Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Organization And Description Of Business [Policy Text Block]

(a) Organization and Description of Business

Hennessy Advisors, Inc. (the “Company”) was founded on February 1, 1989, as a California corporation under the name Edward J. Hennessy, Incorporated. In 1990, the Company became a registered investment advisor, and on April 15, 2001, the Company changed its name to Hennessy Advisors, Inc.

The Company’s operating activities consist primarily of providing investment advisory services to 16 open-end mutual funds and one exchange‑traded fund (“ETF”) branded as the Hennessy Funds. The Company serves as the investment advisor to all classes of the Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund, the Hennessy Focus Fund, the Hennessy Cornerstone Mid Cap 30 Fund, the Hennessy Cornerstone Large Growth Fund, the Hennessy Cornerstone Value Fund, the Hennessy Total Return Fund, the Hennessy Equity and Income Fund, the Hennessy Balanced Fund, the Hennessy Energy Transition Fund, the Hennessy Midstream Fund, the Hennessy Gas Utility Fund, the Hennessy Japan Fund, the Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund, the Hennessy Large Cap Financial Fund, the Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund, and the Hennessy Technology Fund (collectively, the “Hennessy Mutual Funds”), as well as to the Hennessy Stance ESG ETF. The Company also provides shareholder services to investors in the Hennessy Mutual Funds.

The employee retention credit (“ERC”), as originally enacted on March 27, 2020, by the CARES Act, was a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes equal to 50% of the qualified wages an eligible employer paid to employees and allowed claims through December 31, 2021, by eligible employers who retained employees during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The Company filed Form 941‑X to request an ERC from the Internal Revenue Service. In May 2023, the Company received an ERC of approximately $0.3 million plus accrued interest. For‑profit entities do not have specific guidance to apply under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States to account for ERCs and therefore follow guidance in accordance with Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance (“IAS 20”). In accordance with IAS 20, the Company is netting the credit against related payroll expense in the current period.

The Company’s operating revenues consist of contractual investment advisory and shareholder service fees paid to it by the Hennessy Funds. The Company earns investment advisory fees from each Hennessy Fund by, among other things:

● acting as portfolio manager for the fund or overseeing the sub‑advisor acting as portfolio manager for the fund, which includes managing the composition of the fund’s portfolio (including the purchase, retention, and disposition of portfolio securities in accordance with the fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions), seeking best execution for the fund’s portfolio, managing the use of soft dollars for the fund, and managing proxy voting for the fund;

● performing a daily reconciliation of portfolio positions and cash for the fund;

● monitoring the liquidity of the fund;

● monitoring the fund’s compliance with its investment objectives and restrictions and federal securities laws;

● maintaining a compliance program (including a code of ethics), conducting ongoing reviews of the compliance programs of the fund’s service providers (including any sub‑advisor), including their codes of ethics, as appropriate, conducting on‑site visits to the fund’s service providers (including any sub-advisor) as feasible, monitoring incidents of abusive trading practices, reviewing fund expense accruals, payments, and fixed expense ratios, evaluating insurance providers for fidelity bond, directors and officers and errors and omissions insurance, and cybersecurity insurance coverage, managing regulatory examination compliance and responses, conducting employee compliance training, reviewing reports provided by service providers, and maintaining books and records;

● if applicable, overseeing the selection and continued employment of the fund’s sub‑advisor, reviewing the fund’s investment performance, and monitoring the sub‑advisor’s adherence to the fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions;

● overseeing service providers that provide accounting, administration, distribution, transfer agency, custodial, sales, marketing, public relations, audit, information technology, and legal services to the fund;

● maintaining in‑house marketing and distribution departments on behalf of the fund;

● preparing or directing the preparation of all regulatory filings for the fund, including writing and annually updating the fund’s prospectus and related documents;

● for each annual report of the fund, preparing or reviewing a written summary of the fund’s performance during the most recent 12‑month period;

● monitoring and overseeing the accessibility of the fund on financial institution platforms;

● paying the incentive compensation of the fund’s compliance officers and employing other staff such as legal, marketing, national accounts, distribution, sales, administrative, and trading oversight personnel, as well as management executives;

● providing a quarterly compliance certification to the Board of Trustees of Hennessy Funds Trust (the “Funds’ Board of Trustees”); and

● preparing or reviewing materials for the Funds’ Board of Trustees, presenting to or leading discussions with the Funds’ Board of Trustees, preparing or reviewing all meeting minutes, and arranging for training and education of the Funds’ Board of Trustees.

The Company earns shareholder service fees from Investor Class shares of the Hennessy Mutual Funds by, among other things, maintaining a toll‑free number that the current investors in the Hennessy Funds may call to ask questions about their accounts and actively participating as a liaison between investors in the Hennessy Funds and U.S. Bank Global Fund Services.

Investment advisory and shareholder service fee revenues are earned and calculated daily by the Hennessy Funds’ accountants at U.S. Bank Global Fund Services and are subsequently reviewed by management.

The Company recognizes revenues when its obligations related to the investment advisory and shareholder services are satisfied, and it is probable that a significant reversal of the revenue amount would not occur in future periods. Management judgment is required in assessing the probability of significant revenue reversal and in identification of distinct services. Investment advisory and shareholder services are performed over time because investors in the Hennessy Funds are receiving and consuming the benefits as they are provided by the Company. Fees are based on contractual percentages of net asset values of each Hennessy Fund and recognized for services provided during the period, which are distinct from services provided in other periods. Such fees are affected by changes in net asset values, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation, and net inflows or outflows of the Hennessy Funds. Assets under management represent the broad range of financial assets the Company manages for the Hennessy Funds on a discretionary basis pursuant to investment management and shareholder servicing agreements that are expected to continue for at least 12 months. In general, reported assets under management reflect the valuation methodology that corresponds to the basis used for determining revenue. The fees are computed and billed monthly, at which time they are recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

The Company waives a portion of its fees with respect to the Hennessy Midstream Fund, the Hennessy Technology Fund, and the Hennessy Stance ESG ETF to comply with contractual expense ratio limitations. The fee waivers are calculated daily by the Hennessy Funds’ accountants at U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, reviewed by management, and then charged to expense monthly as offsets to the Company’s revenues. Each waived fee is then deducted from investment advisory fee income and reduces the aggregate amount of advisory fees the Company receives from such fund in the subsequent month. To date, the Company has only waived fees based on contractual obligations, but the Company has the ability to waive fees at its discretion. Any decision to waive fees would apply only on a going‑forward basis.

The Company’s contractual agreements for investment advisory and shareholder services prove that a contract exists with fixed and determinable fees, and the services are rendered daily. The collectability is deemed probable because the fees are received from the Hennessy Funds in the month subsequent to the month in which the services are provided.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(b) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible into cash.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(c) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance on “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” requires disclosures regarding the fair value of all financial instruments for financial statement purposes. The estimates presented in these financial statements are based on information available to management as of the end of fiscal years 2024 and 2023. Accordingly, the fair values presented in the Company’s financial statements as of the end of fiscal years 2024 and 2023 may not be indicative of amounts that could be realized on disposition of the financial instruments. The fair value of receivables, accounts payable, and notes payable has been estimated at carrying value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of marketable securities and money market accounts is based on closing net asset values as reported by securities exchanges registered with the SEC.

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(d) Investments

Investments in highly‑liquid financial instruments with remaining maturities of less than one year are classified as short-term investments. Financial instruments with remaining maturities of greater than one year are classified as long‑term investments. A table of investments is included in Note 3 in this Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

The Company holds investments in publicly traded mutual funds, which are accounted for as trading securities. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses of less than $1,000 per year were recognized in operations for fiscal years 2024 and 2023.

Dividend income is recorded on the ex‑dividend date. Purchases and sales of marketable securities are recorded on a trade‑date basis, and realized gains and losses recognized on sale are determined on a specific identification/average cost basis.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(e) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally between one and ten years.

Management Contracts Acquired [Policy Text Block]

(f) Management Contracts Purchased

Throughout its history, the Company has completed 12 purchases of the assets related to the management of 33 different investment funds, some of which were reorganized into already existing Hennessy Funds. In accordance with FASB guidance, the Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its management contract asset to determine if any impairment has occurred. Although a quantitative analysis of the fair value of the management contract asset was not required, management performed a high-level analysis for internal purposes only. The fair value of the management contract asset was estimated as of the end of fiscal years 2024 and 2023 by applying the income approach and was based on management estimates and assumptions, including third-party valuations that utilize appropriate valuation techniques. The analysis further supported that there was no “more-likely-than-not” impairment trigger as of such dates.

Under Accounting Standards Codification 350 — Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested at least annually for impairment. The Company considered various factors, such as likelihood of continued renewal, whether there are foreseeable limits on net cash flows, and whether the Company is dependent on a limited number of investors, in determining the useful life of the management contracts. Based on analysis, the Company considers the management contract asset to be an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life and no impairment as of the end of fiscal year 2024.

The Company completed its most recent asset purchases on November 10, 2023, and February 23, 2024, when it purchased assets related to the management of the CCM Small/Mid-Cap Impact Value Fund and the CCM Core Impact Equity Fund (each, a “CCM Fund”), respectively. These asset purchases added approximately $12 million and $59 million to the Company’s assets under management at the time of closing with respect to the CCM Small/Mid-Cap Impact Value Fund and the CCM Core Impact Equity Fund, respectively. Each purchase was consummated in accordance with the terms and conditions of that certain Transaction Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2023, between the Company and Community Capital Management, LLC. Upon completion of each transaction, the assets of the applicable CCM Fund were reorganized into the Hennessy Stance ESG ETF. In fiscal year 2024, the Company capitalized $1.0 million in purchase price and other costs for the purchase of assets related to the management of the CCM Funds.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(g) Income Taxes

The Company, under the FASB guidance on “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Tax,” uses a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a company’s income tax return and also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The Company utilizes a two-step approach for evaluating uncertain tax positions. The first step, recognition, requires the Company to determine if the weight of available evidence indicates that a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step, measurement, is based on the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized on ultimate settlement.

The Company believes the positions taken on its tax returns are fully supported, but tax authorities may challenge these positions and they may not be fully sustained on examination by the relevant tax authorities. Accordingly, the income tax provision includes amounts intended to satisfy assessments that may result from these challenges. Determining the income tax provision for these potential assessments and recording the related effects requires management judgement and estimates. The amounts ultimately paid on resolution of an audit could be materially different from the amounts previously included in the income tax provision and, therefore, could have a material impact on the Company’s income tax provision, net income, and cash flows. The accrual for uncertain tax positions is attributable primarily to uncertainties concerning the tax treatment of the Company’s domestic operations, including the allocation of income among different jurisdictions. For a further discussion on taxes, refer to Note 12 in this Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(h) Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is determined by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, while diluted earnings per share is determined by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, which consist of restricted stock units (“RSUs”).

Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(i) Equity

Amended and Restated 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Effective as of February 8, 2024, the Company adopted, and the Company’s shareholders approved, the 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), which provides for the issuance of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, performance awards, and other equity awards for the purpose of attracting and retaining executive officers, key employees, and outside directors and advisors and increasing shareholder value. The Omnibus Plan replaced the Amended and Restated 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Under the Omnibus Plan, participants may be granted RSUs, among other awards, each of which represents an unfunded, unsecured right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock on the dates specified in the recipient’s award. The Company issues new shares of its common stock when it is required to deliver shares to an RSU recipient. The RSUs granted under the Omnibus Plan vest over four years at a rate of 25% per year. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense on a straight line basis over the four-year vesting term of each award.

The compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to determine the awards granted under the Omnibus Plan, including among other things, the individuals who receive the awards, the times when they receive them, vesting schedules, performance goals, whether an option is an incentive or nonqualified option, and the number of shares to be subject to each award.

The Omnibus Plan contains change of control provisions whereby, among other things, all outstanding RSUs and other securities issued under the Omnibus Plan will vest immediately upon the occurrence of the following events constituting a change of control of the Company: (i) an acquisition, in any one transaction or series of transactions, after which any individual, entity or group has beneficial ownership of 50% or more of either the then outstanding shares of the common stock or combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities, but excluding an acquisition (A) by the Company or any of its employee benefit plans (or related trusts), (B) by Neil J. Hennessy or any affiliate, or (C) by any corporation which, following the acquisition, is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportions, by the beneficial owners of the common stock and voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition, (ii) 50% or more of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors (A) are not continuing directors, or (B) are nominated or elected by the same beneficial owner or are elected or appointed in connection with an acquisition of the Company, or (iii) the (A) consummation of a reorganization, merger, share exchange, consolidation or similar transaction, with respect to which the beneficial owners of the Company immediately prior to such transaction do not, following such transaction, beneficially own more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of common stock and voting securities of the corporation resulting from the transaction, (B) consummation of the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or (C) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

All compensation costs related to RSUs vested during fiscal years 2024 and 2023 have been recognized in the financial statements.

The Company has available up to 3,671,300 shares of the Company’s common stock in respect of granted stock awards, in accordance with terms of the Omnibus Plan.

A summary of RSU activity is as follows:

	Fiscal Years Ended September 30,
	2024						2023
	Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share			Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Non-vested balance at beginning of year		345,155		$	6.91			315,561		$	8.15
Granted		163,700			8.96			159,700			5.53
Vested		(121,161	)		(7.38	)		(124,746	)		(8.22	)
Forfeited		-						(5,360	)		(8.12	)
Non-vested balance at end of year		387,694		$	7.63			345,155		$	6.91

Additional information related to RSUs is as follows:

	September 30, 2024
	(In thousands, except years)
Unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs	$	2,862
Weighted average remaining period to expense for RSUs (in years)		3.1

Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

In January 2024, the Company adopted an updated Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the “DRSPP”), replacing the previous Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan that had been in place since 2021. The DRSPP provides shareholders and new investors with a convenient and economical means of purchasing shares of the Company’s common stock and reinvesting cash dividends paid on the Company’s common stock. Under the DRSPP and its predecessor plan, the Company issued 12,902 and 9,535 shares of common stock in fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the DRSPP is 1,530,000, of which 1,520,968 shares remained available for issuance as of September 30, 2024.

Stock Buyback Program

In August 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a stock buyback program pursuant to which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to 1,500,000 shares of its common stock in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The program does not have an expiration date. In August 2022, the Board of Directors increased the number of shares that may be repurchased under the program to 2,000,000 shares. A total of 1,096,368 shares remain available for repurchase under the stock buyback program. The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock pursuant to the stock buyback program during fiscal year 2024.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

(j) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.