NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of WhiteHorse Finance and its wholly owned subsidiaries, WhiteHorse Finance Credit I, LLC (“WhiteHorse Credit”), and its subsidiary WhiteHorse Finance (CA), LLC (“WhiteHorse California”), WHF PMA Holdco Blocker, LLC, WHF American Craft Blocker, LLC, WhiteHorse RCKC Holdings, LLC, WhiteHorse Finance Holdings, LLC and WhiteHorse Finance CLO I, LLC. The Company meets the definition of an investment company under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies, and therefore applies the accounting and reporting guidance discussed therein to its consolidated financial statements. The classifications included in the consolidated schedule of investments represent, in management’s opinion, as to the most meaningful presentation of the Company’s investment portfolio. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Additionally, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related financial information have been prepared pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-K and Articles 6, 10 and 12 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals considered necessary for the fair presentation of financial results as of and for the periods presented.

Principles of Consolidation: Under the investment company rules and regulations pursuant to ASC Topic 946, WhiteHorse Finance is precluded from consolidating any entity other than another investment company. As provided under ASC Topic 946, WhiteHorse Finance generally consolidates any investment company when it owns 100% of its

partners’ or members’ capital or equity units. The Company does not consolidate its investment in STRS JV or any of its controlled affiliate investments. See further description in Note 4.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework used to measure fair value and requires disclosures for fair value measurements. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, the Company has categorized its financial instruments carried at fair value, based on the priority of the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of the market participant who holds the financial instrument. Therefore, when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that management believes market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument at the measurement date.

The Company values its investments in accordance with the 1940 Act and Rule 2a-5 thereunder, which sets forth the requirements for determining fair value in good faith. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5, the board of directors has designated the Investment Adviser to determine the fair value of the Company’s investments. The board of directors oversees the Investment Adviser’s performance of its valuation responsibilities, and in support of this oversight, the Investment Adviser provides periodic reports to the Company’s board of directors related to the fair valuation process. The Investment Adviser carries out its responsibilities as valuation designee primarily through its valuation committee (the “Valuation Committee”), assisted by third-party valuation firms, administrative personnel, and other service providers, as appropriate. The Valuation Committee consists of a number of representatives from different functions of the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser conducts the fair valuation process on a quarterly basis, subject to the oversight of the Company’s board of directors through the audit committee, using consistently applied valuation procedures. In accordance with the Company’s valuation procedures, the Investment Adviser performs periodic testing of the appropriateness and accuracy of fair value methodologies, and has established a process for approving, monitoring, and evaluating independent pricing service providers. Effective September 8, 2022, the board of directors designated the Investment Adviser as the Company’s valuation designee.

Investments that are not publicly traded or for which market prices are not readily available will be valued based on the input of the Investment Adviser and independent third-party valuation firms engaged to review Company investments. These external reviews are used by the Company’s Investment Adviser, subject to the oversight of the board of directors, to review the Company’s internal valuation of investments during the year.

Investment Transactions: The Company records investment transactions on a trade date basis. These transactions may settle subsequent to the trade date depending on the transaction type. Certain expenses related to legal and tax consultation, due diligence, rating fees, valuation expenses and independent collateral appraisals may arise when the Company makes certain investments. These expenses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as they are incurred.

Foreign currency translation: The Company’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Any foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

Although net assets and fair values are presented based on the applicable foreign exchange rates described above, the Company does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in fair values of investments held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments. Fluctuations arising from the translation of assets other than investments and liabilities are included with the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies on the consolidated statements of operations.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include, but are not limited to, currency fluctuations and revaluations and future adverse political, social and economic developments, which could cause investments in foreign markets to be less liquid and prices to be more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or U.S. government securities.

Revenue Recognition: The Company’s revenue recognition policies are as follows:

Sales: Realized gains or losses on the sales of investments are calculated by using the specific identification method.

Investment Income: Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on an accrual basis. The Company may also receive closing, commitment, prepayment, amendment and other fees from portfolio companies in the ordinary course of business.

Dividend income is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.

Closing fees associated with investments in portfolio companies are deferred and recognized as interest income over the respective terms of the applicable loans. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, any unamortized loan closing fees are recorded as part of interest income. Commitment fees are based upon the undrawn portion committed by the Company and are recorded as interest income on an accrual basis. Prepayment, amendment and other fees are recognized when earned, generally when such fees are receivable, and are included in fee income on the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company may invest in loans that contain a PIK interest rate provision. PIK interest is accrued at the contractual rates and added to loan principal on the reset dates to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected.

Non-accrual loans: Loans are placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected. The Company may conclude that non-accrual status is not required if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. Accrued interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with financial institutions, and short-term liquid investments in money market funds with original maturities of three months or less.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents: Restricted cash and cash equivalents include amounts that are collected and held by the trustee appointed as custodian of the assets securing the Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6). Restricted cash is held by the trustee for the payment of interest expense and principal on the outstanding borrowings or reinvestment into new assets. Restricted cash that represents interest or fee income is transferred to unrestricted cash accounts by the trustee generally once a quarter after the payment of operating expenses and amounts due under the Credit Facility.

Offering Costs: The Company may incur legal, accounting, regulatory, investment banking and other costs in relation to equity offerings. Offering costs are deferred and charged against paid-in capital in excess of par on completion of the related offering.

Deferred Financing Costs: Deferred financing costs represent fees and other direct incremental costs incurred in connection with the Company’s borrowings. These amounts are amortized and are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations over the estimated life of the borrowings. Deferred financing costs are presented in the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability.

Income Taxes: The Company elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to maintain its status as a RIC, among other requirements, the Company is required to distribute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to its stockholders each taxable year generally of an amount at least equal to 90% of the sum of ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, out of the assets legally available for distribution. In addition, the Company will incur a nondeductible excise tax equal to 4% of the amount by which (1) 98% of ordinary income for the calendar year (taking into account certain deferrals and elections), (2) 98.2% of capital gains in excess of capital losses, adjusted for certain ordinary losses, for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gain income for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which the Company incurred no U.S. federal income tax exceed distributions for the year. The Company accrues estimated excise tax on the amount, if any, that estimated taxable income is expected to exceed the level of stockholder distributions described above.

The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more-likely-than-not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statement is the largest benefit or expense that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. Any tax positions not deemed to satisfy the more-likely-than-not threshold are reversed and recorded as tax benefit or tax expense, as appropriate, in the current year. Management has analyzed the Company’s tax positions, and the Company has concluded that the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits or unrecognized tax liabilities related to uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Penalties or interest that may be assessed related to any income taxes would be classified as general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company had no amounts accrued for interest or penalties as of December 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023. The Company does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months. The Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by federal, state and local taxing authorities. Because many types of transactions are susceptible to varying interpretations under U.S. federal and state income tax laws and regulations, the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements may be subject to change at a later date by the respective taxing authorities. Tax returns for each of the federal tax years since 2020 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Dividends and Distributions: Dividends and distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Quarterly distribution payments are determined by the Company’s board of directors and are paid from taxable earnings estimated by management and may include a return of capital and/or capital gains. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually, although the Company may decide to retain such capital gains for investment.

The Company maintains an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) for common stockholders. As a result, if the Company declares a distribution or other dividend, stockholders’ cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock, unless they specifically “opt out” of the DRIP so as to receive cash distributions.

Earnings per Share: The Company calculates earnings per share as earnings available to stockholders divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

Risks and Uncertainties: In the normal course of business, the Company generally encounters two significant types of economic risks including credit and market. Credit risk is the risk of default on the Company’s investments that result from an issuer’s, borrower’s or derivative counterparty’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments. Market risk reflects changes in the value of investments due to changes in interest rates, spreads or other market factors, including the value of the collateral underlying investments held by the Company. Management believes that the carrying value of the Company’s investments are fairly stated, taking into consideration these risks along with estimated collateral values, payment histories and other market information.

Reclassifications: Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified. These reclassifications had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as previously reported.

Segment Reporting: In accordance with ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, or ASC 280, the Company has determined that it has a single operating and reporting segment. As a result, the Company’s segment accounting policies are the same as described herein and the Company does not have any intra-segment sales and transfers of assets.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” or ASU 2023-07. ASU 2023-07 enhances the disclosures required for reportable segments on an annual and interim basis. ASU 2023-07 is effective on a retrospective basis for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and early adoption is permitted. Management has adopted ASU 2023-07 effective December 31, 2024 and application of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 13 for more information on the adoption of ASU 2023-07.

In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40), which requires public business entities to disclose, in interim and annual reporting periods, additional information about certain expenses in the notes to financial statements. The objective of this guidance is to enhance transparency and comparability by providing more detailed disaggregation of expenses presented in the income statement. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2024-03 on its consolidated financial statements.