Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

May 31, 2024

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2023. Certain footnote disclosures included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2023 have been condensed or omitted from the consolidated financial statements as they are not required for interim reporting under U.S. GAAP. The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the results for the interim period. The results presented in our consolidated financial statements for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.

We have made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The most important of these estimates and assumptions relate to fair value measurements, compensation and benefits, goodwill and intangible assets and the accounting for income taxes. Although these and other estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information, actual results could be materially different from these estimates.

Consolidation

Consolidation

Our policy is to consolidate all entities that we control by ownership of a majority of the outstanding voting stock. In addition, we consolidate entities that meet the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party who has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and who has an obligation to absorb losses of the entity or a right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. For consolidated entities that are less than wholly owned, the third-party’s holding of equity interest is presented as Noncontrolling interests in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. The portion of net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests is presented as Net earnings (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

In situations in which we have significant influence, but not control, of an entity that does not qualify as a VIE, we apply either the equity method of accounting or fair value accounting pursuant to the fair value option election under U.S. GAAP, with our portion of net earnings or gains and losses recorded in Other revenues or Principal transactions revenues, respectively. We also have formed nonconsolidated investment vehicles with third-party investors that are typically organized as partnerships or limited liability companies and are carried at fair value. We act as general partner or managing member for these investment vehicles and have generally provided the third-party investors with termination or “kick-out” rights.

Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods/ Adopted Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods

Segment Reporting. In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2023-07 (“ASU 2023-07”), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The guidance primarily will require enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and are to be applied on a retrospective basis. We are evaluating the impact of the standard on our segment reporting disclosures.

Income Taxes. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The guidance is intended to improve income tax disclosure requirements by requiring (i) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (ii) the disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance makes several other changes to the income tax disclosure requirements. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and are required to be applied prospectively with the option of retrospective application. We are evaluating the impact of the standard on our income tax disclosures.

Adopted Accounting Standards

Reference Rate Reform. The FASB has issued guidance which provides optional exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to certain contract modifications, hedge accounting relationships or other transactions affected by reference rate reform. There was no impact to our financial statements as a result of this guidance upon the completion of our transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on June 30, 2023.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The guidance provides for estimating credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost by introducing an approach based on expected losses over the financial asset’s entire life, recorded at inception or purchase. On January 1, 2023, Berkadia, our equity method investee, adopted this guidance and applied a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption. At transition on January 1, 2023, the new accounting guidance’s adoption resulted in a decrease in retained earnings of $14.8 million, net of tax attributable to an increase in the allowance for credit losses. Our equity method investee, Jefferies Finance, adopted the guidance on December 1, 2023, and the impact on our consolidated financial statements was not material