Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

6 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2012

Significant Accounting Policies Policy [Abstract]

Basis of presentation policy

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements of Eaton Vance Corp. (“the Company”) include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. As a result, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K.

Principles of consolidation policy

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries. The Company consolidates all investments in affiliates in which the Company's ownership exceeds 50 percent or where the Company has control. In addition, the Company consolidates any variable interest entities (“VIE's”)(including the below-referenced CLO entity) for which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. The Company provides for non-controlling and other beneficial interests in consolidated subsidiaries for which the Company's ownership is less than 100 percent. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in non-controlled affiliates in which the Company's ownership ranges from 20 to 50 percent, or in instances in which the Company is able to exercise significant influence but not control (such as representation on the investee's Board of Directors). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

From time to time, the Company may maintain a controlling financial interest in a sponsored fund. Upon consolidation, the Company assumes the specialized accounting treatment of the fund. All of the underlying investments held by consolidated funds are carried at fair value, with corresponding changes in fair value reflected in gains and other investment income in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. When the Company is no longer deemed to control the fund, the fund is deconsolidated and accounted for under another accounting method.

Investments classified as trading

These investments include corporate debt securities held directly by the Company and debt and equity securities held in the portfolios of consolidated funds and separately managed accounts seeded for product development purposes.

Investments classified as available-for-sale

Gross unrealized gains and losses on investments in sponsored funds classified as available-for-sale have been excluded from earnings and reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes.

Fair value measurements transfer policy

The Company's policy is to recognize any transfers between levels at the end of each fiscal quarter.

Stock-based compensation policy

The fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model incorporates assumptions as to dividend yield, volatility, an appropriate risk-free interest rate and the expected life of the option.

Many of these assumptions require management's judgment. The Company's stock volatility assumption is based upon its historical stock price fluctuations. The Company uses historical data to estimate option forfeiture rates and the expected term of options granted. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

Income tax policy

The Company records a valuation allowance when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

Earnings per share policy

The Company uses the treasury stock method to account for the dilutive effect of unexercised stock options in earnings per diluted share.