Westwood (WHG) 10-K 26 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 24, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	1165002
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$371,336,264
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,404,585

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$18,131	$10,864
Accounts receivable	14,540	14,468
Investments, at fair value	79,620	64,554
Deferred income taxes	4,060	3,812
Other current assets	2,413	2,521
Total current assets	118,764	96,219
Goodwill	11,255	11,255
Deferred income taxes	3,792	2,041
Intangible assets, net	3,430	3,789
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,720 and $2,155	2,633	2,746
Total assets	139,874	116,050
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,334	2,082
Dividends payable	4,868	3,935
Compensation and benefits payable	18,504	17,805
Income taxes payable	1,498	1,031
Total current liabilities	27,204	24,853
Accrued dividends	1,450	1,266
Deferred rent	1,213	1,268
Total long-term liabilities	2,663	2,534
Total liabilities	29,867	27,387
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 9,010,255 and outstanding 8,308,460 shares at December 31, 2014; issued 8,778,613 and outstanding 8,176,417 shares at December 31, 2013	90	88
Additional paid-in capital	119,859	103,853
Treasury stock, at cost – 701,795 shares at December 31, 2014; 602,196 shares at December 31, 2013	-29,028	-23,169
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,231	-257
Retained earnings	20,317	8,148
Total stockholders’ equity	110,007	88,663
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$139,874	$116,050

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$2,720	$2,155
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	9,010,255	8,778,613
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,308,460	8,176,417
Treasury stock, shares	701,795	602,196

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Advisory fees
Asset-based	$88,473	$70,027	$57,936
Performance-based	3,806	2,561	1,251
Trust fees	20,525	18,367	14,969
Other revenues, net	437	870	3,339
Total revenues	113,241	91,825	77,495
EXPENSES:
Employee compensation and benefits	52,847	47,864	43,698
Sales and marketing	1,673	1,252	1,132
Westwood mutual funds	2,543	2,153	1,153
Information technology	3,469	2,882	2,555
Professional services	4,905	4,223	4,420
General and administrative	5,768	5,266	4,517
Total expenses	71,205	63,640	57,475
Income before income taxes	42,036	28,185	20,020
Provision for income taxes	14,787	10,348	7,934
Net income	27,249	17,837	12,086
Available-for-sale investments:
Change in unrealized gain on investment securities			-40
Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains included in earnings			-1,900
Net change (net of income taxes of $0, $0 and ($1,058), respectively)			-1,940
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-974	-287	30
Other comprehensive loss	-974	-287	-1,910
Total comprehensive income	$26,275	$17,550	$10,176
Earnings per share:
Basic	$3.63	$2.43	$1.69
Diluted	$3.45	$2.32	$1.65
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	7,512,348	7,331,874	7,145,701
Diluted	7,906,545	7,692,756	7,307,035

Recovered_Sheet1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net change, income taxes	$0	$0	$1,058

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Common Stock, Par	Additional Paid-In Capital	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings
In Thousands, except Share data
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	$71,062	$81	$80,084	($14,706)	$1,940	$3,663
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		7,707,189
Net income	12,086					12,086
Other comprehensive loss	-1,910				-1,910
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures		4	-4
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures, shares		405,330
Stock based compensation expense	10,521		10,521
Tax benefit related to stock based compensation	488		488
Dividends declared ($1.82 per share in 2014, $1.64 per share in 2013, $1.51 per share in 2012)	-12,108					-12,108
Stock options exercised	210		210
Stock options exercised, shares		16,250
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes	-3,796			-3,796
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes, shares		-97,724
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2012	76,553	85	91,299	-18,502	30	3,641
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		8,031,045
Net income	17,837					17,837
Other comprehensive loss	-287				-287
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures		3	-3
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures, shares		252,015
Stock based compensation expense	11,679		11,679
Reclassification of compensation liability to be paid in shares	120		120
Tax benefit related to stock based compensation	758		758
Dividends declared ($1.82 per share in 2014, $1.64 per share in 2013, $1.51 per share in 2012)	-13,330					-13,330
Purchases of treasury stock	-878			-878
Purchases of treasury stock, shares		-20,251
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes	-3,789			-3,789
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes, shares		-86,392
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2013	88,663	88	103,853	-23,169	-257	8,148
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	8,176,417	8,176,417
Net income	27,249					27,249
Other comprehensive loss	-974				-974
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures		2	-2
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures, shares		231,642
Stock based compensation expense	13,685		13,685
Reclassification of compensation liability to be paid in shares	170		170
Tax benefit related to stock based compensation	2,153		2,153
Dividends declared ($1.82 per share in 2014, $1.64 per share in 2013, $1.51 per share in 2012)	-15,080					-15,080
Purchases of treasury stock	-669			-669
Purchases of treasury stock, shares		-11,476
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes	-5,190			-5,190
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes, shares		-88,123
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2014	$110,007	$90	$119,859	($29,028)	($1,231)	$20,317
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	8,308,460	8,308,460

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_STOC1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Dividends declared, per share	$1.82	$1.64	$1.51

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$27,249	$17,837	$12,086
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	579	410	349
Amortization of intangible assets	359	359	472
Gain on sale of available for sale investment			-1,900
Unrealized losses (gains) on trading investments	-75	325	-344
Stock based compensation expense	13,685	11,679	10,521
Deferred income taxes	-2,133	-937	-1,819
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	-1,850	-696	-981
Net purchases of investments – trading securities	-14,991	-4,993	-7,692
Other			1
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-369	-5,702	-1,208
Other current assets	70	-887	61
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	353	450	-39
Compensation and benefits payable	1,307	3,598	1,846
Income taxes payable and prepaid taxes	2,406	160	2,147
Other liabilities	-67	102	-25
Net cash provided by operating activities	26,523	21,705	13,475
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Sales of available for sale investments			1,900
Purchases of property and equipment	-478	-1,201	-264
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-478	-1,201	1,636
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of treasury stock	-669	-878
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes	-5,190	-3,789	-3,796
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	1,850	696	981
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			210
Cash dividends	-13,962	-9,330	-13,981
Net cash used in financing activities	-17,971	-13,301	-16,586
Effect of currency rate changes on cash	-807	-156	28
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	7,267	7,047	-1,447
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	10,864	3,817	5,264
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	18,131	10,864	3,817
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for income taxes	$14,418	$11,031	$7,600

Description_of_the_Business

Description of the Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of the Business	1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:
	Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”, “the Company”, we”, “us” or “our”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 12, 2001. Westwood manages investment assets and provides services for its clients through its subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. (“Westwood Management”), Westwood Trust (“Westwood Trust”) and Westwood International Advisors Inc. (“Westwood International”). Westwood Management provides investment advisory services to corporate retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, mutual funds, individuals and clients of Westwood Trust. Westwood Trust provides institutions and high net worth individuals with trust and custodial services and participation in its sponsored common trust funds. Westwood International provides investment advisory services to corporate retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles. Revenue is largely dependent on the total value and composition of assets under management (“AUM”). Accordingly, fluctuations in financial markets and in the composition of AUM impact our revenues and results of operations.
	Westwood Management is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Westwood Trust is chartered and regulated by the Texas Department of Banking. Westwood International is registered as a portfolio manager and exempt market dealer with the Ontario Securities Commission and the Autorité des marchés financiers (“AMF”) in Québec.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
	Principles of consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Westwood and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
	We assess each legal entity that we manage to determine whether consolidation is appropriate at the onset of the relationship. We first determine whether the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”), or a voting interest entity (“VOE”), under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and then whether we have a controlling financial interest in the entity. Assessing whether or not an entity is a VOE or VIE and if it requires consolidation involves judgment and analysis. Factors considered in this assessment include, but are not limited to, the legal organization of the entity, our equity ownership and contractual involvement with the entity and any related party or de facto agent implications of our involvement with the entity. We reconsider whether entities are a VIE or VOE whenever contractual arrangements change, the entity receives additional equity or returns equity to its investors or changes in facts and circumstances occur that change the investors’ ability to direct the activities of the entity.
	A VIE is an entity in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities without subordinated financial support or (ii) the at-risk equity holders do not have the normal characteristics of a controlling financial interest. That is, the at-risk equity holders do not have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and/or the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. An enterprise must consolidate all VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. We determine if a sponsored investment meets the definition of a VIE by considering whether the fund’s equity investment at risk is sufficient to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support and whether the fund’s at-risk equity holders absorb any losses, have the right to receive residual returns and have the right to direct the activities of the entity most responsible for the entity’s economic performance. For VIEs that are investment companies, the primary beneficiary of the VIE is the party that absorbs a majority of the expected losses of the VIE, receives a majority of the expected residual returns of the VIE, or both. For VIEs that are not investment companies, the primary beneficiary of a VIE is defined as the party who, considering the involvement of related parties and de facto agents, has (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. This evaluation is updated continuously.
	Westwood Investment Funds PLC (the “UCITS Fund”), which was authorized by the Central Bank of Ireland on June 18, 2013 pursuant to the European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Regulations 2011, is an Ireland domiciled umbrella-type open-ended self-managed investment company. The UCITS Fund is an umbrella fund with segregated assets and liabilities between sub-funds, and notwithstanding the segregation of assets and liabilities within each sub-fund, the UCITS Fund is a single legal entity and no sub-fund constitutes a legal entity separate from the UCITS Fund. The Company’s first UCITS sub-fund is focused on Westwood’s Emerging Markets strategy. Shares of the sub-fund, all of which are owned by the third-party investors, are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. The base currency of the UCITS Fund is the British pound sterling. We determined that the UCITS Fund was a VIE as its at-risk equity holders do not have the ability to direct the activities of the UCITS Fund that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. Although the Company does not have an equity investment in the UCITS Fund, its representatives having a majority control of the UCITS Fund’s Board of Directors can influence the UCITS Fund’s management and affairs. The UCITS Fund’s Board of Directors maintains this control through its duties, which are stated in the UCITS Fund’s Memorandum, and Articles of Association, which have no expiration date. We concluded that the Company was not the primary beneficiary of the UCITS Fund because, even though it has the power to direct the activities of the UCITS Fund that most significantly impact the fund’s economic performance, it does not absorb a majority of the UCITS Fund’s expected losses and does not receive a majority of the UCITS Fund’s expected residual returns. Therefore, the results of the UCITS Fund are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial results.
	We have also evaluated all of our advisory relationships with the Westwood Funds ®, collective investment trusts and limited liability companies and our relationship as sponsor of the common trust funds to determine whether or not we qualify as the primary beneficiary based on whether there is an obligation to absorb the majority of expected losses or a right to receive the majority of residual returns. Since all losses and returns are distributed to the shareholders of these VIEs, we are not the primary beneficiary and consequently these VIEs are not included in our consolidated financial statements. We have included the disclosures related to VIEs in Note 12.
	A VOE is an entity that is outside the scope of the guidance for VIEs. Consolidation of a VOE is required when a reporting entity owns a controlling financial interest in a VOE. Ownership of a majority of the voting interests is the usual condition for a controlling financial interest. At December 31, 2014, none of our sponsored investment entities were VOEs subject to this assessment by the Company.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Our consolidated financial statements include all necessary reclassification adjustments to conform prior year results to the current period presentation.
	Correction of Immaterial Errors
	Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99, Materiality, the Company concluded that certain misstatements were not material to any of its prior period financial statements, including its financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2014.  Although the misstatements were immaterial to prior periods, the prior period financial statements have been adjusted in this report in accordance with SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements due to the significance of the out-of-period correction of this non-cash adjustment to the third quarter of 2014. See Note 3 for further discussion.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of money market funds and other short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, other than pooled investment vehicles that are considered investments. We maintain some cash and cash equivalents balances with financial institutions that are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. The Company has not experienced losses on uninsured cash accounts.
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable represents balances arising from services provided to customers and are recorded on an accrual basis, 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 amounts written off, existing conditions in the industry, and the financial stability of the customer. The majority of our accounts receivable balances consist of advisory and trust fees receivable from customers that we believe and have experienced to be fully collectible. Accordingly our consolidated financial statements do not include an allowance for bad debt nor any bad debt expense.
	Investments
	Investments are classified as trading securities and are carried at quoted market values on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Net unrealized holding gains or losses on investments classified as trading securities are reflected as a component of other revenues. We measure realized gains and losses on investments using the specific identification method.
	We may make initial seed investments in sponsored investments at the strategy’s formation. If the seed investment results in a controlling financial interest, we will consolidate the investment, and the underlying individual securities will be accounted for as trading securities. Seed investments in which we do not have a controlling financial interest are classified as available-for-sale investments. These investments are measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized holding gains and losses for available-for-sale securities would be excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains would be recognized in non-operating income (loss).
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	We determined the estimated fair values of our financial instruments using available information. The fair value amounts discussed in Notes 4 and 5 are not necessarily indicative of either the amounts realizable upon disposition of these instruments or our intent or ability to dispose of these assets. The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, dividends payable, compensation and benefits payable and income taxes payable approximates their carrying value due to their short-term maturities. The carrying amount of investments designated as “trading” securities, primarily U.S. Government and Government agency obligations, money market funds, Westwood Funds ® mutual funds and Westwood Trust common trust fund shares, equals fair value based on prices quoted in active markets and, with respect to funds, the reported net asset value of the shares held. Market values of our money market holdings generally do not fluctuate.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired assets over the fair value of the underlying identifiable assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested at least annually for impairment.
	We test more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. These indicators include, among others, declines in sales, earnings or cash flows, or the development of a material adverse change in the business climate. We assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. We have identified two reporting units, which are consistent with our reporting segments: Advisory and Trust. The Company is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless we determine that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than the carrying amount. We assess goodwill for impairment using either a qualitative or quantitative assessment. The qualitative assessment includes consideration of the current trends in the industry in which we operate, macroeconomic conditions, recent financial performance of our reporting units and a market multiple approach valuation. In performing the annual impairment test during the third quarter, or more frequently when impairment indicators exist, and after assessing the qualitative factors, we may be required to utilize the two-step approach prescribed by ASC 350 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. We may also elect to skip the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the quantitative analysis. The quantitative analysis requires a comparison of each reporting unit’s carrying value to the fair value of the respective unit. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated, entirely or predominantly, using a market multiple approach. During the third quarter of 2014, we completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment and determined that no impairment loss was required. No impairments were recorded during any of the periods presented.
	Our intangible assets represent the acquisition date fair value of the acquired client relationships, trade names and non-compete agreements and are reflected net of amortization. In valuing these assets, we made significant estimates regarding the useful lives, growth rates and potential attrition. We periodically review our intangible assets for events or circumstances that would indicate impairment. See Note 6.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of furniture and equipment is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets (from 3 to 11 years), and depreciation on leasehold improvements is provided over the lesser of the estimated useful life or lease term using the straight-line method. We capitalize leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, computer hardware and most office equipment purchases.
	Revenue Recognition
	Investment advisory and trust fees are recognized as services are provided. These fees are determined in accordance with contracts between our subsidiaries and their clients and are generally based on a percentage of assets under management. A limited number of our clients have contractual performance-based fee arrangements, which would pay us an additional fee if we outperform a specified index over a specific period of time. We record revenue for performance-based fees at the end of the measurement period. Most advisory and trust fees are payable in advance or in arrears on a calendar quarterly basis. Advance payments are deferred and recognized over the periods services are performed. Since billing periods for most of our advance paying clients coincide with the calendar quarter to which payment relates, revenue is fully recognized within the quarter. Consequently no significant amount of deferred revenue is contained in our consolidated financial statements. Deferred revenue is shown on the consolidated balance sheets under the heading of “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities”. Other revenues generally consist of interest and investment income and are recognized as earned.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC No. 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. Under ASC 718, stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at grant date, is recognized over the relevant service period, and adjusted each period for anticipated forfeitures. We expense the fair value of stock-based compensation awards granted to our employees and directors in our consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the period that services are required to be provided in exchange for the award (“requisite service period”), which is typically the period over which the award vests. Stock-based compensation is recognized only for awards that vest, and our periodic accrual of compensation cost is based on the estimated number of awards expected to vest. We measure the fair value of compensation cost related to restricted stock awards based on the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date. For performance-based share awards, we assess actual performance versus the predetermined performance goals and record compensation expense once we conclude it is probable that we will meet the performance goals required to vest the applicable performance-based awards.
	We have issued restricted stock in accordance with our Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). We apply judgment in developing an expectation of awards of restricted stock that may be forfeited. If actual experience differs significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially affected.
	The Share Award Plan of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. for Service provided in Canada to its Subsidiaries (the “Canadian Plan”) provides compensation in the form of common stock for services performed by persons to Westwood International. We record compensation costs for these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, once we determine it is probable that the award will be earned.  Awards expected to be settled in shares are funded into a trust pursuant to an established Canadian employee benefit plan. Generally, the Canadian trust subsequently acquires Westwood common shares in market transactions and holds such shares until the shares are vested and distributed, or forfeited. Shares held in the trust are shown on our consolidated balance sheet as treasury shares.  Until shares are acquired by the trust, we record compensation costs and measure the liability as a cash-based award, which is included in “Compensation and benefits payable” on our consolidated balance sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the compensation expense recorded for these awards was $359,000, $344,000 and $124,000, respectively. When the number of shares related to an award is determinable, the award becomes an equity award accounted for in a manner similar to restricted stock, which is described in Note 10.
	Tax benefits realized upon the vesting of restricted shares that exceed the expense previously recognized for reporting purposes are recorded in stockholder’s equity and reflected as a financing activity in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. If the tax benefit upon vesting is less than the expense previously recorded, the shortfall is recorded in stockholder’s equity. If the shortfall exceeds available windfall benefits in equity, they are recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and as an operating activity on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
	Long-term Compensation Agreements
	We entered into employment agreements with certain employees of Westwood International that provide for specified payments over four years. In certain circumstances, these payments would be forfeited to us if the employment of these individuals is terminated before completion of the contractual earning period. Payments made in advance under these agreements are included in “Other current assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of amounts already amortized.
	Currency Translation
	Assets and liabilities of Westwood International, our non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiary, are translated at exchange rates as of applicable reporting dates. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the periods indicated. The gains and losses resulting from translating non-U.S. dollar functional currency into U.S. dollars are recorded through other comprehensive income.
	Income Taxes
	We file a United States federal income tax return as a consolidated group for Westwood and its subsidiaries based in the US. We file a Canadian income tax return for Westwood International. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statements and income tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured at enacted income tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is generally the result of changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes relate primarily to incentive compensation and stock-based compensation expense.
	We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe such assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such a determination, we consider 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. In the event we were to determine that we would not be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future, we would record a valuation allowance. No valuation allowance has been recorded in our consolidated financial statements.
	We account for uncertain tax positions by recognizing the impact of a tax position in our consolidated financial statement when we believe it is more likely than not that the tax position would not be sustained upon examination by the appropriate tax authority, based on the merits of the position. We include penalties and interest on income-based taxes, if any, in the “General and administrative” line on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had not established any reserves for, nor recorded any unrecognized tax benefits related to, uncertain tax positions.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. The ASU is intended to reduce the frequency of disposals reported as discontinued operations by focusing on strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, although early adoption is permitted. We do not currently expect the adoption of this ASU to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which resulted from a joint project by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The issuance of a comprehensive and converged standard on revenue recognition is expected to improve the ability of financial statement users to understand and consistently analyze an entity’s revenue across industries, transactions, and geographies. The standard will require additional disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the nature, amount, timing, and potential uncertainty of the revenue being recognized. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and will require either retrospective application to each prior reporting period presented or retrospective application with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of adoption. Early application is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact that the application of ASU 2014-09 will have on our financial statements and disclosures.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12 Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period, which establishes specific guidance on how to account for share-based payments for awards with performance targets after the employee completes the requisite service period. Current U.S. GAAP does not contain explicit guidance on how to account for those share-based payments. The standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, although early adoption is permitted. We do not currently expect the adoption of this ASU to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The ASU will explicitly require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosure in certain circumstances. The new guidance will be effective for the year ending December 31, 2016. Earlier adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Correction_of_Immaterial_Error

Correction of Immaterial Error	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Correction of Immaterial Error	3. CORRECTION OF IMMATERIAL ERROR:
	During the third quarter of 2014, we discovered an understatement of non-cash stock based compensation expense for restricted stock grants subject to both service and performance conditions that had no net effect on total stockholders’ equity.  Measurement dates used for fair value determination of the non-cash expense for such grants between 2006 and the second quarter of 2014 were not set in accordance with ASC No. 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, and non-cash stock based compensation was thereby understated during such periods.
	The cumulative non-cash impact of additional stock based compensation expense for all years impacted resulted in an approximate $3.3 million overstatement of net income. The non-cash net income impact for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was less than $0.1 million.
	A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of stockholders' equity at December 31, 2013 and 2012 follows (in millions):
		31-Dec-13
		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Adjusted
	Additional paid-in capital	$	101	$	2.9		$	103.9
	Retained earnings		11		(2.9	)		8.1
	Total stockholder’s equity		88.7		—			88.7
		31-Dec-12
		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Adjusted
	Additional paid-in capital	$	88.4	$	2.9		$	91.3
	Retained earnings		6.5		(2.9	)		3.6
	Total stockholder’s equity		76.6		—			76.6

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	4. INVESTMENTS:
	Investments are presented below (in thousands). All investments are carried at fair value, and all investments are accounted for as trading securities.
		Cost			Gross			Gross			Estimated
					Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
					Gains			Losses			Value
	December 31, 2014:
	U.S. Government and Government agency	$	66,761		$	20		$	(8	)	$	66,773
	obligations
	Money market funds		8,250			—			—			8,250
	Equity funds		4,477			223			(103	)		4,597
	Fixed income funds		—			—			—			—
	Marketable securities	$	79,488		$	243		$	(111	)	$	79,620
		Cost			Gross			Gross			Estimated
					Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
					Gains			Losses			Value
	December 31, 2013:
	U.S. Government and Government agency	$	42,595		$	16		$	—		$	42,611
	obligations
	Money market funds		8,584			—			—			8,584
	Equity funds		2,130			200			(54	)		2,276
	Fixed income funds		10,984			99			—			11,083
	Marketable securities	$	64,293		$	315		$	(54	)	$	64,554
	The following amounts, except for income tax amounts, are included in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income under the heading “Other revenues” for the years indicated (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Realized gains	$	156		$	629		$	2,467
	Realized losses		(50	)		(4	)		(13	)
	Net realized gains		106			625			2,454
	Income tax expense from gains		37			225			891
	Interest income – trading		51			28			27
	Dividend income		212			541			514
	Unrealized gains/(losses)		75			(325	)		344
	Realized gains in 2012 includes a gain of $1.9 million related to the sale of our investment in Teton shares, which was accounted for as available-for-sale securities.
	As of December 31, 2014, corporate funds totaling $2.7 million were invested in the Westwood Funds® and Westwood Common Trust Funds and corporate funds aggregating $ 1.9 million were invested in a UCITS fund. See Note 13.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	5. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures regarding certain fair value measurements. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy for measuring fair value as follows:
	·	Level 1 – quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities,
	·	Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable
	·	Level 3 – unobservable inputs where there is little or no market activity.
	The following table summarizes the values of our assets as of the dates indicated within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands).
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	As of December 31, 2014
	Investments in securities:
	Trading		$	77,327	$	2,293	$	—	$	79,620
	Total Financial instruments		$	77,327	$	2,293	$	—	$	79,620
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	As of December 31, 2013
	Investments in securities:
	Trading		$	64,554	$	—	$	—	$	64,554
	Total Financial instruments		$	64,554	$	—	$	—	$	64,554
	Investments categorized as level 2 assets consist of investments in common trust funds sponsored by Westwood Trust. Common trust funds are private investment vehicles comprised of commingled investments held in trusts that are valued using the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) we calculate as administrator of the funds. The NAV is calculated using indirectly observed inputs, as the unit price is based on the market value of the underlying investments traded on an active market. We can make withdrawals from the common trust funds on a daily basis, as needed for liquidity, and there are no restrictions on redemption as of December 31, 2014.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	6. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Changes in goodwill for the last two years were as follows (in thousands):
		2014		2013
	Beginning balance	$	11,255	$	11,255
	Acquired goodwill		—		—
	Ending balance	$	11,255	$	11,255
	Intangible Assets
	The following is a summary of intangible assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except years):
		Weighted		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Average		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying
		Amortization		Amount					Amount
		Period
		(years)
	2014
	Client relationships		14.2	$	5,005	$	(1,575	)	$	3,430
	Trade names		2		256		(256	)		—
	Non-compete agreements		2.3		26		(26	)		—
	Total			$	5,287	$	(1,857	)	$	3,430
	2013
	Client relationships		14.2	$	5,005	$	(1,216	)	$	3,789
	Trade names		2		256		(256	)		—
	Non-compete agreements		2.3		26		(26	)		—
	Total			$	5,287	$	(1,498	)	$	3,789
	Amortization expense, which is included in “General and administrative” expense on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income, was $359,000, $359,000 and $472,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets over the next five years is as follows (in thousands):
		Estimated
		Amortization
		Expense
	For the Year ending December 31,
	2015	$	359
	2016		359
	2017		359
	2018		359
	2019		359

Balance_Sheet_Components

Balance Sheet Components	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Balance Sheet Components	7. BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS:
	Property and Equipment
	The following table reflects information about our property and equipment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Leasehold improvements	$	2,274		$	2,068
	Furniture and fixtures		1,516			1,453
	Computer hardware and office equipment		1,563			1,380
	Accumulated depreciation		(2,720	)		(2,155	)
	Net property and equipment	$	2,633		$	2,746
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(1,231	)	$	(257	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(1,231	)	$	(257	)

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	8. INCOME TAXES:
	Income Tax Provision
	Income (loss) before income taxes by jurisdiction is as follows (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	36,104		$	30,799		$	26,844
	Canada		5,932			(2,614	)		(6,824	)
	Total	$	42,036		$	28,185		$	20,020
	Income tax expense differs from the amount that would otherwise have been calculated by applying the U.S. Federal corporate tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes.
	The difference between the Federal corporate tax rate and the effective tax rate is comprised of the following (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014						2013					2012
	Income tax provision computed at US federal statutory rate	$	14,712			35	%	$	9,864		35	%	$	7,007		35	%
	Canadian rate differential		(520	)		(1.2	)		222		0.7			580		2.9
	State and local income taxes, net of federal income taxes		442			1.1			386		1.4			305		1.5
	Other, net		153			0.3			(124	)	(0.4	)		42		0.2
	Total income tax expense	$	14,787			35.2	%	$	10,348		36.7	%	$	7,934		39.6	%
	Effective income tax rate		35.2	%					36.7	%				39.6	%
	We include penalties and interest on income-based taxes in the “General and administrative” line on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. We recorded $16,000 of penalties and interest in 2014. There were no penalties and interest in 2013 or 2012.
	Income tax provision (benefit) as set forth in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income consisted of the following components (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current taxes:
	US Federal	$	16,230		$	10,683		$	9,280
	State and local		690			602			473
	Total		16,920			11,285			9,753
	Deferred taxes:
	State and local		(40	)		(5	)		(2	)
	US Federal		(3,590	)		(240	)		(6	)
	Non-US		1,497			(692	)		(1,811	)
	Total		(2,133	)		(937	)		(1,819	)
	Total income tax expense	$	14,787		$	10,348		$	7,934
	Deferred Income Taxes
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Share-based compensation expense	$	5,210		$	4,226
	Net operating loss		166			2,244
	Deferred rent		186			204
	Compensation and benefits payable		3,280			58
	Other		112			39
	Total deferred tax assets		8,954			6,771
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment		(334	)		(390	)
	Intangibles		(645	)		(449	)
	Unrealized gains on investments		(123	)		(79	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(1,102	)		(918	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	7,852		$	5,853
	Net deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Net current deferred tax asset	$	6,268		$	3,812
	Net current deferred tax liabilities		(2,208	)		—
	Net current deferred tax assets reflected on the balance sheets		4,060			3,812
	Net non-current deferred tax assets		4,782			2,275
	Net non-current deferred tax liabilities		(990	)		(234	)
	Net non-current deferred tax assets reflected on the balance sheets		3,792			2,041
	Total net deferred tax assets	$	7,852		$	5,853
	As of December 31, 2014, we have Canadian net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $627,000 that are subject to limitation and account for the deferred tax asset of $166,000. These net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2033. We believe that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets.
	The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and various state and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s tax years of 2011, 2012 and 2013 are open for examination by the tax authorities. The 2010 tax year for Texas is also open for examination; with this exception, as of December 31, 2014, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local, or foreign examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011. We are not currently under audit by any taxing jurisdiction.

Regulatory_Capital_Requirement

Regulatory Capital Requirements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Banking And Thrift [Abstract]
Regulatory Capital Requirements	9. REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS:
	Westwood Trust is subject to the capital requirements of the Texas Department of Banking and has a minimum capital requirement of $1.25 million. At December 31, 2014, Westwood Trust had approximately $12 million in excess of its minimum capital requirement.
	Westwood Trust is limited under applicable Texas law in the payment of dividends of undivided profits, which is that part of equity capital equal to the balance of net profits, income, gains and losses since formation minus subsequent distributions to stockholders and transfers to surplus or capital under share dividends or appropriate Board resolutions. At the discretion of its board of directors, Westwood Trust has made quarterly and special dividend payments to us out of its undivided profits.
	Westwood International is subject to the working capital requirements of the Ontario Securities Commission, which requires that combined cash and receivables exceed current liabilities by at least $200,000 CDN. At December 31, 2014 Westwood International had combined cash and receivables that were $14.9 million CDN (or $12.9 million in U.S. Dollars using the exchange rate on December 31, 2014) in excess of its current liabilities, which satisfies this requirement.

Employee_Benefits

Employee Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Benefits And Share Based Compensation [Abstract]
Employee Benefits	10. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
	Stock Based Compensation
	Restricted Stock Awards
	We have issued restricted shares to our employees and non-employee directors. The Plan reserves shares of Westwood common stock for issuance to eligible employees, directors and consultants of Westwood or its subsidiaries in the form of restricted stock and stock options. The total number of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including predecessor plans to the Plan) may not exceed 3,898,100 shares. In the event of a change in control of Westwood, the Plan contains provisions providing for the acceleration of the vesting of restricted stock and stock options. At December 31, 2014, approximately 485,000 shares remain available for issuance under the Plan.
	Canadian Plan
	As discussed in Note 2, the Canadian Plan provides compensation in the form of common stock for services performed by employees of Westwood International. Under the Canadian Plan, no more than $10 million CDN (or $8.6 million in U. S. Dollars using the exchange rate on December 31, 2014) may be funded to the Plan Trustee to fund purchases of common stock with respect to awards granted under the Canadian Plan. At December 31, 2014, approximately $7.2 million remains available for issuance under the Canadian Plan, or approximately 116,000 shares based on the closing share price of our stock of $61.82 as of the last business day of 2014. During the first quarter of 2014, the trust formed pursuant to the Canadian Plan purchased in the open market 11,476 Westwood common shares for approximately $670,000. As of December 31, 2014, the trust holds 31,727 shares of Westwood common stock. As of December 31, 2014, unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants under the Canadian Plan totaled $635,000, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.
	The following table presents the total stock-based compensation expense recorded and the total income tax benefit recognized for stock-based compensation arrangements for the years indicated (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Service condition restricted stock expense	$	7,580		$	7,602	$	7,546
	Performance-based restricted stock expense		5,718			3,842		2,975
	Restricted stock expense under the Plan		13,298			11,444		10,521
	Canadian Plan restricted stock expense		387			235		—
	Total stock based compensation expense	$	13,685		$	11,679	$	10,521
	Total income tax benefit recognized related to stock-based	$	5,764		$	4,384	$	4,535
	compensation
	Restricted Stock
	Under the Plan, we have granted to employees and non-employee directors restricted stock subject to service conditions, and to certain key employees restricted stock subject to both service and performance conditions.
	As of December 31, 2014, there was approximately $16.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost for restricted stock grants under the Plan, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years. In order to satisfy tax liabilities that employees will owe on their shares that vest, we may withhold a sufficient number of vested shares from employees on the date vesting occurs. We withheld 88,123 shares in 2014 for this purpose. Our two types of restricted stock grants under the Plan are discussed below.
	Restricted Stock Subject Only to a Service Condition
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we granted restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors. Employee shares vest over four years and Director shares vest over one year. We calculate compensation cost for restricted stock grants using the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant, the number of shares issued, an adjustment for restrictions on dividends and an estimate of shares that will not vest due to forfeitures. This compensation cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting period.
	The following table details the status and changes in our restricted stock grants that are subject only to a service condition for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Shares			Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted shares subject only to a service condition:
	Non-vested, January 1, 2014		511,060		$	40.49
	Granted		205,768			58.7
	Vested		(186,680	)		38.76
	Forfeited		(33,691	)		48.65
	Non-vested, December 31, 2014		496,457			48.14
	The following table shows the weighted-average grant date fair value for shares granted and the total fair value of shares vested during the years indicated:
		Years ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Restricted shares subject only to a service condition:
	Weighted-average grant date fair value	$	58.7		$	43.68	$	39.26
	Fair value of shares vested (in thousands)	$	7,236		$	7,568	$	8,115
	Restricted Stock Subject to Service and Performance Conditions
	Under the Plan, certain key employees were provided agreements for grants of restricted shares that vest over a five-year period subject to achieving annual performance goals established by the Compensation Committee of Westwood’s board of directors. Each year the Compensation Committee establishes a specific goal for that year’s vesting of the restricted shares, which historically has been based upon Westwood’s adjusted pre-tax income, as defined. The date that the Compensation Committee establishes the annual goal is considered to be the grant date and the fair value measurement date to determine expense on the shares that are likely to vest. The vesting period ends when the Compensation Committee formally approves the performance-based restricted stock vesting based on the final calculation of adjusted pre-tax income as derived from the Company’s audited financial statements. If a portion of the performance-based restricted shares does not vest, no compensation expense is recognized for that portion and any previously recognized compensation expense related to shares that do not vest is reversed. In February 2014, the Compensation Committee established the 2014 goal as adjusted pre-tax income of at least $34 million, representing a five-year compound annual growth rate in excess of 10% over annual adjusted pre-tax income recorded in 2009. Adjusted pre-tax income is determined based on our audited financial statements and is equal to income before income taxes increased by expenses incurred for the year for (i) incentive compensation for all officers and employees, (ii) performance-based restricted stock awards, and (iii) mutual fund share incentive awards, excluding start-up, non-recurring, and similar expense items, at the Committee’s discretion. In the first quarter of 2014, we concluded that it was probable that we would meet the performance goals required to vest the applicable percentage of the performance-based restricted shares this year and began recording expense related to those shares.
		Shares			Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted shares subject to service and performance conditions:
	Non-vested, January 1, 2014		93,000		$	44.55
	Granted		101,313			58.59
	Vested		(93,000	)		44.55
	Forfeited		—			—
	Non-vested, December 31, 2014		101,313		$	58.59
	The following table shows the weighted-average grant date fair value for shares granted and the total fair value of shares vested during the years indicated:
		Years ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Restricted shares subject to a service and performance condition:
	Weighted-average grant date fair value	$	58.59		$	44.55	$	39.31
	Fair value of shares vested (in thousands)	$	4,143		$	2,948	$	3,111
	The above amounts as of December 31, 2014 do not include 185,252 non-vested restricted shares that potentially vest over performance years subsequent to 2014, as the annual performance goals for those years have not been set by the Compensation Committee and therefore no grant date has been established.
	Stock Options
	Options granted under the Plan had a maximum ten-year term and vested over a period of four years. Options exercised represent newly-issued shares. There are no options currently outstanding or exercisable as of December 31, 2014.
	Options representing 16,250 shares of Westwood’s common stock were exercised in 2012 at a weighted average exercise price of $12.90 per share. The total intrinsic value of these exercised options was $364,000, and cash received from the exercise of stock options was $210,000.
	Deferred Share Units
	We have a deferred share unit (“DSU”) plan for employees Westwood International. A DSU is an award linked to the value of Westwood’s common stock and is represented by a notional credit to a participant account. The value of a DSU is initially equal to the value of a share of our common stock. DSUs vest 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% after two, three, four and five years of service, respectively. DSUs become fully vested after six years of service and the liability for these units is settled in cash upon termination of the participant’s service. We record expense for DSUs based on the number of units vested on a straight line basis, which may increase or decrease based on changes in the price of our common shares, and will increase for additional units received from dividends declared on our shares. As of December 31, 2014, we had an accrued liability of $98,000 for 3,756 deferred share units related to the 2012 and 2013 awards issued in 2013 and 2014, respectively, which is based on the$ 61.82 per share closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Mutual Fund Share Incentive Awards
	Each year we grant mutual fund incentive awards to certain employees based on our mutual funds achieving certain performance goals. Awards granted are notionally credited to a participant account maintained by us that contains a number of mutual fund shares equal to the award amount divided by the net closing value of a fund share on the date the amount is credited to the account.
	These awards vest after approximately one year of service following the year in which the participant earns the award. We begin accruing a liability for mutual fund incentive awards when we determine it is probable that the award will be earned and record expense for these awards over the service period of the award, which is approximately two years. During the year in which the amount of the award is determined, we record expense based on the expected value of the award. After the award is earned, we record expense based on the value of the shares awarded and the percentage of the vesting period that has transpired. Our liability under these awards may increase or decrease based on changes in the value of the mutual fund shares awarded, including reinvested income from the mutual funds during the vesting period. Upon vesting, participants receive the value of the mutual fund share awards adjusted for earnings or losses attributable to the underlying mutual funds. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded expense of $863,000 and $1.8 million, respectively, related to mutual fund share incentive awards. We did not record any expense related to mutual fund share incentive awards in 2012. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had an accrued liability of $844,000 and $1.9 million, respectively, related to mutual fund incentive awards.
	Benefit Plans
Westwood has a defined contribution 401(k) and profit-sharing plan that was adopted in July 2002 and covers substantially all of our U.S. employees. Discretionary employer profit-sharing contributions become fully vested after six years of service by the participant. For the 401(k) portion of the plan, Westwood provides a match of up to 6% of eligible compensation. These 401(k) matching contributions vest immediately.
The following table displays our profit-sharing and 401(k) contributions for the periods presented (in thousands):
	Years ended December 31,
	2014			2013		2012
Profit-sharing contributions	$	816		$	674	$	648
401(k) matching contributions		928			871		744

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	11. EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed based on the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding plus the effect of any dilutive shares of restricted stock and stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors. There were 5,993 anti-dilutive restricted shares as of December 31, 2014 and no anti-dilutive restricted shares or options as of December 31, 2013 or 2012.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share and share amounts):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Net income	$	27,249	$	17,837	$	12,086
	Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		7,512,348		7,331,874		7,145,701
	Dilutive potential shares from unvested restricted shares		394,197		360,882		158,200
	Dilutive potential shares from stock options		—		—		3,134
	Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted		7,906,545		7,692,756		7,307,035
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	3.63	$	2.43	$	1.69
	Diluted	$	3.45	$	2.32	$	1.65

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	12. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
	Westwood Trust sponsors common trust funds (“CTFs”) for its clients. These funds allow clients to commingle assets to achieve economies of scale. Westwood Management provides investment advisory services to the Westwood Funds ®, a family of mutual funds, and two collective investment trusts (“CITs”). Some clients of Westwood Management hold their investments in ten limited liability companies (“LLCs”). The CTFs, Westwood Funds ®, CITs and LLCs (“Westwood VIEs”) are considered VIEs because our clients, who hold the equity at risk, do not have direct or indirect ability through voting or similar rights to make decisions about the funds that may have a significant effect on their economic performance. We receive fees for managing assets in these entities commensurate with market rates.
	We evaluate all of our advisory relationships and CTFs to determine whether or not we qualify as the primary beneficiary based on whether there is an obligation to absorb the majority of the expected losses or a right to receive the majority of the expected residual returns or both. Since all losses and returns are distributed to the shareholders of the Westwood VIEs, we are not the primary beneficiary and consequently, the Westwood VIEs are not consolidated into our financial statements.
	In June 2013, the Company provided €300,000, or $406,000, to the UCITS Fund for the sole purpose of meeting the minimum capital requirements (and showing economic substance) needed to complete the application process to establish the fund. In August 2013, the UCITS Fund refunded this amount in full. In January 2014, the Company provided $1.0 million to a common trust fund for the sole purpose of meeting the minimum capital requirements (and showing economic substance) to establish the fund, which is included in “Investments, at fair value” on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014. In October 2014, the Company provided €1.6 million, or $2.0 million, to an additional UCITS Fund for the sole purpose of meeting the minimum capital requirements (and showing economic substance) needed to complete the application process to establish the fund, which is included in “Investments, at fair value” on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014.
	Otherwise, we have not provided any financial support that we were not previously contractually obligated to provide and there are no arrangements that would require us to provide additional financial support to any of these variable interest entities. Our investments in the Westwood Funds ® and the CTFs are accounted for as investments in accordance with our other investments described in Note. 4. We recognized fee revenue from the Westwood VIEs of approximately $48.2 million, $36.2 million and $30.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The following table displays the assets under management, amount of corporate money invested that are included in “Investments, at fair value” on the consolidated balance sheets, and the risk of loss in each vehicle (in millions):
		As of December 31, 2014
		Assets		Corporate		Risk
		Under		Investment		of
		Management				Loss
	Westwood Funds ®	$	3,722	$	1	$	1
	Common Trust Funds		2,659		2		2
	Collective Investment Trusts		289		—		—
	LLCs		142		—		—
	UCITS Fund		811		2		2

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	Some of our directors, executive officers and their affiliates invest their personal funds directly in trust accounts that we manage. There were no amounts due from these accounts as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recorded trust fees from these accounts of $264,000, $278,000, and $314,000, respectively.
	The Company engages in transactions with its affiliates in the ordinary course of business. Westwood International provides investment advisory services to the UCITS Fund. Certain members of the Company’s management and board of directors serve on the board of directors of the UCITS Fund, which began operations in August 2013. Under the terms of the investment advisory agreements, the Company earns quarterly fees paid by either clients of the UCITS Fund or directly by the UCITS Fund. The fees are based on negotiated fee schedules applied to AUM. These fees are commensurate with market rates and are negotiated and contracted at arm’s length. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded fees from the UCITS Fund of $1.1 million, which are included in “Asset-based advisory fees” on our consolidated statement of comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2014, $256,000 of these fees were unpaid and included in “Accounts receivable” on our consolidated balance sheet. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we did not earn or receive any fees from the UCITS Fund.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
	Leases
	We lease our offices under non-cancelable operating lease agreements with expiration dates that run through 2021. Rental expense for facilities and equipment leases for years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 aggregated approximately $1.5 million, $1.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and is included in general and administrative and information technology expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
	At December 31, 2014, the future contractual rental payments for non-cancelable operating leases for each of the following five years and thereafter follow (in thousands):
	Year ending:
	2015	$	1,534
	2016		1,558
	2017		1,378
	2018		1,186
	2019		1,109
	Thereafter		1,992
	Total payments due	$	8,757
	Litigation
	On August 3, 2012, AGF Management Limited and AGF Investments Inc. (“AGF”) filed a lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against Westwood, certain Westwood employees and executive recruiting firm Warren International, LLC. The action relates to the hiring of certain members of Westwood’s global and emerging markets investment team previously employed by AGF. AGF is alleging that the former employees breached certain obligations when they resigned from AGF and that Westwood and Warren induced such breaches. AGF is seeking an unspecified amount of damages and punitive damages of $10 million (CAD) in the lawsuit. On November 5, 2012, Westwood issued a response to AGF’s lawsuit with a counterclaim against AGF for defamation. Westwood is seeking $1 million (CAD) in general damages, $10 million (CAD) in special damages, $1 million (CAD) in punitive damages, and costs. On November 6, 2012, AGF filed a second lawsuit against Westwood, Westwood Management and an employee of a Westwood subsidiary, alleging that the employee made defamatory statements about AGF. In this second lawsuit, AGF is seeking $5 million (CAD) in general damages, $1 million (CAD) per defendant in punitive damages, unspecified special damages, interest and costs. The pleadings phase was completed in 2013, and we are currently in the discovery phase, which we hope to complete by the end of 2015.
	While we intend to vigorously defend both actions and pursue our counterclaims, we are currently unable to estimate the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary gain, loss or financial impact of these actions and counterclaims. Defending these actions and pursuing these counterclaims may be expensive for us and time consuming for our personnel. While we do not currently believe these proceedings will have a material impact, adverse resolution of these actions and counterclaims could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
	Our policy is to not accrue legal fees and directly related costs as part of potential loss contingencies. We have agreed with our Directors & Officers insurance provider that 50% of the defense costs related to both AGF claims, excluding Westwood’s counterclaim against AGF, will be covered by insurance. We expense legal fees and directly-related costs as they are incurred. We received insurance proceeds of $379,000 during 2014 and have recorded a receivable of $210,000 as of December 31, 2014, which represents our current minimum estimate of the related expenses that we expect to recover under our insurance policies. This receivable is part of “Other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheets.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	15. SEGMENT REPORTING:
	We operate two segments: Advisory and Trust. These segments are managed separately based on the types of products and services offered and their related client bases. The Company’s segment information is prepared on the same basis that management reviews the financial information for operational decision-making purposes. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates the performance of our segments based primarily on fee revenues and economic earnings. Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., the parent company of Advisory and Trust, does not have revenues and is the entity in which we record typical holding company expenses including employee compensation and benefits for holding company employees, directors’ fees and investor relations costs.  All segment accounting policies are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment balances that eliminate in consolidation have been applied to the appropriate segment.
	Advisory
	Our Advisory segment provides investment advisory services to corporate retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments, foundations, individuals and the Westwood Funds®, as well as investment subadvisory services to mutual funds and our Trust segment. Westwood Management and Westwood International, which provide investment advisory services to clients of similar type, are included in our Advisory segment, along with Westwood Advisors, LLC.
	Trust
	Westwood Trust provides trust and custodial services to its clients and to our Advisory segment and sponsors common trust funds to institutions and high net worth individuals.
		Advisory		Trust		Westwood			Eliminations			Consolidated
						Holdings
	2014
	Net fee revenues from external sources	$	92,279	$	20,525	$	-		$	-		$	112,804
	Net intersegment revenues		13,527		-		-			(13,527	)		-
	Net interest and dividend revenue		261		2		-			-			263
	Other revenue		173		1		-			-			174
	Total revenues		106,240		20,528		-			(13,527	)		113,241
	Expenses:
	Depreciation and amortization		603		302		33			-			938
	Other operating expenses		51,265		19,867		12,662			(13,527	)		70,267
	Total expenses		51,868		20,169		12,695			(13,527	)		71,205
	Income (loss) before income taxes		54,372		359		(12,695	)		-			42,036
	Income tax expense (benefit)		19,057		132		(4,402	)		-			14,787
	Net income	$	35,315	$	227	$	(8,293	)	$	-		$	27,249
	Add:
	Restricted stock expense	$	9,074	$	1,847	$	2,764		$	-		$	13,685
	Intangible amortization		161		198		-			-			359
	Deferred taxes on goodwill		38		114		-			-			152
	Economic Earnings	$	44,588	$	2,386	$	(5,529	)	$	-		$	41,445
	Segment assets	$	144,385	$	18,133	$	10,435		$	(33,079	)	$	139,874
	Segment goodwill	$	5,219	$	6,036	$	-		$	-		$	11,255
	Expenditures for long-lived assets	$	226	$	29	$	223		$	-		$	478
	2013
	Net fee revenues from external sources	$	72,588	$	18,367	$	-		$	-		$	90,955
	Net intersegment revenues		10,402		14		-			(10,416	)		-
	Net interest and dividend revenue		568		1		-			-			569
	Other revenue		301		-		-			-			301
	Total revenues		83,859		18,382		-			(10,416	)		91,825
	Expenses:
	Depreciation and amortization		468		301		-			-			769
	Other operating expenses		46,545		16,943		9,799			(10,416	)		62,871
	Total expenses		47,013		17,244		9,799			(10,416	)		63,640
	Income (loss) before income taxes		36,846		1,138		(9,799	)		-			28,185
	Income tax expense (benefit)		13,738		408		(3,798	)		—			10,348
	Net income	$	23,108	$	730	$	(6,001	)	$	-		$	17,837
	Add:
	Restricted stock expense	$	7,586	$	1,803	$	2,290		$	-		$	11,679
	Intangible amortization		161		198		-			-			359
	Deferred taxes on goodwill		38		114		-			-			152
	Economic Earnings	$	30,893	$	2,845	$	(3,711	)	$	-		$	30,027
	Segment assets	$	114,871	$	14,190	$	6,354		$	(19,365	)	$	116,050
	Segment goodwill	$	5,219	$	6,036	$	-		$	-		$	11,255
	Expenditures for long-lived assets	$	962	$	239	$	-		$	-		$	1,201
	2012
	Net fee revenues from external sources	$	59,187	$	14,969	$	-		$	-		$	74,156
	Net intersegment revenues		5,858		16		-			(5,874	)		-
	Net interest and dividend revenue		539		2		-			-			541
	Other revenue		2,798		-		-			-			2,798
	Total revenues		68,382		14,987		-			(5,874	)		77,495
	Expenses:
	Depreciation and amortization		450		371		-			-			821
	Other operating expenses		38,954		13,720		9,854			(5,874	)		56,654
	Total expenses		39,404		14,091		9,854			(5,874	)		57,475
	Income (loss) before income taxes		28,978		896		(9,854	)		-			20,020
	Income tax expense (benefit)		11,132		316		(3,514	)		-			7,934
	Net income	$	17,846	$	580	$	(6,340	)	$	-		$	12,086
	Add:
Restricted stock expense	$	6,366	$	1,735	$	2,420		$	-		$	10,521
Intangible amortization		189		283		-			-			472
Deferred taxes on goodwill		39		115		-			-			154
Economic Earnings	$	24,440	$	2,713	$	(3,920	)	$	-		$	23,233
Segment assets	$	91,619	$	13,657	$	3,906		$	(12,565	)	$	96,617
Segment goodwill	$	5,219	$	6,036	$	-		$	-		$	11,255
Expenditures for long-lived assets	$	228	$	36	$	-		$	-		$	264
The segment presentation above has been updated from the prior year presentation to show Economic Earnings, a non-U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) performance measure of segment profit or loss. We provide this measure in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income reported on a U.S. GAAP basis. Our management and Board of Directors review Economic Earnings to evaluate our ongoing performance, allocate resources and review dividend policy. We believe that this non-GAAP performance measure of segment profit or loss, while not a substitute for GAAP net income, is useful for management and investors when evaluating our underlying operating and financial performance and our available resources. We do not advocate that investors consider this non-GAAP measure of segment profit or loss without considering the financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
In calculating Economic Earnings, we add to net income the non-cash expense associated with equity-based compensation awards of restricted stock and stock options, amortization of intangible assets and the deferred taxes related to the tax-basis amortization of goodwill. Although depreciation on property and equipment is a non-cash expense, we do not add it back when calculating Economic Earnings because depreciation charges represent a decline in the value of the related assets that will ultimately require replacement.
In addition, we have reclassified the 2013 and 2012 periods for Economic Earnings of Westwood Holdings to include typical holding company expenses in order to be comparable to amounts reported in 2014.
Geographical information
	Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012
Analysis of revenues by geographic location of client:
U.S.	$	94,955	$	83,622	$	73,255
Canada		8,635		5,567		2,542
Europe		8,146		1,843		1,698
Japan		21		-		-
Australia		1,484		793		-
Total	$	113,241	$	91,825	$	77,495
	As of
	December 31,
(in thousands)	2014		2013
Analysis of property and equipment, net by geographic area:
U.S.	$	2,057	$	2,102
Canada		576		644
Total	$	2,633	$	2,746

Concentration

Concentration	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration	16. CONCENTRATION:
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, our ten largest clients accounted for over 20% of our fee revenue.
	No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our fee revenues in any of these years.
		Years ended December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Advisory fees from Westwood Management’s largest client:
	Asset-based fees	$	2,183		$	1,729		$	1,452
	Performance-based fees		3,806			2,561			1,251
	Percent of fee revenue		5.3	%		4.7	%		3.7	%

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	17. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
	Merger Agreement
	On January 15, 2015, we entered into an agreement to acquire Woodway Financial Advisors (“Woodway”), a Houston-based private wealth and trust company that manages assets of approximately $1.6 billion at December 31, 2014. The acquisition will occur pursuant to a Reorganization Agreement and Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Westwood, Westwood Trust, Woodway and certain shareholders of Woodway.
	Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Woodway will merge with Westwood Trust, with Westwood Trust being the surviving entity (the “Merger”). The total merger consideration consists of (i) $32 million, subject to adjustment for the amount of Woodway’s working capital at closing, and subject to reduction for Woodway’s outstanding indebtedness and unpaid transaction expenses as of closing, and (ii) an earn-out amount equal to the annualized revenue from the post-closing business of Woodway for the twelve month period following the effective time of the Merger (the “Earn-Out Period”), adjusted for clients or accounts that have terminated, and capped at $15 million (the “Earn-Out Amount”).
	Approximately 73% of the total merger consideration will be paid in cash with the remaining 27% paid through issuance of shares of Westwood common stock. The stock portion of the initial merger consideration payable at closing will be determined by using the average closing price of Westwood common stock over the 15 business days prior to the Signing Date. The stock portion of the Earn-Out Amount will be determined by using the average closing price of Westwood common stock for the last 30 days of the Earn-Out Period. The shares of Westwood common stock issued pursuant to the Merger will be issued only to “accredited investors” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”).
	The Merger Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants by the parties, as well as indemnification rights. Subject to customary loss baskets and caps, losses resulting from breach of the representations, warranties or covenants of Woodway or the Woodway shareholders may be recouped or set off against the Earn-Out Amount. Each of the board of directors of Westwood, Westwood Trust and Woodway, as well as the shareholders of Woodway, has approved the Merger and Merger Agreement. The Merger is subject to approval by the Texas Department of Banking, as well as customary closing conditions.
	Dividends Declared
	On February 4, 2015, we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share on common stock payable on April 1, 2015 to stockholders of record on March 13, 2015.
	Restricted Stock Grants
	On February 23, 2015, we issued 186,522 shares of restricted stock to employees. On February 23, 2015, shares of our stock closed at a price of $61.82 per share. The shares are subject to vesting conditions described in Note 10 of these consolidated financial statements.

Quarterly_Financial_Data

Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data	18. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited):
	The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
			Quarter
			First		Second		Third		Fourth
	2014(1)
	Revenues		$	25,949	$	30,905	$	28,122	$	28,265
	Income before income taxes			8,613		13,356		10,592		9,475
	Net income			5,562		8,591		7,118		5,978
	Basic earnings per common share			0.74		1.14		0.95		0.79
	Diluted earnings per common share			0.72		1.12		0.92		0.77
	2013(2)
	Revenues		$	20,100	$	23,475	$	22,998	$	25,252
	Income before income taxes			4,696		7,851		6,738		8,900
	Net income			2,818		4,955		4,301		5,763
	Basic earnings per common share			0.39		0.67		0.58		0.78
	Diluted earnings per common share			0.38		0.66		0.57		0.75
	________________
	-1	Results for the first and second quarter of 2014 have been adjusted for the immaterial error discussed in Note 3. The non-cash net income impact for each of the first and second quarters of 2014 was an overstatement of approximately $0.2 million for an overstatement of approximately $0.4 million for the first half of 2014.
	-2	Results for each of the quarters of 2013 have been adjusted for the immaterial error discussed in Note 3. The non-cash net income impact for each of the quarters of 2013 was an overstatement of less than $0.1 million, representing less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of consolidation	Principles of consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Westwood and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
	We assess each legal entity that we manage to determine whether consolidation is appropriate at the onset of the relationship. We first determine whether the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”), or a voting interest entity (“VOE”), under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and then whether we have a controlling financial interest in the entity. Assessing whether or not an entity is a VOE or VIE and if it requires consolidation involves judgment and analysis. Factors considered in this assessment include, but are not limited to, the legal organization of the entity, our equity ownership and contractual involvement with the entity and any related party or de facto agent implications of our involvement with the entity. We reconsider whether entities are a VIE or VOE whenever contractual arrangements change, the entity receives additional equity or returns equity to its investors or changes in facts and circumstances occur that change the investors’ ability to direct the activities of the entity.
	A VIE is an entity in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities without subordinated financial support or (ii) the at-risk equity holders do not have the normal characteristics of a controlling financial interest. That is, the at-risk equity holders do not have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and/or the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. An enterprise must consolidate all VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. We determine if a sponsored investment meets the definition of a VIE by considering whether the fund’s equity investment at risk is sufficient to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support and whether the fund’s at-risk equity holders absorb any losses, have the right to receive residual returns and have the right to direct the activities of the entity most responsible for the entity’s economic performance. For VIEs that are investment companies, the primary beneficiary of the VIE is the party that absorbs a majority of the expected losses of the VIE, receives a majority of the expected residual returns of the VIE, or both. For VIEs that are not investment companies, the primary beneficiary of a VIE is defined as the party who, considering the involvement of related parties and de facto agents, has (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. This evaluation is updated continuously.
	Westwood Investment Funds PLC (the “UCITS Fund”), which was authorized by the Central Bank of Ireland on June 18, 2013 pursuant to the European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Regulations 2011, is an Ireland domiciled umbrella-type open-ended self-managed investment company. The UCITS Fund is an umbrella fund with segregated assets and liabilities between sub-funds, and notwithstanding the segregation of assets and liabilities within each sub-fund, the UCITS Fund is a single legal entity and no sub-fund constitutes a legal entity separate from the UCITS Fund. The Company’s first UCITS sub-fund is focused on Westwood’s Emerging Markets strategy. Shares of the sub-fund, all of which are owned by the third-party investors, are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. The base currency of the UCITS Fund is the British pound sterling. We determined that the UCITS Fund was a VIE as its at-risk equity holders do not have the ability to direct the activities of the UCITS Fund that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. Although the Company does not have an equity investment in the UCITS Fund, its representatives having a majority control of the UCITS Fund’s Board of Directors can influence the UCITS Fund’s management and affairs. The UCITS Fund’s Board of Directors maintains this control through its duties, which are stated in the UCITS Fund’s Memorandum, and Articles of Association, which have no expiration date. We concluded that the Company was not the primary beneficiary of the UCITS Fund because, even though it has the power to direct the activities of the UCITS Fund that most significantly impact the fund’s economic performance, it does not absorb a majority of the UCITS Fund’s expected losses and does not receive a majority of the UCITS Fund’s expected residual returns. Therefore, the results of the UCITS Fund are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial results.
	We have also evaluated all of our advisory relationships with the Westwood Funds ®, collective investment trusts and limited liability companies and our relationship as sponsor of the common trust funds to determine whether or not we qualify as the primary beneficiary based on whether there is an obligation to absorb the majority of expected losses or a right to receive the majority of residual returns. Since all losses and returns are distributed to the shareholders of these VIEs, we are not the primary beneficiary and consequently these VIEs are not included in our consolidated financial statements. We have included the disclosures related to VIEs in Note 12.
	A VOE is an entity that is outside the scope of the guidance for VIEs. Consolidation of a VOE is required when a reporting entity owns a controlling financial interest in a VOE. Ownership of a majority of the voting interests is the usual condition for a controlling financial interest. At December 31, 2014, none of our sponsored investment entities were VOEs subject to this assessment by the Company.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Our consolidated financial statements include all necessary reclassification adjustments to conform prior year results to the current period presentation.
Correction of Immaterial Errors	Correction of Immaterial Errors
	Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99, Materiality, the Company concluded that certain misstatements were not material to any of its prior period financial statements, including its financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2014.  Although the misstatements were immaterial to prior periods, the prior period financial statements have been adjusted in this report in accordance with SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements due to the significance of the out-of-period correction of this non-cash adjustment to the third quarter of 2014. See Note 3 for further discussion.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of money market funds and other short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, other than pooled investment vehicles that are considered investments. We maintain some cash and cash equivalents balances with financial institutions that are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. The Company has not experienced losses on uninsured cash accounts.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable represents balances arising from services provided to customers and are recorded on an accrual basis, 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 amounts written off, existing conditions in the industry, and the financial stability of the customer. The majority of our accounts receivable balances consist of advisory and trust fees receivable from customers that we believe and have experienced to be fully collectible. Accordingly our consolidated financial statements do not include an allowance for bad debt nor any bad debt expense.
Investments	Investments
	Investments are classified as trading securities and are carried at quoted market values on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Net unrealized holding gains or losses on investments classified as trading securities are reflected as a component of other revenues. We measure realized gains and losses on investments using the specific identification method.
	We may make initial seed investments in sponsored investments at the strategy’s formation. If the seed investment results in a controlling financial interest, we will consolidate the investment, and the underlying individual securities will be accounted for as trading securities. Seed investments in which we do not have a controlling financial interest are classified as available-for-sale investments. These investments are measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized holding gains and losses for available-for-sale securities would be excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains would be recognized in non-operating income (loss).
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	We determined the estimated fair values of our financial instruments using available information. The fair value amounts discussed in Notes 4 and 5 are not necessarily indicative of either the amounts realizable upon disposition of these instruments or our intent or ability to dispose of these assets. The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, dividends payable, compensation and benefits payable and income taxes payable approximates their carrying value due to their short-term maturities. The carrying amount of investments designated as “trading” securities, primarily U.S. Government and Government agency obligations, money market funds, Westwood Funds ® mutual funds and Westwood Trust common trust fund shares, equals fair value based on prices quoted in active markets and, with respect to funds, the reported net asset value of the shares held. Market values of our money market holdings generally do not fluctuate.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired assets over the fair value of the underlying identifiable assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested at least annually for impairment.
	We test more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. These indicators include, among others, declines in sales, earnings or cash flows, or the development of a material adverse change in the business climate. We assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. We have identified two reporting units, which are consistent with our reporting segments: Advisory and Trust. The Company is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless we determine that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than the carrying amount. We assess goodwill for impairment using either a qualitative or quantitative assessment. The qualitative assessment includes consideration of the current trends in the industry in which we operate, macroeconomic conditions, recent financial performance of our reporting units and a market multiple approach valuation. In performing the annual impairment test during the third quarter, or more frequently when impairment indicators exist, and after assessing the qualitative factors, we may be required to utilize the two-step approach prescribed by ASC 350 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. We may also elect to skip the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the quantitative analysis. The quantitative analysis requires a comparison of each reporting unit’s carrying value to the fair value of the respective unit. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated, entirely or predominantly, using a market multiple approach. During the third quarter of 2014, we completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment and determined that no impairment loss was required. No impairments were recorded during any of the periods presented.
	Our intangible assets represent the acquisition date fair value of the acquired client relationships, trade names and non-compete agreements and are reflected net of amortization. In valuing these assets, we made significant estimates regarding the useful lives, growth rates and potential attrition. We periodically review our intangible assets for events or circumstances that would indicate impairment. See Note 6.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of furniture and equipment is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets (from 3 to 11 years), and depreciation on leasehold improvements is provided over the lesser of the estimated useful life or lease term using the straight-line method. We capitalize leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, computer hardware and most office equipment purchases.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Investment advisory and trust fees are recognized as services are provided. These fees are determined in accordance with contracts between our subsidiaries and their clients and are generally based on a percentage of assets under management. A limited number of our clients have contractual performance-based fee arrangements, which would pay us an additional fee if we outperform a specified index over a specific period of time. We record revenue for performance-based fees at the end of the measurement period. Most advisory and trust fees are payable in advance or in arrears on a calendar quarterly basis. Advance payments are deferred and recognized over the periods services are performed. Since billing periods for most of our advance paying clients coincide with the calendar quarter to which payment relates, revenue is fully recognized within the quarter. Consequently no significant amount of deferred revenue is contained in our consolidated financial statements. Deferred revenue is shown on the consolidated balance sheets under the heading of “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities”. Other revenues generally consist of interest and investment income and are recognized as earned.
Stock Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC No. 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. Under ASC 718, stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at grant date, is recognized over the relevant service period, and adjusted each period for anticipated forfeitures. We expense the fair value of stock-based compensation awards granted to our employees and directors in our consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the period that services are required to be provided in exchange for the award (“requisite service period”), which is typically the period over which the award vests. Stock-based compensation is recognized only for awards that vest, and our periodic accrual of compensation cost is based on the estimated number of awards expected to vest. We measure the fair value of compensation cost related to restricted stock awards based on the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date. For performance-based share awards, we assess actual performance versus the predetermined performance goals and record compensation expense once we conclude it is probable that we will meet the performance goals required to vest the applicable performance-based awards.
	We have issued restricted stock in accordance with our Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). We apply judgment in developing an expectation of awards of restricted stock that may be forfeited. If actual experience differs significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially affected.
	The Share Award Plan of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. for Service provided in Canada to its Subsidiaries (the “Canadian Plan”) provides compensation in the form of common stock for services performed by persons to Westwood International. We record compensation costs for these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, once we determine it is probable that the award will be earned.  Awards expected to be settled in shares are funded into a trust pursuant to an established Canadian employee benefit plan. Generally, the Canadian trust subsequently acquires Westwood common shares in market transactions and holds such shares until the shares are vested and distributed, or forfeited. Shares held in the trust are shown on our consolidated balance sheet as treasury shares.  Until shares are acquired by the trust, we record compensation costs and measure the liability as a cash-based award, which is included in “Compensation and benefits payable” on our consolidated balance sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the compensation expense recorded for these awards was $359,000, $344,000 and $124,000, respectively. When the number of shares related to an award is determinable, the award becomes an equity award accounted for in a manner similar to restricted stock, which is described in Note 10.
	Tax benefits realized upon the vesting of restricted shares that exceed the expense previously recognized for reporting purposes are recorded in stockholder’s equity and reflected as a financing activity in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. If the tax benefit upon vesting is less than the expense previously recorded, the shortfall is recorded in stockholder’s equity. If the shortfall exceeds available windfall benefits in equity, they are recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and as an operating activity on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Long-term Compensation Agreements	Long-term Compensation Agreements
	We entered into employment agreements with certain employees of Westwood International that provide for specified payments over four years. In certain circumstances, these payments would be forfeited to us if the employment of these individuals is terminated before completion of the contractual earning period. Payments made in advance under these agreements are included in “Other current assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of amounts already amortized.
Currency Translation	Currency Translation
	Assets and liabilities of Westwood International, our non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiary, are translated at exchange rates as of applicable reporting dates. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the periods indicated. The gains and losses resulting from translating non-U.S. dollar functional currency into U.S. dollars are recorded through other comprehensive income.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	We file a United States federal income tax return as a consolidated group for Westwood and its subsidiaries based in the US. We file a Canadian income tax return for Westwood International. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statements and income tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured at enacted income tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is generally the result of changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes relate primarily to incentive compensation and stock-based compensation expense.
	We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe such assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such a determination, we consider 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. In the event we were to determine that we would not be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future, we would record a valuation allowance. No valuation allowance has been recorded in our consolidated financial statements.
	We account for uncertain tax positions by recognizing the impact of a tax position in our consolidated financial statement when we believe it is more likely than not that the tax position would not be sustained upon examination by the appropriate tax authority, based on the merits of the position. We include penalties and interest on income-based taxes, if any, in the “General and administrative” line on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had not established any reserves for, nor recorded any unrecognized tax benefits related to, uncertain tax positions.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. The ASU is intended to reduce the frequency of disposals reported as discontinued operations by focusing on strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, although early adoption is permitted. We do not currently expect the adoption of this ASU to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which resulted from a joint project by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The issuance of a comprehensive and converged standard on revenue recognition is expected to improve the ability of financial statement users to understand and consistently analyze an entity’s revenue across industries, transactions, and geographies. The standard will require additional disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the nature, amount, timing, and potential uncertainty of the revenue being recognized. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and will require either retrospective application to each prior reporting period presented or retrospective application with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of adoption. Early application is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact that the application of ASU 2014-09 will have on our financial statements and disclosures.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12 Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period, which establishes specific guidance on how to account for share-based payments for awards with performance targets after the employee completes the requisite service period. Current U.S. GAAP does not contain explicit guidance on how to account for those share-based payments. The standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, although early adoption is permitted. We do not currently expect the adoption of this ASU to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The ASU will explicitly require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosure in certain circumstances. The new guidance will be effective for the year ending December 31, 2016. Earlier adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Correction_of_Immaterial_Error1

Correction of Immaterial Error (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Effects of Adjustments to Previously Reported Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity	A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of stockholders' equity at December 31, 2013 and 2012 follows (in millions):
		31-Dec-13
		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Adjusted
	Additional paid-in capital	$	101	$	2.9		$	103.9
	Retained earnings		11		(2.9	)		8.1
	Total stockholder’s equity		88.7		—			88.7
		31-Dec-12
		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Adjusted
	Additional paid-in capital	$	88.4	$	2.9		$	91.3
	Retained earnings		6.5		(2.9	)		3.6
	Total stockholder’s equity		76.6		—			76.6

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investment Balances	Investments are presented below (in thousands). All investments are carried at fair value, and all investments are accounted for as trading securities.
		Cost			Gross			Gross			Estimated
					Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
					Gains			Losses			Value
	December 31, 2014:
	U.S. Government and Government agency	$	66,761		$	20		$	(8	)	$	66,773
	obligations
	Money market funds		8,250			—			—			8,250
	Equity funds		4,477			223			(103	)		4,597
	Fixed income funds		—			—			—			—
	Marketable securities	$	79,488		$	243		$	(111	)	$	79,620
		Cost			Gross			Gross			Estimated
					Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
					Gains			Losses			Value
	December 31, 2013:
	U.S. Government and Government agency	$	42,595		$	16		$	—		$	42,611
	obligations
	Money market funds		8,584			—			—			8,584
	Equity funds		2,130			200			(54	)		2,276
	Fixed income funds		10,984			99			—			11,083
	Marketable securities	$	64,293		$	315		$	(54	)	$	64,554
Other Revenue	The following amounts, except for income tax amounts, are included in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income under the heading “Other revenues” for the years indicated (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Realized gains	$	156		$	629		$	2,467
	Realized losses		(50	)		(4	)		(13	)
	Net realized gains		106			625			2,454
	Income tax expense from gains		37			225			891
	Interest income – trading		51			28			27
	Dividend income		212			541			514
	Unrealized gains/(losses)		75			(325	)		344

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Values of Assets Within Fair Value Hierarchy	The following table summarizes the values of our assets as of the dates indicated within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands).
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	As of December 31, 2014
	Investments in securities:
	Trading	$	77,327	$	2,293	$	—	$	79,620
	Total Financial instruments	$	77,327	$	2,293	$	—	$	79,620
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	As of December 31, 2013
	Investments in securities:
	Trading	$	64,554	$	—	$	—	$	64,554
	Total Financial instruments	$	64,554	$	—	$	—	$	64,554

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Goodwill	Changes in goodwill for the last two years were as follows (in thousands):
		2014		2013
	Beginning balance	$	11,255	$	11,255
	Acquired goodwill		—		—
	Ending balance	$	11,255	$	11,255
Summary of Intangible Assets	The following is a summary of intangible assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except years):
		Weighted		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Average		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying
		Amortization		Amount					Amount
		Period
		(years)
	2014
	Client relationships		14.2	$	5,005	$	(1,575	)	$	3,430
	Trade names		2		256		(256	)		—
	Non-compete agreements		2.3		26		(26	)		—
	Total			$	5,287	$	(1,857	)	$	3,430
	2013
	Client relationships		14.2	$	5,005	$	(1,216	)	$	3,789
	Trade names		2		256		(256	)		—
	Non-compete agreements		2.3		26		(26	)		—
	Total			$	5,287	$	(1,498	)	$	3,789
Estimated Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets over the Next Five Years	Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets over the next five years is as follows (in thousands):
		Estimated
		Amortization
		Expense
	For the Year ending December 31,
	2015	$	359
	2016		359
	2017		359
	2018		359
	2019		359

Balance_Sheet_Components_Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	The following table reflects information about our property and equipment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Leasehold improvements	$	2,274		$	2,068
	Furniture and fixtures		1,516			1,453
	Computer hardware and office equipment		1,563			1,380
	Accumulated depreciation		(2,720	)		(2,155	)
	Net property and equipment	$	2,633		$	2,746
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(1,231	)	$	(257	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(1,231	)	$	(257	)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes by Jurisdiction	Income (loss) before income taxes by jurisdiction is as follows (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	36,104		$	30,799		$	26,844
	Canada		5,932			(2,614	)		(6,824	)
	Total	$	42,036		$	28,185		$	20,020
Difference between the Federal Corporate Tax Rate and the Effective Tax Rate	The difference between the Federal corporate tax rate and the effective tax rate is comprised of the following (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014						2013					2012
	Income tax provision computed at US federal statutory rate	$	14,712			35	%	$	9,864		35	%	$	7,007		35	%
	Canadian rate differential		(520	)		(1.2	)		222		0.7			580		2.9
	State and local income taxes, net of federal income taxes		442			1.1			386		1.4			305		1.5
	Other, net		153			0.3			(124	)	(0.4	)		42		0.2
	Total income tax expense	$	14,787			35.2	%	$	10,348		36.7	%	$	7,934		39.6	%
	Effective income tax rate		35.2	%					36.7	%				39.6	%
Income Tax Provision (Benefit) as Set Forth in the Consolidated Statements of Income	Income tax provision (benefit) as set forth in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income consisted of the following components (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current taxes:
	US Federal	$	16,230		$	10,683		$	9,280
	State and local		690			602			473
	Total		16,920			11,285			9,753
	Deferred taxes:
	State and local		(40	)		(5	)		(2	)
	US Federal		(3,590	)		(240	)		(6	)
	Non-US		1,497			(692	)		(1,811	)
	Total		(2,133	)		(937	)		(1,819	)
	Total income tax expense	$	14,787		$	10,348		$	7,934
Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Share-based compensation expense	$	5,210		$	4,226
	Net operating loss		166			2,244
	Deferred rent		186			204
	Compensation and benefits payable		3,280			58
	Other		112			39
	Total deferred tax assets		8,954			6,771
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment		(334	)		(390	)
	Intangibles		(645	)		(449	)
	Unrealized gains on investments		(123	)		(79	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(1,102	)		(918	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	7,852		$	5,853
Net Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities are Reflected on Our Balance Sheet	Net deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Net current deferred tax asset	$	6,268		$	3,812
	Net current deferred tax liabilities		(2,208	)		—
	Net current deferred tax assets reflected on the balance sheets		4,060			3,812
	Net non-current deferred tax assets		4,782			2,275
	Net non-current deferred tax liabilities		(990	)		(234	)
	Net non-current deferred tax assets reflected on the balance sheets		3,792			2,041
	Total net deferred tax assets	$	7,852		$	5,853

Employee_Benefits_Tables

Employee Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Expense Recorded for Stock Based Compensation	The following table presents the total stock-based compensation expense recorded and the total income tax benefit recognized for stock-based compensation arrangements for the years indicated (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Service condition restricted stock expense	$	7,580		$	7,602	$	7,546
	Performance-based restricted stock expense		5,718			3,842		2,975
	Restricted stock expense under the Plan		13,298			11,444		10,521
	Canadian Plan restricted stock expense		387			235		—
	Total stock based compensation expense	$	13,685		$	11,679	$	10,521
	Total income tax benefit recognized related to stock-based	$	5,764		$	4,384	$	4,535
	compensation
Profit Sharing and 401(k) Contributions for the Periods	The following table displays our profit-sharing and 401(k) contributions for the periods presented (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Profit-sharing contributions	$	816		$	674	$	648
	401(k) matching contributions		928			871		744
Restricted Stock Subject Only to a Service Condition
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Status and Changes in Restricted Stock Grants that Subject to Service Condition	The following table details the status and changes in our restricted stock grants that are subject only to a service condition for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Shares			Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted shares subject only to a service condition:
	Non-vested, January 1, 2014		511,060		$	40.49
	Granted		205,768			58.7
	Vested		(186,680	)		38.76
	Forfeited		(33,691	)		48.65
	Non-vested, December 31, 2014		496,457			48.14
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value for Shares Granted and the Total Fair Value of Shares Vested	The following table shows the weighted-average grant date fair value for shares granted and the total fair value of shares vested during the years indicated:
		Years ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Restricted shares subject only to a service condition:
	Weighted-average grant date fair value	$	58.7		$	43.68	$	39.26
	Fair value of shares vested (in thousands)	$	7,236		$	7,568	$	8,115
Restricted Shares Subject to Service and Performance Conditions
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Status and Changes in Restricted Stock Grants that Subject to Service Condition	Under the Plan, certain key employees were provided agreements for grants of restricted shares that vest over a five-year period subject to achieving annual performance goals established by the Compensation Committee of Westwood’s board of directors. Each year the Compensation Committee establishes a specific goal for that year’s vesting of the restricted shares, which historically has been based upon Westwood’s adjusted pre-tax income, as defined. The date that the Compensation Committee establishes the annual goal is considered to be the grant date and the fair value measurement date to determine expense on the shares that are likely to vest. The vesting period ends when the Compensation Committee formally approves the performance-based restricted stock vesting based on the final calculation of adjusted pre-tax income as derived from the Company’s audited financial statements. If a portion of the performance-based restricted shares does not vest, no compensation expense is recognized for that portion and any previously recognized compensation expense related to shares that do not vest is reversed. In February 2014, the Compensation Committee established the 2014 goal as adjusted pre-tax income of at least $34 million, representing a five-year compound annual growth rate in excess of 10% over annual adjusted pre-tax income recorded in 2009. Adjusted pre-tax income is determined based on our audited financial statements and is equal to income before income taxes increased by expenses incurred for the year for (i) incentive compensation for all officers and employees, (ii) performance-based restricted stock awards, and (iii) mutual fund share incentive awards, excluding start-up, non-recurring, and similar expense items, at the Committee’s discretion. In the first quarter of 2014, we concluded that it was probable that we would meet the performance goals required to vest the applicable percentage of the performance-based restricted shares this year and began recording expense related to those shares.
		Shares			Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Restricted shares subject to service and performance conditions:
	Non-vested, January 1, 2014		93,000		$	44.55
	Granted		101,313			58.59
	Vested		(93,000	)		44.55
	Forfeited		—			—
	Non-vested, December 31, 2014		101,313		$	58.59
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value for Shares Granted and the Total Fair Value of Shares Vested	The following table shows the weighted-average grant date fair value for shares granted and the total fair value of shares vested during the years indicated:
		Years ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Restricted shares subject to a service and performance condition:
	Weighted-average grant date fair value	$	58.59		$	44.55	$	39.31
	Fair value of shares vested (in thousands)	$	4,143		$	2,948	$	3,111

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Shares	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share and share amounts):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Net income	$	27,249	$	17,837	$	12,086
	Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		7,512,348		7,331,874		7,145,701
	Dilutive potential shares from unvested restricted shares		394,197		360,882		158,200
	Dilutive potential shares from stock options		—		—		3,134
	Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted		7,906,545		7,692,756		7,307,035
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	3.63	$	2.43	$	1.69
	Diluted	$	3.45	$	2.32	$	1.65

Variable_Interest_Entities_Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	The following table displays the assets under management, amount of corporate money invested that are included in “Investments, at fair value” on the consolidated balance sheets, and the risk of loss in each vehicle (in millions):
		As of December 31, 2014
		Assets		Corporate		Risk
		Under		Investment		of
		Management				Loss
	Westwood Funds ®	$	3,722	$	1	$	1
	Common Trust Funds		2,659		2		2
	Collective Investment Trusts		289		—		—
	LLCs		142		—		—
	UCITS Fund		811		2		2

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Future Contractual Rental Payments for Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	At December 31, 2014, the future contractual rental payments for non-cancelable operating leases for each of the following five years and thereafter follow (in thousands):
	Year ending:
	2015	$	1,534
	2016		1,558
	2017		1,378
	2018		1,186
	2019		1,109
	Thereafter		1,992
	Total payments due	$	8,757

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Intersegment Balances
		Advisory		Trust		Westwood			Eliminations			Consolidated
						Holdings
	2014
	Net fee revenues from external sources	$	92,279	$	20,525	$	-		$	-		$	112,804
	Net intersegment revenues		13,527		-		-			(13,527	)		-
	Net interest and dividend revenue		261		2		-			-			263
	Other revenue		173		1		-			-			174
	Total revenues		106,240		20,528		-			(13,527	)		113,241
	Expenses:
	Depreciation and amortization		603		302		33			-			938
	Other operating expenses		51,265		19,867		12,662			(13,527	)		70,267
	Total expenses		51,868		20,169		12,695			(13,527	)		71,205
	Income (loss) before income taxes		54,372		359		(12,695	)		-			42,036
	Income tax expense (benefit)		19,057		132		(4,402	)		-			14,787
	Net income	$	35,315	$	227	$	(8,293	)	$	-		$	27,249
	Add:
	Restricted stock expense	$	9,074	$	1,847	$	2,764		$	-		$	13,685
	Intangible amortization		161		198		-			-			359
	Deferred taxes on goodwill		38		114		-			-			152
	Economic Earnings	$	44,588	$	2,386	$	(5,529	)	$	-		$	41,445
	Segment assets	$	144,385	$	18,133	$	10,435		$	(33,079	)	$	139,874
	Segment goodwill	$	5,219	$	6,036	$	-		$	-		$	11,255
	Expenditures for long-lived assets	$	226	$	29	$	223		$	-		$	478
	2013
	Net fee revenues from external sources	$	72,588	$	18,367	$	-		$	-		$	90,955
	Net intersegment revenues		10,402		14		-			(10,416	)		-
	Net interest and dividend revenue		568		1		-			-			569
	Other revenue		301		-		-			-			301
	Total revenues		83,859		18,382		-			(10,416	)		91,825
	Expenses:
	Depreciation and amortization		468		301		-			-			769
	Other operating expenses		46,545		16,943		9,799			(10,416	)		62,871
	Total expenses		47,013		17,244		9,799			(10,416	)		63,640
	Income (loss) before income taxes		36,846		1,138		(9,799	)		-			28,185
	Income tax expense (benefit)		13,738		408		(3,798	)		—			10,348
	Net income	$	23,108	$	730	$	(6,001	)	$	-		$	17,837
	Add:
	Restricted stock expense	$	7,586	$	1,803	$	2,290		$	-		$	11,679
	Intangible amortization		161		198		-			-			359
	Deferred taxes on goodwill		38		114		-			-			152
	Economic Earnings	$	30,893	$	2,845	$	(3,711	)	$	-		$	30,027
	Segment assets	$	114,871	$	14,190	$	6,354		$	(19,365	)	$	116,050
	Segment goodwill	$	5,219	$	6,036	$	-		$	-		$	11,255
	Expenditures for long-lived assets	$	962	$	239	$	-		$	-		$	1,201
	2012
	Net fee revenues from external sources	$	59,187	$	14,969	$	-		$	-		$	74,156
	Net intersegment revenues		5,858		16		-			(5,874	)		-
	Net interest and dividend revenue		539		2		-			-			541
	Other revenue		2,798		-		-			-			2,798
	Total revenues		68,382		14,987		-			(5,874	)		77,495
	Expenses:
	Depreciation and amortization		450		371		-			-			821
	Other operating expenses		38,954		13,720		9,854			(5,874	)		56,654
	Total expenses		39,404		14,091		9,854			(5,874	)		57,475
	Income (loss) before income taxes		28,978		896		(9,854	)		-			20,020
	Income tax expense (benefit)		11,132		316		(3,514	)		-			7,934
	Net income	$	17,846	$	580	$	(6,340	)	$	-		$	12,086
	Add:
	Restricted stock expense	$	6,366	$	1,735	$	2,420		$	-		$	10,521
	Intangible amortization		189		283		-			-			472
	Deferred taxes on goodwill		39		115		-			-			154
	Economic Earnings	$	24,440	$	2,713	$	(3,920	)	$	-		$	23,233
	Segment assets	$	91,619	$	13,657	$	3,906		$	(12,565	)	$	96,617
Segment goodwill	$	5,219	$	6,036	$	-		$	-		$	11,255
Expenditures for long-lived assets	$	228	$	36	$	-		$	-		$	264
Revenues by Geographic Location
		Years ended December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Analysis of revenues by geographic location of client:
	U.S.	$	94,955	$	83,622	$	73,255
	Canada		8,635		5,567		2,542
	Europe		8,146		1,843		1,698
	Japan		21		-		-
	Australia		1,484		793		-
	Total	$	113,241	$	91,825	$	77,495
Property and Equipment, Net by Geographic Area
		As of
		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Analysis of property and equipment, net by geographic area:
	U.S.	$	2,057	$	2,102
	Canada		576		644
	Total	$	2,633	$	2,746

Concentration_Tables

Concentration (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration	No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our fee revenues in any of these years.
		Years ended December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Advisory fees from Westwood Management’s largest client:
	Asset-based fees	$	2,183		$	1,729		$	1,452
	Performance-based fees		3,806			2,561			1,251
	Percent of fee revenue		5.3	%		4.7	%		3.7	%

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Table

Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations	The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
			Quarter
			First		Second		Third		Fourth
	2014(1)
	Revenues		$	25,949	$	30,905	$	28,122	$	28,265
	Income before income taxes			8,613		13,356		10,592		9,475
	Net income			5,562		8,591		7,118		5,978
	Basic earnings per common share			0.74		1.14		0.95		0.79
	Diluted earnings per common share			0.72		1.12		0.92		0.77
	2013(2)
	Revenues		$	20,100	$	23,475	$	22,998	$	25,252
	Income before income taxes			4,696		7,851		6,738		8,900
	Net income			2,818		4,955		4,301		5,763
	Basic earnings per common share			0.39		0.67		0.58		0.78
	Diluted earnings per common share			0.38		0.66		0.57		0.75
	________________
	·	Results for the first and second quarter of 2014 have been adjusted for the immaterial error discussed in Note 3. The non-cash net income impact for each of the first and second quarters of 2014 was an overstatement of approximately $0.2 million for an overstatement of approximately $0.4 million for the first half of 2014.
	·	Results for each of the quarters of 2013 have been adjusted for the immaterial error discussed in Note 3. The non-cash net income impact for each of the quarters of 2013 was an overstatement of less than $0.1 million, representing less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Description_of_the_Business_De

Description of the Business (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Date of incorporation	12-Dec-01

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment loss		$0	$0	$0
Compensation expense recorded for awards		359,000	344,000	124,000
Restricted shares granted to employees vesting period	5 years	4 years	4 years
Valuation allowance		$0
Furniture and Fixtures | Minimum
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of the assets		3 years
Furniture and Fixtures | Maximum
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of the assets		11 years
Leasehold Improvements
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of the assets		lesser of the estimated useful life or lease term

Correction_of_Immaterial_Error2

Correction of Immaterial Error (Details Textual) (Additional Stock Based Compensation Expense, USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quantifying Misstatement In Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Non-cash adjustment	$0.20	$0.20	$0.40	$3.30
Maximum
Quantifying Misstatement In Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Non-cash adjustment					$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10

Correction_of_Immaterial_Error3

Correction of Immaterial Error (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Quantifying Misstatement In Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Additional paid-in capital	$119,859	$103,853	$91,300
Retained earnings	20,317	8,148	3,600
Total stockholder’s equity	110,007	88,663	76,553	71,062
As Previously Reported
Quantifying Misstatement In Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Additional paid-in capital		101,000	88,400
Retained earnings		11,000	6,500
Total stockholder’s equity		88,700	76,600
Adjustment
Quantifying Misstatement In Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Additional paid-in capital		2,900	2,900
Retained earnings		($2,900)	($2,900)

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment balances
Cost	$79,488	$64,293
Gross Unrealized Gains	243	315
Gross Unrealized Losses	-111	-54
Estimated Fair Value	79,620	64,554
U.S. Government and Government Agency Obligations
Investment balances
Cost	66,761	42,595
Gross Unrealized Gains	20	16
Gross Unrealized Losses	-8
Estimated Fair Value	66,773	42,611
Fixed Income Funds
Investment balances
Cost		10,984
Gross Unrealized Gains		99
Estimated Fair Value		11,083
Money Market Funds
Investment balances
Cost	8,250	8,584
Estimated Fair Value	8,250	8,584
Equity Funds
Investment balances
Cost	4,477	2,130
Gross Unrealized Gains	223	200
Gross Unrealized Losses	-103	-54
Estimated Fair Value	$4,597	$2,276

Investments_Details_1

Investments (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other revenue
Realized gains	$156	$629	$2,467
Realized losses	-50	-4	-13
Net realized gains	106	625	2,454
Income tax expense from gains	37	225	891
Interest income – trading	51	28	27
Dividend income	212	541	514
Unrealized gains/(losses)	$75	($325)	$344

Investments_Details_Textual

Investments (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Gain on sales of Investment	$1,900,000
Estimated Fair Value		79,620,000	64,554,000
UCITS Fund
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value		2,000,000
Corporate funds investment, fair value		1,900,000
Private Equity Funds
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value		$2,700,000

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments in securities:
Trading	$79,620	$64,554
Total Financial instruments	79,620	64,554
Level 1
Investments in securities:
Trading	77,327	64,554
Total Financial instruments	77,327	64,554
Level 2
Investments in securities:
Trading	2,293
Total Financial instruments	$2,293

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Changes in goodwill
Beginning balance	$11,255	$11,255	$11,255
Ending balance	$11,255	$11,255	$11,255

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$5,287	$5,287
Accumulated Amortization	-1,857	-1,498
Net Carrying Amount	3,430	3,789
Client relationships
Summary of intangible assets
Weighted Average Amortization Period (years)	14 years 2 months 12 days	14 years 2 months 12 days
Gross Carrying Amount	5,005	5,005
Accumulated Amortization	-1,575	-1,216
Net Carrying Amount	3,430	3,789
Trade names
Summary of intangible assets
Weighted Average Amortization Period (years)	2 years	2 years
Gross Carrying Amount	256	256
Accumulated Amortization	-256	-256
Non-compete agreements
Summary of intangible assets
Weighted Average Amortization Period (years)	2 years 3 months 18 days	2 years 3 months 18 days
Gross Carrying Amount	26	26
Accumulated Amortization	($26)	($26)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Business Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$359,000	$359,000	$472,000
General and administrative expense
Schedule Of Business Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$359,000	$359,000	$472,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets for the next five years
2015	$359
2016	359
2017	359
2018	359
2019	$359

Balance_Sheet_Components_Detai

Balance Sheet Components (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property and equipment
Accumulated depreciation	($2,720)	($2,155)
Net property and equipment	2,633	2,746
Leasehold Improvements
Property and equipment
Property and equipment cost	2,274	2,068
Furniture and Fixtures
Property and equipment
Property and equipment cost	1,516	1,453
Computer Hardware And Office Equipment
Property and equipment
Property and equipment cost	$1,563	$1,380

Balance_Sheet_Components_Detai1

Balance Sheet Components (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss
Foreign currency translation adjustment	($1,231)	($257)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($1,231)	($257)

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income (loss) before income taxes by jurisdiction
United States									$36,104	$30,799	$26,844
Canada									5,932	-2,614	-6,824
Income before income taxes	$9,475	$10,592	$13,356	$8,613	$8,900	$6,738	$7,851	$4,696	$42,036	$28,185	$20,020

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. Federal corporate tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Penalties and interest	$16,000	$0	$0
Canadian net operating loss carryforwards	627,000
Deferred tax assets	$166,000
Expiration period of net operating loss carryforwards	2033

Income_Taxes_Details_1

Income Taxes (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Difference between the Federal corporate tax rate and the effective tax rate
Income tax provision computed at US federal statutory rate	$14,712	$9,864	$7,007
Canadian rate differential	-520	222	580
State and local income taxes, net of federal income taxes	442	386	305
Other, net	153	-124	42
Total income tax expense	$14,787	$10,348	$7,934
Income tax provision computed at US federal statutory rate, effective tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Canadian rate differential, effective tax rate	-1.20%	0.70%	2.90%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income taxes, effective tax rate	1.10%	1.40%	1.50%
Other, net, effective tax rate	0.30%	-0.40%	0.20%
Effective income tax rate	35.20%	36.70%	39.60%

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current taxes:
US Federal	$16,230	$10,683	$9,280
State and local	690	602	473
Total	16,920	11,285	9,753
Deferred taxes:
State and local	-40	-5	-2
US Federal	-3,590	-240	-6
Non-US	1,497	-692	-1,811
Total	-2,133	-937	-1,819
Total income tax expense	$14,787	$10,348	$7,934

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Share-based compensation expense	$5,210	$4,226
Net operating loss	166	2,244
Deferred rent	186	204
Compensation and benefits payable	3,280	58
Other	112	39
Total deferred tax assets	8,954	6,771
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	-334	-390
Intangibles	-645	-449
Unrealized gains on investments	-123	-79
Total deferred tax liabilities	-1,102	-918
Net deferred tax assets	$7,852	$5,853

Income_Taxes_Details_4

Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Net deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected on our balance sheet
Net current deferred tax asset	$6,268	$3,812
Net current deferred tax liabilities	-2,208
Net current deferred tax assets reflected on the balance sheets	4,060	3,812
Net non-current deferred tax assets	4,782	2,275
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	-990	-234
Net non-current deferred tax assets reflected on the balance sheets	3,792	2,041
Net deferred tax assets	$7,852	$5,853

Regulatory_Capital_Requirement1

Regulatory Capital Requirements (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	CAD
Banking And Thrift [Abstract]
Minimum capital requirement	$1,250,000
Excess from Minimum capital requirement	12,000,000
Required combined cash and receivables		200,000
Combined cash and receivables	$12,900,000	14,900,000

Employee_Benefits_Details_Text

Employee Benefits (Details Textual)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Mutual Fund

Mutual Fund

Mutual Fund

Benefit Plans

Deferred Compensation Share Based Payments

Deferred Compensation Share Based Payments

Deferred Compensation Share Based Payments

Deferred Compensation Share Based Payments

Westwood Holdings

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Canadian Plan

Canadian Plan

Canadian Plan

Stock Options

Stock Options

Performance Shares

Performance​ Based​ Restricted​ Shares​ For Future Performance Years

Performance Based Restricted Share Grants

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One

Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two

Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three

Share Based Compensation Award Tranche Four

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Director

Westwood International Advisors Inc

Westwood International Advisors Inc

Westwood International Advisors Inc

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CAD

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]

Total number of shares that may be issued under the stock based compensation Plan (including predecessor plans to the Plan)

3,898,100

Shares remain available for issuance

485,000

Purchase of treasury stock, shares

31,727

Fund purchases of common stock

$8,600,000

10,000,000

Purchases of common stock with respect to awards granted

7,200,000

Share price

$61.82

$61.82

Number of shares purchased in the open market

11,476

Amount of shares purchased in the open market

669,000

878,000

670,000

Remaining unrecognized compensation cost

16,300,000

635,000

Remaining unrecognized compensation cost recognized over a remaining weighted average period

2 years 4 months 24 days

1 year 7 months 6 days

Number of vested shares from employees on the date vesting

88,123

Restricted shares granted to employees vesting period

5 years

4 years

4 years

1 year

4 years

6 years

Adjusted pre-tax income

34,000,000

Compound annual growth

10.00%

Nonvested restricted shares

496,457

511,060

185,252

Period of option granted

10 years

Options outstanding

16,250

0

Options exercised

0

Options exercised

$12.90

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

364,000

Cash received from the exercise of stock options

210,000

Percentage of deferred share units vesting

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

Deferred share units, issued and outstanding

3,756

Accrued liability

98,000

Mutual fund vesting period

1 year

Service period of mutual fund share incentive award

2 years

Expense related to mutual fund share incentive awards

863,000

0

0

13,685,000

11,679,000

10,521,000

Accrued liability

$844,000

$1,900,000

Vesting period

6 years

Percentage of compensation

6.00%

Employee_Benefits_Details

Employee Benefits (Details) (Restricted Stock, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock based compensation expense	$13,685	$11,679	$10,521
Total income tax benefit recognized related to stock-based compensation	5,764	4,384	4,535
Restricted Stock Service Condition Stock Based Compensation Expense
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock based compensation expense	7,580	7,602	7,546
Restricted Stock Performance Condition Stock Based Compensation Expense
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock based compensation expense	5,718	3,842	2,975
Restricted Stock Stock Based Compensation Expense
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock based compensation expense	13,298	11,444	10,521
Canadian Plan Restricted Stock Expense
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock based compensation expense	$387	$235

Employee_Benefits_Details_1

Employee Benefits (Details 1) (Restricted Shares Subject Only to a Service Condition, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Shares Subject Only to a Service Condition
Restricted shares subject only to a service condition:
Non-vested, January 1, 2014	511,060
Granted	205,768
Vested	-186,680
Forfeited	-33,691
Non-vested, December 31, 2014	496,457
Non-vested, January 1, 2014	$40.49
Granted	$58.70
Vested	$38.76
Forfeited	$48.65
Non-vested, December 31, 2014	$48.14

Employee_Benefits_Details_2

Employee Benefits (Details 2) (Service condition restricted stock expense, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Service condition restricted stock expense
Weighted-average grant date fair value for shares granted and the total fair value of shares vested
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$58.70	$43.68	$39.26
Fair value of shares vested (in thousands)	$7,236	$7,568	$8,115

Employee_Benefits_Details_3

Employee Benefits (Details 3) (Restricted Shares Subject to Service and Performance Conditions, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Shares Subject to Service and Performance Conditions
Restricted shares subject only to a service condition:
Non-vested, January 1, 2014	93,000
Granted	101,313
Vested	-93,000
Non-vested, December 31, 2014	101,313	93,000
Non-vested, January 1, 2014	$44.55
Granted	$58.59	$44.55	$39.31
Vested	$44.55
Non-vested, December 31, 2014	$58.59	$44.55

Employee_Benefits_Details_4

Employee Benefits (Details 4) (Restricted Shares Subject to Service and Performance Conditions, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Shares Subject to Service and Performance Conditions
Weighted-average grant date fair value for shares granted and the total fair value of shares vested
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$58.59	$44.55	$39.31
Fair value of shares vested (in thousands)	$4,143	$2,948	$3,111

Employee_Benefits_Details_5

Employee Benefits (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Profit sharing and 401(k) contributions for the periods
Profit-sharing contributions	$816	$674	$648
401(k) matching contributions	$928	$871	$744

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_Tex

Earnings Per Share (Details Textual) (Restricted Stock)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive restricted shares or options	5,993	0	0

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Computation of Basic and Diluted Shares
Net income	$5,978	$7,118	$8,591	$5,562	$5,763	$4,301	$4,955	$2,818	$27,249	$17,837	$12,086
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic									7,512,348	7,331,874	7,145,701
Dilutive potential shares from unvested restricted shares									394,197	360,882	158,200
Dilutive potential shares from stock options											3,134
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted									7,906,545	7,692,756	7,307,035
Earnings per share:
Basic	$0.79	$0.95	$1.14	$0.74	$0.78	$0.58	$0.67	$0.39	$3.63	$2.43	$1.69
Diluted	$0.77	$0.92	$1.12	$0.72	$0.75	$0.57	$0.66	$0.38	$3.45	$2.32	$1.65

Variable_Interest_Entities_Det

Variable Interest Entities (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	UCITS Fund	UCITS Fund	UCITS Fund	UCITS Fund	Common Trust Funds
	Number_of_Limited_Partnership			USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)
	Number_of_Limited_Liability_Companies
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of limited liability companies in which some clients hold their investments	10
Number of clients in which investment advisory services are provided	2
Amount provided to fund for the sole purpose of meeting the minimum capital requirements				$2,000,000	€ 1,600,000	$406,000	€ 300,000	$1,000,000
Fee revenues from Westwood VIEs	$48,200,000	$36,200,000	$30,200,000

Variable_Interest_Entities_Det1

Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entities
Trading	$79,620,000	$64,554,000
Westwood Funds
Variable Interest Entities
Assets Under Management	3,722,000,000
Trading	1,000,000
Risk of Loss	1,000,000
Common Trust Funds
Variable Interest Entities
Assets Under Management	2,659,000,000
Trading	2,000,000
Risk of Loss	2,000,000
Collective Investment Trusts
Variable Interest Entities
Assets Under Management	289,000,000
UCITS Fund
Variable Interest Entities
Assets Under Management	811,000,000
Trading	2,000,000
Risk of Loss	2,000,000
LLCs
Variable Interest Entities
Assets Under Management	$142,000,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
UCITS Fund
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fees earned from related party	$1,100,000	$0
Fees unpaid from related party	256,000
Trust
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fees earned from related party	264,000	278,000	314,000
Due from related party	$0	$0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	General Damage	Punitive Damage	Special Damage	First Lawsuit By A G F	Second Lawsuit by AGF	Second Lawsuit by AGF	Second Lawsuit by AGF
				CAD	CAD	CAD	CAD		General Damage	Punitive Damage
									CAD	CAD
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease agreements expiration dates, description	expiration dates that run through 2021
Rental expense for facilities and equipment leases	$1,500,000	$1,600,000	$1,300,000
Lawsuit Filing Date							On August 3, 2012, AGF Management Limited and AGF Investments Inc. (“AGF”) filed a lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against Westwood, certain Westwood employees and executive recruiting firm Warren International, LLC.	On November 6, 2012, AGF filed a second lawsuit against Westwood, Westwood Management and an employee of a Westwood subsidiary
Litigation claim for damages				1,000,000	1,000,000	10,000,000	10,000,000		5,000,000	1,000,000
Percentage of defense costs which will be covered by insurance	50.00%
Loss contingency, Receivables	210,000
Insurance proceeds	$379,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future contractual rental payments for non-cancelable operating leases
2015	$1,534
2016	1,558
2017	1,378
2018	1,186
2019	1,109
Thereafter	1,992
Total payments due	$8,757

Segment_Reporting_Details_Text

Segment Reporting (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net fee revenues from external sources									$112,804,000	$90,955,000	$74,156,000
Net interest and dividend revenue									263,000	569,000	541,000
Other revenue									174,000	301,000	2,798,000
Total revenues	28,265,000	28,122,000	30,905,000	25,949,000	25,252,000	22,998,000	23,475,000	20,100,000	113,241,000	91,825,000	77,495,000
Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization									938,000	769,000	821,000
Other operating expenses									70,267,000	62,871,000	56,654,000
Total expenses									71,205,000	63,640,000	57,475,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	9,475,000	10,592,000	13,356,000	8,613,000	8,900,000	6,738,000	7,851,000	4,696,000	42,036,000	28,185,000	20,020,000
Income tax expense (benefit)									14,787,000	10,348,000	7,934,000
Net income	5,978,000	7,118,000	8,591,000	5,562,000	5,763,000	4,301,000	4,955,000	2,818,000	27,249,000	17,837,000	12,086,000
Restricted stock expense									13,685,000	11,679,000	10,521,000
Amortization expense									359,000	359,000	472,000
Economic Earnings									41,445,000	30,027,000	23,233,000
Segment assets	139,874,000				116,050,000				139,874,000	116,050,000	96,617,000
Segment goodwill	11,255,000				11,255,000				11,255,000	11,255,000	11,255,000
Expenditures for long-lived assets									478,000	1,201,000	264,000
Operating Segments | Advisory
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net fee revenues from external sources									92,279,000	72,588,000	59,187,000
Net intersegment revenues									13,527,000	10,402,000	5,858,000
Net interest and dividend revenue									261,000	568,000	539,000
Other revenue									173,000	301,000	2,798,000
Total revenues									106,240,000	83,859,000	68,382,000
Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization									603,000	468,000	450,000
Other operating expenses									51,265,000	46,545,000	38,954,000
Total expenses									51,868,000	47,013,000	39,404,000
Income (loss) before income taxes									54,372,000	36,846,000	28,978,000
Income tax expense (benefit)									19,057,000	13,738,000	11,132,000
Net income									35,315,000	23,108,000	17,846,000
Restricted stock expense									9,074,000	7,586,000	6,366,000
Amortization expense									161,000	161,000	189,000
Deferred taxes on goodwill									38,000	38,000	39,000
Economic Earnings									44,588,000	30,893,000	24,440,000
Segment assets	144,385,000				114,871,000				144,385,000	114,871,000	91,619,000
Segment goodwill	5,219,000				5,219,000				5,219,000	5,219,000	5,219,000
Expenditures for long-lived assets									226,000	962,000	228,000
Operating Segments | Trust
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net fee revenues from external sources									20,525,000	18,367,000	14,969,000
Net intersegment revenues										14,000	16,000
Net interest and dividend revenue									2,000	1,000	2,000
Other revenue									1,000
Total revenues									20,528,000	18,382,000	14,987,000
Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization									302,000	301,000	371,000
Other operating expenses									19,867,000	16,943,000	13,720,000
Total expenses									20,169,000	17,244,000	14,091,000
Income (loss) before income taxes									359,000	1,138,000	896,000
Income tax expense (benefit)									132,000	408,000	316,000
Net income									227,000	730,000	580,000
Restricted stock expense									1,847,000	1,803,000	1,735,000
Amortization expense									198,000	198,000	283,000
Deferred taxes on goodwill									114,000	114,000	115,000
Economic Earnings									2,386,000	2,845,000	2,713,000
Segment assets	18,133,000				14,190,000				18,133,000	14,190,000	13,657,000
Segment goodwill	6,036,000				6,036,000				6,036,000	6,036,000	6,036,000
Expenditures for long-lived assets									29,000	239,000	36,000
Westwood Holdings
Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization									33,000
Other operating expenses									12,662,000	9,799,000	9,854,000
Total expenses									12,695,000	9,799,000	9,854,000
Income (loss) before income taxes									-12,695,000	-9,799,000	-9,854,000
Income tax expense (benefit)									-4,402,000	-3,798,000	-3,514,000
Net income									-8,293,000	-6,001,000	-6,340,000
Restricted stock expense									2,764,000	2,290,000	2,420,000
Economic Earnings									-5,529,000	-3,711,000	-3,920,000
Segment assets	10,435,000				6,354,000				10,435,000	6,354,000	3,906,000
Expenditures for long-lived assets									223,000
Intersegment Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net intersegment revenues									-13,527,000	-10,416,000	-5,874,000
Total revenues									-13,527,000	-10,416,000	-5,874,000
Expenses:
Other operating expenses									-13,527,000	-10,416,000	-5,874,000
Total expenses									-13,527,000	-10,416,000	-5,874,000
Segment assets	-33,079,000				-19,365,000				-33,079,000	-19,365,000	-12,565,000
Segment Reconciling Items
Expenses:
Restricted stock expense									13,685,000	11,679,000	10,521,000
Amortization expense									359,000	359,000	472,000
Deferred taxes on goodwill									$152,000	$152,000	$154,000

Revenues_by_Geographic_Locatio

Revenues by Geographic Location (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$28,265	$28,122	$30,905	$25,949	$25,252	$22,998	$23,475	$20,100	$113,241	$91,825	$77,495
U.S
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									94,955	83,622	73,255
Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									8,635	5,567	2,542
Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									8,146	1,843	1,698
Japan
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									21
Australia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									$1,484	$793

Property_and_Equipment_Net_by_

Property and Equipment, Net by Geographic Area (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net property and equipment	$2,633	$2,746
U.S
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net property and equipment	2,057	2,102
Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net property and equipment	$576	$644

Concentration_Details_Textual

Concentration (Details Textual) (Sales Revenue, Net, Customer Concentration Risk)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Customers	Customers	Customers
Sales Revenue, Net | Customer Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of Major Customers	10	10	10
Revenue accounted by major clients	20.00%	20.00%	20.00%

Concentration_Details

Concentration (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Advisory fees from major client	$88,473	$70,027	$57,936
Advisory fees from major client	3,806	2,561	1,251
Sales Revenue, Net | Customer Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Advisory fees from major client	2,183	1,729	1,452
Advisory fees from major client	$3,806	$2,561	$1,251
Revenue accounted by major clients	20.00%	20.00%	20.00%
Westwood Management | Sales Revenue, Net | Customer Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue accounted by major clients	5.30%	4.70%	3.70%

Subsequent_Event_Details_Textu

Subsequent Event (Details Textual) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Feb. 04, 2015	Feb. 23, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 15, 2015
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared per share	$0.50
Dividends payable, date to be paid	1-Apr-15
Dividends payable, date of record	13-Mar-15
Subsequent Event | Restricted Stock
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Restricted stock issued		186,522
Share price		$61.82
Woodway Financial Advisors
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business combination contingent consideration arrangements description			Approximately 73% of the total merger consideration will be paid in cash. The remaining 27% will be paid through the issuance of shares of Westwood common stock. The number of shares of Westwood common stock comprising the stock portion of the initial merger consideration payable at closing will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the portion of such payment consisting of Westwood common stock by the average closing price of Westwood common stock over the 15 business days prior to the Signing Date.
Woodway Financial Advisors | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Date of acquisition agreement				15-Jan-15
Assets under management				$1,600,000,000
Total merger consideration				32,000,000
Earn-out payment				$15,000,000
Earn-out period				12 months
Business combination consideration paid in cash				73.00%
Business consideration paid through the issuance of shares				27.00%

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Detai

Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$28,265	$28,122	$30,905	$25,949	$25,252	$22,998	$23,475	$20,100	$113,241	$91,825	$77,495
Income before income taxes	9,475	10,592	13,356	8,613	8,900	6,738	7,851	4,696	42,036	28,185	20,020
Net income	$5,978	$7,118	$8,591	$5,562	$5,763	$4,301	$4,955	$2,818	$27,249	$17,837	$12,086
Basic earnings per common share	$0.79	$0.95	$1.14	$0.74	$0.78	$0.58	$0.67	$0.39	$3.63	$2.43	$1.69
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.77	$0.92	$1.12	$0.72	$0.75	$0.57	$0.66	$0.38	$3.45	$2.32	$1.65

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Paren

Quarterly Financial Data (Parenthetical) (Details) (Additional Stock Based Compensation Expense, USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Line Items]
Non-cash adjustment	$0.20	$0.20	$0.40	$3.30
Maximum
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Line Items]
Non-cash adjustment					$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10