Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

3 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition Policies

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to the customers. A good or service is transferred to a customer when, or as, the customer obtains control of that good or service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring our progress in satisfying the performance obligation in a manner that depicts the transfer of the goods or services to the customer. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time that we determine the customer obtains control over the promised good or service. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those promised goods or services (the "transaction price"). In determining the transaction price, we consider multiple factors, including the effects of variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainties with respect to the amount are resolved. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, we consider the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of our past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties expect to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of our influence, such as market volatility or the judgment and actions of third parties.

The following provides detailed information on the recognition of our revenues from contracts with customers:

Commissions and Other Fees. Jefferies Group earns commission revenue by executing, settling and clearing transactions for clients primarily in equity, equity-related and futures products. Trade execution and clearing services, when provided together, represent a single performance obligation as the services are not separately identifiable in the context of the contract. Commission revenues associated with combined trade execution and clearing services, as well as trade execution services on a standalone basis, are recognized at a point in time on trade-date. Commissions revenues are generally paid on settlement date and Jefferies Group records a receivable between trade-date and payment on settlement date. Jefferies Group permits institutional customers to allocate a portion of their gross commissions to pay for research products and other services provided by third parties. The amounts allocated for those purposes are commonly referred to as soft dollar arrangements. Jefferies Group acts as an agent in the soft dollar arrangements as the customer controls the use of the soft dollars and directs Jefferies Group's payments to third-party service providers on its behalf. Accordingly, amounts allocated to soft dollar arrangements are netted against commission revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Jefferies Group earns account advisory and distribution fees in connection with wealth management services. Account advisory fees are recognized over time using the time-elapsed method as Jefferies Group determined that the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of investment advisory services as they are provided. Account advisory fees may be paid in advance of a specified service period or in arrears at the end of the specified service period (e.g., quarterly). Account advisory fees paid in advance are initially deferred within Payables, expense accruals and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Distribution fees are variable and recognized when the uncertainties with respect to the amounts are resolved.

Investment Banking. Jefferies Group provides its clients with a full range of capital markets and financial advisory services. Capital markets services include underwriting and placement agent services in both the equity and debt capital markets, including private equity placements, initial public offerings, follow-on offerings and equity-linked convertible securities transactions and structuring, underwriting and distributing public and private debt, including investment grade debt, high yield bonds, leveraged loans, municipal bonds and mortgage- and asset-backed securities. Underwriting and placement agent revenues are recognized at a point in time on trade-date, as the client obtains the control and benefit of the capital markets offering at that point. Costs associated with capital markets transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded, and are recorded on a gross basis within Selling, general and other expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as Jefferies Group is acting as a principal in the arrangement. Any expenses reimbursed by its clients are recognized as Investment banking revenues.

Revenues from financial advisory services primarily consist of fees generated in connection with merger, acquisition and restructuring transactions. Advisory fees from mergers and acquisitions engagements are recognized at a point in time when the related transaction is completed, as the performance obligation is to successfully broker a specific transaction. Fees received prior to the completion of the transaction are deferred within Payables, expense accruals and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Advisory fees from restructuring engagements are recognized over time using a time elapsed measure of progress as Jefferies Group's clients simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of those services as they are provided. A significant portion of the fees Jefferies Group receives for its advisory services are considered variable as they are contingent upon a future event (e.g., completion of a transaction or third-party emergence from bankruptcy) and are excluded from the transaction price until the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved, which is expected to occur upon achievement of the specified milestone. Payment for advisory services are generally due promptly upon completion of a specified milestone or, for retainer fees, periodically over the course of the engagement. Jefferies Group recognizes a receivable between the date of completion of the milestone and payment by the customer. Expenses associated with investment banking advisory engagements are deferred only to the extent they are explicitly reimbursable by the client and the related revenue is recognized at a point in time. All other investment banking advisory related expenses, including expenses incurred related to restructuring assignments, are expensed as incurred. All investment banking advisory expenses are recognized within their respective expense category in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and any expenses reimbursed by Jefferies Group's clients are recognized as Investment banking revenues.

Asset Management Fees. Jefferies Group earns management and performance fees, recorded in Other revenues, in connection with investment advisory services provided to various funds and accounts, which are satisfied over time and measured using a time elapsed measure of progress as the customer receives the benefits of the services evenly throughout the term of the contract. Management and performance fees are considered variable as they are subject to fluctuation (e.g., changes in assets under management, market performance) and/ or are contingent on a future event during the measurement period (e.g., meeting a specified benchmark) and are recognized only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved. Management fees are generally based on month-end assets under management or an agreed upon notional amount and are included in the transaction price at the end of each month when the assets under management or notional amount is known. Performance fees are received when the return on assets under management for a specified performance period exceed certain benchmark returns, "high-water marks" or other performance targets. The performance period related to performance fees is annual or semi-annual. Accordingly, performance fee revenue will generally be recognized only at the end of the performance period to the extent that the benchmark return has been met.

Manufacturing Revenues. Idaho Timber's primary business consists of the sale of lumber that is manufactured or remanufactured at one of its locations. Agreements with customers for these sales specify the type, quantity and price of products to be delivered as well as the delivery date and payment terms. The transaction price is fixed at the time of sale and revenue is generally recognized when the customer takes control of the product.

Accounting Developments

Accounting Developments - Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods

Leases. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance that affects the accounting and disclosure requirements for leases. The FASB requires the recognition of all leases that are longer than one year onto the balance sheet, which will result in the recognition of a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability. The right of use asset and lease liability will be measured initially using the present value of the remaining rental payments. A significant portion of the population of contracts that will be subject to recognition on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition have been identified; however, their initial measurement still remains under evaluation. We are currently modifying certain of our lease accounting systems to enable us to comply with the accounting requirements of this guidance. In July 2018, the FASB issued additional guidance on leases which allows an entity to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings upon adoption. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We plan on adopting the lease standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 with a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance for estimating credit losses on certain types of financial instruments by introducing an approach based on expected losses. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill. In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance for simplifying goodwill impairment testing. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We do not believe the new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging. In August 2017, the FASB issued new guidance to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. We do not believe the new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Defined Benefit Plans. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to improve the effectiveness of disclosure requirements on defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We do not believe the new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Internal-Use Software. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance which amends the definition of a hosting arrangement and requires that the customer in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract capitalize certain implementation costs as if the arrangement was an internal-use software project. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Consolidation. In October 2018, the FASB issued new guidance which requires indirect interests held through related parties under common control arrangements be considered on a proportional basis for determining whether fees paid to decision makers and service providers are variable interests. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.