| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Financial Information These condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP), which require management to make estimates and assumptions regarding future events that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and these footnotes, including compensation accruals and other matters. Management believes that it has made all necessary adjustments so that the condensed consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and that the estimates used in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year information to conform to current year presentation. The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include all consolidated accounts of Greenhill & Co., Inc. and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling interest after eliminations of all significant inter-company accounts and transactions. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. The condensed consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2020 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements not included herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) services are transferred to clients. Revenue is recognized based on the amount of consideration that management expects to receive in exchange for these services in accordance with the terms of the contract with the client. To determine the amount and timing of revenue recognition, the Company must (1) identify the contract with the client, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company generally recognizes revenues for mergers and acquisitions engagements at the earlier of the announcement date or transaction date, as the performance obligation is typically satisfied at such time. Upfront fees and certain retainer fees are generally deferred until the announcement or transaction date as they are considered constrained (subject to significant reversal) prior to the announcement or transaction date. Fairness opinion fees are recognized when the opinion is delivered. The Company recognizes revenues for financing advisory and restructuring engagements as the services are provided to the client, based on the terms of the engagement letter. In such arrangements, the Company’s performance obligations are to provide financial and strategic advice throughout an engagement. The Company recognizes revenues for private capital advisory fees when (1) the commitment of capital is secured (primary capital raising transactions) or the sale or transfer of the capital interest occurs (secondary market transactions) and (2) the fees are earned from the client in accordance with terms of the engagement letter. Upfront fees and certain retainer fees are deferred until the commitment is secured or the sale or transfer of the capital interest occurs, as the fees are considered constrained (subject to significant reversal) prior to such time. As a result of the deferral of certain fees, deferred revenue (also known as contract liabilities) was $9.2 million and $7.1 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Deferred revenue is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, the Company recognized $3.7 million and $2.2 million of revenues, respectively, that were included in the deferred revenue (contract liabilities) balance at the beginning of each respective period. The Company’s clients reimburse certain expenses incurred by the Company in the conduct of advisory engagements. Client reimbursements totaled $0.6 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively and $1.7 million and $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Such reimbursements are reported as revenues and operating expenses with no impact to operating income. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of (i) cash held on deposit with financial institutions, (ii) cash equivalents and (iii) restricted cash. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions with high credit ratings. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity date of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents primarily consist of money market funds and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and are carried at cost, plus accrued interest, which approximates the fair value due to the short-term nature of these investments. Management believes that the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held. See “Note 3 — Cash and Cash Equivalents”. Fees Receivable Receivables are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The estimate for the allowance for doubtful accounts is derived by the Company by utilizing past client transaction history and an assessment of the client’s creditworthiness. The Company recorded bad debt expense of less than $0.1 million and no bad debt expense in the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company recorded bad debt expense of $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and a net reversal of bad debt expense of $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Included in the fees receivable balances at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $1.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of long term receivables related to primary private capital advisory engagements which are generally paid in installments over a period of three years. Credit risk related to fees receivable is disbursed across a large number of clients located in various geographic areas. The Company controls credit risk through credit approvals and monitoring procedures but does not require collateral to support accounts receivable. Goodwill Goodwill is the cost in excess of the fair value of identifiable net assets at the acquisition date. The Company tests its goodwill for impairment at least annually or more frequently where certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may more likely than not be impaired. An impairment loss is triggered if the estimated fair value of an operating unit is less than the estimated net book value. Such loss is calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and its carrying value. Goodwill is translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the end of the periods presented in accordance with the accounting guidance for foreign currency translation. Any translation gain or loss is included in the foreign currency translation adjustment, which is included as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) in the condensed consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity. Compensation Payable Included in compensation payable are discretionary compensation awards comprised of accrued cash bonuses and long-term incentive compensation, consisting of deferred cash retention awards, which are non-interest bearing, and generally amortized ratably over a three Restricted Stock Units The Company accounts for its share-based compensation payments by recording the fair value of restricted stock units (RSUs) granted to employees as compensation expense. The restricted stock units are generally amortized ratably over a three As the Company expenses the awards, the restricted stock units recognized are recorded within stockholders’ equity. The restricted stock units are reclassified into common stock and additional paid-in capital upon vesting. The Company records as treasury stock the repurchase of stock delivered to its employees in settlement of tax liabilities incurred upon the vesting of restricted stock units. The Company records dividend equivalent payments on outstanding restricted stock units eligible for such payment as a dividend payment and a charge to stockholders’ equity. Earnings per Share The Company calculates basic earnings per share (“EPS”) by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. The Company calculates diluted EPS by dividing net income by the sum of (i) the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period and (ii) the dilutive effect of the common stock deliverable pursuant to restricted stock units for which future service is required as calculated using the treasury stock method. See “Note 7 — Earnings per Share”. Provision for Taxes The Company accounts for taxes in accordance with the accounting guidance for income taxes which requires the recognition of tax benefits or expenses on the temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of its assets and liabilities. The Company follows the guidance for income taxes in recognizing, measuring, presenting and disclosing in its financial statements uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on its income tax returns. Income tax expense is based on pre-tax accounting income, including adjustments made for the recognition or derecognition related to uncertain tax positions. The recognition or derecognition of income tax expense related to uncertain tax positions is determined under the guidance, and the Company’s policy is to treat interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of pre-tax income. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period of change. Management applies the “more-likely-than-not criteria” when determining tax benefits. The realization of deferred tax assets arising from timing differences and net operating losses requires taxable income in future years in order to deduct the reversing timing differences and absorb the net operating losses. We assess positive and negative evidence in determining whether to record a valuation allowance with respect to deferred tax assets. This assessment is performed separately for each taxing jurisdiction. Foreign Currency Translation Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies have been translated at rates of exchange prevailing at the end of the periods presented in accordance with the accounting guidance for foreign currency translation. Income and expenses transacted in foreign currency have been translated at average monthly exchange rates during the period. Translation gains and losses are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment, which is included as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) in the condensed consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in other operating expenses. Financial Instruments and Fair Value The Company accounts for financial instruments measured at fair value in accordance with accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures which establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under the pronouncement are described below: Basis of Fair Value Measurement Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities; Level 2 – Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performs an analysis of the assets and liabilities that are subject to these disclosures. At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs or instruments which trade infrequently and therefore have little or no price transparency are classified as Level 3. Transfers between levels are recognized as of the end of the period in which they occur. See “Note 4 — Fair Value of Financial Instruments”. Leases The Company leases office space for its operations around the globe. Certain leases include options to renew, which can be exercised at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company determines if a contract contains a lease at contract inception. Operating lease assets represent the Company’s right to use the underlying asset and operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. When determining the lease term, the Company generally does not include options to renew as it is not reasonably certain at contract inception that the Company will exercise the option(s). The Company uses the implicit rate when readily determinable and its incremental borrowing rate when the implicit rate is not readily determinable. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is determined using its secured borrowing rate and giving consideration to the currency and term of the associated lease as appropriate. The lease payments used to determine the Company’s operating lease assets may include lease incentives, stated rent increases and escalation clauses linked to rates of inflation when determinable and are recognized in operating lease assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The straight-lining of rent expense results in differences in the operating lease right-of-use asset and operating lease obligations on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition. Temporary differences are recognized for tax purposes and reflected separately in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as deferred lease assets and lease liabilities within deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the life of the assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the lesser of the life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease. Estimated useful lives of the Company’s fixed assets are generally as follows: Equipment – 5 years Furniture and fixtures – 7 years Leasehold improvements – the lesser of 15 years or the remaining lease term Business Information The Company’s activities as an investment banking firm constitute a single business segment, with substantially all revenues generated from advisory services, which includes engagements relating to mergers and acquisitions, financing advisory and restructuring, and private capital advisory services. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) under the modified retrospective approach. ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology for financial instruments with the current expected credit loss (CECL) model with requires an estimate of future credit losses. Upon adoption, a cumulative adjustment was recorded which decreased retained earnings by $0.1 million. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. Under the new guidance, companies will reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax law or rates in the period that includes the enactment date of the new legislation, among other changes. This will align the timing of recognizing the effects of new tax law or rates on the effective tax rate with the effect on the deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2021 under a prospective approach. The impact could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future periods of enactment of new tax laws or rates. |
