Expenses
Total expenses net of waivers for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | | Six Months Ended |
| | June 30, 2023 | | June 30, 2022 | | June 30, 2023 | | June 30, 2022 |
Base management fee(a) | | $ | 1,083,977 | | $ | 1,082,214 | | $ | 2,192,831 | | $ | 2,120,653 |
Incentive fee(a) | | | 1,414,286 | | | 747,892 | | | 2,747,391 | | | 1,174,214 |
Interest expense(b) | | | 191,028 | | | 95,634 | | | 418,681 | | | 136,800 |
Professional fees | | | 113,271 | | | 210,862 | | | 211,907 | | | 292,537 |
Directors' fees | | | 63,750 | | | 56,250 | | | 127,500 | | | 112,500 |
Administrative fee(a) | | | 66,250 | | | 66,250 | | | 132,500 | | | 132,500 |
Other expenses | | | 63,468 | | | 85,257 | | | 138,234 | | | 164,434 |
Total expenses | | | 2,996,030 | | | 2,344,359 | | | 5,969,044 | | | 4,133,638 |
Base management fee waivers(a) | | | (379,392) | | | (378,775) | | | (767,491) | | | (742,229) |
Incentive fee waivers(a) | | | (888,767) | | | (654,618) | | | (1,778,063) | | | (1,038,308) |
Total expenses, net of waivers | | $ | 1,727,871 | | $ | 1,310,966 | | $ | 3,423,490 | | $ | 2,353,101 |
(a)Refer to Note 4-Related Party Transactions within the financial statements for a description of the relevant fees.
(b)Refer to Note 8-Borrowing within the financial statements for a description of the relevant expenses.
The increase in base management fees before waivers for the three months ended June 30, 2023 in comparison to the three months ended June 30, 2022 was driven by our increasing average gross assets balance. For the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we accrued gross base management fees before waivers of $1,083,977 and $1,082,214, respectively. Offsetting those fees, we recognized base management fee waivers of $379,392 and $378,775 for three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in base management fees before waivers for the six months ended June 30, 2023 in comparison to the six months ended June 30, 2022 was driven by our increasing average gross assets balance. For the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we accrued gross base management fees before waivers of $2,192,831 and $2,120,653, respectively. Offsetting those fees, we recognized base management fee waivers of $767,491 and $742,229 for six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The increase in incentive fees before waivers for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 in comparison to the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 was driven by our increase in net investment income. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, we accrued incentive fees related to net investment income before waivers of $1,414,286 and $2,747,391, respectively. Offsetting those fees, we recognized incentive fee waivers of $888,767 and $1,778,063, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we accrued incentive fees related to net investment income before waivers of $747,892 and $1,174,214, respectively. Offsetting those fees, we recognized incentive fee waivers of $654,618 and $1,038,308, respectively.
Additionally, we accrued $66,250 and $132,500 of administrative fees for each of the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Refer to Note 4 — Related Party Transactions in the notes accompanying our financial statements for more information related to base management fees, incentive fees and waivers.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, we incurred professional fees of $113,271 and $211,907, respectively, related to audit fees, tax fees, and legal fees. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred professional fees of $210,862 and $292,537, respectively, related to audit fees, tax fees, and legal fees.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, we incurred expenses related to fees paid to our independent directors of $63,750 and $127,500, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred expenses related to fees paid to our independent directors of $56,250 and $112,500, respectively.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, we incurred interest expense of $191,028 and $418,681, respectively, in connection with our short-term borrowings. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred interest expense of $95,634 and $136,800, respectively, in connection with our short-term borrowings. Refer to Note 8 — Borrowings in the notes accompanying our financial statements for more information related to interest expense.