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Fair Value Measurements
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements
The Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding the assets and liabilities of CIP discussed in Note 19, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 by fair value hierarchy level were as follows: 
December 31, 2024
(in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets
Cash equivalents$225,736 $— $— $225,736 
Investment securities - fair value
Sponsored funds63,296 — — 63,296 
Equity securities19,019 — — 19,019 
Debt securities— 1,456 — 1,456 
Nonqualified retirement plan assets15,159 — — 15,159 
Total assets measured at fair value$323,210 1,456 $— $324,666 
Liabilities
Contingent consideration$— $— $36,100 $36,100 
Total liabilities measured at fair value$— $— $36,100 $36,100 
 
December 31, 2023
(in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets
Cash equivalents$197,240 $— $— $197,240 
Investment securities - fair value
Sponsored funds77,433 — — 77,433 
Equity securities19,871 — — 19,871 
Nonqualified retirement plan assets12,682 — — 12,682 
Total assets measured at fair value$307,226 $— $— $307,226 
Liabilities
Contingent consideration$— $— $56,200 $56,200 
Total liabilities measured at fair value$— $— $56,200 $56,200 
The following is a discussion of the valuation methodologies used for the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
 
Cash equivalents represent investments in money market funds. Cash investments in money market funds are valued using published net asset values and are classified as Level 1.

Sponsored funds represent investments in open-end funds and closed-end funds for which the Company acts as the investment manager. The fair values of U.S. retail funds and global funds are determined based on their published net asset values and are categorized as Level 1. The fair value of closed-end funds and ETFs is determined based on the official closing
price on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.

Equity securities represent securities traded on active markets, are valued at the official closing price (typically the last sale or bid) on the exchange on which the securities are primarily traded and are categorized as Level 1.

Debt securities Debt securities represent investments in corporate and government bonds. The fair values of corporate and government bonds traded on active markets are valued at the official closing price on the exchange on which the securities are primarily traded and are categorized as Level 1. Debt securities for which closing prices are not readily available or are deemed to not reflect readily available market prices, and are valued using an independent pricing service, are categorized as Level 2.

Nonqualified retirement plan assets represent mutual funds within the Company's nonqualified retirement plan whose fair value is determined based on their published net asset value and are categorized as Level 1.

Contingent consideration represents liabilities associated with contingent payment arrangements made in connection with the Company's business combinations. In these contingent payment arrangements, the Company agrees to pay additional transaction consideration to the seller based on future performance. Contingent consideration is remeasured at fair value each reporting date using a simulation model with the assistance of an independent valuation firm and approved by management and are categorized as Level 3.

The following table presents a reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of the Company's contingent consideration liabilities:
(in thousands)20242023
Contingent consideration, beginning of year$56,200 $78,100 
Reduction for payments made(14,492)(16,390)
Increase (reduction) of liability related to re-measurement of fair value(5,608)(5,510)
Contingent consideration, end of year$36,100 $56,200 
The contingent consideration related to the Westchester Capital Management transaction as of December 31, 2024 was $1.9 million, measured using an options pricing model valuation technique. The most significant unobservable inputs used relate to revenue growth rates, discount rates (range of 6.3% - 6.4%) and the market price of risk adjustment (7.3%). The NFJ Investment Group contingent consideration liability as of December 31, 2024 was $34.2 million, measured using an options pricing model valuation technique. The most significant unobservable inputs used relate to the revenue growth rates, discount rates (range of 6.3% - 6.4%) and the market price of risk adjustment (6.5%).

Cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities equal or approximate fair value based on the short-term nature of these instruments.