Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Feb. 29, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition Policies

Commissions.    All customer securities transactions are reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition on a settlement date basis with related income reported on a trade-date basis. We permit institutional customers to allocate a portion of their gross commissions to pay for research products and other services provided by third parties. The amounts allocated for those purposes are commonly referred to as soft dollar arrangements. Soft dollar expenses amounted to $8.2 million and $10.5 million for the three months ended February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, respectively. We account for the cost of these arrangements on an accrual basis. As we are not the primary obligor for these arrangements, expenses relating to soft dollars are netted against commission revenues. The commissions and related expenses on client transactions executed by Jefferies Bache, LLC, a futures commission merchant, are recorded on a half-turn basis.

Principal Transactions.    Financial instruments owned, securities pledged and Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased (all of which are recorded on a trade-date basis) are carried at fair value with gains and losses reflected in Principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings on a trade date basis.

Investment Banking.    Underwriting revenues and fees from mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and other investment banking advisory assignments or engagements are recorded when the services related to the underlying transactions are completed under the terms of the assignment or engagement. Expenses associated with such assignments are deferred until reimbursed by the client, the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded. Out-of-pocket expenses are recorded net of client reimbursements. Revenues are presented net of related out-of-pocket unreimbursed expenses. Unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses with no related revenues are included in Business development and Professional services expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Asset Management Fees and Investment Income From Managed Funds.    Asset management fees and investment income from managed funds include revenues we earn from management, administrative and performance fees from funds managed by us, revenues from management and performance fees we earn from related-party managed funds and investment income from our investments in these funds. We earn fees in connection with management and investment advisory services performed for various funds and managed accounts. These fees are based on assets under management or an agreed upon notional amount and may include performance fees based upon the performance of the funds. Management and administrative fees are generally recognized over the period that the related service is provided. Generally, performance fees are earned when the return on assets under management exceeds certain benchmark returns, “high-water marks” or other performance targets. Performance fees are accrued (or reversed) on a monthly basis based on measuring performance to date versus any relevant benchmark return hurdles stated in the investment management agreement. Performance fees are not subject to adjustment once the measurement period ends (generally annual periods) and the performance fees have been realized.

Interest Revenue and Expense.    We recognize contractual interest on Financial instruments owned and Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, on an accrual basis as a component of interest revenue and expense. Interest flows on derivative trading transactions and dividends are included as part of the fair valuation of these contracts in Principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and are not recognized as a component of interest revenue or expense. We account for our short-term, long-term borrowings and our mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock on an accrual basis with related interest recorded as Interest expense. In addition, we recognize interest revenue related to our securities borrowed and securities purchased under agreements to resell activities and interest expense related to our securities loaned and securities sold under agreements to repurchase activities on an accrual basis.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments, including money market funds, not held for resale with original maturities of three months or less.

Cash and Securities Segregated and on Deposit for Regulatory Purposes or Deposited With Clearing and Depository Organizations

In accordance with Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Jefferies as a broker-dealer carrying client accounts, is subject to requirements related to maintaining cash or qualified securities in a segregated reserve account for the exclusive benefit of its clients. In addition, certain financial instruments used for initial and variation margin purposes with clearing and depository organizations are recorded in this caption. Jefferies Bache, LLC, as a futures commission merchant, is obligated by rules mandated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission under the Commodities Exchange Act, to segregate or set aside cash or qualified securities to satisfy such regulations, which regulations have been promulgated to protect customer assets. Certain other entities are also obligated by rules mandated by their primary regulators to segregate or set aside cash or equivalent securities to satisfy regulations, promulgated to protect customer assets.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at exchange rates at the end of a period. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the period. The gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. dollars, net of hedging gains or losses and taxes, if any, are included in Other comprehensive income. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in Principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Financial Instruments

Financial instruments owned and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased are recorded at fair value, either as required by accounting pronouncements or through the fair value option election. These instruments primarily represent our trading activities and include both cash and derivative products. Gains and losses are recognized in Principal transactions in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price).

Fair Value Hierarchy

In determining fair value, we maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect our assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. We apply a hierarchy to categorize our fair value measurements broken down into three levels based on the transparency of inputs as follows:

Level 1:    Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.

Level 2:    Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The nature of these financial instruments include cash instruments for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently, derivative instruments whose fair value have been derived using a model where inputs to the model are directly observable in the market, or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, and instruments that are fair valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.

Level 3:    Instruments that have little to no pricing observability as of the reported date. These financial instruments are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.

The availability of observable inputs can vary and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of financial instrument and market conditions. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

We use prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date. As the observability of prices and inputs may change for a financial instrument from period to period, this condition may cause a transfer of an instrument among the fair value hierarchy levels. Transfers among the levels are recognized at the beginning of each period.

Valuation Process for Financial Instruments

Financial instruments are valued at quoted market prices, if available. Certain financial instruments have bid and ask prices that can be observed in the marketplace. For financial instruments whose inputs are based on bid-ask prices, we allow for mid-market pricing and adjust to the point within the bid-ask range that meets our best estimate of fair value. For offsetting positions in the same financial instrument, the same price within the bid-ask spread is used to measure both the long and short positions.

For financial instruments that do not have readily determinable fair values using quoted market prices, the determination of fair value is based upon consideration of available information, including types of financial instruments, current financial information, restrictions on dispositions, fair values of underlying financial instruments and quotations for similar instruments. The valuation process for financial instruments may include the use of valuation models and other techniques. Adjustments to valuations (such as counterparty, credit, concentration or liquidity) derived from valuation models may be made when, in management’s judgment, either the size of the position in the financial instrument in a nonactive market or other features of the financial instrument such as its complexity, or the market in which the financial instrument is traded require that an adjustment be made to the value derived from the models. An adjustment may be made if a financial instrument is subject to sales restrictions that would result in a price less than the quoted market price. Adjustments from the price derived from a valuation model reflect management’s judgment that other participants in the market for the financial instrument being measured at fair value would also consider in valuing that same financial instrument and are adjusted for assumptions about risk uncertainties and market conditions. Results from valuation models and valuation techniques in one period may not be indicative of future period fair value measurements.

See Note 5, Financial Instruments, for a description of valuation techniques applied to the classes of financial instruments at fair value.

Investments in Managed Funds

Investments in managed funds include our investments in funds managed by us and our investments in related-party managed funds in which we are entitled to a portion of the management and/or performance fees. Investments in nonconsolidated managed funds are accounted for at fair value. Gains or losses on our investments in managed funds are included in Asset management fees and investment income from managed funds in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Loans to and Investments in Related Parties

Loans to and investments in related parties includes investments entered into where we exercise significant influence over operating and capital decisions in private equity and other operating entities in connection with our capital market activities and loans issued in connection with such activities. Loans to and investments in related parties are accounted for using the equity method or at cost, as appropriate. Revenues on Loans to and investments in related parties are included in Other income in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. See Note 10, Equity Method Investments, for additional information regarding certain of these investments.

Receivable from, and Payable to, Customers

Receivable from and payable to customers includes amounts receivable and payable on cash and margin transactions. Securities owned by customers and held as collateral for these receivables are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Receivable from officers and directors included within this financial statement line item represents balances arising from their individual security transactions. These transactions are subject to the same regulations as customer transactions and are provided on substantially the same terms.

Securities Borrowed and Securities Loaned

Securities borrowed and securities loaned are carried at the amounts of cash collateral advanced and received in connection with the transactions and accounted for as collateralized financing transactions. In connection with both trading and brokerage activities, we borrow securities to cover short sales and to complete transactions in which customers have failed to deliver securities by the required settlement date, and lend securities to other brokers and dealers for similar purposes. We have an active securities borrowed and lending matched book business in which we borrow securities from one party and lend them to another party. When we borrow securities, we generally provide cash to the lender as collateral, which is reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as Securities borrowed. We earn interest revenues on this cash collateral. Similarly, when we lend securities to another party, that party provides cash to us as collateral, which is reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as Securities loaned. We pay interest expense on the cash collateral received from the party borrowing the securities. The initial collateral advanced or received approximates or is greater than the fair value of the securities borrowed or loaned. We monitor the fair value of the securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis and request additional collateral or return excess collateral, as appropriate.

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (collectively “repos”) are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at their contracted repurchase amount. We earn and incur interest from this activity which is reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. We monitor the fair value of the underlying securities daily versus the related receivable or payable balances. Should the fair value of the underlying securities decline or increase, additional collateral is requested or excess collateral is returned, as appropriate. We carry repos on a net basis by counterparty when appropriate.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets (generally three to ten years). Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the related leases or the estimated useful lives of the assets, whichever is shorter.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill.    At least annually, and more frequently if warranted, we assess whether goodwill has been impaired by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill at the reporting unit level is not impaired. If the estimated fair value is less than carrying value, further analysis is necessary to determine the amount of impairment, if any. In estimating the fair value of reporting units we utilize methodologies that include market capitalization, price-to-book multiples of comparable exchange traded companies and multiples of merger and acquisitions of similar businesses. Periodically estimating the fair value of a reporting unit requires significant judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant effect on whether or not an impairment charge is recorded and the magnitude of such a charge. Our annual goodwill impairment testing date is June 1. Refer to Note 11, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for further details on our assessment of goodwill.

Intangible Assets.    Intangible assets deemed to have finite lives are amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives, where the useful life is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly, or indirectly, to our future cash flows. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances exist. For amortizable intangible assets, impairment exists when the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value. At least annually, the remaining useful life is evaluated.

An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized but assessed annually, or more frequently when certain events or circumstances exist, for impairment. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. To the extent an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the new cost basis of the asset that is amortized over the remaining useful life of that asset. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses is not permitted.

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, which includes all of our qualifying subsidiaries. We also are subject to income tax in various states and municipalities and those foreign jurisdictions in which we operate. Amounts provided for income taxes are based on income reported for financial statement purposes and do not necessarily represent amounts currently payable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for tax loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in reporting certain items, principally, share-based compensation, deferred compensation, unrealized gains and losses on investments and tax amortization of intangible assets. The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance is recorded to the extent that it is more likely than not that any portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The tax benefit related to dividends and dividend equivalents paid on nonvested share based payment awards and outstanding equity options is recognized as an increase to Additional paid in capital. These amounts are included in tax benefits for issuance of share-based awards on the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity.

Legal Reserves

In the normal course of business, we have been named, from time to time, as a defendant in legal and regulatory proceedings. We are also involved, from time to time, in other exams, investigations and similar reviews (both formal and informal) by governmental and self-regulatory agencies regarding our businesses, certain of which may result in judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other injunctions.

We recognize a liability for a contingency in Accrued expenses and other liabilities when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and when the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. When a range of probable loss can be estimated, we accrue the most likely amount of such loss, and if such amount is not determinable, then we accrue the minimum of the range of probable loss. The determination of the outcome and loss estimates requires significant judgment on the part of management.

In many instances, it is not possible to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount of any loss or the size of any range of loss. We believe that, in the aggregate, the pending legal actions or regulatory proceedings and any other exams, investigations or similar reviews (both formal and informal) should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. In addition, we believe that any amount that could be reasonably estimated of potential loss or range of potential loss in excess of what has been provided in the consolidated financial statements is not material.

Share-based Compensation

Share-based awards are measured based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognized over the period from the service inception date through the date the employee is no longer required to provide service to earn the award. Expected forfeitures are included in determining share-based compensation expense.

Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and certain other shares committed to be, but not yet issued. Net earnings available to common shareholders represent net earnings to common shareholders reduced by the allocation of earnings to participating securities. Losses are not allocated to participating securities. Common shares outstanding and certain other shares committed to be, but not yet issued, include restricted stock and restricted stock units for which no future service is required. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders plus dividends on dilutive mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and certain other shares committed to be, but not yet issued, plus all dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and, therefore, are included in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share under the two-class method of earning per share. We grant restricted stock and restricted stock units as part of our share-based compensation that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends and dividend equivalents, respectively, and therefore, prior to the requisite service being rendered for the right to retain the award, restricted stock and restricted stock units meet the definition of a participating security. As such, we calculate Basic and Diluted earnings per share under the two-class method.

Securitization Activities

We engage in securitization activities related to commercial mortgage loans and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. Such transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when we have relinquished control over the transferred assets. The gain or loss on sale of such financial assets depends, in part, on the previous carrying amount of the assets involved in the transfer allocated between the assets sold and the retained interests, if any, based upon their respective fair values at the date of sale. We may retain interests in the securitized financial assets as one or more tranches of the securitization. These retained interests are included within Financial instruments owned in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. Any changes in the fair value of such retained interests are recognized within Principal transactions revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

When a transfer of assets does not meet the criteria of a sale, that transfer is treated as a secured borrowing. We continue to recognize the assets of a secured borrowing in Financial instruments owned and recognize the associated financing in Other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Accounting Developments

Balance Sheet Offsetting Disclosures.    In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2011-11”) to Topic 210, Balance Sheet. The update requires new disclosures regarding balance sheet offsetting and related arrangements. For derivatives and financial assets and liabilities, the amendments require disclosure of gross asset and liability amounts, amounts offset on the balance sheet, and amounts subject to the offsetting requirements but not offset on the balance sheet. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods, and is to be applied retrospectively. This guidance does not amend the existing guidance on when it is appropriate to offset; as a result, this guidance will not affect our financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.

Goodwill Testing.    In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU, Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”) to Topic 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other. The update outlines amendments to the two step goodwill impairment test permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The update is effective for annual and interim goodwill tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not affect our financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.    In May 2011, the FASB issued accounting updates to ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements Topic — Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS, which provide clarifying guidance on how to measure fair value and additional disclosure requirements. The amendments prohibit the use of blockage factors at all levels of the fair value hierarchy and provide guidance on measuring financial instruments that are managed on a net portfolio basis. Additional disclosure requirements include transfers between Levels 1 and 2; and for Level 3 fair value measurements, a description of our valuation processes and additional information about unobservable inputs impacting Level 3 measurements. The updates are effective March 1, 2012 and will be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements.    In April 2011, the FASB issued accounting guidance that removes the requirement to consider whether sufficient collateral is held when determining whether to account for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate the transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity as sales or as secured financings. The guidance is effective prospectively for transactions beginning on January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.