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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 16, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	HURN
Entity Registrant Name	Huron Consulting Group Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001289848
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,899,317
Entity Public Float			$ 1,632,800,000

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 256,872	$ 58,131
Receivables from clients, net	98,640	123,750
Unbilled services, net	91,392	55,125
Income tax receivable	8,125	270
Deferred income taxes, net	14,772	15,498
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	16,358	19,740
Total current assets	486,159	272,514
Property and equipment, net	44,677	38,742
Long-term investment	12,250
Other non-current assets	20,998	16,485
Intangible assets, net	24,684	21,222
Goodwill	567,146	536,637
Total assets	1,155,914	885,600
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	11,085	8,185
Accrued expenses	17,089	19,180
Accrued payroll and related benefits	106,488	97,677
Current maturities of long-term debt	28,750	25,000
Accrued consideration for business acquisitions	226	5,177
Income tax payable		2,917
Deferred revenues	12,738	15,248
Total current liabilities	176,376	173,384
Non-current liabilities:
Deferred compensation and other liabilities	10,838	5,360
Long-term debt, net of current portion	327,852	143,750
Deferred lease incentives	13,359	12,355
Deferred income taxes, net	26,855	20,487
Total non-current liabilities	378,904	181,952
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 24,976,395 and 25,246,565 shares issued at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	241	245
Treasury stock, at cost, 2,097,173 and 1,993,769 shares at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	(94,074)	(88,091)
Additional paid-in capital	442,308	443,144
Retained earnings	254,814	175,763
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,655)	(797)
Total stockholders' equity	600,634	530,264
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,155,914	$ 885,600

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	24,976,395	25,246,565
Treasury stock, shares	2,097,173	1,993,769

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Other Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues and reimbursable expenses:
Revenues	$ 811,332	$ 720,522	$ 625,961
Reimbursable expenses	77,875	67,267	55,764
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses	889,207	787,789	681,725
Direct costs and reimbursable expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown in operating expenses):
Direct costs	500,171	443,539	384,884
Amortization of intangible assets and software development costs	4,888	3,091	3,809
Reimbursable expenses	77,856	67,320	55,772
Total direct costs and reimbursable expenses	582,915	513,950	444,465
Operating expenses and other operating gains:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	155,434	138,538	125,266
Restructuring charges	3,438	761	4,004
Restatement related expenses			1,785
Litigation and other (gains) losses	(590)	(5,875)	1,150
Depreciation and amortization	25,014	20,510	18,529
Goodwill impairment charge			13,083
Total operating expenses and other operating gains	183,296	153,934	163,817
Operating income	122,996	119,905	73,443
Other income (expense), net:
Interest expense, net of interest income	(8,741)	(6,518)	(8,223)
Other income, net	353	252	428
Total other expense, net	(8,388)	(6,266)	(7,795)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	114,608	113,639	65,648
Income tax expense	35,557	47,176	29,695
Net income from continuing operations	79,051	66,463	35,953
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(30)	475
Net income	$ 79,051	$ 66,433	$ 36,428
Net earnings per basic share:
Net income from continuing operations	$ 3.52	$ 2.98	$ 1.64
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			0.02
Net income	3.52	2.98	1.66
Net earnings per diluted share:
Net income from continuing operations	3.45	2.92	1.61
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			0.02
Net income	$ 3.45	$ 2.92	$ 1.63
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
Basic	22,431	22,322	21,905
Diluted	22,925	22,777	22,285
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 79,051	$ 66,433	$ 36,428
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	(1,618)	89	129
Unrealized loss on investment, net of tax	(250)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax	10	473	(279)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,858)	562	(150)
Comprehensive income	$ 77,193	$ 66,995	$ 36,278

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 396,789	$ 234	$ (75,735)	$ 400,597	$ 72,902	$ (1,209)
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		23,362,828	(1,679,033)
Comprehensive income	36,278				36,428	(150)
Issuance of common stock in connection with:
Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations		$ 5	$ (3,542)	3,537
Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations, shares		497,028	(91,304)
Exercise of stock options	276	$ 1		275
Exercise of stock options, shares		44,269
Share-based compensation	15,490			15,490
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings	(4,438)		$ (4,438)
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings, shares			(119,128)
Income tax benefit on share-based compensation	926			926
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	445,321	$ 240	$ (83,715)	420,825	109,330	(1,359)
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		23,904,125	(1,889,465)
Comprehensive income	66,995				66,433	562
Issuance of common stock in connection with:
Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations		$ 5	$ (2,927)	2,922
Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations, shares		508,477	(82,674)
Exercise of stock options	198			198
Exercise of stock options, shares		40,859
Share-based compensation	17,084			17,084
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings	(1,449)		$ (1,449)
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings, shares			(31,565)
Income tax benefit on share-based compensation	2,115			2,115
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	530,264	$ 245	$ (88,091)	443,144	175,763	(797)
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		24,453,461	(2,003,704)
Comprehensive income	77,193				79,051	(1,858)
Issuance of common stock in connection with:
Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations		$ 4	$ (2,330)	2,326
Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations, shares		429,482	(50,276)
Exercise of stock options	$ 857			857
Exercise of stock options, shares	38,000	38,042
Share-based compensation	$ 20,118			20,118
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings	(3,653)		$ (3,653)
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings, shares			(55,336)
Income tax benefit on share-based compensation	5,103			5,103
Equity component of convertible senior notes, net of tax and issuance costs	22,739			22,739
Purchase of convertible senior note hedges, net of tax	(25,612)			(25,612)
Issuance of warrants	23,625			23,625
Share repurchases	(50,000)	$ (8)		(49,992)
Share repurchases, shares		(805,392)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 600,634	$ 241	$ (94,074)	$ 442,308	$ 254,814	$ (2,655)
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		24,115,593	(2,109,316)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 79,051	$ 66,433	$ 36,428
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	30,989	23,609	25,251
Share-based compensation	20,130	18,347	15,651
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs	3,832	1,363	1,116
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services	5,918	4,411	(4,935)
Deferred income taxes	8,096	4,683	(521)
Goodwill impairment charge			13,083
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
(Increase) decrease in receivables from clients	30,072	(21,731)	19,713
(Increase) decrease in unbilled services	(38,211)	(11,932)	4,333
(Increase) decrease in current income tax receivable / payable, net	(10,773)	(5,027)	27,078
(Increase) decrease in other assets	2,324	(174)	1,499
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	9,164	1,514	(10,226)
Increase (decrease) in accrued payroll and related benefits	8,835	34,724	(5,676)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues	(2,974)	(962)	(20,430)
Net cash provided by operating activities	146,453	115,258	102,364
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(25,913)	(20,225)	(17,521)
Investment in life insurance policies	(1,775)	(1,002)	(600)
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	(53,971)	(30,297)	(55,223)
Purchases of convertible debt investment	(12,500)
Capitalization of internally developed software		(1,572)	(895)
Proceeds from note receivable	328	438
Net cash used in investing activities	(93,831)	(52,658)	(74,239)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	857	198	276
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings	(3,653)	(1,449)	(4,438)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	5,107	2,354	1,585
Share repurchases	(50,000)
Proceeds from borrowings under credit facility	129,000	96,000	273,000
Repayments on credit facility	(154,000)	(119,750)	(274,000)
Proceeds from convertible senior notes issuance	250,000
Proceeds from sale of warrants	23,625
Payments for convertible senior note hedges	(42,125)
Payments for debt issuance costs	(7,346)	(1,155)	(2,482)
Payments of capital lease obligations	(79)	(19)	(12)
Deferred payments for purchase of property and equipment	(471)	(471)
Deferred acquisition payments	(4,745)	(5,356)	(2,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	146,170	(29,648)	(8,071)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(51)	17	28
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	198,741	32,969	20,082
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	58,131	25,162	5,080
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	256,872	58,131	25,162
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Property and equipment expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,533	4,548	4,376
Deferred payments related to business combinations			10,113
Contingent consideration related to business acquisitions	816
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	4,006	4,912	7,211
Income taxes	$ 31,815	$ 45,658	$ 14,370

Description of Business	12 Months Ended
Description of Business	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business	1. Description of Business Huron Consulting Group is a leading provider of operational and financial consulting services. We help clients in diverse industries improve performance, transform the enterprise, reduce costs, leverage technology, process and review large amounts of complex data, address regulatory changes, recover from distress, and stimulate growth. Our professionals employ their expertise in finance, operations, strategy, analytics, and technology to provide our clients with specialized analyses and customized advice and solutions that are tailored to address each client’s particular challenges and opportunities to deliver sustainable and measurable results. We provide consulting services to a wide variety of both financially sound and distressed organizations, including healthcare organizations, leading academic institutions, Fortune 500 companies, governmental entities, and law firms.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the financial position at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. Certain amounts reported in the previous years have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Huron Consulting Group Inc. and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions. Revenue Recognition We recognize revenues in accordance with ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition.” Under ASC 605, revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the related services are provided, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. We generate the majority of our revenues from providing professional services under four types of billing arrangements: time-and-expense, fixed-fee (including software license revenue), performance-based, and support and maintenance for the software we deploy. Time-and-expense billing arrangements require the client to pay based on either the number of hours worked, the number of pages reviewed, or the amount of data processed by our revenue-generating professionals at agreed upon rates. We recognize revenues under time-and-expense arrangements as the related services are rendered. In fixed-fee billing arrangements, we agree to a pre-established fee in exchange for a predetermined set of professional services. We set the fees based on our estimates of the costs and timing for completing the engagements. We recognize revenues under fixed-fee billing arrangements using a proportionate performance approach, which is based on work completed to-date versus our estimates of the total services to be provided under the engagement. Estimates of total engagement revenues and cost of services are monitored regularly during the term of the engagement. If our estimates indicate a potential loss, such loss is recognized in the period in which the loss first becomes probable and reasonably estimable. In performance-based billing arrangements, fees are tied to the attainment of contractually defined objectives. We do not recognize revenues under performance-based billing arrangements until all related performance criteria are met. We also generate revenues from licensing two types of proprietary software to clients. Licenses from our revenue cycle management software are sold only as a component of our consulting projects, and the services we provide are essential to the functionality of the software. Therefore, revenues from these software licenses are recognized over the term of the related consulting services contract in accordance with ASC 605. License revenue from our research administration and compliance software is recognized in accordance with ASC 985-605, generally in the month in which the software is delivered. Clients that have purchased one of our software licenses can pay an annual fee for software support and maintenance. Annual support and maintenance fee revenue is recognized ratably over the support period, which is generally one year. These fees are billed in advance and included in deferred revenues until recognized. We have arrangements with clients in which we provide multiple elements of services under one engagement contract. Revenues under these types of arrangements are allocated to each element based on the element’s fair value in accordance with ASC 605 and recognized pursuant to the criteria described above. Provisions are recorded for the estimated realization adjustments on all engagements, including engagements for which fees are subject to review by the bankruptcy courts. Expense reimbursements that are billable to clients are included in total revenues and reimbursable expenses, and typically an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses are included in total direct costs and reimbursable expenses. Reimbursable expenses are primarily recognized as revenue in the period in which the expense is incurred. Subcontractors that are billed to clients at cost are also included in reimbursable expenses. Differences between the timing of billings and the recognition of revenue are recognized as either unbilled services or deferred revenues in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Revenues recognized for services performed but not yet billed to clients are recorded as unbilled services. Client prepayments and retainers are classified as deferred revenues and recognized over future periods as earned in accordance with the applicable engagement agreement. Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Unbilled Services We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts and for services performed but not yet billed based on several factors, including the estimated cash realization from amounts due from clients, an assessment of a client’s ability to make required payments, and the historical percentages of fee adjustments and write-offs by age of receivables and unbilled services. The allowances are assessed by management on a regular basis. We record the provision for doubtful accounts and unbilled services as a reduction in revenue to the extent the provision relates to fee adjustments and other discretionary pricing adjustments. To the extent the provision relates to a client’s inability to make required payments on accounts receivables, we record the provision to Selling, general and administrative expenses. Direct Costs and Reimbursable Expenses Direct costs and reimbursable expenses consist primarily of revenue-generating employee compensation and their related benefit and share-based compensation costs, the cost of outside consultants or subcontractors assigned to revenue-generating activities, other third-party costs directly attributable to our revenue-generating activities, and direct expenses to be reimbursed by clients. Direct costs and reimbursable expenses incurred on engagements are expensed in the period incurred. Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments, including overnight investments and commercial paper, with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Concentrations of Credit Risk To the extent receivables from clients become delinquent, collection activities commence. No single client balance is considered large enough to pose a material credit risk. The allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services are based upon the expected ability to collect accounts receivable, and bill and collect unbilled services. Management does not anticipate incurring losses on accounts receivable in excess of established allowances. See Note 16 “Segment Information” for concentration of accounts receivable and unbilled services. We hold our cash in accounts at multiple third-party financial institutions. These deposits, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. We review the credit ratings of these financial institutions, regularly monitor the cash balances in these accounts, and adjust the balances as appropriate. However, these cash balances could be impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions in the financial markets. Investments Our long-term investment consists of our convertible debt investment in Shorelight Holdings, LLC. We classified the investment as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluate such classification as of each balance sheet date. The investment is carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income (loss). When the investment is in an unrealized loss position, we assess whether the investment is other than temporarily impaired. We consider impairments to be other than temporary if they are related to significant credit deterioration or if it is likely we will sell the security before the recovery of its cost basis. We have not identified any other than temporary impairments for our convertible debt investment. In the event there are realized gains and losses or declines in value judged to be other than temporary, we will record the amount in earnings. See Note 10 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for further information on our convertible debt investment. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value. The carrying values for receivables from clients, unbilled services, accounts payable, deferred revenues, and other accrued liabilities reasonably approximate fair market value due to the nature of the financial instrument and the short-term maturity of these items. See Note 10 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for the accounting policies used to measure the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Software, computers, and related equipment are depreciated over an estimated useful life of two to four years. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated over five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset or the initial term of the lease. Software Development Costs We expense development costs for software products that will be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed until technological feasibility has been established. Similarly, we expense all development costs after the software is available for general release to customers. During the period between the establishment of technological feasibility and availability for general release to customers, software development costs are capitalized and subsequently reported at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. Capitalized development costs are amortized in proportion to current and future revenue for each product with an annual minimum equal to the straight-line amortization over the remaining estimated economic life of the product. We classify capitalized development costs for software products to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed as “Other non-current assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unamortized capitalized software development costs were $1.4 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we amortized $0.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of capitalized software development costs. We did not amortize any of the capitalized software development costs in 2012 as the products were not yet available for general release to customers. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, including property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a significant decline in forecasted operating results over an extended period of time. The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets based upon forecasted undiscounted cash flows. No impairment charges for long-lived assets were recorded in 2014, 2013, or 2012. Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill We account for intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.” This Topic requires that certain identifiable intangible assets be amortized over their expected useful lives using a method that reflects the economic benefit expected to be derived from the assets or on a straight-line basis. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in a similar manner to our long-lived assets described above. No impairment charges for intangible assets were recorded in 2014, 2013, or 2012. Goodwill For acquisitions accounted for as a business combination, goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired. We are required to test goodwill for impairment, at the reporting unit level, annually and when events or circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component) to which goodwill is assigned when initially recorded. We assign goodwill to reporting units based on our integration plans and the expected synergies resulting from the acquisition. We have six reporting units, which consist of our Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, Huron Education and Life Sciences, and All Other operating segments, and our Financial Advisory practice and Enterprise Performance Management (“EPM”) practice, which make up our Huron Business Advisory operating segment. We test goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. We perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30 and monitor for interim triggering events on an ongoing basis. Pursuant to our policy, we performed the annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2014 and determined that no impairment of goodwill existed as of that date. Further, we evaluated whether any events have occurred or any circumstances have changed since November 30, 2014 that would indicate goodwill may have become impaired since our annual impairment test. Based on our evaluation as of December 31, 2014, we determined that no indications of impairment have arisen since our annual goodwill impairment test. See Note 3 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for information regarding our recent goodwill impairment tests and our 2012 goodwill impairment charge. Business Combinations We use the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Each acquired company’s operating results are included in our consolidated financial statements starting on the date of acquisition. The purchase price is equivalent to the fair value of consideration transferred. Tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is recognized for the excess of purchase price over the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Contingent consideration, which is primarily based on the business achieving certain performance targets, is recognized at its fair value on the acquisition date, and changes in fair value are recognized in earnings until settled. Refer to Note 10 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for further information regarding our contingent acquisition liability balances. Deferred Lease Incentives We record as non-current the portion of the deferred lease incentive liability that we expect to recognize over a period greater than one year. The non-current portion of the deferred lease incentive liability totaled $13.4 million and $12.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and was primarily generated from tenant improvement allowances and rent abatement. Deferred lease incentives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. The portion of the deferred lease incentive corresponding to the rent payments that will be paid within 12 months of the balance sheet date is classified as current liabilities. We monitor the classification of such liabilities based on the expectation of their utilization periods. Income Taxes We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Current tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the estimated taxes payable or refundable, respectively, on the tax returns for the current year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. To the extent that deferred tax assets will not likely be recovered from future taxable income, a valuation allowance is established against such deferred tax assets. Share-Based Compensation We account for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. Share-based compensation cost is measured based on the grant date fair value of the respective awards. We generally recognize share-based compensation ratably using the straight-line attribution method; however, for those awards with performance criteria and graded vesting features, we use the graded vesting attribution method. We net share-based compensation expense with our estimated amount of expected forfeitures. Sponsorship and Advertising Costs Sponsorship and advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Such expenses for 2014, 2013, and 2012 totaled $8.7 million, $6.6 million, and $6.1 million, respectively, and are a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of earnings. Convertible Senior Notes In September 2014, we issued $250 million principal amount of 1.25% convertible senior notes due 2019 (the “Convertible Notes”) in a private offering. In accordance with ASC 470, Debt, we have separated the Convertible Notes into liability and equity components. The carrying amount of the liability component was determined by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated convertible feature. The carrying value of the equity component representing the conversion option, which is recognized as a debt discount, was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the proceeds of the Convertible Notes. The debt discount is amortized to interest expense over the term of the Convertible Notes. The equity component will not be remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification. Refer to Note 5 “Financing Arrangements” for further information regarding the Convertible Notes. Debt Issuance Costs We amortize the costs we incur to obtain debt financing over the contractual life of the related debt using the effective interest method for non-revolving debt and the straight-line method for revolving debt. The amortization expense is included in Interest expense, net of interest income in our statements of earnings. Unamortized debt issuance costs are included as a component of Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other non-current assets. Foreign Currency Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the United States Dollar (USD) are translated into the USD using the exchange rates in effect at period end. Revenue and expense items are translated using the average exchange rates for the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in Other income, net on the statements of earnings. We recognized immaterial foreign currency transaction losses in 2014 and 2013, and immaterial foreign currency transaction gains in 2012. Segment Reporting ASC 280, Segment Reporting establishes annual and interim reporting standards for an enterprise’s business segments and related disclosures about its products, services, geographic areas, and major customers. Segments are defined as components of a company that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses, and for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision maker manages the business under five operating segments, which are reportable segments: Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, Huron Education and Life Sciences, Huron Business Advisory, and All Other. During the first quarter of 2014, we renamed the Huron Financial segment to Huron Business Advisory. The structure of the segment did not change. Refer to Note 3 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for a description of the internal reporting reorganizations completed in 2013 and 2014. New Accounting Pronouncements In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This ASU requires management to evaluate, at each interim and annual reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued and provide related footnote disclosures. The guidance will be effective for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. This guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, as it relates to such awards. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2016, with early adoption permitted. The amendments of ASU 2014-12 may be applied either (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter, with the cumulative effect of applying the amendments as an adjustment to the opening retained earnings balance as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, ASC 606. The new revenue recognition standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential effect of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements, as well as the transition methods. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This guidance includes amendments that change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and require additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. Examples include a disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment, or other major parts of an entity. Additionally, the revised guidance requires expanded disclosures in the financial statements for discontinued operations as well as for disposals of significant components of an entity that do not qualify for discontinued operations presentation. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2015. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This guidance requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as either a reduction to a deferred tax asset or separately as a liability depending on the existence, availability and/or use of an operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. The Company adopted ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment Upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets Within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity, which amends current accounting guidance on foreign currency matters. This guidance requires that the entire amount of a cumulative translation adjustment related to an entity’s investment in a foreign entity should be released when there has been a: (i) sale of a subsidiary or group of net assets within a foreign entity and the sale represents the substantially complete liquidation of the investment in the foreign entity, (ii) loss of a controlling financial interest in an investment in a foreign entity, and (iii) step acquisition for a foreign entity. The Company adopted ASU 2013-05 effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

3. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The table below sets forth the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.


	Health and Education Consulting			Huron Healthcare		Huron Legal			Huron Education and Life Sciences			Huron Business Advisory			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2012:
Goodwill	$	450,481		$	—	$	52,947		$	—		$	159,077		$	662,505
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—		—			—			(142,983	)		(142,983	)

Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2012		450,481			—		52,947			—			16,094			519,522

Goodwill reallocation		(450,481	)		355,880		—			94,601			—			—
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013	$	—		$	355,880	$	52,947		$	94,601		$	16,094		$	519,522
Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations		—			—		—			17,085			—			17,085
Foreign currency translation		—			—		212			(182	)		—			30

Balance as of December 31, 2013:
Goodwill		—			355,880		53,159			111,504			159,077			679,620
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—		—			—			(142,983	)		(142,983	)

Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2013	$	—		$	355,880	$	53,159		$	111,504		$	16,094		$	536,637

Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations		—			21,708		—			8,308			1,489			31,505
Goodwill reallocation		—			—		—			(16,744	)		16,744			—
Foreign currency translation		—			—		(604	)		(162	)		(230	)		(996	)

Balance as of December 31, 2014:
Goodwill		—			377,588		52,555			102,906			177,080			710,129
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—		—			—			(142,983	)		(142,983	)

Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2014	$	—		$	377,588	$	52,555		$	102,906		$	34,097		$	567,146

First Quarter 2014 Goodwill Reallocation

During the first quarter of 2014, we reorganized our internal operating structure to better align our service offerings and moved our Enterprise Performance Management (“EPM”) practice (formerly referred to as Blue Stone International, a business which we acquired during the fourth quarter of 2013) from the Huron Education and Life Sciences segment to the Huron Business Advisory segment. As a result of this change, we reassigned the goodwill balance of the EPM practice, which totaled $16.7 million as of March 31, 2014, from the Huron Education and Life Sciences reporting unit to the EPM reporting unit, which is part of the Huron Business Advisory segment.

In conjunction with the goodwill reassignment, we performed an interim impairment test for the goodwill balances within our Huron Education and Life Sciences and EPM reporting units as of March 31, 2014. Our goodwill impairment test was performed using the quantitative two-step process. Based on the results of the first step of the goodwill impairment test, we determined that the fair values of our Huron Education and Life Sciences and EPM reporting units exceeded their carrying values, including goodwill. As the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, including goodwill, the second step of the goodwill impairment test was not necessary.

2014 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test

Pursuant to our policy, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2014 on our five reporting units that carry a goodwill balance: Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, Huron Education and Life Sciences operating segments, and the Financial Advisory and EPM practices that make up the Huron Business Advisory operating segment. For the Huron Healthcare, Huron Education and Life Sciences, and Financial Advisory reporting units, we qualitatively assessed whether it is more likely than not that the respective fair values of these reporting units are less than their carrying amounts, including goodwill. Based on that assessment, we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair values of these three reporting units exceed their respective carrying values. As such, performing the first step of the two-step impairment test for these reporting units was unnecessary.

For the Huron Legal and EPM reporting units, we performed the first step of the quantitative two-step impairment test by comparing the fair value of the reporting units to their carrying amounts, inclusive of assigned goodwill. In estimating the fair value of the Huron Legal and EPM reporting units, we relied on a combination of the income approach and the market approach, utilizing the guideline company method, with a fifty-fifty weighting. Significant assumptions inherent in the valuation methodologies for goodwill are utilized and include, but are not limited to, prospective financial information, growth rates, discount rates, and comparable multiples from publicly traded companies in our industry. Based on the result of the first step of this goodwill impairment analysis, we determined that the fair value of the Huron Legal and EPM reporting units exceeded their carrying values by 28% and 14%, respectively, and, therefore, step two of the two-step goodwill impairment test was unnecessary.

After completing our annual goodwill impairment tests for each reporting unit as of November 30, 2014, we concluded that goodwill was not impaired.

First Quarter 2013 Goodwill Reallocation

During the first quarter of 2013, we changed our internal financial reporting structure. Under the new structure, our former Health and Education Consulting segment became two separate segments: Huron Healthcare and Huron Education and Life Sciences. In addition, certain immaterial practices which were historically part of our Health and Education Consulting segment were combined and disclosed in our All Other segment. The Legal Consulting segment is now referred to as Huron Legal and the Financial Consulting segment is now referred to as Huron Business Advisory. The structure of the Legal Consulting and Financial Consulting segments did not change. As a result of these changes, we now have five reportable segments, which are the same as our operating segments.

In accordance with ASC 350, we reassigned the goodwill balance of the Health and Education Consulting segment using the relative fair value approach based on an evaluation of expected future discounted cash flows. Based on this relative fair value analysis, we reassigned $355.9 million of goodwill to Huron Healthcare and $94.6 million of goodwill to Huron Education and Life Sciences.

In conjunction with the goodwill reassignment, we performed the first step of the goodwill impairment test for the goodwill balances within our Huron Healthcare and Huron Education and Life Sciences reporting units as of January 2, 2013. Based on the result of the first step of the goodwill impairment test, we determined that the fair values of our Huron Healthcare and Huron Education and Life Sciences reporting units exceeded their carrying values. Since the fair values of both reporting units exceeded their carrying values, the second step of the goodwill impairment test was not necessary.

Third Quarter 2012 Goodwill Impairment Charge

In the second quarter of 2012, our Huron Business Advisory segment leadership undertook several initiatives intended to improve the reporting unit’s financial performance. While the reporting unit’s third quarter financial results improved over the second quarter results, the progress of the financial, operational, and business development improvements was not in line with our expectations, causing us to believe that the likely time frame to improve the reporting unit’s performance would be longer than originally anticipated. Therefore, we concluded that the carrying value of the reporting unit likely exceeded its fair value and, in connection with the preparation of our financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, we performed an interim impairment test.

Our goodwill impairment test was performed using the quantitative two-step process. In the first step, we compared the fair value of the Huron Business Advisory reporting unit with its net book value (or carrying amount), including goodwill. In estimating the fair value of the Huron Business Advisory reporting unit, we relied on a combination of the income approach and the market approach, utilizing the guideline company method, with a fifty-fifty weighting. Based on the result of the first step, we determined that the fair value of our Huron Business Advisory reporting unit was less than its carrying value as of September 30, 2012 and, as such, we applied the second step of the goodwill impairment test to this reporting unit. The second step compared the implied fair value of the Huron Business Advisory reporting unit’s goodwill with 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. That is, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit. Based on the result of the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis, we recorded a $13.1 million non-cash pretax charge in the third quarter of 2012 to reduce the carrying value of goodwill in our Huron Business Advisory reporting unit.

Acquisitions

During the first quarter of 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of The Frankel Group Associates LLC, a New York-based life sciences consulting firm, within the Huron Education and Life Sciences segment. The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $18.0 million, which included the fair value of contingent consideration of $0.6 million. As part of the purchase price allocation, we recorded $5.7 million of intangible assets and $8.3 million of goodwill.

During the second quarter of 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Vonlay, LLC, a healthcare technology consulting firm, within the Huron Healthcare segment. The fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $34.5 million. As part of the purchase price allocation, we recorded $8.3 million of intangible assets and $21.7 million of goodwill.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Threshold Consulting, Inc., a provider of cloud-based Software as a Service applications, data warehousing and business intelligence solutions, as well as customer relationship management consulting services, within the Huron Business Advisory segment. The fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $2.1 million, which included the fair value of contingent consideration of $0.2 million. As part of the purchase price allocation, we recorded $0.6 million of intangible assets and $1.5 million of goodwill.

During 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Blue Stone International, LLC, a Chicago-based provider of professional services supporting Oracle enterprise performance management, information management and business intelligence solutions, within the Huron Education and Life Sciences segment. The aggregate fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $30.0 million. We recorded $8.8 million of intangible assets and $17.1 million of goodwill related to this acquisition.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:


		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Useful Life in Years	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer contracts	1	$	243	$	71	$	689	$	226
Customer relationships	3 to 13		42,345		21,228		31,946		14,814
Non-competition agreements	5 to 6		3,495		1,072		5,480		3,655
Trade names	1 to 8		160		67		120		24
Technology and software	3 to 5		4,321		3,461		4,041		2,559
Document reviewer database	3		—		—		450		270
License	2		50		31		50		6

Total		$	50,614	$	25,930	$	42,776	$	21,554

Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The majority of the customer relationships are amortized on an accelerated basis to correspond to the cash flows expected to be derived from the relationships. All other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis.

Intangible assets amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $11.1 million, $6.8 million, and $7.0 million, respectively. Estimated intangible assets amortization expense is $8.6 million for 2015, $6.2 million for 2016, $4.4 million for 2017, $3.1 million for 2018, and $1.4 million for 2019. Actual amortization expense could differ from these estimated amounts as a result of future acquisitions and other factors.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Property and Equipment, Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment, Net

4. Property and Equipment, Net

Depreciation expense for property and equipment was $18.0 million, $16.6 million, and $15.3 million for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Property and equipment at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below:


	December 31,
	2014			2013
Computers, related equipment, and software	$	86,769		$	69,979
Leasehold improvements		43,742			39,343
Furniture and fixtures		20,003			19,442
Assets under capital lease		925			1,022
Assets under construction		594			612

Property and equipment		152,033			130,398
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(107,356	)		(91,656	)

Property and equipment, net	$	44,677		$	38,742

Financing Arrangements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Financing Arrangements

5. Financing Arrangements

A summary of the carrying amounts of our debt is as follows (in thousands):


	December 31,
	2014			2013
1.25% convertible senior notes due 2019	$	212,852		$	—
Senior secured credit facility		143,750			168,750

Total debt		356,602			168,750
Current maturities of debt		(28,750	)		(25,000	)

Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	327,852		$	143,750

Convertible Notes

In September 2014, the Company issued $250 million principal amount of 1.25% convertible senior notes due 2019 (the “Convertible Notes”) in a private offering. The Convertible Notes are governed by the terms of an indenture between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (the “Indenture”). The Convertible Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will pay interest semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year at an annual rate of 1.25%. The Convertible Notes will mature on October 1, 2019, unless earlier repurchased by the Company or converted in accordance with their terms.

Upon conversion, the Convertible Notes will be settled, at our election, in cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock. Our current intent and policy is to settle conversions with a combination of cash and shares of common stock with the principal amount of the Convertible Notes paid in cash, in accordance with the settlement provisions of the Indenture.

The initial conversion rate for the Convertible Notes is 12.5170 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes, which is equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $79.89 per share of our common stock. The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events but will not be adjusted for accrued and unpaid interest, except in certain limited circumstances described in the Indenture. Upon the occurrence of a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined in the Indenture) the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate by a number of additional shares for a holder that elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change. Additionally, if the Company undergoes a “fundamental change” (as defined in the Indenture), a holder will have the option to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of its Convertible Notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes being repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest. As discussed below, the warrants, which were entered into in connection with the Convertible Notes, effectively raise the price at which economic dilution would occur from the initial conversion price of approximately $79.89 to approximately $97.12 per share.

Holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their Convertible Notes at their option at any time prior to July 1, 2019, only under the following circumstances:

•

during any calendar quarter (and only during such calendar quarter) commencing after December 31, 2014 if, for each of at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for such trading day is equal to or greater than 130% of the applicable conversion price on such trading day;

•

during the five consecutive business day period immediately following any five consecutive trading day period (such five consecutive trading day period, the “measurement period”) in which, for each trading day of the measurement period, the “trading price” (as defined in the Indenture) per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes for such trading day was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for such trading day and the applicable conversion rate on such trading day; or

•

upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions described in the Indenture.

On or after July 1, 2019 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, a holder may convert all or a portion of its Convertible Notes, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.

In accordance with ASC 470, Debt, we have separated the Convertible Notes into liability and equity components. The carrying amount of the liability component was determined by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated convertible feature, assuming our non-convertible debt borrowing rate. The carrying value of the equity component representing the conversion option, which is recognized as a debt discount, was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the proceeds of the Convertible Notes. The debt discount is amortized to interest expense using an effective interest rate of 4.837% over the term of the Convertible Notes. As of December 31, 2014, the remaining life of the Convertible Notes is 4.8 years. The equity component will not be remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification.

As of December 31, 2014, the Convertible Notes consisted of the following (in thousands):


Liability component:
Proceeds	$	250,000
Less: debt discount, net of amortization		(37,148	)

Net carrying amount	$	212,852

Equity component⁽¹⁾	$	39,287

⁽¹⁾	Included in Additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014.

The transaction costs related to the issuance of the Convertible Notes were separated into liability and equity components based on their relative values, as determined above. Transaction costs attributable to the liability component are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the term of the Convertible Notes, and transaction costs attributable to the equity component were netted with the equity component of the Convertible Notes in stockholders’ equity. Total debt issuance costs were approximately $7.3 million, of which $6.2 million was allocated to liability issuance costs and $1.1 million was allocated to equity issuance costs.

The following table presents the amount of interest expense recognized related to the Convertible Notes (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31, 2014
Contractual interest coupon	$	964
Amortization of debt issuance costs		360
Amortization of debt discount		2,139

Total interest expense recognized	$	3,463

In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, we entered into convertible note hedge transactions and warrant transactions. The convertible note hedge transactions are intended to reduce the potential future economic dilution associated with the conversion of the Convertible Notes and, combined with the warrants, effectively raise the price at which economic dilution would occur from the initial conversion price of approximately $79.89 to approximately $97.12 per share. For purposes of the computation of diluted earnings per share in accordance with U.S. GAAP, dilution will occur when the average share price of our common stock for a given period exceeds the conversion price of the Convertible Notes, which initially is equal to approximately $79.89 per share. The convertible note hedge transactions and warrant transactions are discussed separately below.

•

Convertible Note Hedge Transactions. In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, the Company entered into the convertible note hedge transactions whereby the Company has call options to purchase a total of approximately 3.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock, which is the number of shares initially issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes in full, at a price of approximately $79.89, which corresponds to the initial conversion price of the Convertible Notes, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments substantially similar to those in the Convertible Notes. The convertible note hedge transactions are exercisable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes and will expire in 2019 if not earlier exercised. We paid an aggregate amount of $42.1 million for the convertible note hedge transactions, which was recorded as additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets. The convertible note hedge transactions are separate transactions and are not part of the terms of the Convertible Notes.

•

Warrants. In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, the Company sold warrants whereby the holders of the warrants have the option to purchase a total of approximately 3.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price of approximately $97.12. The warrants will expire incrementally on 100 different dates from January 6, 2020 to May 28, 2020 and are exercisable at each such expiry date. If the average market value per share of our common stock for the reporting period exceeds the strike price of the warrants, the warrants will have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share. We received aggregate proceeds of $23.6 million from the sale of the warrants, which was recorded as additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets. The warrants are separate transactions and are not part of the terms of the Convertible Notes or the convertible note hedge transactions.

The Company recorded a deferred tax liability of $15.4 million in connection with the debt discount associated with the Convertible Notes and recorded a deferred tax asset of $16.5 million in connection with the convertible note hedge transactions. The deferred tax liability and deferred tax asset are included in non-current deferred tax liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Senior Secured Credit Facility

During 2011, the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries as guarantors entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (as amended and modified, the “2011 Credit Agreement”). The 2011 Credit Agreement consists of a senior secured credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $450.0 million comprised of a five-year revolving credit facility (“Revolver”) under which the Company may borrow from time to time up to $247.5 million and a $202.5 million five-year term loan facility (“Term Loan”) that was funded in a single advance on the closing date of the first amendment. The 2011 Credit Agreement provides for the option to increase the revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount of up to $50 million subject to certain requirements as defined in the 2011 Credit Agreement. The proceeds of the senior secured credit facility were used to refinance existing indebtedness and will continue to be used for working capital, capital expenditures, and other corporate purposes.

The obligations under the 2011 Credit Agreement are secured pursuant to a Security Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. as Collateral Agent. The Security Agreement grants Bank of America, N.A., for the ratable benefit of the lenders under the 2011 Credit Agreement, a first-priority lien, subject to permitted liens, on substantially all of the personal property assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors. The Revolver and Term Loan are also secured by a pledge of 100% of the voting stock or other equity interests in our domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the voting stock or other equity interests in our foreign subsidiaries.

Fees and interest on borrowings vary based on our total debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) ratio as set forth in the 2011 Credit Agreement. Interest is based on a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or a spread over the base rate, as selected by the Company. The base rate is the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, (b) the Prime Rate and (c) except during a Eurodollar Unavailability Period, the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.0%.

As of December 31, 2014, the Term Loan had a principal amount outstanding of $143.8 million, which is subject to scheduled quarterly principal payments. The current quarterly principal payments are $6.3 million and increase to $7.5 million beginning June 30, 2015 until the maturity date of September 25, 2018, at which time a final payment of $40 million, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, will be due, as set forth in the 2011 Credit Agreement. All outstanding borrowings under the Revolver, as amended, will be due upon expiration of the 2011 Credit Agreement on September 25, 2018. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has made all scheduled quarterly amortization payments as they have come due in accordance with the Term Loan.

Under the 2011 Credit Agreement, dividends are restricted to an amount up to $50 million plus 50% of cumulative consolidated net income from the closing date of the 2011 Credit Agreement plus 50% of the net cash proceeds from equity issuances.

The 2011 Credit Agreement contains quarterly financial covenants that require us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 2.25 to 1.00 and a maximum leverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00, as those ratios are defined therein, as well as a minimum net worth greater than $150 million. At December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with these financial covenants with a fixed charge coverage ratio of 4.50 to 1.00, a leverage ratio of 0.98 to 1.00, and net worth greater than $150 million.

Borrowings outstanding under the senior secured credit facility at December 31, 2014 totaled $143.8 million, all of which was under the Term Loan. These borrowings carried a weighted average interest rate of 2.3%, including the effect of the interest rate swaps described below in Note 9 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity.” Borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2013 were $168.8 million and carried a weighted average interest rate of 2.0%. The borrowing capacity under the Revolver is reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the Revolver and outstanding letters of credit. At December 31, 2014, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Revolver, and outstanding letters of credit totaled $5.1 million, which are primarily used as security deposits for our office facilities. As of December 31, 2014, the unused borrowing capacity under the 2011 Credit Agreement was $242.4 million.

Capital Structure	12 Months Ended
Capital Structure	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Structure	6. Capital Structure Preferred Stock We are authorized to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors, without any further stockholder action or approval, to issue these shares in one or more classes or series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each class or series, and to fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each wholly unissued class or series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, no such preferred stock has been approved or issued. Common Stock We are authorized to issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. Subject to the rights and preferences of the holders of any series of preferred stock that may at the time be outstanding, holders of common stock are entitled to such dividends as our board of directors may declare. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, after payment of all of our debts and liabilities and subject to the rights and preferences of the holders of any series of preferred stock that may at the time be outstanding, holders of common stock will be entitled to receive the distribution of any of our remaining assets.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

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+ Details

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

7. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding unvested restricted common stock. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential reduction in earnings per share that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock under the treasury stock method. Such securities or other contracts include unvested restricted stock awards, outstanding common stock options, convertible senior notes, and outstanding warrants, to the extent dilutive. Earnings per share under the basic and diluted computations are as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013			2012
Net income from continuing operations	$	79,051	$	66,463		$	35,953
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		(30	)		475

Net income	$	79,051	$	66,433		$	36,428

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic		22,431		22,322			21,905
Weighted average common stock equivalents		494		455			380

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted		22,925		22,777			22,285

Net earnings per basic share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	3.52	$	2.98		$	1.64
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		—			0.02

Net income	$	3.52	$	2.98		$	1.66

Net earnings per diluted share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	3.45	$	2.92		$	1.61
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		—			0.02

Net income	$	3.45	$	2.92		$	1.63

The anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of the weighted average common stock equivalents presented above were as follows (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Unvested restricted stock awards		17		—		43
Outstanding common stock options		—		76		42
Convertible senior notes		3,129		—		—
Warrants related to the issuance of convertible senior notes		3,129		—		—

Total anti-dilutive securities		6,275		76		85

See Note 5 “Financing Arrangements” for further information on the convertible senior notes and warrants related to the issuance of convertible notes.

In February 2014, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program allowing us to repurchase up to $50 million of our common stock through February 28, 2015 (the “February 2014 Share Repurchase Program”). During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, we completed the February 2014 Share Repurchase Program by repurchasing 805,392 shares at an average cost of $62.08 per share. In October 2014, our board of directors authorized a second share repurchase program pursuant to which we may, from time to time, repurchase up to $50 million of our common stock through October 31, 2015 (the “October 2014 Share Repurchase Program”). We have not repurchased any shares under the October 2014 Shares Repurchase Program. The amount and timing of the repurchases will be determined by management and will depend on a variety of factors, including the trading price of our common stock, general market and business conditions, and applicable legal requirements.

Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
Restructuring Charges	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	8. Restructuring Charges During 2014, we incurred $3.4 million of pretax restructuring expense. This expense primarily consisted of the following charges: Office exit costs – In 2014, we incurred charges totaling $2.0 million related to the consolidation of office space in Washington, D.C., Chicago, London, New York, and the closure of our office in San Diego. The charges primarily consisted of the accrual of remaining lease obligations at vacated spaces, net of estimated sublease income. The vacated locations in Chicago and New York were acquired as part of business acquisitions during 2013 and 2014. Accelerated depreciation – We incurred $1.1 million of accelerated depreciation expense on leasehold improvements at our vacated offices discussed above. Severance – We incurred a $0.2 million restructuring charge related to workforce reductions in our London office to better align our resources with market demand in our Huron Legal segment. Contract termination costs – In the fourth quarter of 2014, we paid $0.1 million for the early termination of certain telecom contracts related to the vacated office space in San Diego. As of December 31, 2014, our restructuring charge liability was $1.2 million, and primarily consists of the present value of remaining lease payments, net of estimated sublease income, for our vacated office spaces in Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New York. The restructuring charge liability is included as a component of Accrued expenses and Deferred compensation and other liabilities. During 2013, we incurred a $0.8 million pretax restructuring expense. This expense primarily consisted of the following charges: Office exit costs—In the second quarter of 2013, we recorded a $0.6 million charge related to the consolidation of office space in Washington, D.C. The charge primarily consisted of the accrual of remaining lease payments. Contract termination costs—In the fourth quarter of 2013, we incurred a $0.2 million charge for the early termination of certain computer lease contracts related to the integration of our Blue Stone acquisition. During 2012, we incurred a $4.0 million pretax restructuring expense. This expense primarily consisted of the following charges: Severance—As the result of workforce reductions to better align our resources with market demand we incurred severance expense of $0.4 million relating to the wind-down of certain operations in the Middle East in our Huron Education and Life Sciences and All Other segments. Office exit costs—During 2012, we consolidated our Washington, D.C. office space and relocated one of our New York City offices. In conjunction with the Washington, D.C. office space consolidation, we recorded a $0.7 million charge related to the present value of the remaining lease payments through 2015 for our old office space, net of estimated sublease income. We relocated the New York City office during the fourth quarter of 2012 and incurred a $0.7 million charge for brokerage fees related to the execution of a sublease agreement for the space we exited. We did not incur a lease charge related to the relocation of our New York City office space as income from our subtenant is expected to more than offset our remaining lease obligations through 2016, net of our deferred lease liability. These charges were partially offset by a $0.9 million net favorable impact related to updated assumptions for certain lease accruals related to previously vacated office spaces and a release from our obligation for certain vacated space at our Chicago headquarters in connection with the lease amendment entered into during the fourth quarter. Accelerated depreciation—We incurred $2.5 million of accelerated depreciation expense on leasehold improvements at our New York City office location, which we vacated during the fourth quarter of 2012, as discussed above. We also incurred $0.4 million of accelerated depreciation expense on leasehold improvements at one of our Washington, D.C. office locations and our Amman, Jordan office location, which we vacated during 2012.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity

9. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity

On December 8, 2011, we entered into a forward amortizing interest rate swap agreement effective on February 29, 2012 and ending on April 14, 2016. We entered into this derivative instrument to hedge against the interest rate risks of our variable-rate borrowings described in Note 5 “Financing Arrangements.” The swap had an initial notional amount of $56.6 million and amortizes throughout the term. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, we receive from the counterparty interest on the notional amount based on one-month LIBOR and we pay to the counterparty a fixed rate of 0.9875%.

On May 30, 2012, we entered into an amortizing interest rate swap agreement effective on May 31, 2012 and ending on April 14, 2016. We entered into this derivative instrument to further hedge against the interest rate risks of our variable-rate borrowings. The swap had an initial notional amount of $37.0 million and amortizes throughout the term. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, we receive from the counterparty interest on the notional amount based on one-month LIBOR and we pay to the counterparty a fixed rate of 0.70%.

On April 4, 2013, we entered into a forward amortizing interest rate swap agreement effective on March 31, 2014 and ending on August 31, 2017. We entered into this derivative instrument to further hedge against the interest rate risks of our variable-rate borrowings. The swap has an initial notional amount of $60.0 million and amortizes such that, collectively with our other two interest rate swaps, we are effectively fixing the interest rate on 80% of our Term Loan borrowings throughout the term of the swap agreement. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, we will receive from the counterparty interest on the notional amount based on one-month LIBOR and we will pay to the counterparty a fixed rate of 0.985%.

ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the balance sheet. In accordance with ASC 815, we have designated these derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. As such, changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) to the extent of effectiveness and reclassified into interest expense upon settlement. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative instruments is recognized in interest expense. As of December 31, 2014, it was anticipated that $0.4 million of the losses, net of tax, currently recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months. Our interest rate swap agreements were effective during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

The table below sets forth additional information relating to these interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.


	Fair Value (Derivative Asset and Liability)
Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
Other non-current assets	$	516	$	752
Accrued expenses	$	643	$	765
Deferred compensation and other liabilities	$	10	$	140

All of the Company’s derivative instruments are transacted under the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreements. These agreements permit the net settlement of amounts owed in the event of default and certain other termination events. Although netting is permitted, it is the Company’s policy to record all derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All of the Company’s derivative instruments as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were held with the same counterparty.

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

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

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+ Details

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Certain of our assets and liabilities are measured at fair value. ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or the price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value and requires companies to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels based on the objectivity of the inputs as follows:


Level 1 Inputs		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs		Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3 Inputs		Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The table below sets forth the fair value hierarchy for our remaining financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.


	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
December 31, 2014
Assets:
Promissory note	$	—	$	—	$	2,137	$	2,137
Interest rate swaps		—		172		—		172
Convertible debt investment		—		—		12,250		12,250

Total assets	$	—	$	172	$	14,387	$	14,559


Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	309	$	—	$	309
Contingent acquisition liability		—		—		226		226

Total liabilities	$	—	$	309	$	226	$	535


December 31, 2013
Assets:
Promissory note	$	—	$	—	$	2,726	$	2,726
Interest rate swaps		—		430		—		430

Total assets	$	—	$	430	$	2,726	$	3,156


Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	583	$	—	$	583
Deferred acquisition payment		—		—		5,177		5,177

Total liabilities	$	—	$	583	$	5,177	$	5,760

Promissory note: As part of the consideration received for the sale of our Accounting Advisory practice on December 30, 2011, the Company received a $3.5 million promissory note payable over four years. During the first quarter of 2014, we agreed to restructure the note to temporarily decrease the quarterly payment amounts, increase the interest rate and extend the term of the note to mature on October 31, 2017. During the second quarter of 2014, we agreed to amend and restate the note such that principal payments will be paid to the Company annually based on the amount of excess cash flows earned each year by the maker of the note until the maturity date of December 31, 2018, at which time the remaining principal balance and any accrued interest is due. The fair value of the note is based on the net present value of the projected cash flows using a discount rate of 17%, which accounts for the risks associated with the note. The decrease in the fair value of the note during 2014 reflects principal payments received, the amendment of terms, and the increased discount rate of 17%, less the accretion of interest income in excess of interest payments received. The portion of the note expected to be received in the next twelve months is recorded as a receivable in Prepaid expenses and other current assets. The remaining portion of the note is recorded in Other non-current assets.

Interest rate swaps: The fair value of the interest rate swaps was derived using estimates to settle the interest rate swap agreements, which are based on the net present value of expected future cash flows on each leg of the swaps utilizing market-based inputs and discount rates reflecting the risks involved.

Convertible debt investment: In July 2014, we made a $10 million investment, in the form of zero coupon convertible debt, in Shorelight Holdings, LLC (“Shorelight”), the parent company of Shorelight Education, a U.S.-based company that partners with leading nonprofit universities to increase access and retention of international students, boost institutional growth, and enhance an institution’s global footprint. In August 2014, we purchased an additional $2.5 million convertible note of Shorelight, increasing the cost basis of our investment to $12.5 million. The notes will mature on July 1, 2020, unless converted earlier.

To determine the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment, we performed a variable interest entity (“VIE”) analysis and concluded that Shorelight does not meet the definition of a VIE. We also reviewed the characteristics of our investment to confirm that the convertible notes are not in-substance common stock that would warrant equity method accounting. After we reviewed all of the terms of the investment, we concluded the appropriate accounting treatment to be that of an available-for-sale security in accordance with ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities.

The investment is carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. We estimated the fair value of our investment using cash flow projections discounted at a risk-adjusted rate and certain assumptions related to equity volatility, default probability, and recovery rate, all of which are Level 3 inputs. In arriving at the estimated fair value, we also considered the probability-weighted likelihood of conversion of the notes, in accordance with the various conversion features of the notes. An unrealized loss of $0.3 million was recorded in Other comprehensive income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, we concluded that the unrealized loss was not other than temporary as we have the intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to recover the loss. The fair value of the convertible debt investment is recorded in Long-term investment.

Deferred acquisition payment: Deferred acquisition payments are included in the total purchase consideration for certain business acquisitions made by the Company and represent fixed future payments owed to the sellers of those businesses. The fair value of our liability as of December 31, 2013 was based on the net present value of one final payment related to a 2012 acquisition. The payment of $5.3 million, which consisted of the remaining principal and accrued interest, was made in July 2014.

Contingent acquisition liability: We estimate the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model. This fair value measure is based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of our contingent consideration are our measures of the estimated payouts based on internally generated financial projections and discount rates. The fair value of the contingent consideration is reassessed on a quarterly basis based on assumptions used in our latest projections and input provided by practice leaders and management. Any change in the fair value estimate is recorded in the earnings of that period. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded $0.8 million in contingent consideration liabilities for acquisitions completed during the year. In addition, we determined that the fair value of one contingent consideration liability had declined to zero and recorded a remeasurement gain of $0.6 million. Refer to Note 3 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for information on the acquisitions completed in 2014. The fair value of the contingent acquisition liability is recorded in Accrued consideration for business acquisitions.

Financial assets and liabilities not recorded at fair value are as follows:

Senior secured credit facility

The carrying value of our senior secured credit facility is stated at cost. Our carrying value approximates fair value, using Level 2 inputs, as the senior secured credit facility bears interest at variable rates based on market rates as set forth in the 2011 Credit Agreement. Refer to Note 5 “Financing Arrangements.”

Convertible Notes

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Convertible Notes are as follows (in thousands):


	December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
1.25% convertible senior notes due 2019	$	212,852	$	261,903

The difference between the $250 million principal amount of the Convertible Notes and the carrying amount represents the unamortized debt discount. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value of the equity component of $39.3 million was unchanged from the date of issuance. Refer to Note 5 “Financing Arrangements” for additional details of our Convertible Notes. The estimated fair value of the Convertible Notes was determined based on the quoted bid price of the Convertible Notes in an over-the-counter market on December 31, 2014, which is a Level 2 input.

Based on the closing price of our common stock of $68.39 on December 31, 2014, the if-converted value of the Convertible Notes was less than the principal amount.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

11. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The table below sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.


	Foreign Currency Translation			Available-for- Sale Investments			Cash Flow Hedges			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	(934	)	$	—		$	(275	)	$	(1,209	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(106)		129			—			—			129
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Change in fair value, net of tax of $454		—			—			(679	)		(679	)
Reclassification adjustment into earnings, net of tax of $(267)		—			—			400			400

Balance as of December 31, 2012		(805	)		—			(554	)		(1,359	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $48		89			—			—			89
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Change in fair value, net of tax of $(83)		—			—			139			139
Reclassification adjustment into earnings, net of tax of $(223)		—			—			334			334

Balance as of December 31, 2013		(716	)		—			(81	)		(797	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $111		(1,618	)		—			—			(1,618	)
Unrealized loss on investments, net of tax of $0		—			(250	)		—			(250	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Change in fair value, net of tax of $341		—			—			(510	)		(510	)
Reclassification adjustment into earnings, net of tax of $(347)		—			—			520			520

Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(2,334	)	$	(250	)	$	(71	)	$	(2,655	)

The before tax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our cash flow hedges are recorded to Interest expense, net of interest income.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e689-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669619-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
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-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e709-108580

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e681-108580

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Reclassification Adjustments
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522872

+ Details

Employee Benefit and Deferred Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit and Deferred Compensation Plans	Dec. 31, 2014
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit and Deferred Compensation Plans	12. Employee Benefit and Deferred Compensation Plans We sponsor a qualified defined contribution 401(k) plan covering substantially all of our employees. Under the plan, employees are entitled to make pretax contributions. We match an amount equal to the employees’ contributions up to 6% of the employees’ salaries. Our matching contributions for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $16.2 million, $13.8 million, and $12.0 million, respectively. We have a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) that is administered by our board of directors or a committee designated by the board of directors. Under the Plan, members of the board of directors and a select group of our employees may elect to defer the receipt of their director retainers and meeting fees or base salary and bonus, as applicable. Additionally, we may credit amounts to a participant’s deferred compensation account in accordance with employment or other agreements entered into between us and the participant. At our sole discretion, we may, but are not required to, credit any additional amount we desire to any participant’s deferred compensation account. Amounts credited are subject to vesting schedules set forth in the Plan, employment agreement or any other agreement entered into between us and the participant. The deferred compensation liability at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $7.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

Equity Incentive Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Equity Incentive Plans

13. Equity Incentive Plans

In 2012, Huron adopted the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”), in order to increase the number of shares of common stock available as equity compensation to employees, non-employee directors, and independent contractors, and to make certain updates to reflect changes in market practices since our last plan, the 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan (the “2004 Plan”) was adopted. The 2012 Plan permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance shares and other share-based or cash-based awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, our common stock.

The 2012 Plan replaced, on a prospective basis, our 2004 Plan such that all future grants will be granted under the 2012 Plan and any outstanding awards granted under the 2004 Plan that are cancelled, expired, forfeited, settled in cash, or otherwise terminated without a delivery of shares to the participant will not become available for grant under the 2012 Plan. Under the 2012 Plan, as originally adopted, 850,000 shares plus 548,204 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2004 Plan were reserved for issuance to eligible participants, for a total of 1,398,204 shares available for issuance as of the adoption date. The 2012 Plan was amended on May 2, 2014 to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance by 850,000 shares. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 1,198,275 shares remain available for issuance. It has been our practice to issue shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options and granting of restricted stock from authorized but unissued shares, except in limited circumstances when they are issued from treasury stock.

The Compensation Committee of the board of directors has the responsibility of interpreting the 2012 Plan and determining all of the terms and conditions of awards made under the 2012 Plan, including when the awards will become exercisable or otherwise vest. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Compensation Committee amended certain share-based awards outstanding under our 2012 Plan and our 2004 Plan to provide for a retirement eligibility provision. Under this provision, eligible employees who have reached 62 years of age and have completed seven years of employment with the Company will continue vesting in their share-based awards after retirement, subject to certain conditions. This retirement eligibility provision will also apply to future awards granted to eligible employees under the 2012 Plan.

Total share-based compensation cost recognized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $20.1 million, $18.3 million, and $15.7 million, respectively, with related income tax benefits of $7.9 million, $7.1 million, and $6.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there was $28.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years.

Stock Options

During 2013 and 2012, the Company granted stock option awards to certain named executive officers. No stock option awards were granted in 2014. The exercise prices of stock options are equal to the fair value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. Subject to acceleration under certain conditions, the majority of our stock options vest annually over four years. All stock options have a ten-year contractual term.

The fair value of the options granted during 2013 and 2012 were calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:


	2013			2012
Black-Scholes option-pricing model:
Expected dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%
Expected volatility		45.0	%		45.0	%
Risk-free rate		1.1	%		1.2	%
Expected option life (in years)		6.25			6.25

Expected volatility was based on our historical stock prices, the historical volatility of comparable companies, and implied volatilities from traded options in our stock. The risk-free interest rates were based on the rate of U.S. Treasury bills with equivalent expected terms of the stock options at the time of the option grant. The expected option life for the 2013 and 2012 option grants was estimated using the simplified method. The simplified method was used due to the lack of sufficient historical data available to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term.

Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 was as follows:


	Number of Options (in thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars)		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013		237		$	27.95		6.2	$	8.2
Granted		—
Exercised		(38	)	$	22.54
Forfeited or expired		—

Outstanding at December 31, 2014		199		$	28.99		6.3	$	7.8

Exercisable at December 31, 2014		149		$	26.35		5.8	$	6.3

The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $17.46 and $17.09, respectively. No stock options were granted in 2014. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $1.6 million, $1.7 million, and $1.2 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Awards

The grant date fair values of our restricted stock awards are measured pursuant to ASC 718 and amortized into expense over the service period. Subject to acceleration under certain conditions, the majority of our restricted stock vests annually over four years.

Restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 was as follows:


	Number of Shares (in thousands)			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars)
Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2013		757		$	35.53
Granted		385		$	66.21
Vested		(302	)	$	33.31
Forfeited		(60	)	$	47.45

Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2014		780		$	50.61

The aggregate fair value of restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $19.8 million, $14.3 million, and $12.2 million, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of restricted stock granted during 2013 and 2012 was $39.76 and $37.46, respectively.

Performance-based Share Awards

During 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company granted performance-based share awards to certain named executive officers and managing directors. The total number of shares earned by recipients of these awards is contingent upon meeting practice and company-wide performance goals. Following the performance period, the awards are subject to the completion of a service period, which is generally an additional two to three years. The earned awards vest on a graded vesting schedule over the service period. For certain performance awards, the recipients may earn additional shares of stock for performance achieved above the stated target. The grant date fair values of our performance-based share awards are measured based on the fair value of our common stock at grant date. Compensation cost is amortized into expense over the service period.

Performance-based stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 was as follows:


	Number of Shares (in thousands)			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars)
Nonvested performance-based stock at December 31, 2013		248		$	38.07
Granted ⁽¹⁾		154		$	64.52
Vested		(78	)	$	35.76
Forfeited ⁽²⁾		(88	)	$	39.65

Nonvested performance-based stock at December 31, 2014 ⁽³⁾		236		$	55.55

(1)

Shares granted in 2014 are presented at the stated target level, which represents the base number of shares that could be earned. Actual shares earned may be below or, for certain grants, above the target level based on the achievement of specific financial goals. Included in the granted shares amount are 9,500 shares earned above the target for awards granted in 2013.

(2)	Forfeited shares include shares forfeited as a result of not meeting the performance criteria of the award as well as shares forfeited upon termination.

(3)

Of the 236,000 nonvested performance-based shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014, 143,500 shares were unearned and subject to achievement of specific financial goals. The actual number of shares earned will be determined after the completion of the performance period based on the achievement of the specific financial goals. Once earned, the awards will be subject to time-based vesting according to the terms of the award.

The aggregate fair value of performance-based stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $5.2 million, $3.6 million, and $2.9 million, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of performance-based stock granted during 2013 and 2012 was $39.19 and $38.18, respectively.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

14. Income Taxes

The income tax expense for continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 consists of the following:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Current:
Federal	$	17,325		$	33,718		$	23,511
State		5,002			6,358			5,033
Foreign		(266	)		27			59

Total current		22,061			40,103			28,603

Deferred:
Federal		11,989			6,181			878
State		1,340			900			289
Foreign		167			(8	)		(75	)

Total deferred		13,496			7,073			1,092

Income tax expense for continuing operations	$	35,557		$	47,176		$	29,695

The components of income from continuing operations before income tax expense were as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
U.S.	$	121,691		$	125,140		$	76,750
Foreign		(7,083	)		(11,501	)		(11,102	)

Total	$	114,608		$	113,639		$	65,648

A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory income tax rate to our effective tax rate for continuing operations is as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Percent of pretax income from continuing operations:
At U.S. statutory tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		4.6			4.3			5.4
Meals and entertainment		0.6			0.5			0.8
Valuation allowance		1.0			2.0			2.0
Disallowed executive compensation		—			—			0.3
Foreign source income		0.8			1.0			2.5
Tax credits / Section 199 Deduction		(0.6	)		(0.8	)		—
Net tax benefit related to “check-the-box” election		(9.7	)		—			—
Other		(0.7	)		(0.5	)		(0.8	)

Effective income tax expense rate for continuing operations		31.0	%		41.5	%		45.2	%

In the first quarter of 2014, we made a tax election to classify one of our wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (commonly referred to as a “check-the-box” election). As a result of this election, we expect to realize an income tax benefit of $13.8 million, of which $2.4 million is unrecognized, resulting in a net recognized tax benefit of $11.4 million. This recognized benefit was partially offset by $1.2 million in expenses in the first quarter of 2014 related to the establishment of a valuation allowance for certain foreign tax credits and increased deferred tax liabilities as a result of the aforementioned election.

The effective tax rate for discontinued operations in 2013 was 39.3% based on a tax benefit of less than $0.1 million. The effective tax rate for discontinued operations in 2012 was 37.8% based on a tax expense of $0.3 million. There was no tax benefit or expense related to discontinued operations in 2014.

The Net deferred tax liabilities for continuing operations at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consist of the following:


	December 31,
	2014			2013
Deferred tax assets:
Share-based compensation	$	10,234		$	6,206
Accrued payroll and other liabilities		8,215			10,922
Deferred lease incentives		6,143			5,470
Convertible note hedge transactions		15,582			—
Revenue recognition		2,289			2,675
Net operating loss carry-forwards		6,373			5,813
Tax credits		1,182			1,002
Other		1,092			1,517

Total deferred tax assets		51,110			33,605
Valuation allowance		(7,152	)		(5,746	)

Net deferred tax assets		43,958			27,859

Deferred tax liabilities:
Prepaid expenses		(3,316	)		(2,950	)
Property and equipment		(3,752	)		(2,622	)
Intangibles and Goodwill		(33,379	)		(25,523	)
Convertible note discount		(14,562	)		—
Other		(926	)		(1,748	)

Total deferred tax liabilities		(55,935	)		(32,843	)

Net deferred tax liability for continuing operations	$	(11,977	)	$	(4,984	)

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had valuation allowances of $7.2 million and $5.7 million, respectively, primarily due to uncertainties relating to the ability to utilize deferred tax assets recorded for foreign losses and foreign tax credits.

The Company has net foreign operating losses of $30.1 million which carry forward indefinitely and state net operating loss carry-forwards of $1.3 million which will expire between 2029 and 2030. The Company also has federal and state tax credit carry-forwards of $1.2 million which expire in 2021 and 2019, respectively.

In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, we recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution.

A reconciliation of our beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:


Balance at January 1, 2012	$	798
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
Additions based on tax positions related to the prior years		117
Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations		(474	)

Balance at December 31, 2012	$	441
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
Additions based on tax positions related to the prior years		40
Decrease based on tax positions related to the prior year		(51	)
Decrease based on settlements with taxing authorities		(19	)

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	411
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		2,410
Additions based on tax positions related to the prior years		—
Decrease based on tax positions related to the prior year		(333	)

Balance at December 31, 2014	$	2,488

Of the $2.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014, $2.5 million would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. We do not expect that changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits during the next 12 months will have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, an immaterial amount was accrued for the potential payment of interest and penalties. Accrued interest and penalties are recorded as a component of provision for income taxes on our consolidated statement of operations.

We file income tax returns with federal, state, local and foreign jurisdictions. Tax years 2012 and 2013 are subject to future examinations by federal tax authorities. Tax years 2009 through 2013 are subject to future examinations by state and local tax authorities. The Company is currently under audit by the states of Michigan and Florida. Our foreign income tax filings are subject to future examinations by the local foreign tax authorities for tax years 2007 through 2013.

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

15. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

Lease Commitments

We lease office space and certain equipment and software under non-cancelable operating and capital lease arrangements expiring on various dates through 2024, with various renewal options. Our principal executive offices located in Chicago, Illinois are under a lease expiring in September 2024. We have a five-year renewal option that will allow us to continue to occupy this office space until September 2029. Office facilities under operating leases include fixed or minimum payments plus, in some cases, scheduled base rent increases over the term of the lease. Certain leases provide for monthly payments of real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses applicable to the property. Some of the leases contain provisions whereby the future rental payments may be adjusted for increases in operating expense above the specified amount. Rental expense, including operating costs and taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $14.9 million, $13.3 million, and $16.8 million, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases and sublease income as of December 31, 2014, are as follows:


	Capital Lease Obligations		Operating Lease Obligations		Sublease Income
2015	$	49	$	14,577	$	4,415
2016		—		13,322		3,133
2017		—		9,945		1,141
2018		—		8,381		945
2019		—		6,864		—
Thereafter		—		26,793		—

Total	$	49	$	79,882	$	9,634

Litigation

Tamalluk Business Development LLC v. Huron Consulting Services LLC (Abu Dhabi Court of First Instance)

On August 22, 2013, we learned that Tamalluk Business Development LLC, who was Huron’s agent in Abu Dhabi, and its principal, Mubarak Ahmad Bin Hamouda Al Dhaheri, filed a claim against Huron Consulting Services LLC in the Abu Dhabi Court of First Instance. The lawsuit alleges that under the agency agreement, Tamalluk was entitled to a commission on certain amounts that Huron collected from Abu Dhabi clients, and that Huron breached the agreement with Tamalluk and caused damages by declining to enter into a client engagement in Abu Dhabi and subsequently terminating the agency agreement with Tamalluk. Claimants allege they are entitled to $50 million for damage to reputation and defamation and another $50 million for breach of contract. Huron submitted its written response on September 25, 2013. The response states that Huron had the right to terminate the agency agreement with Tamalluk, and Huron had the sole discretion whether to accept or reject an engagement. Huron also filed a counterclaim on October 10, 2013 seeking a judicial order to permit the cancellation of Huron’s commercial license to allow Huron to cease doing business in Abu Dhabi. On December 17, 2013, the Abu Dhabi court ruled in Huron’s favor on all claims and held that Huron permissibly terminated the contract with Tamalluk and Huron does not owe Tamalluk any compensation related to Tamalluk’s claims. In addition, the court terminated the Local Sponsorship Agreement as requested by Huron in its counterclaim. Tamalluk appealed the decision, and on March 18, 2014, the appellate court upheld the decision in Huron’s favor. Tamalluk filed an appeal on May 18, 2014 to the Court of Cassation, which is the highest court in Abu Dhabi. On October 21, 2014, the Court of Cassation referred the case back to the appellate court for consideration of Claimants’ allegations relating to damage to reputation and defamation, which the appellate court had not previously addressed. The Court of Cassation ruled in Huron’s favor on the other claims and on Huron’s counterclaim. We continue to believe that the remaining claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.

Physiotherapy Associates

In 2011, Huron was engaged to design and implement new processes, software, tools, and techniques to assist Physiotherapy Associates, Inc. (“PA”) in reducing older accounts receivable levels and optimizing cash flow. The engagement agreement specifically provides that Huron will not be auditing financial statements and that Huron’s services are not designed, and should not be relied on, to disclose weaknesses in internal controls, financial statement errors, irregularities, illegal acts, or disclosure deficiencies.

In November 2013, Physiotherapy Holdings, Inc., and certain subsidiaries and affiliates (including PA) filed a voluntary petition for bankruptcy pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, which resulted in part from claims related to an alleged overstatement of PA’s revenues and profitability in connection with the sale of PA in 2012. The Joint Prepackaged Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”), which was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court in December 2013, establishes and funds a Litigation Trust to pursue certain claims on behalf of certain beneficiaries. The Plan discloses a lengthy list of potential defendants and witnesses regarding these claims, including but not limited to the debtors’ officers, directors, certain employees, former owners, investment bankers, auditors, and various consultants. This list of potential defendants and witnesses includes Huron, as well as three of Huron’s current or former employees.

The Plan suggests that Huron, among others, was involved in “actively marketing PA” for sale and provided opinions to unnamed parties “defending the quality of PA’s earnings.” The Plan further states that the damages to be sought by the Litigation Trust will exceed $300 million. The Litigation Trust has not specified against which potential defendants it will bring claims, if any. We believe the Litigation Trust’s allegations with respect to Huron are without merit and will vigorously defend ourselves should any claim arising out of these alleged facts and circumstances be asserted against us by the Litigation Trust.

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

Guarantees

Guarantees in the form of letters of credit totaling $5.1 million and $4.9 million were outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, to support certain office lease obligations as well as Middle East performance and bid bonds.

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

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

16. Segment Information

Segments are defined by ASC 280, Segment Reporting, as components of a company that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses, and for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision maker manages the business under five operating segments, which are our reportable segments: Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, Huron Education and Life Sciences, Huron Business Advisory, and All Other.

•

Huron Healthcare

Our Huron Healthcare segment provides consulting services to national and regional hospitals and integrated health systems, academic medical centers, community hospitals, and physician practices. We deliver solutions to enhance the ability of our clients to address challenges in the rapidly evolving healthcare environment and improve quality, increase revenue, reduce expenses, and enhance physician, patient, and employee satisfaction across the healthcare enterprise. Our people provide a depth of expertise across the healthcare industry, and our culture of collaboration extends to our client engagements, enabling teams to effectively implement successful client projects.

•

Huron Legal

Our Huron Legal segment provides advisory and business services to assist law departments of major global corporations and their associated law firms with cost and risk reduction, organizational design and development, and operational efficiency. These services add value to organizations by helping them enhance client service and reduce the amount spent on legal services. Our expertise focuses on strategic and management consulting, cost management, and information governance, including matter management, records management, contract management, document review, and discovery services. Included in this segment’s offerings is our Integrated Analytics solution, which is designed to deliver an innovative, comprehensive process resulting in more affordable and predictable discovery costs.

•

Huron Education and Life Sciences

Our Huron Education and Life Sciences segment provides management consulting services and software solutions to the higher education, academic medical center, pharmaceutical and medical device, and research industries. We work with our clients to develop and implement performance improvement, technology, and research enterprise solutions to help them address challenges relating to financial management, strategy, operational and organizational effectiveness, research administration, and regulatory compliance.

•

Huron Business Advisory

Our Huron Business Advisory segment provides services to the C-suite of middle market and large organizations, lending institutions, law firms, investment banks, and private equity firms. We assist clients in a broad range of industries and across the spectrum from healthy, well-capitalized companies to organizations in transition, creditors, owners, and other key constituents.

•

All Other

Our All Other segment consists of any line of business not managed by our other four operating segments. These businesses include our public sector consulting practice and our foreign healthcare and strategic consulting operations based in the Middle East.

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

The table below sets forth information about our operating segments along with the items necessary to reconcile the segment information to the totals reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. We do not present financial information by geographic area because our international operations are immaterial. The historical information in the table below has been restated to conform to our current internal operating and reporting structure. Refer to Note 3 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for detail on the internal reporting reorganizations completed in 2013 and 2014.


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Huron Healthcare:
Revenues	$	415,803		$	358,766		$	288,762
Operating income	$	159,015		$	141,870		$	110,864
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues		38.2	%		39.5	%		38.4	%
Huron Legal:
Revenues	$	183,646		$	182,394		$	184,918
Operating income	$	46,164		$	41,964		$	44,317
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues		25.1	%		23.0	%		24.0	%
Huron Education and Life Sciences:
Revenues	$	145,962		$	143,609		$	129,427
Operating income	$	36,131		$	35,966		$	38,283
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues		24.8	%		25.0	%		29.6	%
Huron Business Advisory:
Revenues	$	62,840		$	34,669		$	22,019
Operating income	$	14,035		$	7,211		$	1,888
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues		22.3	%		20.8	%		8.6	%
All Other:
Revenues	$	3,081		$	1,084		$	835
Operating loss	$	(2,466	)	$	(1,256	)	$	(2,285	)
Segment operating loss as a percentage of segment revenues		N/M			N/M			N/M
Total Company:
Revenues	$	811,332		$	720,522		$	625,961
Reimbursable expenses		77,875			67,267			55,764

Total revenues and reimbursable expenses	$	889,207		$	787,789		$	681,725

Statements of Earnings reconciliation:
Segment operating income	$	252,879		$	225,755		$	193,067
Items not allocated at the segment level:
Other operating expenses and gains		104,869			85,340			88,012
Depreciation and amortization expense		25,014			20,510			18,529
Goodwill impairment charge ⁽¹⁾		—			—			13,083
Other expense, net		8,388			6,266			7,795

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	$	114,608		$	113,639		$	65,648

N/M – Not Meaningful

(1)	The goodwill impairment charges are not allocated at the segment level because the underlying goodwill asset is reflective of our corporate investment in the segments. We do not include the impact of goodwill impairment charges in our evaluation of segment performance.


	December 31,
	2014		2013
Segment Assets ⁽¹⁾:
Huron Healthcare	$	112,190	$	95,900
Huron Legal		29,336		42,190
Huron Education and Life Sciences		28,973		22,783
Huron Business Advisory		19,134		17,809
All Other		379		257
Unallocated assets ⁽²⁾		965,902		706,661

Total assets	$	1,155,914	$	885,600

(1)	The December 31, 2013 segment asset balances have been reclassified to reflect the move of our EPM practice from the Huron Education and Life Sciences segment to the Huron Business Advisory segment.

(2)

Goodwill and intangible assets and our convertible debt investment are included in unallocated assets, as management does not evaluate these items at the segment level when assessing segment performance or allocating resources. See Note 3 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” and Note 10 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for further information on these assets.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, substantially all of our revenues and long-lived assets were attributed to or located in the United States.

No single client generated greater than 10% of our consolidated revenues during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. At December 31, 2013, one Huron Healthcare client’s total receivables and unbilled services balance represented 14% of our total receivables and unbilled services balance. No other client’s total receivables and unbilled services represented greater than 10% of our total receivables and unbilled services balance. At December 31, 2014, no single client’s total receivables and unbilled services balance represented greater than 10% of our total receivables and unbilled services balance.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

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+ Details

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

17. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

The following table summarizes the activity of the allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services and the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:


	Beginning balance		Additions ⁽¹⁾		Deductions		Ending balance
Year ended December 31, 2012:
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services	$	10,682		44,613		48,253	$	7,042
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	$	2,540		1,564		—	$	4,104
Year ended December 31, 2013:
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services	$	7,042		44,123		39,258	$	11,907
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	$	4,104		1,642		—	$	5,746
Year ended December 31, 2014:
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services	$	11,907		50,523		44,426	$	18,004
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	$	5,746		1,406		—	$	7,152

(1)

Additions to allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services are charged to revenues to the extent the provision relates to fee adjustments and other discretionary pricing adjustments. To the extent the provision relates to a client’s inability to make required payments on accounts receivables, the provision is charged to operating expenses. Additions also include allowances acquired in business acquisitions, which were not material in any period presented.

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

18. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)


	Quarter Ended
2014	Mar. 31		Jun. 30		Sep. 30		Dec. 31
Revenues	$	210,731	$	209,405	$	198,049	$	193,147
Reimbursable expenses		19,103		21,141		18,679		18,952
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses		229,834		230,546		216,728		212,099
Gross profit		85,692		84,068		66,951		69,581
Operating income		41,819		34,023		21,277		25,877
Net income from continuing operations		34,126		19,913		12,219		12,793
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		—		—		—
Net income		34,126		19,913		12,219		12,793
Net earnings per basic share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	1.51	$	0.88	$	0.54	$	0.58
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		—		—		—
Net income	$	1.51	$	0.88	$	0.54	$	0.58
Net earnings per diluted share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	1.48	$	0.86	$	0.53	$	0.57
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		—		—		—
Net income	$	1.48	$	0.86	$	0.53	$	0.57
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
Basic		22,588		22,645		22,488		22,010
Diluted		23,086		23,098		22,975		22,548


	Quarter Ended
2013	Mar. 31			Jun. 30			Sep. 30		Dec. 31
Revenues	$	164,036		$	170,407		$	174,735	$	211,344
Reimbursable expenses		15,336			18,123			17,542		16,266
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses		179,372			188,530			192,277		227,610
Gross profit		57,235			66,869			67,984		81,751
Operating income		21,343			30,549			31,119		36,894
Net income from continuing operations		11,369			15,814			17,161		22,119
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(32	)		(9	)		10		1
Net income		11,337			15,805			17,171		22,120
Net earnings per basic share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	0.51		$	0.71		$	0.77	$	0.99
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			—		—
Net income	$	0.51		$	0.71		$	0.77	$	0.99
Net earnings per diluted share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	0.51		$	0.69		$	0.75	$	0.96
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(0.01	)		—			—		—
Net income	$	0.50		$	0.69		$	0.75	$	0.96
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
Basic		22,139			22,351			22,386		22,409
Diluted		22,487			22,760			22,873		22,973

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	19. Subsequent Events Effective January 1, 2015, we completed our acquisition of Sky Analytics, Inc., a Massachusetts-based provider of legal spend management software for corporate law departments. Sky Analytics provides in-house legal departments with a web-based platform to access on-demand legal spend information and analytics. The results of operations of Sky Analytics will be included within the Huron Legal segment. On February 12, 2015, we completed our acquisition of Studer Holdings, Inc. (“Studer Group”). Studer Group and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the healthcare and education consulting, coaching, and publishing business. Under the terms of the merger agreement, we acquired Studer Group for the base purchase price of $325 million, consisting of $323 million in cash and $2 million in Huron common stock. The cash component of the transaction was financed with cash on hand and borrowings under our senior secured credit facility. The results of operations of Studer Group will be included within the Huron Healthcare segment. Supplemental pro forma information of Studer Group is not available as of the date of these financial statements. We have not yet completed a valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in either acquisition.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the financial position at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

Certain amounts reported in the previous years have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Huron Consulting Group Inc. and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures


Level 1 Inputs		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs		Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3 Inputs		Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenues in accordance with ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition.” Under ASC 605, revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the related services are provided, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. We generate the majority of our revenues from providing professional services under four types of billing arrangements: time-and-expense, fixed-fee (including software license revenue), performance-based, and support and maintenance for the software we deploy.

Time-and-expense billing arrangements require the client to pay based on either the number of hours worked, the number of pages reviewed, or the amount of data processed by our revenue-generating professionals at agreed upon rates. We recognize revenues under time-and-expense arrangements as the related services are rendered.

In fixed-fee billing arrangements, we agree to a pre-established fee in exchange for a predetermined set of professional services. We set the fees based on our estimates of the costs and timing for completing the engagements. We recognize revenues under fixed-fee billing arrangements using a proportionate performance approach, which is based on work completed to-date versus our estimates of the total services to be provided under the engagement. Estimates of total engagement revenues and cost of services are monitored regularly during the term of the engagement. If our estimates indicate a potential loss, such loss is recognized in the period in which the loss first becomes probable and reasonably estimable.

In performance-based billing arrangements, fees are tied to the attainment of contractually defined objectives. We do not recognize revenues under performance-based billing arrangements until all related performance criteria are met.

We also generate revenues from licensing two types of proprietary software to clients. Licenses from our revenue cycle management software are sold only as a component of our consulting projects, and the services we provide are essential to the functionality of the software. Therefore, revenues from these software licenses are recognized over the term of the related consulting services contract in accordance with ASC 605. License revenue from our research administration and compliance software is recognized in accordance with ASC 985-605, generally in the month in which the software is delivered.

Clients that have purchased one of our software licenses can pay an annual fee for software support and maintenance. Annual support and maintenance fee revenue is recognized ratably over the support period, which is generally one year. These fees are billed in advance and included in deferred revenues until recognized.

We have arrangements with clients in which we provide multiple elements of services under one engagement contract. Revenues under these types of arrangements are allocated to each element based on the element’s fair value in accordance with ASC 605 and recognized pursuant to the criteria described above.

Provisions are recorded for the estimated realization adjustments on all engagements, including engagements for which fees are subject to review by the bankruptcy courts. Expense reimbursements that are billable to clients are included in total revenues and reimbursable expenses, and typically an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses are included in total direct costs and reimbursable expenses. Reimbursable expenses are primarily recognized as revenue in the period in which the expense is incurred. Subcontractors that are billed to clients at cost are also included in reimbursable expenses.

Differences between the timing of billings and the recognition of revenue are recognized as either unbilled services or deferred revenues in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Revenues recognized for services performed but not yet billed to clients are recorded as unbilled services. Client prepayments and retainers are classified as deferred revenues and recognized over future periods as earned in accordance with the applicable engagement agreement.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Unbilled Services

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Unbilled Services

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts and for services performed but not yet billed based on several factors, including the estimated cash realization from amounts due from clients, an assessment of a client’s ability to make required payments, and the historical percentages of fee adjustments and write-offs by age of receivables and unbilled services. The allowances are assessed by management on a regular basis.

We record the provision for doubtful accounts and unbilled services as a reduction in revenue to the extent the provision relates to fee adjustments and other discretionary pricing adjustments. To the extent the provision relates to a client’s inability to make required payments on accounts receivables, we record the provision to Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Direct Costs and Reimbursable Expenses

Direct Costs and Reimbursable Expenses

Direct costs and reimbursable expenses consist primarily of revenue-generating employee compensation and their related benefit and share-based compensation costs, the cost of outside consultants or subcontractors assigned to revenue-generating activities, other third-party costs directly attributable to our revenue-generating activities, and direct expenses to be reimbursed by clients. Direct costs and reimbursable expenses incurred on engagements are expensed in the period incurred.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments, including overnight investments and commercial paper, with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk

To the extent receivables from clients become delinquent, collection activities commence. No single client balance is considered large enough to pose a material credit risk. The allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services are based upon the expected ability to collect accounts receivable, and bill and collect unbilled services. Management does not anticipate incurring losses on accounts receivable in excess of established allowances. See Note 16 “Segment Information” for concentration of accounts receivable and unbilled services.

We hold our cash in accounts at multiple third-party financial institutions. These deposits, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. We review the credit ratings of these financial institutions, regularly monitor the cash balances in these accounts, and adjust the balances as appropriate. However, these cash balances could be impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions in the financial markets.

Investments

Investments

Our long-term investment consists of our convertible debt investment in Shorelight Holdings, LLC. We classified the investment as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluate such classification as of each balance sheet date. The investment is carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income (loss). When the investment is in an unrealized loss position, we assess whether the investment is other than temporarily impaired. We consider impairments to be other than temporary if they are related to significant credit deterioration or if it is likely we will sell the security before the recovery of its cost basis. We have not identified any other than temporary impairments for our convertible debt investment. In the event there are realized gains and losses or declines in value judged to be other than temporary, we will record the amount in earnings. See Note 10 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for further information on our convertible debt investment.

The investment is carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. We estimated the fair value of our investment using cash flow projections discounted at a risk-adjusted rate and certain assumptions related to equity volatility, default probability, and recovery rate, all of which are Level 3 inputs. In arriving at the estimated fair value, we also considered the probability-weighted likelihood of conversion of the notes, in accordance with the various conversion features of the notes. An unrealized loss of $0.3 million was recorded in Other comprehensive income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. The fair value of the convertible debt investment is recorded in Long-term investment.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value. The carrying values for receivables from clients, unbilled services, accounts payable, deferred revenues, and other accrued liabilities reasonably approximate fair market value due to the nature of the financial instrument and the short-term maturity of these items. See Note 10 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for the accounting policies used to measure the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Software, computers, and related equipment are depreciated over an estimated useful life of two to four years. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated over five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset or the initial term of the lease.

Software Development Costs

Software Development Costs

We expense development costs for software products that will be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed until technological feasibility has been established. Similarly, we expense all development costs after the software is available for general release to customers. During the period between the establishment of technological feasibility and availability for general release to customers, software development costs are capitalized and subsequently reported at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. Capitalized development costs are amortized in proportion to current and future revenue for each product with an annual minimum equal to the straight-line amortization over the remaining estimated economic life of the product. We classify capitalized development costs for software products to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed as “Other non-current assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unamortized capitalized software development costs were $1.4 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we amortized $0.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of capitalized software development costs. We did not amortize any of the capitalized software development costs in 2012 as the products were not yet available for general release to customers.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, including property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a significant decline in forecasted operating results over an extended period of time. The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets based upon forecasted undiscounted cash flows. No impairment charges for long-lived assets were recorded in 2014, 2013, or 2012.

Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill

Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill

We account for intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.” This Topic requires that certain identifiable intangible assets be amortized over their expected useful lives using a method that reflects the economic benefit expected to be derived from the assets or on a straight-line basis. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in a similar manner to our long-lived assets described above. No impairment charges for intangible assets were recorded in 2014, 2013, or 2012.

Goodwill

Goodwill

For acquisitions accounted for as a business combination, goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired. We are required to test goodwill for impairment, at the reporting unit level, annually and when events or circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component) to which goodwill is assigned when initially recorded. We assign goodwill to reporting units based on our integration plans and the expected synergies resulting from the acquisition. We have six reporting units, which consist of our Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, Huron Education and Life Sciences, and All Other operating segments, and our Financial Advisory practice and Enterprise Performance Management (“EPM”) practice, which make up our Huron Business Advisory operating segment.

We test goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. We perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30 and monitor for interim triggering events on an ongoing basis.

Pursuant to our policy, we performed the annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2014 and determined that no impairment of goodwill existed as of that date. Further, we evaluated whether any events have occurred or any circumstances have changed since November 30, 2014 that would indicate goodwill may have become impaired since our annual impairment test. Based on our evaluation as of December 31, 2014, we determined that no indications of impairment have arisen since our annual goodwill impairment test.

See Note 3 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for information regarding our recent goodwill impairment tests and our 2012 goodwill impairment charge.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

We use the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Each acquired company’s operating results are included in our consolidated financial statements starting on the date of acquisition. The purchase price is equivalent to the fair value of consideration transferred. Tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is recognized for the excess of purchase price over the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Contingent consideration, which is primarily based on the business achieving certain performance targets, is recognized at its fair value on the acquisition date, and changes in fair value are recognized in earnings until settled. Refer to Note 10 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for further information regarding our contingent acquisition liability balances.

Deferred Lease Incentives

Deferred Lease Incentives

We record as non-current the portion of the deferred lease incentive liability that we expect to recognize over a period greater than one year. The non-current portion of the deferred lease incentive liability totaled $13.4 million and $12.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and was primarily generated from tenant improvement allowances and rent abatement. Deferred lease incentives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. The portion of the deferred lease incentive corresponding to the rent payments that will be paid within 12 months of the balance sheet date is classified as current liabilities. We monitor the classification of such liabilities based on the expectation of their utilization periods.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Current tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the estimated taxes payable or refundable, respectively, on the tax returns for the current year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. To the extent that deferred tax assets will not likely be recovered from future taxable income, a valuation allowance is established against such deferred tax assets.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

We account for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. Share-based compensation cost is measured based on the grant date fair value of the respective awards. We generally recognize share-based compensation ratably using the straight-line attribution method; however, for those awards with performance criteria and graded vesting features, we use the graded vesting attribution method. We net share-based compensation expense with our estimated amount of expected forfeitures.

Sponsorship and Advertising Costs

Sponsorship and Advertising Costs

Sponsorship and advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Such expenses for 2014, 2013, and 2012 totaled $8.7 million, $6.6 million, and $6.1 million, respectively, and are a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of earnings.

Convertible Senior Notes

Convertible Senior Notes

In September 2014, we issued $250 million principal amount of 1.25% convertible senior notes due 2019 (the “Convertible Notes”) in a private offering. In accordance with ASC 470, Debt, we have separated the Convertible Notes into liability and equity components. The carrying amount of the liability component was determined by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated convertible feature. The carrying value of the equity component representing the conversion option, which is recognized as a debt discount, was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the proceeds of the Convertible Notes. The debt discount is amortized to interest expense over the term of the Convertible Notes. The equity component will not be remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification. Refer to Note 5 “Financing Arrangements” for further information regarding the Convertible Notes.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt Issuance Costs

We amortize the costs we incur to obtain debt financing over the contractual life of the related debt using the effective interest method for non-revolving debt and the straight-line method for revolving debt. The amortization expense is included in Interest expense, net of interest income in our statements of earnings. Unamortized debt issuance costs are included as a component of Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other non-current assets.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the United States Dollar (USD) are translated into the USD using the exchange rates in effect at period end. Revenue and expense items are translated using the average exchange rates for the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a component of stockholders’ equity.

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in Other income, net on the statements of earnings. We recognized immaterial foreign currency transaction losses in 2014 and 2013, and immaterial foreign currency transaction gains in 2012.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

ASC 280, Segment Reporting establishes annual and interim reporting standards for an enterprise’s business segments and related disclosures about its products, services, geographic areas, and major customers. Segments are defined as components of a company that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses, and for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision maker manages the business under five operating segments, which are reportable segments: Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, Huron Education and Life Sciences, Huron Business Advisory, and All Other.

During the first quarter of 2014, we renamed the Huron Financial segment to Huron Business Advisory. The structure of the segment did not change. Refer to Note 3 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for a description of the internal reporting reorganizations completed in 2013 and 2014.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This ASU requires management to evaluate, at each interim and annual reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued and provide related footnote disclosures. The guidance will be effective for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. This guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, as it relates to such awards. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2016, with early adoption permitted. The amendments of ASU 2014-12 may be applied either (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter, with the cumulative effect of applying the amendments as an adjustment to the opening retained earnings balance as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, ASC 606. The new revenue recognition standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential effect of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements, as well as the transition methods.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This guidance includes amendments that change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and require additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. Examples include a disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment, or other major parts of an entity. Additionally, the revised guidance requires expanded disclosures in the financial statements for discontinued operations as well as for disposals of significant components of an entity that do not qualify for discontinued operations presentation. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2015. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This guidance requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as either a reduction to a deferred tax asset or separately as a liability depending on the existence, availability and/or use of an operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. The Company adopted ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment Upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets Within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity, which amends current accounting guidance on foreign currency matters. This guidance requires that the entire amount of a cumulative translation adjustment related to an entity’s investment in a foreign entity should be released when there has been a: (i) sale of a subsidiary or group of net assets within a foreign entity and the sale represents the substantially complete liquidation of the investment in the foreign entity, (ii) loss of a controlling financial interest in an investment in a foreign entity, and (iii) step acquisition for a foreign entity. The Company adopted ASU 2013-05 effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill

The table below sets forth the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.


	Health and Education Consulting			Huron Healthcare		Huron Legal			Huron Education and Life Sciences			Huron Business Advisory			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2012:
Goodwill	$	450,481		$	—	$	52,947		$	—		$	159,077		$	662,505
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—		—			—			(142,983	)		(142,983	)

Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2012		450,481			—		52,947			—			16,094			519,522

Goodwill reallocation		(450,481	)		355,880		—			94,601			—			—
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013	$	—		$	355,880	$	52,947		$	94,601		$	16,094		$	519,522
Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations		—			—		—			17,085			—			17,085
Foreign currency translation		—			—		212			(182	)		—			30

Balance as of December 31, 2013:
Goodwill		—			355,880		53,159			111,504			159,077			679,620
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—		—			—			(142,983	)		(142,983	)

Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2013	$	—		$	355,880	$	53,159		$	111,504		$	16,094		$	536,637

Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations		—			21,708		—			8,308			1,489			31,505
Goodwill reallocation		—			—		—			(16,744	)		16,744			—
Foreign currency translation		—			—		(604	)		(162	)		(230	)		(996	)

Balance as of December 31, 2014:
Goodwill		—			377,588		52,555			102,906			177,080			710,129
Accumulated impairment losses		—			—		—			—			(142,983	)		(142,983	)

Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2014	$	—		$	377,588	$	52,555		$	102,906		$	34,097		$	567,146

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:


		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Useful Life in Years	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer contracts	1	$	243	$	71	$	689	$	226
Customer relationships	3 to 13		42,345		21,228		31,946		14,814
Non-competition agreements	5 to 6		3,495		1,072		5,480		3,655
Trade names	1 to 8		160		67		120		24
Technology and software	3 to 5		4,321		3,461		4,041		2,559
Document reviewer database	3		—		—		450		270
License	2		50		31		50		6

Total		$	50,614	$	25,930	$	42,776	$	21,554

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment

Property and equipment at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below:


	December 31,
	2014			2013
Computers, related equipment, and software	$	86,769		$	69,979
Leasehold improvements		43,742			39,343
Furniture and fixtures		20,003			19,442
Assets under capital lease		925			1,022
Assets under construction		594			612

Property and equipment		152,033			130,398
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(107,356	)		(91,656	)

Property and equipment, net	$	44,677		$	38,742

Financing Arrangements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Carrying Amounts of Debt

A summary of the carrying amounts of our debt is as follows (in thousands):


	December 31,
	2014			2013
1.25% convertible senior notes due 2019	$	212,852		$	—
Senior secured credit facility		143,750			168,750

Total debt		356,602			168,750
Current maturities of debt		(28,750	)		(25,000	)

Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	327,852		$	143,750

Schedule of Notes

As of December 31, 2014, the Convertible Notes consisted of the following (in thousands):


Liability component:
Proceeds	$	250,000
Less: debt discount, net of amortization		(37,148	)

Net carrying amount	$	212,852

Equity component⁽¹⁾	$	39,287

⁽¹⁾	Included in Additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014.

Summary of Interest Expense Recognized

The following table presents the amount of interest expense recognized related to the Convertible Notes (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31, 2014
Contractual interest coupon	$	964
Amortization of debt issuance costs		360
Amortization of debt discount		2,139

Total interest expense recognized	$	3,463

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
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-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

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


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013			2012
Net income from continuing operations	$	79,051	$	66,463		$	35,953
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		(30	)		475

Net income	$	79,051	$	66,433		$	36,428

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic		22,431		22,322			21,905
Weighted average common stock equivalents		494		455			380

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted		22,925		22,777			22,285

Net earnings per basic share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	3.52	$	2.98		$	1.64
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		—			0.02

Net income	$	3.52	$	2.98		$	1.66

Net earnings per diluted share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	3.45	$	2.92		$	1.61
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		—			0.02

Net income	$	3.45	$	2.92		$	1.63

Summary of Anti-dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Weighted Average Common Stock Equivalents

The anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of the weighted average common stock equivalents presented above were as follows (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Unvested restricted stock awards		17		—		43
Outstanding common stock options		—		76		42
Convertible senior notes		3,129		—		—
Warrants related to the issuance of convertible senior notes		3,129		—		—

Total anti-dilutive securities		6,275		76		85

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Fair Value Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments

The table below sets forth additional information relating to these interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.


	Fair Value (Derivative Asset and Liability)
Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
Other non-current assets	$	516	$	752
Accrued expenses	$	643	$	765
Deferred compensation and other liabilities	$	10	$	140

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The table below sets forth the fair value hierarchy for our remaining financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.


	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
December 31, 2014
Assets:
Promissory note	$	—	$	—	$	2,137	$	2,137
Interest rate swaps		—		172		—		172
Convertible debt investment		—		—		12,250		12,250

Total assets	$	—	$	172	$	14,387	$	14,559


Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	309	$	—	$	309
Contingent acquisition liability		—		—		226		226

Total liabilities	$	—	$	309	$	226	$	535


December 31, 2013
Assets:
Promissory note	$	—	$	—	$	2,726	$	2,726
Interest rate swaps		—		430		—		430

Total assets	$	—	$	430	$	2,726	$	3,156


Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	583	$	—	$	583
Deferred acquisition payment		—		—		5,177		5,177

Total liabilities	$	—	$	583	$	5,177	$	5,760

Summary of Carrying Amount and Estimated Fair Value of Convertible Senior Notes

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Convertible Notes are as follows (in thousands):


	December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
1.25% convertible senior notes due 2019	$	212,852	$	261,903

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax

The table below sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.


	Foreign Currency Translation			Available-for- Sale Investments			Cash Flow Hedges			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	(934	)	$	—		$	(275	)	$	(1,209	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(106)		129			—			—			129
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Change in fair value, net of tax of $454		—			—			(679	)		(679	)
Reclassification adjustment into earnings, net of tax of $(267)		—			—			400			400

Balance as of December 31, 2012		(805	)		—			(554	)		(1,359	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $48		89			—			—			89
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Change in fair value, net of tax of $(83)		—			—			139			139
Reclassification adjustment into earnings, net of tax of $(223)		—			—			334			334

Balance as of December 31, 2013		(716	)		—			(81	)		(797	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $111		(1,618	)		—			—			(1,618	)
Unrealized loss on investments, net of tax of $0		—			(250	)		—			(250	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Change in fair value, net of tax of $341		—			—			(510	)		(510	)
Reclassification adjustment into earnings, net of tax of $(347)		—			—			520			520

Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(2,334	)	$	(250	)	$	(71	)	$	(2,655	)

Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Fair Value of Options Granted

The fair value of the options granted during 2013 and 2012 were calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:


	2013			2012
Black-Scholes option-pricing model:
Expected dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%
Expected volatility		45.0	%		45.0	%
Risk-free rate		1.1	%		1.2	%
Expected option life (in years)		6.25			6.25

Schedule of Stock Option Activity

Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 was as follows:


	Number of Options (in thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars)		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013		237		$	27.95		6.2	$	8.2
Granted		—
Exercised		(38	)	$	22.54
Forfeited or expired		—

Outstanding at December 31, 2014		199		$	28.99		6.3	$	7.8

Exercisable at December 31, 2014		149		$	26.35		5.8	$	6.3

Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity

Restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 was as follows:


	Number of Shares (in thousands)			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars)
Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2013		757		$	35.53
Granted		385		$	66.21
Vested		(302	)	$	33.31
Forfeited		(60	)	$	47.45

Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2014		780		$	50.61

Schedule of Performance-Based Stock Activity

Performance-based stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 was as follows:


	Number of Shares (in thousands)			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars)
Nonvested performance-based stock at December 31, 2013		248		$	38.07
Granted ⁽¹⁾		154		$	64.52
Vested		(78	)	$	35.76
Forfeited ⁽²⁾		(88	)	$	39.65

Nonvested performance-based stock at December 31, 2014 ⁽³⁾		236		$	55.55

(1)

(2)	Forfeited shares include shares forfeited as a result of not meeting the performance criteria of the award as well as shares forfeited upon termination.

(3)

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax Expense for Continuing Operations

The income tax expense for continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 consists of the following:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Current:
Federal	$	17,325		$	33,718		$	23,511
State		5,002			6,358			5,033
Foreign		(266	)		27			59

Total current		22,061			40,103			28,603

Deferred:
Federal		11,989			6,181			878
State		1,340			900			289
Foreign		167			(8	)		(75	)

Total deferred		13,496			7,073			1,092

Income tax expense for continuing operations	$	35,557		$	47,176		$	29,695

Components of Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense

The components of income from continuing operations before income tax expense were as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
U.S.	$	121,691		$	125,140		$	76,750
Foreign		(7,083	)		(11,501	)		(11,102	)

Total	$	114,608		$	113,639		$	65,648

Reconciliation of Statutory Income Tax Rate to Our Effective Tax Rate for Continuing Operations

A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory income tax rate to our effective tax rate for continuing operations is as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Percent of pretax income from continuing operations:
At U.S. statutory tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		4.6			4.3			5.4
Meals and entertainment		0.6			0.5			0.8
Valuation allowance		1.0			2.0			2.0
Disallowed executive compensation		—			—			0.3
Foreign source income		0.8			1.0			2.5
Tax credits / Section 199 Deduction		(0.6	)		(0.8	)		—
Net tax benefit related to “check-the-box” election		(9.7	)		—			—
Other		(0.7	)		(0.5	)		(0.8	)

Effective income tax expense rate for continuing operations		31.0	%		41.5	%		45.2	%

Net Deferred Tax Liabilities for Continuing Operations

The Net deferred tax liabilities for continuing operations at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consist of the following:


	December 31,
	2014			2013
Deferred tax assets:
Share-based compensation	$	10,234		$	6,206
Accrued payroll and other liabilities		8,215			10,922
Deferred lease incentives		6,143			5,470
Convertible note hedge transactions		15,582			—
Revenue recognition		2,289			2,675
Net operating loss carry-forwards		6,373			5,813
Tax credits		1,182			1,002
Other		1,092			1,517

Total deferred tax assets		51,110			33,605
Valuation allowance		(7,152	)		(5,746	)

Net deferred tax assets		43,958			27,859

Deferred tax liabilities:
Prepaid expenses		(3,316	)		(2,950	)
Property and equipment		(3,752	)		(2,622	)
Intangibles and Goodwill		(33,379	)		(25,523	)
Convertible note discount		(14,562	)		—
Other		(926	)		(1,748	)

Total deferred tax liabilities		(55,935	)		(32,843	)

Net deferred tax liability for continuing operations	$	(11,977	)	$	(4,984	)

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of our beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:


Balance at January 1, 2012	$	798
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
Additions based on tax positions related to the prior years		117
Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations		(474	)

Balance at December 31, 2012	$	441
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
Additions based on tax positions related to the prior years		40
Decrease based on tax positions related to the prior year		(51	)
Decrease based on settlements with taxing authorities		(19	)

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	411
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		2,410
Additions based on tax positions related to the prior years		—
Decrease based on tax positions related to the prior year		(333	)

Balance at December 31, 2014	$	2,488

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Future Minimum Rental Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Leases and Sublease Income

Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases and sublease income as of December 31, 2014, are as follows:


	Capital Lease Obligations		Operating Lease Obligations		Sublease Income
2015	$	49	$	14,577	$	4,415
2016		—		13,322		3,133
2017		—		9,945		1,141
2018		—		8,381		945
2019		—		6,864		—
Thereafter		—		26,793		—

Total	$	49	$	79,882	$	9,634

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Components of Segment Information


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Huron Healthcare:
Revenues	$	415,803		$	358,766		$	288,762
Operating income	$	159,015		$	141,870		$	110,864
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues		38.2	%		39.5	%		38.4	%
Huron Legal:
Revenues	$	183,646		$	182,394		$	184,918
Operating income	$	46,164		$	41,964		$	44,317
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues		25.1	%		23.0	%		24.0	%
Huron Education and Life Sciences:
Revenues	$	145,962		$	143,609		$	129,427
Operating income	$	36,131		$	35,966		$	38,283
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues		24.8	%		25.0	%		29.6	%
Huron Business Advisory:
Revenues	$	62,840		$	34,669		$	22,019
Operating income	$	14,035		$	7,211		$	1,888
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues		22.3	%		20.8	%		8.6	%
All Other:
Revenues	$	3,081		$	1,084		$	835
Operating loss	$	(2,466	)	$	(1,256	)	$	(2,285	)
Segment operating loss as a percentage of segment revenues		N/M			N/M			N/M
Total Company:
Revenues	$	811,332		$	720,522		$	625,961
Reimbursable expenses		77,875			67,267			55,764

Total revenues and reimbursable expenses	$	889,207		$	787,789		$	681,725

Statements of Earnings reconciliation:
Segment operating income	$	252,879		$	225,755		$	193,067
Items not allocated at the segment level:
Other operating expenses and gains		104,869			85,340			88,012
Depreciation and amortization expense		25,014			20,510			18,529
Goodwill impairment charge ⁽¹⁾		—			—			13,083
Other expense, net		8,388			6,266			7,795

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	$	114,608		$	113,639		$	65,648

N/M – Not Meaningful

(1)	The goodwill impairment charges are not allocated at the segment level because the underlying goodwill asset is reflective of our corporate investment in the segments. We do not include the impact of goodwill impairment charges in our evaluation of segment performance.

Segment Assets


	December 31,
	2014		2013
Segment Assets ⁽¹⁾:
Huron Healthcare	$	112,190	$	95,900
Huron Legal		29,336		42,190
Huron Education and Life Sciences		28,973		22,783
Huron Business Advisory		19,134		17,809
All Other		379		257
Unallocated assets ⁽²⁾		965,902		706,661

Total assets	$	1,155,914	$	885,600

(1)	The December 31, 2013 segment asset balances have been reclassified to reflect the move of our EPM practice from the Huron Education and Life Sciences segment to the Huron Business Advisory segment.

(2)

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Summary of Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Unbilled Services and Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets

The following table summarizes the activity of the allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services and the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:


	Beginning balance		Additions ⁽¹⁾		Deductions		Ending balance
Year ended December 31, 2012:
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services	$	10,682		44,613		48,253	$	7,042
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	$	2,540		1,564		—	$	4,104
Year ended December 31, 2013:
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services	$	7,042		44,123		39,258	$	11,907
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	$	4,104		1,642		—	$	5,746
Year ended December 31, 2014:
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services	$	11,907		50,523		44,426	$	18,004
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	$	5,746		1,406		—	$	7,152

(1)

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

Quarter Ended
2014	Mar. 31		Jun. 30		Sep. 30		Dec. 31
Revenues	$	210,731	$	209,405	$	198,049	$	193,147
Reimbursable expenses		19,103		21,141		18,679		18,952
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses		229,834		230,546		216,728		212,099
Gross profit		85,692		84,068		66,951		69,581
Operating income		41,819		34,023		21,277		25,877
Net income from continuing operations		34,126		19,913		12,219		12,793
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		—		—		—
Net income		34,126		19,913		12,219		12,793
Net earnings per basic share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	1.51	$	0.88	$	0.54	$	0.58
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		—		—		—
Net income	$	1.51	$	0.88	$	0.54	$	0.58
Net earnings per diluted share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	1.48	$	0.86	$	0.53	$	0.57
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—		—		—		—
Net income	$	1.48	$	0.86	$	0.53	$	0.57
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
Basic		22,588		22,645		22,488		22,010
Diluted		23,086		23,098		22,975		22,548


	Quarter Ended
2013	Mar. 31			Jun. 30			Sep. 30		Dec. 31
Revenues	$	164,036		$	170,407		$	174,735	$	211,344
Reimbursable expenses		15,336			18,123			17,542		16,266
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses		179,372			188,530			192,277		227,610
Gross profit		57,235			66,869			67,984		81,751
Operating income		21,343			30,549			31,119		36,894
Net income from continuing operations		11,369			15,814			17,161		22,119
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(32	)		(9	)		10		1
Net income		11,337			15,805			17,171		22,120
Net earnings per basic share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	0.51		$	0.71		$	0.77	$	0.99
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			—		—
Net income	$	0.51		$	0.71		$	0.77	$	0.99
Net earnings per diluted share:
Net income from continuing operations	$	0.51		$	0.69		$	0.75	$	0.96
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(0.01	)		—			—		—
Net income	$	0.50		$	0.69		$	0.75	$	0.96
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
Basic		22,139			22,351			22,386		22,409
Diluted		22,487			22,760			22,873		22,973

Summary of Significant Accounting Polices - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Reporting_Unit Billing	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of billing arrangements for revenue recognition \| Billing	4
Unamortized capitalized software development costs	$ 1,400,000	$ 2,200,000
Amortized capitalized software development costs	800,000	200,000
Impairment charges for long-lived assets	$ 0	0	$ 0
Number of reporting units \| Reporting_Unit	6
Deferred lease incentives	$ 13,359,000	12,355,000
Sponsorship and advertising costs	8,700,000	$ 6,600,000	$ 6,100,000
Aggregate principal amount	$ 250,000,000			$ 250,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate				1.25%
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciated over an estimated useful life	P5Y
Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents maturity period	3 months
Maximum [Member] \| Computers, Related Equipment and Software [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciated over an estimated useful life	P4Y
Minimum [Member] \| Computers, Related Equipment and Software [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciated over an estimated useful life	P2Y

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, net beginning balance	$ 536,637,000	$ 536,637,000	$ 519,522,000
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013			519,522,000
Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations		31,505,000	17,085,000
Foreign currency translation		(996,000)	30,000
Goodwill		710,129,000	679,620,000	$ 662,505,000
Accumulated impairment losses		(142,983,000)	(142,983,000)	(142,983,000)
Goodwill, net ending balance		567,146,000	536,637,000
Huron Healthcare [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, net beginning balance	355,880,000	355,880,000
Goodwill reallocation			355,880,000
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013			355,880,000
Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations		21,708,000
Goodwill		377,588,000	355,880,000
Goodwill, net ending balance		377,588,000	355,880,000
Huron Legal [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, net beginning balance	53,159,000	53,159,000	52,947,000
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013			52,947,000
Foreign currency translation		(604,000)	212,000
Goodwill		52,555,000	53,159,000	52,947,000
Goodwill, net ending balance		52,555,000	53,159,000
Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, net beginning balance	111,504,000	111,504,000
Goodwill reallocation		(16,744,000)	94,601,000
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013			94,601,000
Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations		8,308,000	17,085,000
Foreign currency translation		(162,000)	(182,000)
Goodwill		102,906,000	111,504,000
Goodwill, net ending balance		102,906,000	111,504,000
Huron Business Advisory [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, net beginning balance	16,094,000	16,094,000	16,094,000
Goodwill reallocation	$ 16,744,000	16,744,000
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013			16,094,000
Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations		1,489,000
Foreign currency translation		(230,000)
Goodwill		177,080,000	159,077,000	159,077,000
Accumulated impairment losses		(142,983,000)	(142,983,000)	(142,983,000)
Goodwill, net ending balance		34,097,000	16,094,000
Health and Education Consulting [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, net beginning balance			450,481,000
Goodwill reallocation			$ (450,481,000)
Goodwill				$ 450,481,000
Health and Education Consulting [Member] \| Huron Healthcare [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill reallocation		355,880,000
Health and Education Consulting [Member] \| Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill reallocation		$ 94,601,000

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Reporting_Unit	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss, before tax							$ 13,083,000
Contingent consideration related to business acquisitions	$ 800,000				$ 800,000
Goodwill related to acquisition					31,505,000	$ 17,085,000
Intangible assets amortization expense					11,100,000	6,800,000	$ 7,000,000
Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense 2015	8,600,000				8,600,000
Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense 2016	6,200,000				6,200,000
Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense 2017	4,400,000				4,400,000
Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense 2018	3,100,000				3,100,000
Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense 2019	$ 1,400,000				$ 1,400,000
Number of reporting units \| Reporting_Unit					6
Health and Education Consulting [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reassigned amount of goodwill						(450,481,000)
Huron Business Advisory [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss, before tax				$ 13,083,000
Huron Business Advisory [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reassigned amount of goodwill			$ 16,744,000		$ 16,744,000
Goodwill related to acquisition					1,489,000
Huron Healthcare [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reassigned amount of goodwill						355,880,000
Goodwill related to acquisition					21,708,000
Huron Healthcare [Member] \| Health and Education Consulting [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reassigned amount of goodwill					355,880,000
Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reassigned amount of goodwill					(16,744,000)	94,601,000
Goodwill related to acquisition					8,308,000	17,085,000
Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member] \| Health and Education Consulting [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reassigned amount of goodwill					$ 94,601,000
Huron Legal [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Percentage of excess fair value	28.00%				28.00%
EPM [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Percentage of excess fair value	14.00%				14.00%
Frankel Group Associates LLC [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Fair value of purchase consideration			18,000,000
Contingent consideration related to business acquisitions			600,000
Intangible assets related to acquisition			5,700,000
Goodwill related to acquisition			$ 8,300,000
Vonlay LLC [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Fair value of purchase consideration		$ 34,500,000
Intangible assets related to acquisition		8,300,000
Goodwill related to acquisition		$ 21,700,000
Threshold Consulting Inc [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Fair value of purchase consideration	$ 2,100,000
Contingent consideration related to business acquisitions	200,000				$ 200,000
Intangible assets related to acquisition	600,000				$ 600,000
Goodwill related to acquisition	$ 1,500,000
Blue Stone International, LLC [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Fair value of purchase consideration						30,000,000
Intangible assets related to acquisition						8,800,000
Goodwill related to acquisition						$ 17,100,000

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 50,614	$ 42,776
Accumulated Amortization	$ 25,930	21,554
Customer Contracts [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	1 year
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 243	689
Accumulated Amortization	71	226
Customer Relationships [Member]
Intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	42,345	31,946
Accumulated Amortization	$ 21,228	14,814
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	3 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	13 years
Non-competition Agreements [Member]
Intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 3,495	5,480
Accumulated Amortization	$ 1,072	3,655
Non-competition Agreements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	5 years
Non-competition Agreements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	6 years
Trade Names [Member]
Intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 160	120
Accumulated Amortization	$ 67	24
Trade Names [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	1 year
Trade Names [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	8 years
Technology and Software [Member]
Intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 4,321	4,041
Accumulated Amortization	$ 3,461	2,559
Technology and Software [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	3 years
Technology and Software [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	5 years
Document Reviewer Database [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	3 years
Gross Carrying Amount		450
Accumulated Amortization		270
License [Member]
Intangible assets
Useful Life in Years	2 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 50	50
Accumulated Amortization	$ 31	$ 6

Property and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life and Values [Abstract]
Depreciation expense for property and equipment	$ 18.0	$ 16.6	$ 15.3

Property and Equipment, Net - Summary of Premises and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 152,033	$ 130,398
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(107,356)	(91,656)
Property and equipment, net	44,677	38,742
Computers, Related Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	86,769	69,979
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	43,742	39,343
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	20,003	19,442
Assets under Capital Lease [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	925	1,022
Assets under Construction [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 594	$ 612

Financing Arrangements - Summary of Carrying Amounts of Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount	$ 356,602	$ 168,750
Current maturities of debt	(28,750)	(25,000)
Long-term debt, net of current portion	327,852	143,750
1.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount	212,852
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount	$ 143,750	$ 168,750

Financing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		1.25%
Number of common shares converted upon debt conversion for each $1000 principal amount	12.5170
Principal amount of notes per conversion	$ 1,000
Conversion price of convertible notes \| $ / shares	$ 79.89
Optional right of debt instrument holders to convert debt instrument into cash, portion of principal amount	100.00%
Earliest conversion date	Jul. 01, 2019
Concentration risk percentage	98.00%
Debt issuance costs	$ 7,300,000
Liability issuance costs	6,200,000
Equity issuance costs	1,100,000
Aggregate amount for convertible hedge	42,125,000
Aggregate proceeds from the sale of warrants	23,625,000
Deferred tax liability	26,855,000		$ 20,487,000
Aggregate principal amount - Senior secured credit facility	$ 450,000,000
Period of revolving credit facility	5 years
Period of term loan facility	5 years
Aggregate amount of option available to increase the revolving credit facility	$ 50,000,000
Percentage of other equity interests in domestic subsidiaries	100.00%
Percentage of other equity interests in foreign subsidiaries	65.00%
Percentage of Federal Funds Rate	0.50%
Percentage of Eurodollar Rate	1.00%
Maturity date	Sep. 25, 2018
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility	$ 143,800,000		168,800,000
Credit Agreement, dividends restriction amount	$ 50,000,000
Percentage of cumulative consolidated net income	50.00%
Percentage of net cash proceeds from equity issuances	50.00%
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio	2.25
Maximum leverage ratio	3.00
Minimum net worth amount	$ 150,000,000
Actual fixed charge coverage ratio	4.50
Actual leverage ratio	0.98
Outstanding letters of credit	$ 5,100,000		$ 4,900,000
Unused borrowing capacity under Credit Agreement	$ 242,400,000
Percentage of weighted average interest rate of borrowings	2.30%		2.00%
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price of convertible notes \| $ / shares	$ 79.89
Number of least trading days required within 30 consecutive trading days	20 days
Percentage of applicable conversion price	130.00%
Number of consecutive trading days	30 days
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price of convertible notes \| $ / shares	$ 97.12
Warrant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Common stock purchased \| shares	3.1
Common stock price per share \| $ / shares	$ 97.12
Aggregate proceeds from the sale of warrants	$ 23,600,000
Convertible Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 250,000,000
Debt instrument maturity date	Oct. 01, 2019
Effective interest rate of debt	4.837%
Remaining life of notes	4 years 9 months 18 days
Deferred tax liability	$ 15,400,000
Note Hedge [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Common stock purchased \| shares	3.1
Aggregate amount for convertible hedge	$ 42,100,000
Deferred tax asset	16,500,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount - Senior secured credit facility	247,500,000
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility	0
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount - Senior secured credit facility	202,500,000
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility	143,800,000
Quarterly principal payment	6,300,000
Increase quarterly principal payment	7,500,000
Final payment	$ 40,000,000

Financing Arrangements - Schedule of Notes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Convertible Senior Notes [Line Items]
Proceeds	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
Net carrying amount	356,602		$ 168,750
Equity component	39,300
Convertible Notes [Member]
Convertible Senior Notes [Line Items]
Proceeds	250,000
Less: debt discount, net of amortization	(37,148)
Net carrying amount	212,852
Equity component	$ 39,287

Financing Arrangements - Summary of Interest Expense Recognized (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Schedule Of Interest Expense On Convertible Senior Notes [Abstract]
Contractual interest coupon	$ 964
Amortization of debt issuance costs	360
Amortization of debt discount	2,139
Total interest expense recognized	$ 3,463

Capital Structure - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares approved or issued	0	0
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]
Net income from continuing operations	$ 12,793	$ 12,219	$ 19,913	$ 34,126	$ 22,119	$ 17,161	$ 15,814	$ 11,369	$ 79,051	$ 66,463	$ 35,953
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax					1	10	(9)	(32)		(30)	475
Net income	$ 12,793	$ 12,219	$ 19,913	$ 34,126	$ 22,120	$ 17,171	$ 15,805	$ 11,337	$ 79,051	$ 66,433	$ 36,428
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	22,010	22,488	22,645	22,588	22,409	22,386	22,351	22,139	22,431	22,322	21,905
Weighted average common stock equivalents									494	455	380
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted	22,548	22,975	23,098	23,086	22,973	22,873	22,760	22,487	22,925	22,777	22,285
Net earnings per basic share:
Net income from continuing operations	$ 0.58	$ 0.54	$ 0.88	$ 1.51	$ 0.99	$ 0.77	$ 0.71	$ 0.51	$ 3.52	$ 2.98	$ 1.64
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			0.02
Net income	0.58	0.54	0.88	1.51	0.99	0.77	0.71	0.51	3.52	2.98	1.66
Net earnings per diluted share:
Net income from continuing operations	0.57	0.53	0.86	1.48	0.96	0.75	0.69	0.51	3.45	2.92	1.61
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax								(0.01)			0.02
Net income	$ 0.57	$ 0.53	$ 0.86	$ 1.48	$ 0.96	$ 0.75	$ 0.69	$ 0.50	$ 3.45	$ 2.92	$ 1.63

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Anti-dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Weighted Average Common Stock Equivalents (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive securities	6,275	76	85
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive securities	17		43
Equity Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive securities		76	42
Convertible Debt Investment [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive securities	3,129
Warrant [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive securities	3,129

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014
February 2014 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Share repurchase authorized amount			$ 50
Shares repurchased	805,392
Share repurchase average cost per share	$ 62.08
October 2014 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Share repurchase authorized amount		$ 50
Shares repurchased	0

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Pretax restructuring expense	$ 3,438	$ 761	$ 4,004
Present value of remaining lease payments, net of sublease income	2,000	600
Contract termination costs	100	$ 200
Restructuring charge liability	1,200
Net favorable impact related to updated assumptions for certain lease accruals			900
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring reserve related to accelerated depreciation	1,100
Huron Education And Life Sciences and All Other Segments [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Severance expense			400
Huron Legal [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Severance expense	$ 200
Washington, D.C [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Present value of remaining lease payments, net of sublease income			700
Washington, D.C [Member] \| Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring reserve related to accelerated depreciation			400
New York [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Brokerage fees related to sublease arrangement			700
New York [Member] \| Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring reserve related to accelerated depreciation			$ 2,500

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 04, 2013	May 30, 2012	Dec. 08, 2011
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreement, effective date		Mar. 31, 2014	May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012
Interest rate swap agreement, end date		Aug. 31, 2017	Apr. 14, 2016	Apr. 14, 2016
Duration of LIBOR		1 month	1 month	1 month
Percentage of fixed rate					0.985%	0.70%	0.9875%
Anticipated net losses, net of tax, currently recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss reclassified into earnings	$ 0.4
Interest rate swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreement for a notional amount					$ 60.0	$ 37.0	$ 56.6
Percentage of debt effectively fixed by interest rate swaps					80.00%

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity - Fair Value Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other non-current assets [Member]
Fair Value interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments
Fair Value (Derivative Asset and Liability)	$ 516	$ 752
Deferred compensation and other liabilities [Member]
Fair Value interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments
Fair Value (Derivative Asset and Liability)	10	140
Accrued expenses [Member]
Fair Value interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments
Fair Value (Derivative Asset and Liability)	$ 643	$ 765

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value	$ 14,559	$ 3,156
Liabilities, fair value	535	5,760
Promissory note [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value	2,137	2,726
Interest rate swap [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value	172	430
Liabilities, fair value	309	583
Convertible Debt Investment [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value	12,250
Contingent acquisition liability [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Liabilities, fair value	226
Deferred acquisition payment [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Liabilities, fair value		5,177
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value
Liabilities, fair value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] \| Promissory note [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] \| Interest rate swap [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value
Liabilities, fair value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] \| Convertible Debt Investment [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] \| Contingent acquisition liability [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Liabilities, fair value
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value	172	430
Liabilities, fair value	309	583
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Promissory note [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Interest rate swap [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value	172	430
Liabilities, fair value	309	583
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Convertible Debt Investment [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Contingent acquisition liability [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Liabilities, fair value
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value	14,387	2,726
Liabilities, fair value	226	5,177
Level 3 [Member] \| Promissory note [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value	2,137	2,726
Level 3 [Member] \| Interest rate swap [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value
Liabilities, fair value
Level 3 [Member] \| Convertible Debt Investment [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Assets, fair value	12,250
Level 3 [Member] \| Contingent acquisition liability [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Liabilities, fair value	$ 226
Level 3 [Member] \| Deferred acquisition payment [Member]
Fair Value, Asset/Liability
Liabilities, fair value		$ 5,177

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2011
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Investments in notes	$ 12,250
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments - debt and equity securities	300
Deferred acquisition payment				$ 5,300
Contingent consideration related to business acquisitions	800
Contingent consideration remeasurement gain	600
Aggregate principal amount	250,000	$ 250,000
Carrying value of equity component	$ 39,300
Closing price of common stock	$ 68.39
Zero Coupon Convertible Notes [Member] \| Shorelight Holdings LLC [Member]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Investments in notes			$ 12,500	$ 10,000
Purchase of additional convertible notes			$ 2,500
Debt instrument maturity date	Jul. 01, 2020
Accounting Advisory Practice [Member] \| Promissory note [Member]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Promissory note received for sale of Accounting Advisory					$ 3,500
Promissory note payable maturity date	Dec. 31, 2018
Discount rate used to measure fair value	17.00%

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Summary of Carrying Amount and Estimated Fair Value of Convertible Notes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Carrying amount	$ 356,602	$ 168,750
1.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Carrying amount	212,852
Estimated Fair Value	$ 261,903

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Beginning balance	$ (716)	$ (805)	$ (934)
Unrealized loss on investments	(250)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,618)	89	129
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Ending balance	(2,334)	(716)	(805)
Unrealized Loss on Investment, Ending balance	(250)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, Beginning balance	(81)	(554)	(275)
Change in fair value	(510)	139	(679)
Reclassification adjustment into earnings	520	334	400
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, Ending balance	(71)	(81)	(554)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Beginning balance	(797)	(1,359)	(1,209)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,618)	89	129
Unrealized loss on investments	(250)
Change in fair value	(510)	139	(679)
Reclassification adjustment into earnings	520	334	400
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Ending balance	$ (2,655)	$ (797)	$ (1,359)

- Definition

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

+ References + Details

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	$ 111	$ 48	$ (106)
Unrealized loss on investments, tax	0
Change in fair value, tax	341	(83)	454
Reclassification adjustment into earnings, tax	$ (347)	$ (223)	$ (267)

Employee Benefit and Deferred Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Benefits [Abstract]
Employer contributions up to percent of employee's salaries	6.00%
Employer matching contributions	$ 16.2	$ 13.8	$ 12.0
Deferred compensation liability	$ 7.5	$ 4.3

Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Retirement eligible provision, description	Eligible employees who have reached 62 years of age and have completed seven years of employment with the Company will continue vesting in their share-based awards after retirement, subject to certain conditions.
Retirement eligible provision, minimum age	62 years
Retirement eligible provision, minimum years of service	7 years
Share-based compensation expense	$ 20.1	$ 18.3	$ 15.7
Income tax benefits	7.9	7.1	6.0
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 28.2
Unrecognized compensation cost, Period	2 years 6 months
Stock option awards granted
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	4 years
Aggregate fair value of stock vested	$ 19.8	$ 14.3	$ 12.2
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 66.21	$ 39.76	$ 37.46
Performance-Based Stock Activity [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate fair value of stock vested	$ 5.2	$ 3.6	$ 2.9
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 64.52	$ 39.19	$ 38.18
Performance-Based Stock Activity [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	2 years
Performance-Based Stock Activity [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$ 0.00	$ 17.46	$ 17.09
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 1.6	$ 1.7	$ 1.2
Executive Officer [Member] \| Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	4 years
Stock options contractual term	10 years
Stock option awards granted	0
2012 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock shares reserved, as originally adopted			850,000
Shares available for issuance as of adoption date			1,398,204
Shares available for issuance	1,198,275
Increase in number of shares authorized for issuance	850,000
Two Thousand And Four Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock shares reserved			548,204

Equity Incentive Plans - Fair Value of Options Granted (Detail) - Black-Scholes option-pricing model [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Method Used [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	45.00%	45.00%
Risk-free rate	1.10%	1.20%
Expected option life (in years)	6 years 3 months	6 years 3 months

Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Stock Option Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Beginning Balance, Number of Options	237
Granted, Number of Options
Exercised, Number of Options	(38)
Forfeited or expired, Number of Options
Ending Balance, Number of Options	199	237
Exercisable, Number of Options	149
Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 27.95
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	22.54
Forfeited or expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	28.99	$ 27.95
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 26.35
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Option Outstanding	6 years 3 months 18 days	6 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Options Exercisable	5 years 9 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Option Outstanding, Beginning balance	$ 8.2
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Option Outstanding, Ending balance	7.8	$ 8.2
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable, Ending Balance	$ 6.3

Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) - Restricted Stock Awards [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested stock, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	757
Granted, Number of Shares	385
Vested, Number of Shares	(302)
Forfeited, Number of Shares	(60)
Nonvested Stock, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	780	757
Nonvested Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 35.53
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	66.21	$ 39.76	$ 37.46
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	33.31
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	47.45
Nonvested Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 50.61	$ 35.53

Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Performance-Based Stock Activity (Detail) - Performance-Based Stock Activity [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested stock, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	248
Granted, Number of Shares	154
Number of Shares, Vested	(78)
Number of Shares, Forfeited	(88)
Nonvested Stock, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	236	248
Nonvested Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 38.07
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	64.52	$ 39.19	$ 38.18
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	35.76
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	39.65
Nonvested Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 55.55	$ 38.07

Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Performance-Based Stock Activity (Parenthetical) (Detail) - Performance-Based Stock Activity [Member] - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares earned above the target	9,500
Nonvested performance-based shares outstanding	236,000	248,000
Nonvested and unearned shares	143,500

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense for Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current:
Federal	$ 17,325	$ 33,718	$ 23,511
State	5,002	6,358	5,033
Foreign	(266)	27	59
Total current	22,061	40,103	28,603
Deferred:
Federal	11,989	6,181	878
State	1,340	900	289
Foreign	167	(8)	(75)
Total deferred	13,496	7,073	1,092
Income tax expense for continuing operations	$ 35,557	$ 47,176	$ 29,695

Income Taxes - Components of Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S.	$ 121,691	$ 125,140	$ 76,750
Foreign	(7,083)	(11,501)	(11,102)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	$ 114,608	$ 113,639	$ 65,648

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory Income Tax Rate to Our Effective Tax Rate for Continuing Operations (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
At U.S. statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	4.60%	4.30%	5.40%
Meals and entertainment	0.60%	0.50%	0.80%
Valuation allowance	1.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Disallowed executive compensation			0.30%
Foreign source income	0.80%	1.00%	2.50%
Tax credits / Section 199 Deduction	(0.60%)	(0.80%)
Net tax benefit related to "check-the-box" election	(9.70%)
Other	(0.70%)	(0.50%)	(0.80%)
Effective income tax expense rate for continuing operations	31.00%	41.50%	45.20%

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Realizable income tax benefit from check-the-box election		$ 13,800,000
Unrecognized tax benefit from check-the-box election		2,400,000
Expense related to valuation allowance and deferred tax liability	$ 1,200,000
Net tax benefit recognized from check-the-box election		11,400,000
Effective tax rates for discontinued operations			39.30%	37.80%
Tax Benefit (expense)		0	$ 100,000	$ 300,000
Valuation allowance		7,152,000	$ 5,746,000
Federal and state tax credit carry forwards		1,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits		2,500,000
Effective tax rate if recognized		2,500,000
Foreign[Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Net operating losses carry forwards		$ 30,100,000
Income tax year is subject future examinations by federal tax authorities and local tax authorities		2007 through 2013
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Net operating losses carry forwards		$ 1,300,000
Tax credit carry forward expiration year		2019
Income tax year is subject future examinations by federal tax authorities and local tax authorities		2009 through 2013
Federal [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Tax credit carry forward expiration year		2021
Income tax year is subject future examinations by federal tax authorities and local tax authorities		2012 and 2013
Minimum [Member] \| State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forward expiration year		2029
Maximum [Member] \| State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forward expiration year		2030

Income Taxes - Net Deferred Tax Liabilities for Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred tax assets:
Share-based compensation	$ 10,234	$ 6,206
Accrued payroll and other liabilities	8,215	10,922
Deferred lease incentives	6,143	5,470
Convertible note hedge transactions	15,582
Revenue recognition	2,289	2,675
Net operating loss carry-forwards	6,373	5,813
Tax credits	1,182	1,002
Other	1,092	1,517
Total deferred tax assets	51,110	33,605
Valuation allowance	(7,152)	(5,746)
Net deferred tax assets	43,958	27,859
Deferred tax liabilities:
Prepaid expenses	(3,316)	(2,950)
Property and equipment	(3,752)	(2,622)
Intangibles and Goodwill	(33,379)	(25,523)
Convertible note discount	(14,562)
Other	(926)	(1,748)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(55,935)	(32,843)
Net deferred tax liability for continuing operations	$ (11,977)	$ (4,984)

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	$ 411	$ 441	$ 798
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	2,410
Additions based on tax positions related to the prior years		40	117
Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations			(474)
Decrease based on tax positions related to the prior year	(333)	(51)
Decrease based on settlements with taxing authorities		(19)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	$ 2,488	$ 411	$ 441

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 22, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Rental expense, including operating costs and taxes		$ 14.9	$ 13.3	$ 16.8
Loss contingency damages sought value		300.0
Guarantees in the form of letters of credit		$ 5.1	$ 4.9
Claim against damage on reputation and defamation [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency damages sought value	$ 50.0
Claim against breach of contract [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency damages sought value	$ 50.0
Chicago, Illinois [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Period of renewal option that allow continue to occupy the majority of office space		Five-year

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees - Future Minimum Rental Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Leases and Sublease Income (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Capital Lease Obligations, 2015	$ 49
Capital Lease Obligations, 2016	0
Capital Lease Obligations, 2017	0
Capital Lease Obligations, 2018	0
Capital Lease Obligations, 2019	0
Capital Lease Obligations, Thereafter	0
Capital Lease Obligations, Total	49
Operating Lease Obligations, 2015	14,577
Operating Lease Obligations, 2016	13,322
Operating Lease Obligations, 2017	9,945
Operating Lease Obligations, 2018	8,381
Operating Lease Obligations, 2019	6,864
Operating Lease Obligations, Thereafter	26,793
Operating Lease Obligations, Total	79,882
Sublease Income, 2015	4,415
Sublease Income, 2016	3,133
Sublease Income, 2017	1,141
Sublease Income, 2018	945
Sublease Income, 2019	0
Sublease Income, Thereafter	0
Sublease Income, Total	$ 9,634

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014 Clients Segment	Dec. 31, 2013 Clients	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments \| Segment	5
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] \| Sales Revenue, Net [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Customer percentage of consolidated receivables and unbilled services or consolidated net sales revenue	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] \| Combined Receivables and Unbilled Services Balances [Member] \| Huron Healthcare [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Customer percentage of consolidated receivables and unbilled services or consolidated net sales revenue		14.00%
Number of clients with a balance greater than 10% of consolidated receivables and unbilled services \| Clients	0	1
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] \| Combined Receivables and Unbilled Services Balances [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Customer percentage of consolidated receivables and unbilled services or consolidated net sales revenue	10.00%	10.00%

Segment Information - Components of Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Components of Segment Information
Revenues	$ 193,147	$ 198,049	$ 209,405	$ 210,731	$ 211,344	$ 174,735	$ 170,407	$ 164,036	$ 811,332	$ 720,522	$ 625,961
Reimbursable expenses	18,952	18,679	21,141	19,103	16,266	17,542	18,123	15,336	77,875	67,267	55,764
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses	212,099	216,728	230,546	229,834	227,610	192,277	188,530	179,372	889,207	787,789	681,725
Operating income (loss)	$ 25,877	$ 21,277	$ 34,023	$ 41,819	$ 36,894	$ 31,119	$ 30,549	$ 21,343	122,996	119,905	73,443
Depreciation and amortization expense									25,014	20,510	18,529
Goodwill impairment charge											13,083
Other expense, net									8,388	6,266	7,795
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense									114,608	113,639	65,648
Operating Segments [Member]
Components of Segment Information
Revenues									811,332	720,522	625,961
Reimbursable expenses									77,875	67,267	55,764
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses									889,207	787,789	681,725
Operating income (loss)									252,879	225,755	193,067
Operating Segments [Member] \| Huron Healthcare [Member]
Components of Segment Information
Revenues									415,803	358,766	288,762
Operating income (loss)									$ 159,015	$ 141,870	$ 110,864
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues									38.20%	39.50%	38.40%
Operating Segments [Member] \| Huron Legal [Member]
Components of Segment Information
Revenues									$ 183,646	$ 182,394	$ 184,918
Operating income (loss)									$ 46,164	$ 41,964	$ 44,317
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues									25.10%	23.00%	24.00%
Operating Segments [Member] \| Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member]
Components of Segment Information
Revenues									$ 145,962	$ 143,609	$ 129,427
Operating income (loss)									$ 36,131	$ 35,966	$ 38,283
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues									24.80%	25.00%	29.60%
Operating Segments [Member] \| Huron Business Advisory [Member]
Components of Segment Information
Revenues									$ 62,840	$ 34,669	$ 22,019
Operating income (loss)									$ 14,035	$ 7,211	$ 1,888
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues									22.30%	20.80%	8.60%
Operating Segments [Member] \| All Other [Member]
Components of Segment Information
Revenues									$ 3,081	$ 1,084	$ 835
Operating income (loss)									$ (2,466)	$ (1,256)	$ (2,285)
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Components of Segment Information
Other operating expenses and gains									$ 104,869	$ 85,340	$ 88,012
Depreciation and amortization expense									25,014	20,510	18,529
Goodwill impairment charge											13,083
Other expense, net									$ 8,388	$ 6,266	$ 7,795

Segment Information - Segment Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Assets:
Total assets	$ 1,155,914	$ 885,600
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Assets:
Total assets	965,902	706,661
Huron Healthcare [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Assets:
Total assets	112,190	95,900
Huron Legal [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Assets:
Total assets	29,336	42,190
Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Assets:
Total assets	28,973	22,783
Huron Business Advisory [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Assets:
Total assets	19,134	17,809
All Other [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Assets:
Total assets	$ 379	$ 257

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Summary of Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Unbilled Services and Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 11,907	$ 7,042	$ 10,682
Additions	50,523	44,123	44,613
Deductions	44,426	39,258	48,253
Ending balance	18,004	11,907	7,042
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	5,746	4,104	2,540
Additions	1,406	1,642	1,564
Deductions
Ending balance	$ 7,152	$ 5,746	$ 4,104

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 193,147	$ 198,049	$ 209,405	$ 210,731	$ 211,344	$ 174,735	$ 170,407	$ 164,036	$ 811,332	$ 720,522	$ 625,961
Reimbursable expenses	18,952	18,679	21,141	19,103	16,266	17,542	18,123	15,336	77,875	67,267	55,764
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses	212,099	216,728	230,546	229,834	227,610	192,277	188,530	179,372	889,207	787,789	681,725
Gross profit	69,581	66,951	84,068	85,692	81,751	67,984	66,869	57,235
Operating income	25,877	21,277	34,023	41,819	36,894	31,119	30,549	21,343	122,996	119,905	73,443
Net income from continuing operations	12,793	12,219	19,913	34,126	22,119	17,161	15,814	11,369	79,051	66,463	35,953
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax					1	10	(9)	(32)		(30)	475
Net income	$ 12,793	$ 12,219	$ 19,913	$ 34,126	$ 22,120	$ 17,171	$ 15,805	$ 11,337	$ 79,051	$ 66,433	$ 36,428
Net earnings per basic share:
Net income from continuing operations	$ 0.58	$ 0.54	$ 0.88	$ 1.51	$ 0.99	$ 0.77	$ 0.71	$ 0.51	$ 3.52	$ 2.98	$ 1.64
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			0.02
Net income	0.58	0.54	0.88	1.51	0.99	0.77	0.71	0.51	3.52	2.98	1.66
Net earnings per diluted share:
Net income from continuing operations	0.57	0.53	0.86	1.48	0.96	0.75	0.69	0.51	3.45	2.92	1.61
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax								(0.01)			0.02
Net income	$ 0.57	$ 0.53	$ 0.86	$ 1.48	$ 0.96	$ 0.75	$ 0.69	$ 0.50	$ 3.45	$ 2.92	$ 1.63
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
Basic	22,010	22,488	22,645	22,588	22,409	22,386	22,351	22,139	22,431	22,322	21,905
Diluted	22,548	22,975	23,098	23,086	22,973	22,873	22,760	22,487	22,925	22,777	22,285

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - Subsequent Event [Member] - Business Acquisition [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 12, 2015	Jan. 01, 2015
Sky Analytics Inc [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Effective date of acquisition		Jan. 01, 2015
Studer Group [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Effective date of acquisition	Feb. 12, 2015
Purchase price of the business acquired	$ 325
Purchase consideration cash transferred	323
Purchase consideration common stock issued	$ 2