Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation , the Company consolidates those entities where it has a direct and indirect controlling financial interest based on either a variable interest model or voting interest model. As such, the Company consolidates entities that the Company concludes are variable interest entities (“VIEs”), for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and entities in which it holds a majority voting interest or has majority ownership and control over the operational, financial and investing decisions of that entity. In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) – Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis , which changes the consolidation analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The Company elected to early adopt this new guidance using the modified retrospective method effective January 1, 2015. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2015-02, the Company determined that it is no longer the primary beneficiary of certain funds it manages. Therefore, the Company deconsolidated certain funds that had been consolidated under previous guidance effective January 1, 2015. For legal entities evaluated for consolidation, the Company must determine whether the interests that it holds and fees paid to it qualify as a variable interest in an entity. This includes an evaluation of the management fees and performance fees paid to the Company when acting as a decision maker or service provider to the entity being evaluated. If fees received by the Company are customary and commensurate with the level of services provided, and the Company does not hold other economic interests in the entity that would absorb more than an insignificant amount of the expected losses or returns of the entity, the interest that the Company holds would not be considered a variable interest. The Company factors in all economic interests including proportionate interests through related parties, to determine if fees are considered a variable interest. An entity in which the Company holds a variable interest is a VIE if any one of the following conditions exist: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, (b) the holders of equity investment at risk have the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the legal entity’s economic performance, (c) the voting rights of some investors are disproportionate to their obligation to absorb losses or rights to receive returns from a legal entity. For limited partnerships and other similar entities, non-controlling investors must have substantive rights to either dissolve the fund or remove the general partner (“kick-out rights”) in order to not qualify as a VIE. For those entities that qualify as a VIE, the primary beneficiary is generally defined as the party who has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. The Company is generally deemed to have a controlling financial interest if it has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes initially involved with the VIE and reconsiders that conclusion continuously. The primary beneficiary evaluation is generally performed qualitatively on the basis of all facts and circumstances. However, quantitative information may also be considered in the analysis, as appropriate. These assessments require judgment. Each entity is assessed for consolidation on a case-by-case basis. For those entities evaluated under the voting interest model, the Company consolidates the entity if it has a controlling financial interest. The Company has a controlling financial interest in a voting interest entity (“VOE”) if it owns a majority voting interest in the entity. Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Medley Management Inc. is the sole managing member of Medley LLC and, as such, it operates and controls all of the business and affairs of Medley LLC and, through Medley LLC, conducts its business. Under ASC 810, Medley LLC meets the definition of a VIE because the equity of Medley LLC is not sufficient to permit activities without additional subordinated financial support. Medley Management Inc. has the obligation to absorb expected losses that could be significant to Medley LLC and holds 100% of the voting power, therefore Medley Management Inc. is considered to be the primary beneficiary of Medley LLC. As a result, Medley Management Inc. consolidates the financial results of Medley LLC and its subsidiaries and records a non-controlling interest for the economic interest in Medley LLC held by the non-managing members. Medley Management Inc.’s and the non-managing members’ economic interests in Medley LLC are 18.7% and 81.3% , respectively, as of December 31, 2017 and 19.9% and 80.1% , respectively, as of December 31, 2016 . Net income attributable to the non-controlling interests in Medley LLC on the consolidated statements of operations represents the portion of earnings attributable to the economic interest in Medley LLC held by its non-managing members. Non-controlling interests in Medley LLC on the consolidated balance sheets represents the portion of net assets of Medley LLC attributable to the non-managing members based on total LLC Units of Medley LLC owned by such non-managing members. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, Medley LLC had four majority owned subsidiaries, SIC Advisors LLC, Medley Seed Funding I LLC, Medley Seed Funding II LLC and STRF Advisors LLC, which are consolidated VIEs. Each of these entities were organized as a limited liability company and was legally formed to either manage a designated fund or to strategically invest capital as well as isolate business risk. As of December 31, 2017 , total assets and total liabilities, after eliminating entries, of these VIEs reflected in the consolidated balance sheets were $63.3 million and $13.0 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2016 , total assets and total liabilities, after eliminating entries, of these VIEs reflected in the consolidated balance sheets were $51.7 million and $22.8 million , respectively. Except to the extent of the assets of these VIEs that are consolidated, the holders of the consolidated VIEs’ liabilities generally do not have recourse to the Company. Seed Investments The Company accounts for seed investments through the application of the voting interest model under ASC 810-10-25-1 through 25-14 and consolidates a seed investment when the investment advisor holds a controlling interest, which is, in general, 50% or more of the equity in such investment. For seed investments in which the Company does not hold a controlling interest, the Company accounts for such seed investment under the equity method of accounting, at its ownership percentage of such seed investment’s net asset value. The Company seed funded $2.1 million to Sierra Total Return Fund ("STRF"), which commenced investment operations in June 2017. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company owned 100% of the equity of STRF and, as such, consolidated STRF in its consolidated financial statements. The condensed balance sheet of STRF as of December 31, 2017 is presented in the table below (in thousands). As of December 31, 2017 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 164 Investments, at fair value 2,005 Other assets 1,698 Total assets $ 3,867 Liabilities and Equity Accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 1,744 Equity 2,123 Total liabilities and equity $ 3,867 The Company's consolidated balance sheet reflects the elimination of $1.0 million of other assets, $1.5 million of accrued expenses and other liabilities and $2.1 million of equity as a result of the consolidation of STRF. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the fund did not generate any significant income or losses from operations. Non-Consolidated Variable Interest Entities The Company holds interests in certain VIEs that are not consolidated because the Company is not deemed the primary beneficiary. The Company's interest in these entities is in the form of insignificant equity interests and fee arrangements. The maximum exposure to loss represents the potential loss of assets by the Company relating to these non-consolidated entities. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company recorded investments, at fair value, attributed to these non-consolidated VIEs of $4.8 million , receivables of $2.4 million included as a component of other assets and a clawback obligation of $7.2 million included as a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The clawback obligation assumes a hypothetical liquidation of a fund’s investments, at their then current fair values and a portion of tax distributions relating to performance fees which would need to be returned. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company recorded investments, at fair value, attributed to non-consolidated VIEs of $5.1 million , receivables of $1.9 million included as a component of other assets and a clawback obligation of $7.1 million included as a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company’s maximum exposure to losses from these entities is $7.2 million . Concentration of Credit and Market Risk In the normal course of business, the Company's underlying funds encounter significant credit and market risk. Credit risk is the risk of default on investments in debt securities, loans and derivatives that result from a borrower's or derivative counterparty's inability or unwillingness to make required or expected payments. Credit risk is increased in situations where the Company's underlying funds are investing in distressed assets or unsecured or subordinate loans or in securities that are a material part of its respective business. Market risk reflects changes in the value of investments due to changes in interest rates, credit spreads or other market factors. The Company's underlying funds may make investments outside of the United States. These non-U.S. investments are subject to the same risks associated with U.S. investments, as well as additional risks, such as fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, heightened risk of political and economic instability, difficulties in managing the investments, potentially adverse tax consequences, and the burden of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Management’s estimates are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. These assumptions and estimates also require management to exercise judgment in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies. Significant estimates and assumptions by management affect the carrying value of investments, performance compensation payable and certain accrued liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and such differences could be material. Indemnification In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual agreements that provide general indemnifications against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of individual obligations under such agreements. The Company has not experienced any prior claims or payments pursuant to such agreements. The Company’s individual maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on management’s experience, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote. Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries Non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries represent the component of equity in such consolidated entities held by third-parties. These interests are adjusted for contributions to and distributions from Medley entities and are allocated income from Medley entities based on their ownership percentages. Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests Redeemable non-controlling interests represents interests of certain third parties that are not mandatorily redeemable but redeemable for cash or other assets at a fixed or determinable price or a fixed or determinable date, at the option of the holder or upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer. These interests are classified in the mezzanine section of the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include liquid investments in money market funds and demand deposits. The Company had cash balances with financial institutions in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The Company monitors the credit standing of these financial institutions and has not experienced, and has no expectations of experiencing any losses with respect to such balances. Restricted Cash Equivalents Restricted cash equivalents consist of cash held at one of the Company's subsidiaries which was contributed by the Company and third-party investors, and could only be used to purchase investments in new and existing Medley managed funds. Investments Investments include equity method investments that are not consolidated but over which the Company exerts significant influence. The Company measures the carrying value of its public non-traded equity method investment at Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share. The Company measures the carrying value of its privately-held equity method investments by recording its share of the underlying income or loss of these entities. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in fair value of the equity method investments is reflected as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. The carrying amounts of equity method investments are reflected in investments in the consolidated balance sheets. As the underlying entities that the Company manages and invests in are, for U.S. GAAP purposes, primarily investment companies which reflect their investments at estimated fair value, the carrying value of the Company’s equity method investments in such entities approximates fair value. The Company evaluates its equity-method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. For presentation in its consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company treats distributions received from certain equity method investments using the cumulative earnings approach. Under the cumulative earnings approach, an investor would compare the distributions received to its cumulative equity-method earnings since inception. Any distributions received up to the amount of cumulative equity earnings would be considered a return on investment and classified in operating activities. Any excess distributions would be considered a return of investment and classified in investing activities. Investments also include available-for-sale securities which consist of an investment in publicly traded common stock. The Company measures the carrying value of its publicly traded investment in available-for-sale securities at the quoted market price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in fair value of available-for-sale securities is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, redeemable non-controlling interests and non-controlling interests in Medley LLC. Realized gains (losses) and declines in value determined to be other than temporary, if any, are reported in other income (expenses), net. The Company evaluates its investment in available-for-sale securities for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investment may not be recoverable. Fixed Assets Fixed assets consist primarily of furniture, fixtures, computer equipment, and leasehold improvements and are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company calculates depreciation expense for furniture, fixtures, and computer equipment using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life used for the respective assets, which generally ranges from three to seven years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is provided on a straightline basis over the shorter of the remaining term of the underlying lease or estimated useful life of the improvement. Useful lives of leasehold improvements range from three to eight years. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized, while minor replacements, maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in Other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs represent direct costs incurred in obtaining financing and are amortized over the term of the underlying debt using the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs associated with the Company’s revolving credit facility are presented as a deferred charge and are included as a component of other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Debt issuance costs associated with the Company’s senior unsecured debt are presented as a direct reduction in the carrying value of such debt, consistent with the presentation of debt discount. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included as a component of interest expense in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. Revenues Management Fees Medley provides investment management services to both public and private investment vehicles. Management fees include base management fees, other management fees, and Part I incentive fees, as described below. Base management fees are calculated based on either (i) the average or ending gross assets balance for the relevant period, (ii) limited partners’ capital commitments to the funds, (iii) invested capital, (iv) NAV or (v) lower of cost or market value of a fund’s portfolio investments. Depending upon the contracted terms of the investment management agreement, management fees are paid either quarterly in advance or quarterly in arrears, and are recognized as earned over the period the services are provided. Certain management agreements provide for Medley to receive other management fee revenue derived from up front origination fees paid by the funds' and/or separately managed accounts' underlying portfolio companies. These fees are recognized when Medley becomes entitled to such fees. Certain management agreements also provide for Medley to receive Part I incentive fee revenue derived from net investment income (excluding gains and losses) above a hurdle rate. As it relates to Medley Capital Corporation (“MCC”), these fees are subject to netting against realized and unrealized losses. Part I incentive fees are paid quarterly and are recognized as earned in the period the services are provided. Performance Fees Performance fees consist principally of the allocation of profits from certain funds and separately managed accounts, to which Medley provides management services. Medley is generally entitled to an allocation of income as a performance fee after returning the invested capital plus a specified preferred return as set forth in each respective agreement. Medley recognizes revenues attributable to performance fees based upon the amount that would be due pursuant to the respective agreement at each period end as if the funds were terminated as of that date (Method 2 of ASC 605, Revenue Recognition , revenue based on a formula). Accordingly, the amount recognized in the Company's consolidated financial statements reflects Medley’s share of the gains and losses of the associated funds’ underlying investments measured at their current fair values. Performance fee revenue may include reversals of previously recognized performance fees due to a decrease in the investment performance of a particular fund that results in a decrease of cumulative performance fees earned to date. Since fund return hurdles are cumulative, previously recognized performance fees also may be reversed in a period of appreciation that is lower than the particular fund’s hurdle rate. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded reversals of $2.6 million of previously recognized performance fees. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company did not reverse previously recognized performance fees. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company reversed $24.0 million of previously recognized performance fees. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company recognized cumulative performance fees o f $5.3 million . Performance fees received in prior peri ods may be required to be returned by Medley in future periods if the funds’ investment performance declines below certain levels. Each fund is considered separately in this regard and, for a given fund, performance fees can never be negative over the life of a fund. If upon a hypothetical liquidation of a fund’s investments, at their then current fair values, previously recognized and distributed performance fees would be required to be returned, a liability is established for the potential clawback obligation. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company had not received any performance fee distributions, except for tax distributions related to the Company’s allocation of net income, which included an allocation of performance fees. Pursuant to the organizational documents of each respective fund, a portion of these tax distributions may be subject to clawback. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company had accrued $7.2 million for clawback obligations that would need to be paid if the funds were liquidated at fair value as of the end of the reporting period. The Company’s actual obligation, however, would not become payable or realized until the end of a fund’s life. Other Revenues and Fees Medley provides administrative services to certain affiliated funds and is reimbursed for direct and allocated expenses incurred in providing such administrative services, as set forth in the respective underlying agreements. These fees are recognized as revenue in the period administrative services are rendered. Medley also acts as the administrative agent on certain deals for which Medley may earn loan administration fees and transaction fees. These fees are recognized as revenue over the period to which the fees directly relate. Performance Fee Compensation Medley has issued profit interests in certain subsidiaries to select employees. These profit-sharing arrangements are accounted for under ASC 710, Compensation — General, which requires compensation expense to be measured at fair value at the grant date and expensed over the vesting period, which is usually the period over which the service is provided. The fair value of the profit interests are re-measured at each balance sheet date and adjusted for changes in estimates of cash flows and vesting percentages. The impact of such changes is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as an increase or decrease to performance fee compensation. Stock-based Compensation The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation . Stock-based compensation cost is measured as of the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. Prior to January 1, 2017, the fair value of the awards were amortized on a straight line basis over the requisite service period as stock based compensation expense and was reduced for the impact of estimated forfeitures. The Company estimated forfeitures based on its historical experience and revised its estimate if actual forfeitures differed from its initial estimates. Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted a change in accounting policy as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 to account for forfeitures as they occur. As such, stock based compensation expense relating to equity based awards are measured at fair value as of the grant date, reduced for actual forfeitures in the period they occur, and expensed over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis as a component of compensation and benefits on the Company's consolidated statements of operations. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of tax benefits or expenses for temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The Company also recognizes a tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions and other tax matters as a component of provision for income taxes. For interim periods, the Company accounts for income taxes based on its estimate of the effective tax rate for the year. Discrete items and changes in its estimate of the annual effective tax rate are recorded in the period they occur. Medley Management Inc. is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes on its allocable portion of the income of Medley LLC at prevailing corporate tax rates. Medley LLC and its subsidiaries are not subject to federal, state and local corporate income taxes since all income, gains and losses are passed through to its members. However, a portion of taxable income from Medley LLC and its subsidiaries are subject to New York City’s unincorporated business tax, which is included in the Company’s provision for income taxes. The Company analyzes its tax filing positions in all of the U.S. federal, state and local tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. If, based on this analysis, the Company determines that uncertainties in tax positions exist, a liability is established. Class A Earnings per Share The Company computes and presents earnings per share using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, the Company allocates earnings between common stock and participating securities. The two-class method includes an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock according to dividends declared and undistributed earnings for the period. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, the Company reduces its reported net earnings by the amount allocated to participating securities to arrive at the earnings allocated to Class A common stockholders. Earnings are then divided by the weighted average number of Class A common stock outstanding to arrive at basic earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution beyond shares for basic earnings per share that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, converted into common stock, or resulted in the issuance of common stock that would have shared in our earnings. Participating securities consist of the Company's unvested restricted stock units that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividend equivalent payments, whether paid or unpaid, in the number of shares outstanding in its basic and diluted calculations. Leases Certain lease agreements contain escalating payments and rent holiday periods. The related rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the length of the lease term. The difference between rent expense and rent paid is recorded as deferred rent. Leasehold improvements made by the lessee and funded by landlord allowances or other incentives are also recorded as deferred rent and are amortized as a reduction in rent expense over the term of the lease. Deferred rent is included as a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adopted as of January 1, 2017 In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies and improves several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. Under the new guidance, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to employee stock compensation are recognized within provision for income taxes. Under prior guidance, excess tax benefits were recognized in additional paid-in capital and tax deficiencies were recognized in the provision for income taxes only to the extent they exceeded the pool of excess tax benefits. In addition, under the new guidance, excess tax benefits are classified as cash flows from operating activities, and cash withheld by the Company for employees' withholding taxes are classified as cash flows from financing activities on its consolidated statements of cash flows. In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, instead of utilizing an estimated forfeiture rate assumption. The change in accounting for forfeitures was applied on a modified retrospective basis by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity. As of January 1, 2017, retained earnings and non-controlling interests in Medley LLC decreased by $0.1 million and $0.8 million , respectively, additional paid in capital increased by $1.0 million and a deferred tax asset was recorded in the amount of $0.1 million to reflect the change in accounting principle. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , and since then, has issued several amendments intended to provide interpretive clarifications and to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the new revenue recognition standard, both at transition and on an ongoing basis. The core principle of this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods or services. To achieve this, entities will apply a five step approach: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations within the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligations and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, each performance obligation is satisfied. The guidance also requires advanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018 and entities have the option of adopting this guidance using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. The Company has adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. Under this |