2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Silvercrest and SLP, including its wholly owned subsidiaries, Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC (“SAMG”), SFS, MCG, Silvercrest Investors LLC, Silvercrest Investors II LLC and Silvercrest Investors III LLC as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.  All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition at December 31, 2016 was derived from the audited Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 and 2016 or any future period.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included herein are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial position and results, have been made. The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company evaluates for consolidation those entities it controls through a majority voting interest or otherwise, including those Silvercrest Funds over which the general partner or equivalent is presumed to have control, e.g. by virtue of the limited partners not being able to remove the general partner. The initial step in the Company’s determination of whether a fund for which SLP is the general partner is required to be consolidated is assessing whether the fund is a variable interest entity or a voting interest entity.

SLP then considers whether the fund is a voting interest entity (“VoIE”) in which the unaffiliated limited partners have substantive “kick-out” rights that provide the ability to dissolve (liquidate) the limited partnership or otherwise remove the general partner without cause. SLP considers the “kick-out” rights to be substantive if the general partner for the fund can be removed by the vote of a simple majority of the unaffiliated limited partners and there are no significant barriers to the unaffiliated limited partners’ ability to exercise these rights in that among other things, (1) there are no conditions or timing limits on when the rights can be exercised, (2) there are no financial or operational barriers associated with replacing the general partner, (3) there are a number of qualified replacement investment advisors that would accept appointment at the same fee level, (4) each fund’s documents provide for the ability to call and conduct a vote, and (5) the information necessary to exercise the kick-out rights and related vote are available from the fund and its administrator.

If the fund is a variable interest entity, SLP then determines whether it has a variable interest in the fund, and if so, whether SLP is the primary beneficiary. 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, each fund is deemed to be a VoIE and neither SLP nor Silvercrest consolidated any of the Silvercrest Funds.

Non-controlling Interest

As of June 30, 2017, Silvercrest holds approximately 63% of the economic interests in SLP. Silvercrest is the sole general partner of SLP and, therefore, controls the management of SLP. As a result, Silvercrest consolidates the financial position and the results of operations of SLP and its subsidiaries, and records a non-controlling interest, as a separate component of equity on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition for the remaining economic interests in SLP. The non-controlling interest in the income or loss of SLP is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a reduction or addition to net income derived from SLP.

Segment Reporting

The Company views its operations as comprising one operating segment. Each of the Company’s acquired businesses has similar economic characteristics and has been or is in the process of being fully integrated. Furthermore, our chief operating decision maker, who is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, monitors and reviews financial information at a consolidated level for assessing operating results and the allocation of resources.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues, expenses and other income reported in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions made by management include the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, determination of equity-based compensation, accounting for income taxes, determination of the useful lives of long-lived assets and other matters that affect the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid securities with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Equity Method Investments

Entities and investments, the activities over which the Company exercises significant influence, but which do not meet the requirements for consolidation, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, whereby the Company records its share of the underlying income or losses of these entities. Intercompany profit arising from transactions with affiliates is eliminated to the extent of its beneficial interest. Equity in losses of equity method investments is not recognized after the carrying value of an investment, including advances and loans, has been reduced to zero, unless guarantees or other funding obligations exist.

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 difference between the carrying value of the equity method investment and its estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment when the loss in value is deemed other than temporary. The Company’s equity method investments approximate their fair value at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The fair value of the equity method investments is estimated based on the Company’s share of the fair value of the net assets of the equity method investee. No impairment charges related to equity method investments were recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 or 2016.

Receivables and Due from Silvercrest Funds

Receivables consist primarily of amounts for advisory fees due from clients, management fees and family office services fees, and are stated as net realizable value. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful receivables based on estimates of expected losses and specific identification of uncollectible accounts. The Company charges actual losses to the allowance when incurred.

Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements consist primarily of furniture, fixtures and equipment, computer hardware and software and leasehold improvements and are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives, which for leasehold improvements is the lesser of the lease term or the life of the asset, generally 10 years, and 3 to 7 years for other fixed assets.

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires that the purchase price, including the fair value of contingent consideration, of the acquisition be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using the fair values determined by management as of the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is recorded as part of the purchase price when such contingent consideration is not based on continuing employment of the selling shareholders. Contingent consideration that is related to continuing employment is recorded as compensation expense. Payments made for contingent consideration recorded as part of an acquisition’s purchase price are reflected as financing activities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The Company remeasures the fair value of contingent consideration at each reporting period using a probability-adjusted discounted cash flow method based on significant inputs not observable in the market and any change in the fair value from either the passage of time or events occurring after the acquisition date, is recorded in earnings. Contingent consideration payments that exceed the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration are reflected as an operating activity in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired, including intangibles, and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. The Company generally uses valuation specialists to perform appraisals and assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These valuations require management to make estimates and assumptions that are critical in determining the fair values of the assets and liabilities. During the measurement period, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Any adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period are recorded in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized and is generally evaluated for impairment using a two-step process that is performed at least annually, or whenever events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred.

The Company accounts for Goodwill under Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) No. 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” which provides an entity the option to first perform a qualitative assessment of whether a reporting unit’s fair value is more likely than not less than its carrying value, including goodwill. In performing its qualitative assessment, an entity considers the extent to which adverse events or circumstances identified, such as changes in economic conditions, industry and market conditions or entity specific events, could affect the comparison of the reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying amount. If an entity concludes that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than its carrying amount, the entity is required to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and, accordingly, measure the amount, if any, of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit. The Company utilized this option when performing its annual impairment assessment in 2016 and 2015, and concluded that its single reporting unit’s fair value was more likely than not greater than its carrying value, including goodwill.

The Company has one reporting unit at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. No goodwill impairment charges were recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Identifiable finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 20 years. The method of amortization is based on the pattern over which the economic benefits, generally expected undiscounted cash flows, of the intangible asset are consumed. Intangible assets for which no pattern can be reliably determined are amortized using the straight-line method. Intangible assets consist primarily of the contractual right to future management, advisory and performance fees from customer contracts or relationships.

Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. In connection with such review, the Company also reevaluates the periods of depreciation and amortization for these assets. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value.

Partner Distributions

Partner incentive allocations, which are determined by the general partner, can be formula-based or discretionary. Partner incentive allocations are treated as compensation expense and recognized in the period in which they are earned. In the event there is insufficient distributable cash flow to make incentive distributions, the general partner in its sole and absolute discretion may determine not to make any distributions called for under the partnership agreement. The remaining net income or loss after partner incentive allocations is generally allocated to unit holders based on their pro rata ownership.

Redeemable Partnership Units

If a principal of SLP is terminated for cause, SLP has the right to redeem all of the vested Class B units collectively held by the principal and his or her permitted transferees for a purchase price equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate capital account balance in SLP of the principal and his or her permitted transferees or (ii) the purchase price paid by the terminated principal to first acquire the Class B units.

SLP also makes distributions to its partners of various nature including incentive payments, profit distributions and tax distributions.  The profit distributions and tax distributions are accounted for as equity transactions.

Class A Common Stock

The Company’s Class A stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. Also, Class A stockholders are entitled to receive dividends, when and if declared by the Company’s board of directors, out of funds legally available therefor, subject to any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and to any restrictions on the payment of dividends imposed by the terms of any outstanding preferred stock. Dividends consisting of shares of Class A common stock may be paid only as follows: (i) shares of Class A common stock may be paid only to holders of shares of Class A common stock and (ii) shares will be paid proportionately with respect to each outstanding share of the Company’s Class A common stock. Upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or the sale of all, or substantially all, of the Company’s assets, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to holders of preferred stock having a liquidation preference, if any, the Class A stockholders will be entitled to share ratably in the Company’s remaining assets available for distribution to Class A stockholders. Class B units of SLP held by principals will be exchangeable for shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary adjustments for share splits, dividends and reclassifications.

Class B Common Stock

Shares of the Company’s Class B common stock are issuable only in connection with the issuance of Class B units of SLP. When a vested or unvested Class B unit is issued by SLP, the Company will issue the holder one share of its Class B common stock in exchange for the payment of its par value. Each share of the Company’s Class B common stock will be redeemed for its par value and cancelled by the Company if the holder of the corresponding Class B unit exchanges or forfeits its Class B unit pursuant to the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of SLP and the terms of the Silvercrest Asset Management Group Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Equity Incentive Plan”). The Company’s Class B stockholders will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. The Company’s Class B stockholders will not participate in any dividends declared by the Company’s board of directors. Upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or the sale of all, or substantially all, of its assets, Class B stockholders only will be entitled to receive the par value of the Company’s Class B common stock.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized ratably over the period in which services are performed. Revenue consists primarily of investment advisory fees, family office services fees and fund management fees. Investment advisory fees, which are earned pursuant to the terms of the underlying advisory contract, are typically billed quarterly in advance at the beginning of the quarter or in arrears after the end of the quarter, based on a contractually specified percentage of the assets managed. For investment advisory fees billed in advance, the value of assets managed is determined based on the value of the customer’s account as of the last trading day of the preceding quarter. For investment advisory fees billed in arrears, the value of assets managed is determined based on the value of the customer’s account on the last day of the quarter being billed. Family office services fees are typically billed quarterly in advance at the beginning of the quarter or in arrears after the end of the quarter based on a contractual percentage of the assets managed or based on a fixed fee arrangement. Management fees from proprietary and non-proprietary funds are calculated as a percentage of net asset values measured at the beginning of a month or quarter or at the end of a quarter, depending on the fund.

The Company accounts for performance based revenue in accordance with ASC No. 605-20-S99, “Accounting for Management Fees Based on a Formula”, by recognizing performance fees and allocations as revenue only when it is certain that the fee income is earned and payable pursuant to the relevant agreements, and no contingencies remain. Performance fee contingencies are typically resolved at the end of each annual period. In certain arrangements, the Company is only entitled to receive performance fees and allocations when the return on assets under management exceeds certain benchmark returns or other performance targets.

Equity-Based Compensation

Equity-based compensation cost relating to the issuance of share-based awards to employees is based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant, which is expensed ratably over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The forfeiture assumption is ultimately adjusted to the actual forfeiture rate. Therefore, changes in the forfeiture assumptions may affect the timing of the total amount of expense recognized over the vesting period. The service period is the period over which the employee performs the related services, which is normally the same as the vesting period. Equity-based awards that do not require future service are expensed immediately. Equity-based awards that have the potential to be settled in cash at the election of the employee or prior to the reorganization related to redeemable partnership units are classified as liabilities (“Liability Awards”) and are adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period.

Leases

The Company expenses the net lease payments associated with operating leases on a straight-line basis over the respective lease term, including any rent-free periods. Leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the improvements (generally 10 years) or the remaining lease term.

Income Taxes

Silvercrest and SFS are subject to federal and state corporate income tax, which requires an asset and liability approach to the financial accounting and reporting of income taxes. SLP is not subject to federal and state income taxes, since all income, gains and losses are passed through to its partners. SLP is, however, subject to New York City unincorporated business tax. With respect to the Company’s incorporated entities, the annual tax rate is based on the income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Judgment is required in determining the tax expense and in evaluating tax positions. The tax effects of an uncertain tax position (“UTP”) taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns are recognized only if it is “more likely-than-not” to be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on its technical merits as of the reporting date. The tax benefits recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes estimated accrued interest and penalties related to UTPs in income tax expense.

The Company derecognizes the benefit of a UTP in the period when it is effectively settled. Previously recognized tax positions are derecognized in the first period in which it is no longer more likely than not that the tax position would be sustained upon examination.

Recent Accounting Developments

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers.” ASU No. 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP.  Originally, ASU No. 2014-09, as amended by ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20, was to become effective on January 1, 2017, but the effective date has been deferred for one year. Early adoption is permitted as of the original effective date. The new standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The new standard will require additional disclosures to provide better clarity about the nature, timing and potential uncertainties of the revenue that is recognized.  The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor determined the impact of adoption of this standard on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  The Company plans on using the cumulative effect method upon adoption of this guidance, which is expected to result in an increase in the revenue disclosures in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, but not expected to have a material impact to the revenue amounts recognized on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments—Overall (Topic 825-10): "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." Although the ASU retains many current requirements, it significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments.  Some of the amendments in ASU 2016-01 include the following: (1) requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; (2) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; (3) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; and (4) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value, among others. ASU 2016-01 will be effective on January 1, 2018. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This amendment introduces a lessee model that brings most leases on the balance sheet. The new standard also aligns many of the underlying principles of the new lessor model with those in ASC 606, the FASB’s new revenue recognition standard (e.g., those related to evaluating when profit can be recognized). Furthermore, the ASU addresses other concerns related to the current lease accounting model. This amendment is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  However, the Company expects the adoption of this guidance will result in an increase to its assets and liabilities as a result of substantially all operating leases existing as of the adoption date being capitalized along with the associated obligations.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The ASU was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Accounting for Credit Losses” which amends the Board’s guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. The ASU adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model (known as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model) that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses, which the FASB believes will result in more timely recognition of such losses. This amendment is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Cash Flow Classification” which amends the guidance in ASC 230 on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-17, “Interests Held Through Related Parties That Are Under Common Control” which alters how a decision maker needs to consider indirect interests in a variable interest entity (VIE) held through an entity under common control. The new guidance amends ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis”, issued in February 2015. The ASU was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Restricted Cash” which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during a reporting period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-19, “Technical Corrections and Improvements” which amends a number of Topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The ASU was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, The FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 85): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”.  The amendments in this update clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses.  ASU 2017-01 will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2019 and interim reporting periods within that year.  Early adoption is permitted for transactions that have not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance.  The Company expects the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, The FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”.  ASU 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment testing.  An entity will no longer determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination.  Instead, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value.  The loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.  An entity has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary.  ASU 2017-04 will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2021 and interim reporting periods within that year.  Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January, 1, 2017.  The Company expects the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, “Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets”. The ASU conforms the derecognition guidance on nonfinancial assets with the model for transactions in the new revenue standard (ASC 606, as amended).  Subtopic 610-20 was issued as part of the new revenue standard. It provides guidance for recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets in contracts with non-customers. The new guidance defines “in substance nonfinancial assets,” unifies guidance related to partial sales of nonfinancial assets, eliminates rules specifically addressing sales of real estate, removes exceptions to the financial asset derecognition model, and clarifies the accounting for contributions of nonfinancial assets to joint ventures. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. Transition can use either the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. The Company expects the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on the on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09 “Compensation – Stock”.  The ASU amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements.  The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718.  Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification.  For all entities, the ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period.  The Company expects the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on the on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.