Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto (the “Financial Statements”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The Financial Statements include the accounts of Aon plc, an Irish public limited company, and all of its controlled subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Financial Statements include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and reclassifications) necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for all periods presented.

Certain information and disclosures normally included in the Financial Statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of operating results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2021, particularly in light of the continuing effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the prior year's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. For the quarter ended March 31, 2020, a $1 million loss from discontinued operations and its related tax expense was recognized in Net income (loss) from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. This amount is now included in Other income (expense) in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and Other assets and liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. There was no earnings per share impact.

Additionally, for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, a $60 million cash outflow was classified as an adjustment to Net income from Restructuring reserves in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. This amount is now included in Other assets and liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. There was no impact on Cash provided by operating activities.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Financial Statements, and the reported amounts of reserves and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. Management believes its estimates to be reasonable given the current facts available. Aon adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity markets, foreign currency exchange rate movements, and, recently, impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment would, if applicable, be reflected in the Financial Statements in future periods.