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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-K

 

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

For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2012

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,   90067
Los Angeles, California   (Zip code)
(Address of principal executive offices)  

(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  þ    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  þ

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  þ    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  þ    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 þ    Accelerated filer ¨    Non-accelerated filer ¨   Smaller reporting company ¨
      (Do not check if a 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  þ

The number of shares outstanding of our common stock as of June 18, 2012 was 47,955,738 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, 2011, 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 $862,867,197 based upon the closing market price of $15.97 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 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on September 27, 2012 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, 2012

 

Item #

  

Description

   Page  
   PART I.   

Item 1

   Business      1   

Item 1A

   Risk Factors      10   

Item 1B

   Unresolved Staff Comments      16   

Item 2

   Properties      16   

Item 3

   Legal Proceedings      16   

Item 4

   Mine Safety Disclosures      16   
   Executive Officers      17   
   PART II.   

Item 5

   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities      18   

Item 6

   Selected Financial Data      22   

Item 7

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      23   

Item 7A

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      39   

Item 8

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      40   

Item 9

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      40   

Item 9A

   Controls and Procedures      40   

Item 9B

   Other Information      40   
   PART III.   

Item 10

   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      41   

Item 11

   Executive Compensation      41   

Item 12

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters      41   

Item 13

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence      41   

Item 14

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services      41   
   PART IV.   

Item 15

   Exhibit and Financial Statements Schedules      42   
   Signatures      45   
   Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules      F-1   


Table of Contents

PART I.

 

Item 1. Business

Business Overview

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 help clients to attract, engage, develop and retain their talent. We opened our first office in Los Angeles in 1969 and currently operate in 76 offices in 35 countries. As of April 30, 2012, we had 2,654 full-time employees, including 442 executive recruitment and 71 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 executive recruitment assignments performed during fiscal 2012 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.

We provide the following talent management solutions:

Executive Recruitment:    Executive Recruitment, our largest business, focuses 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 industries. The relationships that we develop through this business are valuable in introducing our complementary service offerings to clients.

Leadership and Talent Consulting (“LTC”):    Our comprehensive blend of talent management offerings assists clients with their ongoing assessment, organizational and leadership development efforts. Services address five fundamental needs — board effectiveness, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) & top team effectiveness, leadership development & enterprise learning, organization transformation and integrated talent management. 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.

High Impact Recruitment Solutions:    In 1998, we extended our market reach into middle management 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. Futurestep’s portfolio of services includes recruitment process outsourcing (“RPO”), project recruitment, search and consulting.

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 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.

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 www.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.

 

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Industry Overview

Executive Recruitment Services:    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 and Talent Consulting Services:    Our LTC services are driving our transformation into a broad-based talent management firm. These diversified solutions help our clients to not only attract but to engage, develop and retain their best people in the context of their organization and talent strategy.

High Impact Recruitment Solutions:    Futurestep, a Korn/Ferry subsidiary, offers talent acquisition solutions for mid- and high-level management, with annual compensation generally in the $100,000 to $150,000 range or comparable in foreign locations. Founded in 1998, Futurestep today has locations on five continents and a record of success in helping clients improve business performance through high impact talent.

Industry Trends

While significant challenges currently face the global economy, we believe once the global economic environment turns and begins to fully recover and expand, the mid- to long-term business outlook for the talent management industry should be positive. Contributing to this is a confluence of market trends that will ultimately fuel job growth and hiring, which include the following:

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

 

  Ÿ  

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

 

  Ÿ  

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

 

  Ÿ  

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.

Aging Population — In many major economic centers, the workforce population is aging and the number of retirees has increased in the last decade. Moreover, the supply of available qualified candidates is limited, making it more difficult for employers to secure executives. We believe this trend will have a positive impact on our business over the long-term as employers will increasingly seek service providers who can provide solutions for the impending talent shortage.

Globalization of Business — As the world markets continue to integrate into one global economy, many companies are strengthening their talent pool with experienced executives who can operate effectively in this global environment. Emerging markets such as China, India and Eastern Europe have executive talent demands that exceed the current available supply of executive talent in these geographies. The rapidly changing competitive landscape challenges multinational and local companies to identify and recruit qualified executives with the right combination of skills, experience and cultural compatibility. Clients are turning to firms that combine proven expertise with specialized knowledge of both key industries and local markets, enabling them to address their ongoing global talent needs.

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:

 

  Ÿ  

Access to a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates on an as-needed basis;

 

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  Ÿ  

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

 

  Ÿ  

Access to the most updated industry and geographic market information;

 

  Ÿ  

Access to cutting-edge search technology software; and

 

  Ÿ  

Ability to maintain management focus on core strategic business issues.

Key Role of Technology — At Korn/Ferry we are adding more discipline and scientific research into the recruitment process, with emphasis shifting from candidate identification to candidate assessment and attraction. Driving this initiative is enhanced technology, as the power of the Internet, search engines and databases 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.

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:

 

  Ÿ  

Increasing demand for managers with broader qualifications;

 

  Ÿ  

Increasing desire by candidates to more actively manage their careers;

 

  Ÿ  

Increasing demand for senior executives with not just the right technical skills, but also the right leadership characteristics to meet the specific requirements of the position and organizational culture;

 

  Ÿ  

Increasing demand for senior executives who can exceed the high standards of due diligence and public scrutiny as a result of recent securities legislation;

 

  Ÿ  

Decreasing executive management tenure and more frequent job changes;

 

  Ÿ  

Inadequate succession planning; and

 

  Ÿ  

Increasing impact of web-enabled social media on the role of HR and the recruitment process.

Growth Strategy

Our objective is to expand our position as a premier global provider of talent management solutions. 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 more effectively and efficiently, attract, engage, develop and retain their workforce.

In analyzing talent management across the attract-engage-develop-retain value chain, Korn/Ferry has developed clear, industry-differentiating strengths through its market leading position in Executive Recruitment and RPO solutions, with distinct, diversified capabilities along the rest of the value chain through the Company’s LTC service line.

Our synergistic go-to-market strategy, utilizing all three of our service lines, is systematically driving more integrated, scaleable client relationships, while accelerating our evolution to a consultative solutions-based organization. This is evidenced by the fact that nearly 84% of our top 50 clients utilize at least two of our service lines.

We are an increasingly diversified enterprise with a unique presence in the world of human capital services and products, which represents an estimated $400 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 needs on a centralized basis. This will require vendors with a global network of offices and technological support systems to manage

 

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multiple hires across geographical regions. In fiscal 2009, we established our Premier Client Partnership (“PCP”) 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 PCP program consists of global colleagues from every line of business and geography. Our goal is to cascade 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 its industry-leading intellectual property within the talent management process of our global clients.

Our IP-driven Lominger 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. We have more than doubled the Lominger business since we acquired it in 2006. As a product-focused offering, Lominger technology helps us to generate long-term relationships with our clients. We continue to seek ways to scale the Lominger product offering to our global clients.

Global organizations utilizing our firm’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 65% of our clients, can improve executive retention and prospects of promotion. We believe companies that use Korn/Ferry’s assessments to choose executives are more likely to find candidates that they would not only retain, but soon promote.

Technology — Information technology has become a critical element of the executive recruitment business. We have made significant investments in developing a robust technology infrastructure and a web-based recruitment platform, e-Korn/Ferry. In fiscal 2012, we continued to invest in enhanced tools and knowledge management to gain competitive advantage. We introduced key enhancements to Searcher Express, our state-of-the-art engagement execution platform and the cornerstone of the Company’s strategy to better share knowledge, access data and improve the search process. A new version of Searcher Express for the iPad/iPhone will enable our consultants to conveniently manage their search assignments wherever they go, providing secure access to view and update engagement information from the field.

Fiscal 2012 was a year in which we implemented a set of efficiency-enhancing system integrations, connecting our client-facing consultants to back office support services in assessment technologies, candidate sourcing, talent pool management and Internet-based information repositories. We also continued the worldwide upgrade of our desktop and network infrastructure, including the integration of instant messaging into our engagement execution workflow.

The technology supporting LTC continued to evolve in fiscal 2012 through the integration of Lominger’s intellectual property into our assessment and talent management services. We continued to build out our intellectual property platform, including enhancements to Lominger’s e-Suite, Learning Agility tools, and library of e-books.

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 2012, we continued the integration of advanced, Internet-based sourcing, assessment and selection technologies into the engagement workflow. We have embarked on the development of the Personal Development Platform, a new online service offering that incorporates Korn/Ferry’s proprietary assessment methodologies with Futurestep’s expertise in workforce optimization.

In fiscal 2012, we renewed our commitment to invest 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. We launched ProSpective, a new assessment instrument that gives executives insight into their leadership characteristics and problem areas, and KFInsider, a professional social network for Korn/Ferry placements.

 

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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 robust and 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 introduce new 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 significant “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.

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 we do to allow us to attract, engage, develop, and retain 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.

5.    Pursue Transformational Opportunities Along the Broad Human Resources Spectrum

In addition to our heritage as a leading provider of executive recruitment, we also offer clients RPO, project recruitment, search and consulting services through Futurestep, and board effectiveness, CEO & top team effectiveness, leadership development & enterprise learning, organization transformation and integrated talent management services through LTC.

We will continue to develop and add new products and services that our clients demand and continue to pursue a disciplined acquisition strategy, both of which are consistent with our strategic goals.

Our Services and Organization

Organization

The Company operates in two global business segments in the retained recruitment industry: Executive Recruitment and High Impact Recruitment Solutions — 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. High Impact Recruitment Solutions — Futurestep is managed on a worldwide basis with operations in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and South America. We face risks associated with political instability, legal requirements and currency fluctuations in these international operations. Examples of such risks include difficulties in staffing and managing global operations, social and political instability, fluctuation in currency exchange rates and potential adverse tax consequences.

 

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We address the global recruitment 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, chief executive officers (“CEO”), chief financial officers (“CFO”), chief operating officers (“COO”), chief information officers (“CIO”) and other senior executive officers. Once we are 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 2012, we executed 11,656 executive recruitment assignments.

We utilize a unique, standardized approach to placing talent that integrates scientific research with our practical experience. Providing a more complete view of the candidate than is otherwise possible, our proprietary tools are statistically proven to generate better results in identifying the right person for the position. We call our executive recruitment methodology The Korn/Ferry Advantage.

We emphasize a close working relationship with the client and a comprehensive understanding of the client’s business issues, strategy and culture, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the skills necessary to succeed within a client’s organization. Initially, the search team consults with the client to better understand its history, culture, structure, expectations, challenges, future direction and operations. In these meetings, the team identifies the specific needs of the client and develops a profile of an ideal candidate for the position using our proprietary Leadership Sort System, which allows clients to select the desired leadership characteristics for specific roles. Early in the process, the team also works with the client to develop the general parameters of a compensation package that will attract highly qualified candidates.

Once the position is defined and outlined via an enhanced job specification that embodies the desired leadership characteristics, 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 sources are a critical element in assessing the marketplace.

An original list of candidates is carefully screened through phone interviews, video conferences and in-person meetings, using our proprietary behavioral interviewing approach. Candidates also complete Search AssessmentSM, a behavioral mapping tool that provides clients with insights into how candidates will lead, how they will approach and solve complex problems, what their emotional profile is likely to be and what motivates them to succeed. The client is then presented final qualified candidates to interview. We conduct due diligence and background verification of the candidate throughout the 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. Generally, the search consultants will participate in the negotiations until a final offer is made and 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.

 

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Percentage of Fiscal 2012 Assignments by Industry Specialization

 

Global Markets:

  

Industrial

     29

Consumer

     19

Life Sciences/Healthcare Provider

     17

Financial Services

     15

Technology

     14

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 2012 Assignments by Functional Expertise

 

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

     75

Finance and Control

     7

Manufacturing/Engineering/Research and Development/Technology

     6

Marketing and Sales

     5

Human Resources and Administration

     4

Information Systems

     3

Regions

North America — We opened our first office in Los Angeles in 1969 and currently have 23 offices throughout the United States and Canada. In fiscal 2012, the region generated fee revenue of $381.5 million from 5,068 assignments billed with an average of 221 consultants.

EMEA — We opened our first European office in London in 1972 and currently have 19 offices in 17 countries throughout the region. In fiscal 2012, the region generated fee revenue of $164.2 million from 3,658 assignments billed with an average of 125 consultants.

Asia Pacific — We opened our first Asia Pacific office in Tokyo in 1973 and currently have 17 offices in 10 countries throughout the region. In fiscal 2012, the region generated fee revenue of $95.2 million from 1,908 assignments billed with an average of 93 consultants.

South America — We opened our first South America office in Brazil in 1974. As of April 30, 2012, we operate a network of seven offices in six countries covering the entire South American region. The region generated fee revenue of $35.7 million in fiscal 2012 from 1,022 assignments billed with an average of 19 consultants.

Mexico — We expanded our practice to Mexico through the 1977 acquisition of a less than 50% interest in a Mexico City company. We currently conduct operations 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 $1.7 million and $1.9 million for the years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and is included in equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries on the consolidated statements of income.

Client Base — Our 5,487 clients include many of the world’s largest and most prestigious public and private companies, and 48% of FORTUNE 500 companies were clients in fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2012, no single client

 

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represented more than 1% of fee revenue. We have established strong client loyalty with 79% of the executive recruitment assignments performed during fiscal 2012 on behalf of clients for whom we had conducted assignments in the previous three fiscal years.

Competition — We are a premier global provider of talent management solutions. 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, 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 and Talent Consulting Services

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

1.  Board effectiveness;

2.  CEO and top team effectiveness;

3.  Leadership development and enterprise learning;

4.  Organization transformation; and

5.  Integrated talent management.

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.

High Impact Recruitment Solutions — Futurestep

Overview — Founded in 1998 as Korn/Ferry’s scalable, outsourced recruitment subsidiary, Futurestep offers clients a portfolio of talent acquisition solutions, including RPO, project recruitment, search and consulting. Each Futurestep engagement leverages a world-class 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 16 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 RPO solutions are flexible and scalable, improving talent operations and delivering business impact for today’s large, complex and global organizations.

Project recruitment services offer a proven, outsourced approach for managing multiple hires 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 the trusted resource for securing management and specialized talent on a professional level.

 

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Consulting services support clients with the wider aspects of the employee lifecycle including recruitment diagnostic, workforce planning, talent communication and employer brand, candidate assessment and selection and recruitment technology services. Aided by the consulting expertise of The Newman Group, acquired by Futurestep in fiscal 2008, Futurestep helps companies align people, processes and technology.

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, 2012, we had Futurestep operations in eight cities in North America, nine in Europe, 11 in Asia Pacific, and one in Latin America.

Competition — Futurestep primarily competes for business with other RPO providers such as 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.

For talent acquisition and management consulting services, Futurestep competes with boutique consulting providers such as HRchitect and Knowledge Infusion and larger consulting firms such as Accenture, Aon Hewitt and Towers Watson.

Professional Staff and Employees

As of April 30, 2012, we had a total of 2,654 full-time employees. Of this, 1,762 were executive recruitment employees consisting of 442 consultants, 1,154 associates, researchers, administrative and support staff and 166 LTC professionals. In addition, we had 10 consultants in our unconsolidated Mexico office. Futurestep had 826 employees as of April 30, 2012, consisting of 71 consultants and 756 administrative and support staff. Corporate had 66 professionals at April 30, 2012. 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. We have 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 2012. Financial information regarding our business segments for fiscal 2011 and 2010 and additional information for fiscal 2012 is contained in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

     Fee
Revenue
     Operating
Income
(Loss)
    Number of
Offices as  of
April 30, 2012
     Number of
Consultants as of
April 30, 2012
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Executive Recruitment:

  

North America

   $ 381,483       $ 89,424        23         216   

EMEA

     164,161         17,171        19         119   

Asia Pacific

     95,206         13,084        17         89   

South America

     35,759         8,815        7         18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Executive Recruitment

     676,609         128,494        66         442   

Futurestep(1)

     113,896         6,245        10         71   

Corporate

     —         (51,873     —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 790,505       $ 82,866        76         513   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Futurestep partially occupies 19 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 geographical regions in which the Company operates:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2012      2011      2010  
     (in thousands)  

Fee Revenue:

        

United States

   $ 383,955       $ 365,919       $ 270,859   

Canada

     45,164         45,313         32,115   

EMEA

     196,514         183,373         157,376   

Asia Pacific

     128,281         117,685         88,004   

South America

     36,591         31,959         24,026   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 790,505       $ 744,249       $ 572,380   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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 industry could result in us 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, our competitors may possess greater resources, greater name recognition and longer operating histories than we do, which may give them an advantage in obtaining future clients and attracting qualified professionals in these markets. Additionally, specialty firms can focus on regional or functional markets or on particular industries. 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. 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. 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.

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 firms for qualified and experienced consultants. 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 2012, for example, our top three executive search consultants had primary responsibility for generating business equal to approximately 2% of our net revenues, and our top ten executive search consultants had primary responsibility for generating business equal to approximately 6% of our net revenues. This risk is heightened due to the general portability of a consultant’s business. 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.

 

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Our failure to retain our most productive consultants 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 consultant has widespread name recognition or a reputation as a specialist in executing searches in a specific industry or management function. Although our employment contracts prohibit former executive search consultants from soliciting any of our employees for a period of one year, we may lose additional executive search consultants if they choose to join the departing executive search consultant at another executive search firm. If we fail to limit departing executive search consultants from moving business or recruiting our executive search consultants to a competitor, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Global economic developments and the conditions in the geographic regions and the industries from which we derive a significant portion of our fee revenue could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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 for 2009 and 2010. During the recent economic downturn, our fee revenue significantly decreased from $790.6 million in fiscal 2008 to $572.4 million in fiscal 2010. While the economic activity in the regions and industries in which we operate started to show improvement beginning in the second half of fiscal year 2010, the current turmoil in the sovereign debt markets as a result of the European debt crisis has resulted in general market uncertainty and in worsening economic conditions, particularly in Europe. If such uncertainty persists or if the national or global economy or credit market conditions in general were to deteriorate, such uncertainty or changes could put additional negative pressure on demand for our services, 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.

The ongoing uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets related to the U.S. budget deficit, the European sovereign debt crisis, the potential partial or complete breakup of the Eurozone and the state of the global economic recovery may adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

Global financial markets continue to experience disruptions, including increased volatility, and diminished liquidity and credit availability. In particular, developments in Europe have created uncertainty with respect to the ability of certain European countries to continue to refinance their sovereign debt obligations. For the year ended April 30, 2012, approximately 11% of our revenues were derived from countries which use the Euro as their primary currency. In the event that one or more countries were to replace the Euro with their legacy currency, then the Company’s fee revenues and operating results in such countries, or Europe generally, would likely be adversely affected until stable exchange rates were established and economic confidence restored. Disorderly exits from the eurozone could result in bank failures that could adversely impact our bank accounts in affected countries. If economic and financial market conditions in the United States or other key markets, including Europe, remain uncertain or deteriorate further, our clients may respond by suspending, delaying or reducing their expenditures, which may adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations.

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. 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

 

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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.

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 assignments can adversely affect our ability to secure new engagements.

If any factor, including poor performance, 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.

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. In addition, a candidate could assert an action against us for failure to maintain the confidentiality of the candidate’s employment search or for alleged discrimination, violations of employment law or other matters. Further, in various countries, we are subject to data protection laws impacting the processing of candidate information. We cannot ensure that our insurance will cover all claims or that insurance coverage will be available at economically acceptable rates. 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 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.

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

The continued occurrence of high-profile data breaches 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 confidential information obtained from our clients, candidates and employees. Despite these efforts, it is possible our security controls over this information, our training of employees, and other practices we follow may not prevent the improper disclosure of such information. Improper disclosure of this information could harm our reputation, lead to legal exposure, and/or subject us to liability from our customers, resulting in increased costs and loss of revenue. We depend on our overall reputation and brand name recognition to secure new engagements. Perceptions that we do not adequately protect the privacy of confidential information could inhibit attaining new engagements and qualified consultants, and could potentially damage currently existing client relationships.

 

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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.

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

We operate in 35 countries and during the year ended April 30, 2012, generated 51% 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:

 

  Ÿ  

changes in and compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements;

 

  Ÿ  

difficulties in staffing and managing global operations;

 

  Ÿ  

social, economic and political instability;

 

  Ÿ  

differences in cultures and business practices;

 

  Ÿ  

fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

 

  Ÿ  

statutory equity requirements;

 

  Ÿ  

differences in accounting and reporting requirements;

 

  Ÿ  

repatriation controls; and

 

  Ÿ  

potential adverse tax consequences.

We have no hedging or similar foreign currency contracts and therefore 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.

We may be limited in our ability to recruit employees 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

 

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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:

 

  Ÿ  

a classified Board of Directors;

 

  Ÿ  

limitations on the removal of directors;

 

  Ÿ  

limitation on stockholder actions;

 

  Ÿ  

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

 

  Ÿ  

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.

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.

 

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Acquisitions may have an adverse effect on our business.

While we may, under certain circumstances, pursue acquisitions in the future, we may not be able to consummate such acquisitions on satisfactory terms or integrate the acquired businesses effectively and profitably into our existing operations. To the extent we consummate any acquisitions, our future success may depend in part on our ability to complete the integration of the acquisition target successfully into our operations. Failure to successfully integrate new employees and complementary businesses may adversely affect our profitability by creating operating inefficiencies that could increase operating expenses as a percentage of fee revenue and reduce operating income. Further, after any acquisition, the acquired businesses’ clients may choose not to move their business to us causing an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to align our cost structure with our revenue level.

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 revenue continues to soften over the next few months, 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.

We may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available at all or may be available only on unfavorable terms.

Future adverse changes in the Company’s revenue could require us to institute cost cutting measures. To the extent our efforts are insufficient, we may incur negative cash flows. If such conditions persist over an extended period of time, it might require us to obtain financing to meet our capital needs. If we are unable to secure 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.

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

 

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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 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 restructuring, deferred compensation, goodwill and other intangible assets, contingencies, annual performance related bonus, 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.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Properties

Our corporate office is located in Los Angeles, California. We lease all 76 of our executive recruitment and Futurestep offices located in North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and South America. As of April 30, 2012, we leased an aggregate of approximately 754,657 square feet of office space. The leases generally are for terms of one to 15 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

The Los Angeles Regional Office of the SEC is conducting an inquiry regarding the accounting for certain bonus expense and related accruals for the Company’s periodic reporting periods in fiscal 2009, 2010 and 2011. Specifically, we believe the SEC is evaluating items related to the manner in which the Company estimated its annual bonus expense during those periods and the changes in estimates resulting from the actual bonus payments made. The Company is fully cooperating with the inquiry. We believe that the estimates, accruals, and changes in estimates were in accordance with GAAP and are working to bring the inquiry to a satisfactory conclusion. See Note 1 — Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Compensation and Benefits Expense, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In addition, 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

     51       President and Chief Executive Officer

Robert P. Rozek

     51       Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ana Dutra

     48      

Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Leadership and Talent Consulting

Byrne Mulrooney

     51       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, an investment bank and brokerage firm, 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.

Ana Dutra has been Executive Vice President of Korn/Ferry and Chief Executive Officer of Leadership and Talent Consulting since February 2008. She is responsible for driving the global growth of our Leadership and Talent Consulting services. Prior to joining Korn/Ferry, Ms. Dutra led the global organization and change strategy practice at Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, from 2005 to 2008. Before this role, she led the organizational transformation practice at Mercer Management Consulting from 2001 to 2005. Earlier, Ms. Dutra was with Marakon Associates, CSC Index, Booz Allen Hamilton and IBM Consulting Group.

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 has 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, 2012

     

First Quarter

   $ 23.98       $ 18.94   

Second Quarter

   $ 21.65       $ 11.25   

Third Quarter

   $ 18.75       $ 14.26   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 17.27       $ 15.07   

Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2011

     

First Quarter

   $ 16.68       $ 12.99   

Second Quarter

   $ 17.93       $ 12.78   

Third Quarter

   $ 24.00       $ 16.85   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 24.77       $ 19.34   

On June 18, 2012, the last reported sales price on the New York Stock Exchange for the Company’s common stock, was $12.71 per share and there were approximately 5,079 beneficial holders of the Company’s common stock.

 

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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. The following graph compares the monthly percentage change in the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return with the cumulative total return of the companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and a peer group constructed by us. Cumulative total return for each of the periods shown in the performance graph is measured assuming an initial investment of $100 on April 30, 2007 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 comprised of a broad number of publicly traded companies, which are principally or in significant part involved in either professional staffing or consulting. The new 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 (EXBD), The Dun & Bradsheet Corporation (DNB), Towers Watson & Co. (TW) and TrueBlue, Inc. (TBI). We believe this group of professional services firms, is more 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.

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.

 

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LOGO

 

* $100 invested on 4/30/07 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending April 30, 2012.

Copyright © 2012, Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Dividends and Stock Repurchases

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock since April 30, 1996, and do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock. The Board of Directors has authorized the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock pursuant to an issuer repurchase program. Since this program was approved on November 2, 2007 through April 30, 2012, we have repurchased approximately $25.6 million of the Company’s common stock under this program. Our future 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 credit facility does not restrict our ability to pay dividends.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table summarizes common stock repurchased by us during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012:

 

    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, 2012 — February 29, 2012

    950      $16.88   —   $24.4 million

March 1, 2012 — March 31, 2012

    3,284      $15.87   —   $24.4 million

April 1, 2012 — April 30, 2012

    1,806      $16.43   —   $24.4 million
 

 

 

     

 

 

Total

    6,040      $16.20   —   $24.4 million
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

 

(2) On November 2, 2007, the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $50 million of the Company’s common stock in a common stock repurchase program. 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, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and the selected balance sheet data as of April 30, 2012 and 2011 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, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the selected statement of operations data set forth below for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 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,  
          2012                 2011                 2010                 2009                 2008        
    (in thousands, except per share data and other operating data)  

Selected Statement of Income Data:

         

Fee revenue

  $ 790,505      $ 744,249      $ 572,380      $ 638,223      $ 790,570   

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

    36,254        32,002        27,269        37,905        45,072   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    826,759        776,251        599,649        676,128        835,642   

Compensation and benefits

    534,186        507,405        413,340        442,632        540,056   

General and administrative expenses

    138,872        116,494        115,280        126,882        134,542   

Engagement expenses

    55,889        51,766        41,585        49,388        58,750   

Depreciation and amortization

    14,017        12,671        11,493        11,583        10,441   

Restructuring charges, net(1)

    929        2,130        20,673        41,915        —   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    743,893        690,466        602,371        672,400        743,789   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

    82,866        85,785        (2,722     3,728        91,853   

Other (loss) income, net

    (271     6,454        10,066        (14,738     4,656   

Interest (expense) income, net

    (1,791     (2,535     (2,622     (1,063     2,481   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

    28,351        32,692        (485     384        36,081   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

    1,850        1,862        91        2,365        3,302   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ 54,303      $ 58,874      $ 5,298      $ (10,092   $ 66,211   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earning (loss) per share

  $ 1.17      $ 1.30      $ 0.12      $ (0.23   $ 1.50   

Diluted earning (loss) per share

  $ 1.15      $ 1.27      $ 0.12      $ (0.23   $ 1.46   

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

    46,397        45,205        44,413        43,522        44,012   

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

    47,261        46,280        45,457        43,522        45,528   

Other Operating Data:

         

Fee revenue by business segment:

         

Executive recruitment:

         

North America

  $ 381,483      $ 375,971      $ 278,746      $ 309,514      $ 374,891   

EMEA

    164,161        155,782        137,497        143,184        183,042   

Asia Pacific

    95,206        90,346        64,132        66,332        95,915   

South America

    35,759        31,959        24,026        24,323        25,556   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total executive recruitment

    676,609        654,058        504,401        543,353        679,404   

Futurestep

    113,896        90,191        67,979        94,870        111,166   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fee revenue

  $ 790,505      $ 744,249      $ 572,380      $ 638,223      $ 790,570   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of offices (at period end)

    76        76        76        78        89   

Number of consultants (at period end)

    513        545        547        547        613   

Number of new engagements opened

    11,624        11,854        9,794        9,630        11,106   

Number of full-time employees:

         

Executive recruitment

    1,762        1,774        1,664        1,583        1,894   

Futurestep

    826        628        487        493        636   

Corporate

    66        61        48        48        54   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total full-time employees

    2,654        2,463        2,199        2,124        2,584   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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    Year Ended April 30,  
          2012                 2011                 2010                 2009                 2008        
    (in thousands, except per share data and other operating data)  

Selected Balance Sheet Data as of April 30:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 282,005      $ 246,856      $ 219,233      $ 255,000      $ 305,296   

Marketable securities(2)

    135,734        122,231        77,219        75,255        83,966   

Working capital

    284,755        207,731        182,781        198,250        196,259   

Total assets

    1,014,689        971,680        827,098        740,879        880,214   

Long-term obligations

    169,901        159,477        137,673        108,433        111,622   

Total stockholders’ equity

    629,476        578,337        491,342        459,099        496,134   

 

 

(1) 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. During fiscal 2010, our restructuring initiatives resulted in restructuring charges of $25.8 million against operations, of which $16.0 million and $9.8 million related to severance costs and the consolidation of premises, respectively. These restructuring charges were partially offset by $5.1 million of reductions from previous restructuring charges resulting in net restructuring costs of $20.7 million during fiscal 2010. During fiscal 2009, the restructuring charges were comprised of severance charges of $26.9 million and facilities charges of $15.0 million.

 

(2) As of April 30, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s marketable securities included $82.2 million, $71.4 million, $69.0 million, $60.8 million and $63.5 million, respectively, held in trust for settlement of the Company’s obligations under certain of its deferred compensation plans.

 

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 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.

 

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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 to attract, engage, develop and retain their talent. We are the premier provider of executive recruitment, leadership and talent consulting and high impact recruitment solutions with the broadest global presence in the recruitment industry. Our services include Executive Recruitment, middle-management recruitment (through Futurestep), Recruitment Process Outsourcing (“RPO”), Leadership and Talent Consulting (“LTC”) and executive coaching. Approximately 75% of the executive recruitment searches we performed in fiscal 2012 were for board level, chief executive and other senior executive and general management positions. Our 5,487 clients in fiscal 2012 included many of the world’s largest and most prestigious public and private companies, including approximately 48% 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 the executive recruitment assignments performed during fiscal 2012 having been on behalf of clients for whom we had conducted assignments in the previous three fiscal years.

In an effort to maintain our long-term strategy of being the leading provider of talent management solutions, our strategic focus for fiscal 2013 centers upon enhancing the integration of our multi-service strategy. We plan to continue to address areas of increasing client demand including RPO and LTC. 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 2012, nearly 84% of our top 50 clients utilized at least two of our service lines. We also continue to carefully monitor conditions in the global economy. If conditions continue to remain weak or weaken further, we are prepared to institute certain cost-saving measures in an effort to achieve our goal to sustain operational profitability.

Fee revenue increased $46.2 million in fiscal 2012 to $790.5 million compared to $744.3 million in fiscal 2011, with increases in fee revenue in all regions of Executive Recruitment and Futurestep. Futurestep experienced the largest dollar increase in fee revenue. During fiscal 2012, we recorded consolidated operating income of $82.9 million with Executive Recruitment and Futurestep segments contributing $128.5 million and $6.3 million, respectively, offset by corporate expenses of $51.9 million. This represents a decrease of $2.9 million in fiscal 2012, from operating income of $85.8 million in fiscal 2011.

Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities increased by $48.6 million, or 13%, to $417.7 million at April 30, 2012 compared to $369.1 million at April 30, 2011, mainly due to cash provided by operations, partially offset by the payment of bonuses earned in fiscal 2011. As of April 30, 2012, we held marketable securities to settle obligations under our Executive Capital Accumulation Plan (“ECAP”) with a cost value of $79.1 million and a fair value of $82.2 million. Our working capital increased by $77.0 million to $284.7 million in fiscal 2012. We believe that cash on hand and funds from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate requirements in the next twelve months. We had neither long-term debt nor any outstanding borrowings under our credit facility at April 30, 2012. Under our credit facility, we are required to maintain $10.0 million on account with the lender, to provide collateral for the standby letters of credit and potential future borrowings. As of April 30, 2012, we had $2.9 million of standby letters of credit issued under our facility.

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, 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 may differ from those estimates and assumptions and changes in the estimates are reported in current operations. 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

 

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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 and selection 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 recruitment services on a retained basis and generally bill clients in three monthly installments commencing the month of client acceptance as this is the period over which the recruitment services are performed. Fees earned in excess of the initial contract amount are billed 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 fees are generally 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 services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is fulfilled. Futurestep provides recruitment process outsourcing services and fee revenue is recognized as services are rendered. Fee revenue from LTC 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. If updated estimated total costs indicate a loss, we recognize that estimated loss in the period it is determined. LTC revenue from licenses is recognized using a straight-line method over the term of the contract (generally 12 months), which begins upon execution and is invoiced in the same month. A portion of the revenue for LTC is derived from the sale of Lominger products. These products mainly consist of books covering a variety of topics including performance management, team effectiveness, and coaching and development. The Company recognizes revenue for their products when the product has been sold. 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 records its best estimate of its annual performance related compensation, which on a quarterly basis requires management to, among other things, project annual consultant (employees who originate business) productivity (as measured by engagement fees billed and collected by executive search consultants or revenue for Futurestep consultants), 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, Company results including profitability, the achievement of strategic objectives and the results of individual performance appraisals, as determined by management, and the current economic landscape. Activity-based changes in any of the assumptions underlying the quarterly bonus accrual may significantly impact the compensation and benefits liability on our balance sheet and related compensation and benefits cost on our statement of income. Differences between the assumptions used each quarter to estimate annual performance related bonus and actual cash payments made on an annual basis could materially impact the carrying amount of the liability and our operating results.

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 would significantly impact the liability and related cost on our consolidated balance sheet and statement of income. Management engages an independent actuary to periodically review these assumptions in order to ensure 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) to determine the carrying value of various assets. Our most significant assets for which management is required

 

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to prepare valuations are goodwill, intangible assets, deferred income taxes and marketable securities. 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.

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 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. 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), is used to corroborate the discounted cash flow analysis performed at each reporting unit. 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 impairments in conjunction with our annual goodwill impairment assessment performed as of January 31, 2012. 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, none of the Company’s reporting units were considered at risk.

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:

 

  Ÿ  

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

 

  Ÿ  

An economic recovery that significantly differs from our assumptions in timing or degree; and

 

  Ÿ  

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,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Fee revenue

     100.0     100.0     100.0

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     4.6        4.3        4.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     104.6        104.3        104.8   

Compensation and benefits

     67.6        68.2        72.2   

General and administrative expenses

     17.5        15.7        20.2   

Engagement expenses

     7.1        6.9        7.3   

Depreciation and amortization

     1.8        1.7        2.0   

Restructuring charges, net

     0.1        0.3        3.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     10.5        11.5        (0.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     6.9     7.9     0.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

 

0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000
     Year Ended April 30,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     Dollars      %     Dollars      %     Dollars      %  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Fee revenue

               

Executive recruitment:

               

North America

   $ 381,483         48.3   $ 375,971         50.5   $ 278,746         48.7

EMEA

     164,161         20.8        155,782         21.0        137,497         24.0   

Asia Pacific

     95,206         12.0        90,346         12.1        64,132         11.2   

South America.

     35,759         4.5        31,959         4.3        24,026         4.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total executive recruitment

     676,609         85.6        654,058         87.9        504,401         88.1   

Futurestep

     113,896         14.4        90,191         12.1        67,979         11.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fee revenue

     790,505         100.0     744,249         100.0     572,380         100.0
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expense

     36,254           32,002           27,269      
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total revenue

   $ 826,759         $ 776,251         $ 599,649      
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2012     2011     2010  
    Dollars     Margin(1)     Dollars     Margin(1)     Dollars     Margin(1)  
    (dollars in thousands)  

Operating income (loss)

           

Executive recruitment:

           

North America

  $ 89,424        23.4   $ 80,685        21.5   $ 42,604        15.3

EMEA

    17,171        10.5        11,628        7.5        (15,511     (11.3

Asia Pacific

    13,084        13.7        11,611        12.9        7,826        12.2   

South America.

    8,815        24.7        7,475        23.4        3,286        13.7   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total executive recruitment

    128,494        19.0        111,399        17.0        38,205        7.6   

Futurestep

    6,245        5.5        4,955        5.5        1,291        1.9   

Corporate

    (51,873       (30,569       (42,218  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total operating income (loss)

  $ 82,866        10.5   $ 85,785        11.5   $ (2,722     (0.5 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

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

Fiscal 2012 Compared to Fiscal 2011

Fee Revenue

Fee Revenue.    Fee revenue increased $46.2 million, or 6%, to $790.5 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $744.3 million in fiscal 2011. The increase in fee revenue was primarily attributable to a 4% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement during fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011 and a 2% increase in the number of engagements billed during the same period. Weighted-average fees billed are impacted by the mix of engagements by geography and segment, and fluctuating foreign currencies. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenues by $18.3 million in fiscal 2012.

Executive Recruitment.    Executive recruitment reported fee revenue of $676.6 million, an increase of $22.5 million, or 3%, in fiscal 2012 compared to $654.1 million in fiscal 2011. The increase in executive recruitment fee revenue was driven by a 2% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement in fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011 and to a 1% increase in the number of executive recruitment engagements billed during the same period. Weighted-average fees billed are impacted by the mix of engagements by geography and fluctuating foreign currencies. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenues by $13.4 million in fiscal 2012.

 

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North America reported fee revenue of $381.5 million, an increase of $5.5 million, or 1%, in fiscal 2012 compared to $376.0 million in fiscal 2011. North America’s increase in fee revenue was primarily due to a 5% increase in the number of engagements billed during fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011, offset by a decrease of 3% in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement in the region during the same period. The overall increase in fee revenue was driven by increases in fee revenue in the life sciences/healthcare and industrial sectors, partially offset by a decrease in fee revenue in the technology and financial services sectors. The decrease in weighted-average fee billed per engagement was due to strong growth in leadership and talent consulting services which have lower average fees per engagement. Exchange rates favorably impacted North America fee revenue by $0.9 million in fiscal 2012.

EMEA reported fee revenue of $164.2 million, an increase of $8.4 million, or 5%, in fiscal 2012 compared to $155.8 million in fiscal 2011. EMEA’s increase in fee revenue was primarily driven by a 6% increase in the weighted-average fees billed, offset by a 1% decrease in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011. The performance in existing offices in Switzerland, United Kingdom and Germany were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011, offset by a decrease in fee revenue in the United Arab Emirates. In terms of business sectors, industrial and consumer goods experienced the largest increases in fee revenue in fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011, partially offset by a decrease in fee revenue in the financial services sector. Exchange rates favorably impacted EMEA’s fee revenue by $5.7 million in fiscal 2012.

Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $95.2 million, an increase of $4.9 million, or 5%, in fiscal 2012 compared to $90.3 million in fiscal 2011. This increase was mainly due to an 14% increase in weighted-average fees billed per engagement, offset by a 7% decrease in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011. The performance in Japan and Australia were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011, offset by a decrease in fee revenue from Hong Kong. The largest increase in fee revenue was experienced in the consumer goods and industrial sectors, offset by a decrease in fee revenue in the financial services sector. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for Asia Pacific by $4.7 million in fiscal 2012.

South America reported fee revenue of $35.7 million, an increase of $3.7 million, or 12%, in fiscal 2012 compared to $32.0 million in fiscal 2011. The increase in South America’s fee revenue was due to a 11% increase in the number of engagements billed during fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011 and a 1% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement in the region during the same period. The performance in Brazil and Chile were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011. Industrial and life sciences/healthcare were the main sectors contributing to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011, partially offset by a decrease in fee revenue in the technology sector. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for South America by $2.1 million in fiscal 2012.

Futurestep.    Futurestep reported fee revenue of $113.9 million, an increase of $23.7 million, or 26%, in fiscal 2012 compared to $90.2 million in fiscal 2011. The increase in Futurestep’s fee revenue was due to a 23% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement and a 3% increase in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011. The increase in fee revenue was also positively impacted by an increase in new clients and in the level of activity for existing clients in fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011. The increase in Futurestep’s fee revenue consisted of North America fee revenue increase of $12.3 million, or 35%, to $47.6 million; Asia Pacific fee revenue increase of $5.8 million, or 21% to $33.1 million; an increase in Europe fee revenue of $4.8 million, or 17%, to $32.4 million and fee revenue of $0.8 million in South America. Improvement in Futurestep fee revenue is primarily driven by increases in RPO, which have higher average fees per engagement, and middle-management recruitment. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for Futurestep by $4.9 million in fiscal 2012.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits expense increased $26.8 million, or 5%, to $534.2 million in fiscal 2012 from $507.4 million in fiscal 2011. The increase in compensation and benefits expense is mainly due to a 14% increase in salaries and related payroll taxes in fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011 due in large part to a 12%

 

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growth in average worldwide headcount, and to a lesser extent, $1.9 million of separation charges related to changes in certain corporate and Futurestep leadership positions recorded in fiscal 2012. The growth in average worldwide headcount was primarily due to an increase in execution and support staff to support our growth in Futurestep and other business activities. Compensation and benefits expense in Futurestep increased $19.1 million in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was partially offset by a $10.7 million decrease in performance related bonus expense. This decrease was driven by the Company’s overall level of profitability and was also impacted by a change in the mix of business by operating segment, notably from the strong performance of Futurestep, where bonus expense relative to revenues is lower than in the Executive Recruitment operating segment. During fiscal 2012, Futurestep fee revenue increased by 26% compared to fiscal 2011 while Executive Recruitment fee revenue only increased by 3% for the same period. The performance related bonus expense was $116.8 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $128.3 million in fiscal 2011. In addition, the performance related bonus expense for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 was reduced by a change in the bonus expense estimate of $1.2 million and $2.0 million for fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively, resulting in net bonus expense of $115.6 million and $126.3 million, respectively. These changes in estimates represent the difference between the bonus expense recorded for fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 and the actual cash payments made or to be made with respect to amounts earned during such fiscal years. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expenses by $13.2 million during fiscal 2012.

In addition, changes in the fair value of vested amounts owed under certain deferred compensation plans resulted in an increase of compensation expense of $0.4 million and $6.2 million in fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively. Offsetting these changes 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 liabilities) of $1.1 million and $7.6 million during fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively, recorded in other (loss) income, net on the consolidated statements of income.

Executive recruitment compensation and benefits expense increased $3.2 million to $428.1 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $424.9 million in fiscal 2011. The increase in compensation and benefits expense is primarily due to a 7% increase in salaries and related payroll taxes due in large part to a 5% growth in average executive recruitment headcount (primarily support staff). The average executive recruitment headcount increased to support future growth in business activities and our 3% increase in fee revenue. Offsetting these increases was a reduction in the performance related bonus expense of $10.7 million in fiscal 2012 compared to the fiscal 2011 driven by the Company’s overall level of profitability as defined by pre-tax income before bonus expense. In addition, changes in the fair value of vested amounts owed under certain deferred compensation plans resulted in an increase of compensation expense of $0.4 million and $5.6 million in fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively. Executive recruitment compensation and benefits expense decreased as a percentage of fee revenue to 63% from 65% in fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expenses by $10.0 million during fiscal 2012.

Futurestep compensation and benefits expense increased $19.1 million, or 30%, to $83.4 million in fiscal 2012 from $64.3 million in fiscal 2011. The increase was primarily due to a 30% increase in average headcount in support of Futurestep’s increased business activities and 26% increase in fee revenue, and to a lesser extent, $0.9 million of separation changes related to changes in Futurestep leadership positions. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expense by $3.2 million. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of fee revenue increased to 73% in fiscal 2012 from 71% in fiscal 2011.

Corporate compensation and benefits expense was $22.7 million in fiscal 2012 which is net of $6.3 million increase in the cash surrender value (“CSV”) of company owned life insurance (“COLI”) compared to $18.2 million in fiscal 2011 which is net of $7.2 million increase of the CSV of COLI. The CSV of COLI is held to fund other deferred compensation retirement plans and the change in CSV of COLI was the primary reason for the increase in compensation and benefits expense in addition to an increase in average headcount. The increase in the CSV of COLI was due to changes in the value of the underlying investments due to market changes. Contributing to the increase in compensation and benefit expense in fiscal 2012 is $1.0 million in separation charges related to changes in a Corporate leadership position and an 14% increase in average headcount.

 

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General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $22.4 million, or 19%, to $138.9 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $116.5 million in fiscal 2011. The increase is attributable to an increase of $12.4 million in legal and other professional fees associated with regulatory matters and, to a much lesser extent, our ongoing investments to enhance our internal control environment, business development activities, and other employee related matters, an increase of $5.8 million in premise and office expenses and $3.2 million in business development expenses, which includes costs associated with social media initiatives. Also, contributing to the increase in general and administrative expenses were foreign exchange transaction losses in fiscal 2012 compared to foreign exchange transaction gains in fiscal 2011, netting to an increase in general and administrative expenses of $2.7 million. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $1.9 million in bad debt expense due to greater than anticipated collections in the second half of fiscal 2012. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted general and administrative expenses by $4.0 million in fiscal 2012. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue were 18% in fiscal 2012 as compared to 16% in fiscal 2011.

Executive recruitment general and administrative expenses increased $2.8 million, or 3%, to $91.4 million in fiscal 2012 from $88.6 million in fiscal 2011. The increase in general and administrative expenses was driven by an increase of $3.7 million in premises and office expense and $1.7 million increase in foreign exchange transaction losses, partially offset by a decrease of $1.8 million in bad debt expense and a decrease of $0.9 million in other general and administrative expenses due primarily to a decrease in travel expense in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011. Premise and office expenses increased due to obtaining additional office space in existing locations and bad debt expense decreased due to greater than anticipated collections in fiscal 2012. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted general and administrative expenses by $2.7 million. Executive recruitment general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue were 14% in both fiscal 2012 and 2011.

Futurestep general and administrative expenses increased $3.1 million, or 18%, to $20.5 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $17.4 million in fiscal 2011, primarily due to increases of $1.8 million in premises and office expenses and $1.0 million in business development related to the increase in our overall business activities reflected in the 26% increase in fee revenues. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted general and administrative expenses by $1.3 million in fiscal 2012. Futurestep general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue were 18% in fiscal 2012 compared to 19% in fiscal 2011.

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased $16.5 million to $27.0 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $10.5 million in fiscal 2011. The increase is largely attributable to an increase in legal and other professional fees of $11.0 million, and to a lesser extent, an increase of $2.7 million as a result of recording a reduction of $2.2 million in the estimated fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration in fiscal 2012 compared to $4.9 million in fiscal 2011. In addition, business development expenses and foreign exchange transaction losses increased $1.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Business development expenses, including costs associated with social media initiatives, increased primarily due to the increase in our overall business activities.

Engagement Expenses

Engagement expenses consist of expenses incurred by candidates and our consultants that are normally billed to clients. Engagement expenses increased $4.1 million, or 8%, to $55.9 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $51.8 million in fiscal 2011, driven by the increase in the volume of business activity. Engagement expenses as a percentage of fee revenue were 7% in both fiscal 2012 and 2011.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $14.0 million and $12.7 million in fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively. This expense relates mainly to computer equipment, software, furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements.

 

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Restructuring Charges, Net

During fiscal 2012 and 2011, we increased previously recorded restructuring charges, net by $0.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively primarily related to the inability to sublease space, which was included in the original estimate.

Operating Income (Loss)

Operating income (loss) decreased by $2.9 million to $82.9 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $85.8 million in fiscal 2011. This decrease in operating income resulted from a $26.8 million increase in compensation and benefits expenses and $22.4 million increase in general and administrative expenses, partially offset by $46.2 million increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011.

Executive recruitment operating income increased by $17.1 million to $128.5 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $111.4 million in fiscal 2011. The increase in executive recruitment operating income is primarily attributable to a $22.5 million increase in fee revenue and a decrease of restructuring charges, net of $1.4 million, which was offset by $3.2 million increase in compensation and benefits expenses and $2.8 million in general and administrative expenses during fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011 Executive recruitment operating income during fiscal 2012 as a percentage of fee revenue was 19% compared to 17% in fiscal 2011.

Futurestep operating income increased by $1.3 million to $6.3 million in fiscal 2012 as compared to $5.0 million in fiscal 2011. This increase is primarily attributable to a $23.7 million increase in Futurestep fee revenue during fiscal 2012, as compared to fiscal 2011, which was offset by increases of $19.1 million and $3.1 million in Futurestep compensation and benefits expenses and general and administrative expenses, respectively. Futurestep operating income as a percentage of fee revenue were 5% in both fiscal 2012 and 2011.

Other (Loss) Income, Net

Other (loss) income, net decreased by $6.7 million to a loss of $0.3 million in fiscal 2012 as compared to other income of $6.4 million in fiscal 2011. This decrease was primarily due to net gains on marketable securities of $1.1 million and $7.6 million classified as trading in fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively. The decrease in other (loss) income, net reflects a $6.5 million change in the increase in the market value of mutual funds held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans (see Note 5 — Marketable Securities, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements) during fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011. Offsetting this decrease in other (loss) income, net is a $5.8 million decrease in certain deferred compensation retirement plan liabilities (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements) during the same period, which resulted in a reduction of 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 $1.8 million in fiscal 2012 as compared to $2.5 million in fiscal 2011. The decrease in interest expense, net is due to a decline in our average borrowings under our COLI policies and an increase in dividend and interest income primarily as a result of higher average balances of interest earning assets.

Income Taxes Provision

The provision for income taxes was $28.4 million in fiscal 2012 compared to $32.7 million in fiscal 2011. The provision for income taxes in fiscal 2012 reflects a 35% effective tax rate, compared to a 36% effective tax rate for fiscal 2011. The decrease in the effective tax rate during fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011, is due to a decline in international income tax rates and a greater percentage of our worldwide income arising in jurisdictions outside the U.S. with lower income tax rates.

 

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Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries, Net

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary, net is comprised of our less than 50% interest in our Mexican subsidiary and IGroup, LLC. IGroup, LLC became an unconsolidated subsidiary in fiscal 2012 when we sold a portion of the interest in the subsidiary. 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, net of taxes. Equity in earnings were $1.9 million in both fiscal 2012 and 2011.

Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010

Fee Revenue

Fee Revenue.    Fee revenue increased $171.9 million, or 30%, to $744.3 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $572.4 million in fiscal 2010. Excluding fee revenue of $11.0 million and $3.7 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively, from the acquisition of Sensa Solutions (which we acquired on January 1, 2010), fee revenue would have been $733.3 million in fiscal 2011 and $568.7 million in fiscal 2010, an increase of $164.6 million, or 29%. The increase in fee revenue, excluding fee revenue from the acquisition of Sensa Solutions, was primarily attributable to a 24% increase in the number of engagements billed during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 and a 4% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement during the same period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenues by $4.1 million in fiscal 2011.

Executive Recruitment.    Executive recruitment reported fee revenue of $654.1 million, an increase of $149.7 million, or 30%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $504.4 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in executive recruitment fee revenue was mainly due to a 26% increase in the number of executive recruitment engagements billed in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010, and a 3% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement during the same period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenues by $2.1 million in fiscal 2011.

North America reported fee revenue of $376.0 million, an increase of $97.2 million, or 35%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $278.8 million in fiscal 2010. Excluding fee revenue of $11.0 million and $3.7 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively, from the acquisition of Sensa Solutions, fee revenue would have been $365.0 million and $275.1 million, respectively, during the same periods, an increase of $89.9 million, or 33%. North America’s increase in fee revenue, excluding fee revenue from the Sensa acquisition, which is included in North America’s results from January 1, 2010, the effective date of the acquisition, was primarily due to a 33% increase in the number of engagements billed. The largest increases in fee revenue from fiscal 2010 to 2011 were in the industrial, financial services and technology sectors. Exchange rates favorably impacted North America fee revenue by $2.2 million in fiscal 2011.

EMEA reported fee revenue of $155.8 million, an increase of $18.3 million, or 13%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $137.5 million in fiscal 2010. EMEA’s increase in fee revenue was primarily driven by a 15% increase in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010, offset by a 2% decrease in weighted-average fees billed per engagement during the same period. The decrease in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement was mainly due to unfavorable exchange rates in EMEA during fiscal 2011, which unfavorably impacted EMEA fee revenue by $4.8 million. We acquired Whitehead Mann, effective, June 11, 2009, which has been fully integrated within EMEA. The performance in existing offices in the United Kingdom, Italy and France were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 with the industrial, financial services and life sciences/healthcare provider sectors experiencing the largest increases.

Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $90.3 million, an increase of $26.2 million, or 41%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $64.1 million in fiscal 2010 mainly due to a 26% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 12% increase in weighted-average fees billed per engagement. The increase in performance in Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Australia were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. The largest increases in fee revenue were experienced in the financial services, industrial and technology sectors. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for Asia Pacific by $4.3 million in fiscal 2011.

 

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South America reported fee revenue of $32.0 million, an increase of $8.0 million, or 33%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $24.0 million in fiscal 2010 mainly due to a 30% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 2% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement. The increase in performance in Brazil was the primary contributor to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. The industrial, technology and financial services sectors were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for South America by $0.4 million in fiscal 2011.

Futurestep.    Futurestep reported fee revenue of $90.2 million, an increase of $22.2 million, or 33%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $68.0 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in Futurestep’s fee revenue was due to a 21% increase in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010, coupled with a 10% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement. The increase in Futurestep’s fee revenue consisted of North America fee revenue increase of $11.1 million, or 46%, to $35.3 million; Europe fee revenue increase of $7.7 million, or 39%, to $27.6 million and an increase in Asia Pacific fee revenue of $3.4 million, or 14%, to $27.3 million. Improvement in Futurestep fee revenue is attributed to increases in middle-management recruitment and RPO. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for Futurestep by $2.0 million in fiscal 2011.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits expense increased $94.1 million, or 23%, to $507.4 million in fiscal 2011 from $413.3 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in compensation and benefits expense is primarily due to an increase in the performance related bonus expense and a 12% increase in salaries and related payroll taxes in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010. The performance related bonus expense increased by $53.0 million, which was primarily driven by the Company’s overall level of profitability as defined by pre-tax income before bonus expense. The performance related bonus expense was $128.3 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $76.9 million in fiscal 2010. In addition, the performance related bonus expense for fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 was reduced by a change in the bonus expense estimate of $2.0 million and $3.6 million for fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively, resulting in net bonus expense of $126.3 million and $73.3 million, respectively. These changes in estimate represent differences between the bonus expense recorded in fiscal 2010 and 2009 and the actual cash payment made, or to be made, with respect to the amount earned during such fiscal years. The increase in salaries and related payroll taxes is due primarily to a 12% increase in headcount in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 in order to support growth in business activities. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expense by $2.9 million during fiscal 2011.

In addition, changes in the fair value of vested amounts owed under certain deferred compensation plans resulted in an increase of compensation expense of $6.2 million and $8.1 million in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively. Offsetting these changes in compensation and benefit expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities classified as trading (held in trust to satisfy obligations under certain deferred compensation liabilities) of $7.6 million and $11.1 million during fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively, recorded in other income (loss), net on the consolidated statements of income.

Executive recruitment compensation and benefits expense increased $86.9 million, or 26%, to $424.9 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $338.0 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in compensation and benefit expense is primarily due to an increase of $50.3 million in performance related bonus expense and to a lesser extent due to a 12% increase in salaries and related payroll taxes in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 and changes in the fair value of vested amounts under certain deferred compensation plans resulting in an increase of compensation expense of $5.6 million in fiscal 2011 compared to an increase of $2.4 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in the performance related bonus expense was driven by the Company’s overall level of profitability as defined by pre-tax income before bonus expense for fiscal 2011 compared to 2010 as a result of an improvement in the economic conditions experienced during fiscal 2011 compared to 2010. The increase in salaries and related payroll taxes in fiscal 2011 compared to 2010 was due in large part to a 7% increase in executive recruitment headcount in order to support growth in business activities. Executive recruitment compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of fee revenue were 65% in fiscal 2011 compared to 67% in fiscal 2010. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expenses by $1.5 million during fiscal 2011.

 

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Futurestep compensation and benefits expense increased $11.6 million, or 22%, to $64.3 million in fiscal 2011 from $52.7 million in fiscal 2010, primarily due to a 29% increase in headcount, $2.7 million increase in performance related bonus expense and $2.5 million for external contractors. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of fee revenue decreased to 71% in fiscal 2011 from 78% in fiscal 2010.

Corporate compensation and benefits expense decreased $4.4 million, or 20%, to $18.2 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $22.6 million in fiscal 2010, primarily due to changes in the fair value of vested amounts owed under certain deferred compensation plans resulting in a decrease of $5.0 million in compensation and benefits expense. Compensation and benefits expense in fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 is net of $7.2 million and $9.4 million increase of the CSV of COLI, respectively. The CSV of COLI is held to fund other deferred compensation retirement plans and the change in CSV of COLI increased compensation and benefits by $2.2 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010. The increase in the CSV of COLI was due to an increase in the market value of the underlying investments.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million, or 1%, to $116.5 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $115.3 million in fiscal 2010 due to increases of $4.3 million in bad debt expense; $3.1 million in travel and meetings expenses and $2.1 million in other expenses including business development and premises and office expenses. Substantially offsetting these increases was a $4.9 million reduction in the estimated fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration and a $3.4 million decrease in net foreign exchange transaction losses. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted general and administrative expenses by $0.3 million in fiscal 2011. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue were 16% in fiscal 2011 as compared to 20% in fiscal 2010.

Executive recruitment general and administrative expenses increased by $5.2 million, or 6%, to $88.6 million in fiscal 2011 from $83.4 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in general and administrative expenses was driven by increases of $3.9 million in bad debt expense, $2.4 million in travel and meetings expenses and $1.4 million in business development expenses, which were offset by a $1.8 million decrease in net foreign exchange transaction losses and $1.5 million in professional expenses. The increase in bad debt expense was in line with the increase in our revenues. Travel and meetings expenses and business development expenses increased primarily due to the increase in our overall business activities. Executive recruitment general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 14% in fiscal 2011 compared to 17% in fiscal 2010.

Futurestep general and administrative expenses increased $3.0 million, or 21%, to $17.4 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $14.4 million in fiscal 2010, primarily due to increases of $1.2 million in other expenses including bad debt expense, professional expenses and business development expenses; $0.9 million in travel and meetings expenses and $0.6 million in premises and office expenses. These expenses increased primarily due to the increase in the level of our overall business activities and revenue. Futurestep general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 19% in fiscal 2011 compared to 21% in fiscal 2010.

Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased $7.0 million, or 40%, to $10.5 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $17.5 million in fiscal 2010, primarily due to a $4.9 million decrease in the estimated fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration and $1.6 million increase in net foreign exchange transaction gains.

Engagement Expenses

Engagement expenses consist of expenses incurred by candidates and our consultants that are normally billed to clients. Engagement expenses increased $10.2 million, or 25%, to $51.8 million in fiscal 2011, compared to $41.6 million in fiscal 2010, in line with the increase in fee revenue. Engagement expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 7% in both fiscal 2011 and 2010.

 

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Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $12.7 million and $11.5 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively. This expense relates mainly to computer equipment, software, furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements.

Restructuring Charges, Net

Restructuring charges decreased by $18.6 million, or 90%, to $2.1 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $20.7 million in fiscal 2010. In fiscal 2011, our restructuring charges, net of recoveries, primarily relate to higher facility lease costs than originally estimated.

In fiscal 2010, we reorganized our go-to-market and operating structure in EMEA and in an effort to reduce redundancy attributed to the acquisition of Whitehead Mann, we incurred restructuring charges of $25.8 million to reduce the combined workforce and to consolidate premises. These restructuring charges were offset by $5.1 million of reductions from previous restructuring charges ($2.8 million in premise and facilities costs and $2.3 million in severance costs).

Operating Income (Loss)

Operating income increased by $88.5 million to $85.8 million in fiscal 2011 compared to an operating loss of $2.7 million in fiscal 2010. This increase in operating income resulted from a $171.9 million increase in fee revenue and an $18.6 million decrease in net restructuring expenses, which were partially offset by a $94.1 million increase in compensation and benefits expense.

Executive recruitment operating income increased by $73.2 million, to $111.4 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $38.2 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in executive recruitment operating income is attributable to a $149.7 million increase in fee revenue and a decrease in net restructuring expenses of $21.2 million. These items positively impacting operating income were offset by an $86.9 million increase in compensation and benefits expense, resulting primarily from an increase in the performance related bonus expense and increased headcount. In addition, general and administrative costs increased $5.2 million primarily due to bad debt expense, which increase is in line with our revenue increase. Executive recruitment operating income during fiscal 2011 as a percentage of fee revenue was 17% compared to 8% in fiscal 2010.

Futurestep operating income increased by $3.7 million to $5.0 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to $1.3 million in fiscal 2010. The change in Futurestep operating income is primarily due to a $22.2 million increase in fee revenue, offset by increases of $11.6 million in compensation and benefits and $3.0 million in general and administrative expenses, related to an increase in our overall business activities, and a $2.6 million restructuring charge due to higher facility lease costs than originally estimated. Futurestep operating income as a percentage of fee revenue was 5% in fiscal 2011 as compared to 2% in fiscal 2010.

Other (Loss) Income, Net

Other (loss) income, net decreased by $3.7 million to other income of $6.4 million in fiscal 2011 compared to other income of $10.1 million in fiscal 2010. This decrease was primarily due to net gains on marketable securities of $7.6 million and $11.1 million classified as trading in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease in other (loss) income, net reflects a $3.5 million change in the market value of mutual funds held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans (see Note 5 — Marketable Securities, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements) during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010. Partially offsetting this decline in other (loss) income, net was a $1.9 million decrease in certain deferred compensation retirement plan liabilities (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements), during the same period, which resulted in a reduction in compensation and benefit expense.

 

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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 $2.5 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to $2.6 million in fiscal 2010.

Income Taxes Provision (Benefit)

The provision for income taxes was $32.7 million in fiscal 2011 compared to a benefit for income taxes of $0.5 million in fiscal 2010. The provision for income taxes in fiscal 2011 reflects a 36% effective tax rate, compared to a 10% tax benefit for fiscal 2010. The effective tax rate in fiscal 2011 is higher when compared to the effective tax rate in fiscal 2010, as we recorded higher income before provision for income taxes during fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2011 is lower when compared to a normalized effective tax rate as we recorded a $2.1 million reversal of a liability related to a state tax provision taken in 2004 due to the state statue expiring. In addition, in fiscal 2010, we recorded a $10.3 million reversal of a liability related to a federal tax position taken in fiscal 2004, offset by an additional provision of $7.5 million for the tax impact of future repatriations of cash dividends and additional valuation allowances on the Company’s current inventory of foreign tax credit carryforwards.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries, Net

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary, net is comprised of our less than 50% interest in our Mexican subsidiary. We report our interest in earnings or loss of our Mexican subsidiary on the equity basis as a one-line adjustment to net income (loss), net of taxes. Equity in earnings was $1.9 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $0.1 million in fiscal 2010.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our performance is subject to the general level of economic activity in the geographic regions and the industries which we service. The economic activity in those regions and industries showed improvement in fiscal 2012 and 2011 compared to fiscal 2010, but the pace of recovery slowed in the second half of 2012. While we believe, based on current economic conditions, that our cash on hand and funds from operations will be sufficient to meet anticipated working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate requirements during the next twelve months, if the national or global economy, credit market conditions, and/or labor markets were to deteriorate in the future, it is likely that such changes would put negative pressure on demand for our services and affect our cash flows. In order to retain positive cash flows under such conditions, we may be required to take steps to align our cost structure with anticipated revenue levels. To the extent our efforts are insufficient, we may incur negative cash flows, and if such conditions were to persist over an extended period of time, it might require us to obtain additional financing to meet our capital needs.

Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were $417.7 million and $369.1 million as of April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of April 30, 2012 and 2011, we held $130.3 million and $128.3 million, respectively of cash and cash equivalents in foreign locations, substantially all of which is readily convertible into other foreign currencies. If these amounts were distributed to the United States, in the form of dividends, we would be subject to additional U.S. income taxes. Cash and cash equivalents consisted 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, commercial paper and U.S. Treasury and agency securities. The primary objectives of our investment in mutual funds are to meet the obligations under certain of our deferred compensation plans, while the other securities are available for general corporate purposes.

As of April 30, 2012 and 2011, our marketable securities of $135.7 million and $122.2 million, respectively, included $82.2 million (net of gross unrealized gains and losses of $3.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively) and $71.4 million (net of gross unrealized gains and losses of $6.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively), respectively, held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans, of which $74.6 million and $66.3 million, respectively, are classified as non-current. Our obligations for which these assets were held in trust totaled $82.6 million and $72.1 million as of April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As

 

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of April 30, 2012 and 2011, we had marketable securities classified as available-for-sale with a balance of $53.5 million and $50.9 million, respectively. These securities represent excess cash invested under our investment policy with a professional money manager and are available for general corporate purposes.

The net increase in our working capital of $77.0 million as of April 30, 2012 compared to April 30, 2011 is primarily attributable to an increase in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities and a decrease in compensation and benefits payable. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was due to an increase in cash from operations while the increase in marketable securities is due to the Company reinvesting in available-for-sale securities with shorter maturities. Compensation and benefits payable decreased due to the payment of annual bonuses earned in fiscal 2011 and paid during fiscal 2012 and to a decrease in the performance related bonus expense of $10.7 million in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011. Cash provided by operating activities was $71.0 million in fiscal 2012, a decrease of $24.6 million, from cash provided by operating activities of $95.6 million in fiscal 2011. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities is primarily due to an increase in the amount of bonuses paid in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011 and a decrease in bonus expense in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011.

The Company paid bonuses of $131.5 million in cash during fiscal 2012. Compensation and benefits payable on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2011 includes $5.4 million in bonus payments that were fully earned by recipients during fiscal 2010, but for which the payment was delayed due to economic conditions prevailing at the time. These delayed payments were recorded to bonus liability and accrued in fiscal 2010 because the underlying bonuses had been fully earned in that period. These amounts, when paid during fiscal 2012, increased the cash used in operating activities during that period. In addition, $8.1 million in bonuses earned in fiscal 2009, the payment of which was deferred due to economic conditions, were paid during fiscal 2011 and increased cash used in operating activities during this period by a corresponding amount.

Cash used in investing activities was $33.0 million in fiscal 2012, a decrease of $48.1 million, from cash used in investing activities of $81.1 million in fiscal 2011. This decrease in cash used in investing activities is primarily attributable to higher net proceeds from sales/maturities of marketable securities of $14.6 million, lower purchases of marketable securities of $10.2 million, a decrease in the use of cash used to provide collateral for standby letters of credit and potential future borrowings on our Facility of $9.8 million, a decrease in cash used to purchase property and equipment of $9.2 million and lower payments of earn-outs from prior acquisitions of $5.8 million.

Cash provided by financing activities was $2.2 million in fiscal 2012, a decrease of $3.7 million from cash provided by financing activities of $5.9 million in fiscal 2011. Cash provided by financing activities decreased primarily due to a $5.7 million decrease in cash proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options and our employee stock purchase plan, a $5.7 million decrease in the amount of borrowing under the life insurance policies and $3.0 million of cash proceeds from the exercise of warrants during fiscal 2011 which did not occur in fiscal 2012. Partially offsetting the decreases was an increase in cash used to repurchase shares of common stock to satisfy tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of restricted stock by $9.6 million in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011. As of April 30, 2012, $24.4 million remained available for common stock repurchases under our stock repurchase program, approved by the Board of Directors on November 2, 2007.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

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

 

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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, 2012:

 

          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    $ 207,374       $ 38,588       $ 64,304       $ 37,570       $ 66,912   

Accrued restructuring charges(2)

   7      1,934         904         756         169         105   

Interest payments on COLI loans(3)

   10      52,358         4,172         8,345         8,338         31,503   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 261,666       $ 43,664       $ 73,405       $ 46,077       $ 98,520   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

(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%.

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.

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.

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

As of April 30, 2012 and 2011, we held contracts with gross CSV of $151.1 million and $143.9 million, respectively. In fiscal 2012, 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 $73.3 million and $72.9 million as of April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. At April 30, 2012 and 2011, the net cash value of these policies was $77.8 million and $71.0 million, respectively.

Long-Term Debt

Our Senior Secured Revolving Facility (the “Facility”), which was entered into in March 2011, provides for an aggregate availability up to $50 million with a $10 million sub-limit for letters of credit, subject to satisfaction of borrowing base requirements based on eligible domestic and foreign accounts receivable. The Facility matures on March 14, 2014 and prior to each anniversary date, we can request one-year extensions, subject to lender consent. Borrowings under the Facility bear interest, at our election, at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus applicable margin or the base rate plus applicable margin. The base rate is the highest of (i) the published prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or (iii) one month LIBOR plus 2.0%. The applicable margin is based on a percentage per annum determined in accordance with a specified pricing grid based on (a) the total funded debt ratio of the Company and (b) with respect to LIBOR loans, whether such LIBOR loans are cash collateralized. For cash collateralized LIBOR loans, the applicable margin will range from 0.65% to 3.15% per annum. For LIBOR loans that are not cash collateralized and for base rate loans, the applicable margin will range from 1.50% to 4.50% per annum (if using LIBOR) and from 1.50% to 4.75% per annum (if using base rate). We pay quarterly commitment fees of 0.25% to 0.50% on the Facility’s unused commitments based on our

 

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leverage ratio. The Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the our domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the equity interest in all our first tier foreign subsidiaries. The financial covenants include a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio and a minimum $30 million in unrestricted cash and/or marketable securities after taking into account the accrual for employee compensation and benefits.

As of April 30, 2012 and 2011, we had no borrowings under the Facility; however, we are required to maintain $10.0 million on account with the lender, which provides collateral for the standby letters of credit and potential future borrowings. At April 30, 2012 and 2011, there were $2.9 million standby letters of credit issued under this Facility.

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 May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amendments to the fair value accounting guidance. The amendments limit the highest and best use to measure non-financial assets and include criteria for applying the fair value measurement principles to portfolios of financial instruments. The new guidance also prescribes enhanced financial statement disclosures for Level 3 fair value measurements. The new guidance was effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2012. The adoption of these amendments did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In September 2011, the FASB issued amendments to the goodwill impairment testing guidance to allow an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether performing the current two-step process is necessary. Under the new option, the calculation of the reporting unit’s fair value is not required unless, as a result of the qualitative assessment, it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the unit’s carrying amount. This guidance was effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2012. The Company did not elect to apply this option in fiscal 2012, but might change its election in the future. If in the future the Company elects to adopt this guidance, the adoption would not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Recently Proposed Accounting Standards

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income in the financial statements. The new guidance eliminates the option to present other comprehensive income and its components as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. Instead, it will require the Company to present either a continuous statement of net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance will be effective for the Company beginning May 1, 2012. Adoption of this new guidance, which involves disclosures only, will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or 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 trans-

 

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lation 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. During fiscal 2012 and 2010, we recognized foreign currency losses, on an after tax basis, of $1.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively, as compared to fiscal 2011 in which we recognized foreign currency gains, on an after tax basis, of $0.1 million.

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 Pound Sterling, the Euro, the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar and the Yen, our exchange gain or loss would have been $1.7 million, $2.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively, based on outstanding balances at April 30, 2012.

Interest Rate Risk

We primarily manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through our regular financing activities, which generally are short term and provide for variable market rates. As of April 30, 2012 and 2011, we had no outstanding borrowings under our Facility. We had $73.3 million and $72.9 million of borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts as of April 30, 2012 and 2011, 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 on 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.

 

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

No changes or disagreements were noted in the current fiscal year.

 

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

On June 21, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed Robert P. Rozek, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to assume the position of the Company’s principal accounting officer, reuniting this position and the principal financial officer with the same individual. See the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 21, 2012, for additional information regarding Mr. Rozek, including the terms of his employment agreement with the Company. No plan, contract or arrange-

 

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ment was entered into between the Company and Mr. Rozek in connection with his appointment as principal accounting officer. Mark Neal will continue in his position as Senior Vice President, Finance and Controller.

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 2012 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. Upon written request, we will provide a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics free of charge. Requests should be directed to Korn/Ferry International, 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2600, Los Angeles, California 90067, Attention: Peter Dunn.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item will be included in our 2012 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by this 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 2012 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 2012 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 “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” and elsewhere in our 2012 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

  3.1+   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 15, 1999.
  3.2+   Certificate of Designations of 7.5% Convertible Preferred Stock, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 18, 2002.
  3.3+   Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 29, 2009.
  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.
  4.2+   Form of Stock Purchase Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 18, 2002.
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.
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 Special Severance Pay Policy, dated January 1, 2000, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 19, 2001.

 

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Exhibit
Number

 

Description

10.12*+   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.
10.13*+   Letter from Korn/Ferry International Futurestep, Inc. to Robert H. McNabb, dated December 3, 2001, filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, filed August 12, 2002.
10.14*+   Letter from the Company to Robert H. McNabb, dated November 29, 2001, filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, filed August 12, 2002.
10.15*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert H. McNabb, dated October 1, 2003, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 12, 2003.
10.16*+   Employee Stock Purchase Plan filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed July 22, 2003.
10.17*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Gary D. Burnison, dated October 1, 2003, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 12, 2004.
10.18+   Letter Agreement, dated December 31, 2003, among the Company, Friedman Fleischer & Lowe Capital Partners, L.P. and FFL Executive Partners, L.P., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 12, 2004.
10.19*+   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.
10.20+   Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 12, 2006.
10.21*+   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.
10.22*+   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.
10.23*+   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.
10.24*+   Letter Agreement between the Company and Robert H. McNabb dated as of September 29, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 11, 2006.
10.25*+   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.
10.26*+   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.
10.27*+   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.
10.28*+   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.
10.29*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael A. DiGregorio dated April 30, 2009.
10.30*+   Korn/Ferry Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-161844), filed September 10, 2009.
10.31*+   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement to Employees and Non-Employee Directors Under the Korn/Ferry International 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 12, 2009.
10.32*+   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.

 

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Exhibit
Number

 

Description

10.33*+   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.
10.34*+   Letter Agreement dated June 25, 2009, by and among the Company and Robert McNabb, modifying the terms of Mr. McNabb’s Employment Agreement, dated October 1, 2003, as renewed and amended on September 29, 2006.
10.35*+   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.
10.36*+   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.
10.37*+   Korn/Ferry International Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 12, 2011.
10.38*+   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.
10.39*+   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.
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.

 

 

* Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

+ 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 22, 2012

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and directors of the registrant hereby constitutes and appoints Peter L. Dunn 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/    KENNETH WHIPPLE        

Kenneth Whipple

   Chairman of the Board and Director   June 22, 2012

/S/    GARY D. BURNISON        

Gary D. Burnison

  

President & Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer) and Director

  June 22, 2012

/S/    ROBERT P. ROZEK        

Robert P. Rozek

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)   June 22, 2012

/S/    DENISE KINGSMILL        

Denise Kingsmill

   Director   June 22, 2012

/S/    EDWARD D. MILLER        

Edward D. Miller

   Director   June 22, 2012

/S/    DEBRA J. PERRY        

Debra J. Perry

   Director   June 22, 2012

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    GERHARD SCHULMEYER        

Gerhard Schulmeyer

   Director   June 22, 2012

/S/    GEORGE T. SHAHEEN        

George T. Shaheen

   Director   June 22, 2012

/S/    HARRY L. YOU        

Harry L. You

   Director   June 22, 2012

 

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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

APRIL 30, 2012

 

     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, 2012 and 2011

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended April 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010

     F-6   

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended April  30, 2012, 2011 and 2010

     F-7   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended April 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010

     F-8   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-9   

Financial Statements Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

     F-39   

 

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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. Throughout the year, there has been continued focus on the efficacy of the Company’s internal control environment with such efforts aimed at ensuring the accomplishment of the above goals and objectives in an effective and efficient manner.

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, 2012 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework 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.

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, 2012.

Ernst & Young, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s financial statements for the year ended April 30, 2012 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, 2012, a copy of which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

June 22, 2012

 

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Table of Contents

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, 2012 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (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.

In our opinion, Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2012, 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, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2012 and our report dated June 22, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/    Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California

June 22, 2012

 

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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, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2012. 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, 2012 and 2011, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2012, 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, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated June 22, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/    Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California

June 22, 2012

 

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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     April 30,  
     2012     2011  
     (in thousands, except per
share data)
 
ASSETS     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 282,005      $ 246,856   

Marketable securities

     40,936        20,868   

Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,437 and $9,977, respectively

     126,579        128,859   

Income taxes and other receivables

     11,902        5,138   

Deferred income taxes

     10,830        10,214   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     27,815        29,662   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     500,067        441,597   

Marketable securities, non-current

     94,798        101,363   

Property and equipment, net

     49,808        43,142   

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

     77,848        70,987   

Deferred income taxes, net

     57,290        64,418   

Goodwill, net

     176,338        183,952   

Intangible assets, net

     20,413        22,289   

Investments and other assets

     38,127        43,932   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,014,689      $ 971,680   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Accounts payable

   $ 14,667      $ 12,504   

Income taxes payable

     8,720        4,674   

Compensation and benefits payable

     154,398        173,097   

Other accrued liabilities

     37,527        43,591   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     215,312        233,866   

Deferred compensation and other retirement plans

     148,989        139,558   

Other liabilities

     20,912        19,919   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     385,213        393,343   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 59,975 and 59,101 shares issued and 47,913 and 47,003 shares outstanding, respectively

     419,998        404,703   

Retained earnings

     202,797        148,494   

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net

     7,191        25,660   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

     629,986        578,857   

Less: notes receivable from stockholders

     (510     (520
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     629,476        578,337   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,014,689      $ 971,680   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Fee revenue

   $ 790,505      $ 744,249      $ 572,380   

Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses

     36,254        32,002        27,269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     826,759        776,251        599,649   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

     534,186        507,405        413,340   

General and administrative expenses

     138,872        116,494        115,280   

Engagement expenses

     55,889        51,766        41,585   

Depreciation and amortization

     14,017        12,671        11,493   

Restructuring charges, net

     929        2,130        20,673   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     743,893        690,466        602,371   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     82,866        85,785        (2,722

Other (loss) income, net

     (271     6,454        10,066   

Interest expense, net

     (1,791     (2,535     (2,622
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     80,804        89,704        4,722   

Income tax provision (benefit)

     28,351        32,692        (485

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net

     1,850        1,862        91   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 54,303      $ 58,874      $ 5,298   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

      

Basic

   $ 1.17      $ 1.30      $ 0.12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 1.15      $ 1.27      $ 0.12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

      

Basic

     46,397        45,205        44,413   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     47,261        46,280        45,457   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

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

Balance at May 1, 2009

     44,729      $ 368,430      $ 84,922      $ 6,285      $ 459,637   

Comprehensive income:

          

Net income

     —        —        5,298        —        5,298   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

          

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —        —        —        15,377        15,377   

Defined benefit pension plan

     —        —        —        (8,728     (8,728
          

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

             11,947   
          

 

 

 

Purchase of stock

     (226     (3,136     —        —        (3,136

Issuance of stock

     1,476        6,526        —        —        6,526   

Stock-based compensation

     —        17,508        —        —        17,508   

Tax expense from exercise of stock options

     —        (611     —        —        (611
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at April 30, 2010

     45,979        388,717        90,220        12,934        491,871   

Comprehensive income:

          

Net income

     —        —        58,874        —        58,874   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

          

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —        —        —        16,739        16,739   

Defined benefit pension plan

     —        —        —        (4,048     (4,048

Unrealized gains on marketable securities

     —        —        —        35        35   
          

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

             71,600   
          

 

 

 

Exercise of warrants

     274        2,983        —        —        2,983   

Purchase of stock

     (934     (13,844     —        —        (13,844

Issuance of stock

     1,684        10,084        —        —        10,084   

Stock-based compensation

     —        15,476        —        —        15,476   

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     —        1,287        —        —        1,287   

Payment of dividends by majority owned consolidated subsidiaries

     —        —        (600     —        (600
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at April 30, 2011

     47,003        404,703        148,494        25,660        578,857   

Comprehensive income:

          

Net income

     —        —        54,303        —        54,303   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

          

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —        —        —        (12,826     (12,826

Defined benefit pension plan

     —        —        —        (5,644     (5,644

Unrealized gains on marketable securities

     —        —        —        1        1   
          

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

             35,834   
          

 

 

 

Purchase of stock

     (190     (4,215     —        —        (4,215

Issuance of stock

     1,100        4,371        —        —        4,371   

Stock-based compensation

     —        13,475        —        —        13,475   

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     —        1,664        —        —        1,664   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at April 30, 2012

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

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     (in thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

Net income

   $ 54,303      $ 58,874      $ 5,298   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     14,017        12,671        11,493   

Stock-based compensation expense

     13,399        15,547        17,729   

Impairment of intangible assets

     —        880        —   

(Gain) loss on disposition of property and equipment

     (65     80        323   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     5,732        7,650        3,340   

Gain on cash surrender value of life insurance policies

     (6,268     (7,218     (9,424

Gain on marketable securities classified as trading

     (1,013     (7,599     (11,137

Change in fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration

     (2,196     (4,919     —   

Deferred income taxes

     6,512        5,954        (20,862

Change in other assets and liabilities:

      

Deferred compensation

     3,787        11,716        15,828   

Receivables, including income tax and other receivables

     (10,891     (28,140     (33,516

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     2,194        (6,172     (4,520

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries

     (1,850     (1,862     (91

Income taxes payable

     4,058        (1,686     2,844   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (17,986     40,757        (595

Other

     7,242        (899     (7,556
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     70,975        95,634        (30,846
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchase of property and equipment

     (18,632     (27,889     (7,282

Purchase of intangible assets

     (325     —        (3,481

Purchase of marketable securities

     (55,718     (65,964     (4,163

Proceeds from sales/maturities of marketable securities

     43,181        28,618        13,374   

Change in restricted cash

     (221     (10,007     —   

Payment of purchase price held back from previous acquisition

     (800     —        —   

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired and contingent consideration

     (442     —        (18,734

Payment of contingent consideration from acquisitions

     —        (5,795     (2,405

Premiums on life insurance policies

     (1,739     (1,702     (1,711

Dividends received from unconsolidated subsidiaries

     1,669        1,608        958   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (33,027     (81,131     (23,444
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Payments on life insurance policy loans

     —        —        (183

Borrowings under life insurance policies

     366        6,039        5,500   

Purchase of common stock

     (4,215     (13,844     (3,136

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

     —        2,983        —   

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

     4,371        10,084        6,526   

Tax benefit (expense) from exercise of stock options

     1,664        1,287        (611

Payment of dividends by majority owned consolidated subsidiaries

     —        (600     —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     2,186        5,949        8,096   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (4,985     7,171        10,427   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     35,149        27,623        (35,767

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     246,856        219,233        255,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 282,005      $ 246,856      $ 219,233   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

      

Cash used to pay interest

   $ 4,480      $ 4,834      $ 3,992   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used to pay income taxes

   $ 17,916      $ 25,329      $ 8,111   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2012

 

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 executive recruitment on a retained basis, outsourced recruiting and leadership and talent consulting services. The Company’s worldwide network of 76 offices in 35 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 subsidiary in Mexico were approximately $1.7 million, $1.6 million and $1.0 million during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the 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 bonus, evaluation of the carrying value of receivables, marketable securities, goodwill and other intangible assets, fair value of contingent consideration 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, middle-management recruitment, recruitment process outsourcing and leadership and talent consulting services. Fee revenue from executive recruitment activities and middle-management recruitment are generally one-third of the estimated first year cash compensation of placed executive plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect expenses. The Company generally recognizes revenue as it bills clients in three monthly installments commencing the month of client acceptance as this is the period over which the recruitment services are performed. Fees earned in excess of the initial contract amount are billed upon

 

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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

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 fees are generally 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 services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is fulfilled. In addition to middle-management recruitment, Futurestep provides recruitment process outsourcing services and fee revenue is recognized as services are rendered. 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. If updated estimated total costs indicate a loss, we recognize that estimated loss in the period it is determined. LTC revenue from licenses is recognized using a straight-line method over the term of the contract (generally 12 months), which begins upon execution and is invoiced in the same month. A portion of the revenue for LTC is derived from the sale of Lominger products. These products mainly consist of books covering a variety of topics including performance management, team effectiveness, and coaching and development. The Company recognizes revenue for their products when the product has been sold.

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.

Restricted Cash

The Company had $10.0 million of restricted cash at April 30, 2012 and 2011, related to its existing credit facility (see Note 10 — Long-Term Debt), which is included in investments and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Marketable Securities

The Company classifies its marketable securities as either trading securities or available-for-sale. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Certain investments, which the Company may sell within the next twelve months, are carried as current assets. Realized capital gains (losses) on marketable securities are determined by specific identification. Investments are made based on the Company’s investment policy which restricts the types of investments that can be made.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

Trading securities consist of the Company’s investments which are held in trust to satisfy obligations under the Company’s deferred compensation plans (see Note 5 — Marketable Securities). The changes in fair values on trading securities are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in other (loss) income, net. Interest and dividend income are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in interest expense, net.

Available-for-sale securities consist of corporate bonds, commercial paper and U.S. Treasury and agency securities. The changes in fair values, net of applicable taxes, are recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the fair value of an investment below its cost or amortized cost is considered to be “other-than-temporary,” the investment’s cost or amortized cost is written-down to its fair value and the amount written-down is recorded in the statement of income in other (loss) income, net. The determination of 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. The amount of any write-down is determined by the difference between cost or amortized cost of the investment and its fair value at the time the other-than-temporary decline is identified. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, no other-than-temporary impairment was recognized.

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 each respective 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. Adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the measurement period (generally not longer than twelve months). Purchased intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Effective May 1, 2009, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Acquisitions, which requires that acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs be charged to expense as committed, and changes the recognition and measurement criteria for certain assets and liabilities including those arising from contingencies, contingent consideration and bargain purchases for acquisitions completed after the adoption date. The Company applied this new guidance to its acquisition of Whitehead Mann and SENSA Solutions, Inc., which were acquired in fiscal 2010. During fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, the Company recorded a $2.2 million and $4.9 million reduction in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration relating to a prior acquisition, respectively, as a component of general and administrative expenses.

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 for internal use 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.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

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 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 was determined using a combination of valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow methodology. Results of the annual impairment test performed as of January 31, 2012, indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. There was also no indication of impairment during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

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 using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which range from three 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. During fiscal 2011, the Company wrote-off a trademark no longer in use with a net book value of $0.9 million. As of April 30, 2012 and 2011, there were no further 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 performance related bonus paid to consultants. The portion of the expense applicable to salaries is comprised of wages and salaries earned by employees during a reporting period. The portion of the expenses applicable to performance related bonuses refers to the Company’s annual employee performance related bonus with respect to a fiscal year, which is communicated and paid following the completion of the 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 for Futurestep consultants), 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, Company results including profitability, the achievement of strategic objectives and the results of individual performance appraisals, and the current economic landscape. Management takes these factors into consideration, and any changes in the estimate are reported 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 changes in the bonus estimates historically have been immaterial and are recorded in current operations in the period in which they are determined. The performance related bonus expense was $116.8 million, $128.3 million and $76.9 million for the years ended April 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which was reduced by a

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

change in the previous years’ estimate recorded in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 of $1.2 million, $2.0 million and $3.6 million, respectively. This resulted in net bonus expense of $115.6 million, $126.3 million and $73.3 million for the years ended April 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, included in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income.

These annual performance related bonuses are generally paid within twelve months following the fiscal year end, though the Company delayed payment of $5.4 million and $10.2 million of bonuses earned in fiscal 2010 and 2009 respectively, due to economic conditions prevailing at the time. The bonuses earned in fiscal 2009 of $10.2 million were paid in December 2010, and the bonuses earned in fiscal 2010 of $5.4 million were paid in December 2011. Other expenses included in compensation and benefits expense are due to changes in deferred compensation 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.

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

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, 2012 and 2011, the Company held contracts with gross CSV of $151.1 million and $143.9 million, offset by outstanding policy loans of $73.3 million and $72.9 million, respectively. If these insurance companies were to become insolvent, the Company would be considered a general creditor for $35.4 million and $31.0 million of net CSV as of April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively; therefore, these assets are subject to risk. Management, together with its outside advisors, routinely monitors the claims paying abilities of these insurance companies.

Restructuring Charges

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 stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock and SARs 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 year-end exchange rates, 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 were $1.6 million and $2.0 million during fiscal 2012 and 2010, respectively. Foreign currency gains, on an after tax basis, included in net income were $0.1 million in fiscal 2011.

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 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.

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.

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.

 

  •  

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.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

As of April 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash equivalents 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.

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 cash surrender value due from insurance companies, which is discussed above. Cash equivalents include investments in commercial paper of companies with high credit ratings, investments in money market securities and securities backed by the U.S. government. Investments are diversified throughout many industries and geographic regions. The Company is consolidating cash balances with a small number of high quality global financial institutions to increase operational efficiencies and to improve risk management. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited due to the Company’s large number of clients and their dispersion across many different industries and countries worldwide. At April 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company had no other significant credit concentrations.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amendments to the fair value accounting guidance. The amendments limit the highest and best use to measure non-financial assets and include criteria for applying the fair value measurement principles to portfolios of financial instruments. The new guidance also prescribes enhanced financial statement disclosures for Level 3 fair value measurements. The new guidance was effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2012. The adoption of these amendments did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In September 2011, the FASB issued amendments to the goodwill impairment testing guidance to allow an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether performing the current two-step process is necessary. Under the new option, the calculation of the reporting unit’s fair value is not required unless, as a result of the qualitative assessment, it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the unit’s carrying amount. This guidance was effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2012. The Company did not elect to apply this option in fiscal 2012, but might change its election in the future. If in the future the Company elects to adopt this guidance, the adoption would not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Recently Proposed Accounting Standards

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income in the financial statements. The new guidance eliminates the option to present other comprehensive income and its components as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. Instead, it will require the Company to present either a continuous statement of net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance will be effective for the Company beginning May 1, 2012. Adoption of this new guidance, which involves disclosures only, will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

2. Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share was computed by dividing net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if all in-the-money outstanding options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted and was computed by dividing net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common equivalent shares. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, SARs and options to purchase 0.57 million shares, 0.39 million shares and 1.48 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings per share calculations:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
          2012                2011                2010       
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Net earnings attributable to common stockholders

   $ 54,303       $ 58,874       $ 5,298   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

     46,397         45,205         44,413   

Effect of dilutive securities:

        

Restricted stock

     582         646         587   

Stock options

     267         425         401   

ESPP

     15         4         3   

Warrants

     —         —         53   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

     47,261         46,280         45,457   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings per common share:

        

Basic earnings per share

   $ 1.17       $ 1.30       $ 0.12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 1.15       $ 1.27       $ 0.12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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 stockholders’ equity.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows:

 

     April 30,  
     2012     2011  
     (in thousands)  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   $ 22,813      $ 35,639   

Defined benefit pension adjustments, net of taxes

     (15,658     (10,014

Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of taxes

     36        35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net

   $ 7,191      $ 25,660   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

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,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     (in thousands)  

Restricted stock

   $ 12,381      $ 14,090      $ 16,470   

Stock options and SARs

     933        1,028        853   

ESPP

     85        429        406   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax

     13,399        15,547        17,729   

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense

     (4,701     (5,675     (6,471
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

   $ 8,698      $ 9,872      $ 11,258   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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 instruments 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 amount of expense determined using the option valuation model.

The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each employee stock option and SARs were as follows:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Expected volatility

     47.07     47.67     48.91

Risk-free interest rate

     1.47     1.83     2.53

Expected option life (in years)

     5.00        5.00        5.00   

Expected dividend yield

     0.00     0.00     0.00

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.

Stock Incentive Plan

The Company maintains a stock incentive plan known as the Korn/Ferry International Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, (the “2008 Plan”). The 2008 Plan provides for the grant of awards to eligible participants, designated as either nonqualified or incentive stock options, SARs, restricted stock and restricted stock units, any of which may be performance-based, and incentive bonuses, which may be paid in cash or a combination thereof. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2008 Plan is 3,980,000 shares, subject to adjustment for certain changes in the Company’s capital structure and other extraordinary events. As of April 30, 2012, the maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2008 Plan is 1,500,000 shares.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

Options granted to officers, non-employee directors and other key employees generally vest over a three to four year period and generally expire seven to ten years from the date of grant. Stock options are granted at a price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Key employees are eligible to receive a grant of stock options annually with the number of options determined by the employee’s performance level. In addition, certain key management members typically receive stock option grants upon commencement of employment.

Stock Options and SARs

Stock options and SAR transactions under the Company’s 2008 Plan were as follows:

 

     April 30,  
     2012      2011      2010  
     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

     1,833      $ 13.78         2,723      $ 14.72         3,113      $ 14.83   

Granted

     48      $ 22.71         211      $ 13.97         621      $ 11.26   

Exercised

     (235   $ 12.76         (625   $ 12.81         (531   $ 8.21   

Forfeited/expired

     (154   $ 15.63         (476   $ 20.55         (480   $ 18.14   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Outstanding, end of year

     1,492      $ 14.00         1,833      $ 13.78         2,723      $ 14.72   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Exercisable, end of year

     1,061      $ 14.33         1,219      $ 14.64         2,142      $ 15.68   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

As of April 30, 2012, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable were $5.0 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

As of April 30, 2012, there was $1.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards of stock options and SARs. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.1 years. For stock option awards subject to graded vesting, the Company recognizes the total compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award.

Outstanding stock options and SARs:

 

     April 30, 2012  
     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)  

$  6.26 - $  9.55

     312         0.9       $ 7.89         312         0.9       $ 7.89   

$  9.56 - $13.90

     463         4.4       $ 11.23         148         4.1       $ 10.80   

$13.91 - $17.97

     352         3.5       $ 16.79         282         3.2       $ 17.26   

$17.98 - $24.08

     365         2.9       $ 20.02         319         2.5       $ 19.66   
  

 

 

          

 

 

       
     1,492         3.1       $ 14.00         1,061         2.4       $ 14.33   
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

Additional information pertaining to stock options and SARs:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
         2012              2011              2010      
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Weighted-average fair value per share of stock options granted

   $ 9.61       $ 6.07       $ 5.07   

Total fair value of stock options and SARs vested

   $ 1,065       $ 747       $ 612   

Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised

   $ 1,485       $ 5,164       $ 2,631   

Total intrinsic value of SARs paid

   $ 45       $ 178       $ 75   

Restricted Stock

The Company grants time-based restricted stock to executive officers and other senior employees generally vesting over a three to four year period. Time-based restricted stock is 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 also grants market-based restricted stock to executive officers and other senior employees. These market-based shares 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 awards was determined by a third-party valuation using extensive market data. Employees may receive restricted stock annually in conjunction with the Company’s performance review as well as upon commencement of employment.

Restricted stock activity is summarized below:

 

     April 30,  
     2012      2011      2010  
     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

     2,007      $ 8.64         2,480      $ 9.93         2,387      $ 15.50   

Granted

     687      $ 21.46         562      $ 15.12         1,017      $ 10.57   

Vested

     (794   $ 15.58         (920   $ 15.32         (754   $ 20.43   

Forfeited/expired

     (119   $ 18.19         (115   $ 14.83         (170   $ 17.91   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Non-vested, end of year

     1,781      $ 9.85         2,007      $ 8.64         2,480      $ 9.93   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

As of April 30, 2012, there was $17.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards of restricted stock, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years. For restricted stock awards subject to graded vesting, the Company recognizes the total compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award. During fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, 190,141 shares and 211,315 shares of restricted stock totaling $4.2 million and $3.2 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, or $25,000 annually, 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

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

the enrollment period. 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. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, employees purchased 76,909 shares at $18.69 per share, 153,913 shares at $14.13 per share and 209,840 shares at $10.66 per share, respectively. The ESPP was temporarily suspended during the second half of fiscal 2012. At April 30, 2012, the ESPP had approximately 1.6 million shares remaining available for future issuance.

Common Stock

During fiscal 2012 and 2011, the Company issued 228,835 shares and 611,621 shares of common stock, respectively, as a result of the exercise of stock options, with cash proceeds from the exercise of $2.9 million and $7.9 million, respectively.

During fiscal 2011, the Company repurchased 724,064 shares of the Company’s common stock for $10.6 million. No shares were repurchased during fiscal 2012 other than to satisfy tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of restricted stock as described above.

In June 2002, the Company issued warrants to purchase 274,207 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $11.94, subject to anti-dilution provisions. During fiscal 2011, these warrants were exercised for 274,207 shares of common stock in exchange for $3.0 million in cash.

 

5. Marketable Securities

As of April 30, 2012 marketable securities consisted of the following:

 

     Trading
(1)(3)
    Available-for-
Sale(2)(3)
    Total  
     (in thousands)  

Mutual funds

   $ 82,176      $ —      $ 82,176   

Corporate bonds

     —        44,563        44,563   

Commercial paper

     —        5,989        5,989   

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

     —        3,006        3,006   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     82,176        53,558        135,734   

Less: current portion of marketable securities

     (7,613     (33,323     (40,936
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current marketable securities

   $ 74,563      $ 20,235      $ 94,798   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

As of April 30, 2011 marketable securities consisted of the following:

 

     Trading
(1)(3)
    Available-for-
Sale(2)(3)
    Total  
     (in thousands)  

Mutual funds

   $ 71,363      $ —      $ 71,363   

Corporate bonds

     —        40,444        40,444   

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

     —        9,424        9,424   

Commercial paper

     —        1,000        1,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     71,363        50,868        122,231   

Less: current portion of marketable securities

     (5,081     (15,787     (20,868
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current marketable securities

   $ 66,282      $ 35,081      $ 101,363   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s obligations of $82.6 million and $72.1 million as of April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, under the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). The fair value of marketable securities classified as trading (held in trust to satisfy obligations under the ECAP) increased by $1.1 million and $7.6 million during fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively, recorded in other (loss) income, net on the consolidated statements of income.

 

(2) These securities represent excess cash invested, under our investment policy, with a professional money manager.

 

(3) 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, 2012 and 2011, the Company had cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $70.6 million and $120.8 million, respectively, also classified as Level 1.

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

 

     April 30, 2012  
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses(1)
    Estimated
Fair
Value
 
     (in thousands)  

Corporate bonds

   $ 44,498       $ 81       $ (16   $ 44,563   

Commercial paper

     5,993         1         (5     5,989   

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

     3,006         —         —        3,006   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 53,497       $ 82       $ (21   $ 53,558   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     April 30, 2011  
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses(1)
    Estimated
Fair
Value
 
     (in thousands)  

Corporate bonds

   $ 40,369       $ 107       $ (32   $ 40,444   

U.S. Treasury and agency securities

     9,427         10         (13     9,424   

Commercial paper

     1,000         —         —        1,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 50,796       $ 117       $ (45   $ 50,868   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

 

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

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, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s investments associated with cash equivalents, including restricted cash, consist of money market funds for which market prices are readily available. As of April 30, 2012 and 2011, marketable securities classified as available-for-sale consist of corporate bonds, commercial paper and U.S. Treasury and agency securities, all for which market prices for similar assets are readily available. As of April 30, 2012, available-for-sale marketable securities have remaining maturities ranging from one month to 2.8 years. Investments in marketable securities classified as trading are based upon investment selections the employee elects from a pre-determined set of securities in the ECAP and the Company mirrors these elections. As of April 30, 2012 and 2011, 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, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s marketable securities were $82.2 million (net of gross unrealized gains of $3.5 million and gross unrealized losses of $0.4 million) and $71.4 million (net of gross unrealized gains of $6.8 million and gross unrealized losses of $0.1 million), respectively.

The following table presents the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the periods indicated:

 

     April 30,  

Auction Rate Securities

   2012      2011  
     (in thousands)  

Balance, beginning of year

   $       —       $ 8,200   

Auction rate securities put option

     —         (745

Realized gain included in operations

     —         745   

Sale of securities

     —         (8,200
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

   $ —       $ —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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,  
     2012     2011  
     (in thousands)  

Deferred compensation plans

   $ 78,479      $ 70,319   

Pension plan

     4,214        3,952   

International retirement plans

     2,776        3,153   

Executive Capital Accumulation Plan

     71,134        67,214   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefit obligations

     156,603        144,638   

Less: current portion of benefit obligation

     (7,614     (5,080
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current benefit obligation

   $ 148,989      $ 139,558   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

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 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.

Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Pension Plans

During fiscal 2012, due to the change in the discount rate from 4.94% to 3.79%, the Company recorded an increase in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities of $8.8 million, a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of $5.6 million and a net increase of $3.2 million in deferred income tax assets.

During fiscal 2011, due to the change in the discount rate from 5.61% to 4.94%, the Company recorded an increase in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities of $6.7 million, a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of $4.1 million and a net increase of $2.6 million in deferred income tax assets.

 

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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

April 30, 2012

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

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

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     (in thousands)  

Change in benefit obligation:

      

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

   $ 70,319      $ 64,890      $ 52,149   

Service cost

     —        137        339   

Interest cost

     3,346        3,495        3,557   

Plan participants’ contributions with interest

     —        65        194   

Actuarial loss

     9,885        6,764        12,848   

Benefits paid

     (5,071     (5,032     (4,197
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

     78,479        70,319        64,890   

Less: current portion of benefit obligation

     (4,959     (3,682     (4,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current benefit obligation

   $ 73,520      $ 66,637      $ 60,890   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The components of net periodic benefits costs are as follows:

 

     Year Ended April 30,  
     2012      2011      2010  
     (in thousands)  

Service cost

   $ —       $ 137       $ 339   

Interest cost

     3,346         3,495         3,557   

Amortization of actuarial loss

     1,374         422         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 4,720       $ 4,054       $ 3,896