Revenue Recognition
We earn revenue from the following services (segments are bolded).
Real Estate Management Services
Workplace Management
Project Management
Property Management
Portfolio Services and Other
Leasing Advisory
Leasing
Advisory, Consulting and Other
Capital Markets Services
Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other
Value and Risk Advisory
Loan Servicing
Investment Management
Software and Technology Solutions
Real Estate Management Services
Workplace Management
Workplace Management provides comprehensive, on-site day-to-day real estate management services to corporations and institutions across a broad range of industries that outsource the management of the real estate they occupy. Contract pricing can include multiple elements, such as a management fee or an incentive fee or other form of variable consideration. In addition, these fees may be inclusive of – or distinct from – the reimbursement of costs related to client-dedicated personnel, subcontractors and third-party vendors for which we are reimbursed. When distinct, such costs are reimbursed separately from our management fee.
Management fees are typically structured as a fixed monthly price for an agreed-upon scope of work or are determined by applying a contractual markup to spend associated with fulfilling our Workplace Management contracts. As these fees represent a series of daily performance obligations delivered over time, we recognize revenue each period for fees related to the services we perform.
Many contracts also include variable consideration, which is typically earned as an incentive fee when we perform favorably with respect to agreed-upon key performance indicators ("KPI"), but may also be structured as an at-risk fee where we are penalized for failing to achieve a KPI. Examples of KPIs include shared savings targets, service quality benchmarks, timely work order completion statistics and client satisfaction scores. Regardless of the upside or downside nature, we assess variable consideration independently for each contract and, when appropriate, recognize such fees as revenue when the achievement of the KPI is probable and material reversal of such revenue is unlikely.
Because we control and direct the work of client-dedicated employees, we present the associated compensation and benefits expense as well as the corresponding revenue gross on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Similarly, when we act as principal with respect to third-party vendors and subcontractors engaged to deliver operational services to our client, we control and direct these third-party activities prior to the transfer of services to the client and accordingly present the costs we are reimbursed for as well as the corresponding revenue as gross. For contracts where we do not control and direct third-party services delivered to the client, we act as the client’s agent and report revenue net of such costs.
Project Management
Project Management provides construction-related services, primarily short-term in nature, ranging from development and design to general contracting and project management for owners and occupiers of real estate. Depending on the terms of our engagement, our performance obligation is either to arrange for the completion of a project or to assume responsibility for completing a project on behalf of a client. Our obligations to clients are satisfied over time due to the continuous transfer of control of the underlying asset. Therefore, we recognize revenue over time, generally using input measures (e.g., to-date costs incurred relative to total estimated costs at completion).
Typically, we are entitled to consideration at distinct milestones over the term of an engagement. For certain contracts where we assume responsibility for completing a project, we control the services provided by third-party vendors and subcontractors prior to transfer of the assets to the client. In these situations, the third-party costs incurred on behalf of clients, along with the associated reimbursement revenue, are presented gross on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. In contrast, where we act as agent on behalf of clients, third-party costs incurred and the associated revenue are presented net on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Property Management
Property Management provides on-site day-to-day real estate management services for owners of office, industrial, retail, multifamily residential and various other types of properties, representing a series of daily performance obligations delivered over time. Pricing is generally in the form of a monthly management fee based upon property-level cash receipts, square footage under management or some other variable metric.
Although we are principal in certain situations, we generally act as agent on behalf of our Property Management clients in relation to third-party vendors and subcontractors engaged to deliver operational services to our clients' properties. In these situations, we arrange, but do not control, the services provided by third party vendors and subcontractors prior to the transfer of the services to the client. As a result, the third-party costs incurred on behalf of clients, along with the corresponding revenue, are presented net on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Portfolio Services and Other
Portfolio Services and Other includes a variety of different service offerings, including advising clients on how to optimize their workplace strategies and occupancy planning efforts, and overall portfolio strategy management and administration for our clients. Our performance obligation is to provide services as specified in the contract. For event-driven point-in-time transactions, we record revenue when our performance obligation is complete, such as the delivery of a report to the client, whereas revenue is recorded over time for services with a continuous transfer of control to our clients.
Leasing Advisory
Leasing
Leasing revenue is earned from brokerage commissions as we represent tenants and/or landlords in connection with real estate leases. Our performance obligation is to facilitate the execution of a lease agreement, which is satisfied at a point in time, upon lease execution. Generally, we are either entitled to the full consideration upon lease execution or in part upon lease execution with the remainder upon the occurrence of a future event outside of our control (e.g., tenant occupancy, lease commencement, or rent commencement). The majority of the events that preclude our entitlement to the full consideration upon lease execution are considered to be "normal course of business" and, therefore, do not result in a constraint upon the recognition of revenue. In the infrequent instance our fee entitlement in a contract with a customer is predicated on the occurrence of a future event(s) uncertain of occurring, we constrain the recognition of revenue until the uncertainty is resolved or the future event occurs. Generally, less than 5% of our Leasing revenue recognized in a period had previously been constrained.
Advisory, Consulting and Other
Advisory, Consulting and Other includes a variety of different service offerings, whereby our performance obligation is to provide services as specified in the contract. Occasionally, our entitlement to consideration is predicated on the occurrence of an event such as the delivery of a report to the client. However, except for event-driven point-in-time transactions, the majority of services provided within this service line are delivered over time due to the continuous transfer of control to our clients.
Capital Markets Services
Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other
We provide brokerage and other services for capital transactions, such as real estate sales or loan originations and refinancings. Our performance obligation is to facilitate the execution of capital transactions, and we are generally entitled to the full consideration at the point in time upon which our performance obligation is satisfied, at which time we recognize revenue. In addition, revenue related to mortgage servicing rights ("MSR" or "MSRs") and loan origination fees are reported within Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other.
Value and Risk Advisory
Value and Risk Advisory service offerings include (but are not limited to) asset appraisal, business valuation, property tax advisory, complex litigation and environmental property consulting. Our performance obligation is to provide services as specified in the contract and our pricing is negotiated based on the scale and complexity of each assignment. Typically, our entitlement to consideration is predicated on the occurrence of an event such as the delivery of an appraisal or report to the client.
Loan Servicing
We service substantially all the loans we originate and sell, and service loans we did not originate but subsequently acquire the rights to service. We obtain a periodic fee for each loan we service based on a proportion of the cash collections.
Capital Markets Services revenue excluded from the scope of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC Topic 606")
Our mortgage banking and servicing operations, comprised of (i) all Loan Servicing revenue and (ii) activities related to MSRs and loan origination fees (included in Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other), are not considered revenue from contracts with customers, and accordingly are excluded from the scope of ASC Topic 606. Such out-of-scope revenue is presented below.
Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)202520242023
Revenue excluded from scope of ASC Topic 606$360.8 325.9 286.3 
Investment Management
Investment Management provides real estate investment management services to clients and generally earns consideration in the form of advisory fees, transaction fees and incentive fees. Typically, our performance obligation is to manage clients’ capital for a specified period of time and is delivered as a series of daily performance obligations over time. Revenue recognition for transaction fees and incentive fees is generally constrained until all contingencies have cleared due to the possibility of a significant reversal. Revenue is recognized upon completion of the events necessary to realize the associated consideration. Substantially all incentive fees recognized as revenue were previously constrained.
Software and Technology Solutions
Software and Technology Solutions offers multiple cloud-based software solutions that generate value for investors and businesses by enabling higher-quality decision-making through improved data and analytics. We recognize cloud-based software revenue over time commensurate with the length and terms of the contract. In addition, we offer professional services such as program and project management, implementation and support, managed services, and advisory services. We recognize professional services revenue at the time our performance obligation is satisfied.
Effective January 1, 2026, the Software and Technology Solutions segment will merge into Real Estate Management Services with results of operations reported as a subsegment within Real Estate Management Services.
Contract Costs
Expenses, primarily employee commissions, incurred on leasing and capital markets transactions represent substantially all our incremental costs to obtain revenue contracts. We apply the applicable practical expedient offered by ASC Topic 606 when the amortization period is one year or less and, therefore, recognize these costs as an operating expense as they are incurred.
We also incur costs to fulfill revenue contracts, primarily related to transition costs incurred prior to delivering Property Management and Workplace Management services. These costs are not expensed as incurred but are deferred and amortized as an operating expense over the expected life of the contract in accordance with the transfer of related services. Contract costs that are recognized as assets are reviewed for impairment when events and changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
Contract Assets and Liabilities
Contract assets include amounts recognized as revenue for which we are not yet entitled to payment for reasons other than the passage of time, but that do not constrain revenue recognition. We include Contract assets in our reserving process and assess the risk of loss similar to our methodology for Trade receivables, since Contract assets are reclassified to Trade receivables when we become entitled to payment. Accordingly, a reserve is applied upon recognition of the contract asset. Our contract assets, net of allowance, are included in Short-term contract assets and Other assets.
Contract liabilities include advance payments we have received which relate to performance obligations we have not yet satisfied. The majority of contract liabilities are recognized as revenue within 90 days. Our contract liabilities are included in Short-term contract liabilities and deferred income on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Such contract assets and liabilities are presented below.
(in millions)December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Contract assets, gross$407.1 388.3 
Contract asset allowance(3.9)(3.9)
Contract assets, net$403.2 384.4 
Contract liabilities$187.3 154.7 
Deferred Income
Deferred income includes payments received from customers for which we have satisfied our performance obligations but are not yet able to recognize the related revenue because of contractual requirements.
Remaining Performance Obligations
Remaining performance obligations represent the aggregate transaction price for contracts where our performance obligations have not yet been satisfied. As of December 31, 2025, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations represented an insignificant amount of our total revenue. In accordance with ASC Topic 606, excluded from the aforementioned remaining performance obligations are (i) amounts attributable to contracts expected to be completed within 12 months and (ii) variable consideration for services performed as a series of daily performance obligations, such as facilities management, property management, and Investment Management contracts. Contracts within these businesses represent a significant portion of our contracts with customers not expected to be completed within 12 months.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 19, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 19, 2025

About Revenue Disclosures

Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.

Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.