SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES. T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. derives its consolidated revenues and net income primarily from investment advisory services that its subsidiaries provide to individual and institutional investors in the T. Rowe Price U.S. mutual funds and other investment products , including separately managed accounts, subadvised funds, and other T. Rowe Price products . We also provide our investment advisory clients with related administrative services, including distribution, mutual fund transfer agent, accounting and shareholder services; participant recordkeeping and transfer agent services for defined contribution retirement plans; brokerage, and trust services. Investment advisory revenues depend largely on the total value and composition of assets under our management. Accordingly, fluctuations in financial markets and in the composition of assets under management impact our revenues and results of operations. BASIS OF PREPARATION. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared by our management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. These principles require that we make certain estimates and assumptions. Actual results may vary from our estimates. In 2017, we recognized in our income tax provision a non-recurring charge of $71.1 million to reflect the estimated effect of the U.S. tax law changes enacted on December 22, 2017. The charge is a reasonable estimate based on current interpretation of the tax law changes and includes $18.9 million for the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and a $52.2 million tax liability for the mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign sourced net earnings. We will continue to evaluate the impact of the tax law changes on our estimates and expectations due to changes in our interpretations of the law, assumptions used in applying the law, and additional guidance concerning the law that may be issued. We will report any applicable adjustments to these estimates in 2018 after our estimates are finalized. Refer to Note 7 for more information on the impact of tax reform on our 2017 financial statements and effective tax rate. NEWLY ISSUED BUT NOT YET ADOPTED ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and subsequently has issued several related accounting standard updates clarifying several aspects of ASU 2014-09, including technical corrections and improvements (ASC 606). The standard update provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers to improve comparability within industries, across industries, and across capital markets. It contains principles to apply to determine the measurement of revenue and the timing of when it is recognized. We will adopt the new standard on its effective date, January 1, 2018, using the retrospective approach with adjustments to each prior period. We concluded that the new standards do not materially change the timing of revenue recognition. However, the presentation of certain revenue related expenses totaling about $60 million in 2016 and 2017 will change from being recognized net against the related revenues to being reported within operating expenses. Additionally, we plan to enhance disclosures in accordance with the standard's disclosure requirements in 2018. In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01 — Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This standard update addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments and requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We will adopt the new standard on its effective date, January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, we will reclassify net unrealized holding gains recognized on investments in T. Rowe Price products totaling $7.9 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. After January 1, 2018, the change in the fair value of investments in T. Rowe Price investment product s previously accounted for as available-for-sale investments will be recognized in our consolidated income statement rather than our consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The impact upon implementation of the standard on our investments without a readily determinable fair value is not material. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 — Leases (Topic 842). The standard update seeks to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The standards update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on our financial position and results of operations. We have considered all other newly issued accounting guidance that is applicable to our operations and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, including guidance which we have not yet adopted. We do not believe that any such guidance will have a material effect on our financial position or results of operation. CONSOLIDATION. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries and T. Rowe Price investment products in which we have a controlling interest. We are generally deemed to have a controlling interest when we own the majority of a voting interest entity (VOE) or are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (VIE). We perform an analysis of our investments to determine if the investment entity is a VOE or VIE. Our analysis involves judgment and considers several factors, including an entity’s legal organization, capital structure, the rights of the equity investment holders, our ownership interest in the entity, and our contractual involvement with the entity. We continually review and reconsider our VOE or VIE conclusions upon the occurrence of certain events, such as changes to our ownership interest, changes to an entity’s legal structure, or amendments to governing documents. Upon consolidation of T. Rowe Price investment products , we retain the specialized investment company accounting principles of the underlying funds. All material accounts and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated in consolidation. Variable interest entities VIEs are entities that, by design: (i ) lack sufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities independently or (ii) have equity holders that do not have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, the obligation to absorb the entity’s losses, or the rights to receive the entity’s residual returns. We consolidate a VIE when we are the primary beneficiary, which is the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant. Our Luxembourg-based SICAV funds and other T. Rowe Price investment products regulated outside the U.S. were determined to be VIEs. Along with VIEs that we consolidate, we also hold variable interests in other VIEs, including several investment partnerships that are not consolidated because we are not the primary beneficiary. Redeemable non-controlling interests We recognize redeemable non-controlling interests for the portion of the net assets of our consolidated T. Rowe Price investment products held by unrelated third-party investors as their interest is convertible to cash and other assets at their option. As such, we reflect redeemable non-controlling interests as temporary equity in our consolidated balance sheets. Investments in T. Rowe Price money market mutual funds We do not consider our investments in T. Rowe Price money market mutual funds when performing our consolidation analysis as the guidance provides a scope exception for interests in entities that are required to comply with, or operate in accordance with, requirements similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. CASH EQUIVALENTS. Cash equivalents consist primarily of short-term, highly liquid investments in T. Rowe Price money market mutual funds . The cost of these funds is equivalent to fair value. INVESTMENTS. T. Rowe Price investment products that are accounted for as available-for-sale investments have been made for both general corporate investment purposes and to provide seed capital for newly formed product s. These investments are carried at fair value using the quoted closing net asset value (NAV) per share of each fund as of the balance sheet date. Changes in net unrealized holding gains or losses on these investments are recognized in other comprehensive income. We review the carrying amount of each investment on a quarterly basis and recognize an impairment charge in non-operating investment income whenever an unrealized loss is considered other than temporary. In determining whether a holding is other-than-temporarily impaired, we consider various factors, including the duration of time it has existed, the severity of the impairment, any subsequent changes in value, and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient for an anticipated recovery in fair value. Subject to the other considerations noted above, we believe a holding with an unrealized loss that has persisted daily throughout the six months between quarter-ends is generally presumed to have an other-than-temporary impairment. We may also recognize an other-than-temporary impairment if particular circumstances of the underlying investment do not warrant our belief that a near-term recovery is possible. Equity method investments consist of investments in entities, including T. Rowe Price investment products , for which we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. The carrying values of these investments are adjusted to reflect our proportionate share of the investee's net income or loss, any unrealized gain or loss resulting from the translation of foreign-denominated financial statements into U.S. dollars, and dividends received. Our proportionate share of income or loss is included in non-operating income in our consolidated statements of income. As permitted under existing accounting guidance, we adopted a policy by which we recognize our share of UTI Asset Management Company Limited’s (UTI) earnings on a quarter lag as current financial information is not available in a timely manner. The basis difference between our carrying value and our proportionate share of UTI’s book value is primarily related to consideration paid in excess of the stepped-up basis of assets and liabilities on the date of purchase. Cost method investments consist of investments in entities for which we do not exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. We evaluate our equity and cost method investments for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the investment exceeds its fair value, and the decline in fair value is other than temporary. T. Rowe Price investment products held as trading include seed and discretionary investments in mutual funds and separately managed account products that are carried at fair value. These investments are valued in accordance with the valuation and pricing policy used to value our assets under management and as further described in the Revenue Recognition section below. Investments held by consolidated T. Rowe Price investment products are considered trading securities that are carried at fair value with corresponding changes in the investments’ fair values reflected in non-operating income in our consolidated statements of income. These investments are valued in accordance with the valuation and pricing policy used to value our assets under management and further described in the Revenue Recognition section below. CONCENTRATION OF RISK. Concentration of credit risk in accounts receivable is believed to be minimal in that our clients generally have substantial assets, including those in the investment portfolios that we manage for them. Our investments held as trading expose us to market risk, that is, the potential future loss of value that would result from a decline in the fair value of each investment or its underlying net assets. The underlying holdings of our assets under management are also subject to market risk, which may arise from changes in equity prices, credit ratings, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT. Property and equipment is stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation and amortization computed using the straight-line method. Provisions for depreciation and amortization are based on the following weighted-average estimated useful lives: computer and communications software and equipment, 3 years; buildings and improvements, 32 years; leasehold improvements, 8 years; furniture and other equipment, 7 years; and leased land, 99 years. GOODWILL. We evaluate the carrying amount of goodwill in our consolidated balance sheets for possible impairment on an annual basis in the third quarter of each year using a fair value approach. Our evaluations have indicated that no impairment exists. We internally conduct, manage, and report our operations as one investment advisory business. We do not have distinct operating segments or components that separately constitute a business. Accordingly, we attribute goodwill to a single reportable business segment and reporting unit—our investment advisory business. REVENUE RECOGNITION. Fees for investment advisory services, which are based on a percentage of assets under management, and related administrative services that we provide to investment advisory clients, including the T. Rowe Price U.S. mutual funds and other investment products , are recognized in the period that our services are provided. Our assets under management are valued in accordance with a valuation and pricing policy that defines the valuation and pricing processes for each major type of investment held in T. Rowe Price U.S. mutual funds and other investment products . Fair values used in our processes are primarily determined from quoted market prices; prices furnished by dealers who make markets in such securities; or from data provided by an independent pricing service that considers yield or price of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type. Investments for which market prices are not readily available are not a material portion of our total assets under management. Distribution and servicing fees earned from 12b-1 plans of the Advisor Class, R Class, and Variable Annuity II Class shares of certain T. Rowe Price U.S. mutual funds are recognized in the period that they are earned, which is the same period that the related products recognize their expense. These fees are offset entirely by the distribution and servicing costs paid to third-party financial intermediaries that source the assets of these share classes. We provide all services to the T. Rowe Price U.S. mutual funds under contracts that are subject to periodic review and approval by the funds’ Boards. Regulations require that the funds’ shareholders also approve material changes to investment advisory contracts. Taxes billed to our clients based on our fees for services rendered are not included in revenues. ADVERTISING. Costs of advertising are expensed the first time that the advertising takes place. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. We maintain three stockholder-approved employee long-term incentive plans (2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, collectively the LTI Plans) and two stockholder-approved non-employee director plans (2007 Non-Employee Director Equity Plan and 2017 Non-Employee Director Equity Plan, collectively the Director Plans). We believe that our stock-based compensation programs align the interests of our employees and directors with those of our common stockholders. As of December 31, 2017 , a total of 18,445,397 shares were available for future grant under the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 2017 Non-Employee Director Equity Plan (2017 Plan). Under our LTI Plans, we have issued restricted shares and restricted stock units to employees that settle in shares of our common stock after vesting. Vesting of these awards is based on the individual continuing to render service over an average 5.0 year graded schedule. All restricted shareholders and restricted stock unitholders receive non-forfeitable cash dividends and cash dividend equivalents, respectively, on our dividend payable date. We are also authorized to grant qualified incentive and nonqualified fixed stock options with a maximum term of 10 years. We have not granted options to employees since 2015. We grant performance-based restricted stock units to certain executive officers in which the number of restricted stock units ultimately retained is determined based on achievement of certain performance thresholds. The number of restricted stock units retained is also subject to the same time-based vesting requirement as the other restricted stock units described above. Cash dividend equivalents are accrued and paid to the holders of performance-based restricted stock units only after the performance period has lapsed and the performance thresholds have been met. Under the Director Plans, we may grant options with a maximum term of 10 years, restricted shares, and restricted stock units to non-employee directors. Under the 2017 Plan, awards generally vest over one year and, in the case of restricted stock units, are settled upon the non-employee directors’ departure from the Board. For restricted shares, cash dividends are accrued and paid on only after the award vests. Restricted stock unit holders receive dividend equivalents in the form of unvested stock units that vest over the same period as the underlying award. We did not grant options to non-employee directors in 2017. We recognize the grant-date fair value of these awards as compensation expense ratably over the awards' requisite service period. Compensation expense recognized for performance-based restricted shares and units includes an estimate regarding the probability of the performance thresholds being met. Both time-based and performance-based units are valued on the grant-date using the closing market price of our common stock. The expense recognized prior to 2016 includes an estimate of awards that will be forfeited. Upon implementation of the new stock-based compensation accounting guidance in 2016, we elected to account for forfeitures as they occur. We used the following inputs to the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of each option granted in 2015 and 2016. Weighted-average 2015 2016 Grant-date fair value per option awarded $ 17.35 $ 10.62 Assumptions used: Expected life in years 7.0 6.8 Expected volatility 27 % 20 % Dividend yield 2.4 % 2.5 % Risk-free interest rate 1.9 % 1.6 % Our expected life assumptions are based on the vesting period for each option grant and our historical experience with respect to the average holding period from vesting to option exercise. The assumptions for expected volatility are based on historical experience for the same periods as our expected lives. Dividend yields are based on recent historical experience and future expectations. Risk-free interest rates are set using grant-date U.S. Treasury yield curves for the same periods as our expected lives. EARNINGS PER SHARE. We compute our basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method, which considers our outstanding restricted shares and stock units, on which we pay non-forfeitable dividends as if they were a separate class of stock. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME. The components of comprehensive income are presented in a separate statement following our consolidated statements of income and include net income, the change in net unrealized security holding gains (losses), and the change in our currency translation adjustments. The currency translation adjustments result from translating our proportionate share of the financial statements of UTI, our equity method investment, and certain consolidated T. Rowe Price investment products into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated using weighted-average exchange rates for the period. The changes in accumulated balances of each component of other comprehensive income, the deferred tax impacts of each component, and information about significant items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income are presented in the notes to the financial statements. The notes also indicate the line item of our consolidated statements of income to which the significant reclassifications were recognized. |