Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements

v3.22.0.1
Fair Value Measurements
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements
 
The following tables set forth the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, based on the three-tier
fair value hierarchy:
  December 31, 2021
  Fair Value Level I Level II Level III
Assets: (in thousands)
Money market funds $ 2,684  $ 2,684  $ —  $ — 
Assets used to fund deferred compensation liability 11,140  —  —  11,140 
Total assets $ 13,824  $ 2,684  $ —  $ 11,140 
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration liability $ 743  $ —  $ —  $ 743 
Deferred compensation liability 10,418  10,418  —  — 
Total liabilities $ 11,161  $ 10,418  $ —  $ 743 

  December 31, 2020
  Fair Value Level I Level II Level III
Assets: (in thousands)
Money market funds $ 84,110  $ 84,110  $ —  $ — 
Assets used to fund deferred compensation liability 9,961  —  —  9,961 
Total assets $ 94,071  $ 84,110  $ —  $ 9,961 
Liabilities:        
Contingent consideration liability $ 12,559  $ —  $ —  $ 12,559 
Deferred compensation liability 8,720  8,720  —  — 
Total liabilities $ 21,279  $ 8,720  $ —  $ 12,559 

Level I assets and liabilities include money-market funds not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and deferred compensation liability. The Company periodically invests excess cash in money-market funds not insured by the FDIC. The Company believes that the investments in money market funds are on deposit with creditworthy financial institutions and that the funds are highly liquid. These money-market funds are considered Level I and are included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets. The fair values of the Company’s investments in money-market funds are based on the daily quoted market prices for the net asset value of the various money market funds. The fair market value of the deferred compensation liability is based on the daily quoted market prices for the net asset value of the various funds in which the participants have selected, and is included in other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Level III assets and liabilities consist of the estimated fair values of contingent consideration as well as the assets to fund the Company's deferred compensation liability. The fair market value of the assets used to fund the Company's deferred compensation liability approximates the cash surrender value of the Company's life insurance premiums and is included in other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Liabilities

The fair value of the contingent consideration liabilities related to certain of the Company's acquisitions were estimated using a discounted cash flow method with significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represents a Level III fair value measurement. The significant inputs in the Company's Level III fair value measurement not supported by market activity included its assessments of expected future cash flows related to these acquisitions and their ability to meet the target performance objectives during the subsequent periods from the date of acquisition, which management believes are appropriately discounted considering the uncertainties associated with these obligations, and are calculated in accordance with the terms of their respective agreements.

The Company will continue to reassess the fair values of the contingent consideration liabilities at each reporting date until settlement. Changes to these estimated fair values will be recognized in the Company's earnings and included in general and administration expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. In 2021, the Company determined that certain performance targets related to the private technology company acquisition would not be met. As a result, the Company reduced the contingent consideration liability plus accrued interest associated with this acquisition by $0.7 million and recorded this as a reduction to general and administration expenses.
 
The table below presents a reconciliation of the Company's contingent consideration liabilities, which were measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level III) for the period from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021: 
  Fair Value of
  Contingent
  Consideration
  Liabilities
(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 12,559 
Payments of contingent consideration liability (11,636)
Fair market value adjustment on contingent consideration liability (667)
Accretion on contingent consideration liabilities 487 
Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 743 

The table below presents a reconciliation of assets used to fund deferred compensation liability, which was measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level III) for the period from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021: 
  Fair Value of
  Assets Used to
  Fund Deferred
  Compensation
  Liability
(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2020
$ 9,961 
Contributions 215 
Fair value adjustments 964 
Balance at December 31, 2021
$ 11,140 
 
The fair market value of the assets used to fund the Company's deferred compensation liability is based upon the cash surrender value of the Company's life insurance premiums. The value of the assets used to fund the Company's deferred compensation liability, which are included in other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets, increased due to funding of the plan and gains on the underlying investment vehicles. These gains are recognized in the Company's earnings and included in general and administration expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
The Company assesses the categorization of assets and liabilities by level at each measurement date, and transfers between levels are recognized on the actual date of the event or when changes in circumstances cause the transfer, in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy regarding the recognition of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy. There were no transfers between Levels I, II and III during the year ended December 31, 2021.
 
Fair Value of Debt Agreements and Other Financial Assets and Liabilities

The Company considered the Convertible Notes due 2023 and Convertible Notes due 2025 to be Level II liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and used a market approach to calculate their respective fair values. The estimated fair value for each convertible note was determined based on the estimated or actual bids and offers in an over-the-counter market on December 31, 2021 and 2020 (See “Note 10—Debt”).

In May 2018, the Company issued $345.0 million of Convertible Notes due 2023. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the carrying value of the Convertible Notes due 2023 equaled $342.0 million and $316.6 million, respectively, and represented the aggregate principal amount outstanding less the unamortized discount and debt issuance costs. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the estimated fair value of the Convertible Notes due 2023 was $439.9 million and $460.8 million, respectively.

In August 2020, the Company issued $517.5 million of Convertible Notes due 2025. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the carrying value of the Convertible Notes due 2025 equaled $506.8 million and $439.9 million, and represented the aggregate principal amount outstanding less the unamortized discount and debt issuance costs. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the estimated fair value of the Convertible Notes due 2025 was $526.1 million and $540.8 million, respectively. 
 
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, no advances were outstanding on the revolving credit facility under the Amended Credit Agreement. The Company considered the revolving credit facility to be a Level I liability as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 (See “Note 10—Debt”).
 
The Company considered the recorded values of our other financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, fees receivable and accounts payable, to approximate the fair values of the respective assets and liabilities at December 31, 2021 based upon the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.