10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-K

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2015

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 001-14505

 

 

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware   95-2623879

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2600,

Los Angeles, California

  90067
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

(310) 552-1834

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x      Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     Yes  ¨    No   x

The number of shares outstanding of our common stock as of June 19, 2015 was 50,626,827 shares. The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on October 31, 2014, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, (assuming that the registrant’s only affiliates are its officers, directors and 10% or greater stockholders) was approximately $1,437,981,608 based upon the closing market price of $27.93 on that date of a share of common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on September 24, 2015 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

Index to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2015

 

Item #

  

Description

   Page  
   Part I.   

Item 1

  

Business

     1   

Item 1A

  

Risk Factors

     13   

Item 1B

  

Unresolved Staff Comments

     23   

Item 2

  

Properties

     23   

Item 3

  

Legal Proceedings

     23   

Item 4

  

Mine Safety Disclosures

     23   
  

Executive Officers

     24   
   Part II.   

Item 5

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     25   

Item 6

  

Selected Financial Data

     28   

Item 7

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     30   

Item 7A

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     53   

Item 8

  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     54   

Item 9

  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     54   

Item 9A

  

Controls and Procedures

     54   

Item 9B

  

Other Information

     54   
   Part III.   

Item 10

  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     55   

Item 11

  

Executive Compensation

     55   

Item 12

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     55   

Item 13

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     55   

Item 14

  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     55   
   Part IV.   

Item 15

  

Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules

     56   
  

Signatures

     60   
  

Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules

     F-1   


Table of Contents

PART I.

 

Item 1. Business

About Korn Ferry

Korn/Ferry International (referred to herein as the “Company,” “Korn Ferry,” or in the first person notations “we,” “our,” and “us”) is a leading authority on leadership and talent. We opened our first office in Los Angeles in 1969 and currently operate in 78 offices in 37 countries. We have the ability to deliver our solutions on a global basis, wherever our clients do business. As of April 30, 2015, we had 3,687 full-time employees, including 452 Executive Recruitment, 164 Leadership & Talent Consulting, and 78 Futurestep consultants who are primarily responsible for client services. Our clients include many of the world’s largest and most prestigious public and private companies, middle market and emerging growth companies, as well as government and nonprofit organizations. We have built strong client loyalty with 79% of our assignments performed during fiscal 2015 on behalf of clients for whom we had conducted assignments in the previous three fiscal years.

We were originally formed as a California corporation in November 1969 and reincorporated as a Delaware corporation in fiscal 2000.

The Korn Ferry Opportunity

Since Korn Ferry’s inception, clients have trusted us to help recruit world-class talent. Today, we have evolved into a single source for leadership and talent consulting services going far beyond executive recruitment and encompassing leadership development, enterprise learning, succession planning, recruitment process outsourcing, and more.

We understand strategic transformation because we are doing it ourselves. Today, more than 40% of our business comes from outside our flagship Executive Recruitment solution.

About Our Solutions

At Korn Ferry, we design talent strategies, which allows us to build and attract talent:

 

    When we design, we are crafting a unique talent strategy through our expertise in organizational design and change management that will help our clients navigate a successful course through even the most complex transformations.

 

Talent Strategy
We help clients align their talent processes and organizational capabilities to fully activate their business strategy.

 

    When we build, we are delivering development solutions that help leaders, teams, individuals, and whole organizations to grow — while also helping to drive business results and deliver sustainable change.

 

Succession Management
We help clients understand their talent gaps by assessing and benchmarking current talent and future potential.
Leadership Development
We help clients close the gaps between what talent they have, and what talent they need.

 

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    When we attract, we bring a depth of expertise to the business of identifying, recruiting, and retaining the best board, C-suite, executive and professional-level talent.

 

Board, CEO, and Executive Recruitment Onboarding
We integrate scientific research with practical experience and industry-specific expertise to identify and recruit board directors, CEOs, and senior-level executives across all sectors and functions. We accelerate new executives’ time-to-contribution by providing practical guidance on cultural integration and stakeholder management, as well as collaborating to define 100-day plans.
Professional Recruitment Employer Brand and Talent Communications
We help clients around the world identify and secure emerging leaders and specialized high impact talent. We help clients create an employer value proposition as well as the messaging and tools that deliver a consistent brand experience across the employee lifecycle.
Recruitment Process Outsourcing
We provide flexible and scalable talent acquisition solutions that deliver business impact while simultaneously reducing cost and time to hire.

About Our Intellectual Property and Technology

Korn Ferry is increasingly a knowledge-based company with deep intellectual property and research that allow us to deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients. We understand what makes a great leader, the competencies they possess that distinguish them from others, as well as the potential shortcomings that can damage their careers as well as their organization’s performance. Today, our talent data includes 2.5 million assessments (heavily weighted by the very top executive levels), and profiles of 7.0 million candidates. This database provides the insight and intelligence for Korn Ferry’s team of social scientists to determine the true drivers of leadership and performance and how any individual or organization measures up.

Our vast library of proprietary tools and techniques has been developed through research by our scientists, statisticians and intellectual property (“IP”) development specialists. It underpins all of our services, giving us unique insight into how strategic talent decisions help contribute to competitive advantage and success. We continue to add more discipline and scientific research into the recruitment and talent management process, with emphasis shifting from candidate identification to candidate assessment, fit and attraction. Driving this focus is our enhanced technology, as the power of the Internet, databases and online talent communities make it possible to efficiently identify greater numbers of qualified candidates. Innovative technology, when combined with world-class intellectual property and thought leadership, creates a compelling set of tools to manage the process of identifying, assessing and recruiting the most desirable candidates.

In the fiscal year ahead, we will continue to place a strong focus on our new talent intelligence engine — Korn Ferry’s Four Dimensions of Leadership & Talent, which harnesses all of our IP and provides organizations with robust diagnostics at both the individual and enterprise levels. We have identified four crucial areas that matter most for individual and organizational success. The analytics we collect enable us to help organizations accentuate strengths and identify areas to develop, as well as understand how they stack up against their competition:

 

    Competencies — the skills and behaviors required for success that can be observed.

 

    Experiences — assignments or roles that prepare a person for future opportunities.

 

    Traits — inclinations, aptitudes and natural tendencies a person leans toward, including personality and intellectual capacity.

 

    Drivers — values and interests that influence a person’s career path, motivation, and engagement.

 

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Korn Ferry’s Four Dimensions of Leadership & Talent will serve as the assessment engine for the Company’s executive search and professional recruiting processes, leadership development and consulting, and recruitment process outsourcing engagements, as well as internal hiring and leadership development efforts.

About Our Business Segments

Korn Ferry solutions and intellectual property are delivered through the following business segments to empower organizations and leaders to reach their goals:

Executive Recruitment: Is managed by geographical regional leaders that focus on recruiting board-level, chief executive and other senior executive positions for clients predominantly in the consumer, financial services, industrial, life sciences/healthcare provider, technology and educational/not-for-profit industries. The relationships that we develop through this business allow us to add incremental value to our clients through the delivery of our many talent management solutions.

Our executive recruitment services concentrate on searches for positions with annual compensation of $250,000 or more, or comparable in foreign locations, which may involve board-level, chief executive and other senior executive positions. The industry is comprised of retained and contingency recruitment firms. Retained firms, such as Korn Ferry, typically charge a fee for their services equal to approximately one-third of the first year annual cash compensation for the position being filled regardless of whether the position is filled. Contingency firms generally work on a non-exclusive basis and are compensated only upon successfully placing a recommended candidate.

Leadership & Talent Consulting (“LTC”): Our LTC services are accelerating our transformation into a broad-based talent management firm. Our comprehensive blend of talent management offerings assists clients with their ongoing assessment, organizational design and leadership development efforts. Our LTC offerings have been expanded and enhanced through the acquisitions of Pivot Leadership, PDI Ninth House (“PDI”) and Global Novations, LLC (“Global Novations”). As discussed above, our services address three fundamental needs — Talent Strategy, Succession Management, and Leadership Development. Each of Korn Ferry’s solutions is delivered by an experienced team of leadership consultants, a global network of top executive coaches and the intellectual property of research-based, time-tested leadership assessment and developmental tools.

Professional Search and Recruitment Process Outsourcing: In 1998, we extended our market reach into recruitment for non-executive professionals with the introduction of our subsidiary, Futurestep. Futurestep draws from Korn Ferry’s four decades of industry experience to offer fully customized, flexible services to help organizations meet their talent and recruitment needs. Our portfolio of services includes Recruitment Process Outsourcing (“RPO”), Project Recruitment, Professional Search, Talent Consulting and Talent Communications.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). You may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. Our reports, proxy statements and other documents filed electronically with the SEC are available at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

We also make available, free of charge on the Investor Relations portion of our website at www.kornferry.com, our annual, quarterly, and current reports, and, if applicable, amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish them to, the SEC.

We also make available on the Investor Relations portion of our website at www.kornferry.com earnings slides and other important information, which we encourage you to review.

 

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Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation and Personnel Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors are also posted on our website at http://ir.kornferry.com. Stockholders may request copies of these documents by writing to our Corporate Secretary at 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2600, Los Angeles, California 90067.

Industry Trends

Despite a relatively healthy global economic environment, our clients are finding that growth is difficult to sustain. CEOs are increasingly demanding an agile workforce that can innovate and drive growth across borders. We believe Korn Ferry is uniquely positioned to help organizations align their strategy, talent, and culture to unlock growth.

Consolidation of Talent Management Solution Providers — In choosing recruitment and human resource service providers, we believe:

 

    Companies are actively in search of preferred providers in order to create efficiencies and consolidate vendor relationships;

 

    Companies that can offer a full suite of talent management solutions are becoming increasingly attractive; and

 

    Clients seek trusted advisors who understand their business and unique organizational culture in order to manage the multiple needs of their business on a global scale.

Skills Gaps — There are not enough highly “skilled” people coming into the labor market to fill open jobs. Particularly at the senior management levels, the available talent pool is inadequate. New leaders must step into bigger, more complex, and more global roles faster — and with less experience — than their predecessors. Given this, learning agility — one’s ability to solve complex problems, easily adapt in a constantly changing world and drive change — is more important than ever. We believe employers will increasingly seek service providers who can help them find, develop and retain highly qualified, learning agile talent that secures a competitive advantage.

Human Capital Is One of the Top CEO Challenges — The people, the minds, the alliances and the culture that can create and then nurture innovative ideas — are seen as central to CEOs. In fact, according to the Conference Board, human capital — how best to develop, engage, manage and retain talent — is the single biggest challenge facing CEOs in 2015.

Emerging Markets Are Our Focus for New Growth – We are experiencing a global workforce imbalance as slower-growth countries are facing hiring slowdowns and emerging economies’ need for talent is increasing. If emerging markets in Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa are to continue their growth trajectory, they will need to solve human capital issues such as how to attract, engage and retain highly competent, innovative talent, as well as how to develop effective leaders to drive the business. As companies expand internationally, and different markets present more attractive business opportunities, they have to think about their workforce and talent in this way too. Clients are turning to firms that understand the global complexities impacting workforce planning today.

Talent Analytics — Companies are increasingly leveraging big data and predictive analytics to measure the influence of activities across all aspects of their business, including HR. They expect their service providers to deliver superior metrics and measures and better ways of communicating results. Korn Ferry’s go-to-market approach is increasingly focused on talent analytics. Leveraging a large set of data on talent accumulated over decades of research, we have cataloged the elements of talent and isolated the most potent facets. The result, Korn Ferry’s Four Dimensions of Leadership & Talent, is the talent intelligence engine that powers all our solutions and products.

 

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Increased Outsourcing of Recruitment Functions — More companies are focusing on core competencies and outsourcing non-core, back-office functions to providers who can provide efficient, high-quality services. Third-party providers can apply immediate and long-term approaches for improving all aspects of talent acquisition. Advantages to outsourcing part or all of the recruitment function include:

 

    Access to a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates, which is refreshed on a regular basis;

 

    Reduction or elimination of the costs required to maintain and train an in-house recruiting department in a rapidly changing industry;

 

    Ability to use the workflow methodologies we have developed over tens of thousands of assignments, which allows clients to fulfill positions on a streamlined basis;

 

    Ability to quickly review millions of resumes and provide the right fit for the client;

 

    Access to the most updated industry and geographic market information;

 

    Access to cutting-edge search technology software; and

 

    Ability to maintain management focus on core strategic business issues.

Other Industry Trends — In addition to the industry trends mentioned above, we believe the following factors will have a long-term positive impact on the talent management industry:

 

    Increasing demand for professionals with not just the right technical skills, but also the right leadership style, values and motivation to meet the specific requirements of the position and organizational culture;

 

    Decreasing executive management tenure and more frequent job changes;

 

    Retiring baby boomers, creating a skills gap in the workforce;

 

    Shifting balance of power towards the employee as more people take charge of their own careers, and the new norm of employee-driven development;

 

    Increasing importance of talent mobility in engaging and developing people within an organization; and

 

    Increased attention on succession planning due to heightened scrutiny on CEOs, pressure to generate growth, shorter CEO tenures and the emphasis being placed on making succession planning a systemic governance process within global organizations.

Growth Strategy

Our objective is to expand our position as a single source of leadership and talent consulting services. In order to meet this objective, we will continue to pursue five strategic initiatives:

1. Drive an Integrated, Solutions-Based Go-to-Market Strategy

Differentiating Client Value Proposition — Korn Ferry offers its clients a global, integrated, enterprise-wide talent management solution. To that end, we have made progress in helping clients design talent strategies that accelerate business outcomes. Where there are critical gaps, we build talent from within and attract new talent from the outside.

In analyzing talent management across the entire value chain, Korn Ferry has developed a robust suite of offerings and leverages our market-leading position in executive recruitment to extend the value we bring our clients through our diversified capabilities along the rest of the talent lifecycle through our LTC and Futurestep service lines.

 

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Our synergistic go-to-market strategy, utilizing all three of our service lines, is driving more integrated, scalable client relationships, while accelerating our evolution to a consultative solutions-based organization. This is evidenced by the fact that approximately 60% of our revenues come from clients that utilize multiple lines of business.

We are an increasingly diversified enterprise in the world of human capital services and products, an industry that represents an estimated $600 billion global market opportunity.

In an effort to better coordinate global recruiting and to gain operational efficiencies, we expect that multinational clients increasingly will turn to strategic partners who can manage their recruitment and talent management needs on a centralized basis. This will require vendors with a global network of offices and technological support systems to manage multiple hires across geographical regions. We established our Strategic Accounts program to act as a catalyst for change as we transform our Company from individual operators to an integrated talent solutions provider, in an effort to drive major global and regional strategic account development as well as to provide a framework for all of our client development activities. Today, the program consists of global colleagues from every line of business and geography. We are cascading this methodology throughout every market, country and office.

2. Deliver Unparalleled Client Excellence

World-class Intellectual Property — Korn Ferry continues to scale and more deeply embed our industry-leading intellectual property within the talent management processes of our global clients.

Our IP-driven tools and services are being utilized by our clients for everything from organizational development and job profiling to selection, training, individual and team development, succession planning and more. Our Global Products Group helps us generate long-term relationships with our clients. We continue to seek ways to scale our product offering to our global clients.

Global organizations utilizing our Company’s validated assessment capability are realizing the power and benefits of Korn Ferry IP in their talent evaluation process. Our assessment capability, currently utilized by more than 70% of our Executive Recruitment clients, can improve executive retention and prospects of promotion.

Our IP orientation is further expanded by our acquisitions of Pivot Leadership, PDI Ninth House and Global Novations. These firms offer a variety of leadership development, coaching and assessment solutions for different organizational levels, as well as technology-driven talent management solutions.

Technology — Information technology is a critical element of all of our businesses. In fiscal 2015, we continued to invest in enhanced tools and knowledge management to gain a competitive advantage. We introduced a new technology platform to support delivery of Korn Ferry’s Four Dimensions of Leadership (“KF4D”), our newest and most robust assessment for Executive Recruitment, LTC and Futurestep. We enhanced KF Insight, an iOS mobile application that enables our consultants to have a 360-degree view of all activities across Korn Ferry at their clients, providing them the secure tools to enable more integrated, scalable client relationships, while connecting it to our new global customer relationship management platform. We continued to invest in our IT security team and enhanced our security infrastructure in an effort to protect the Company’s assets against today’s cyber-security threats.

The technology supporting LTC continued to evolve in fiscal 2015 through the integration of our intellectual property into our assessment and talent management services. Through the PDI acquisition, we acquired a sophisticated technology platform (PALMS) and a robust library of intellectual property. PALMS provides Korn Ferry with a client-facing technology platform to launch all assessment activities, a centralized database to track and analyze all assessment data and an e-learning platform to launch interactive, simulation based learning modules. In fiscal 2015, we integrated our scalable intellectual property content repository, allowing us to leverage our IP across all products and services, within LTC and across lines of business. This enables us to

 

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continue to integrate services provided across the entire LTC portfolio, as well as Executive Recruitment and Futurestep, and we have continued work on a unified talent analytics layer to support Korn Ferry’s strategy to address this key industry trend.

Information technology is a key driver of Futurestep’s growth in RPO, project recruitment and search. Database technology and the Internet have greatly improved capabilities in identifying, targeting and reaching potential candidates. In fiscal 2015, we continued the integration of advanced, Internet-based sourcing, assessment and selection technologies into the engagement workflow. We expanded the use of Foresight, our data aggregation warehouse for analytical reporting of Futurestep recruiting activities across internal systems and external clients’ applicant tracking systems.

We are committed to investing in technology across all lines of business — extending the Company’s brand through integration with social networks — and delivering our unique intellectual property through smart phones and tablets. In fiscal 2015, Forte, a mobile/desktop application for career development and transitions, was enhanced to be used in more client situations, not just for RPO, but as a value-added component of broader LTC service offerings. It enables users to build a customized, personal development plan drawing on the Korn Ferry assessment and development portfolio.

We will continue to enhance our technology in order to strengthen our relationships with clients, expand our markets through new delivery channels and maintain a competitive advantage in offering the full range of executive talent management services.

3. Extend and Elevate the Korn Ferry Brand

Next to our people, the Korn Ferry brand is the strongest asset of the Company. Since inception, Korn Ferry has always maintained an aggressive stance in building our global presence and supporting our vision and ongoing growth through a comprehensive marketing approach. At the highest level, we will continue to extend and elevate the Korn Ferry brand to raise awareness and drive higher market share within key segments.

Our leadership in executive recruitment enables us to grow our business by increasing the number of recruitment assignments we handle for existing clients. We also believe that our strong relationships and well-recognized brand name will enable us to bring a broader base of solutions and services to our existing client base and to potential new clients, while allowing us to build communities of candidates to whom we can directly market our services.

For example, we will leverage the work our Board & CEO Services practice performs at the top of our clients’ organizations to promote awareness of our various solutions at the highest levels. We believe these engagements will create “trickle-down” revenue opportunities across all of our lines of business and lead to the expansion of other high-level, consultative relationships within the board and CEO community.

We drive additional awareness and brand equity through a global marketing program that leverages Korn Ferry Institute-generated thought leadership (whitepapers, bylined articles, and our award-winning Briefings periodical), aggressive media relations, social media, a sophisticated demand generation platform and other vehicles that include sponsorships, speaking opportunities, advertising and events.

4. Advance Korn Ferry as a Premier Career Destination

As our business strategy evolves, so should our talent strategy in order to drive the growth we need and the culture we want, at a pace we can absorb. Our talent strategy is what allows us to build and attract the best talent for ourselves (and, by extension, for our clients) to achieve our business potential.

Our goal is to become the premier career destination for top talent through offering a client-focused culture, promotional/developmental opportunities and compensation that aligns employee behavior to corporate strategy.

 

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We continue to support an in-depth and ongoing professional development program called The Edge for our consultants and client-facing practitioners to further train them on our strategy, our various solutions and a systematic approach for broadening the conversations, and subsequently, the relationships with our clients. Additional initiatives include aligning workforce and leadership competencies to our strategy, enhancing performance practices, developing succession slates across the Company, and evolving our rewards system.

5. Pursue Transformational Opportunities Along the Broad Human Resources Spectrum

In addition to our heritage as a provider of executive recruitment, we also offer clients RPO, Project Recruitment, Professional Search, Talent Consulting and Talent Communications services through Futurestep, and Talent Strategy, Succession Management and Leadership Development services through LTC.

We will continue to internally develop and add new products and services that our clients demand while pursuing a disciplined acquisition strategy. We have developed a core competency in the identification, acquisition and integration of M&A targets that play a significant role in the attainment of our strategic objectives. As we look forward, we will continue building Korn Ferry as the leading authority on those talent management strategies that truly drive the execution of business strategies. Our disciplined approach to M&A will continue to play a vital role in this journey.

Our Services and Organization

Organization

The Company operates in three global business segments: Executive Recruitment, LTC, and Futurestep. Our executive recruitment business is managed on a geographic basis throughout our four regions: North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), Asia Pacific and South America. LTC and Futurestep are managed on a global basis with operations in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and South America.

We address the global recruitment and talent management needs of our clients at all levels of management by offering the following services:

Executive Recruitment Services

Overview — Our executive recruitment services are typically used to fill executive-level positions, such as board directors, CEOs, chief financial officers, chief operating officers, chief information officers and other senior executive officers. As part of being retained by a client to conduct a search, we assemble a team comprised of consultants with appropriate geographic, industry and functional expertise. Our search consultants serve as management advisors who work closely with the client in identifying, assessing and placing qualified candidates. In fiscal 2015, we executed 8,480 executive recruitment assignments.

We utilize a standardized approach to placing talent that integrates research based IP with our practical experience. Providing a more complete view of the candidate than is otherwise possible, we believe our proprietary tools generate better results in attracting the right person for the position.

We emphasize a close working relationship with the client and a comprehensive understanding of the client’s business issues, strategy and culture. Initially, the search team invites the client to an online portal where they complete a series of exercises designed to capture the most relevant, critical requirements for the role. The input gathered in the client exercises is the lever that controls the Unique Client Profile, the benchmark against which all candidates are compared. Once the Unique Client Profile is finalized, a research team identifies, through the use of our proprietary databases and other information resources, companies in related industries facing similar issues and with operating characteristics similar to those of the client. In addition, the team consults with its established network of resources and searches our databases containing profiles of approximately five million executives to assist in identifying individuals with the right background, cultural fit and abilities. These resources are a critical element in assessing the marketplace.

 

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An original list of candidates is carefully screened through phone interviews, video conferences and in-person meetings. Candidates also complete Korn Ferry’s Four Dimensional Executive Assessment. Launched in fiscal 2015 and powered by Korn Ferry’s Four Dimensions of Leadership & Talent, this tool gives clients insights about each candidate’s competencies, personality traits, drivers, and past experiences that are aligned to the role. We conduct due diligence and background verification of the candidates throughout this process, at times with the assistance of an independent third party.

The finalist for the position will usually meet with the client for a second and possibly a third round of discussions. At this point, the compensation package will have been discussed in detail, increasing the likelihood that an offer will be accepted. Throughout the process, ongoing communication with the client is critical to keep client management apprised of progress.

Industry Specialization — Consultants in our five global markets and one regional specialty practice groups bring an in-depth understanding of the market conditions and strategic management issues faced by clients within their specific industry and geography. We are continually looking to expand our specialized expertise through internal development and strategic hiring in targeted growth areas.

Percentage of Fiscal 2015 Assignments by Industry Specialization

 

Global Markets:

Industrial

  29

Life Sciences/Healthcare Provider

  20

Financial Services

  17

Consumer

  17

Technology

  11

Regional Specialties:

Education/Not-for-Profit

  6

Functional Expertise — We have organized executive recruitment centers of functional expertise, composed of consultants who have extensive backgrounds in placing executives in certain functions, such as board directors, CEOs and other senior executive officers. Our Board & CEO Services group, for example, focuses exclusively on placing CEOs and board directors in organizations around the world. This is a dedicated team from the most senior ranks of the Company. Their work is with CEOs and in the board room, and their expertise is organizational leadership and governance. They conduct hundreds of engagements every year, tapping talent from every corner of the globe. This work spans all ranges of organizational scale and purpose. Members of functional groups are located throughout our regions and across our industry groups.

Percentage of Fiscal 2015 Assignments by Functional Expertise

 

Board Level/CEO/CFO/Senior Executive and General Management

  72

Finance and Control

  9

Marketing and Sales

  6

Human Resources and Administration

  5

Manufacturing/Engineering/Research and Development/Technology

  4

Information Systems

  4

Regions

North America — We currently have 20 offices throughout the United States and Canada. In fiscal 2015, the region generated fee revenue of $330.6 million and opened 2,196 new engagements with an average of 207 consultants.

 

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EMEA — We currently have 19 offices in 17 countries throughout the region. In fiscal 2015, the region generated fee revenue of $153.5 million and opened 1,533 new engagements with an average of 128 consultants.

Asia Pacific — We currently have 16 offices in 10 countries throughout the region. In fiscal 2015, the region generated fee revenue of $84.1 million and opened 984 new engagements with an average of 86 consultants.

South America — We currently operate a network of 7 offices in 7 countries covering the entire South American region. The region generated fee revenue of $29.2 million in fiscal 2015 and opened 452 new engagements with an average of 21 consultants.

Mexico — We currently serve our clients’ needs in two offices in Mexico through a subsidiary in which we hold a minority interest. Our share of the net earnings from our Mexico subsidiary was $1.8 million for the year ended April 30, 2015 and is included in equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended April 30, 2015.

Client Base — Our 5,350 clients include many of the world’s largest and most prestigious public and private companies, and 56% of FORTUNE 500 companies were clients in fiscal 2015. In fiscal 2015, only three clients represented more than 1% of fee revenue, with those clients representing a combined 3.6% of fee revenue.

Competition — Other multinational executive recruitment firms include Egon Zehnder International, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., Russell Reynolds Associates and Spencer Stuart. Although these firms are our largest competitors in executive search, we also compete with smaller boutique firms that specialize in specific regional, industry or functional searches. We believe our brand name, differentiated business model, systematic approach to client service, cutting-edge technology, global network, prestigious clientele, strong specialty practices and high-caliber colleagues are recognized worldwide. We also believe our long-term incentive compensation arrangements, as well as other executive benefits, distinguish us from most of our competitors and are important in attracting and retaining our key consultants.

Leadership & Talent Consulting Services

Our strategic management assessment and executive coaching and development services are consolidated under the name Leadership & Talent Consulting to reflect the array of solutions we offer and to accommodate further growth. We have made significant investments in these service areas with the acquisitions of Lominger Limited, Inc., Lominger Consulting (“Lominger”) and LeaderSource in fiscal 2007, Lore International in fiscal 2009, SENSA Solutions in fiscal 2010, PDI and Global Novations in fiscal 2013 and Pivot Leadership in fiscal 2015. Our comprehensive blend of talent management offerings assists clients with the ongoing assessment and development of their senior executives and management teams and addresses three fundamental needs:

 

  1. Talent Strategy;

 

  2. Succession Management; and

 

  3. Leadership Development

While Korn Ferry’s Four Dimensions of Leadership & Talent has thus far been embedded into the recruitment process, our research shows the four dimensions are highly predictive of many other key talent variables: engagement, retention, productivity, leadership effectiveness, and leadership potential. Korn Ferry intends to embed this intelligence and methodology into all of LTC solutions — providing clients with a more intelligent, sophisticated and real-time understanding of their overall global workforce performance and potential, including talent strengths and gaps, areas to develop, and industry benchmarks.

Each of Korn Ferry’s solutions is delivered by an experienced team of leadership consultants, a global network of top executive coaches and the intellectual property of research-based, time-tested leadership assessment and developmental tools. As of April 30, 2015, we had LTC operations in 16 cities in North America, 10 in Europe, 12 in Asia Pacific, and 7 in Latin America.

 

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Client Base — During fiscal 2015, LTC partnered with 2,363 clients across the globe, including 61% of the FORTUNE 500.

Competition — Our main competitors include firms like Development Dimensions International, Center for Creative Leadership, Right Management, Mercer, Egon Zehnder, Kenexa, Hay Group, YSC and SHL, a subsidiary of Corporate Executive Board. Although these firms are our largest competitors, we also compete with smaller boutique firms that specialize in specific regional, industry or functional aspects of talent management. We believe the strong leadership brands that comprise LTC offer a robust, research-based leadership and talent management content.

Professional Search and Recruitment Process Outsourcing — Futurestep

Overview — Futurestep offers clients a portfolio of talent acquisition solutions, including RPO, Project Recruitment, Professional Search, Talent Consulting and Talent Communications. Each Futurestep engagement leverages a global recruitment process and best-in-class technology to maximize and measure quality.

Futurestep combines traditional recruitment expertise with a multi-tiered portfolio of talent acquisition solutions. Futurestep consultants, based in 19 countries, have access to our databases of pre-screened, mid-level professionals. Our global candidate pool complements our international presence and multi-channel sourcing strategy to aid speed, efficiency and quality service for clients worldwide.

Futurestep’s customizable end-to-end RPO solution combines our recruiting expertise with state-of-the-art technologies and sophisticated methodologies to help companies streamline recruitment processes, enhance candidate experience, and improve quality of hire.

Project Recruitment services offer a proven, outsourced approach for delivering the right talent in the right numbers and in the right location — within a specific timeframe.

In terms of Search, Futurestep’s brand association with Korn Ferry has helped us become regarded by today’s industry leaders as a trusted resource for securing emerging leaders and specialized talent on a professional level.

Talent Consulting services support clients with the wider aspects of the talent lifecycle including talent acquisition advisory, candidate assessment and selection and recruitment technology services.

Talent Communications services help clients create a compelling employer brand experience. We use the latest research techniques to identify each client’s unique Employer Value Proposition and then bring it to life across the full range of traditional and digital media.

Regions — We opened our first Futurestep office in Los Angeles in May 1998. In January 2000, we acquired the Executive Search & Selection business of PA Consulting with operations in Europe and Asia Pacific. As of April 30, 2015, we had Futurestep operations in 12 cities in North America, 10 in Europe, 15 in Asia Pacific, and 2 in Latin America.

Client Base — During fiscal 2015, Futurestep partnered with 1,181 clients across the globe and 38% of Futurestep’s fiscal 2015 fee revenue was referred from Korn Ferry’s Executive Recruitment and LTC segments.

Competition — Futurestep primarily competes for business with other RPO providers such as Cielo Talent, Alexander Mann Solutions, Hays, Kenexa, Spherion, KellyOCG and The RightThing and competes for search assignments with regional contingency recruitment firms and large national retained recruitment firms.

 

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Professional Staff and Employees

We have a wealth of talent at our disposal. Our Company brings together the best and brightest from a wide range of disciplines and professions — everything from academic research and technology development to executive recruiting, consulting, and business leadership. We are also a culturally diverse organization. Our people come from all over the world and speak a multitude of languages. For us, this diversity is a key source of strength. It means we have people who are able to challenge convention, offer unique perspectives, and generate innovative ideas. Equally important, it means we can think and act globally — just like our clients.

As of April 30, 2015, we had a total of 3,687 full-time employees. Of this, 1,562 were executive recruitment employees consisting of 452 consultants and 1,110 associates, researchers, administrative and support staff. LTC had 894 employees as of April 30, 2015, consisting of 164 consultants and 730 associates, researchers, administrative and support staff. Futurestep had 1,147 employees as of April 30, 2015, consisting of 78 consultants and 1,069 administrative and support staff. Corporate had 84 professionals at April 30, 2015. We are not party to a collective bargaining agreement and consider our relations with our employees to be good. Korn Ferry is an equal opportunity employer.

In Executive Recruitment, senior associates, associates and researchers support the efforts of our consultants with candidate sourcing and identification, but do not generally lead assignments. These colleagues are developed through our training and professional development programs. Promotion to senior client partner is based on a variety of factors, including demonstrated superior execution and business development skills, the ability to identify solutions to complex issues, personal and professional ethics, a thorough understanding of the market and the ability to develop and help build effective teams. In addition, we have a program for recruiting experienced professionals into our Company.

The following table provides information relating to each of our business segments for fiscal 2015. Financial information regarding our business segments for fiscal 2014 and 2013 and additional information for fiscal 2015 is contained in Note 11 — Business Segments, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

    Fee
Revenue
    Operating
Income
(Loss)
    Number of
Offices as of
April 30, 2015
    Number of
Consultants as of
April 30, 2015
 
    (dollars in thousands)  

Executive Recruitment:

 

North America

  $ 330,634      $ 80,818        20        214   

EMEA

    153,465        18,867        19        129   

Asia Pacific

    84,148        14,631        16        87   

South America

    29,160        4,704        7        22   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Executive Recruitment (1)

  597,407      119,020      62      452   

LTC (2)

  267,018      28,175      7      164   

Futurestep (3)

  163,727      19,940      9      78   

Corporate

  —        (53,107   —        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

$ 1,028,152    $ 114,028      78      694   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (1) Executive Recruitment partially occupies 2 of Futurestep offices globally in 2 countries and 1 LTC office globally in 1 country.

 

  (2) Leadership & Talent Consulting partially occupies 38 of the executive recruitment offices globally in 23 countries.

 

  (3) Futurestep partially occupies 30 of the executive recruitment offices globally in 16 countries.

 

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The following table provides information on fee revenues for each of the last three fiscal years attributable to the regions in which the Company operates:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015      2014      2013  
     (in thousands)  

Fee Revenue:

        

United States

   $ 557,024       $ 507,280       $ 416,987   

Canada

     39,252         38,113         42,263   

EMEA

     248,865         232,329         192,242   

Asia Pacific

     145,625         145,452         124,720   

South America

     37,386         37,127         36,619   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 1,028,152    $ 960,301    $ 812,831   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Additional financial information regarding the regions in which the Company operates can be found in Note 11 — Business Segments, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The risks described below are the material risks facing our Company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.

Competition in our industries could result in our losing market share and/or require us to charge lower prices for services, which could reduce our revenue.

We compete for executive recruitment business with numerous executive recruitment firms and businesses that provide job placement services, including other large global executive search firms, smaller specialty firms and web-based firms. Traditional executive recruitment competitors include Egon Zehnder International, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., Russell Reynolds Associates and Spencer Stuart. In each of our markets, one or more of our competitors may possess greater resources, greater name recognition, lower overhead or other costs and longer operating histories than we do, which may give them an advantage in obtaining future clients, capitalizing on new technology and attracting qualified professionals in these markets. Additionally, specialty firms can focus on regional or functional markets or on particular industries and executive search firms that have a smaller client base may be subject to fewer off-limits arrangements. There are no extensive barriers to entry into the executive recruitment industry and new recruiting firms continue to enter the market. We believe the continuing development and increased availability of information technology will continue to attract new competitors, especially web-enabled professional and social networking website providers and these providers may be facilitating a company’s ability to insource their recruiting capabilities. As these providers continue to evolve, they may develop offerings similar to or more expansive than ours, thereby increasing competition for our services or more broadly causing disruption in the executive recruitment industry. The human resource consulting business has been traditionally fragmented and a number of large consulting firms, such as Accenture, Aon Hewitt and Towers Watson are building businesses in human resource management consulting to serve these needs. Increased competition, whether as a result of these professional and social networking website providers or traditional executive recruitment firms, may lead to pricing pressures that could negatively impact our business. For example, increased competition could require us to charge lower prices, and/or cause us to lose market share, each of which could reduce our fee revenue.

 

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If we fail to attract and retain qualified and experienced consultants, our revenue could decline and our business could be harmed.

We compete with other executive recruitment and consulting firms for qualified and experienced consultants. These other firms may be able to offer greater compensation and benefits or more attractive lifestyle choices, career paths or geographic locations than we do. Attracting and retaining consultants in our industry is particularly important because, generally, a small number of consultants have primary responsibility for a client relationship. Because client responsibility is so concentrated, the loss of key consultants may lead to the loss of client relationships. In 2015, for example, our top three executive search consultants had primary responsibility for generating business equal to approximately 1% of our net revenues, and our top ten executive search consultants had primary responsibility for generating business equal to approximately 4% of our net revenues. This risk is heightened due to the general portability of a consultant’s business; consultants have in the past, and will in the future, terminate their employment with our Company. Any decrease in the quality of our reputation, reduction in our compensation levels relative to our peers or restructuring of our compensation program, whether as a result of insufficient revenue, a decline in the market price of our common stock or for any other reason, could impair our ability to retain existing consultants or attract additional qualified consultants with the requisite experience, skills and established client relationships. Our failure to retain our most productive consultants, whether in Executive Recruitment, LTC or Futurestep, or maintain the quality of service to which our clients are accustomed and the ability of a departing consultant to move business to his or her new employer could result in a loss of clients, which could in turn cause our fee revenue to decline and our business to be harmed. We may also lose clients if the departing executive search, LTC or Futurestep consultant has widespread name recognition or a reputation as a specialist in his or her line of business in a specific industry or management function. We could also lose additional consultants if they choose to join the departing executive search consultant at another executive search or consulting firm. If we fail to limit departing consultants from moving business or recruiting our consultants to a competitor, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Acquisitions, or our inability to effect acquisitions, may have an adverse effect on our business.

As part of our growth strategy, we have completed strategic acquisitions of businesses in the last several years, including our acquisitions of Pivot Leadership in fiscal 2015 and PDI and Global Novations in fiscal 2013. While we may pursue additional acquisitions in the future, our ability to consummate such acquisitions on satisfactory terms will depend on:

 

    the extent to which acquisition opportunities become available;

 

    our success in bidding for the opportunities that do become available;

 

    negotiating terms that we believe are reasonable; and

 

    regulatory approval, if required.

Our ability to make strategic acquisitions may also be conditioned on our ability to fund such acquisitions through the incurrence of debt or the issuance of equity. Our senior unsecured revolving credit agreement, as amended as of June 3, 2015, limits us from consummating permitted acquisitions, paying dividends to our stockholders and making share repurchases in any fiscal year to a cumulative total of $125.0 million. The senior unsecured revolving credit agreement also limits the amount of consideration paid with respect to acquisitions to $100.0 million in any fiscal year, which amount is further limited by any shares repurchased and dividends paid to stockholders, as discussed above. If we are required to incur substantial indebtedness in connection with an acquisition, and the results of the acquisition are not favorable, the increased indebtedness could decrease the value of our equity. In addition, if we need to issue additional equity to consummate an acquisition, doing so would cause dilution to existing stockholders.

If we are unable to make strategic acquisitions, or the acquisitions we do make are not on terms favorable to us or not effected in a timely manner, it may impede the growth of our business, which could adversely impact our profitability and our stock price.

 

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Our ability to integrate future acquisitions, if any, could negatively affect our business and profitability.

Our future success may depend in part on our ability to complete the integration of acquisition targets successfully into our operations. The process of integrating an acquired business may subject us to a number of risks, including:

 

    diversion of management attention;

 

    amortization of intangible assets, adversely affecting our reported results of operations;

 

    inability to retain and/or integrate the management, key personnel and other employees of the acquired business;

 

    inability to properly integrate businesses resulting in operating inefficiencies;

 

    inability to establish uniform standards, disclosure controls and procedures, internal control over financial reporting and other systems, procedures and policies in a timely manner;

 

    inability to retain the acquired company’s clients;

 

    exposure to legal claims for activities of the acquired business prior to acquisition; and

 

    incurrence of additional expenses in connection with the integration process.

If our acquisitions are not successfully integrated, our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as our professional reputation, could be materially adversely affected.

We are a cyclical Company whose performance is tied to local and global economic conditions.

Demand for our services is affected by global economic conditions and the general level of economic activity in the geographic regions and industries in which we operate. When conditions in the global economy, including the credit markets, deteriorate, or economic activity slows, many companies hire fewer permanent employees and some companies, as a cost-saving measure, choose to rely on their own human resources departments rather than third-party search firms to find talent, which negatively affects our financial condition and results of operations, as evidenced by our results of operations during the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009 that continued to impact our results of operations through fiscal 2010. We may also experience more competitive pricing pressure during periods of economic decline. While the economic activity in the regions and industries in which we operate has shown improvement, general market uncertainty continues to exist. If such uncertainty persists, if the national or global economy or credit market conditions in general deteriorate, or if the unemployment rate increases, such uncertainty or changes could put negative pressure on demand for our services and our pricing, resulting in lower cash flows and a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, some of our clients may experience reduced access to credit and lower revenues resulting in their inability to meet their payment obligations to us.

If we are unable to retain our executive officers and key personnel, or integrate new members of our senior management who are critical to our business, we may not be able to successfully manage our business in the future.

Our future success depends upon the continued service of our executive officers and other key management personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is intense, and we may compete with other companies that have greater financial and other resources than we do. If we lose the services of one or more of our executives or key employees, or if one or more of them decides to join a competitor or otherwise compete directly or indirectly with us, or if we are unable to integrate new members of our senior management who are critical to our business, we may not be able to successfully manage our business or achieve our business objectives.

 

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If we are unable to maintain our professional reputation and brand name, our business will be harmed.

We depend on our overall reputation and brand name recognition to secure new engagements and to hire qualified professionals. Our success also depends on the individual reputations of our professionals. We obtain a majority of our new engagements from existing clients or from referrals by those clients. Any client who is dissatisfied with our services can adversely affect our ability to secure new engagements.

If any factor, including poor performance or negative publicity, whether or not true, hurts our reputation, we may experience difficulties in competing successfully for both new engagements and qualified consultants. Failing to maintain our professional reputation and the goodwill associated with our brand name could seriously harm our business.

The expansion of social media platforms presents new risks and challenges that can cause damage to our brand and reputation.

The inappropriate and/or unauthorized use of certain media vehicles could cause damage to our brand or information leakage that could lead to legal implications, including improper collection and/or dissemination of personally identifiable information of candidates and clients. In addition, negative or inaccurate posts or comments about us on any social networking website could damage our reputation, brand image and goodwill.

We are subject to potential legal liability from clients, employees and candidates for employment. Insurance coverage may not be available to cover all of our potential liability and available coverage may not be sufficient to cover all claims that we may incur.

Our ability to obtain liability insurance, its coverage levels, deductibles and premiums are all dependent on market factors, our loss history and insurers’ perception of our overall risk profile. We are exposed to potential claims with respect to the executive recruitment process. For example, a client could assert a claim for matters such as breach of an off-limit agreement or recommending a candidate who subsequently proves to be unsuitable for the position filled. Further, the current employer of a candidate whom we placed could file a claim against us alleging interference with an employment contract, a candidate could assert an action against us for failure to maintain the confidentiality of the candidate’s employment search, and a candidate or employee could assert an action against us for alleged discrimination, violations of labor and employment law or other matters. Also, in various countries, we are subject to data protection laws impacting the processing of candidate information and other regulatory requirements.

Additionally, as part of our LTC services, we often send a team of leadership consultants to our client’s workplaces. Such consultants generally have access to client information systems and confidential information. An inherent risk of such activity includes possible claims of misuse or misappropriation of client intellectual property, confidential information, funds, or other property; harassment; criminal activity; torts; or other claims. Such claims may result in negative publicity, injunctive relief, criminal investigations and/or charges, payment by us of monetary damages or fines, or other material adverse effects on our business.

We cannot ensure that our insurance will cover all claims or that insurance coverage will be available at economically acceptable rates. Our insurance may also require us to meet a deductible. Significant uninsured liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely heavily on our information systems and if we lose that technology, or fail to further develop our technology, our business could be harmed.

Our success depends in large part upon our ability to store, retrieve, process, manage and protect substantial amounts of information. To achieve our strategic objectives and to remain competitive, we must continue to develop and enhance our information systems. This may require the acquisition of equipment and software and the development of new proprietary software, either internally or through independent consultants. If we are

 

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unable to design, develop, implement and utilize, in a cost-effective manner, information systems that provide the capabilities necessary for us to compete effectively, or for any reason any interruption or loss of our information processing capabilities occurs, this could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. Although we have disaster recovery procedures in place and insurance to protect against the effects of a disaster on our information technology, we cannot be sure that insurance or these services will continue to be available at reasonable prices, cover all our losses or compensate us for the possible loss of clients occurring during any period that we are unable to provide business services.

Cyber security vulnerabilities could lead to improper disclosure of information obtained from our clients, candidates and employees that could result in liability and harm our reputation.

We use information technology and other computer resources to carry out operational and marketing activities and to maintain our business records. The continued occurrence of high-profile data breaches against various entities and organizations provides evidence of an external environment increasingly hostile to information security. This environment demands that we continuously improve our design and coordination of security controls across our business groups and geographies in order to protect information that we develop or that is obtained from our clients, candidates and employees. Despite these efforts, given the ongoing and increasingly sophisticated attempts to access the information of entities, our security controls over this information, our training of employees, and other practices we follow may not prevent the improper disclosure of such information. In fiscal 2013, we discovered that our computer network was the target of a criminal data breach that accessed certain such information obtained from our clients, candidates and employees. The information we collected about this breach suggests that the intrusion falls within the category of an “Advanced Persistent Threat”, which is activity consistent with state sponsored cyber criminals. Although this data breach was limited in scope, and as such, did not have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial reporting capabilities, future breaches of this nature as well as any other security breach or other misuse of our data could lead to improper disclosure of Company information, including information obtained from our clients, candidates and employees, that could harm our reputation, lead to legal exposure, divert management attention and resources, increase our operating expenses due to the employment of consultants and third party experts and the purchase of additional infrastructure, and/or subject us to liability, resulting in increased costs and loss of revenue. More specifically, since fiscal 2013, we have incurred such costs to bolster our security against future attacks; such efforts and expenditures, however, cannot provide absolute assurance that future data breaches will not occur. We depend on our overall reputation and brand name recognition to secure new engagements. Perceptions that we do not adequately protect the privacy of information could inhibit attaining new engagements and qualified consultants, and could potentially damage currently existing client relationships.

Limited protection of our intellectual property could harm our business, and we face the risk that our services or products may infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others.

We cannot guarantee that trade secret, trademark and copyright law protections are adequate to deter misappropriation of our intellectual property (which has become an increasingly important part of our business). Existing laws of some countries in which we provide services or products may offer only limited protection of our intellectual property rights. Redressing infringements may consume significant management time and financial resources. Also, we may be unable to detect the unauthorized use of our intellectual property and take the necessary steps to enforce our rights, which may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We cannot be sure that our services and products, or the products of others that we offer to our clients, do not infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties, and we may have infringement claims asserted against us or our clients. These claims may harm our reputation, result in financial liability and prevent us from offering some services or products.

 

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We have invested in specialized technology and other intellectual property for which we may fail to fully recover our investment or which may become obsolete.

We have invested in developing specialized technology and intellectual property, including proprietary systems, processes and methodologies, such as Searcher Express and KF Insight, that we believe provide us a competitive advantage in serving our current clients and winning new engagements. Many of our service and product offerings rely on specialized technology or intellectual property that is subject to rapid change, and to the extent that this technology and intellectual property is rendered obsolete and of no further use to us or our clients, our ability to continue offering these services, and grow our revenues, could be adversely affected. There is no assurance that we will be able to develop new, innovative or improved technology or intellectual property or that our technology and intellectual property will effectively compete with the intellectual property developed by our competitors. If we are unable to develop new technology and intellectual property or if our competitors develop better technology or intellectual property, our revenues and results of operations could be adversely affected.

We face risks associated with social and political instability, legal requirements, economic conditions and currency fluctuations in our international operations.

We operate in 37 countries and during the year ended April 30, 2015, generated 46% of our fee revenue from operations outside of the United States. We are exposed to the risk of changes in social, political, legal and economic conditions inherent in international operations. Examples of risks inherent in transacting business worldwide that we are exposed to include:

 

    changes in and compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, including U.S. laws affecting the activities of U.S. companies abroad, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, and similar foreign laws such as the U.K. Bribery Act, as well the fact that many countries have legal systems, local laws and trade practices that are unsettled and evolving, and/or commercial laws that are vague and/or inconsistently applied;

 

    difficulties in staffing and managing global operations, which could impact our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control;

 

    difficulties in building and maintaining a competitive presence in existing and new markets;

 

    social, economic and political instability;

 

    differences in cultures and business practices;

 

    fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

 

    statutory equity requirements;

 

    differences in accounting and reporting requirements;

 

    repatriation controls;

 

    differences in labor and market conditions;

 

    potential adverse tax consequences; and

 

    multiple regulations concerning pay rates, benefits, vacation, statutory holiday pay, workers’ compensation, union membership, termination pay, the termination of employment, and other employment laws.

We have no hedging or similar foreign currency contracts and therefore, as described below, fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies could impact our global results of operations. We cannot ensure that one or more of these factors will not harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Foreign currency exchange rate risks may adversely affect our results of operations.

A material portion of our revenue and expenses are generated by our operations in foreign countries, and we expect that our foreign operations will account for a material portion of our revenue and expenses in the future. Most of our international expenses and revenue are denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, our financial results could be affected by factors, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in foreign markets in which we have operations. Fluctuations in the value of those currencies in relation to the United States dollar have caused and will continue to cause dollar-translated amounts to vary from one period to another. Given the volatility of exchange rates, we may not be able to manage effectively our currency translation or transaction risks, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We may be limited in our ability to recruit candidates from our clients and we could lose those opportunities to our competition, which could harm our business.

Either by agreement with clients, or for client relations or marketing purposes, we sometimes refrain from, for a specified period of time, recruiting candidates from a client when conducting searches on behalf of other clients. These off-limit agreements can generally remain in effect for up to two years following completion of an assignment. The duration and scope of the off-limit agreement, including whether it covers all operations of the client and its affiliates or only certain divisions of a client, generally are subject to negotiation or internal policies and may depend on factors such as the scope, size and complexity of the client’s business, the length of the client relationship and the frequency with which we have been engaged to perform executive searches for the client. If a prospective client believes that we are overly restricted by these off-limit agreements from recruiting employees of our existing clients, these prospective clients may not engage us to perform their executive searches. Therefore, our inability to recruit candidates from these clients may make it difficult for us to obtain search assignments from, or to fulfill search assignments for, other companies in that client’s industry. We cannot ensure that off-limit agreements will not impede our growth or our ability to attract and serve new clients, or otherwise harm our business.

Consolidation in the industries that we serve could harm our business.

Companies in the industries that we serve may seek to achieve economies of scale and other synergies by combining with or acquiring other companies. If two or more of our clients merge or consolidate and combine their operations, we may experience a decrease in the amount of services we perform for these clients. If one of our clients merges or consolidates with a company that relies on another provider for its services, we may lose work from that client or lose the opportunity to gain additional work. The increased market power of larger companies could also increase pricing and competitive pressures on us. Any of these possible results of industry consolidation could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We have provisions that make an acquisition of us more difficult and expensive.

Anti-takeover provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and under Delaware law make it more difficult and expensive for us to be acquired in a transaction that is not approved by our Board of Directors. Some of the provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws include:

 

    limitation on stockholder actions;

 

    advance notification requirements for director nominations and actions to be taken at stockholder meetings; and

 

    the ability to issue one or more series of preferred stock by action of our Board of Directors.

These provisions could discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction in which stockholders could receive a premium over the current market price for the common stock.

 

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Unfavorable tax laws, tax law changes and tax authority rulings may adversely affect results.

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in various foreign jurisdictions. Domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings among countries with differing statutory tax rates or changes in tax laws. The amount of income taxes and other taxes are subject to ongoing audits by United States federal, state and local tax authorities and by non-United States authorities. If these audits result in assessments different from estimated amounts recorded, future financial results may include unfavorable tax adjustments.

We have deferred tax assets that we may not be able to use under certain circumstances.

If we are unable to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain jurisdictions, or if there is a significant change in the time period within which the underlying temporary differences become taxable or deductible, we could be required to increase our valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets. This would result in an increase in our effective tax rate, and an adverse effect on our future operating results. In addition, changes in statutory tax rates may also change our deferred tax assets or liability balances, with either a favorable or unfavorable impact on our effective tax rate. Our deferred tax assets may also be impacted by new legislation or regulation.

An impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets could negatively impact our consolidated results of operations and net worth.

Goodwill is initially recorded as the excess of amounts paid over the fair value of net assets acquired. While goodwill is not amortized, it is reviewed for impairment at least annually or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. In assessing the carrying value of goodwill, we make qualitative and quantitative assumptions and estimates about revenues, operating margins, growth rates and discount rates based on our business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and marketplace data. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying these factors. Goodwill valuations have been calculated using an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows of each reporting unit and a market approach. We could be required to evaluate the carrying value of goodwill prior to the annual assessment, if we experience unexpected significant declines in operating results or sustained market capitalization declines. These types of events and the resulting analyses could result in goodwill impairment charges in the future. Impairment charges could substantially affect our results of operations and net worth in the periods of such charges.

We may not be able to align our cost structure with our revenue level which in turn may require additional financing in the future that may not be available at all or may be available only on unfavorable terms.

We continuously evaluate our cost base in relation to projected near to mid-term demand for our services in an effort to align our cost structure with the current realities of our markets. If actual or projected fee revenues are negatively impacted by weakening customer demand, we may find it necessary to take cost cutting measures so that we can minimize the impact on our profitability. There is, however, no guarantee that if we do take such measures that such measures will properly align our cost structure to our revenue level. Any failure to maintain a balance between our cost structure and our revenue could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and lead to negative cash flows, which in turn might require us to obtain additional financing to meet our capital needs. If we are unable to secure additional financing on favorable terms, or at all, our ability to fund our operations could be impaired, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

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We invest in marketable securities classified as trading and available for sale and if the market value of these securities declines materially, they could have an adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Marketable securities consist of mutual funds and investments in corporate bonds, commercial paper and U.S. Treasury and agency securities. The primary objectives of the mutual funds are to meet the obligations under certain of our deferred compensation plans, while the other securities are available for general corporate purposes. If the financial markets in which these securities trade were to materially decline in value, the unrealized losses and potential realized losses could negatively impact the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

Our inability to successfully recover should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem could cause material financial loss, loss of human capital, regulatory actions, reputational harm or legal liability.

Should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem, such as an earthquake, hurricane, terrorist attack, pandemic, security breach, power loss, telecommunications failure or other natural or man-made disaster, our continued success will depend, in part, on the availability of our personnel, our office facilities, and the proper functioning of our computer, telecommunication and other related systems and operations. In such an event, we could experience near-term operational challenges with regard to particular areas of our operations. In particular, our ability to recover from any disaster or other business continuity problem will depend on our ability to protect our technology infrastructure against damage from business continuity events that could have a significant disruptive effect on our operations. We could potentially lose client data or experience material adverse interruptions to our operations or delivery of services to our clients in a disaster. We will continue to regularly assess and take steps to improve upon our business continuity plans. However, a disaster on a significant scale or affecting certain of our key operating areas within or across regions, or our inability to successfully recover should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem, could materially interrupt our business operations and cause material financial loss, loss of human capital, regulatory actions, reputational harm, damaged client relationships or legal liability.

Changes in our accounting estimates and assumptions could negatively affect our financial position and results of operations.

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These accounting principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. We are also required to make certain judgments that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each reporting period. We periodically evaluate our estimates and assumptions including those relating to revenue recognition, restructuring, deferred compensation, goodwill and other intangible assets, contingencies, annual performance related bonuses, allowance for doubtful accounts, marketable securities, share-based payments and deferred income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and various assumptions that we believe to be reasonable based on specific circumstances. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in accounting standards could have an adverse impact on our future financial position and results of operations.

You may not receive the level of dividends provided for in the dividend policy our Board of Directors has adopted or any dividends at all.

We are not obligated to pay dividends on our common stock. Our Board of Directors adopted a dividend policy on December 8, 2014, that reflects an intention to distribute to our stockholders a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock. We paid our first dividend under this program on April 9, 2015. The declaration and payment of all future dividends to holders of our common stock are subject to the discretion

 

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of our Board of Directors, which may amend, revoke or suspend our dividend policy at any time and for any reason, including, earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions, and other factors our Board of Directors may deem relevant. The terms of our indebtedness may also restrict us from paying cash dividends on our common stock under certain circumstances. See below “— Our ability to pay dividends will be restricted by agreements governing our debt, including our credit agreement, and by Delaware law.”

Over time, our capital and other cash needs may change significantly from our current needs, which could affect whether we pay dividends and the level of any dividends we may pay in the future. If we were to use borrowings under our credit facility to fund our payment of dividends, we would have less cash and/or borrowing capacity available for future dividends and other purposes, which could negatively affect our financial condition, our results of operations, our liquidity and our ability to maintain and expand our business. Accordingly, you may not receive dividends in the intended amounts, or at all. Any reduction or elimination of dividends may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.

Our ability to pay dividends will be restricted by agreements governing our debt, including our credit agreement, and by Delaware law.

Our credit agreement restricts our ability to pay dividends. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Long-Term Debt” where we describe the terms of our indebtedness, including provisions limiting our ability to declare and pay dividends. As a result of such restrictions, we may be limited in our ability to pay dividends unless we amend our credit agreement or otherwise obtain a waiver from our lenders. In addition, as a result of general economic conditions, conditions in the lending markets, the results of our business or for any other reason, we may elect or be required to amend or refinance our senior credit facility, at or prior to maturity, or enter into additional agreements for indebtedness. Any such amendment, refinancing or additional agreement may contain covenants which could limit in a significant manner or entirely our ability to pay dividends to you.

Additionally, under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), our Board of Directors may not authorize payment of a dividend unless it is either paid out of surplus, as calculated in accordance with the DGCL, or if we do not have a surplus, it is paid out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year.

If, as a result of these restrictions, we are required to reduce or eliminate the payment of dividends, a decline in the market price or liquidity, or both, of our common stock could result. This may in turn result in losses by you.

Our dividend policy may limit our ability to pursue growth opportunities.

If we pay dividends at the level currently anticipated under our dividend policy, we may not retain a sufficient amount of cash to finance growth opportunities, meet any large unanticipated liquidity requirements or fund our operations in the event of a significant business downturn. In addition, because a portion of cash available will be distributed to holders of our common stock under our dividend policy, our ability to pursue any material expansion of our business, including through acquisitions, increased capital spending or other increases of our expenditures, will depend more than it otherwise would on our ability to obtain third party financing. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available to us at all, or at an acceptable cost. If we are unable to take timely advantage of growth opportunities, our future financial condition and competitive position may be harmed, which in turn may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

As we develop new services, clients and practices, enter new lines of business, and focus more of our business on providing a full range of client solutions, our operating risks increase.

As part of our corporate strategy, we are attempting to leverage our research and advisory services to sell a full range of services across the life cycle of a policy, program, project, or initiative, and we are regularly

 

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searching for ways to provide new services to clients. In addition, we plan to extend our services to new clients, into new lines of business, and into new geographic locations. As we focus on developing new services, clients, practice areas and lines of business; open new offices; and do business in new geographic locations, those efforts could be unsuccessful and adversely affect our results of operations.

Such growth efforts place substantial additional demands on our management and staff, as well as on our information, financial, administrative and operational systems. We may not be able to manage these demands successfully. Growth may require increased recruiting efforts, opening new offices, increased business development, selling, marketing and other actions that are expensive and entail increased risk. We may need to invest more in our people and systems, controls, compliance efforts, policies and procedures than we anticipate. Therefore, even if we do grow, the demands on our people and systems, controls, compliance efforts, policies and procedures may be sufficiently great that the quality of our work, our operating margins, and our operating results suffer, at least in the short-term, and perhaps in the long-term.

Efforts involving a different focus, new services, new clients, new practice areas, new lines of business, new offices and new geographic locations entail inherent risks associated with our inexperience and competition from mature participants in those areas. Our inexperience may result in costly decisions that could harm our profit and operating results. In particular, new or improved services often relate to the development, implementation and improvement of critical infrastructure or operating systems that our clients may view as “mission critical,” and if we fail to satisfy the needs of our clients in providing these services, our clients could incur significant costs and losses for which they could seek compensation from us. Finally, as our business continues to evolve and we provide a wider range of services, we will become increasingly dependent upon our employees, particularly those operating in business environments less familiar to us. Failure to identify, hire, train and retain talented employees who share our values could have a negative effect on our reputation and our business.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Properties

Our corporate office is located in Los Angeles, California. We lease all 78 of our Executive Recruitment, Leadership & Talent Consulting, and Futurestep offices located in North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and South America. As of April 30, 2015, we leased an aggregate of approximately 853,906 square feet of office space. The leases generally are for terms of one to 11 years and contain customary terms and conditions. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our current needs and we do not anticipate any difficulty replacing such facilities or locating additional facilities to accommodate any future growth.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are involved in litigation both as a plaintiff and a defendant, relating to claims arising out of our operations. As of the date of this report, we are not engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

 

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Gary D. Burnison

     54       President and Chief Executive Officer

Robert P. Rozek

     54       Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Matthew Reilly

     46       Chief Executive Officer of Leadership & Talent Consulting

Byrne Mulrooney

     54       Chief Executive Officer, Futurestep

Our executive officers serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors. There is no family relationship between any executive officer or director. The following information sets forth the business experience for at least the past five years for each of our executive officers.

Gary D. Burnison has been President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2007. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from March 2002 until June 30, 2007 and Chief Operating Officer from November 2003 until June 30, 2007. Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Mr. Burnison was Principal and Chief Financial Officer of Guidance Solutions, a privately held consulting firm, from 1999 to 2001. Prior to that, he served as an executive officer and a member of the board of directors of Jefferies and Company, Inc., the principal operating subsidiary of Jefferies Group, Inc. from 1995 to 1999. Earlier, Mr. Burnison was a partner at KPMG Peat Marwick.

Robert P. Rozek joined the Company in February 2012 as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Korn Ferry, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., a privately held commercial real estate services firm, from June 2008 to February 2012. Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., Mr. Rozek served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp, a leading global developer of destination properties (integrated resorts) that feature premium accommodations, world-class gaming and entertainment, convention and exhibition facilities and many other amenities, from 2006 to 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Rozek held senior leadership positions at Eastman Kodak, and spent five years as a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Matthew Reilly was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Leadership & Talent Consulting in May 2015. He is responsible for driving the global growth of our Leadership & Talent Consulting services. Prior to joining Korn Ferry, he led numerous operating divisions for organizations such as Accenture, a multinational management consulting, technology services, and outsourcing firm, and held the Chief Executive role at the George Group, a global operations and strategy firm. Mr. Reilly served as Global Industry Managing Director: Auto, Industrial, Infrastructure, Travel & Transportation at Accenture from October 2014 until May 2015, and as Accenture’s Head of Management Consulting, North America from 2011 to October 2014. Prior to that, he held several positions at George Group, which was acquired by Accenture in September 2007, including Chief Executive and Global Managing Partner from 2008 to 2011, Managing Partner, North America and Latin America Business from 2005 to 2007 and Managing Partner, Operations Strategy Business from 2004 to 2005. Previously, he was a strategy consultant with A.T. Kearney from 2000 to 2004.

Byrne Mulrooney joined the Company in April 2010 as Chief Executive Officer of Futurestep. Prior to joining Korn Ferry, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Flynn Transportation Services, a third party logistics company, from 2007 to 2010. Prior to that, he led Spherion’s workforce solutions business in North America, which provides workforce solutions in professional services and general staffing, including recruitment process outsourcing and managed services, from 2003 to 2007. Mr. Mulrooney held executive positions for almost 20 years at EDS and IBM in client services, sales, marketing and operations. Mr. Mulrooney is a graduate of Villanova University in Pennsylvania. He holds a master’s degree in management from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

 

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PART II.

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Common Stock

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KFY”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales price per share of the common stock for the periods indicated, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange:

 

     High      Low  

Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2015

     

First Quarter

   $ 32.78       $ 27.55   

Second Quarter

   $ 31.78       $ 24.13   

Third Quarter

   $ 29.85       $ 25.57   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 33.72       $ 27.89   

Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2014

     

First Quarter

   $ 20.66       $ 15.73   

Second Quarter

   $ 24.05       $ 17.48   

Third Quarter

   $ 26.58       $ 22.21   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 30.75       $ 21.89   

On June 19, 2015, the last reported sales price on the New York Stock Exchange for the Company’s common stock, was $35.14 per share and there were approximately 14,900 beneficial stockholders of the Company’s common stock.

Performance Graph

We have presented below a graph comparing the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company’s shares with the cumulative total stockholder return on (1) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and (2) a company-established peer group. Cumulative total return for each of the periods shown in the performance graph is measured assuming an initial investment of $100 on April 30, 2010 and the reinvestment of any dividends paid by any company in the peer group on the date the dividends were declared.

In fiscal 2011, we established a new peer group, which the Company continues to use today, comprised of a broad number of publicly traded companies, which are principally or in significant part involved in either professional staffing or consulting. The peer group is comprised of the following 15 companies: CBIZ, Inc. (CBZ), FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN), Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (HSII), Huron Consulting Group Inc. (HURN), ICF International, Inc. (ICFI), Insperity, Inc. (NSP), Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA), Kforce Inc. (KFRC), Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NCI), Resources Connection, Inc. (RECN), Robert Half International Inc. (RHI), The Corporate Executive Board Company (CEB), The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (DNB), Towers Watson & Co. (TW) and TrueBlue, Inc. (TBI). We believe this group of professional services firms, is reflective of similar sized companies in terms of our market capitalization, revenue or profitability, and therefore provides a more meaningful comparison of stock performance. The returns of each company have been weighted according to their respective stock market capitalization at the beginning of each measurement period for purposes of arriving at a peer group average.

 

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The stock price performance depicted in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. This graph will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating this Form 10-K into any filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed soliciting material or deemed filed under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

LOGO

 

 

* $100 invested on 4/30/10 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending April 30, 2015.

Copyright © 2015, S&P, a division of McGraw-Hill Financial. All rights reserved.

Dividends

On December 8, 2014, the Board of Directors adopted a dividend policy, reflecting an intention to distribute to our stockholders a regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.10 per share. On March 4, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company declared its first ever quarterly cash dividend under this policy of $0.10 per share, which was paid on April 9, 2015 to stockholders of record on March 25, 2015. Except for such dividend, the Company did not declare any dividends during fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014.

On June 10, 2015, in accordance with the dividend policy, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share, payable on July 15, 2015 to stockholders of record on June 25, 2015. The declaration and payment of future dividends under the quarterly dividend policy will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions, the terms of the Company’s indebtedness and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem to be relevant. The Board may amend, revoke or suspend the dividend policy at any time and for any reason.

Our senior unsecured revolving credit agreement, as amended as of June 3, 2015, limits us to consummating permitted acquisitions, paying dividends to our stockholders and making share repurchases in any fiscal year to a cumulative total of $125.0 million. Subject to the foregoing, pursuant to our senior unsecured revolving credit agreement, we are permitted to pay up to $75.0 million in dividends and share repurchases, in the aggregate, in any fiscal year (subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions).

 

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Stock Repurchase Program

On December 8, 2014, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the Company’s stock repurchase program to an aggregate of $150 million. Common stock may be repurchased from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion subject to market conditions and other factors. As of April 30, 2015, no shares have been repurchased under this program. Our dividend policy as well as any decision to execute on our currently outstanding issuer repurchase program will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Our senior unsecured revolving credit agreement, as amended as of June 3, 2015, limits us to consummating permitted acquisitions, paying dividends to our stockholders and making share repurchases in any fiscal year to a cumulative total of $125.0 million. Subject to the foregoing, pursuant to our senior unsecured revolving credit agreement, we are permitted to make up to $75.0 million in share repurchases and dividend payments, in the aggregate, in any fiscal year (subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions).

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table summarizes common stock repurchased by us during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015:

 

     Shares
Purchased (1)
     Average
Price Paid
Per Share
     Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly-

Announced
Programs (2)
     Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that
May Yet be
Purchased
under the
Programs (2)
 

February 1, 2015 — February 28, 2015

     6,036       $ 30.52         —         $ 150.0 million   

March 1, 2015 — March 31, 2015

     368       $ 31.09         —         $ 150.0 million   

April 1, 2015 — April 30, 2015

     —         $ —           —         $ 150.0 million   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total

  6,404    $ 30.55      —      $ 150.0 million   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

(1) Represents withholding of a portion of restricted shares to cover taxes upon vesting of restricted shares.

 

(2) On December 8, 2014, the Board of Directors also approved an increase in the Company’s stock repurchase program to an aggregate of $150.0 million. The shares can be repurchased in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion.

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data are qualified by reference to, and should be read together with, our “Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected statement of income data set forth below for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and the selected balance sheet data as of April 30, 2015 and 2014 are derived from our consolidated financial statements, audited by Ernst & Young LLP, appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The selected balance sheet data as of April 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and the selected statement of income data set forth below for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 are derived from consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which are not included in this Form 10-K report and were audited by Ernst & Young LLP.

 

    Year Ended April 30,  
    2015 (1)     2014     2013 (2)     2012     2011  
    (in thousands, except per share data and other operating
data)
 

Selected Statement of Income Data:

         

Fee revenue

  $ 1,028,152      $ 960,301      $ 812,831      $ 790,505      $ 744,249   

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

    37,914        35,258        36,870        36,254        32,002   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

  1,066,066      995,559      849,701      826,759      776,251   

Compensation and benefits

  691,450      646,889      555,346      534,186      507,405   

General and administrative expenses

  145,917      152,040      142,771      138,872      116,494   

Reimbursed expenses

  37,914      35,258      36,870      36,254      32,002   

Cost of services

  39,692      39,910      28,977      19,635      19,764   

Depreciation and amortization

  27,597      26,172      19,004      14,017      12,671   

Restructuring charges, net (3)

  9,468      3,682      22,857      929      2,130   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

  952,038      903,951      805,825      743,893      690,466   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

  114,028      91,608      43,876      82,866      85,785   

Other income (loss), net

  7,458      9,769      6,309      (271   6,454   

Interest expense, net

  (1,784   (2,363   (2,365   (1,791   (2,535

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

  2,181      2,169      2,110      1,850      1,862   

Provision for income taxes

  33,526      28,492      16,637      28,351      32,692   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 88,357    $ 72,691    $ 33,293    $ 54,303    $ 58,874   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

$ 1.78    $ 1.51    $ 0.71    $ 1.17    $ 1.30   

Diluted earnings per share

$ 1.76    $ 1.48    $ 0.70    $ 1.15    $ 1.27   

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

  49,052      48,162      47,224      46,397      45,205   

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

  49,766      49,145      47,883      47,261      46,280   

Cash dividends declared per common share

$ 0.10    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —     

Other Operating Data:

Fee revenue by business segment:

Executive recruitment:

North America

$ 330,634    $ 306,768    $ 290,317    $ 305,717    $ 306,180   

EMEA

  153,465      147,917      128,807      141,409      137,398   

Asia Pacific

  84,148      84,816      73,221      82,230      81,951   

South America

  29,160      29,374      30,134      31,846      29,177   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total executive recruitment

  597,407      568,875      522,479      561,202      554,706   

Leadership & Talent Consulting

  267,018      254,636      168,115      115,407      99,352   

Futurestep

  163,727      136,790      122,237      113,896      90,191   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fee revenue

$ 1,028,152    $ 960,301    $ 812,831    $ 790,505    $ 744,249   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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    Year Ended April 30,  
    2015 (1)     2014     2013 (2)     2012     2011  
    (in thousands, except per share data and other operating data)  

Number of offices (at period end) (4)

    78        84        87        76        76   

Number of consultants (at period end)

    694        646        607        522        562   

Number of new engagements opened

    7,307        7,479        7,058        7,672        8,215   

Number of full-time employees:

         

Executive recruitment

    1,562        1,566        1,471        1,471        1,494   

Leadership & Talent Consulting

    894        794        886        291        280   

Futurestep

    1,147        958        835        826        628   

Corporate

    84        78        80        66        61   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total full-time employees

  3,687      3,396      3,272      2,654      2,463   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selected Balance Sheet Data as of April 30:

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 380,838    $ 333,717    $ 224,066    $ 282,005    $ 246,856   

Marketable securities (5)

  144,576      134,559      141,916      135,734      122,231   

Working capital

  334,975      275,021      178,549      278,343      207,731   

Total assets

  1,317,801      1,233,666      1,115,229      1,014,689      971,680   

Long-term obligations

  196,542      191,197      182,210      163,489      159,477   

Total stockholders’ equity

  815,249      755,536      664,468      629,476      578,337   

 

(1) Due to the acquisition of Pivot Leadership, which accounted for $3.7 million and $20.0 million of fee revenue and total assets, respectively, during fiscal 2015, financial data trends for fiscal 2015 are not comparative to prior periods. See Note 12 — Acquisitions, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of fiscal 2015 acquisitions.

 

(2) Due to the acquisitions of PDI and Global Novations, which collectively accounted for $45.6 million and $162.4 million of fee revenue and total assets, respectively, during fiscal 2013, financial data trends for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 are not comparative to prior periods. See Note 12 — Acquisitions, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of fiscal 2013 acquisitions.

 

(3) During fiscal 2015, the Company took actions to rationalize its cost structure as a result of efficiencies obtained from prior year technology investments that enabled further integration of the legacy business and the recent acquisitions (PDI and Global Novations), as well as other cost saving initiatives. As a result, we recorded $9.2 million of severance and $0.3 million relating to the consolidation/abandonment of premises. In fiscal 2014, the Company continued the implementation of the fiscal 2013 restructuring plan in order to integrate the prior year acquisitions by consolidating and eliminating certain redundant office space around the world and by continuing to consolidate certain overhead functions. As a result, we recorded $0.8 million and $16.3 million of severance during fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $2.9 million and $6.5 million relating to the consolidation of premises during fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively. During fiscal 2012 and 2011, we increased our previously recorded restructuring charges by $0.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively, primarily related to the inability to sublease space, which was included in the original estimate.

 

(4) The number of offices declined by 6 as of April 30, 2015 compared to 2014, due to the consolidation/abandonment of premises in fiscal 2015.

 

(5) As of April 30, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s marketable securities included $131.4 million, $116.2 million, $98.0 million, $82.2 million, and $71.4 million, respectively, held in trust for settlement of the Company’s obligations under certain of its deferred compensation plans. See Note 5 — Marketable Securities in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain certain statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, “forward-looking” statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “may,” “will,” “likely,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement. The principal risk factors that could cause actual performance and future actions to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, dependence on attracting and retaining qualified and experienced consultants, maintaining our brand name and professional reputation, potential legal liability and regulatory developments, portability of client relationships, global and local political or economic developments in or affecting countries where we have operations, currency fluctuations in our international operations, risks related to growth, restrictions imposed by off-limits agreements, competition, reliance on information processing systems, cyber security vulnerabilities, limited protection of our intellectual property, our ability to enhance and develop new technology, our ability to successfully recover from a disaster or business continuity problems, employment liability risk, an impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, deferred tax assets that we may not be able to use, our ability to develop new products and services, changes in our accounting estimates and assumptions, alignment of our cost structure, risks related to the integration of recently acquired businesses, seasonality and the matters disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Exchange Act reports, including Item 1A included in this Annual Report. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are made only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and we undertake no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

The following presentation of management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Executive Summary

Korn/Ferry International (referred to herein as the “Company,” “Korn Ferry,” or in the first person notations “we,” “our,” and “us”) is a premier global provider of talent management solutions that helps clients design talent strategies as well as assist them in the execution of building and attracting their talent. We are a premier provider of executive recruitment, leadership and talent consulting and talent acquisition solutions with the broadest global presence in the recruitment industry. Our services include Executive Recruitment, consulting and solutions services through Leadership & Talent Consulting (“LTC”) and recruitment for non-executive professionals and recruitment process outsourcing (“RPO”) through Futurestep. Approximately 72% of the executive recruitment searches we performed in fiscal 2015 were for board level, chief executive and other senior executive and general management positions. Our 5,350 clients in fiscal 2015 included many of the world’s largest and most prestigious public and private companies, including approximately 56% of the FORTUNE 500, middle market and emerging growth companies, as well as government and nonprofit organizations. We have built strong client loyalty, with 79% of assignments performed during fiscal 2015 having been on behalf of clients for whom we had conducted assignments in the previous three fiscal years. Approximately 60% of our revenues were generated from clients that utilize multiple lines of business.

In an effort to maintain our long-term strategy of being the leading provider of talent management solutions, our strategic focus for fiscal 2016 centers upon enhancing the integration of our multi-service strategy. In fiscal 2015, we undertook an effort to bring together all our internally developed and acquired intellectual property in Korn Ferry Four Dimension of Leadership Talent (“KF4D”), our newest and most robust assessment for

 

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Executive Recruitment, LTC and Futurestep. We have identified four crucial areas that matter most for individual and organizational success. The analytics we collect enable us to help organizations accentuate strengths and identify areas to develop, as well as understand how they stack up against their competition:

 

    Competencies – the skills and behaviors required for success that can be observed.

 

    Experiences – assignments or roles that prepare a person for future opportunities.

 

    Traits – inclinations, aptitudes and natural tendencies a person leans toward, including personality and intellectual capacity.

 

    Drivers – values and interests that influence a person’s career path, motivation, and engagement.

Leveraging KF4D, we plan to continue to address areas of increasing client demand including LTC and RPO. We further plan to explore new products and services, continue to pursue a disciplined acquisition strategy, enhance our technology and processes and aggressively leverage our brand through thought leadership and intellectual capital projects as a means of delivering world-class service to our clients.

During fiscal 2015, the Company took actions to rationalize its cost structure as a result of efficiencies obtained from prior year technology investments that enabled further integration of the legacy business and recent acquisitions as well as other cost saving initiatives. As a result, we recorded $9.5 million in restructuring charges, net in fiscal 2015, of which $9.2 million relates to severance and $0.3 million related to consolidation/abandonment of premises. During fiscal 2014, we progressed the restructuring plan that we implemented in fiscal 2013 which focused on realizing the planned synergies associated with prior year acquisitions and recorded $3.7 million of restructuring charges, net, of which $2.9 million was for facility costs in order to integrate PDI Ninth House (“PDI”) by consolidating and eliminating redundant office space around the world and of $0.8 million of which was for severance costs to consolidate certain overhead functions.

The Company currently operates in three global business segments: Executive Recruitment, LTC and Futurestep. See Note 11 — Business Segments, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for discussion of the Company’s global business segments. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the chief operating decision maker’s review of (1) fee revenue and (2) adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). To the extent that such charges occur, Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring charges, integration and acquisition costs and certain separation costs and certain non-cash charges (goodwill, intangible asset and other than temporary impairment). Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. It has limitations as an analytical tool, should not be viewed as a substitute for financial information determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP. In addition, it may not necessarily be comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Management believes the presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure provides meaningful supplemental information regarding Korn Ferry’s performance by excluding certain charges and other items that may not be indicative of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operating results. The use of this non-GAAP financial measure facilitates comparisons to Korn Ferry’s historical performance. Korn Ferry includes this non-GAAP financial measure because management believes it is useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its evaluation of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operations and financial and operational decision-making. The accounting policies for the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, except that the above noted items are excluded from EBITDA to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA.

Fee revenue increased $67.9 million, or 7% in fiscal 2015 to $1,028.2 million compared to $960.3 million in fiscal 2014, with increases in fee revenue in all business segments. During fiscal 2015, we recorded operating income of $114.0 million with Executive Recruitment, LTC and Futurestep segments contributing $119.0 million, $28.2 million and $19.9 million, respectively, offset by corporate expenses of $53.1 million. Net income

 

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for fiscal 2015 and 2014 was $88.4 million and $72.7 million, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA during fiscal 2015 was $161.7 million with Executive Recruitment, LTC and Futurestep segments contributing $132.4 million, $44.4 million, and $23.0 million, respectively, offset by corporate expenses of $38.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased $23.4 million in fiscal 2015 to $161.7 million from Adjusted EBITDA of $138.3 million in fiscal 2014.

Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities increased $57.1 million, or 12%, to $525.4 million at April 30, 2015, compared to $468.3 million at April 30, 2014. This increase is mainly due to cash provided by operations, partially offset by bonuses earned in fiscal 2014 and paid during the first quarter of fiscal 2015, $15.3 million for the acquisition of Pivot Leadership and $5.1 million for dividends paid during fiscal 2015. As of April 30, 2015, we held marketable securities to settle obligations under our Executive Capital Accumulation Plan (“ECAP”) with a cost value of $123.3 million and a fair value of $131.4 million. Our vested and unvested obligations for which these assets were held in trust totaled $129.1 million as of April 30, 2015. Our working capital increased by $60.0 million to $335.0 million in fiscal 2015. We believe that cash on hand and funds from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate requirements and dividend payments under our dividend policy, in the next twelve months. We had no long-term debt or any outstanding borrowings under our credit facility at April 30, 2015 or 2014. There is no restricted cash requirement under our current senior unsecured revolving credit agreement. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, there was $2.8 million of standby letters of credit issued under our long-term debt arrangements. We have a total of $1.6 million and $1.5 million of standby letters of credits with other financial institutions as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Critical Accounting Policies

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements. Preparation of our periodic filings requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions and changes in the estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed and determinable. In preparing our consolidated financial statements and accounting for the underlying transactions and balances, we apply our accounting policies as disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. We consider the policies discussed below as critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on management’s judgment and estimates. Specific risks for these critical accounting policies are described in the following paragraphs. Senior management has discussed the development, selection and key assumptions of the critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Revenue Recognition. Management is required to establish policies and procedures to ensure that revenue is recorded over the performance period for valid engagements and related costs are matched against such revenue. We provide professional services related to executive recruitment performed on a retained basis, recruitment for non-executive professionals, recruitment process outsourcing and leadership & talent consulting services. Fee revenue from executive recruitment activities and recruitment for non-executive professionals is generally one-third of the estimated first year cash compensation of the placed executive or non-executive professional, as applicable, plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect engagement related expenses. The Company generally recognizes revenue on a straight-line basis over a three-month period, commencing upon client acceptance, as this is the period over which the recruitment services are performed. Fees earned in excess of the initial contract amount are recognized upon completion of the engagement, which reflect the difference between the final actual compensation of the placed executive and the estimate used for purposes of the previous billings. Since the initial fees are typically not contingent upon placement of a candidate, our assumptions primarily relate to establishing the period over which such service is performed. These assumptions determine the timing of revenue recognition and profitability for the reported period. If these assumptions do not accurately reflect the period over which revenue is earned, revenue and profit could differ. Any revenue associated with services that are provided on a

 

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contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is resolved. In addition to recruitment for non-executive professionals, Futurestep provides RPO services and fee revenue is recognized as services are rendered and/or as milestones are achieved. Fee revenue from LTC services is recognized as services are rendered for consulting engagements and other time based services, measured by total hours incurred to the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for the consulting engagement may vary from initial estimates with such updates being recognized in the period of determination. Depending on the timing of billings and services rendered, the Company accrues or defers revenue as appropriate. LTC revenue is also derived from the sale of solution services, which includes revenue from licenses and from the sale of products. Revenue from licenses is recognized using a straight-line method over the term of the contract (generally 12 months). Under the fixed term licenses, the Company is obligated to provide the licensee with access to any updates to the underlying intellectual property that are made by the Company during the term of the license. Once the term of the agreement expires, the client’s right to access or use the intellectual property expires and the Company has no further obligations to the client under the license agreement. Revenue from perpetual licenses is recognized when the license is sold since the Company’s only obligation is to provide the client access to the intellectual property but is not obligated to provide maintenance, support, updates or upgrades. Products sold by the Company mainly consist of books and automated services covering a variety of topics including performance management, team effectiveness and coaching and development. The Company recognizes revenue for its products when the product has been sold or shipped in the case of books. Furthermore, a provision for doubtful accounts on recognized revenue is established with a charge to general and administrative expenses based on historical loss experience, assessment of the collectability of specific accounts, as well as expectations of future collections based upon trends and the type of work for which services are rendered.

Annual Performance Related Bonuses. Each quarter, management makes its best estimate of its annual performance related bonuses, which requires management to, among other things, project annual consultant productivity (as measured by engagement fees billed and collected by executive recruitment consultants and revenue and other performance metrics for LTC and Futurestep consultants), the level of engagements referred by a fee earner in one line of business to a different line of business, Company performance including profitability, competitive forces and future economic conditions and their impact on our results. At the end of each fiscal year, annual performance related bonuses take into account final individual consultant productivity (including referred work), Company results including profitability, the achievement of strategic objectives, the results of individual performance appraisals, and the current economic landscape. Because annual performance-based bonuses are communicated and paid only after the Company reports its full fiscal year results, actual performance-based bonus payments may differ from the prior year’s estimate. Such changes in the bonus estimate historically have been immaterial and are recorded in current operations in the period in which they are determined.

Deferred Compensation. Estimating deferred compensation requires assumptions regarding the timing and probability of payments of benefits to participants and the discount rate. Changes in these assumptions could significantly impact the liability and related cost on our consolidated balance sheet and statement of income, respectively. For certain deferred compensation plans, management engages an independent actuary to periodically review these assumptions in order to confirm that they reflect the population and economics of our deferred compensation plans in all material respects and to assist us in estimating our deferred compensation liability and the related cost. The actuarial assumptions we use may differ from actual results due to changing market conditions or changes in the participant population. These differences could have a significant impact on our deferred compensation liability and the related cost.

Carrying Values. Valuations are required under GAAP to determine the carrying value of various assets. Our most significant assets for which management is required to prepare valuations are carrying value of receivables, goodwill, intangible assets, fair value of contingent consideration, and recoverability of deferred income taxes. Management must identify whether events have occurred that may impact the carrying value of these assets and make assumptions regarding future events, such as cash flows and profitability. Differences between the assumptions used to prepare these valuations and actual results could materially impact the carrying amount of these assets and our operating results.

 

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Of the assets mentioned above, goodwill is the largest asset requiring a valuation. Fair value of goodwill for purposes of the goodwill impairment test is determined utilizing 1) a discounted cash flow analysis based on forecast cash flows (including estimated underlying revenue and operating income growth rates) discounted using an estimated weighted-average cost of capital for market participants and 2) a market approach, utilizing observable market data such as comparable companies in similar lines of business that are publicly traded or which are part of a public or private transaction (to the extent available). The Company also reconciles the results of these analyses to its market capitalization. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, goodwill is considered potentially impaired and further tests are performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. We recorded no goodwill impairment in conjunction with our annual goodwill impairment assessment performed as of January 31, 2015. While historical performance and current expectations have resulted in fair values of goodwill in excess of carrying values, if our assumptions are not realized, it is possible that in the future an impairment charge may need to be recorded. However, it is not possible at this time to determine if an impairment charge would result or if such a charge would be material. Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions and factors. As a result, there can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the annual goodwill impairment test will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. As of our testing date, the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount and no reporting units were at risk of failing the impairment test. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. There was also no indication of potential impairment during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 that would have required further testing.

Examples of events or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the underlying key assumptions and ultimately impact the estimated fair value of the reporting units may include such items as follows:

 

    A prolonged downturn in the business environment in which the reporting units operate;

 

    An economic climate that significantly differs from our future profitability assumptions in timing or degree;

 

    The deterioration of the labor markets; and

 

    Volatility in equity and debt markets.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of our operations as a percentage of fee revenue:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015     2014     2013  

Fee revenue

     100.0     100.0     100.0

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     3.7        3.7        4.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

  103.7      103.7      104.5   

Compensation and benefits

  67.2      67.4      68.3   

General and administrative expenses

  14.2      15.8      17.6   

Reimbursed expenses

  3.7      3.7      4.5   

Cost of services

  3.9      4.2      3.6   

Depreciation and amortization

  2.7      2.7      2.3   

Restructuring charges, net

  0.9      0.4      2.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

  11.1      9.5      5.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

  8.6   7.6   4.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The following tables summarize the results of our operations by business segment:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015     2014     2013  
     Dollars      %     Dollars      %     Dollars      %  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Fee revenue

               

Executive Recruitment:

               

North America

   $ 330,634         32.2   $ 306,768         31.9   $ 290,317         35.7

EMEA

     153,465         14.9        147,917         15.4        128,807         15.9   

Asia Pacific

     84,148         8.2        84,816         8.8        73,221         9.0   

South America

     29,160         2.8        29,374         3.1        30,134         3.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Executive Recruitment

  597,407      58.1      568,875      59.2      522,479      64.3   

LTC

  267,018      26.0      254,636      26.5      168,115      20.7   

Futurestep

  163,727      15.9      136,790      14.3      122,237      15.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fee revenue

  1,028,152      100.0   960,301      100.0   812,831      100.0
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expense

  37,914      35,258      36,870   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total revenue

$ 1,066,066    $ 995,559    $ 849,701   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

    Year Ended April 30,  
    2015     2014     2013  
    Dollars     Margin (1)     Dollars     Margin (1)     Dollars     Margin (1)  
    (dollars in thousands)  

Operating income (loss)

           

Executive Recruitment:

           

North America

  $ 80,818        24.4   $ 70,256        22.9   $ 58,832        20.3

EMEA

    18,867        12.3        23,168        15.7        9,173        7.1   

Asia Pacific

    14,631        17.4        17,274        20.4        6,973        9.5   

South America

    4,704        16.1        5,654        19.2        5,987        19.9   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total Executive Recruitment

  119,020      19.9      116,352      20.5      80,965      15.5   

LTC

  28,175      10.6      23,847      9.4      6,424      3.8   

Futurestep

  19,940      12.2      13,352      9.8      10,975      9.0   

Corporate

  (53,107   (61,943   (54,488
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total operating income (loss)

$ 114,028      11.1 $ 91,608      9.5 $ 43,876      5.4
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

(1) Margin calculated as a percentage of fee revenue by business segment.

 

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    Year Ended April 30, 2015  
    Executive Recruitment                          
    North
America
    EMEA     Asia
Pacific
    South
America
    Subtotal     LTC     Futurestep     Corporate     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

  $ 330,634      $ 153,465      $ 84,148      $ 29,160      $ 597,407      $ 267,018      $ 163,727      $ —        $ 1,028,152   

Total revenue

  $ 344,913      $ 158,052      $ 87,142      $ 29,218      $ 619,325      $ 275,220      $ 171,521      $ —        $ 1,066,066   

Net income

                  $ 88,357   

Other income, net

                    (7,458

Interest expense, net

                    1,784   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

                    (2,181

Income tax provision

                    33,526   
                 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 80,818      $ 18,867      $ 14,631      $ 4,704      $ 119,020      $ 28,175      $ 19,940      $ (53,107     114,028   

Depreciation and amortization

    3,515        1,764        1,045        350        6,674        13,427        1,882        5,614        27,597   

Other income (loss), net

    288        83        369        109        849        (22     54        6,577        7,458   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

    426        —          —          —          426        —          —          1,755        2,181   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

    85,047        20,714        16,045        5,163        126,969        41,580        21,876        (39,161     151,264   

Restructuring charges, net

    1,151        3,987        17        229        5,384        2,758        1,154        172        9,468   

Acquisition costs

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          959        959   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 86,198      $ 24,701      $ 16,062      $ 5,392      $ 132,353      $ 44,338      $ 23,030      $ (38,030   $ 161,691   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    26.1     16.1     19.1     18.5     22.2     16.6     14.1       15.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

    Year Ended April 30, 2014  
    Executive Recruitment                          
    North
America
    EMEA     Asia
Pacific
    South
America
    Subtotal     LTC     Futurestep     Corporate     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

  $ 306,768      $ 147,917      $ 84,816      $ 29,374      $ 568,875      $ 254,636      $ 136,790      $ —        $ 960,301   

Total revenue

  $ 321,473      $ 152,525      $ 87,606      $ 29,586      $ 591,190      $ 262,962      $ 141,407      $ —        $ 995,559   

Net income

                  $ 72,691   

Other income, net

                    (9,769

Interest expense, net

                    2,363   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

                    (2,169

Income tax provision

                    28,492   
                 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 70,256      $ 23,168      $ 17,274      $ 5,654      $ 116,352      $ 23,847      $ 13,352      $ (61,943   $ 91,608   

Depreciation and amortization

    3,579        2,727        1,383        323        8,012        12,491        1,797        3,872        26,172   

Other income, net

    631        632        203        303        1,769        106        583        7,311        9,769   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

    383        —          —          —          383        —          —          1,786        2,169   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

    74,849        26,527        18,860        6,280        126,516        36,444        15,732        (48,974     129,718   

Restructuring charges, net

    816        460        60        —          1,336        1,149        1,134        63        3,682   

Separation costs

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          4,500        4,500   

Integration costs

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          394        394   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 75,665      $ 26,987      $ 18,920      $ 6,280      $ 127,852      $ 37,593      $ 16,866      $ (44,017   $ 138,294   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    24.7     18.2     22.3     21.4     22.5     14.8     12.3       14.4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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    Year Ended April 30, 2013  
    Executive Recruitment                          
    North
America
    EMEA     Asia
Pacific
    South
America
    Subtotal     LTC     Futurestep     Corporate     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  

Fee revenue

  $ 290,317      $ 128,807      $ 73,221      $ 30,134      $ 522,479      $ 168,115      $ 122,237      $ —        $ 812,831   

Total revenue

  $ 305,993      $ 132,988      $ 75,359      $ 30,491      $ 544,831      $ 176,566      $ 128,304      $ —        $ 849,701   

Net income

                  $ 33,293   

Other income, net

                    (6,309

Interest expense, net

                    2,365   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

                    (2,110

Income tax provision

                    16,637   
                 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 58,832      $ 9,173      $ 6,973      $ 5,987      $ 80,965      $ 6,424      $ 10,975      $ (54,488     43,876   

Depreciation and amortization

    4,726        2,347        1,546        372        8,991        6,012        1,180        2,821        19,004   

Other income (loss), net

    466        95        200        32        793        (75     51        5,540        6,309   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

    434        —          —          —          434        —          —          1,676        2,110   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

    64,458        11,615        8,719        6,391        91,183        12,361        12,206        (44,451     71,299   

Restructuring charges, net

    3,583        3,982        629        —          8,194        10,198        3,527        938        22,857   

Transaction and integration costs

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          3,106        3,106   

Separation costs

    —          516        —          —          516        —          —          —          516   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 68,041      $ 16,113      $ 9,348      $ 6,391      $ 99,893      $ 22,559      $ 15,733      $ (40,407   $ 97,778   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    23.4     12.5     12.8     21.2     19.1     13.4     12.9       12.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014

Fee Revenue

Fee Revenue. Fee revenue went up by $67.9 million, or 7%, to $1,028.2 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $960.3 million in fiscal 2014. This increase was attributable to higher fee revenue in Executive Recruitment, Futurestep and LTC. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $23.9 million or 2% in fiscal 2015, when compared to fiscal 2014.

Executive Recruitment. Executive Recruitment reported fee revenue of $597.4 million, an increase of $28.5 million, or 5%, in fiscal 2015 compared to $568.9 million in fiscal 2014. As detailed below, Executive Recruitment fee revenue was higher in the North America and EMEA regions, partially offset by small decreases in fee revenue in Asia Pacific and South America regions in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. The higher fee revenue in Executive Recruitment was mainly due to a 4% increase in the number of Executive Recruitment engagements billed and a 1% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement during fiscal 2015 as compared to the prior year. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $15.0 million, or 3%, in fiscal 2015, when comparing to fiscal 2014.

North America reported fee revenue of $330.6 million, an increase of $23.8 million, or 8%, in fiscal 2015 compared to $306.8 million in fiscal 2014. North America’s fee revenue was higher primarily due to a 4% increase in both the number of engagements billed and in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The overall increase in fee revenue was driven by growth in the consumer goods, industrial, life sciences/healthcare, and financial services sectors as compared to fiscal 2014, partially offset by a decline in the technology and education/non-profit sectors. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $2.1 million, or 1%, in fiscal 2015, when compared to fiscal 2014.

 

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EMEA reported fee revenue of $153.5 million, an increase of $5.6 million, or 4%, in fiscal 2015 compared to $147.9 million in fiscal 2014. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $7.1 million, or 5%, in fiscal 2015, when compared to fiscal 2014. The higher fee revenue was primarily driven by a 5% increase in the number of engagements billed, offset by a 1% decline in weighted-average fees billed per engagement in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. The performance in existing offices in the Sweden, Switzerland, France, United Kingdom, and Spain were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, partially offset by a decrease in fee revenue in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In terms of business sectors, industrial, financial services, and life sciences/healthcare experienced the largest growth in fee revenue in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014, partially offset by a decrease in the consumer goods and technology sectors.

Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $84.1 million, a slight decrease of $0.7 million, or 1%, in fiscal 2015 compared to $84.8 million in fiscal 2014. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $2.6 million, or 3%, in fiscal 2015, when compared to fiscal 2014. The decline in fee revenue was mainly due to a 7% decrease in weighted-average fees billed per engagement, partially offset by a 6% increase in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The performance in Singapore and Japan were the primary contributors to the decrease in fee revenue in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, partially offset by an increase in fee revenue in Hong Kong, China, and India. Life sciences/healthcare and consumer goods were the main sectors contributing to the decrease in fee revenue in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014, partially offset by an increase in fee revenue in the financial services sector.

South America reported fee revenue of $29.2 million, a slight decrease of $0.2 million, or 1%, in fiscal 2015 compared to $29.4 million in fiscal 2014. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue for South America by $3.2 million, or 11%, in fiscal 2015, when compared to fiscal 2014. The decline in fee revenue was mainly due to a 1% decrease in weighted-average fees billed per engagement in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The performance in Brazil was the primary contributor to lower fee revenue in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, partially offset by growth in Venezuela and Colombia. Technology and consumer goods were the main sectors contributing to the decline in fee revenue in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, partially offset by an increase in fee revenue in the industrial and financial services sectors during the same period.

Leadership & Talent Consulting. LTC reported fee revenue of $267.1 million, an increase of $12.5 million, or 5%, in fiscal 2015 compared to $254.6 million in fiscal 2014. Fee revenue increased due to higher consulting fee revenue of $8.4 million, or 4%, in fiscal 2015 compared to the year-ago period, and an increase in product revenue of $4.1 million, or 7%, compared to fiscal 2014. The increase in consulting fee revenue includes $3.7 million of fee revenue generated from the acquisition of Pivot Leadership on March 1, 2015. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $4.3 million, or 2%, in fiscal 2015.

Futurestep. Futurestep reported fee revenue of $163.7 million, an increase of $26.9 million, or 20%, in fiscal 2015 compared to $136.8 million in fiscal 2014. The increase in Futurestep’s fee revenue was due to an 18% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement and a 2% increase in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2015 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in the weighted-average fees billed was driven by a 25% increase in fee revenue from recruitment process outsourcing and a 22% increase in professional recruitment, as these tend to generate higher fees per engagement than other services performed by Futurestep. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $4.6 million, or 3%, in fiscal 2015.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits expense increased $44.6 million, or 7%, to $691.5 million in fiscal 2015 from $646.9 million in fiscal 2014. This increase was due in large part to higher performance related bonus expense of $21.0 million and an increase of $16.1 million, $4.9 million, $3.3 million, $2.2 million and $1.8 million in salaries and related payroll taxes, outside contractors, employee insurance cost, recruitment expense and stock based compensation, respectively. These increases in compensation and benefits expense were partially offset by management separation charges of $4.5 million recorded in fiscal 2014 with no such charge in fiscal 2015. The

 

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increase in performance related bonus expense was due to an increase in fee revenue and profitability due to the continued adoption of our strategy, including referrals between lines of business and an increase in average headcount. The higher level of salaries and related payroll expense and employee insurance costs, were due to an increase in average headcount for Executive Recruitment and Futurestep. The increase in headcount, recruiting expense and stock based compensation reflects our continued growth-related investments back into the business. Exchange rates favorably impacted compensation and benefits expenses by $16.2 million, or 3%, in fiscal 2015.

Executive Recruitment compensation and benefits expense went up by $18.6 million, or 5%, to $393.3 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $374.7 million in fiscal 2014. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $11.1 million in salaries and related payroll taxes and higher employee insurance cost of $1.5 million due to a 3% increase in the average headcount. In addition, performance related bonus expense was higher by $4.9 million due to higher revenue and profitability from the continued adoption of our strategy. These changes were offset by a decrease in expense from certain deferred compensation plans during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. Executive Recruitment compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of fee revenue was 66% in both fiscal 2015 and 2014.

LTC compensation and benefits expense increased $9.7 million, or 7%, to $158.9 million in fiscal 2015 from $149.2 million in fiscal 2014. The change was driven by higher performance related bonus expense of $8.0 million primarily associated with an increase in fee revenue, profitability, and referrals between lines of business during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The rest of the change was due to increases in outside contractors of $1.2 million and recruitment expenses of $1.1 million, both as a result of supporting higher level of fee revenue. LTC compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of fee revenue increased to 60% in fiscal 2015 from 59% in fiscal 2014.

Futurestep compensation and benefits expense increased $18.0 million, or 19%, to $111.8 million in fiscal 2015 from $93.8 million in fiscal 2014. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $7.3 million in performance related bonus expense due to a higher level of fee revenue, profitability, and referrals between lines of business and an increase in average headcount. The rest of the change was due to higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $5.4 million and $3.8 million in outside contractors. The increase in salaries and related payroll taxes was due to a 17% increase in the average headcount and the increase in the use of outside contractors was primarily associated with the increase in staffing to accommodate the increase in fee revenue from our RPO business. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of fee revenue was 68% in fiscal 2015 compared to 69% in fiscal 2014.

Corporate compensation and benefits expense decreased by $1.7 million, or 6%, to $27.5 million in fiscal 2015 from $29.2 million in fiscal 2014 mainly due to management separation charges of $4.5 million recorded in fiscal 2014 with no such charge in fiscal 2015, offset with higher salaries and related payroll taxes of $2.2 million and $1.2 million more in stock based compensation due to overall profitability of the Company.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased by $6.1 million, or 4%, to $145.9 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $152.0 million in fiscal 2014. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 14% in fiscal 2015 compared to 16% in fiscal 2014. The decrease is attributable to a $7.2 million decline in legal and other professional fees and a decline in marketing and business development expense of $3.5 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The lower legal and other professional fees are primarily due to a $6.2 million insurance reimbursement for previously incurred legal fees while the decrease in business development expense is due to ongoing cost control initiatives and higher than normal costs in fiscal 2014 related to the integration of the PDI and Global Novation acquisitions into the LTC business without such costs being incurred in fiscal 2015. This decrease in general and administrative expenses was partially offset by an increase in our foreign currency loss of $3.7 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 and an increase in premise and office expense of $1.0 million. Exchange rates favorably impacted general and administrative expenses by $4.8 million, or 3% during fiscal 2015.

 

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Executive Recruitment general and administrative expenses increased $3.7 million, or 5%, to $71.5 million in fiscal 2015 from $67.8 million in fiscal 2014. General and administrative expenses increased due to higher foreign exchange loss recognized of $2.5 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The remaining change was due to higher premise and office expense of $0.9 million. Executive Recruitment general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 12% in both fiscal 2015 and 2014.

LTC general and administrative expenses declined by $0.5 million, or 1%, to $35.3 million in fiscal 2015 from $35.8 million in fiscal 2014. The decrease is attributable to lower marketing and business development expenses and other general and administrative expenses of $2.3 million, offset by an increase in foreign exchange loss of $1.8 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The decrease in marketing and business development expense is due to higher than normal costs in fiscal 2014 related to the integration of the PDI and Global Novation acquisitions into the LTC business. LTC general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 13% in fiscal 2015 compared to 14% in fiscal 2014.

Futurestep general and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million, or 2%, to $19.3 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $19.6 million in fiscal 2014. Futurestep general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 12% in fiscal 2015 compared to 14% in fiscal 2014.

Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased $9.0 million, or 31%, to $19.8 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $28.8 million in fiscal 2014. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was driven by $8.5 million in lower legal fees and other professional fees, primarily related to a $6.2 million insurance reimbursement for previously incurred legal fees and a decline in other legal fees during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The rest of the change was due to lower business development expenses of $1.2 million resulting from our ongoing cost control initiatives.

Cost of Services Expense

Cost of services expense consist primarily of non-billable contractor and product costs related to the delivery of various services and products. Cost of services expense decreased $0.2 million, or 1%, to $39.7 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $39.9 million in fiscal 2014. Cost of services expense as a percentage of fee revenue was 4% in both fiscal 2015 and 2014.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $27.6 million, an increase of $1.4 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $26.2 million in fiscal 2014. The increase relates primarily to technology investments that were made in the current and prior year. This expense relates mainly to computer equipment, software, furniture and fixtures, leasehold improvements, and intangible assets.

Restructuring Charges, Net

During fiscal 2015, we took actions to rationalize our cost structure as a result of efficiencies obtained from prior year technology investments that enabled further integration of the legacy business and recent acquisitions, as well as other cost saving initiatives. As a result, we recorded $9.5 million in restructuring charges, net in fiscal 2015, of which $9.2 million relates to severance and $0.3 million relates to consolidation/abandonment of premises. During fiscal 2014, as part of the integration of PDI, we recorded $3.7 million of restructuring charges, net, of which $2.9 million related to consolidation of premises and $0.8 million related to severance.

Operating Income

Operating income increased $22.4 million to $114.0 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $91.6 million in fiscal 2014. This increase in operating income resulted from an increase of $67.9 million in fee revenue and a

 

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decrease of $6.1 million in general and administrative expenses. These changes were offset by higher compensation and benefits expense of $44.6 million, restructuring charges, net of $5.8 million, and $1.4 million in depreciation and amortization expenses during fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014.

Executive Recruitment operating income increased $2.6 million to $119.0 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $116.4 million in fiscal 2014. The increase in Executive Recruitment operating income was driven by higher fee revenue of $28.5 million and decline in depreciation and amortization expense of $1.3 million offset by increases in compensation and benefits expense of $18.6 million, general and administrative expenses of $3.7 million and restructuring charges, net of $4.1 million. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was due in part to investments in headcount to grow the business (an increase in the average headcount of 45 positions), as well as higher incentive compensation tied to referrals between Executive Recruitment, LTC and Futurestep resulting from continued adoption of our strategy. Executive Recruitment operating income as a percentage of fee revenue was 20% in both fiscal 2015 and 2014.

LTC operating income increased $4.4 million to $28.2 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $23.8 million in fiscal 2014. The increase in LTC operating income was primarily due to a $12.5 million increase in fee revenue and a decline of $3.8 million in cost of services expense, partially offset by higher compensation and benefit expense of $9.7 million and restructuring charges, net of $1.6 million. LTC operating income as a percentage of fee revenue was 11% in fiscal 2015 compared to 9% in fiscal 2014.

Futurestep operating income increased by $6.6 million to $19.9 million in fiscal 2015 from $13.3 million in fiscal 2014. The increase in Futurestep operating income was primarily due to $26.9 million in higher fee revenue and a decline in general and administrative expenses of $0.3 million, partially offset by an increase of $18.0 million in compensation and benefits expense and $2.6 million in cost of services expense in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. Futurestep operating income as a percentage of fee revenue was 12% in fiscal 2015 as compared to 10% in fiscal 2014.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA increased $23.4 million to $161.7 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $138.3 million in fiscal 2014. This increase was driven by higher fee revenue of $67.9 million and a decrease of $6.6 million in general and administrative expenses (excluding integration/acquisition costs). Offsetting these changes in Adjusted EBITDA was higher compensation and benefits expense (excluding certain separation costs) of $49.1 million and a decrease in other income, net of $2.3 million during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of fee revenue was 16% in fiscal 2015 as compared to 14% in fiscal 2014.

Executive Recruitment Adjusted EBITDA was $132.4 million and $127.8 million in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA increased $4.6 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014 due to higher fee revenue of $28.5 million, offset by increases of $18.6 million in compensation and benefits expense and $3.7 million in general and administrative expenses and a decline in other income, net of $1.0 million. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was due in part to investments in headcount to grow the business, as well as higher incentive compensation tied to referrals between Executive Recruitment, LTC and Futurestep resulting from continued adoption of our strategy. The increase in general and administrative expenses was partially due to increased levels of business activity as well as other increases such as foreign exchange loss. Executive Recruitment Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of fee revenue was 22% in both fiscal 2015 and 2014.

LTC Adjusted EBITDA increased by $6.8 million to $44.4 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $37.6 million in fiscal 2014. This increase was due to higher fee revenue of $12.5 million and a decline in cost of services of $3.8 million, offset by an increase in compensation and benefit expense of $9.7 million. The decrease in cost of services primarily relates to an increased focus on the utilization of internal resources versus outside contractors as evidenced by the 400 basis points increase in our staff utilization to a rate of 71% during fiscal 2015. The increase in compensation and benefit expenses was due to an increase in performance related bonus

 

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expense resulting from higher fee revenue and the continued adoption of the Company’s integrated go to market strategy across all three of our lines of businesses. LTC Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of fee revenue was 17% in fiscal 2015 as compared to 15% in fiscal 2014.

Futurestep Adjusted EBITDA increased by $6.1 million to $23.0 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $16.9 million in fiscal 2014. The increase in Futurestep Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to an increase in fee revenue of $26.9 million, offset by an increase of $18.0 million in compensation and benefits expense and $2.6 million in cost of services expense during fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily driven by higher performance related bonus expense due to a higher level of fee revenue and higher salaries and related payroll taxes due to an increase in average headcount. Futurestep Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of fee revenue was 14% in fiscal 2015 as compared to 12% in fiscal 2014.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net decreased by $2.3 million, to $7.5 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $9.8 million in fiscal 2014. The decrease in other income, net is due to a smaller increase in the fair value of our marketable securities during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net primarily relates to borrowings under our COLI policies, which is partially offset by interest earned on cash and cash equivalent balances. Interest expense, net was $1.8 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $2.4 million in fiscal 2014.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries is comprised of our less than 50% interest in our Mexican subsidiary and IGroup, LLC. We report our interest in earnings or loss of our Mexican subsidiary and IGroup, LLC on the equity basis as a one-line adjustment to net income. Equity in earnings was $2.2 million in both fiscal 2015 and 2014.

Income Tax Provision

The provision for income taxes was $33.5 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $28.5 million in fiscal 2014. The provision for income taxes in fiscal 2015 and 2014 reflects a 28% and 29% effective tax rate, respectively.

Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013

Fee Revenue

Fee Revenue. Fee revenue increased $147.5 million, or 18%, to $960.3 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $812.8 million in fiscal 2013. Adjusting for the prior year acquisitions, fee revenue increased $75.6 million as compared to the year-ago period. This increase in fee revenue was primarily attributable to an increase in fee revenue in Executive Recruitment, and to a lesser extent, an increase in LTC and Futurestep fee revenue. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $7.5 million or 1% in fiscal 2014.

Executive Recruitment. Executive Recruitment reported fee revenue of $568.9 million, an increase of $46.4 million, or 9%, in fiscal 2014 compared to $522.5 million in fiscal 2013. As detailed below, Executive Recruitment fee revenue increased in North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific offset by a decrease in fee revenue in South America in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. The increase in Executive Recruitment fee revenue was mainly due to an 8% increase in the number of Executive Recruitment engagements billed in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 and a 1% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement during the same period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $5.3 million or 1% in fiscal 2014.

 

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North America reported fee revenue of $306.8 million, an increase of $16.5 million, or 6%, in fiscal 2014 compared to $290.3 million in fiscal 2013. North America’s increase in fee revenue was primarily due to a 3% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 2% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement during fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. The overall increase in fee revenue was primarily driven by increases in fee revenue in the life sciences/healthcare, financial services, technology and education/non-profit sectors, partially offset by a decline in the industrial sector. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $1.7 million or 1% in fiscal 2014.

EMEA reported fee revenue of $147.9 million, an increase of $19.1 million, or 15%, in fiscal 2014 compared to $128.8 million in fiscal 2013. EMEA’s increase in fee revenue was primarily driven by an 11% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 3% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. The increase in performance in the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. In terms of business sectors, industrial, financial services, life sciences/healthcare, consumer goods and technology experienced the largest increases in fee revenue in fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $3.8 million or 3% in fiscal 2014.

Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $84.8 million, an increase of $11.6 million, or 16%, in fiscal 2014 compared to $73.2 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in fee revenue was mainly due to a 15% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 1% increase in weighted-average fees billed per engagement in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. The increase in performance in Australia, Singapore and China were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue. The largest increases in fee revenue were experienced in the life sciences/healthcare, financial services, industrial and consumer goods sectors in fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year, partially offset by a decrease in the technology sector. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $4.3 million or 6% in fiscal 2014.

South America reported fee revenue of $29.4 million, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 3%, in fiscal 2014 compared to $30.2 million in fiscal 2013. The decrease in fee revenue was mainly due to a 7% decrease (a 2% increase on a constant currency basis) in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement, offset by a 5% increase in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. The decrease in performance in Peru, Colombia and Chile were the primary contributors to the decrease in fee revenue, offset by an increase in fee revenue in Venezuela and Brazil. In terms of business sectors, industrial and education/non-profit sectors were the main sectors contributing to the decrease in fee revenue in fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year, partially offset by an increase in fee revenue in the life sciences/healthcare and consumer goods sectors during the same period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue for South America by $3.1 million or 10% in fiscal 2014.

Leadership & Talent Consulting. LTC reported fee revenue of $254.6 million, an increase of $86.5 million, or 51%, in fiscal 2014 compared to $168.1 million in fiscal 2013. Adjusting for the two prior year acquisitions, fee revenue increased $14.6 million, or 9%, as compared to the prior year. Fee revenue increased due to an increase in consulting fee revenue of $11.2 million, or 8%, in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, and an increase in product revenue of $3.4 million during the same period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $0.8 million in fiscal 2014.

Futurestep. Futurestep reported fee revenue of $136.8 million, an increase of $14.6 million, or 12%, in fiscal 2014 compared to $122.2 million in fiscal 2013. Improvement in Futurestep fee revenue was primarily driven by increases in recruitment process outsourcing and non-executive and other professional recruitment. The increase in Futurestep’s fee revenue was due to a 6% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement and a 6% increase in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $1.4 million or 1% in fiscal 2014.

 

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Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits expense increased $91.6 million, or 16%, to $646.9 million in fiscal 2014 from $555.3 million in fiscal 2013. Adjusting for the prior year acquisitions, compensation and benefits increased $50.2 million as compared to fiscal 2013. Contributing to the increase in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in performance related bonus expense of $29.9 million due to the mix in pre-bonus earnings before restructuring charges by operating segment and an increase in fee revenue for fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. In addition, there was an increase of $15.0 million in salaries and related payroll taxes, $5.4 million increase in deferred compensation ($3.2 million was related to amortization of amounts contributed by the Company and $2.2 million to the increase in fair value of the underlying investments that contributions are allocated to) and $2.3 million in separation costs, offset by a decrease in employee insurance costs of $3.2 million and a change in the cash surrender value of the company owned life insurance that decreased compensation and benefits expense by $1.7 million more in fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. The increase in salaries and related payroll taxes was due to a 12% increase in the average headcount for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. Exchange rates favorably impacted compensation and benefits expenses by $5.2 million or 1% during fiscal 2014.

The changes in the fair value of vested amounts owed under certain deferred compensation plans increased compensation and benefits expense by $7.8 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $5.6 million in fiscal 2013. Offsetting these increases in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities classified as trading (held in trust to satisfy obligations under certain deferred compensation plan liabilities) of $9.5 million and $7.6 million in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively, recorded in other income (loss), net on the consolidated statements of income.

Executive Recruitment compensation and benefits expense increased $20.6 million, or 6%, to $374.7 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $354.1 million in fiscal 2013. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $20.4 million in performance related bonus expense due to the increase in pre-bonus earnings before restructuring. The rest of the increase was due to an increase in salaries and related payroll taxes of $2.2 million, an increase in the amortization of certain deferred compensation plans of $1.5 million and a $1.2 million increase in the fair value of vested amounts owed under certain deferred compensation plans, offset by a decrease in employee insurance costs of $2.7 million and a decrease in separation costs of $1.7 million. The increase in salaries and related payroll taxes was due to an increase in the average headcount for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. Executive Recruitment compensation and benefits expense decreased as a percentage of fee revenue to 66% in fiscal 2014 from 68% in fiscal 2013.

LTC compensation and benefits expense increased $53.4 million, or 56%, to $149.2 million in fiscal 2014 from $95.8 million in fiscal 2013. Adjusting for the prior year acquisitions, compensation and benefits increased $12.0 million as compared to fiscal 2013. The change was driven by increases in both performance related bonus expense of $5.6 million and $5.0 million in salaries and related payroll taxes, both due to a 43% increase in the average headcount (excluding prior year acquisitions) during fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. LTC compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of fee revenue was 59% in fiscal 2014 compared to 57% in fiscal 2013.

Futurestep compensation and benefits expense increased $11.0 million, or 13%, to $93.8 million in fiscal 2014 from $82.8 million in fiscal 2013. The change was driven by increases in both salaries and related payroll taxes and temporary contractors of $4.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively. The increase in salaries and related payroll taxes was due to a 8% increase in the average headcount and the increase in the use of temporary contractors was primarily associated with an increase in staffing to accommodate a number of larger RPO contracts won by the Company in fiscal 2014 and for which delivery began in the last two quarters of fiscal 2014 and will continue in subsequent periods. Also contributing to an increase in compensation and benefits expense was a $1.5 million increase in performance related bonus expense due to the increase in pre-bonus earnings before restructuring and an increase in the fair value of vested amounts owed under certain deferred compensation plans of $0.5 million. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of fee revenue was 69% in fiscal 2014 compared to 68% in fiscal 2013.

 

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Corporate compensation and benefits expense increased $6.6 million, or 29%, to $29.2 million in fiscal 2014 from $22.6 million in fiscal 2013 mainly due to an increase of $4.2 million in separation charges and $2.4 million increase in performance related bonus expense. The increases in performance related bonus expense was due to the increase in the Company’s overall profitability. Also contributing to an increase in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of vested amounts owed under certain deferred compensation plans of $0.5 million, offset by the change in the CSV of COLI. The change in CSV of COLI reduced compensation and benefits expense by $8.2 million and $6.5 million in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively. The larger increase in CSV of COLI in fiscal 2014 was due to a larger increase in the underlying investments due to market changes. COLI is held to fund certain deferred compensation retirement plans.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $9.2 million, or 6%, to $152.0 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $142.8 million in fiscal 2013. Adjusting for the prior year acquisitions, general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.1 million as compared to fiscal 2013. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was due to a favorable foreign exchange rate that resulted in a foreign exchange gain of $1.4 million in fiscal 2014 compared to foreign exchange loss of $0.8 million during fiscal 2013 and a decrease in premise and office expenses of $1.1 million due to savings obtained from the restructuring associated with the consolidation of premises in prior periods. Offsetting the decrease in general and administrative expenses was an increase in travel and business development related expenses and bad debt expense of $1.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 16% in fiscal 2014 compared to 18% in fiscal 2013. Exchange rates favorably impacted general and administrative expenses by $1.6 million or 1% during fiscal 2014.

Executive Recruitment general and administrative expenses decreased $2.1 million, or 3%, to $67.8 million in fiscal 2014 from $69.9 million in fiscal 2013. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was driven by favorable foreign exchange rates, resulting in a gain of $1.8 million in fiscal 2014 compared to a foreign exchange loss of $0.3 million in fiscal 2013, a decrease in premise and office expenses and legal and other professional services of $1.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively, offset by an increase in travel and business development related expenses of $1.4 million and an increase in bad debt expense of $0.8 million. The decrease in premise and office expenses was due to LTC occupying more office space leased by Executive Recruitment due to the implementation of the restructuring plans in fiscal 2013. Executive Recruitment general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 12% in fiscal 2014 compared to 13% in fiscal 2013.

LTC general and administrative expenses increased $10.0 million, or 39%, to $35.8 million in fiscal 2014 from $25.8 million in fiscal 2013. Adjusting for the prior year acquisitions, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million as compared to the prior year. Contributing to the decrease in general and administrative expenses was a decrease in premise and office expenses of $1.0 million due to sharing more office space with Executive Recruitment and favorable foreign exchange rates, resulting in a decrease in the foreign exchange loss from $0.6 million in fiscal 2013 to $0.1 million in fiscal 2014, offset by an increase of $0.5 million in business development expenses and an increase in legal and other professional services expenses of $0.5 million. The increase in business development expenses was due to marketing events that LTC participated in order to support the business. LTC general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 14% in fiscal 2014 compared to 15% in fiscal 2013.

Futurestep general and administrative expenses increased $0.6 million, or 3%, to $19.6 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $19.0 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in general and administrative expense was due to an increase in premise and office expense of $0.5 million and an increase in legal and other professional services expenses of $0.4 million, offset by a decrease in business development expenses of $0.2 million in fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. Futurestep general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 14% in fiscal 2014 compared to 16% in fiscal 2013.

 

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Corporate general and administrative expenses increased $0.7 million, or 2%, to $28.8 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $28.1 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in general and administrative expenses was driven by an increase of $2.7 million in legal and other professional services expenses and an increase of $1.1 million in premise and office expenses, offset by a decrease in integration/acquisition costs as a result of the PDI acquisition of $2.7 million and a decrease in travel expenses of $0.4 million in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013.

Cost of Services Expense

Cost of services expense consist primarily of non-billable contractor and product costs related to the delivery of various services and products. Cost of services expense increased $10.9 million, or 38%, to $39.9 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $29.0 million in fiscal 2013. Adjusting for the prior year acquisitions, cost of services expense increased $1.9 million as compared to the prior year. The increase came from Futurestep in order to support the large RPO contracts won by the Company in fiscal 2014 for which delivery began in the last two quarters of fiscal 2014 and will continue in subsequent periods. Cost of services expense as a percentage of fee revenue was 4% in both fiscal 2014 and 2013.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $26.2 million, an increase of $7.2 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $19.0 million in fiscal 2013. Adjusting for the prior year acquisitions, depreciation and amortization expenses increased $2.1 million as compared to the year-ago period. This expense relates mainly to computer equipment, software, furniture and fixtures, leasehold improvements and intangible assets.

Restructuring Charges, Net

We continued the implementation of the fiscal 2013 restructuring plan during fiscal 2014 in order to integrate the prior year acquisitions by consolidating and eliminating certain redundant office space around the world and by continuing to consolidate certain overhead functions. As a result, we recorded $3.7 million in restructuring charges, net in fiscal 2014, of which $2.9 million relates to consolidation of premise and $0.8 million relates to severance. During fiscal 2013, we implemented restructuring plans in order to rationalize our cost structure in response to anticipated revenue levels and in order to eliminate redundant positions that were created due to the prior year acquisitions. As a result, we recorded $22.8 million of restructuring charges, net with $16.3 million of severance costs to align our work force to current levels of business activities and to eliminate redundant positions due to the integration of the prior year acquisitions and $6.5 million relating to the consolidation of premises during fiscal 2013.

Operating Income

Operating income increased $47.7 million to $91.6 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to $43.9 million in fiscal 2013. This increase in operating income resulted from an increase in fee revenue of $147.5 million and a reduction in restructuring expenses of $19.1 million, offset by an increase in compensation and benefits expense of $91.6 million, an increase in general and administrative expenses of $9.2 million, an increase in cost of services expense of $10.9 million, and an increase in depreciation and amortization expenses of $7.2 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013.

Executive Recruitment operating income increased $35.4 million to $116.4 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to $81.0 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in Executive Recruitment operating income is attributable to an increase of $46.4 million in fee revenue and a decrease of $6.8 million, $2.1 million and $1.0 million in restructuring charges, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses, respectively, offset by an increase of $20.6 million in compensation and benefits expense during fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. Executive Recruitment operating income as a percentage of fee revenue was 20% in fiscal 2014 as compared to 16% in fiscal 2013.

 

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LTC operating income increased $17.4 million to $23.8 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to $6.4 million in fiscal 2013. The change in LTC operating income was primarily due to an increase of $86.5 million in fee revenue, offset by an increase in operating expenses of $69.1 million during fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. LTC operating income as a percentage of fee revenue was 9% in fiscal 2014 as compared to 4% in fiscal 2013.

Futurestep operating income increased by $2.3 million to $13.3 million in fiscal 2014 from $11.0 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in Futurestep operating income was primarily due to an increase in fee revenue of $14.6 million and a reduction in restructuring charges of $2.3 million, offset by an increase of $11.0 million in compensation and benefits expense, an increase in cost of services expense of $2.3 million, an increase in general and administrative expenses of $0.6 million and an increase in depreciation and amortization expenses of $0.6 million during fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. Futurestep operating income as a percentage of fee revenue was 10% in fiscal 2014 as compared to 9% in fiscal 2013.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA increased $40.5 million to $138.3 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to $97.8 million in fiscal 2013. This increase in Adjusted EBITDA resulted from an increase of $147.5 million in fee revenue and an increase of $3.5 million in other income, mainly due to an increase in the market value of mutual funds held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans during fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. Offsetting these increases was an increase in compensation and benefits expense (excluding certain separation costs), general and administrative expenses (excluding integration/acquisition costs), and cost of services expense of $87.7 million, $11.9 million and $10.9 million, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of fee revenue was 14% in fiscal 2014 as compared to 12% in fiscal 2013.

Executive Recruitment Adjusted EBITDA increased $27.9 million to $127.8 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to $99.9 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in Executive Recruitment Adjusted EBITDA is attributable to an increase of $46.4 million in fee revenue, an increase of $1.0 million in other income, mainly due to an increase in the market value of mutual funds held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans and a decrease of $2.1 million in general and administrative expenses, offset by an increase of $21.2 million in compensation and benefits expense during fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. Executive Recruitment Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of fee revenue was 22% in fiscal 2014 as compared to 19% in fiscal 2013.

LTC Adjusted EBITDA increased by $15.0 million to $37.6 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to $22.6 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in LTC Adjusted EBITDA is primarily due to an increase of $86.5 million in fee revenue, offset by an increase of $53.4 million, $10.0 million and $8.4 million in compensation and benefits expense, general and administrative expenses and cost of service expenses, respectively, during fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. LTC Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of fee revenue was 15% in fiscal 2014 and 13% in fiscal 2013.

Futurestep Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.2 million to $16.9 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to $15.7 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in Futurestep Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to an increase in fee revenue of $14.6 million and an increase in other income of $0.5 million, offset by an increase of $11.0 million, $2.3 million and $0.6 million in compensation and benefits expense, cost of services expenses and general and administrative expenses, respectively, during fiscal 2014 compared to the prior year. Futurestep Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of fee revenue was 12% in fiscal 2014 and 13% in fiscal 2013.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net increased by $3.5 million to $9.8 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to $6.3 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in other income, net reflects an increase in the market value of mutual funds held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans (see Note 6 — Deferred

 

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Compensation and Retirement Plans, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) during fiscal 2014 of $9.5 million compared to $7.6 million in the prior year. Offsetting this increase in other income, net was an increase in certain deferred compensation retirement plan liabilities (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) in fiscal 2014 of $7.8 million compared to $5.6 million in fiscal 2013, which resulted in an increase in compensation and benefits expense.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net primarily relates to borrowings under our COLI policies, which is partially offset by interest earned on cash and cash equivalent balances. Interest expense, net was $2.4 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to $2.3 million in fiscal 2013.

Income Tax Provision

The provision for income taxes was $28.5 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $16.7 million in fiscal 2013. The provision for income taxes in fiscal 2014 and 2013 reflects a 29% and 35% effective tax rate, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate for fiscal 2014 is due to a tax benefit arising in connection with the conclusion of the IRS examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for the tax years ended April 30, 2010 and 2011, a higher percentage of taxable income arising in jurisdictions with lower statutory tax rates and the reversal of valuation allowance previously recorded against deferred tax assets, including net operating losses of certain foreign subsidiaries that have returned to profitability and are now more-likely-than-not to realize those deferred tax assets.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries is comprised of our less than 50% interest in our Mexican subsidiary and IGroup, LLC. We report our interest in earnings or loss of our Mexican subsidiary and IGroup, LLC on the equity basis as a one-line adjustment to net income. Equity in earnings was $2.2 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $2.1 million in fiscal 2013.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company and its Board of Directors endorse a balanced approach to capital allocation by utilizing capital for investment in the Company’s consultants and intellectual property, as well as the strategic acquisition of businesses.

In addition, on December 8, 2014, the Board of Directors adopted a dividend policy to distribute, to our stockholders, a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share. On March 4, 2015, the Company declared its first ever quarterly dividend under this policy of $0.10 per share, which was paid on April 9, 2015 to stockholders of record on March 25, 2015. On June 10, 2015, the Company declared a dividend of $0.10 per share, payable on July 15, 2015 to stockholders of record on June 25, 2015. The declaration and payment of future dividends under the quarterly dividend program will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including our earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions, the terms of our indebtedness and other factors our Board of Directors may deem to be relevant. Our Board of Directors may, however, amend, revoke or suspend our dividend policy at any time and for any reason.

On December 8, 2014, the Board of Directors also approved an increase in the Company’s stock repurchase program to an aggregate of $150.0 million. Common stock may be repurchased from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion subject to market conditions and other factors.

Our performance is subject to the general level of economic activity in the geographic regions and the industries which we service. We believe, based on current economic conditions, that our cash on hand and funds

 

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from operations will be sufficient to meet anticipated working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate requirements and dividend payments under our dividend policy during the next twelve months. However, if the national or global economy, credit market conditions, and/or labor markets were to deteriorate in the future, such changes would put negative pressure on demand for our services and affect our operating cash flows. If these conditions were to persist over an extended period of time, we may incur negative cash flows, and it might require us to access our existing credit facility to meet our capital needs and/or discontinue our dividend policy.

Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were $525.4 million and $468.3 million as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Net of amounts held in trust for deferred compensation plans and to pay fiscal 2015 bonuses, cash and marketable securities were $235.6 million and $211.1 million at April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, we held $143.4 million and $136.3 million, respectively of cash and cash equivalents in foreign locations, net of amounts held in trust for deferred compensation plans and to pay fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 bonuses. If these amounts were distributed to the United States, in the form of dividends, we would be subject to additional U.S. income taxes. The Company has a plan to distribute a small portion of the cash held in foreign locations to the United States. No deferred tax liability has been recorded because no additional taxes would arise in connection with such distributions. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less. Marketable securities consist of mutual funds and investments in corporate bonds. The primary objectives of our investment in mutual funds are to meet the obligations under certain of our deferred compensation plans, while the corporate bonds and other securities are available for general corporate purposes.

As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, marketable securities of $144.6 million and $134.6 million, respectively, included trading securities of $131.4 million (net of gross unrealized gains of $8.3 million and gross unrealized losses of $0.2 million) and $116.2 million (net of gross unrealized gains of $9.2 million and gross unrealized losses of $0.7 million), respectively, held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans, of which $118.8 million and $111.7 million, respectively, are classified as non-current. Our vested and unvested obligations for which these assets were held in trust totaled $129.1 million and $117.6 million as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, we had marketable securities classified as available-for-sale with a balance of $13.2 million and $18.4 million, respectively.

The net increase in our working capital of $60.0 million as of April 30, 2015 compared to April 30, 2014 is primarily attributable to increases in cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and marketable securities, partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits payable. The change in cash and cash equivalents was due to an increase in profitability during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 while accounts receivable went up due to an increase in total revenue. The increase in marketable securities was due to a rise in the current portion of marketable securities due to the expectation that these investments will be sold in the next twelve months to pay for deferred compensation benefits that come due and an increase in the current portion of our corporate bonds that will mature within a year that we account for as available for sale securities. Compensation and benefits payable went up due to a higher amount of performance related bonuses as profitability and average headcount increased and a rise in the amount expected to be paid on our deferred compensation plans in the next fiscal year. Cash provided by operating activities was $107.3 million in fiscal 2015, a decrease of $22.2 million, from cash provided by operating activities of $129.5 million in fiscal 2014. The decrease in cash provided in operating activities is primarily because fiscal 2014 bonuses paid in fiscal 2015 were higher than fiscal 2013 bonuses paid in fiscal 2014, offset by an increase in cash provided by operations due to an increase in profitability.

Cash used in investing activities was $30.6 million in fiscal 2015, an increase of $7.0 million from cash used in investing activities of $23.6 million in fiscal 2014. The cash used in investing activities was higher primarily due to an increase of $17.8 million in the net purchase and sales/maturities of marketable securities, payment of $15.3 million made for the acquisition of Pivot Leadership and $2.9 million in restricted cash that became unrestricted during fiscal year 2014. These increases in cash used in investing activities were offset by a

 

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$15.0 million contingent consideration payment made to the selling stockholders of PDI in fiscal 2014, an increase in death benefits proceeds received from life insurance policies of $7.7 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 and a decrease of $6.7 million in cash used to purchase property and equipment.

Cash used by financing activities was $7.9 million in fiscal 2015 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $5.6 million in fiscal 2014. Cash used in financing activities increased primarily due to cash dividends paid to stockholders in fiscal 2015 of $5.1 million, lower cash proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options of $3.7 million, and an increase of $2.9 million paid on life insurance policy loans in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The rest of the change is an increase of $1.8 million in cash used to repurchase shares of common stock to satisfy tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of restricted stock. As of April 30, 2015, $150.0 million remained available for common stock repurchases under our stock repurchase program.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements and have not entered into any transactions involving unconsolidated, special purpose entities.

Contractual Obligations

Contractual obligations represent future cash commitments and liabilities under agreements with third parties, and exclude contingent liabilities for which we cannot reasonably predict future payment. The following table represents our contractual obligations as of April 30, 2015:

 

          Payments Due in:  
     Note (1)    Total      Less Than
1 Year
     1-3 Years      3-5 Years      More Than
5 Years
 
          (in thousands)  

Operating lease commitments

   14    $ 317,416       $ 41,624       $ 75,500       $ 62,841       $ 137,451   

Accrued restructuring charges (2)

   7      1,135         753         382         —           —     

Interest payments on COLI loans (3)

   10      44,659         3,928         7,855         7,838         25,038   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 363,210    $ 46,305    $ 83,737    $ 70,679    $ 162,489   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) See Note in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in Item 15.

 

(2) Represents rent payments, net of sublease income on an undiscounted basis and severance costs.

 

(3) Assumes COLI loans remain outstanding until receipt of death benefits on COLI policies and applies current interest rates on COLI loans ranging from 4.76% to 8.00% with total death benefits payable, net of loans under COLI contracts of $216.5 million at April 30, 2015.

In addition to the contractual obligations above, we have liabilities related to certain employee benefit plans. These liabilities are recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The obligations related to these employee benefit plans are described in Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Lastly, we have contingent commitments under certain employment agreements that are payable upon involuntary, termination without cause, as described in Note 14 — Commitments and Contingencies, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Cash Surrender Value of Company Owned Life Insurance Policies, Net of Loans

The Company purchased COLI policies or contracts insuring the lives of certain employees eligible to participate in the deferred compensation and pension plans as a means of funding benefits under such plans. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, we held contracts with gross CSV of $172.3 million and $167.2 million,

 

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respectively. In fiscal 2015 and 2014, we paid our premiums under our COLI contracts from operating cash, and in prior years, we generally borrowed under our COLI contracts to pay related premiums. Such borrowings do not require annual principal repayments, bear interest primarily at variable rates and are secured by the CSV of COLI contracts. Total outstanding borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts were $69.6 million and $72.9 million as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At April 30, 2015 and 2014, the net cash value of these policies was $102.7 million and $94.3 million, respectively. Total death benefits payable, net of loans under COLI contracts, were $216.5 million and $214.2 million at April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Long-Term Debt

Original Credit Agreement

As of April 30, 2015, the Company had a senior unsecured revolving credit facility pursuant to the credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as lender (the “Lender”), dated January 18, 2013, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated December 12, 2014 (the “Original Credit Agreement”). The Original Credit Agreement provided for an aggregate availability up to $75.0 million with an option to increase the facility by an additional $50.0 million, subject to the Lender’s consent, and a $15.0 million sub-limit for letters of credit. The Original Credit Agreement had an original maturity date of January 18, 2018. Borrowings under the Original Credit Agreement bore interest, at our election, at the adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus the applicable margin or at the base rate plus the applicable margin. The base rate is the highest of (i) the published prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 1.50%, and (iii) one month LIBOR plus 1.50%. Under the Original Credit Agreement, the applicable margin was based on a percentage per annum determined in accordance with a specified pricing grid based on the Company’s total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio. For LIBOR loans, the applicable margin under the Original Credit Agreement ranged from 0.50% to 1.50% per annum, while for base rate loans, the applicable margin ranged from 0.00% to 0.25% per annum. We were required to pay a quarterly commitment fee of 0.25% to 0.35% on the facility’s average daily unused commitments based on the Company’s total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio. The financial covenants under the Original Credit Agreement included a maximum total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio, and a minimum adjusted EBITDA, each as defined in the Original Credit Agreement. As of April 30, 2015, we complied with the financial covenants under the Original Credit Agreement. In addition, the Original Credit Agreement imposed a domestic liquidity requirement that we maintain at least $50.0 million in unrestricted cash and/or marketable securities (excluding any marketable securities that are held in trust for the settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans) as a condition to consummating permitted acquisitions, paying dividends to our stockholders and making repurchases of our common stock. Under the Original Credit Agreement, we were limited to consummating permitted acquisitions, paying dividends to our stockholders and making share repurchases of our common stock in any fiscal year to a cumulative total of $125.0 million. Subject to the foregoing, we were permitted to pay up to $50.0 million in dividends in any fiscal year (subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions). The Original Credit Agreement also contained other usual and customary affirmative and negative covenants, which included limitations on additional indebtedness, guaranties, pledge of assets, investments, and asset sales and mergers. The credit facility was jointly and severally guaranteed by the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries (other than immaterial subsidiaries, non-tax preferred subsidiaries, and certain foreign subsidiaries) (the “guarantors”), and could be prepaid and early terminated by the Company at any time without premium or penalty (subject to customary LIBOR breakage fees).

The Original Credit Agreement contained usual and customary events of default which included: non-payment of principal, interest, fees and other amounts; material breach of a representation or warranty; non-performance of covenants and obligations; default on other material debt; material judgments; bankruptcy or insolvency; and change of control. The occurrence of a non-bankruptcy event of default under the Original Credit Agreement could result, at the Lender’s option, in the termination of the credit facility and the acceleration of the Company’s repayment obligations thereunder. The occurrence of a bankruptcy event of default would automatically result in the termination of the credit facility and the acceleration of the Company’s repayment obligations thereunder.

 

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As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had no borrowings under its long-term debt arrangements. At April 30, 2015 and 2014, there was $2.8 million of standby letters of credit issued under its long-term debt arrangements. The Company has a total of $1.6 million and $1.5 million of standby letters of credits with other financial institutions as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Amended Credit Agreement

On June 3, 2015, we entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Original Credit Agreement which became effective as of June 5, 2015 (the “Amendment No. 2”), in order to amend certain terms of the Original Credit Agreement (as amended pursuant to Amendment No. 2, the “Amended Credit Agreement”).

Amendment No. 2, among other things, (i) increased the aggregate amount available under our revolving credit facility to $150.0 million, which includes a $15.0 million sub-limit for letters of credit, with an option to increase the credit facility by an additional $50.0 million prior to December 3, 2019, subject to the Lender’s consent and the satisfaction of certain conditions (including the requirement, if the Lender acting in its sole discretion so elects, that the credit facility under the Amended Credit Agreement become secured at such time by substantially all the assets of the Company and the guarantors); (ii) extended the maturity date to June 3, 2020, (iii) amended the financial covenants so as to require the Company to maintain a minimum adjusted EBITDA and a maximum total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio; (iv) amended the pricing applicable to borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement, as described below; (v) amended certain covenants relating to permitted acquisitions, dividends and share repurchases, including increasing the amount of dividends permitted to be paid in any fiscal year up to $75.0 million; (vi) amended the definition of “domestic liquidity” to include amounts available to be borrowed under the increased credit facility; and (vii) effected certain technical and conforming changes.

As of June 5, 2015, borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement will bear interest, at our election, at the adjusted LIBOR plus the applicable margin or at the base rate plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on a percentage per annum determined in accordance with a specified pricing grid based on the Company’s total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio. For LIBOR loans, the applicable margin will range from 0.875% to 1.75% per annum, while for base rate loans, the applicable margin will range from 0.00% to 0.75% per annum. As of June 5, 2015, we are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee of 0.25% to 0.40% on the revolving credit facility’s average daily unused commitments based on the Company’s total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio. The definition of domestic liquidity requirement under the Amended Credit Agreement requires that we maintain at least $50.0 million in unrestricted cash and/or marketable securities (excluding any marketable securities that are held in trust for the settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans) as a condition to consummating permitted acquisitions, paying dividends to our stockholders and making share repurchases of our common stock. Undrawn amounts on our line of credit may be used to calculate domestic liquidity. We are limited in consummating permitted acquisitions, paying dividends to our stockholders and making share repurchases of our common stock to a cumulative total of $125.0 million in any fiscal year. We are permitted to pay up to $75.0 million in dividends and share repurchases, in aggregate, in any fiscal year (subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions), which amount is further limited by any consideration paid with respect to acquisitions during such fiscal year, as discussed above.

We are not aware of any other trends, demands or commitments that would materially affect liquidity or those that relate to our resources.

Accounting Developments

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on releasing cumulative translation adjustments when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. In addition,

 

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these amendments provide guidance on the release of cumulative translation adjustments in partial sales of equity method investments and in step acquisitions. This new guidance was effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. Prior periods should not be adjusted and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance during fiscal 2015 and the adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.

In June 2013, the FASB issued guidance on how a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements if the ultimate settlement of such liability will not result in a cash payment to the tax authority but will, rather, reduce a deferred tax asset, a net operating loss or tax credit carryforward. The FASB concluded that, when settlement in such manner is available under tax law, the liability for an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a reduction of the deferred tax asset associated with the net operating loss or tax credit carryforward. This new guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this guidance during fiscal 2015 and the adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.

Recently Proposed Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance that supersedes revenue recognition requirements regarding contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or for the transfer of nonfinancial assets. Under the new guidance, entities are required to recognize revenue in order to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis to be performed on transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those annual years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As a result of our global operating activities, we are exposed to certain market risks, including foreign currency exchange fluctuations and fluctuations in interest rates. We manage our exposure to these risks in the normal course of our business as described below. We have not utilized financial instruments for trading, hedging or other speculative purposes nor do we trade in derivative financial instruments.

Foreign Currency Risk

Substantially all our foreign subsidiaries’ operations are measured in their local currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of each reporting period and revenue and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the reporting period. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income on our consolidated balance sheets.

Transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting entity’s functional currency may give rise to transaction gains and losses that impact our results of operations. Historically, we have not realized significant foreign currency gains or losses on such transactions. Foreign currency losses, on an after tax basis, included in net income were $1.6 million during fiscal 2015, compared to foreign currency gains, on an after tax basis, included in net income were $1.0 million during fiscal 2014. Foreign currency losses, on an after tax basis, included in net income were $0.5 million during fiscal 2013.

Our primary exposure to exchange losses or gains is based on outstanding intercompany loan balances denominated in U.S. dollars. If the U.S. dollar strengthened or weakened by 15%, 25% and 35% against the

 

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Pound Sterling, the Euro, the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar and the Yen, our exchange loss or gain during fiscal 2015 would have been $1.8 million, $3.0 million and $4.2 million, respectively, based on outstanding balances at April 30, 2015.

Interest Rate Risk

We primarily manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through our regular financing activities, which are short term and provide for variable market rates. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, we had no outstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement. We had $69.6 million and $72.9 million of borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, bearing interest primarily at variable rates. The risk of fluctuations in these variable rates is minimized by the fact that we receive a corresponding adjustment to our borrowed funds crediting rate which has the effect of increasing the CSV on our COLI contracts.

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

See Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Supplemental Financial Information regarding quarterly results is contained in Note 15 — Quarterly Results, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures conducted as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) are effective.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. See Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting on pages F-2 and F-3, respectively.

Item 9B.    Other Information

Not applicable.

 

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PART III.

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this Item will be included under the captions “The Board of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and elsewhere in our 2015 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference. The information under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is also incorporated by reference in this section.

We have adopted a “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” which is applicable to our directors, chief executive officer and senior financial officers, including our principal financial officer, who is also our principal accounting officer. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.kornferry.com. We intend to post amendments to or waivers to this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on our website when adopted.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item will be included in our 2015 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item will be included under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and elsewhere in our 2015 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item will be included under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and elsewhere in our 2015 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this Item will be included under the captions “Fees Paid to Ernst & Young LLP,” and “Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures,” and elsewhere in our 2015 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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PART IV.

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Financial Statements.

 

     Page  

1. Index to Financial Statements:

  

See Consolidated Financial Statements included as part of this Form 10-K and Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts. Pursuant to Rule 7-05 of Regulation S-X, the other schedules have been omitted as the information to be set forth therein is included in the notes of the audited consolidated financial statements

     F-1   

Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

    2.1**+   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 5, 2012, by and among Korn/Ferry International, Personnel Decisions International Corporation, Unity Sub, Inc., Personnel Decisions International Corporation, all of the stockholders of Personnel Decisions International Corporation, and PDI Stockholder Representative, LLC, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 6, 2012.
    3.1+   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 9, 2013.
    3.2+   Certificate of Designations of 7.5% Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 18, 2002.
    3.3+   Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 7, 2014.
    4.1+   Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Company, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-49286), filed November 3, 2000.
  10.1*+   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and some of its executive officers and directors, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10.2*+   Form of U.S. and International Worldwide Executive Benefit Retirement Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10.3*+   Form of U.S. and International Worldwide Executive Benefit Life Insurance Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10.4*+   Worldwide Executive Benefit Disability Plan (in the form of Long-Term Disability Insurance Policy), filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10.5*+   Form of U.S. and International Enhanced Executive Benefit and Wealth Accumulation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10.6*+   Form of U.S. and International Senior Executive Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.

 

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Exhibit
Number

 

Description

  10.7*+   Executive Salary Continuation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10.8*+   Form of Amended and Restated Stock Repurchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10.9*+   Form of Standard Employment Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10.10*+   Form of U.S. and Foreign Executive Participation Program, filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10.11*+   Korn/Ferry International Second Amended and Restated Performance Award Plan, filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed August 12, 2004.
  10.12*+   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and some of its executive officers and directors, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 12, 2004.
  10.13+   Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 10, 2012.
  10.14*+   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement to Employees Under the Performance Award Plan filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 29, 2006.
  10.15*+   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement to Non-Employee Directors Under the Performance Award Plan filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 29, 2006.
  10.16*+   Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of August 8, 2006, by and among Lominger Limited, Inc., Lominger Consulting, Inc., Michael M. Lombardo, Robert W. Eichinger, and the Company filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed September 8, 2006.
  10.17*+   Letter from the Company to Gary Burnison, dated March 30, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed June 29, 2007.
  10.18*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Gary Burnison, dated April 24, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed June 29, 2007.
  10.19*+   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to Directors Under the Performance Award Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 10, 2007.
  10.20*+   Letter from the Company to Ana Dutra, dated January 16, 2008, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 11, 2008.
  10.21*+   Form of Stock Option Agreement to Employees and Non-Employee Directors Under the Korn/Ferry International 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 12, 2009.
  10.22*+   Korn/Ferry International Executive Capital Accumulation Plan, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-111038), filed December 10, 2003.
  10.23*+   Letter Agreement between the Company and Gary D. Burnison dated June 25, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.51 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed June 29, 2009.
  10.24*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Byrne Mulrooney dated March 5, 2010, filed as Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed June 29, 2010.
  10.25*+   Korn/Ferry International Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed December 10, 2014.

 

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Exhibit
Number

 

Description

  10.26*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert P. Rozek, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 21, 2012.
  10.27*+   Separation and General Release Agreement, between Michael DiGregorio and Korn/Ferry International, dated as of February 17, 2012, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 21, 2012.
  10.28*+   Second Amended and Restated Korn/Ferry International 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 2, 2012.
  10.29*+   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to Non-Employee Directors Under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed June 25, 2013.
  10.30*+   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to Employees Under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed June 25, 2013.
  10.31*+   Letter Agreement between the Company and R.J. Heckman, Ph.D., dated December 4, 2012, filed as Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed June 25, 2013.
  10.32*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Byrne Mulrooney dated June 26, 2014, filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed June 27, 2014.
  10.33*+   Amended and Restated Employment agreement dated July 25, 2014 between Korn/Ferry International and Gary Burnison, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 1, 2014.
  10.34*+   Amended and Restated Korn/Ferry International Executive Capital Accumulation Plan, as of August 13, 2014, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 10, 2014.
  10.35*+   Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation Program, effective October 1, 2014, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 10, 2014.
  10.36*+   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and some of its directors and executive officers, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 15, 2015.
  21.1   Subsidiaries of Korn/Ferry International.
  23.1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  24.1   Power of Attorney (contained on signature page).
  31.1   Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act.
  31.2   Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act.
  32.1   Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

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* Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

** Schedules omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

+ Incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
By:  

/s/ Robert P. Rozek

  Robert P. Rozek
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: June 26, 2015

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and directors of the registrant hereby constitutes and appoints Jonathan M. Kuai and Gary D. Burnison, and each of them, as lawful attorney-in-fact and agent for each of the undersigned (with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name, place and stead of each of the undersigned officers and directors), to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, any and all amendments, supplements and exhibits to this report and any and all other documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or any of their substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/ GEORGE T. SHAHEEN

George T. Shaheen

   Chairman of the Board and Director   June 26, 2015

/S/ GARY D. BURNISON

Gary D. Burnison

  

President & Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer) and Director

  June 26, 2015

/S/ ROBERT P. ROZEK

Robert P. Rozek

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)   June 26, 2015

/S/ WILLIAM R. FLOYD

William R. Floyd

   Director   June 26, 2015

/S/ CHRISTINA A. GOLD

Christina A. Gold

   Director   June 26, 2015

/S/ JERRY LEAMON

Jerry Leamon

   Director   June 26, 2015

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/ EDWARD D. MILLER

Edward D. Miller

   Director   June 26, 2015

/S/ DEBRA J. PERRY

Debra J. Perry

   Director   June 26, 2015

/S/ HARRY L. YOU

Harry L. You

   Director   June 26, 2015

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

APRIL 30, 2015

 

     Page  

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

     F-2   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

     F-3   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-4   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2015 and 2014

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013

     F-6   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013

     F-7   

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013

     F-8   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013

     F-9   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-10   

Financial Statements Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

     F-44   

 

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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management of Korn/Ferry International (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. As defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or supervised by, the issuer’s principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by the issuer’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is supported by written policies and procedures, that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In connection with the preparation of the Company’s annual financial statements, management of the Company has undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2015 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“the COSO Framework”). Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Our evaluation did not include assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting for the 2015 acquisition of Pivot Leadership which is included in the 2015 consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted 2% and 3% of total and net assets, respectively, as of April 30, 2015 and less than 1% of fee revenues, for the year then ended. We did not assess the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting at this newly acquired entity due to the insufficient time between the date acquired and year-end.

Based on this assessment, management did not identify any material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of April 30, 2015.

Ernst & Young, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s financial statements for the year ended April 30, 2015 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2015, a copy of which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

June 26, 2015

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Stockholders and Board of Directors

Korn/Ferry International

We have audited Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2015 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment and conclusion of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Pivot Leadership, which is included in the 2015 consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted 2% and 3% of total and net assets, respectively, as of April 30, 2015 and less than 1% of fee revenues, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Pivot Leadership.

In our opinion, Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2015, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2015 and our report dated June 26, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California

June 26, 2015

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Stockholders and Board of Directors

Korn/Ferry International

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2015. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries at April 30, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated June 26, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California

June 26, 2015

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     April 30,  
             2015                     2014          
     (in thousands, except per share data)  
ASSETS     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 380,838      $ 333,717   

Marketable securities

     25,757        9,566   

Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,958 and $9,513, respectively

     188,543        175,986   

Income taxes and other receivables

     10,966        8,244   

Deferred income taxes

     3,827        4,486   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     31,054        29,955   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

  640,985      561,954   

Marketable securities, non-current

  118,819      124,993   

Property and equipment, net

  62,088      60,434   

Cash surrender value of company owned life insurance policies, net of loans

  102,691      94,274   

Deferred income taxes, net

  56,014      55,039   

Goodwill

  254,440      257,582   

Intangible assets, net

  47,901      49,560   

Investments and other assets

  34,863      29,830   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 1,317,801    $ 1,233,666   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Accounts payable

$ 19,238    $ 19,375   

Income taxes payable

  3,813      13,014   

Compensation and benefits payable

  219,364      192,035   

Other accrued liabilities

  63,595      62,509   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

  306,010      286,933   

Deferred compensation and other retirement plans

  173,432      169,235   

Other liabilities

  23,110      21,962   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  502,552      478,130   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 62,863 and 62,282 shares issued and 50,573 and 49,811 shares outstanding, respectively

  463,839      449,631   

Retained earnings

  392,033      308,781   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

  (40,623   (2,388
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

  815,249      756,024   

Less: notes receivable from stockholders

  —        (488
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

  815,249      755,536   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 1,317,801    $ 1,233,666   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015     2014     2013  
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Fee revenue

   $ 1,028,152      $ 960,301      $ 812,831   

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     37,914        35,258        36,870   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

  1,066,066      995,559      849,701   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

  691,450      646,889      555,346   

General and administrative expenses

  145,917      152,040      142,771   

Reimbursed expenses

  37,914      35,258      36,870   

Cost of services

  39,692      39,910      28,977   

Depreciation and amortization

  27,597      26,172      19,004   

Restructuring charges, net

  9,468      3,682      22,857   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

  952,038      903,951      805,825   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

  114,028      91,608      43,876   

Other income, net

  7,458      9,769      6,309   

Interest expense, net

  (1,784   (2,363   (2,365
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries

  119,702      99,014      47,820   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

  2,181      2,169      2,110   

Income tax provision

  33,526      28,492      16,637   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 88,357    $ 72,691    $ 33,293   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

Basic

$ 1.78    $ 1.51    $ 0.71   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

$ 1.76    $ 1.48    $ 0.70   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

Basic

  49,052      48,162      47,224   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

  49,766      49,145      47,883   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015     2014     2013  
     (in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 88,357      $ 72,691      $ 33,293   

Other comprehensive income:

      

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (36,523     (1,955     (5,254

Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax

     (1,702     2,230        (4,578

Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of tax

     (10     (32     10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

$ 50,122    $ 72,934    $ 23,471   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

           Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)
Income, Net
    Total  
     Common Stock        
     Shares     Amount        
     (in thousands)  

Balance at May 1, 2012

     47,913      $ 419,998      $ 202,797      $ 7,191      $ 629,986   

Comprehensive income

     —          —          33,293        (9,822     23,471   

Purchase of stock

     (197     (2,838     —          —          (2,838

Issuance of stock

     1,018        2,134        —          —          2,134   

Stock-based compensation

     —          11,920        —          —          11,920   

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     —          294        —          —          294   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at April 30, 2013

  48,734      431,508      236,090      (2,631   664,967   

Comprehensive income

  —        —        72,691      243      72,934   

Purchase of stock

  (113   (2,249   —        —        (2,249

Issuance of stock

  1,190      8,805      —        —        8,805   

Stock-based compensation

  —        12,160      —        —        12,160   

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

  —        (593   —        —        (593
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at April 30, 2014

  49,811      449,631      308,781      (2,388   756,024   

Comprehensive income

  —        —        88,357      (38,235   50,122   

Dividends declared

  —        —        (5,105   —        (5,105

Purchase of stock

  (122   (4,038   —        —        (4,038

Issuance of stock

  884      2,993      —        —        2,993   

Stock-based compensation

  —        13,737      —        —        13,737   

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

  —        1,516      —        —        1,516   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at April 30, 2015

  50,573    $ 463,839    $ 392,033    $ (40,623 $ 815,249   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015     2014     2013  
     (in thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 88,357      $ 72,691      $ 33,293   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     27,597        26,172        19,004   

Stock-based compensation expense

     13,899        12,106        11,906   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     7,741        7,840        6,748   

Gain on cash surrender value of life insurance policies

     (10,509     (8,242     (6,502

Gain on marketable securities

     (8,829     (9,498     (7,556

Deferred income taxes

     (316     7,598        (176

Change in other assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:

      

Deferred compensation

     10,130        12,186        8,477   

Receivables due from clients

     (17,213     (22,318     (16,011

Income taxes and other receivables

     115        896        4,616   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (1,145     (1,255     750   

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries

     (2,181     (2,169     (2,110

Income taxes payable

     (9,194     7,533        (3,399

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     17,790        29,104        8,494   

Other

     (8,966     (3,162     4,173   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     107,276        129,482        61,707   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchase of property and equipment

     (21,860     (28,559     (13,101

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired and earnout

     (15,296     —          (112,064

Purchase of marketable securities

     (22,843     (28,150     (50,437

Proceeds from sales/maturities of marketable securities

     21,362        44,475        51,511   

Change in restricted cash

     —          2,861        7,222   

Payment of contingent consideration from acquisition

     —          (15,000     —     

Premium on company-owned life insurance policies

     (1,676     (1,727     (1,739

Proceeds from life insurance policies

     8,087        388        —     

Dividends received from unconsolidated subsidiaries

     1,656        2,120        1,897   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (30,570     (23,592     (116,711
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Payments on life insurance policy loans

     (3,301     (388     —     

Purchase of common stock

     (4,038     (2,249     (2,838

Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of employee stock options and in connection with an employee stock purchase plan

     2,993        8,805        2,134   

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     1,516        (593     294   

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (5,105     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (7,935     5,575        (410
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (21,650     (1,814     (2,525
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     47,121        109,651        (57,939

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     333,717        224,066        282,005   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 380,838      $ 333,717      $ 224,066   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

      

Cash used to pay interest

   $ 4,230      $ 4,229      $ 4,361   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used to pay income taxes, net of refunds

   $ 40,899      $ 15,604      $ 10,611   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2015

1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business

Korn/Ferry International, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its subsidiaries are engaged in the business of providing talent management solutions, including executive recruitment on a retained basis, recruitment for non-executive professionals, recruitment process outsourcing and leadership & talent consulting services. The Company’s worldwide network of 78 offices in 37 countries enables it to meet the needs of its clients in all industries.

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly and majority owned/controlled domestic and international subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements conform with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and prevailing practice within the industry. The consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these periods.

Investments in affiliated companies, which are 50% or less owned and where the Company exercises significant influence over operations, are accounted for using the equity method. Dividends received from our unconsolidated subsidiaries were approximately $1.7 million, $2.1 million and $1.9 million during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.

Use of Estimates and Uncertainties

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed and determinable. The most significant areas that require management judgment are revenue recognition, restructuring, deferred compensation, annual performance related bonuses, evaluation of the carrying value of receivables, goodwill and other intangible assets, fair value of contingent consideration, share-based payments and the recoverability of deferred income taxes.

Revenue Recognition

Substantially all professional fee revenue is derived from fees for professional services related to executive recruitment performed on a retained basis, recruitment for non-executive professionals, recruitment process outsourcing and leadership & talent consulting services. Fee revenue from executive recruitment activities and recruitment for non-executive professionals is generally one-third of the estimated first year cash compensation of the placed executive or non-executive professional, as applicable, plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect engagement related expenses. The Company generally recognizes revenue on a straight-line basis over a three-month period, commencing upon client acceptance, as this is the period over which the recruitment services are

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

performed. Fees earned in excess of the initial contract amount are recognized upon completion of the engagement, which reflect the difference between the final actual compensation of the placed executive and the estimate used for purposes of the previous billings. Since the initial contract fees are typically not contingent upon placement of a candidate, our assumptions primarily relate to establishing the period over which such service is performed. These assumptions determine the timing of revenue recognition and profitability for the reported period. Any revenues associated with services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is resolved. In addition to recruitment for non-executive professionals, Futurestep provides recruitment process outsourcing (“RPO”) services and fee revenue is recognized as services are rendered and/or milestones are achieved. Fee revenue from Leadership & Talent Consulting (“LTC”) services is recognized as services are rendered for consulting engagements and other time based services, measured by total hours incurred to the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for the consulting engagement may vary from initial estimates with such updates being recognized in the period of determination. Depending on the timing of billings and services rendered, the Company accrues or defers revenue as appropriate. LTC revenue is also derived from the sale of solution services, which includes revenue from licenses and from the sale of products. Revenue from licenses is recognized using a straight-line method over the term of the contract (generally 12 months). Under the fixed term licenses, the Company is obligated to provide the licensee with access to any updates to the underlying intellectual property that are made by the Company during the term of the license. Once the term of the agreement expires, the client’s right to access or use the intellectual property expires and the Company has no further obligations to the client under the license agreement. Revenue from perpetual licenses is recognized when the license is sold since the Company’s only obligation is to provide the client access to the intellectual property but is not obligated to provide maintenance, support, updates or upgrades. Products sold by the Company mainly consist of books and automated services covering a variety of topics including performance management, team effectiveness, and coaching and development. The Company recognizes revenue for its products when the product has been sold or shipped in the case of books. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company included deferred revenue of $40.5 million and $36.8 million, respectively, in other accrued liabilities.

Reimbursements

The Company incurs certain out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by its clients, which are accounted for as revenue in its consolidated statements of income.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

An allowance is established for doubtful accounts by taking a charge to general and administrative expenses. The amount of the allowance is based on historical loss experience, assessment of the collectability of specific accounts, as well as expectations of future collections based upon trends and the type of work for which services are rendered. After the Company exhausts all collection efforts, the amount of the allowance is reduced for balances identified as uncollectible.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s investments in cash equivalents, consist of money market funds for which market prices are readily available. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had cash equivalents of $260.6 million and $186.6 million, respectively.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

Marketable Securities

The Company currently has investments in marketable securities and mutual funds which are classified as either trading securities or available-for-sale, based upon management’s intent and ability to hold, sell or trade such securities. The classification of the investments in these marketable securities and mutual funds is assessed upon purchase and reassessed at each reporting period. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The investments that the Company may sell within the next twelve months are carried as current assets. Realized gains (losses) on marketable securities are determined by specific identification. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis, dividends are recorded as earned on the ex-dividend date. Interest and dividend income are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in interest expense, net.

The Company invests in mutual funds, (for which market prices are readily available) that are held in trust to satisfy obligations under the Company’s deferred compensation plans (see Note 5 — Marketable Securities) and are classified as trading securities. Such investments are based upon the employees’ investment elections in their deemed accounts in the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan and similar plans in Asia Pacific and Canada (“ECAP”) from a pre-determined set of securities and the Company invests in marketable securities to mirror these elections. The changes in fair value in trading securities are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in other income, net.

The Company also invests cash in excess of its daily operating requirements and capital needs primarily in marketable fixed income (debt) securities in accordance with the Company’s investment policy, which restricts the type of investments that can be made. The Company’s investment portfolio includes corporate bonds. These marketable fixed income (debt) securities are classified as available-for-sale securities based on management’s decision, at the date such securities are acquired, not to hold these securities to maturity or actively trade them. The Company carries these marketable debt securities at fair value based on the market prices for these marketable debt securities or similar debt securities whose prices are readily available. The changes in fair values, net of applicable taxes, are recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of comprehensive income. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the fair value of an investment below its amortized cost is considered to be “other-than-temporary,” a credit loss is recorded in the statement of income in other income, net; any amount in excess of the credit loss is recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of comprehensive income. Generally, the amount of the loss is the difference between the cost or amortized cost and its then current fair value; a credit loss is the difference between the discounted expected future cash flows to be collected from the debt security and the cost or amortized cost of the debt security. The determination of the other-than-temporary decline includes, in addition to other relevant factors, a presumption that if the market value is below cost by a significant amount for a period of time, a write-down may be necessary. During fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, no other-than-temporary impairment was recognized.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is the price the Company would receive to sell an asset or transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. For those assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company determines the fair value based upon the quoted market price, if available. If a quoted market price is not available for identical assets, the fair value is based upon the quoted market price of similar assets. The fair values are assigned a level within the fair value hierarchy as defined below:

 

    Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

    Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

 

    Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and marketable securities. The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as trading are obtained from quoted market prices, and the fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets.

Business Acquisitions

Business acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method. The acquisition method requires the reporting entity to identify the acquirer, determine the acquisition date, recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity, and recognize and measure goodwill or a gain from the purchase. The acquiree’s results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill, or if the fair value of the assets acquired exceeds the purchase price consideration, a bargain purchase gain is recorded. Adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the measurement period (not longer than twelve months). The acquisition method also requires that acquisition-related transaction and post-acquisition restructuring costs be charged to expense as committed, and requires the Company to recognize and measure certain assets and liabilities including those arising from contingencies and contingent consideration in a business combination. During fiscal 2014, the Company paid contingent consideration to the selling stockholders of PDI Ninth House (“PDI”) of $15 million, as required under the merger agreement, as a result of the achievement of certain pre-determined goals associated with expense synergies.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset, or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Software development costs incurred for internal use projects are capitalized and, once placed in service, amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life, generally three to seven years. All other property and equipment is depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of three to ten years.

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. In fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, there were no such impairment charges recorded.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. The goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill of the reporting unit would be considered impaired. To measure the amount of the impairment loss, the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. For each of these tests, the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units is determined using a combination of valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow methodology. To corroborate the discounted cash flow analysis performed at each reporting unit, a market approach, is utilized using observable market data such as comparable companies in similar lines of business that are publicly traded or which are part of a public or private transaction (to the extent available). Results of the annual impairment test performed as of January 31, 2015, indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount and no reporting units were at risk of failing the impairment test. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. There was also no indication of potential impairment during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 that would have required further testing.

Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases, intellectual property and trademarks and are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized in a pattern in which the asset is consumed if that pattern can be reliably determined, or using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which range from one to 24 years. For intangible assets subject to amortization, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of the intangible assets is considered not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of the asset may be less than its carrying amount. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, there were no indicators of impairment with respect to the Company’s intangible assets.

Compensation and Benefits Expense

Compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income consist of compensation and benefits paid to consultants (employees who originate business), executive officers and administrative and support personnel. The most significant portions of this expense are salaries and the amounts paid under the annual performance related bonus plan to employees. The portion of the expense applicable to salaries is comprised of amounts earned by employees during a reporting period. The portion of the expenses applicable to annual performance related bonuses refers to the Company’s annual employee performance related bonus with respect to a fiscal year, the amount of which is communicated and paid to each eligible employee following the completion of the fiscal year.

Each quarter, management makes its best estimate of its annual performance related bonuses, which requires management to, among other things, project annual consultant productivity (as measured by engagement fees billed and collected by executive search consultants and revenue and other performance metrics for LTC and Futurestep consultants), the level of engagements referred by a fee earner in one line of business to a different line of business, Company performance including profitability, competitive forces and future economic conditions and their impact on the Company’s results. At the end of each fiscal year, annual performance related bonuses take into account final individual consultant productivity (including referred work), Company results including profitability, the achievement of strategic objectives, the results of individual performance appraisals, and the current economic landscape. Accordingly, each quarter the Company reevaluates the assumptions used to estimate annual performance related bonus liability and adjusts the carrying amount of the liability recorded on the consolidated balance sheet and reports any changes in the estimate in current operations.

Because annual performance-based bonuses are communicated and paid only after the Company reports its full fiscal year results, actual performance-based bonus payments may differ from the prior year’s estimate. Such

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

changes in the bonus estimate historically have been immaterial and are recorded in current operations in the period in which they are determined. The performance related bonus expense was $166.7 million, $146.1 million and $114.1 million for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, each of which was reduced by a change in the previous years’ estimate recorded in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 of $0.3 million, $0.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively. This resulted in net bonus expense of $166.4 million, $145.4 million and $113.9 million for the years ended April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, included in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income.

Other expenses included in compensation and benefits expense are due to changes in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities, changes in cash surrender value (“CSV”) of company owned life insurance (“COLI”) contracts, amortization of stock compensation awards, payroll taxes and employee insurance benefits.

Deferred Compensation and Pension Plans

For financial accounting purposes, the Company estimates the present value of the future benefits payable under the deferred compensation and pension plans as of the estimated payment commencement date. The Company also estimates the remaining number of years a participant will be employed by the Company. Then, each year during the period of estimated employment, the Company accrues a liability and recognizes expense for a portion of the future benefit using the “benefit/years of service” attribution method for Senior Executive Incentive Plan (“SEIP”), Wealth Accumulation Plan (“WAP”) and Enhanced Wealth Accumulation Plan (“EWAP”) and the “projected unit credit” method for the Worldwide Executive Benefit Plan (“WEB”).

In calculating the accrual for future benefit payments, management has made assumptions regarding employee turnover, participant vesting, violation of non-competition provisions and the discount rate. Management periodically reevaluates all assumptions. If assumptions change in future reporting periods, the changes may impact the measurement and recognition of benefit liabilities and related compensation expense.

Executive Capital Accumulation Plan

The Company, under its deferred compensation plans, makes discretionary contributions and such contributions may be granted to key employees annually based on the employee’s performance. Certain key management may also receive Company contributions upon commencement of employment. The Company amortizes these contributions on a straight-line basis as they vest, generally over a four year period. The amounts that are expected to be paid to employees over the next 12 months are classified as a current liability included in compensation and benefits payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

The ECAP is accounted for whereby the changes in the fair value of the vested amounts owed to the participants are adjusted with a corresponding charge (or credit) to compensation and benefits costs.

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

The Company purchased COLI policies or contracts insuring the lives of certain employees eligible to participate in certain of the deferred compensation and pension plans as a means of funding benefits under such plans. The Company purchased both fixed and variable life insurance contracts and does not purchase “split-dollar” life insurance policy contracts. The Company has both contracts or policies that provide for a fixed or guaranteed rate of return and a variable rate of return depending on the return of the policies’ investment in their underlying portfolio in equities and bonds. The CSV of these COLI contracts are carried at the amounts that would be realized if the contract were surrendered at the balance sheet date, net of the outstanding loans borrowed from the insurer. The Company has the intention and ability to continue to hold these COLI policies

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

and contracts. Additionally, the loans secured by the policies do not have any scheduled payment terms and the Company also does not intend to repay the loans outstanding on these policies until death benefits under the policy have been realized. Accordingly, the investment in COLI is classified as long-term in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

The change in the CSV of COLI contracts, net of insurance premiums paid and gains realized, is reported in compensation and benefits expense. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company held contracts with gross CSV of $172.3 million and $167.2 million, offset by outstanding policy loans of $69.6 million and $72.9 million, respectively. If the issuing insurance companies were to become insolvent, the Company would be considered a general creditor for $50.6 million and $45.9 million of net CSV as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively; therefore, these assets are subject to credit risk. Management, together with its outside advisors, routinely monitors the claims paying abilities of these insurance companies.

Restructuring Charges, Net

The Company accounts for its restructuring charges as a liability when the obligations are incurred and records such charges at fair value. Changes in the estimates of the restructuring charges are recorded in the period the change is determined.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has employee compensation plans under which various types of stock-based instruments are granted. These instruments, principally include restricted stock units, restricted stock, stock options and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock units, restricted stock and the estimated fair value of stock options and stock purchases under the ESPP on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award.

Translation of Foreign Currencies

Generally, financial results of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured in their local currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenue and expenses are translated at weighted-average exchange rates during the fiscal year. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated comprehensive income. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions of these subsidiaries and the translation of the financial results of subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies are included in general and administrative expense in the period incurred. Foreign currency losses, on an after tax basis, included in net income was $1.6 million and $0.5 million during fiscal 2015 and 2013, respectively. Foreign currency gains, on an after tax basis, included in net income were $1.0 million during fiscal 2014.

Income Taxes

There are two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense (benefit) approximates taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period. Deferred income tax expense (benefit) results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. These gross deferred tax assets and liabilities represent decreases or increases in taxes expected to be paid in the future because of future reversals of temporary differences in the basis of assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws and their basis as reported in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for tax attributes such as net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are then recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts management concludes are more likely than not to be realized.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

Income tax benefits are recognized and measured based upon a two-step model: (1) a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits in order to be recognized and (2) the benefit is measured as the largest dollar amount of that position that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon settlement. The difference between the benefit recognized for a position and the tax benefit claimed on a tax return is referred to as an unrecognized tax benefit. The Company records income tax related interest and penalties within income tax expense.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, investments, receivables due from clients and net CSV due from insurance companies, which is discussed above. Cash equivalents include investments in money market securities while investments include mutual funds and corporate bonds. Investments are diversified throughout many industries and geographic regions. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable. At April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had no other significant credit concentrations.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on releasing cumulative translation adjustments when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. In addition, these amendments provide guidance on the release of cumulative translation adjustments in partial sales of equity method investments and in step acquisitions. This new guidance was effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. Prior periods should not be adjusted and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance during fiscal 2015 and the adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.

In June 2013, the FASB issued guidance on how a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements if the ultimate settlement of such liability will not result in a cash payment to the tax authority but will, rather, reduce a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss or tax credit carryforward. The FASB concluded that, when settlement in such manner is available under tax law, the liability for an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a reduction of the deferred tax asset associated with the net operating loss or tax credit carryforward. This new guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this guidance during fiscal 2015 and the adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.

Recently Proposed Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance that supersedes revenue recognition requirements regarding contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or for the transfer of nonfinancial assets. Under the new guidance, entities are required to recognize revenue in order to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis to be performed on transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those annual years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

2. Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

Accounting Standards Codification 260, Earnings Per Share, requires companies to treat unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends prior to vesting as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share. We have granted and expect to continue to grant to certain employees restricted stock grants that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Such grants are considered participating securities. Therefore, we are required to apply the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated using the more dilutive of the treasury method or the two-class method.

Basic earnings per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing basic net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing diluted net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common equivalent shares. Dilutive common equivalent shares include all in-the-money outstanding options or other contracts to issue common stock as if they were exercised or converted. The application of the two-class method did not have a material impact on the earnings per share calculation for fiscal 2014 and 2013.

During fiscal 2015, all shares of outstanding options were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. During fiscal 2014 and 2013, options to purchase 0.04 million shares and 0.50 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. During fiscal 2015, restricted stock awards of 0.5 million, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
         2015              2014              2013      
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Net income

   $ 88,357       $ 72,691       $ 33,293   

Less: distributed and undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders

     860         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic net earnings attributable to common stockholders

  87,497      72,691      33,293   

Add: undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders

  815      —        —     

Less: reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders

  804      —        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings attributable to common stockholders

$ 87,508    $ 72,691    $ 33,293   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

  49,052      48,162      47,224   

Effect of dilutive securities:

Restricted stock

  605      789      485   

Stock options

  105      194      174   

ESPP

  4      —        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

  49,766      49,145      47,883   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings per common share:

Basic earnings per share

$ 1.78    $ 1.51    $ 0.71   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

$ 1.76    $ 1.48    $ 0.70   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

3. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to stockholders’ equity, except those changes resulting from investments by stockholders (changes in paid-in capital) and distributions to stockholders (dividends) and is reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Accumulated comprehensive loss, net of taxes, is recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:

 

     April 30,  
     2015      2014  
     (in thousands)  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   $ (20,919    $ 15,604   

Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of taxes

     (19,708      (18,006

Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of taxes

     4         14   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

$ (40,623 $ (2,388
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

The following tables summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

 

     Foreign
Currency
Translation
    Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan (1)
    Unrealized
Gains
(Losses) on
Marketable
Securities
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
     (in thousands)  

Balance as of May 1, 2012

   $ 22,813      $ (15,658   $ 36      $ 7,191   

Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period

     (5,254     (6,033     13        (11,274

Reclassification of realized net losses (gains) to net income

     —          1,455        (3     1,452   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of April 30, 2013

  17,559      (20,236   46      (2,631

Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period

  (1,955   136      (64   (1,883

Reclassification of realized net losses to net income

  —        2,094      32      2,126   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of April 30, 2014

  15,604      (18,006   14      (2,388

Unrealized losses arising during the period

  (36,523   (3,589   (10   (40,122

Reclassification of realized net losses to net income

  —        1,887      —        1,887   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of April 30, 2015

$ (20,919 $ (19,708 $ 4    $ (40,623
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The tax effects on unrealized (losses) gains of $(2.3) million, $0.07 million and $(3.8) million as of April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The tax effects on reclassifications of realized net losses of $1.2 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million as of April 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

4. Employee Stock Plans

Stock-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015      2014      2013  
     (in thousands)  

Restricted stock

   $ 13,602       $ 11,689       $ 11,001   

ESPP

     162         —           —     

Stock options

     135         417         905   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax

  13,899      12,106      11,906   

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense

  (3,893   (3,484   (4,142
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

$ 10,006    $ 8,622    $ 7,764   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the grant date fair value of employee stock options. The expected volatility reflects consideration of the historical volatility in the Company’s publicly traded stock during the period the option is granted. The Company believes historical volatility in these instruments is more indicative of expected future volatility than the implied volatility in the price of the Company’s common stock. The expected life of each option is estimated using historical data. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issue with a remaining term approximating the expected term of the option. The Company uses historical data to estimate forfeiture rates applied to the gross

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

amount of expense determined using the option valuation model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options. The assumptions used in option valuation models are highly subjective, particularly the expected stock price volatility of the underlying stock. The Company did not grant stock options in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Stock Incentive Plan

At the Company’s 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on September 27, 2012, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment and restatement to the Korn/Ferry International Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2012 amendment and restatement being the “Second A&R 2008 Plan”), which among other things, increased the current maximum number of shares that may be issued under the plan to 5,700,000 shares, subject to certain changes in the Company’s capital structure and other extraordinary events. The Second A&R 2008 Plan provides for the grant of awards to eligible participants, designated as either nonqualified or incentive stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, any of which may be performance-based or market-based, and incentive bonuses, which may be paid in cash or a combination thereof. Under the Second A&R 2008 Plan, the ability to issue full-value awards is limited by requiring full-value stock awards to count 1.91 times as much as stock options.

Stock Options

Stock options transactions under the Company’s Second A&R 2008 Plan were as follows:

 

     April 30,  
     2015      2014      2013  
     Options      Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Options      Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Options      Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Outstanding, beginning of year

     396       $ 16.23         1,100       $ 14.72         1,492       $ 14.00   

Exercised

     (179    $ 16.99         (655    $ 13.88         (238    $ 9.32   

Forfeited/expired

     (15    $ 17.72         (49    $ 13.42         (154    $ 16.87   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

Outstanding, end of year

  202    $ 15.45      396    $ 16.23      1,100    $ 14.72   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

Exercisable, end of year

  192    $ 15.07      337    $ 16.11      864    $ 15.01   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

As of April 30, 2015, the aggregate intrinsic value of both options outstanding and options exercisable was $3.2 million.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

Outstanding stock options:

 

     April 30, 2015  
     Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  

Range of Exercise Prices

   Shares      Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

(in years)
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Shares      Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

(in years)
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

$9.75   — $ 13.82

     48         1.3       $ 10.00         48         1.3       $ 10.00   

$13.83 — $ 15.83

     67         2.2       $ 13.94         67         2.2       $ 13.94   

$15.84 — $ 19.88

     50         0.3       $ 17.96         50         0.3       $ 17.96   

$19.89 — $ 24.08

     37         2.3       $ 21.87         27         1.9       $ 21.55   
  

 

 

          

 

 

       
  202      1.5    $ 15.45      192      1.4    $ 15.07   
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

Additional information pertaining to stock options:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
         2015              2014              2013      
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Total fair value of stock options vested

   $ 334       $ 984       $ 1,001   

Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised

   $ 2,425       $ 6,108       $ 1,547   

Restricted Stock

The Company grants time-based restricted stock awards to executive officers and other senior employees generally vesting over a three to four year period. In addition, certain key management members typically receive time-based restricted stock awards upon commencement of employment and may receive them annually in conjunction with the Company’s performance review. Time-based restricted stock awards are granted at a price equal to fair value, which is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense for time-based restricted stock awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

The Company also grants market-based and performance-based restricted stock units to executive officers and other senior employees. The market-based units vest after three years depending upon the Company’s total stockholder return over the three-year performance period relative to other companies in its selected peer group. The fair value of these market-based restricted stock units are determined by a third-party valuation using extensive market data that is based on historical Company and peer group information. The Company recognizes compensation expense for market-based restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Performance-based restricted stock units vest after three years depending upon the Company meeting certain objectives that are set at the time the restricted stock unit is issued. Performance-based restricted stock units are granted at a price equal to the fair value, which is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense for performance-based restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. At the end of each reporting period, the Company estimates the number of restricted stock units expected to vest based on the probability that certain performance objectives will be met, exceeded, or fall below target levels, and takes into account these estimates when calculating the expense for the period.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

Restricted stock activity is summarized below:

 

     April 30,  
     2015      2014      2013  
     Shares      Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
     Shares      Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
     Shares      Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Non-vested, beginning of year

     1,880       $ 18.95         1,810       $ 16.38         1,781       $ 16.76   

Granted

     438       $ 29.93         809       $ 21.32         889       $ 13.93   

Vested

     (705    $ 18.52         (535    $ 14.54         (780    $ 14.99   

Forfeited/expired

     (53    $ 21.13         (204    $ 17.19         (80    $ 16.43   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

Non-vested, end of year

  1,560    $ 22.15      1,880    $ 18.95      1,810    $ 16.38   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

As of April 30, 2015, there were 0.3 million shares and 0.2 million shares outstanding relating to market-based and performance-based restricted stock units, respectively, with total unrecognized compensation totaling $3.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

As of April 30, 2015, there was $20.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to all non-vested awards of restricted stock, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. During fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, 121,775 shares and 112,792 shares of restricted stock totaling $4.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively, were repurchased by the Company, at the option of the employee, to pay for taxes related to vesting of restricted stock.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an ESPP that, in accordance with Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, allows eligible employees to authorize payroll deductions of up to 15% of their salary to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at 85% of the fair market price of the common stock on the last day of the enrollment period. Employees may not purchase more than $25,000 in stock during any calendar year. At the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on September 28, 2011, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the ESPP, which among other things, increased the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the ESPP from 1.5 million shares to 3.0 million shares. The ESPP was suspended during the second half of fiscal 2012 and as a result, no shares were purchased during fiscal 2014 and 2013. Effective January 1, 2015, the Company has once again allowed employees to authorize payroll deductions under the ESPP with the purchase of shares expected to take place in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. As of April 30, 2015, the ESPP had approximately 1.6 million shares remaining available for future issuance.

Common Stock

During fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company issued 178,950 shares, 654,458 shares and 237,856 shares of common stock, respectively, as a result of the exercise of stock options, with cash proceeds from the exercise of $3.0 million, $8.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

No shares were repurchased during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, other than to satisfy minimum tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of restricted stock as described above.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

5. Marketable Securities

As of April 30, 2015, marketable securities consisted of the following:

 

     Trading
(1)(2)
     Available-for-
Sale (2)
     Total  
     (in thousands)  

Mutual funds

   $ 131,399       $ —         $ 131,399   

Corporate bonds

     —           13,177         13,177   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  131,399      13,177      144,576   

Less: current portion of marketable securities

  (12,580   (13,177   (25,757
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current marketable securities

$ 118,819    $ —      $ 118,819   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of April 30, 2014, marketable securities consisted of the following:

 

     Trading
(1)(2)
     Available-for-
Sale (2)
     Total  
     (in thousands)  

Mutual funds

   $ 116,207       $ —         $ 116,207   

Corporate bonds

     —           18,352         18,352   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  116,207      18,352      134,559   

Less: current portion of marketable securities

  (4,510   (5,056   (9,566
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current marketable securities

$ 111,697    $ 13,296    $ 124,993   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested and unvested obligations of $129.1 million and $117.6 million as of April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). During fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized income of $8.8 million, $9.5 million, and $7.6 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income, net.

 

(2) The Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis include trading securities classified as Level 1 and available-for-sale securities classified as Level 2. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had no investments classified as Level 3.

The amortized cost and fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale investments were as follows:

 

     April 30, 2015  
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses (1)
     Estimated
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands)  

Corporate bonds

   $ 13,167       $ 11       $ (1    $ 13,177   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     April 30, 2014  
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses (1)
     Estimated
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands)  

Corporate bonds

   $ 18,325       $ 31       $ (4    $ 18,352   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) There are no marketable securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or more.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

Investments in marketable securities classified as available-for-sale securities are made based on the Company’s investment policy, which restricts the types of investments that can be made. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, marketable securities classified as available-for-sale consist of corporate bonds for which market prices for similar assets are readily available. As of April 30, 2015, available-for-sale marketable securities have remaining maturities ranging from one month to eight months. During fiscal 2015 and 2014, the Company received $5.0 million and $33.3 million, respectively, in proceeds from sales/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities. Investments in marketable securities classified as trading are based upon investment elections the employee makes from a pre-determined set of securities in the ECAP and the Company invests in marketable securities to mirror these elections. As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s investments in marketable securities classified as trading consist of mutual funds for which market prices are readily available.

As of April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s marketable securities classified as trading were $131.4 million (net of gross unrealized gains of $8.3 million and $0.2 million of gross unrealized losses) and $116.2 million (net of gross unrealized gains of $9.2 million and $0.7 million of gross unrealized losses), respectively.

6. Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans

The Company has several deferred compensation and retirement plans for eligible consultants and vice presidents that provide defined benefits to participants based on the deferral of current compensation or contributions made by the Company subject to vesting and retirement or termination provisions.

The total benefit obligations for these plans were as follows:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015      2014  
     (in thousands)  

Deferred compensation plans

   $ 83,876       $ 82,153   

Pension plan

     5,262         4,424   

International retirement plans

     2,847         3,727   

Executive Capital Accumulation Plan

     99,461         89,308   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total benefit obligations

  191,446      179,612   

Less: current portion of benefit obligation

  (18,014   (10,377
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current benefit obligation

$ 173,432    $ 169,235   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation Plans

The Enhanced Wealth Accumulation Plan (“EWAP”) was established in fiscal 1994, which replaced the Wealth Accumulation Plan (“WAP”). Certain vice presidents elected to participate in a “deferral unit” that required the participant to contribute a portion of their compensation for an eight year period, or in some cases, make an after tax contribution, in return for defined benefit payments from the Company over a fifteen year period generally at retirement age of 65 or later. Participants were able to acquire additional “deferral units” every five years. Vice presidents who did not choose to roll over their WAP units into the EWAP continue to be covered under the earlier version in which participants generally vest and commence receipt of benefit payments at retirement age of 65. In June 2003, the Company amended the EWAP and WAP plans, so as not to allow new participants or the purchase of additional deferral units by existing participants.

The Company also maintains a Senior Executive Incentive Plan (“SEIP”) for participants approved by the Board. Generally, to be eligible, the vice president must be participating in the EWAP. Participation in the SEIP

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

required the participant to contribute a portion of their compensation during a four-year period, or in some cases make an after tax contribution, in return for a defined benefit paid by the Company generally over a fifteen year period after ten years of participation in the plan or such later date as elected by the participant. In June 2003, the Company amended the SEIP plan, so as not to allow new participants or the purchase of additional deferral units by existing participants.

Pension Plan

The Company has a defined benefit pension plan, referred to as the Worldwide Executive Benefit (“WEB”), covering certain executives in the U.S. and foreign countries. The WEB is designed to integrate with government sponsored and local benefits and provide a monthly benefit to vice presidents upon retirement from the Company. Each year a plan participant accrued and was fully vested in one-twentieth of the targeted benefits expressed as a percentage set by the Company for that year. Upon retirement, a participant receives a monthly benefit payment equal to the sum of the percentages accrued over such participant’s term of employment, up to a maximum of 20 years, multiplied by the participant’s highest average monthly salary during the 36 consecutive months in the final 72 months of active full-time employment through June 2003. In June 2003, the Company froze the WEB, so as to not allow new participants, future accruals and future salary increases.

Deferred Compensation Plans

The following tables reconcile the benefit obligation for the deferred compensation plans:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015      2014      2013  
     (in thousands)  

Change in benefit obligation:

        

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

   $ 82,153       $ 85,562       $ 78,479   

Interest cost

     2,835         2,566         2,868   

Actuarial loss (gain)

     4,863         (294      9,420   

Benefits paid

     (5,975      (5,681      (5,205
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

  83,876      82,153      85,562   

Less: current portion of benefit obligation

  (5,554   (5,593   (5,182
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current benefit obligation

$ 78,322    $ 76,560    $ 80,380   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The components of net periodic benefits costs are as follows:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015      2014      2013  
     (in thousands)  

Interest cost

   $ 2,835       $ 2,566       $ 2,868   

Amortization of actuarial loss

     3,029         3,111         2,357   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

$ 5,864    $ 5,677    $ 5,225   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

The weighted-average assumptions used in calculating the benefit obligations were as follows:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015     2014     2013  

Discount rate, beginning of year

     3.60     3.12     3.79

Discount rate, end of year

     3.28     3.60     3.12

Rate of compensation increase

     0.00     0.00     0.00

Pension Plan

The following tables reconcile the benefit obligation for the pension plan:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015      2014      2013  
     (in thousands)  

Change in benefit obligation:

        

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

   $ 4,424       $ 4,536       $ 4,214   

Interest cost

     154         137         154   

Actuarial loss

     1,001         92         426   

Benefits paid

     (317      (341      (258
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

  5,262      4,424      4,536   

Less: current portion of benefit obligation

  (278   (274   (232
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current benefit obligation

$ 4,984    $ 4,150    $ 4,304   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The components of net periodic benefits costs are as follows:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015      2014      2013  
     (in thousands)  

Interest cost

   $ 154       $ 137       $ 154   

Amortization of actuarial loss

     21         8         18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

$ 175    $ 145    $ 172   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted-average assumptions used in calculating the benefit obligations were as follows:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015     2014     2013  

Discount rate, beginning of year

     3.60     3.12     3.79

Discount rate, end of year

     3.28     3.60     3.12

Rate of compensation increase

     0.00     0.00     0.00

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

Benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid over the next ten years as follows:

 

Year Ending April 30,

   Deferred
Compensation
Plans
     Pension
Benefits
 
     (in thousands)  

2016

   $ 6,487       $ 322   

2017

     6,418         328   

2018

     6,192         331   

2019

     6,096         327   

2020

     6,375         331   

2021-2025

     30,904         1,487   

During fiscal 2016, the Company expects to recognize $2.9 million in net periodic benefit expense from deferred compensation and pension plans that will be transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income through the amortization of actuarial losses in the consolidated statements of income.

International Retirement Plans

The Company also maintains various retirement plans and other miscellaneous deferred compensation arrangements in eight foreign jurisdictions. The aggregate of the long-term benefit obligation accrued at April 30, 2015 and 2014 is $2.8 million for 393 participants and $3.7 million for 383 participants, respectively. The Company’s contribution to these plans was $0.5 million and $0.6 million in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Executive Capital Accumulation Plan

The Company’s ECAP is intended to provide certain employees an opportunity to defer salary and/or bonus on a pre-tax basis or make an after-tax contribution. In addition, the Company, as part of its compensation philosophy, makes discretionary contributions into the ECAP and such contributions may be granted to key employees annually based on the employee’s performance. Certain key management may also receive Company ECAP contributions upon commencement of employment. The Company amortizes these contributions on a straight-line basis over the service period, generally a four year period. Participants have the ability to allocate their deferrals among a number of investment options and may receive their benefits at termination, retirement or “in service” either in a lump sum or in quarterly installments over five, ten or fifteen years. The ECAP amounts that are expected to be paid to employees over the next 12 months are classified as a current liability included in compensation and benefits payable on the accompanying balance sheet.

The Company made contributions to the ECAP during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, of $19.1 million, $17.2 million and $20.0 million, respectively.

The ECAP is accounted for whereby the changes in the fair value of the vested amounts owed to the participants are adjusted with a corresponding charge (or credit) to compensation and benefits costs. During fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, the deferred compensation liability increased; therefore, the Company recognized compensation expense of $5.9 million, $8.9 million and $6.3 million, respectively. Offsetting these increases in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities classified as trading (held in trust to satisfy obligations under certain deferred compensation plan liabilities) of $8.8 million, $9.5 million and $7.6 million in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, recorded in other income, net on the consolidated statements of income.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2015

 

Changes in the ECAP liability were as follows:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2015      2014  
     (in thousands)  

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 89,308       $ 75,913   

Employee contributions

     3,048         2,748   

Amortization of employer contributions

     12,378         11,467   

Gain on investment

     5,871         8,884   

Employee distributions

     (10,295      (9,044

Exchange rate fluctuations

     (849      (660
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

  99,461      89,308   

Less: current portion

  (12,182   (4,510
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current portion, end of year

$ 87,279    $ 84,798