Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and related rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates or assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates or assumptions. Summary of Presentation Changes As of January 1, 2020, the Company revised its presentation of investment management revenue within its consolidated statements of operations. Investment management revenue, previously presented by investment vehicle, has been disaggregated to present investment management revenue by sales channel. Concurrently, the Company revised the presentation of assets under management ("AUM") activity previously reported by investment vehicle to present this activity by sales channel. Amounts for the comparative prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported net income and do not represent a restatement of any previously published financial results. Principles of Consolidation The Company consolidated all majority-owned subsidiaries. In addition, as of December 31, 2020, Manning & Napier holds an economic interest of approximately 88.6% in Manning & Napier Group, and, as managing member, controls all of the business and affairs of Manning & Napier Group. As a result, the Company consolidates the financial results of Manning & Napier Group and records a non-controlling interest on its consolidated statements of financial condition with respect to the remaining economic interest in Manning & Napier Group held by M&N Group Holdings and MNCC. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In accordance with Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) – Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis , the determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design, a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and whether a company is obligated to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity. The standard also requires ongoing assessments of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). When utilizing the voting interest entity (“VOE”) model, controlling financial interest is generally defined as majority ownership of voting interests. The Company provides seed capital to its investment teams to develop new products and services for its clients. The original seed investment may be held in a separately managed account, comprised solely of the Company's investments or within a mutual fund, where the Company's investments may represent all or only a portion of the total equity invested in the mutual fund. Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, the Company evaluates its investments in mutual funds on a regular basis and consolidates such mutual funds for which it holds a controlling financial interest. When no longer deemed to hold a controlling financial interest, the Company would deconsolidate the fund and classify the remaining investment as either an equity method investment or as trading securities, as applicable. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company did not have investments classified as an equity method investment. The Company serves as the investment adviser for Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. series of mutual funds (the “Fund”), Exeter Trust Company Collective Investment Trusts (“CIT”) and Rainier Multiple Investment Trust. The Fund, CIT and Rainier Multiple Investment Trust are legal entities, the business and affairs of which are managed by their respective boards of directors. As a result, each of these entities is a VOE. The Company holds, in limited cases, direct investments in a mutual fund (which are made on the same terms as are available to other investors) and consolidates each of these entities where it has a controlling financial interest or a majority voting interest. The Company's investments in the Fund amounted to approximately $1.0 million and $3.2 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not have a controlling financial interest in any mutual fund. Operating Segments The Company operates in one segment, the investment management industry. The Company primarily provides investment management services to separately managed accounts, mutual funds and collective investment trust funds. Management assesses the financial performance of these vehicles on a combined basis. Revenue Investment Management: Investment management fees are computed as a percentage of assets under management ("AUM"). The Company's performance obligation is a series of services that form part of a single performance obligation satisfied over time. Separately managed accounts are paid in advance, typically for a semi-annual or quarterly period, or in arrears, typically for a monthly or quarterly period. When investment management fees are paid in advance, the Company defers the revenue as a contract liability and recognizes it over the applicable period. When investment management fees are paid in arrears, the Company estimates revenue and records a contract asset (accrued accounts receivable) based on AUM as of the most recent month end date. Mutual funds and collective investment trust investment management revenue is calculated and earned daily based on AUM. Revenue is presented net of cash rebates and fees waived pursuant to contractual expense limitations of the funds. The Company also has agreements with third parties who provide recordkeeping and administrative services for employee benefit plans participating in the collective investment trusts. The Company is acting as an agent on behalf of the employee benefit plan sponsors, therefore, investment management revenue is recorded net of fees paid to third party service providers. Distribution and shareholder servicing: The Company receives distribution and servicing fees for providing services to its affiliated mutual funds. Revenue is computed and earned daily based on a percentage of AUM. The performance obligation is a series of services that form part of a single performance obligation satisfied over time. The Company has agreements with third parties who provide distribution and administrative services for its mutual funds. The agreements are evaluated to determine whether revenue should be reported gross or net of payments to third-party service providers. The Company controls the services provided and acts as a principal in the relationship. Therefore, distribution and shareholder servicing revenue is recorded gross of fees paid to third parties. Custodial services: Custodial service fees are calculated as a percentage of the client’s market value with additional fees charged for certain transactions. For the safeguarding and administrative services that are subject to a percentage of market value fee, the Company's performance obligation is a series of services that form part of a single performance obligation satisfied over time. Revenue for transactions assigned a stand-alone selling price is recognized in the period which the transaction is executed. Custodial service fees are billed monthly in arrears. The Company has agreements with third parties who provide safeguarding, recordkeeping and administrative services for their clients. The Company controls the services provided and acts as a principal in the relationship. Therefore, custodial service revenue is recorded gross of fees paid to third parties. Costs to Obtain a Contract Under compensation plans in effect for periods prior to January 1, 2020, certain incremental first year commissions directly associated with new customer contracts were capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated customer contract period of 3 to 7 years. Refer to Note 3 for further discussion. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company generally considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held in operating accounts at major financial institutions and also in money market securities. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value due to the short-term maturity of these investments. The fair value of cash equivalents have been classified as Level 1 in accordance with the fair value hierarchy. Investment Securities Investment securities are classified as either equity investments, trading, equity method investments or available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Fair value is determined based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical or similar instruments. Investment securities classified as equity investments, at fair value consist of equity securities and investments in mutual funds for which the Company provides advisory services. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on equity investments, at fair value or trading investments, as applicable, are recorded in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, equity investments, at fair value consist of investments held by the Company for the purpose of providing initial cash seeding for product development purposes and investments to hedge economic exposure to market movements on its deferred compensation plan. Investments classified as equity method investments represent seed investments in which the Company owns between 20-50% of the outstanding voting interests in the affiliated fund or when it is determined that the Company is able to exercise significant influence but not control over the investments. If the seed investment results in significant influence, but not control, the investment will be accounted for as an equity method investment. When using the equity method, the Company recognizes its share of the investee's net income or loss for the period which is recorded in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. Investment securities classified as available-for-sale consist of U.S. Treasury notes, corporate bonds and other short-term investments. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported, net of deferred income tax, as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity until realized. The Company periodically reviews each individual security position that has an unrealized loss, or impairment, to determine if that impairment is other-than-temporary. If impairment is determined to be other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the security will be written down to fair value and the loss will be recognized in earnings. Realized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale securities are computed on a specific identification basis and are recorded in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable represents the Company's unconditional rights to consideration arising from its performance under separately managed account, mutual fund and collective investment trust, distribution and shareholder servicing and custodial contracts. The Company’s accounts receivable balances do not include any significant allowance for doubtful accounts nor has any significant bad debt expense attributable to accounts receivable been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2019. Accounts receivable are stated at cost, which approximates market value due to the short-term collection of balances. The fair value of accounts receivable have been classified as Level 1 in accordance with the fair value hierarchy. Property, Equipment, Software and Depreciation Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the applicable life of the asset class; generally three five seven Internal and external costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use are capitalized and reported within property and equipment in the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The capitalized costs are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software, which range from three five Internal and external costs capitalized in connection with hosted software arrangements are reported within prepaid expenses and other assets in the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2020. The capitalized costs are amortized over the term of the hosting arrangement, beginning when the software project is complete and ready for its intended use. Gains or losses upon sale or other disposition of fixed assets are included in the consolidated statements of operations. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable net assets of acquired companies. The Company attributes all goodwill to its single reporting unit. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually during the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. There were no facts or circumstances occurring during 2020 or 2019 suggesting possible impairment. Intangible Assets Amortizing identifiable intangible assets generally represent the cost of client relationships and trademarks acquired. In valuing these assets, the Company makes assumptions regarding useful lives and projected growth rates, and significant judgment is required. The Company periodically reviews its identifiable intangible assets for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying amounts of those assets exceed their respective fair values, additional impairment tests are performed to measure the amount of the impairment losses, if any. Non-amortizing intangible assets generally represent the cost of mutual fund management contracts acquired. Non-amortizing intangible assets are tested for impairment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, by comparing the fair values of the management contracts acquired to their carrying values. The Company establishes fair value for purposes of impairment test using the income approach. If the carrying value of a management contract acquired exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to that excess. Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets, accrued expenses and other liabilities and operating lease liabilities, non-current on its consolidated statements of financial condition. Finance leases are included in other long-term assets, accrued expenses and other liabilities, and other long-term liabilities on its consolidated statements of financial condition. ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate, for each identified lease, is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term. The operating lease ROU asset is reduced for any lease incentives. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are combined for all classes of underlying assets. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the historical cost carrying value of an asset may no longer be appropriate. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, a downturn in the commercial real estate market indicated that an asset group, including previously vacated office space, may not be recoverable. The Company assessed recoverability of the asset group by comparing the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to result from the asset group to its carrying value. The carrying value exceeded the undiscounted future net cash flows of the asset, and an impairment loss of approximately $0.7 million was recognized during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 as the difference between the net book value and the fair value of the asset group. Equity-Based Compensation The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The Company recognizes this cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, and accounts for forfeitures as they occur. See Note 14 for additional information on equity-based compensation. Deferred Compensation The Company issues deferred cash awards to certain employees which are linked in value to selected Manning & Napier series of mutual funds under its 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The employees earn a return linked to the appreciation or depreciation based on these series of mutual funds. The Company currently hedges economically the exposure to market movements on its deferred compensation plan by holding investments in the Manning & Napier series of mutual funds on its balance sheet. The Company recognizes as compensation expense the value of the liability to employees, including the appreciation or depreciation of the liability, over the award's vesting period in proportion to the vested amount of the award. The Company immediately recognizes the full value of the related investment, and any subsequent appreciation or depreciation of the investment, in Net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. Income Taxes The Company records a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations. The provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets are expected to be realized or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized. The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income is a measure of income which includes net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments. The changes in the balances of components comprising other comprehensive income (loss) are presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Loss Contingencies The Company accrues for estimated costs, including legal costs related to existing lawsuits, claims and proceedings when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Potential loss contingencies and related accruals are reviewed at least quarterly and are adjusted to reflect the impact and status of settlements, rulings, advice of counsel and other information pertinent to a particular matter. Significant differences could exist between the actual cost required to investigate, litigate and/or settle a claim or the ultimate outcome of a suit and management’s estimate. These differences could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. No loss accruals were recorded as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract . The amendment aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements that currently exist in U.S. GAAP for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. Under the new standard, implementation costs are deferred and presented in the same financial statement caption on the consolidated statements of financial condition as a prepayment of related arrangement fees. The deferred costs are recognized over the term of the arrangement in the same financial statement caption in the consolidated statements of operations as the related fees of the arrangement. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance using the prospective adoption approach, which does not require the restatement of prior years. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's statement of operations as requirements under the standard are generally consistent with its previous accounting for cloud computing arrangements, with the primary difference being the classification of certain information in its statements of financial condition and related disclosures. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a total of approximately $5.4 million of capitalized implementation costs for hosting arrangements within prepaid expenses and other assets on its consolidated statements of financial condition, with $0.1 million in accumulated amortization and $0.1 million in amortization expense recognized during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2019, approximately $0.4 million of these costs were capitalized within property and equipment, net. The hosting arrangements that are service contracts include internal and external costs related to various technology additions in support of the Company's business. Amortization costs are recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the hosting arrangement agreement. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment , which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. The ASU requires goodwill impairments to be measured on the basis of the fair value of the reporting unit relative to the reporting unit's carrying amount rather than on the basis of the implied amount of goodwill relative to the goodwill balance of the reporting unit. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. |