| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements reflect the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions between the consolidated subsidiaries comprising the Company have been eliminated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Business Combination was treated as a reverse recapitalization transaction between entities under common control, whereby PWP OpCo was considered the accounting acquirer and predecessor entity and therefore recognized the carrying value of the net assets of FTIV as an equity contribution with no incremental goodwill or intangible assets. The historical operations of PWP OpCo are deemed to be those of the Company. Thus, the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K reflect (i) the historical operating results of PWP OpCo prior to the Business Combination and (ii) the combined results of the Company following the Business Combination. See Note 3—Business Combination for additional discussion related to the transaction. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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. Estimates and the assumptions underlying these estimates are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period in which they are determined to be necessary. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management makes certain estimates regarding the measurement of amounts due pursuant to the tax receivable agreement, measurement and timing of revenue recognition, assumptions used in the provision for income taxes, measurement of equity-based compensation, evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets, fair value measurement of financial instruments, and other matters that affect the reported amounts and disclosures of contingencies in the consolidated financial statements. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash includes both cash and interest-bearing money market accounts and cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021 the Company had no cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash with banks and brokerage firms, which from time to time may exceed federally insured limits. Restricted cash represents cash that is not readily available for general purpose cash needs. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had restricted cash of $2.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively, maintained as collateral for letters of credit related to certain office leases. A reconciliation of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 is presented below: December 31, 2022 2021 Cash $ 171,570 $ 502,773 Cash equivalents — — Restricted cash 2,596 2,002 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as shown on statements of cash flows $ 174,166 $ 504,775 Investments in Short-Term Marketable Debt Securities The Company invests in short-term marketable debt securities to manage excess liquidity. As of December 31, 2022, these investments consisted solely of U.S. Treasury securities held by a consolidated broker-dealer subsidiary and were carried at fair value with changes in fair value included in Other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, as is required for broker-dealers. In general, these investments are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition within Cash and cash equivalents for investments with an original maturity from the date of purchase of three months or less, and within Investments in short-term marketable debt securities for those with original maturities longer than three months but less than one year. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for credit losses based on the Company’s assessment of collectability. The Company regularly reviews its accounts receivable for collectability and an allowance is recognized for credit losses, if required. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, $5.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of accrued revenue was included in Accounts receivable, net of allowance on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. These amounts represent amounts due from clients and recognized as revenue in accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policies but unbilled at the end of the period. Accounts receivable represent amounts due from clients from various industry and geographic backgrounds. As of December 31, 2022, certain accounts receivable in the aggregate amount of $28.4 million, were individually greater than 10% of the Company’s gross accounts receivable and were concentrated with two clients. Of that amount, all was subsequently received after year end. As of December 31, 2021, certain accounts receivable in the aggregate amount of $13.6 million, were greater than 10% of the Company’s gross accounts receivable and were concentrated with two clients. Of that amount, all was subsequently received after year end. Allowance for Credit Losses The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses that, in management’s opinion, provides for an adequate reserve to cover estimated losses on accounts receivable. The Company determines the adequacy of the allowance by estimating the probability of loss based on the Company’s historical credit loss experience of its client receivables and taking into consideration current market conditions and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The Company updates its average credit loss rates periodically and maintains a quarterly allowance review process to consider current factors that would require an adjustment to the credit loss allowance. In addition, the Company periodically performs a qualitative assessment to monitor risks associated with current and forecasted conditions that may require an adjustment to the expected credit loss rates. The Company also regularly reviews the age of the receivables, credit worthiness of the client and the current economic conditions that may affect a client’s ability to pay such amounts owed to the Company and as a result may recognize a specific credit loss reserve. Changes to expected credit losses during the period are included in General, administrative and other expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. After concluding that a reserved accounts receivable is no longer collectible, the Company reduces both the gross receivable and the allowance for credit losses. Consolidation The Company’s policy is to consolidate entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and variable interest entities where the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) when it has both (i) the power to make the decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb significant losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. PWP is the primary beneficiary of and consolidates PWP OpCo, a VIE. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the net assets of PWP OpCo were $237.9 million and $268.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company did not consolidate any VIEs other than PWP OpCo. Equity Method Investments When the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity but exerts significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial decisions, the Company applies the equity method of accounting. The investment balance related to an equity method investee reflects the Company’s share of contributions made to, distributions received from, and the equity earnings and losses of the investee. Equity method investments are included within Prepaid expenses and other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The Company reflects its share of income and losses of the investee in Other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations using the most recently available earnings data for the reporting period. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company’s financial instruments are generally recorded at fair value or at amounts that approximate fair value. The carrying values of cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, amounts due from related parties, accounts payable and certain accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these items. Fixed Assets Fixed assets include furniture and fixtures, equipment, software development costs and leasehold improvements, which are all stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, including (i) five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment; (ii) the lesser of the estimated life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease for leasehold improvements; and (iii) three years for software development costs. The Company evaluates fixed assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset’s carrying value may not be fully recovered. Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets Generally, prepaid expenses comprise the majority of Prepaid expenses and other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and represent upfront payments for various services, including subscriptions, cloud computing arrangements, software licenses and insurance, which are amortized over the life, related service period or policy. Other substantial components of Prepaid expenses and other assets are receivables from landlords for tenant improvements, income tax receivables, and certain investments. Repurchases of Common Stock Shares of the Company’s Class A common stock may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The Company may structure such repurchases as either a purchase of treasury stock or a retirement of shares. The Company records its purchases of treasury stock at cost as a separate component of equity. The Company may re-issue treasury stock using the first-in-first-out method. Tax Receivable Agreement In connection with the Business Combination, the Company entered into a tax receivable agreement with PWP OpCo, Professional Partners and ILPs that provides for payment of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local and foreign income taxes that the Company is deemed to realize as a result of (a) each exchange of interests in PWP OpCo for cash or stock of the Company and certain other transactions and (b) payments made under the tax receivable agreement. Management’s best estimate of the amounts expected to be owed in connection with the tax receivable agreement at each reporting date are reported within Amount due pursuant to tax receivable agreement on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill is recorded for the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair value of identifiable net assets, including other intangibles, acquired at the time of an acquisition. Goodwill is periodically reviewed, and tested at least annually, for impairment, and when certain events or circumstances indicate impairment may exist. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is a component of an operating segment for which discrete financial information is available that is regularly reviewed by management. Intangible assets are derived from customer relationships, trade names and trademarks. Identifiable finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of ten years, reflecting the average time over which such intangible assets are expected to contribute to cash flow. The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Leases The Company leases office space and certain office equipment under operating lease agreements. The Company determines if an arrangement or contract is a lease at inception and does not separate lease and non-lease components of the contract. The Company records the present value of its commitments for leases with terms of more than one year on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as a right-of-use asset with the corresponding liability. Right-of-use assets are subject to certain adjustments for lease incentives, deferred rent and initial direct costs. The Company elected the practical expedient not to separate lease components and non-lease components in calculating the net present value of the lease payments on office space and office equipment leases. Thus, the measurement of the right-of-use asset and corresponding lease obligation uses one single combined component. All leases were determined to be operating leases. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use the underlying assets for their lease terms and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from these leases. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The implicit discount rates used to determine the present value of the Company’s leases are not readily determinable, thus, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of its lease payments. The determination of an appropriate incremental borrowing rate requires significant assumptions and judgement. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is calculated based on multiple factors, including current market conditions, the Company’s credit rating and the terms of the Company’s recent debt issuances and/or current revolving credit facilities. The Company weights the rates appropriately depending on the term of the leases. Renewal and termination terms of the Company’s leases vary depending on the lease. The Company estimates the expected lease terms by assuming the exercise of renewal options and extensions where an economic penalty exists that would preclude the abandonment of the lease at the end of the initial non-cancelable term and the exercise of such renewal or extension is at the sole discretion of the Company. Certain lease agreements are secured by security deposits, which are reflected in Prepaid expenses and other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The Company subleases certain portions its office space. Sublease income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The Company elected the practical expedient not to separate lease components and non-lease components for subleases. Income Taxes Prior to the Business Combination, the Company operated as a partnership, and therefore, was generally not subject to U.S. federal and state corporate income taxes. Subsequent to the Business Combination, PWP is a corporation and is subject to U.S. federal and state corporate income taxes on its proportionate share of taxable income generated by the operating partnership, PWP OpCo, as well as any standalone income (or loss) generated at the PWP entity level. PWP OpCo is treated as a partnership, and as a result, taxable income (or loss) generated by PWP OpCo flows through to its limited partners, including PWP, and is generally not subject to U.S. federal or state income tax at the partnership level. The Company primarily conducts business through entities held by PWP OpCo, that are disregarded for U.S. federal and state tax purposes. Certain non-U.S. subsidiaries are subject to income taxes in their respective local jurisdictions, and therefore, the related income tax provision is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, using tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in Income tax benefit (expense) in the period when the change is enacted. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the amount, timing and character of the Company’s future taxable income. When evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets, all evidence – both positive and negative – is considered. This evidence includes, but is not limited to, expectations regarding future earnings, future reversals of existing temporary tax differences and tax planning strategies. The Company analyzes its tax positions for all U.S. federal, state and local and foreign tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns. The Company records unrecognized tax benefits based on whether it is more-likely-than-not that the uncertain tax position will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position. If it is determined, that an uncertain tax position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained, the Company records the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authorities. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in Income tax benefit (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Debt Discounts and Issuance Costs The Company presents its outstanding debt principal, net of the unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Debt discounts and issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method to determine interest expense over the life of the underlying debt instrument. The Company includes unamortized debt issuance costs within Prepaid expenses and other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position in periods with no outstanding borrowings. Foreign Currencies In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries may enter into transactions denominated in a non-functional currency. The Company recognized net foreign exchange gains (losses) arising from such transactions of $6.8 million, $(0.2) million and $(0.2) million during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, which are included in Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, the Company consolidates its foreign subsidiaries that have non-U.S. dollar functional currencies. Non-U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the reporting date and income, expenses, gains and losses are generally translated using the average exchange rate throughout the period. Cumulative translation adjustments arising from the translation of non-U.S. dollar denominated operations are included as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. Revenue Recognition The services provided under contracts with clients include transaction-related advisory services, fairness opinion services, research and trading services, and underwriting services, each of which are typically identified as a separate performance obligation in contracts that contain more than one type of service. As discussed in detail below, each performance obligation meets the criteria for either over time or point in time revenue recognition. Transaction-Related Advisory Services The Company is contracted to provide different investment banking and advisory services that vary depending on the nature of the contract with each individual client. These transaction-related advisory services include, but are not limited to, providing financial advice and assistance in analyzing, structuring, planning, negotiating and effecting a transaction, providing financial advice with regard to a restructuring of a client’s capital structure, which may or may not result in a court-approved bankruptcy plan, and providing certain ongoing services, including research and analysis on potential targets, identifying potential investors, and financial modeling for potential transactions. Typically, the Company provides such advisory services to its clients to assist with corporate finance activities such as mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, tender offers, leveraged buyouts, and the pricing of securities to be issued. In most circumstances, the Company considers the nature of the promises in its advisory contracts to comprise of a single performance obligation of providing advisory services to its clients. Although there may be many individual services provided in a typical contract, the individual services are not distinct within the context of the contract; rather the performance of these individual services helps to fulfill one overall performance obligation to deliver advisory services to the client. The Company recognizes revenue from providing advisory services when or as its performance obligations are fulfilled. The majority of the Company’s advisory revenue is recognized over time. However, certain performance obligations may be recognized at a point in time if the performance obligation represents a singular objective that does not transfer any notable value until formally completed, such as when issuing fairness opinions, which are further discussed below. The Company provides its advisory services on an ongoing basis, which, for example, may include evaluating and selecting one of multiple strategies. During such engagements, the Company’s clients continuously benefit from its advice as the Company is providing financial and strategic advice throughout the engagement, and, accordingly, over time revenue recognition matches the transfer of such benefits. Although the Company’s transaction-related advisory services meet the criteria for over time revenue recognition, the fee structures often involve an “all or nothing” consideration amount and the associated fees are predominantly considered variable as they are often based on the ultimate transaction value or the outcome ultimately achieved and/or are susceptible to factors outside of the Company’s influence such as third-party negotiations, regulatory approval, court approval, and shareholder votes. Accordingly, a large portion of the fees associated with these services is constrained until substantially all services have been provided, specified conditions have been met and/or certain milestones have been achieved, and it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur in a future period. Such determination of probability may require significant judgment. In some cases, a portion of the variable fees may be deferred based on the services remaining to be completed, if any (e.g., when announcement fees are earned but additional services are expected to be provided between transaction announcement and transaction close). The deferred amount is often based on an estimate of the services remaining to be completed, if any. The determination of when and to what extent to subsequently recognize deferred variable fees may require significant judgment, particularly when milestones are met near the end of a reporting period and in cases where additional services are expected to be provided subsequent to the achievement of the milestone. Certain fixed fees specified in the Company’s contracts, which may include upfront fees and retainers, are recognized on a systematic basis over the estimated period in which the related services are performed. Payments for transaction-related advisory services are generally due upon completion of a specified event or, for retainer fees, periodically over the course of the engagement. The Company recognizes a receivable between the date of completion of the event and payment by the client. Fairness Opinion Services Although the Company usually provides fairness opinion services in conjunction with and in the same contract as other transaction-related advisory services, fairness opinion services are considered to be a separate performance obligation in such contracts because they could be obtained separately, and the Company is able to fulfill its promise to transfer transaction-related advisory services independent from its promise to provide fairness opinion services. The Company typically charges a separate, fixed fee associated with fairness opinion services that represents the standalone selling price of the fairness opinion services. The fee is recognized at the point in time at which the fairness opinion is delivered rather than over the period of time during which the services are being performed because the client does not simultaneously receive and consume the benefit of the Company’s performance to provide the fairness opinion but rather receives the benefit upon delivery of the fairness opinion itself. Payments for fairness opinion services are generally due upon delivery of the fairness opinion. The Company recognizes a receivable between the date of delivery of the fairness opinion and payment by the client. Research and Trading Services The Company provides research on the energy and related industries and related equity and commodity markets. The Company’s research clients continuously benefit from the research provided throughout arrangements between the Company and such clients, and, accordingly, over time revenue recognition matches the transfer of such benefits. Recipients of this research compensate the Company for these market insights in various ways - by direct payment (the amount of which is typically at the client’s discretion based upon the perceived value of the research services provided) or through trades directed through the Company’s trading desk (for commission generation) or through third-party commission sharing agreements. These services are sometimes referred to as “soft-dollar arrangements,” and the amount of payment is typically based on a percentage of commission income generated from the client’s trades executed by the Company. The commission per share and volume of trades are at the client’s discretion based upon the perceived value of the research services and trade execution provided. Generally, the Company does not provide trading services separate and apart from research services (i.e., clients do not typically execute trades through the Company in the normal course of business; rather, trade execution is used as a means to be compensated for research services). Because fees received for research services, and any associated trading services, are typically at the complete discretion of the client and are based on the value the client perceives in the research services provided, the entire transaction price associated with such services is variable. Accordingly, because of the broad range of possible outcomes and the inability to predict the value the client will ascribe to such services, the Company fully constrains the revenue associated with research services, and any associated trading services, until the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved, which is typically upon the earlier of receiving an invoice request from the client or receiving payment from the client. Underwriting Services Revenue associated with underwriting services includes management fees, selling concessions and underwriting fees attributable to public and private offerings of equity and debt securities. The nature of the Company’s underwriting services is raising capital on behalf of an issuer and therefore is typically accounted for as a single performance obligation. A separate performance obligation is identified in instances in which the contract with the client includes an over-allotment option. The Company’s underwriting services generally do not meet any of the requirements for revenue to be recognized over time and, therefore, the Company typically recognizes underwriting revenue on the pricing date of the offering, which is when the Company receives the pricing wire communication from the lead underwriter detailing the underwriting fees to which the Company is entitled. Similarly, the performance obligation associated with the over-allotment is satisfied at the point in time at which the option is exercised. The Company’s role in underwriting commitments is usually as a co-manager or passive bookrunner, rather than as the lead underwriter. Accordingly, the Company estimates its share of transaction-related expenses incurred by the underwriting syndicate on the pricing date of the offering and presents these expenses gross within Travel and related expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Such amounts are adjusted to reflect actual expenses in the period in which the Company receives the final settlement, typically within 90 days following the closing of the transaction. Contract Costs and Contract Balances Incremental costs of obtaining a contract are expensed as incurred as such costs are generally not recoverable. Costs to fulfill contracts consist of out-of-pocket expenses that are part of performing transaction-related advisory services and are typically expensed as incurred as these costs are related to performance obligations that are satisfied over time. The Company is typically reimbursed by the client for certain of these out-of-pocket expenses, which is recorded within Revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment. The Company records a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to payment and the Company has an unconditional right to payment. The Company records deferred revenue (otherwise known as contract liabilities) when it receives fees from clients that have not yet been earned or when the Company has an unconditional right to consideration before all performance obligations are complete (e.g., receipt of certain announcement, retainer or upfront fees before the performance obligation has been fully satisfied). Interest Income The Company typically earns interest on cash at banks, which is recorded on an accrual basis. Compensation and Benefits Compensation and benefits expense consists of salaries, bonuses (discretionary awards and guaranteed amounts), severance, deferred compensation, as well as payroll and related taxes and benefits for the Company’s employees. In all instances, compensation expense is accrued over the requisite service period. Equity-Based Compensation Equity-based compensation relates to equity-based awards granted to employees and partners of the Company. In all instances of equity-based awards, compensation expense is recognized over the requisite vesting period or requisite service period in an amount equal to the fair value of the awards at the grant date. Certain awards are amortized over the expected service period for employees who are or will become retirement eligible prior to the stated vesting date. Equity-based compensation expense for employees and partners is included in Equity-based compensation on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and equity-based compensation expense for non-employees is included in Professional fees on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Refer to Note 13—Equity-Based Compensation for detail of amounts included in each financial statement line item. The Company accounts for forfeitures of awards as they occur rather than applying an estimated forfeiture rate. For an award with service-only conditions that has a graded vesting schedule, t |
