| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the financial position at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Huron Consulting Group Inc. and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions. Revenue Recognition We generate substantially all of our revenues from providing professional services to our clients. We also generate revenues from software licenses; software support and maintenance and subscriptions to our cloud-based analytic tools and solutions; speaking engagements; conferences; and publications. A single contract could include one or multiple performance obligations. For those contracts that have multiple performance obligations, we allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price, which is determined based on our overall pricing objectives, taking into consideration market conditions and other factors. Revenue is recognized when control of the goods and services provided are transferred to our customers and in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services using the following steps: 1) identify the contract, 2) identify the performance obligations, 3) determine the transaction price, 4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognize revenue as or when we satisfy the performance obligations. We generate our revenues under four types of billing arrangements: fixed-fee (including software license revenue); time-and-expense; performance-based; and software support, maintenance and subscriptions. • Fixed-fee (including software license revenue): In fixed-fee billing arrangements, we agree to a pre-established fee in exchange for a predetermined set of professional services. We set the fees based on our estimates of the costs and timing for completing the engagements. We generally recognize revenues under fixed-fee billing arrangements using a proportionate performance approach, which is based on work completed to date versus our estimates of the total services to be provided under the engagement. Contracts within our culture and organizational excellence solution include fixed-fee partner contracts with multiple performance obligations, which primarily consist of coaching services, as well as speaking engagements, conferences, publications and software products (“Partner Contracts”). Revenues for coaching services and software products are generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the length of the contract. All other revenues under Partner Contracts, including speaking engagements, conferences and publications, are recognized at the time the goods or services are provided. Estimates of total engagement revenues and cost of services are monitored regularly during the term of the engagement. We also generate revenues from software licenses for our revenue cycle management software and research administration and compliance software. Licenses for our revenue cycle management software are sold only as a component of our consulting projects, and the services we provide are essential to the functionality of the software. Therefore, revenues from these software licenses are recognized over the term of the related consulting services contract. License revenue from our research administration and compliance software is generally recognized in the month in which the software is delivered. • Time-and-expense: Under time-and-expense billing arrangements, we invoice our clients based on the number of hours worked by our revenue-generating professionals at agreed upon rates. Time-and-expense arrangements also include certain speaking engagements, conferences, and publications purchased by our clients outside of Partner Contracts within our culture and organizational excellence solution and the portion of our Healthcare managed services contracts that are billed under time-and-expense arrangements. We recognize revenues under time-and-expense arrangements as the related services or publications are provided, using the right to invoice practical expedient which allows us to recognize revenue in the amount that we have a right to invoice based on the number of hours worked and the agreed upon hourly rates or the value of the speaking engagements, conferences or publications purchased by our clients. • Performance-based: In performance-based billing arrangements, fees are tied to the attainment of contractually defined objectives. We enter into performance-based engagements in essentially two forms. First, we generally earn fees that are directly related to the savings formally acknowledged by the client as a result of adopting our recommendations for improving operational and cost effectiveness in the areas we review. Second, we earn a success fee when and if certain predefined outcomes occur. We recognize revenue under performance-based billing arrangements using the following steps: 1) estimate variable consideration using a probability-weighted assessment of the fees to be earned, 2) apply a constraint to the estimated variable consideration to limit the amount that could be reversed when the uncertainty is resolved (the “constraint”), and 3) recognize revenue of estimated variable consideration, net of the constraint, based on work completed to date versus our estimates of the total services to be provided under the engagement. • Software support, maintenance and subscriptions: Clients that have purchased one of our software licenses can pay an annual fee for software support and maintenance. We also generate subscription revenue from our cloud-based analytic tools and solutions. Software support, maintenance and subscription revenues are recognized ratably over the support or subscription period. These fees are generally billed in advance and included in deferred revenues until recognized. Provisions are recorded for the estimated realization adjustments on all engagements, including engagements for which fees are subject to review by the bankruptcy courts. Reimbursable expenses that are billed to clients, primarily relating to travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with client engagements, are included in total revenues and reimbursable expenses. Reimbursable expenses are recognized as expenses in the period in which the expense is incurred. 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. Revenues recognized for services performed but not yet billed to clients are recorded as unbilled services. Revenues recognized, but for which we are not yet entitled to bill because certain events, such as the completion of the measurement period or client approval, must occur, are recorded as contract assets and included within unbilled services. Client prepayments and retainers are classified as deferred revenues and recognized over future periods as earned in accordance with the applicable engagement agreement. Capitalized Sales Commissions Sales commissions earned by our sales professionals are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. Sales commissions with an expected amortization period greater than one year are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of the associated contract. We elected to apply the practical expedient to expense sales commissions as incurred when the expected amortization period is one year or less. Amortization expense is recorded to direct costs. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we amortized $0.2 million, $0.3 million, and $0.4 million, respectively, of capitalized sales commissions. Unamortized sales commissions were $0.4 million as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022. Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Unbilled Services We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services based on several factors, including the estimated cash realization from amounts due from clients, an assessment of a client’s ability to make required payments, and the historical percentages of fee adjustments and write-offs by age of receivables and unbilled services. The allowances are assessed by management on a regular basis. These estimates may differ from actual results. If the financial condition of a client deteriorates in the future, impacting the client’s ability to make payments, an increase to our allowance might be required or our allowance may not be sufficient to cover actual write-offs. We record the provision for doubtful accounts and unbilled services as a reduction in revenue. To the extent we write-off accounts receivable due to a client's inability to pay, the charge is recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Direct Costs Direct costs primarily consist of payroll costs for our revenue-generating professionals which includes salaries, performance bonuses, share-based compensation, signing and retention bonuses, payroll taxes and benefits. Direct costs also include fees paid to independent contractors that we retain to supplement our revenue-generating professionals, typically on an as-needed basis for specific client engagements, as well as technology costs, product and event costs, and commissions. Direct costs exclude amortization of intangible assets and software development costs and reimbursable expenses, both of which are separately presented in our consolidated statements of operations. Direct costs are expensed in the period incurred. Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments, including overnight investments and commercial paper, with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Concentrations of Credit Risk To the extent receivables from clients become delinquent, collection activities commence. No single client balance is considered large enough to pose a material credit risk. The allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services are based upon the expected ability to collect accounts receivable and bill and collect unbilled services. Management does not anticipate incurring losses on accounts receivable in excess of established allowances. See Note 19 “Segment Information” for concentration of accounts receivable and unbilled services. We hold our cash in accounts at multiple third-party financial institutions. These deposits, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. We review the credit ratings of these financial institutions, regularly monitor the cash balances in these accounts, and adjust the balances as appropriate. However, these cash balances could be impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions in the financial markets. Long-term Investments Our long-term investments consist of our convertible debt investment in Shorelight Holdings, LLC (“Shorelight”) and preferred stock investment in a hospital-at-home company. We classified the convertible debt investment in Shorelight as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluate such classification as of each balance sheet date. The investment is carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income. If the investment is in an unrealized loss position due to significant credit deterioration of the investee, we recognize an allowance to decrease the carrying value of the investment to the fair value, which may be reversed in the event that the credit of an issuer improves. In the event there are realized gains and losses or credit allowances recognized, we will record the amount in earnings. We have not realized any gains or losses or recognized any credit allowance on our convertible debt investment as of December 31, 2023. See Note 13 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional information on our convertible debt investment. We classified the preferred stock investment in the hospital-at-home company as an equity security without a readily determinable value at the time of purchase and reevaluate such classification as of each balance sheet date. We elected to apply the measurement alternative at the time of 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, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment in the company. 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 or if factors indicate that a significant decrease in value has occurred. We remeasure to the fair value of the preferred stock using such identified information with changes in the fair value recorded in our consolidated statement of operations. See Note 13 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional information on our preferred stock investment, including the cumulative unrealized gains recognized since our initial investment and the impairment loss recognized in 2023. Fair Value of Financial Instruments See Note 13 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for the accounting policies used to measure the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation, and depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term. Software, computers, and related equipment are depreciated over an estimated useful life of two Leases We determine if an arrangement contains a lease and the classification of such lease at inception. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, all of our material leases are classified as operating leases; we have not entered into any material finance leases. For all operating leases with an initial term greater than 12 months, we recognize an operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and operating lease liability. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating lease ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date and provided by the administrative agent for our senior secured credit facility in determining the present value of lease payments. Operating lease ROU assets exclude lease incentives. We elected the practical expedient to combine lease and nonlease components. Certain lease agreements contain variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate. These variable lease payments are not included in the calculation of the operating lease ROU asset and operating lease liability; instead, they are expensed as incurred. Our leases may contain options to extend or terminate the lease, and we include these terms in our calculation of the operating lease ROU asset and operating lease liability when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the option. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations. In accordance with our accounting policy for impairment of long-lived assets, operating lease ROU assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset group to which the operating lease ROU asset is assigned may not be recoverable. We evaluate the recoverability of the asset group based on forecasted undiscounted cash flows. See Note 5 “Leases” for additional information on our leases, including the lease impairment charges recorded in 2023 and 2022. Software Development Costs We incur internal and external software development costs related to our cloud computing applications and software for internal use. We capitalize these software development costs incurred during the application development stage. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post implementation activities are expensed as incurred. Once the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, these costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the technology's estimated useful life. Acquired technology assets are initially recorded at fair value and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life. Development costs related to software products that will be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed are expensed until technological feasibility has been established. Thereafter, and until the software is available for general release to customers, these software development costs are capitalized and subsequently reported at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. These capitalized development costs are amortized in proportion to current and future revenue for each product with an annual minimum equal to the straight-line amortization over the remaining estimated economic life of the product. We did not capitalize any material development costs for this type of software during 2023 or 2022. We classify capitalized software development costs, which primarily relate to cloud computing applications and software for internal use, as other non-current assets on our consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, gross capitalized software development costs and related accumulated amortization was $72.3 million and $26.8 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, gross capitalized software development costs and related accumulated amortization was $47.7 million and $21.5 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we amortized $6.5 million, $5.9 million, and $5.2 million, respectively, of capitalized software development costs. Additionally, in 2023, we recognized a $0.3 million restructuring charge for the abandonment of a capitalized software development project. Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement We incur costs to implement cloud computing arrangements that are service contracts. We capitalize certain costs associated with the implementation of the cloud computing arrangements, including employee payroll and related benefits and third party consulting costs, incurred during the application development stage of a project. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the hosting service contracts, including renewal periods we are reasonably certain to exercise, and recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2023, gross capitalized implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement and related accumulated amortization was $7.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, gross capitalized implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement and related accumulated amortization was $6.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 we recognized amortization of our capitalized implementation costs of $0.7 million, $1.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Of the $1.2 million amortization for capitalized implementation costs in 2022, $0.3 million was recognized as a restructuring charge as it related to accelerated amortization of capitalized software implementation costs for a cloud-computing arrangement that is no longer in use. Our capitalized implementation costs primarily relate to the implementation of a new ERP system. In January 2021, we successfully went live with the new ERP system, and we continue to progress with additional functionality and integrations as scheduled. These capitalized costs are included as a component of prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets on our consolidated balance sheet. Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill Identifiable intangible assets are amortized over their expected useful lives using a method that reflects the economic benefit expected to be derived from the assets or on a straight-line basis. We evaluate the recoverability of intangible assets periodically by considering events or circumstances that may warrant revised estimates of useful lives or that indicate the asset may be impaired. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, including property and equipment, right-of-use assets, and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a significant decline in forecasted operating results over an extended period of time. We evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets based on forecasted undiscounted cash flows. See Note 5 “Leases” and Note 11 “Restructuring Charges” for information on our operating lease ROU asset impairment charges recorded in 2023 and 2022 and fixed asset impairment charges recorded in 2023. No material impairment charges for other long-lived assets were recorded in 2023, 2022, or 2021. Goodwill For acquisitions accounted for as a business combination, goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired. We are required to test goodwill for impairment, at the reporting unit level, annually and when events or circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. We perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30 and monitor for interim triggering events on an ongoing basis. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component) to which goodwill is assigned when initially recorded. We assign goodwill to reporting units based on our integration plans and the expected synergies resulting from the acquisition. As of December 31, 2023, we have three reporting units: Healthcare, Education, and Commercial. In 2023, we performed the annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2023, pursuant to our policy, and determined that no impairment of goodwill existed as of that date. Further, we evaluated whether any events have occurred, or any circumstances have changed since November 30, 2023 that would indicate goodwill may have become impaired since our annual impairment test. Based on our evaluation as of December 31, 2023, we determined that no indications of impairment have arisen since our annual goodwill impairment test. In 2022, we performed two goodwill impairment tests: an interim impairment test for each of our reporting units as of January 1, 2022 in connection with the operating model modification and the annual impairment test for each of our reporting units as of November 30. We did not identify any impairments during our interim or annual impairment tests performed during 2022. In 2021, we performed the annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2021, pursuant to our policy, and determined that no impairment of goodwill existed as of that date. See Note 4 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information on our interim and annual goodwill impairment tests. Business Combinations We use the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations . Each acquired company’s operating results are included in our consolidated financial statements starting on the date of acquisition. The purchase price is equivalent to the fair value of consideration transferred. The contract assets and contract liabilities acquired are recorded at their carrying value under Topic 606: Revenue from Contracts with Customers . All other tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is recognized for the excess of purchase price over the net value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Contingent consideration, which is primarily based on the business achieving certain performance targets, is recognized at its fair value on the acquisition date, and changes in fair value are recognized in earnings until settled. Refer to Note 3 “Acquisitions and Divestiture” for additional information on our business acquisitions and refer to Note 13 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional information regarding our contingent acquisition liability balances. Income Taxes Current tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the estimated taxes payable or refundable, respectively, on the tax returns for the current year. We have elected to recognize the tax expense related to Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a current period expense when incurred. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. To the extent that deferred tax assets will not likely be recovered from future taxable income, a valuation allowance is established against such deferred tax assets. Refer to Note 17 “Income Taxes” for further information regarding incomes taxes. Share-Based Compensation Share-based compensation cost is measured based on the grant date fair value of the respective awards. We generally recognize share-based compensation ratably using the straight-line attribution method; however, for those awards with performance criteria and graded vesting features, we use the graded vesting attribution method. It is our policy to account for forfeitures as they occur. Refer to Note 16 “Equity Incentive Plan” for further information regarding share-based compensation. Sponsorship and Advertising Costs Sponsorship and advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Such expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 totaled $7.3 million, $6.3 million, and $4.3 million, respectively, and are a component of selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations. Debt Issuance Costs We amortize the costs we incur to obtain debt financing over the contractual life of the related debt using the straight-line method. The amortization expense is included in interest expense, net of interest income in our statement of operations. Unamortized debt issuance costs attributable to our senior secured revolving credit facility are included as a component of other non-current assets. Foreign Currency Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the United States Dollar (USD) are translated into USD using the exchange rates in effect at period end. Revenue and expense items are translated using the average exchange rates for the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, which is a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other income, net on the consolidated statement of operations. We recognized $0.5 million of foreign currency transaction losses in 2023, $0.7 million of foreign currency transaction gains in 2022, and $0.4 million of foreign currency transaction losses in 2021. Segment Reporting 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. As of December 31, 2023, our chief operating decision maker manages the business under three operating segments, which are our reportable segments: Healthcare, Education, and Commercial. New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted On November 27, 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which updates the segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses on an interim and annual basis. ASU 2023-07 will be effective for our annual reporting periods beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 and for interim reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 2025, with early adoption permitted, and is required to be applied retrospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our disclosures within our consolidated financial statements. On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which updates annual income tax disclosures by requiring disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation, as well as disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 will be effective for our annual reporting periods beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and is required to be applied prospectively with the option of retrospective application. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our disclosures within our consolidated financial statements. |
