Huron Consulting (HURN) 10-Q2021 Q2 Quarterly report

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

Huron is a global consultancy that collaborates with clients to drive strategic growth, ignite innovation and navigate constant change. Through a combination of strategy, expertise and creativity, we help clients accelerate operational, digital and cultural transformation, enabling the change they need to own their future. By embracing diverse perspectives, encouraging new ideas and challenging the status quo, Huron creates sustainable results for the organizations it serves.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary for the fair statement of our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented in conformity with GAAP. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021. Our results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or any other interim period.

During the first quarter of 2021, we identified an error on our previously reported consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020

Preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The business and economic uncertainty resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made such estimates and assumptions more difficult to predict. Accordingly, actual results and outcomes could differ from those estimates.

The table below sets forth the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

The worldwide spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020 created significant volatility, uncertainty and disruption to

Based on the estimated fair values of the Strategy and Innovation and Life Sciences reporting units, we recorded non-cash pretax goodwill impairment charges of $49.9 million and $9.9 million, respectively, in the first quarter of 2020. The $49.9 million non-cash pretax charge related to the Strategy and Innovation reporting unit reduced the goodwill balance of the reporting unit to $37.5 million. The $9.9 million non-cash pretax charge related to the Life Sciences reporting unit reduced the goodwill balance of the reporting unit to 0.

Our goodwill impairment test was performed by comparing the fair value of each of the Strategy and Innovation and Life Sciences reporting

In the income approach, we utilized a discounted cash flow analysis, which involved estimating the expected after-tax cash flows that will be

In the market approach, we utilized the guideline company method, which involved calculating revenue multiples based on operating data

Intangible assets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 consisted of the following:

Intangible asset amortization expense was $2.3 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively; and $4.7 million and $6.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. The table below sets forth the estimated annual amortization expense for the intangible assets recorded as of June 30, 2021.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we recognized revenues of $230.1 million and $217.9 million, respectively. Of the $230.1 million recognized in the second quarter of 2021, we recognized revenues of $15.7 million from obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in prior periods, of which $13.5 million was due to changes in the estimates of our variable consideration under performance-based billing arrangements and $2.2 million was primarily due to the release of allowances on unbilled services as a result of securing contract amendments. Of the $217.9 million recognized in the second quarter of 2020, we recognized revenues of $5.6 million from obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in prior periods, of which $4.0 million was primarily due to the release of allowances on unbilled services as a result of securing contract amendments and $1.6 million was due to changes in the estimates of our variable consideration under performance-based billing arrangements.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we recognized revenues of $433.3 million and $440.5 million, respectively. Of the $433.3 million recognized in the first six months of 2021, we recognized revenues of $20.8 million from obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in prior periods, of which $13.9 million was due to changes in the estimates of our variable consideration under performance-based billing arrangements and $6.9 million was primarily due to the release of allowances on unbilled services as a result of securing contract amendments. Of the $440.5 million recognized in the first six months of 2020, we recognized revenues of $10.0 million from obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in prior periods, of which $6.2 million was due to changes in the estimates of our variable consideration under performance-based billing arrangements and $3.8 million was primarily due to the release of allowances on unbilled services as a result of securing contract amendments.

As of June 30, 2021, we had $66.7 million of remaining performance obligations under engagements with original expected durations greater than one year. These remaining performance obligations exclude obligations under contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less, variable consideration which has been excluded from the total transaction price due to the constraint, and performance obligations under time-and-expense engagements which are recognized in the amount invoiced. Of the $66.7 million of performance obligations, we expect to recognize approximately $29.2 million as revenue in 2021, $23.1 million in 2022, and the remaining $14.4 million thereafter. Actual revenue recognition could differ from these amounts as a result of changes in the estimated timing of work to be performed, adjustments to estimated variable consideration in performance-based arrangements, or other factors.

The payment terms and conditions in our customer contracts vary. Differences between the timing of billings and the recognition of revenue are recognized as either unbilled services or deferred revenues in the consolidated balance sheets.

Unbilled services include revenues recognized for services performed but not yet billed to clients. Services performed that we are not yet entitled to bill because certain events, such as the completion of the measurement period or client approval in performance-based engagements, must occur are recorded as contract assets and included within unbilled services, net. The contract asset balance as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $25.8 million and $17.3 million, respectively. The $8.5 million increase primarily reflects timing differences between the completion of our performance obligations and the amounts billed or billable to clients in accordance with their contractual billing terms.

Client prepayments and retainers are classified as deferred revenues and recognized over future periods in accordance with the applicable engagement agreement and our revenue recognition policy. Our deferred revenues balance as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, was $19.2 million and $28.2 million, respectively. The $9.0 million decrease primarily reflects timing differences between client payments in accordance with their contract terms and the completion of our performance obligations. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, $5.2 million and $26.0 million of revenues recognized were included in the deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2020.

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding unvested restricted common stock. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential reduction in earnings per share that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock under the treasury stock method. Such securities or other contracts include unvested restricted stock awards, unvested restricted stock units, and outstanding common stock options, to the extent dilutive. In periods for which we report a net loss from continuing operations, diluted weighted average common shares outstanding excludes all potential common stock equivalents as their impact on diluted net loss from continuing operations per share would be anti-dilutive.

Earnings (loss) per share under the basic and diluted computations are as follows: 

In November 2020, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program (the “2020 Share Repurchase Program”) permitting us to

In the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we repurchased and retired 405,363 and 651,081 shares for $22.1 million and $35.2 million, respectively, under the 2020 Share Repurchase Program. In the first quarter of 2020, we repurchased 313,998 shares for $20.9 million under the 2015 Share Repurchase Program. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2020, we settled the repurchase of 18,000 shares for $1.2 million that were accrued as of December 31, 2019. No shares were repurchased in the second quarter of 2020. As of June 30, 2021, $9.7 million remained available for share repurchases under our 2020 Share Repurchase Program.

A summary of the carrying amounts of our debt follows:

The Company has a $600 million senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to the terms of a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 2015, as amended to date (as amended and modified the "Amended Credit Agreement"), that becomes due and payable in full upon maturity on September 27, 2024. The Amended Credit Agreement provides the option to increase the revolving credit facility or establish term loan facilities in an aggregate amount of up to $150 million, subject to customary conditions and the approval of any lender whose commitment would be increased, resulting in a maximum available principal amount under the Amended Credit Agreement of $750 million. The initial borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement were used to refinance borrowings outstanding under a prior credit agreement, and future borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions of businesses, share repurchases, and general corporate purposes.

Fees and interest on borrowings vary based on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement). At our option, borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement will bear interest at one, two, three or six-month LIBOR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin will fluctuate between 1.125% per annum and 1.875% per annum, in the case of LIBOR borrowings, or between 0.125% per annum and 0.875% per annum, in the case of base rate loans, based upon our Consolidated Leverage Ratio at such time.

Amounts borrowed under the Amended Credit Agreement may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. We are required to prepay the amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement in certain circumstances, including upon an Event of Default (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement). In addition, we have the right to permanently reduce or terminate the unused portion of the commitments provided under the Amended Credit Agreement at any time.

The loans and obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are secured pursuant to a Second Amended and Restated Security Agreement and a Second Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement (the “Pledge Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. as collateral agent, pursuant to which the Company and the subsidiary guarantors grant Bank of America, N.A., for the ratable benefit of the lenders under the Amended Credit Agreement, a first-priority lien, subject to permitted liens, on substantially all of the personal property assets of the

Company and the subsidiary guarantors, and a pledge of 100% of the stock or other equity interests in all domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the stock or other equity interests in each “material first-tier foreign subsidiary” (as defined in the Pledge Agreement).

The Amended Credit Agreement contains usual and customary representations and warranties; affirmative and negative covenants, which include limitations on liens, investments, additional indebtedness, and restricted payments; and two quarterly financial covenants as follows: (i) a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of debt to consolidated EBITDA) of 3.75 to 1.00; however the maximum permitted Consolidated Leverage Ratio will increase to 4.00 to 1.00 upon the occurrence of certain transactions, and (ii) a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest) of 3.50 to 1.00. Consolidated EBITDA for purposes of the financial covenants is calculated on a continuing operations basis and includes adjustments to add back non-cash goodwill impairment charges, share-based compensation costs, certain non-cash restructuring charges, pro forma historical EBITDA for businesses acquired, and other specified items in accordance with the Amended Credit Agreement. For purposes of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, total debt is on a gross basis and is not netted against our cash balances. At June 30, 2021, we were in compliance with these financial covenants with a Consolidated Leverage Ratio of 2.80 to 1.00 and a Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.83 to 1.00.

Borrowings outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement at June 30, 2021 totaled $265.0 million. These borrowings carried a weighted average interest rate of 2.4%, including the effect of the interest rate swaps described in Note 9 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity." Borrowings outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement at December 31, 2020 were $200.0 million and carried a weighted average interest rate of 2.5%, including the effect of the interest rate swaps. The borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility is reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and outstanding letters of credit. At June 30, 2021, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $0.7 million, which are used as security deposits for our office facilities. As of June 30, 2021, the unused borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility was $334.3 million.

On June 30, 2017, in conjunction with our purchase of an aircraft related to the acquisition of Innosight, we assumed, from the sellers of the aircraft, a promissory note with an outstanding principal balance of $5.1 million. The principal balance of the promissory note is subject to scheduled monthly principal payments until the maturity date of March 1, 2024, at which time a final payment of $1.5 million, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, will be due. Under the terms of the promissory note, we pay interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate of one month LIBOR plus 1.97% per annum. The obligations under the promissory note are secured pursuant to a Loan and Aircraft Security Agreement with Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC, which grants the lender a first priority security interest in the aircraft. At June 30, 2021, the outstanding principal amount of the promissory note was $3.1 million, and the aircraft had a carrying amount of $4.1 million. At December 31, 2020, the outstanding principal amount of the promissory note was $3.3 million, and the aircraft had a carrying amount of $4.4 million.

Restructuring charges for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 were $0.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively, and primarily related to rent and related expenses, net of sublease income, and accelerated depreciation on furniture and fixtures for vacated office spaces.

Restructuring charges for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 were $0.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Restructuring charges recognized in the first six months of 2020 include a $1.2 million accrual for the termination of a third-party advisor agreement, $0.3 million related to workforce reductions to better align resources with market demand, and $0.1 million related to workforce reductions in our corporate operations.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, we announced a restructuring plan to reduce operating costs to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. The restructuring plan, which was substantially complete in the fourth quarter of 2020, provided for a reduction in certain leased office spaces and a reduction in workforce.

The table below sets forth the changes in the carrying amount of our restructuring charge liability by restructuring type for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

On June 22, 2017, we entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement effective August 31, 2017 and ending August 31, 2022, with a notional amount of $50.0 million. We entered into this derivative instrument to hedge against the interest rate risks of our variable-rate borrowings. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, we receive from the counterparty interest on the notional amount based on one month LIBOR and we pay to the counterparty a fixed rate of 1.900%.

On January 30, 2020, we entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement effective December 31, 2019 and ending December 31, 2024, with a notional amount of $50.0 million. We entered into this derivative instrument to further hedge against the interest rate risks of our variable-rate borrowings. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, we receive from the counterparty interest on the notional amount based on one month LIBOR and we pay to the counterparty a fixed rate of 1.500%.

On March 16, 2020, we entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement effective February 28, 2020 and ending February 28, 2025, with a notional amount of $100.0 million. We entered into this derivative instrument to further hedge against the interest rate risks of our variable-rate borrowings. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, we receive from the counterparty interest on the notional amount based on one month LIBOR and we pay to the counterparty a fixed rate of 0.885%.

We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the balance sheet. We have designated these derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. Therefore, changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are recorded to other comprehensive income (“OCI”) to the extent effective and reclassified into interest expense upon settlement. As of June 30, 2021, it was anticipated that $1.7 million of the losses, net of tax, currently recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

The table below sets forth additional information relating to the interest rate swaps designated as a cash flow hedging instrument as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

We do not use derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. Refer to Note 11 “Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)” for additional information on our derivative instruments.

Certain of our assets and liabilities are measured at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or the price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value and requires companies to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels based on the objectivity of the inputs as follows:

To determine the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment, we performed a variable interest entity (“VIE”) analysis and concluded that Shorelight does not meet the definition of a VIE. We also reviewed the characteristics of our investment to confirm that the convertible notes are not in-substance common stock that would warrant equity method accounting. After we reviewed all of the terms of the investment, we concluded the appropriate accounting treatment to be that of an available-for-sale debt security.

The investment is carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive

The table below sets forth the changes in the balance of the convertible debt investment for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

The table below sets forth the changes in the balance of the contingent consideration for business acquisitions for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we invested $5.0 million, in the form of preferred stock, in Medically Home Group, Inc. ("Medically Home"), a healthcare technology-enabled services company. To determine the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment, we performed a VIE analysis and concluded that Medically Home does not meet the definition of a VIE. We also reviewed the characteristics of our investment to confirm that the preferred stock is not in-substance common stock that would warrant equity method accounting. After we reviewed all of the terms of the investment, we concluded the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment in Medically Home to be that of an equity security with no readily determinable fair value. We elected to apply the measurement alternative at the time of the purchase and will continue to do so until the investment does not qualify to be so measured. Under the measurement alternative, the investment is carried at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment in Medically Home. On a quarterly basis, we review the information available to determine whether an orderly and observable transaction for the same or similar equity instrument occurred, and remeasure the fair value of the preferred stock using such identified transactions, with changes in the fair value recorded in consolidated statement of operations. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, there has been no impairment, nor any observable price change related to our investment. As of June 30, 2021, the carrying amount of our preferred stock investment was $6.7 million.

The carrying value of our borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility is stated at cost. Our carrying value approximates fair value, using Level 2 inputs, as the senior secured credit facility bears interest at variable rates based on current market rates as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement. Refer to Note 7 “Financing Arrangements” for additional information on our senior secured credit facility.

The carrying value of our promissory note due 2024 is stated at cost. Our carrying value approximates fair value, using Level 2 inputs, as the promissory note bears interest at rates based on current market rates as set forth in the terms of the promissory note. Refer to Note 7 “Financing Arrangements” for additional information on our promissory note due 2024.

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value. The carrying values of all other financial instruments not described above reasonably approximate fair market value due to the nature of the financial instruments and the short-term maturity of these items.

The table below sets forth the components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

On November 9, 2018, Huron Consulting Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Huron, was engaged by Oaktree Medical Centre LLC, a management services organization (“Oaktree”), to perform interim management and financial advisory services. As part of the services, a Huron employee was appointed by Oaktree’s board of directors to serve as Chief Restructuring Officer of Oaktree (the "CRO"). The engagement letter through which Oaktree retained Huron’s services (the "Engagement Letter") states that all disputes or claims are subject to binding arbitration, disclaims special, consequential, incidental and exemplary damages and losses and caps liability to the fees paid for the portion of the engagement giving rise to any liability. On September 19, 2019, Oaktree and certain of its affiliates filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina, with the cases subsequently transferred to the District of South Carolina. As a result of the bankruptcy filing, a Chapter 7 trustee was appointed to oversee the bankruptcy estates, at which time Huron’s services for Oaktree concluded.

In April 2021, Trustee’s counsel communicated in writing to Huron its intent to pursue various claims against Huron and the CRO, among others, on behalf of the bankruptcy estates related to the services carried out by Huron and the CRO during the engagement. Trustee's counsel has subsequently asserted that certain provisions in the Engagement Letter are unenforceable and/or inapplicable and that Huron and the CRO, among others, did not develop and implement a Chapter 11 restructuring plan on a timely basis and that their failure to do so led to significant damages. We believe the Trustee’s allegations with respect to Huron and the CRO are without merit and will vigorously defend ourselves should any claim arising out of these alleged facts and circumstances be asserted against us by the Trustee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, given the inherent risk and uncertainty associated with all litigation, we cannot estimate the potential liability with respect to such allegations at this time.

From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we are not a party to any litigation or legal proceeding or subject to any claim that, in the current opinion of management, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. However, due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in legal proceedings, actual results could differ from current expected results.

Guarantees in the form of letters of credit totaling $0.7 million and $1.6 million were outstanding at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, primarily to support certain office lease obligations.

In connection with certain business acquisitions, we may be required to pay post-closing consideration to the sellers if specific financial performance targets are met over a number of years as specified in the related purchase agreements. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the total estimated fair value of our outstanding contingent consideration liability was $1.8 million.

To the extent permitted by law, our bylaws and articles of incorporation require that we indemnify our officers and directors against judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with civil or criminal action or proceedings, as it relates to their services to us if such person acted in good faith. Although there is no limit on the amount of indemnification, we may have recourse against our insurance carrier for certain payments made.

Segments are defined as components of a company that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses, and for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision maker, who is our chief executive officer, manages the business under 3 operating segments, which are our reportable segments: Healthcare, Business Advisory, and Education.

Segment operating income consists of the revenues generated by a segment, less the direct costs of revenue and selling, general and administrative expenses that are incurred directly by the segment. Unallocated corporate costs include costs related to administrative functions that are performed in a centralized manner that are not attributable to a particular segment. These administrative function costs include costs for corporate office support, certain office facility costs, costs relating to accounting and finance, human resources, legal, marketing, information technology, and company-wide business development functions, as well as costs related to overall corporate management.

The table below sets forth information about our operating segments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, along with the items necessary to reconcile the segment information to the totals reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.