The Company applied the amendments by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, with the exception of the amendments related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values, including disclosure requirements, which were applied prospectively. Upon the adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018, the Company recognized an increase to Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $1 million on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position through a cumulative adjustment of $1 million increase to Retained earnings. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the impact of adopting this standard on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income was insignificant.
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on revenue from contracts with customers (the “Standard” or “ASC 606”), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP (“ASC 605”). The core principal of the Standard is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  The Standard also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments, changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. Two methods of transition were permitted upon adoption: full retrospective and modified retrospective. The Company elected to apply the modified retrospective adoption approach to all contracts. Under this approach, prior periods were not restated. Rather, revenues and other disclosures for prior periods were provided in the notes to the financial statements as previously reported under ASC 605, and the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance was recognized as an adjustment to Retained earnings.
The following summarizes the significant changes to the Company as a result of the adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018.

•
The Company previously recognized revenue either at a point in time or over a period of time based on the transfer of value to customers or as the remuneration became determinable. Under ASC 606, the revenue related to certain brokerage services recognized over a period of time is recognized on the effective date of the associated policies when control of the policy transfers to the customer. As a result, revenue from these arrangements are typically recognized in earlier periods under ASC 606 in comparison to ASC 605, changing the timing and amount of revenue recognized for annual and interim periods. This change resulted in a significant shift in timing of interim revenue for the Reinsurance Solutions revenue line and, to a lesser extent, certain other brokerage services.

•
The Standard provides guidance on accounting for certain revenue-related costs including when to capitalize costs associated with obtaining and fulfilling a contract. The majority of these costs were previously expensed as incurred under ASC 605. Assets recognized for the costs to obtain a contract, which includes certain sales commissions, are amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer of the services to which the asset relates, considering anticipated renewals when applicable. For situations where the renewal period is one year or less and renewal costs are commensurate with the initial contract, the Company applied a practical expedient and recognizes the costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred. Assets recognized as costs to fulfill a contract, which includes internal costs related to pre-placement broking activities, as well as other costs, are amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer of the services to which the asset relates, which is generally less than one year.

As a result of applying the modified retrospective method to adopt ASC 606, the following adjustments were made to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of January 1, 2018:
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
 
 
January 1,
2018
(millions)
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
As Adjusted
Assets
 
 

 
 
 
 

Receivables, net
 
$
2,478

 
$
252

 
$
2,730

Other current assets
 
$
289

 
$
298

 
$
587

Deferred tax assets
 
$
389

 
$
(128
)
 
$
261

Other non-current assets
 
$
307

 
$
145

 
$
452

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 

 
 
 
 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
1,961

 
$
8

 
$
1,969

Other current liabilities
 
$
870

 
$
13

 
$
883

Deferred tax liabilities
 
$
127

 
$
42

 
$
169

Other non-current liabilities
 
$
1,102

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,099

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
 
 

 
 
 
 

Total equity
 
$
4,648

 
$
507

 
$
5,155


The following tables summarize the impacts of adopting ASC 606 on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income, Financial Position, and Cash Flows as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2018
 
Six months ended June 30, 2018
(millions)
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Balances Without Adoption of ASC 606
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Balances Without Adoption of ASC 606
Revenue
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
 
$
2,561

 
$
3

 
$
2,564

 
$
5,651

 
$
(410
)
 
$
5,241

Expenses
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
$
1,494

 
$
(13
)
 
$
1,481

 
$
3,110

 
$
(78
)
 
$
3,032

Other general expenses
 
$
535

 
$
2

 
$
537

 
$
853

 
$
2

 
$
855

Other income (expense)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
—

 
$
(18
)
Income taxes
 
$
(144
)
 
$
7

 
$
(137
)
 
$
(30
)
 
$
(75
)

$
(105
)

Adoption of ASC 606 had an unfavorable impact of $6 million on net income from continuing operations, or $0.02 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2018, and a favorable impact of $259 million on net income from continuing operations, or $1.05 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2018.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
 
 
As of June 30, 2018
(millions)
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Balances Without Adoption of ASC 606
Assets
 
 

 
 
 
 

Receivables, net
 
$
2,992

 
$
(657
)
 
$
2,335

Other current assets
 
$
732

 
$
(216
)
 
$
516

Deferred tax assets
 
$
452

 
$
128

 
$
580

Other non-current assets
 
$
404

 
$
(144
)
 
$
260

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 

 
 
 
 

Other current liabilities
 
$
1,121

 
$
(61
)
 
$
1,060

Deferred tax liabilities
 
$
294

 
$
(71
)
 
$
223

Other non-current liabilities
 
$
1,088

 
$
1

 
$
1,089

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
 
 

 
 
 
 

Total equity
 
$
4,618

 
$
(758
)
 
$
3,860


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2018
(millions)
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Balances Without Adoption of ASC 606
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 

 
 
 
 

Net income
 
$
668

 
$
(259
)
 
$
409

Deferred income taxes
 
$
(93
)
 
$
(29
)
 
$
(122
)
Receivables, net
 
$
(371
)
 
$
405

 
$
34

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
(495
)
 
$
8

 
$
(487
)
Current income taxes
 
$
(144
)
 
$
(46
)
 
$
(190
)
Other assets and liabilities
 
$
301

 
$
(79
)
 
$
222


The adoption of ASC 606 had no impact on total Cash Provided by Operating Activities.
Refer to Note 3 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” to the Financial Statements for further information.
Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
In February 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income. The guidance allows a reclassification from accumulated comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Tax Reform Act”). In addition, the entity is required to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects. The guidance is effective for Aon in the first quarter of 2019 and early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The guidance should be applied either in the period of adoption or  retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the guidance will have on the Financial Statements and the period in which it plans to adopt. Refer to Note 11 “Income Taxes” for further discussion of the Tax Reform Act.  
Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
In August 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on targeted improvements to accounting for hedging activities. The new guidance amends its hedge accounting model to enable entities to better portray their risk management activities in the Financial Statements. The guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and requires the effect of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. An entity will apply the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative effect adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Changes to income statement presentation and financial statement disclosures will be applied prospectively. The new guidance is effective for Aon in the first quarter of 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on the Financial Statements and the period of adoption.  
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
In January 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. Currently the standard requires an entity to perform a two-step test to determine the amount, if any, of goodwill impairment. In Step 1, an entity compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the entity performs Step 2 and compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill for that reporting unit. An impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill for the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill is recorded, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The new guidance removes Step 2. An entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. An entity will apply the new guidance on a prospective basis. The new guidance is effective for Aon in the first quarter of 2020 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on the Financial Statements and the period of adoption.
Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The new guidance replaces the current 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. An entity will apply the new guidance through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The guidance is effective for Aon in the first quarter of 2020 and early adoption is permitted beginning in the first quarter of 2019. Aon is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its Financial Statements, as well as the period of adoption.
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on leases, which requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases.  Under the new standard, a lessee should recognize in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term.  The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from current U.S. GAAP standards.  The new standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted.  In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date, and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset.

The Company is currently evaluating the impacts of the new accounting standard and is in the process of developing and implementing operational processes, including a system solution, to address the identified impacts.  The Company expects to recognize significant lease liabilities and corresponding right of use assets on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, but is unable to provide quantitative information at this time. The Company has implemented a comprehensive approach to review existing arrangements that may contain a lease, and is performing completeness assessments over the identified lease population and assessing system requirements in order to determine the appropriate accounting upon transition and on an ongoing basis.

Additionally, the Company expects to expand its disclosures around lease arrangements.  The Company expects to adopt the new accounting standard in the first quarter of 2019 and is currently evaluating the practical expedients that will be applied.
Derivatives
The Company is exposed to market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.  To manage the risk related to these exposures, the Company enters into various derivative instruments that reduce these risks by creating offsetting exposures.  The Company does not enter into derivative transactions for trading or speculative purposes.
Foreign Exchange Risk Management
The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk when it earns revenues, pays expenses, enters into monetary intercompany transfers or other transactions denominated in a currency that differs from its functional currency.  The Company uses foreign exchange derivatives, typically forward contracts, options and cross currency swaps, to reduce its overall exposure to the effects of currency fluctuations on cash flows.  These exposures are hedged, on average, for less than two years. These derivatives are accounted for as hedges, and changes in fair value are recorded each period in Other comprehensive income (loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
The Company also uses foreign exchange derivatives, typically forward contracts and options, to economically hedge the currency exposure of the Company’s global liquidity profile, including monetary assets or liabilities that are denominated in a non-functional currency of an entity, typically on a rolling 30-day basis, but may be for up to one year in the future. These derivatives are not accounted for as hedges, and changes in fair value are recorded each period in Other income (expense) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Fair Value Measurement
The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:
Money market funds consist of institutional prime, treasury, and government money market funds. The Company reviews treasury and government money market funds to obtain reasonable assurance that the fund net asset value is $1 per share, and reviews the floating net asset value of institutional prime money market funds for reasonableness. 
Equity investments consist of domestic and international equity securities and equity derivatives valued using the closing stock price on a national securities exchange. Over the counter equity derivatives are valued using observable inputs such as underlying prices of the underlying security and volatility. On a sample basis the Company reviews the listing of Level 1 equity securities in the portfolio and agrees the closing stock prices to a national securities exchange, and independently verifies the observable inputs for Level 2 equity derivatives and securities.
Fixed income investments consist of certain categories of bonds and derivatives. Corporate, government, and agency bonds are valued by pricing vendors who estimate fair value using recently executed transactions and proprietary models based on observable inputs, such as interest rate spreads, yield curves, and credit risk. Asset-backed securities are valued by pricing vendors who estimate fair value using discounted cash flow models utilizing observable inputs based on trade and quote activity of securities with similar features. Fixed income derivatives are valued by pricing vendors using observable inputs such as interest rates and yield curves. The Company obtains an understanding of the models, inputs, and assumptions used in developing prices provided by its vendors through discussions with the fund managers. The Company independently verifies the observable inputs, as well as assesses assumptions used for reasonableness based on relevant market conditions and internal Company guidelines. If an assumption is deemed unreasonable, based on the Company’s guidelines, it is then reviewed by management and the fair value estimate provided by the vendor is adjusted, if deemed appropriate. These adjustments do not occur frequently and historically are not material to the fair value estimates used in the Financial Statements.
Derivatives are carried at fair value, based upon industry standard valuation techniques that use, where possible, current market-based or independently sourced pricing inputs, such as interest rates, currency exchange rates, or implied volatilities.
Debt is carried at outstanding principal balance, less any unamortized issuance costs, discount or premium. Fair value is based on quoted market prices or estimates using discounted cash flow analyses based on current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.