Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, for Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (referred to in these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements as "the Company," "management," "we," "us," and "our") have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair statement of the financial condition and results of operations at the dates and for the interim periods presented, have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for any full fiscal year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 ("2015 Annual Report") as filed with the SEC.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions related to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassification

Certain prior period amounts and disclosures may have been reclassified to conform to the current period's financial presentation.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the operations of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company holds certain investments in the Funds and the ETF we advise for general corporate investment purposes and to provide seed capital for newly formed strategies. The Funds are organized in a series fund structure in which there are multiple mutual funds within one Trust. The Trust is an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the"1940 Act"). The ETF we advise is an individual series of ETF Series Solutions which is also an open-end investment company registered under the 1940 Act. Each of the mutual funds and the ETF represent a separate share class of a legal entity organized under the trust. As of January 1, 2016, the Company adopted ASU 2015-02 - Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02") and we have performed our analysis at the individual mutual fund and ETF level and have concluded the mutual funds and ETF are voting rights entities ("VREs"). The Company has concluded that the mutual funds and the ETF are VREs because the structure of the investment product is such that the shareholders are deemed to have the power through voting rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance. To the extent material, these investment products would be consolidated if Company ownership, directly or indirectly, represents a majority interest (greater than 50%). The Company records redeemable noncontrolling interests in consolidated investments for which the Company's ownership is less than 100%.

The Company consolidated the ETF as our ownership was greater than 50%. We adopted ASU 2015-02 utilizing the modified retrospective transition method and have recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity of $4.0 million as of January 1, 2016. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2015-02, we performed our analysis at the trust level and concluded we did not need to consolidate the Funds or the ETF as we owned less than 1% of the voting interest in the respective trusts.

DHCM is the managing member of Diamond Hill General Partner, LLC (the “General Partner”), the general partner of Diamond Hill Investment Partners, L.P. (“DHIP”) and Diamond Hill Global Fund, L.P. ("DHGF"), each a limited partnership whose underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities, or collectively (the “LPs”).

DHCM is wholly owned by the Company and is consolidated by us. Further, DHCM, through its control of the General Partner, has the power to direct each LP’s economic activities and the right to receive investment advisory fees that may be significant to the LPs.

The Company concluded we did not have a variable interest in DHIP as the fees paid to the General Partner are considered to contain customary terms and conditions as found in the market for similar products and the Company has no equity ownership in DHIP.

The Company concluded DHGF was a variable interest entity ("VIE") as DHCM has disproportionately less voting interests than economic interests because the Company receives over 95% of the variability of DHGF, yet the Limited Partners have full power to remove the Company as the General Partner due to the existence of substantive kick-out rights. In addition, substantially all of the LPs' activities are conducted on behalf of the General Partner which has disproportionately few voting rights. The Company concluded we are not the primary beneficiary of DHGF as we lack the power to control the entity due to the existence of single-party kick-out rights where the limited partner has the unilateral ability to remove us as the General Partner without cause. DHCM’s investment in DHGF is reported as a component of the Company’s investment portfolio, valued at DHCM’s proportionate interest in the net asset value ("NAV") of DHGF.

The LPs are not subject to lock-up periods and can be redeemed on demand. Gains and losses attributable to changes in the value of DHCM’s interests in the LPs are included in the Company’s reported investment income. The Company’s exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the LPs is limited to the amount of its investments. DHCM is not obligated to provide, and has not provided, financial or other support to the LPs, other than its investments to date and its contractually provided investment advisory responsibilities. The Company has not provided liquidity arrangements, guarantees or other commitments to support the LPs’ operations, and the LPs’ creditors and interest holders have no recourse to the general credit of the Company.

Certain board members, officers and employees of the Company invest in DHIP and are not subject to a management fee or an incentive fee. These individuals receive no remuneration as a result of their personal investment in DHIP. The capital of the General Partner is not subject to a management fee or an incentive fee.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Redeemable noncontrolling interest represents third-party interests in the Company's consolidated ETF. This interest is redeemable at the option of the investors and therefore is not treated as permanent equity. Redeemable noncontrolling interest is remeasured at redemption value which approximates the fair value each reporting period.

Segment Information

Management has determined that the Company operates in one business segment, providing investment management and administration services to mutual funds, institutional accounts, and private investment funds. Therefore, no disclosures relating to operating segments are presented in the Company's annual or interim financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits and money market mutual funds.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded when they are due and are presented on the balance sheet net of any allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable are written off when they are determined to be uncollectible. Any allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on the Company’s historical losses, existing conditions in the industry, and the financial stability of those individuals or entities that owe the receivable. No allowance for doubtful accounts was deemed necessary at March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

Investment

Investments

Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such determination at each reporting period.

Investments classified as trading represent seed capital investments in the Funds we advise where the Company has neither control nor the ability to exercise significant influence as well as equity securities held in the consolidated ETF. These investments are measured at fair value based on quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded as investment income in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

Investments classified as equity method investments represent seed capital investments in which the Company owns between 20-50% of the outstanding voting interests in the entity or when it is determined that the Company is able to exercise significant influence but not control over the investments. When using the equity method, the Company recognizes its respective share of the investee's net income or loss for the period which is recorded as investment income in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

Valuation of Investment Portfolio

Level 1 inputs are defined as fair values that use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The following table summarizes the values of the Company’s investments based upon Level 1 inputs as of March 31, 2016:



	March 31, 2016
Level 1 Inputs	$	95,736,885

Level 1 investments are all registered investment companies (mutual funds) and include as of March 31, 2016 $41.0 million of third party money market mutual funds that the Company classifies as cash equivalents. In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, certain investments in limited partnerships that are measured at fair value using NAV as a practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. There were $1.4 million of investments in limited partnerships that were measured at NAV at March 31, 2016. The Company determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers in or out of the levels during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

The changes in fair values of the investments are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as investment income.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, consisting of leasehold improvements, computer equipment, furniture, and fixtures, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets.

Revenue Recognition - General

Revenue Recognition – General

The Company earns substantially all of its revenue from investment advisory and fund administration services. Investment advisory and administration fees, generally calculated as a percentage of assets under management ("AUM"), are recorded as revenue as services are performed. In addition to fixed fees based on a percentage of AUM, certain client accounts also provide periodic variable incentive fees.

Revenue Recognition - Incentive Revenue

Revenue Recognition – Variable Incentive Fees

The Company manages certain client accounts that provide for variable incentive fees. These fees are calculated based on client investment results over rolling five-year periods. The Company records variable incentive fees at the end of the contract measurement period. No variable incentive fees were earned during the three months ended March 31, 2016 or 2015. The table below shows AUM subject to variable incentive fees and the amount of variable incentive fees that would be recognized if the contracts were terminated as of March 31, 2016:



	As of March 31,
	2016
AUM subject to variable incentive fees	$	548,408,661



	As of March 31,
	2016
Contractual Period Ends:
Quarter Ended June 30, 2017	$	—
Quarter Ended December 31, 2018	341,001
Quarter Ended September 30, 2019	422,339
Quarter Ended March 31, 2020	—
Total variable incentive fees that would be recognized if contract terminated	$	763,340

The contractual end dates highlight the time remaining until the variable incentive fees are scheduled to be earned. The amount of variable incentive fees that would be recognized if the contracts were terminated as of March 31, 2016 or 2015 will increase or decrease based on future client investment results through the contractual period end. There can be no assurance that the above amounts will ultimately be earned.

Revenue Recognition - Mutual Fund Administration

Revenue Recognition – Mutual Fund Administration

DHCM has an administrative and transfer agency services agreement with the Funds under which DHCM performs certain services for each Fund. These services include mutual fund administration, fund accounting, transfer agency and other related functions. For performing these services each Fund pays DHCM a fee, which is calculated using an annual rate times the average daily net assets of each respective share class. For the first quarter of 2016 and the entire fiscal year 2015, the annual rate was 0.24% for Class A and C shares and 0.10% for Class Y shares. For the first quarter of 2016, the annual rate was 0.20% for Class I shares. In 2015, the rate for Class I shares was 0.21% beginning July 1, 2015 and 0.24% prior to July 1, 2015.

The Funds have selected and contractually engaged certain vendors to fulfill various services to benefit the Funds’ shareholders or to satisfy regulatory requirements of the Funds. These services include, among others, required shareholder mailings, federal and state registrations, and legal and audit services. DHCM, in fulfilling a portion of its role under the administration agreement with the Funds, acts as agent to pay these obligations of the Funds. Each vendor is independently responsible for fulfillment of the services it has been engaged to provide and negotiates fees and terms with the management and board of trustees of the Funds. The fee that each Fund pays to DHCM is reviewed annually by the Funds’ board of trustees and specifically takes into account the contractual expenses that DHCM pays on behalf of the Funds. As a result, DHCM is not involved in the delivery or pricing of these services and bears no risk related to these services. Revenue has been recorded net of these Fund related expenses, in accordance with FASB ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Considerations. In addition, DHCM advances the upfront commissions that are paid to brokers who sell Class C shares of the Funds. These advances are capitalized and amortized over 12 months to correspond with the repayments DHCM receives from the principal underwriter to recoup this commission advancement.

Beacon Hill has underwriting and administrative service agreements with certain clients, including registered mutual funds. The fee arrangements vary from client to client based upon services provided and are recorded as revenue under mutual fund administration on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Part of Beacon Hill’s role as underwriter is to act as an agent on behalf of its mutual fund clients to receive 12b-1/service fees and commission revenue and facilitate the payment of those fees and commissions to third parties who provide services to the funds and their shareholders. The majority of 12b-1/service fees are paid to independent third parties and the remainder are retained by the Company as reimbursement for expenses the Company has incurred. The amount of 12b-1/service fees and commissions are determined by each mutual fund client, and Beacon Hill bears no financial risk related to these services. As a result, 12b-1/service fees and commission revenue has been recorded net of the expense payments to third parties, in accordance with the appropriate accounting treatment for this agency relationship.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for current and deferred income taxes through an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

The Company is subject to examination by various federal and applicable state and local jurisdictions for various tax periods. The Company’s income tax positions are based on research and interpretations of the income tax laws and rulings in each of the jurisdictions in which it does business. Due to the subjectivity of interpretations of laws and rulings in each jurisdiction, the differences and interplay in tax laws between those jurisdictions, as well as the inherent uncertainty in estimating the final resolution of complex tax audit matters, the Company’s estimates of income tax liabilities may differ from actual payments or assessments. The Company regularly assesses its position with regard to tax exposures and records liabilities for these uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties, if any, according to the principles of FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had not recorded any liability for uncertain tax positions. The Company records interest and penalties, if any, within income tax expense on the income statement.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding for the period, which includes participating securities. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of EPS due to unvested restricted stock grants with forfeitable rights to dividends and restricted stock units. For the periods presented, the Company has unvested stock-based payment awards that contain both forfeitable and nonforfeitable rights to dividends and restricted stock units. See Note 8.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which supersedes existing accounting standards for revenue recognition and creates a single framework. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This standard also specifies the accounting for certain costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. This ASU will supersede much of the existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and requires either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, as well as the transition methods. Early application is permitted for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting", which is intended to improve the accounting for share-based payment transactions as part of the FASB's simplification initiative. The ASU changes seven aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (1) accounting for income taxes; (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows; (3) forfeitures; (4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements; (5) classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds share for tax-withholding purposes; (6) practical expedient - expected term (nonpublic only); and (7) intrinsic value (nonpublic only). The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period provided that the entire ASU is adopted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases", which, among other things, requires lessees to recognize most leases on-balance sheet. This will increase their reported assets and liabilities - in some cases very significantly. Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to current GAAP. ASU 2016-02 supersedes Topic 840, Leases. ASU 2016 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. ASU 2016-02 mandates a modified retrospective transition method for all entities. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.