Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (a) Organization and Nature of Operations Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG” or the “Company”) is a global asset management company with equity investments in leading boutique investment management firms, referred to as “Affiliates.” AMG’s Affiliates provide investment management services globally to institutional, retail and high net worth clients. Each of AMG’s Affiliates operates through distinct entities, typically organized as limited liability companies or limited partnerships (or equivalent non-U.S. forms), which affords AMG the flexibility to design a separate operating agreement for each Affiliate. The operating agreements reflect the specific terms of AMG’s economic participation in the Affiliate through a “structured partnership interest.” AMG’s structured partnership interests typically consist of arrangements through which AMG shares in the Affiliate’s revenue without regard to expenses and also include arrangements through which AMG shares in the Affiliate’s revenue less certain agreed-upon expenses. When AMG owns a majority of the equity interests in an Affiliate and its structured partnership interest is calculated by reference to the Affiliate’s revenue without regard to expenses, a set percentage of revenue is allocated to fund operating expenses, including compensation (the “Operating Allocation”), while the remaining revenue (the “Owners’ Allocation”) is allocated to AMG and Affiliate management in proportion to their respective ownership interests. When AMG owns a minority of the equity interests in an Affiliate, its structured partnership interest is either calculated by reference to the Affiliate’s revenue without regard to expenses or by reference to the Affiliate’s revenue less certain agreed-upon expenses. When AMG’s interest is calculated by reference to an Affiliate’s revenue less certain agreed-upon expenses, AMG participates in increases and decreases both in revenue and the agreed-upon expenses included in the calculation. This structure allows AMG to benefit from any increase in revenue or any decrease in the expenses that are included in the calculation, but also directly exposes AMG to any decrease in revenue or any increase in such expenses, which AMG may not anticipate and which could be significant. (b) Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates The financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). All dollar amounts, except per share data in the text and tables herein, are stated in millions unless otherwise indicated. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revision of Prior Periods In the third quarter of 2016, the Company reviewed its accounting for Affiliate equity transactions in preparation for the adoption of Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which the Company has now adopted. During this review, the Company determined that it had incorrectly recorded deferred tax benefits, a non-cash item, on certain Affiliate equity transactions dating back to 2005. The Company assessed the impact of the error, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99 and SAB No. 108 and concluded that it was not material to any of the Company’s previously issued Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company has revised its Consolidated Financial Statements for periods prior to 2016 to reflect the correction of the error in the periods in which the deferred tax benefits were recorded. The cumulative impact of the correction has been reflected as a reclassification between the beginning Retained earnings and Additional paid-in capital balances as of December 31, 2013 in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. The tables below show the effect of the correction on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 and on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015. All financial information presented in these notes has been revised to reflect the correction of this error. The revision had no impact on Income before income taxes, Total stockholders’ equity or Cash flow from operating activities. For the Year Ended 2014 For the Year Ended 2015 Consolidated Statements of Income As Previously Reported Adjustments As Revised As Previously Reported Adjustments As Revised Income taxes $ 227.9 $ 18.2 $ 246.1 $ 256.9 $ 6.5 $ 263.4 Net income 785.6 (18.2 ) 767.4 833.7 (6.5 ) 827.2 Net income (controlling interest) 452.1 (18.2 ) 433.9 516.0 (6.5 ) 509.5 Earnings per share (basic) $ 8.22 $ (0.33 ) $ 7.89 $ 9.49 $ (0.12 ) $ 9.37 Earnings per share (diluted) $ 8.01 $ (0.31 ) $ 7.70 $ 9.28 $ (0.11 ) $ 9.17 December 31, 2015 Consolidated Balance Sheet As Previously Reported Adjustments As Revised Additional paid-in capital $ 597.2 $ 97.7 $ 694.9 Retained earnings 2,679.3 (97.7 ) 2,581.6 For the Year Ended 2014 For the Year Ended 2015 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows As Previously Reported Adjustments As Revised As Previously Reported Adjustments As Revised Net income $ 785.6 $ (18.2 ) $ 767.4 $ 833.7 $ (6.5 ) $ 827.2 Deferred income tax provision 62.8 18.2 81.0 94.7 6.5 101.2 (c) Principles of Consolidation The Company assesses consolidation requirements pursuant to ASU 2015-02: Consolidation, which was adopted using the modified retrospective method and resulted in an effective date of adoption of January 1, 2016. In evaluating whether an investment must be consolidated, the Company evaluates the risk, rewards, and significant terms of each of its Affiliate and other investments to determine if an investment is considered a voting rights entity (“VRE”) or a variable interest entity (“VIE”). An entity is a VRE when the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities independently and when the equity holders have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance. An entity is a VIE when it lacks one or more of the characteristics of a VRE. Assessing whether an entity is a VRE or VIE involves judgment. Upon the occurrence of certain events, management reviews and reconsiders its previous conclusion regarding the status of an entity as a VRE or a VIE. The Company consolidates VREs when it has control over significant operating, financial and investing decisions of the investment or holds the majority voting interest. The Company consolidates VIEs when it has a controlling financial interest, which is defined as having the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Investments in Affiliates For the Company’s consolidated Affiliates, the portion of the Owners’ Allocation allocated to Affiliate management is included in Net income (non-controlling interests) in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Non-controlling interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheets include capital and undistributed Operating and Owners’ Allocation owned by Affiliate management of the Company’s consolidated Affiliates. The effect of any changes in the Company’s equity interests in its consolidated Affiliates resulting from the issuance or repurchase of an Affiliate’s equity by the Company or one of its Affiliates is included as a component of stockholders’ equity, net of any related income tax effects in the period of the change. The current redemption value of non-controlling interests has been presented as Redeemable non-controlling interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company applies the equity method of accounting to investments where the Company does not hold a controlling equity interest but has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial matters. Other investments in which the Company owns less than a 20% interest and does not exercise significant influence are accounted for under the cost method. Under the cost method, income is recognized when dividends are declared. Affiliate Sponsored Investment Vehicles The Company’s consolidated Affiliates sponsor various investment products where they also act as the investment advisor, and in some cases these products are considered VIEs. These investment products are typically owned primarily by third-party investors; however, certain products are capitalized with seed capital investments from Affiliates. Investors are generally entitled to substantially all of the economics of these VIEs, except for the management and performance fees earned by Affiliates or any gains or losses attributable to Affiliates’ investments in these products. As a result, Affiliates do not generally consolidate these VIEs unless the Affiliate’s interest in the product is considered substantial. When consolidating these VIEs, the Company retains the specialized investment company accounting principles of the underlying products, and all of the underlying investments are carried at fair value in Investments in marketable securities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets with corresponding changes in the investments’ fair values reflected in Other operating expenses (net) in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Purchases and sales of securities are presented within purchases and sales by Affiliate sponsored consolidated products in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. When Affiliates no longer control these products, due to a reduction in ownership or other reasons, the products are deconsolidated. (d) Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments, including money market mutual funds, with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value due to the short-term maturity of these investments. Money market mutual funds with a floating net asset value (“NAV”) would not meet the definition of a cash equivalent if the fund has enacted liquidity fees or redemption gates. (e) Receivables The Company’s Affiliates earn asset based and performance fees, which are billed based on the terms of the related contracts. Billed but uncollected asset based and performance fees are presented within Receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are generally short-term in nature. Certain of the Company’s Affiliates in the UK act as intermediaries between clients and their sponsored investment products. Normal settlement periods on transactions initiated by these clients with the sponsored investment products result in unsettled fund share receivables and payables that are presented on a gross basis within Receivables and Payables and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gross presentation of these receivables and offsetting payables reflects the legal relationship between the underlying investor and the Company’s Affiliates. (f) Investments in Marketable Securities Investments in marketable securities are classified as either trading or available-for-sale and carried at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on investments classified as available-for-sale are reported, net of tax, as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in Equity until realized when they are reported in Investment and other income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Realized and unrealized gains or losses related to trading securities are reported within Investment and other income. Realized gains and losses are recorded on trade date on a specific identified basis. If a decline in the fair value of an available-for-sale investment is determined to be other-than-temporary, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its fair value, and the difference is charged to Investment and other income in the period incurred. (g) Fair Value Measurements The Company determines the fair value of certain investment securities and other financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is determined based on the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, utilizing a hierarchy of three different valuation techniques: Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs, or significant value drivers, are observable; and Level 3 - Prices reflect the Company’s own assumptions concerning unobservable inputs to the valuation model. These inputs require significant management judgment and reflect the Company’s assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. (h) Fixed Assets Fixed assets are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives of office equipment and furniture and fixtures range from three to ten years . Computer software developed or obtained for internal use is amortized over the estimated useful life of the software, generally three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease, and buildings are amortized over their expected useful lives. The costs of improvements that extend the life of a fixed asset are capitalized, while the cost of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Land is not depreciated. (i) Leases The Company and its Affiliates currently lease office space and equipment under various leasing arrangements. As these leases expire, it can be expected that in the normal course of business they will be renewed or replaced. Leases are classified as either capital leases or operating leases, as appropriate. Most lease agreements for office space that are classified as operating leases contain renewal options, rent escalation clauses or other inducements provided by the landlord. Rent expense is accrued to recognize lease escalation provisions and inducements provided by the landlord, if any, on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is reported in Other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. (j) Equity Method Investments in Affiliates For Equity method investments in Affiliates, the Company’s share of the Affiliate’s revenue without regard to expenses or less certain agreed-upon expenses, net of amortization of intangible assets related to the Company’s investment, is included in Income from equity method investments in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company’s share of income taxes incurred directly by Affiliates accounted for under the equity method is recorded within Income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Income because these taxes generally represent the Company’s share of the taxes incurred by Affiliates. The Company periodically evaluates its equity method investments for impairment. In such impairment evaluations, the Company assesses if the fair value of the investment has declined below its carrying value for a period considered to be other-than-temporary. If the Company determines that a decline in fair value below the carrying value of the investment is other-than-temporary, then the reduction in carrying value would be recorded in Income from equity method investments. (k) Acquired Client Relationships and Goodwill Each Affiliate in which the Company makes an investment has identifiable assets arising from contractual or other legal rights with their clients (“acquired client relationships”). In determining the value of acquired client relationships, the Company analyzes the net present value of these Affiliates’ existing client relationships based on a number of factors, including: the Affiliate’s historical and potential future operating performance; the Affiliate’s historical and potential future rates of attrition of existing clients; the stability and longevity of existing client relationships; the Affiliate’s recent, as well as long-term, investment performance; the characteristics of the firm’s products and investment styles; the stability and depth of the Affiliate’s management team; and the Affiliate’s history and perceived franchise or brand value. The Company has determined that certain of its acquired client relationships meet the criteria to be considered indefinite-lived assets because the Company expects both the renewal of these contracts and, therefore, the cash flows generated by these contracts to continue indefinitely. Accordingly, the Company does not amortize these intangible assets, but instead reviews these assets annually or more frequently whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that the recorded indefinite-lived assets may be impaired. Each reporting period, the Company assesses whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate that the indefinite life criteria are no longer met. If the indefinite life criteria are no longer met, the Company would assess whether the carrying value of the assets exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss would be recorded in an amount equal to any such excess and these assets would be reclassified to definite-lived. The expected useful lives of definite-lived acquired client relationships are determined based on an analysis of the historical and projected attrition rates of each Affiliate’s existing clients, and other factors that may influence the expected future economic benefit the Company will derive from the relationships. The expected lives of definite-lived acquired client relationships are analyzed annually or more frequently whenever events or circumstances have occurred that indicate the expected useful lives may no longer be appropriate. The Company tests for the possible impairment of indefinite and definite-lived intangible assets annually or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable. If such indicators exist, the Company compares the fair value of the asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value is greater than the fair value, an impairment loss would be recorded in Intangible amortization and impairments in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized, and is reported within the segments in which the Affiliate operates. Goodwill is not amortized, but is instead reviewed for impairment. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that the recorded goodwill may be impaired. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss would be recorded in Intangible amortization and impairments. (l) Issuance Costs Issuance costs related to the Company’s senior bank debt are amortized over the remaining term of the senior unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facility (the “revolver”) and the senior unsecured term loan facility (the “term loan”). Issuance costs associated with the revolver and term loan are included in Other assets and as a reduction of the related debt balance, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Issuance costs associated with the Company’s senior notes are amortized over the shorter of the period to the first investor put date or the Company’s estimate of the expected term of the security, and are included as a reduction of the related debt balance in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The expense resulting from the amortization of these issuance costs is reported in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. (m) Derivative Financial Instruments The Company may utilize financial instruments, specifically interest rate derivative contracts to hedge certain interest rate exposures. In entering into these contracts, the Company intends to offset cash flow gains and losses that occur on its existing debt obligations with cash flow gains and losses on the contracts hedging these obligations. From time to time, the Company’s Affiliates use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the risk of foreign exchange rate movements. In entering into these contracts, the Affiliates intend to offset cash flow gains and losses on projected foreign currency-denominated revenues and expenses as a result of variability in foreign exchange rates. The Company records derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. If the Company’s derivatives qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the unrealized gain or loss is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and reclassified to Investment and other income when the hedged cash flows are recorded in earnings. Hedge effectiveness is generally measured by comparing the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future variable cash flows of the hedged contract with the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future variable cash flows of the hedged item. To the extent that the critical terms of the hedged item and the derivative are not identical, hedge ineffectiveness would be reported in Investment and other income. If the Company’s or its Affiliates’ derivatives do not qualify as cash flow or fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recognized as a gain or loss in Investment and other income. (n) Contingent Payment Arrangements The Company periodically enters into contingent payment arrangements in connection with its business combinations. In these arrangements, the Company agrees to pay additional consideration to the sellers to the extent that certain levels of revenue growth or other metrics are achieved. For consolidated Affiliates, the Company estimates the fair value of these potential future obligations at the time a business combination is consummated and records a liability primarily in Other liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company then accretes the obligation to its expected payment amount over the period until the arrangement is measured. If the Company’s expected payment amount subsequently changes, the obligation is reduced or increased in the current period resulting in a gain or loss, respectively. Both gains and losses resulting from changes to expected payments and the accretion of these obligations to their expected payment amounts are reflected within Imputed interest expense and contingent payment arrangements. For Affiliates accounted for under the equity method of accounting, the Company records a liability when a payment becomes probable in Payables and accrued liabilities, with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the Affiliate in Equity method investments in Affiliates in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (o) Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, using tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in Income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period when the change is enacted. The Company regularly assesses the recoverability of its deferred income tax assets to determine whether these assets are more-likely-than-not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and results of recent operations. If the Company determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their recorded amount, or that the recorded deferred tax assets are not realizable, the Company would adjust the deferred tax asset valuation allowance to record the deferred tax assets at their current value, which would increase or decrease Income taxes, respectively. The Company records unrecognized tax benefits based on whether it is more-likely-than-not that the uncertain tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position. If it is determined an uncertain tax position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained, the Company records the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority in Income taxes. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are also recorded in Income taxes. (p) Foreign Currency Translation Assets and liabilities whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect as of the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates for the relevant period. Because of the long-term nature of the Company’s investments in Affiliates, net translation exchange gains and losses resulting from foreign currency translation are recorded in Accumulated comprehensive income as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are reflected in Investment and other income. (q) Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents, investments and, at times, certain financial instruments with various high credit-quality financial institutions. These financial institutions are typically located in countries in which AMG and its Affiliates operate. For AMG and certain Affiliates, cash deposits at a financial institution may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. (r) Revenue Recognition The Company’s revenue primarily represents advisory fees billed by consolidated Affiliates for managing the assets of clients. Asset based advisory fees are recognized as services are rendered and are typically based upon a percentage of the value of a client’s assets under management. Any fees collected in advance are deferred and recognized as income over the period earned. Performance fees are generally assessed as a percentage of the investment performance realized on a client’s account. Performance fees are recognized when they are earned (i.e., when they become billable to customers and are not subject to claw-back) based on the contractual terms of agreements and when collection is reasonably assured. Carried interest is recognized upon the earlier of the termination of the investment product or when the likelihood of claw-back is improbable. Also included in revenue are commissions earned by broker-dealers, and administrative fees for services provided to Affiliate sponsored investment products. The Company’s Affiliates have contractual arrangements with third parties to provide certain distribution-related services. These third parties are primarily compensated based on the value of client assets over time. Distribution-related revenues are presented in Revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income gross of any related expenses when the Affiliate is the principal in its role as primary obligor under its sales and distribution arrangements. Distribution-related expenses are presented within Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. (s) Earnings Per Share The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is similar to basic earnings per share, but adjusts for the dilutive effect of the potential issuance of incremental shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company had convertible securities outstanding during the periods presented and is required to apply the if-converted method to these securities in its calculation of diluted earnings per share. Under the if-converted method, shares that are issuable upon conversion are deemed outstanding, regardless of whether the securities are contractually convertible into the Company’s common stock at that time. For this calculation, the interest expense (net of tax) attributable to these dilutive securities is added back to Net income (controlling interest), reflecting the assumption that the securities have been converted. Issuable shares for these securities and related interest expense are excluded from the calculation if an assumed conversion would be anti-dilutive to diluted earnings per share. (t) Share-Based Compensation Plans The Company recognizes expenses for all share-based payments based on their grant date fair values over the requisite service period. The Company records these expenses only for awards that are expected to vest. Prior to 2016, the Company reported any tax benefits realized upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock that were in excess of the expense recognized for reporting purposes as a financing activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. If the tax benefit ultimately realized was greater than or less than the expense recognized, the tax windfall or shortfall was recognized in stockholders’ equity. To the extent the shortfall exceeded the cumulative windfall tax benefits, the excess was recognized in Income taxes. Beginning in 2016, all tax windfalls or shortfalls are recognized in Income taxes and have been classified as operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Taxes paid by the Company when it withholds shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations are classified as a financing activity. (u) Segment Information Management has assessed and determined that the Company operates in three business segments representing the Company’s three principal distribution channels: Institutional, Mutual Fund and High Net Worth, each of which has different client relationships. Revenue and Income from equity method investments in the Institutional distribution channel are earned from relationships with public and private client entities, including foundations, endowments, sovereign wealth funds and retirement plans for corporations and municipalities. Revenue and Income from equity method investments in the Mutual Fund distribution channel are earned from advisory or sub-advisory relationships with active return-oriented mutual funds, UCITS and other retail products. Revenue and Income from equity method investments in the High Net Worth distribution channel are earned from relationships with high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, families, trusts, foundations, endowments and retirement plans. In measuring Net income (controlling interest) by segment, the Company’s share of expenses incurred directly at Affiliates and AMG Funds is allocated to a particular segment pro rata to the revenue generated by the Affiliate and AMG Funds in such segment. All other operating and non-operating expenses not incurred directly by an Affiliate or AMG Funds are generally allocated to segments based on the relative contribution to Adjusted EBITDA (controlling interest) of the applicable Affiliate or AMG Funds in each segment. (v) Recent Accounting Developments Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted several updates to accounting standards as follows: • ASU 2015-02, Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02: Consolidation”); • ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs; • ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement: Disclosures |