Organization and Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Basis of Presentation

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Effective on January 1, 2020, The Carlyle Group L.P. converted from a Delaware limited partnership to a Delaware corporation named The Carlyle Group Inc. (the “Conversion”). As a result of the Conversion, each common unit was converted into a share of common stock. Under the laws of its incorporation, The Carlyle Group Inc. is deemed to be the same entity as The Carlyle Group L.P. (the “Partnership”). Unless the context suggests otherwise, references to “Carlyle” or the “Company,” refer to (i) The Carlyle Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries following the Conversion and (ii) The Carlyle Group L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the Conversion. Because the Conversion became effective January 1, 2020, the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and related notes reflect the results of a partnership, and not a corporation.

Prior to the Conversion, the Company recorded significant non-controlling interests in Carlyle Holdings I L.P., Carlyle Holdings II L.P. and Carlyle Holdings III L.P. (collectively, “Carlyle Holdings”), the holdings partnerships through which the Company and senior Carlyle professionals and other holders of Carlyle Holdings partnership units owned their respective interests in the business. In the Conversion, the limited partners of the Carlyle Holdings partnerships exchanged their Carlyle Holdings partnership units for an equivalent number of shares of common stock of The Carlyle Group Inc. As a result, in periods following the Conversion, the consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations of The Carlyle Group Inc. does not reflect any non-controlling interests in Carlyle Holdings, and net income (loss) attributable to Carlyle Holdings refers to the net income (loss) of The Carlyle Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, net of non-controlling interests in consolidated entities.

Carlyle is one of the world’s largest global investment firms that originates, structures, and acts as lead equity investor in management-led buyouts, strategic minority equity investments, equity private placements, consolidations and buildups, growth capital financings, real estate opportunities, bank loans, high-yield debt, distressed assets, mezzanine debt, and other investment opportunities. Carlyle provides investment management services to, and has transactions with, various private equity funds, real estate funds, private credit funds, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), and other investment products sponsored by the Company for the investment of client assets in the normal course of business. Carlyle typically serves as the general partner, investment manager or collateral manager, making day-to-day investment decisions concerning the assets of these products. Carlyle operates its business through four reportable segments: Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Credit, and Investment Solutions (see Note 14).

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. In addition, certain Carlyle-affiliated funds, related external co-investment entities, and certain CLOs managed by the Company (collectively the “Consolidated Funds”) have been consolidated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), as described in Note 2. The consolidation of the Consolidated Funds generally has a gross-up effect on assets, liabilities and cash flows, and generally has no effect on the net income attributable to the Company. The economic ownership interests of the other investors in the Consolidated Funds are reflected as non-controlling interests in consolidated entities in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements (see Note 2).

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information. These statements, including notes, have not been audited, exclude some of the disclosures required for annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are necessary for the fair presentation of the financial condition and results of operations for the interim periods presented.