SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation, the Company consolidates those entities where it has a direct and indirect controlling financial interest based on either a variable interest model or voting interest model. As such, the Company consolidates entities that the Company concludes are variable interest entities (“VIEs”), for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and entities in which it holds a majority voting interest or has majority ownership and control over the operational, financial and investing decisions of that entity.

For legal entities evaluated for consolidation, the Company must determine whether the interests that it holds and fees paid to it qualify as a variable interest in an entity. This includes an evaluation of the management fees and performance fees paid to the Company when acting as a decision maker or service provider to the entity being evaluated. If fees received by the Company are customary and commensurate with the level of services provided, and the Company does not hold other economic interests in the entity that would absorb more than an insignificant amount of the expected losses or returns of the entity, the interest that the Company holds would not be considered a variable interest. The Company factors in all economic interests including proportionate interests through related parties, to determine if fees are considered a variable interest.

An entity in which the Company holds a variable interest is a VIE if any one of the following conditions exist: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, (b) the holders of equity investment at risk have the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the legal entity’s economic performance, (c) the voting rights of some investors are disproportionate to their obligation to absorb losses or rights to receive returns from a legal entity. For limited partnerships and other similar entities, non-controlling investors must have substantive rights to either dissolve the fund or remove the general partner (“kick-out rights”) in order to not qualify as a VIE.

For those entities that qualify as a VIE, the primary beneficiary is generally defined as the party who has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. The Company is generally deemed to have a controlling financial interest if it has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes initially involved with the VIE and reconsiders that conclusion continuously. The primary beneficiary evaluation is generally performed qualitatively on the basis of all facts and circumstances. However, quantitative information may also be considered in the analysis, as appropriate. These assessments require judgments. Each entity is assessed for consolidation on a case-by-case basis.

For those entities evaluated under the voting interest model, the Company consolidates the entity if it has a controlling financial interest. The Company has a controlling financial interest in a voting interest entity (“VOE”) if it owns a majority voting interest in the entity.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

Medley Management Inc. is the sole managing member of Medley LLC and, as such, it operates and controls all of the business and affairs of Medley LLC and, through Medley LLC, conducts its business. Under ASC 810, Medley LLC meets the definition of a VIE because the equity of Medley LLC is not sufficient to permit activities without additional subordinated financial support. Medley Management Inc. has the obligation to absorb expected losses that could be significant to Medley LLC and holds 100% of the voting power, therefore Medley Management Inc. is considered to be the primary beneficiary of Medley LLC.

As a result, Medley Management Inc. consolidates the financial results of Medley LLC and its subsidiaries and records a non-controlling interest for the economic interest in Medley LLC held by the non-managing members. Medley Management Inc.’s and the non-managing members’ economic interests in Medley LLC are 19.5% and 80.5%, respectively, as of March 31, 2017 and 19.9% and 80.1%, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. Net income attributable to the non-controlling interests in Medley LLC on the consolidated statements of operations represents the portion of earnings attributable to the economic interest in Medley LLC held by its non-managing members. Non-controlling interests in Medley LLC on the consolidated balance sheets represents the portion of net assets of Medley LLC attributable to the non-managing members based on total LLC Units of Medley LLC owned by such non-managing members.

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Medley LLC has three majority owned subsidiaries, SIC Advisors LLC, Medley Seed Funding I LLC and STRF Advisors LLC, which are consolidated VIEs. Each of these entities were organized as a limited liability company and was legally formed to either manage a designated fund or strategically invest capital as well as isolate business risk. As of March 31, 2017, total assets and total liabilities, after eliminating entries, of these VIEs reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $54.7 million and $20.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, total assets and total liabilities, after eliminating entries, of these VIEs reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $51.7 million and $22.8 million, respectively. Except to the extent of the assets of these VIEs that are consolidated, the holders of the consolidated VIEs’ liabilities generally do not have recourse to the Company.

Seed Investments

The Company accounts for seed investments through the application of the voting interest model under ASC 810-10-25-1 through 25-14 and consolidates a seed investment when the investment advisor holds a controlling interest, which is, in general, 50% or more of the equity in such investment. For seed investments in which the Company does not hold a controlling interest, the Company accounts for such seed investment under the equity method of accounting, at its ownership percentage of such seed investment’s net asset value.

Non-Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

The Company holds interests in certain VIEs that are not consolidated because the Company is not deemed the primary beneficiary. The Company's interest in these entities is in the form of insignificant equity interests and fee arrangements. The maximum exposure to loss represents the potential loss of assets by the Company relating to these non-consolidated entities.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Management’s estimates are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. These assumptions and estimates also require management to exercise judgment in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies. Significant estimates and assumptions by management affect the carrying value of investments, performance compensation payable and certain accrued liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and such differences could be material.

Indemnification

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual agreements that provide general indemnifications against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of individual obligations under such agreements. The Company has not experienced any prior claims or payments pursuant to such agreements. The Company’s individual maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on management’s experience, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Non-Controlling Interests

Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries

Non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries represent the component of equity in such consolidated entities held by third-parties. These interests are adjusted for contributions to and distributions from Medley entities and are allocated income from Medley entities based on their ownership percentages.

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests

Redeemable non-controlling interests represents interests of certain third parties that are not mandatorily redeemable but redeemable for cash or other assets at a fixed or determinable price or a fixed or determinable date, at the option of the holder or upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer. These interests are classified in temporary equity.

Class A Earnings per Share

The Company computes and presents earnings per share using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, the Company allocates earnings between common stock and participating securities. The two-class method includes an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock according to dividends declared and undistributed earnings for the period. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, the Company reduces its reported net earnings by the amount allocated to participating securities to arrive at the earnings allocated to Class A common stockholders. Earnings are then divided by the weighted average number of Class A common stock outstanding to arrive at basic earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution beyond shares for basic earnings per share that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, converted into common stock, or resulted in the issuance of common stock that would have shared in our earnings. Participating securities consist of the Company's unvested restricted stock units that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, in the number of shares outstanding in its basic and diluted calculations.

Investments

Investments include equity method investments that are not consolidated but over which the Company exerts significant influence. The Company measures the carrying value of its public non-traded equity method investment at NAV per share. The Company measures the carrying value of its privately-held equity method investments by recording its share of the underlying income or loss of these entities.

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in fair value of the equity method investments is reflected as a component of other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable.

The carrying amounts of equity method investments are reflected in investments in the consolidated statements of financial condition. As the underlying entities that the Company manages and invests in are, for U.S. GAAP purposes, primarily investment companies which reflect their investments at estimated fair value, the carrying value of the Company’s equity method investments in such entities approximates fair value. The Company evaluates its equity-method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable.

Investments also include available-for-sale securities which consist of an investment in publicly traded common stock. The Company measures the carrying value of its publicly traded investment in available-for-sale securities at the quoted market price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in fair value of available-for-sale securities is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, redeemable non-controlling interests and non-controlling interests in Medley LLC. Realized gains (losses) and declines in value determined to be other than temporary, if any, are reported in other income (expenses), net. The Company evaluates its investment in available-for-sale securities for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investment may not be recoverable.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs represent direct costs incurred in obtaining financing and are amortized over the term of the underlying debt using the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs, and the related amortization expense, are adjusted when any prepayments of principal are made to the related outstanding debt. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included as a component of interest expense in the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

Revenues

Management Fees

Medley provides investment management services to both public and private investment vehicles. Management fees include base management fees, other management fees, and Part I incentive fees, as described below.

Base management fees are calculated based on either (i) the average or ending gross assets balance for the relevant period, (ii) limited partners’ capital commitments to the funds, (iii) invested capital, (iv) NAV or (v) lower of cost or market value of a fund’s portfolio investments. Depending upon the contracted terms of the investment management agreement, management fees are paid either quarterly in advance or quarterly in arrears, and are recognized as earned over the period the services are provided.

Certain management agreements provide for Medley to receive other management fee revenue derived from up front origination fees paid by the funds' and/or separately managed accounts' underlying portfolio companies. These fees are recognized when Medley becomes entitled to such fees.

Certain management agreements also provide for Medley to receive Part I incentive fee revenue derived from net interest income (excluding gains and losses) above a hurdle rate. As it relates to Medley Capital Corporation (“MCC”), these fees are subject to netting against realized and unrealized losses. Part I incentive fees are paid quarterly and are recognized as earned over the period the services are provided.

Performance Fees

Performance fees consist principally of the allocation of profits from certain funds and separately managed accounts, to which Medley provides management services. Medley is generally entitled to an allocation of income as a performance fee after returning the invested capital plus a specified preferred return as set forth in each respective agreement. Medley recognizes revenues attributable to performance fees based upon the amount that would be due pursuant to the respective agreement at each period end as if the funds were terminated at that date. Accordingly, the amount recognized in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflects Medley’s share of the gains and losses of the associated funds’ underlying investments measured at their current fair values. Performance fee revenue may include reversals of previously recognized performance fees due to a decrease in the net income of a particular fund that results in a decrease of cumulative performance fees earned to date. Since fund return hurdles are cumulative, previously recognized performance fees also may be reversed in a period of appreciation that is lower than the particular fund’s hurdle rate. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company reversed $2.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of previously recognized performance fees. As of March 31, 2017, the Company recognized cumulative performance fees of $4.8 million.

Performance fees received in prior periods may be required to be returned by Medley in future periods if the funds’ investment performance declines below certain levels. Each fund is considered separately in this regard and, for a given fund, performance fees can never be negative over the life of a fund. If upon a hypothetical liquidation of a fund’s investments, at their then current fair values, previously recognized and distributed performance fees would be required to be returned, a liability is established for the potential clawback obligation. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had not received any performance fee distributions, except for tax distributions related to the Company’s allocation of net income, which included an allocation of performance fees. Pursuant to the organizational documents of each respective fund, a portion of these tax distributions may be subject to clawback. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had accrued $7.1 million for clawback obligations that would need to be paid if the funds were liquidated at fair value as of the end of the reporting period. The Company’s actual obligation, however, would not become payable or realized until the end of a fund’s life.

Other Revenues and Fees

Medley provides administrative services to certain affiliated funds and is reimbursed for direct and allocated expenses incurred in providing such administrative services, as set forth in the respective underlying agreements. These fees are recognized as revenue in the period administrative services are rendered.

Performance Fee Compensation

Medley has issued profit interests in certain subsidiaries to select employees. These profit-sharing arrangements are accounted for under ASC 710, Compensation — General, which requires compensation expense to be measured at fair value at the grant date and expensed over the vesting period, which is usually the period over which the service is provided. The fair value of the profit interests are re-measured at each balance sheet date and adjusted for changes in estimates of cash flows and vesting percentages. The impact of such changes is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as an increase or decrease to performance fee compensation.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period.

Prior to January 1, 2017, the fair value of the awards were amortized on a straight line basis over the requisite service period as stock based compensation expenses and was reduced for the impact of estimated forfeitures. The Company estimated forfeitures based on its historical experience and revised its estimate if actual forfeitures differed from its initial estimates. Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted a change in accounting policy as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 to account for forfeitures as they occur. As such, stock based compensation expense relating to equity based awards are measured at fair value as of the grant date, reduced for actual forfeitures in the period they occur, and expensed over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis as a component of compensation and benefits on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of tax benefits or expenses for temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The Company also recognizes a tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions and other tax matters as a component of income tax expense. For interim periods, the Company accounts for income taxes based on its estimate of the effective tax rate for the year. Discrete items and changes in its estimate of the annual effective tax rate are recorded in the period they occur.

Medley Management Inc. is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes on its allocable portion of the income of Medley LLC at prevailing corporate tax rates. Medley LLC and its subsidiaries are not subject to federal, state and local corporate income taxes since all income, gains and losses are passed through to its members. However, a portion of taxable income from Medley LLC and its subsidiaries are subject to New York City’s unincorporated business tax, which is included in the Company’s provision for income taxes.

The Company analyzes its tax filing positions in all of the U.S. federal, state and local tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. If, based on this analysis, the Company determines that uncertainties in tax positions exist, a liability is established.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adopted as of January 1, 2017

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies and improves several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017.

Under the new guidance, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to employee stock compensation will be recognized within income tax expense. Under prior guidance, excess tax benefits were recognized to additional paid-in capital and tax deficiencies were only recognized to the extent they exceeded the pool of excess tax benefits. In addition, excess tax benefits will be classified as cash flows from operating activities, and cash withheld by the Company for employees' withholding taxes will be classified as cash flows from financing activities on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows. In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, instead of utilizing an estimated forfeiture rate assumption. The change in accounting for forfeitures was applied on a modified retrospective basis by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity. As of January 1, 2017, retained earnings and non-controlling interests in Medley LLC decreased by $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, additional paid in capital increased by $1.0 million and a deferred tax asset was recorded in the amount of $0.1 million to reflect the change in accounting principle.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods or services. To achieve this core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contracts, (3) determine the transaction prices, (4) allocate the transaction prices to the performance obligations in the contracts, and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The guidance also requires advanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarified the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarified the implementation guidance regarding performance obligations and licensing arrangements. The new standard will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, the adoption of this guidance is expected to impact the timing of performance fee revenue recognition. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which requires that all equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. This guidance eliminates the available-for-sale classification for equity securities with readily determinable fair values. However, companies may elect to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. This new guidance will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. Under this new guidance, changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities will no longer be classified in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income but rather as a component of other income in its condensed consolidated statements of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This guidance requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities arising from a lease for both financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. This new guidance will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements. However, the adoption of this guidance is expected to result in a significant increase in total assets and total liabilities, but is not expected to have a significant impact on the consolidated statement of operations.

The Company does not believe any other recently issued, but not yet effective, revisions to authoritative guidance will have a material effect on its consolidated balance sheets, results of operations or cash flows.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company follows the guidance set forth in ASC 820 for measuring the fair value of investments in available-for-sale securities. Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters, or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation models involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity. Financial instruments recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements are categorized for disclosure purposes based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs to the valuation of the investment as of the measurement date.

The three levels are defined as follows:


•	Level I – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

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Level II – Valuations based on inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level I, which are either directly or indirectly observable at the measurement date. This category includes quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets including bids from third parties for privately held assets or liabilities, and observable inputs other than quoted prices such as yield curves and forward currency rates that are entered directly into valuation models to determine the value of derivatives or other assets or liabilities.

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Level III – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and where there is little, if any, market activity at the measurement date. The inputs for the determination of fair value may require significant management judgment or estimation and is based upon management’s assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets and liabilities. These investments include debt and equity investments in private companies or assets valued using the market or income approach and may involve pricing models whose inputs require significant judgment or estimation because of the absence of any meaningful current market data for identical or similar investments. The inputs in these valuations may include, but are not limited to, capitalization and discount rates, beta and EBITDA multiples. The information may also include pricing information or broker quotes that include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of consensus pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimer would result in classification as Level III information, assuming no additional corroborating evidence.

When determining the fair value of publicly traded equity securities, the Company uses the quoted market price as of the valuation date on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. The Company’s investments in available-for-sale securities are categorized as Level I. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no financial instruments classified as Level II or Level III.

Our equity method investments for which fair value is measured at NAV per share, or its equivalent, using the practical expedient, are not categorized in the fair value hierarchy.

A review of the fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Reclassifications impacting all levels of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in or out of Level I, II or III category as of the beginning of the quarter during which the reclassifications occur.