| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business CRA International, Inc. ("CRA" or the "Company") is a worldwide leading consulting services firm that applies advanced analytic techniques and in-depth industry knowledge to complex engagements for a broad range of clients. CRA offers services in two broad areas: litigation, regulatory, and financial consulting and management consulting. CRA operates in one business segment. CRA operates its business under its registered trade name, Charles River Associates. Fiscal Year and Quarters CRA's fiscal year end is the Saturday nearest December 31 of each year. CRA's fiscal years periodically contain 53 weeks rather than 52 weeks. Fiscal 2024, fiscal 2023, and fiscal 2022 were 52-week years. CRA's fiscal quarter ends are determined as the last Saturday nearest the respective calendar quarter end. Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CRA International, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively the "Company") which require consolidation, after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of consolidated revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, allowances for accounts receivable and unbilled services, revenue recognition on fixed-price contracts, variable consideration to be included in the transaction price of revenue contracts, the useful life of long-lived assets, measurement of operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and liabilities, share-based compensation, valuation of contingent consideration liabilities, valuation of acquired intangible assets, goodwill, accrued and deferred income taxes, valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, accrued incentive compensation, and certain other accrued expenses. These items are monitored and analyzed by CRA for changes in facts and circumstances, and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. CRA bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that CRA believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates if CRA's assumptions based on past experience or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate. Cash and Cash Equivalents CRA considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist principally of money market funds with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. Concentrations of Credit Risk CRA holds cash in accounts at various third-party financial institutions. At times, these deposits may exceed federally insured limits. As of December 28, 2024, CRA's cash accounts were concentrated at two financial institutions, which potentially exposes CRA to credit risks. The financial institutions are creditworthy and the Company has not experienced any losses related to such accounts. CRA does not believe that there is significant risk of non-performance by the financial institutions, and its cash on deposit is fully liquid. CRA continually monitors the credit ratings of the institutions. Foreign Currency Translation Asset and liability accounts of CRA's foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at reporting period-end exchange rates and operating accounts are translated at average exchange rates for each fiscal month. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in shareholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transactions are remeasured at current exchanges rates, with adjustments recorded as foreign currency gains (losses), net, on the consolidated statements of operations. These foreign currency transactions may be realized or unrealized based upon whether the transaction has settled as of the reporting period-end. The net effect of transaction gains and losses recorded in income before provision for income taxes amounted to losses of $0.1 million for fiscal 2024, losses of $1.4 million for fiscal 2023, and gains of $1.9 million for fiscal 2022. Revenue Recognition and Allowances for Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services Revenue is recognized when CRA satisfies a performance obligation by transferring services promised in a contract to a client in an amount that reflects the consideration that CRA expects to receive in exchange for those services. Performance obligations in CRA's contracts represent distinct or separate service streams that CRA provides to clients. If, at the outset of an arrangement, CRA determines that an enforceable contract does not exist, revenues are deferred until all criteria for an enforceable contract are met. CRA derives substantially all of its revenues from the performance of professional services for its clients. The contracts that CRA enters into and operates under specify whether the engagement will be billed on a time-and-materials basis or a fixed-price basis. • Time-and-materials arrangements require the client to pay based on the number of hours worked at contractually agreed-upon hourly rates. Revenues are recognized from these arrangements based on hours incurred and contracted rates based on a right-to-payment for services completed to date. When a time-and-materials arrangement has a "cap" or "limit" amount, revenue is recognized up to the cap or limit amount specified by the client, based on the efforts or hours incurred and expenses incurred. Thereafter, revenue is reserved pending an amendment of the cap or limit. • Fixed-price arrangements require the client to pay a contractually agreed-upon fee in exchange for a pre-established set of professional services. Fees are based on estimates of the costs and timing for completing a performance obligation. Under fixed-price arrangements, revenues are generally recognized using a proportional performance method, which is based on the ratio of costs incurred to the total estimated costs for completing a performance obligation. CRA's fixed-price arrangements generally have a single performance obligation. For arrangements that contain multiple performance obligations, the fixed price is allocated based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised services underlying each performance obligation. CRA has elected as a practical expedient to not disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, as CRA's contracts have an original expected duration of one year or less or revenue has been recognized at the amount for which CRA has the right to invoice for consulting services performed. Reimbursable expenses, including those relating to travel, out-of-pocket expenses, outside consultants and other third-party vendor expenses, are generally included in revenues, and an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses is included in costs of services in the period in which the expense is incurred. Sales, value-added, and other taxes collected on behalf of third parties are excluded from revenue. Commissions to non-employee experts are expensed when incurred if the related amortization period is expected to be one year or less. Differences between the timing of billing 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 retention agreement. CRA usually issues invoices to its customers on a monthly basis, and payment is usually due upon receipt of the invoice unless contract terms state otherwise. When determining the transaction price of a contract, an adjustment is made if payment from a customer occurs either significantly before or significantly after performance, resulting in a significant financing component. CRA does not assess whether a significant financing component exists if the period between when it performs its obligations under the contract and when the customer pays is one year or less. None of CRA's contracts contained a significant financing component as of December 28, 2024 or December 30, 2023. Contract Balances from Contracts with Customers The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections results in accounts receivables, unbilled services, and contract liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Revenues recognized for services performed but not yet billed to clients are recorded as unbilled services. CRA defines contract assets as assets for which it has recorded revenue because it determines that it is probable that it will earn a performance-based or contingent fee, but is not yet entitled to receive a fee because certain events, such as completion of the measurement period or client approval, must occur. CRA defines contract liabilities as advance payments from or billings to its clients for services that have not yet been performed or earned. When consideration is received, or such consideration is unconditionally due from a customer prior to transferring consulting services to the customer under the terms of a contract, a contract liability is recorded. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue after performance obligations have been satisfied and all revenue recognition criteria have been met. Contract liabilities are included in deferred revenue and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Variable Consideration Variable consideration to be included in the transaction price is estimated using the expected value method. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur. Revenues from CRA's consulting services are recorded at the net transaction price, which includes estimates of variable consideration for which reserves are established. Variable consideration reserves are based on specific price concessions and those expected to be extended to CRA clients estimated by CRA's historical realization rates. Reserves for variable consideration are recorded as a component of the allowances for accounts receivable and unbilled services on the consolidated balance sheets. Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ from CRA's estimates. If actual results in the future vary from its estimates, CRA adjusts these estimates in the period such variances become known. Adjustments to the reserves for variable consideration are included in revenues in the consolidated statement of operations. Reserves for Credit Risk CRA's accounts receivable and unbilled services consist of receivables from a broad range of clients in a variety of industries located throughout the U.S. and in other countries. CRA performs a credit evaluation of its clients to minimize its collectability risk. Periodically, CRA will require advance payment from certain clients. However, CRA does not require collateral or other security. CRA maintains allowances for accounts receivable and unbilled services for estimated losses resulting from clients’ failure to make required payments. CRA estimates these allowances based on historical charge-off rates, adjusted for days of sales outstanding and expected changes to clients’ financial conditions during the anticipated collection period. CRA writes off allowances when management determines the balance is uncollectible and all efforts of collection have been exhausted. Bad debt expense, net of recoveries of previously written off allowances, is recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Costs of Services Costs of services include the salaries, bonuses, share-based compensation expense, forgivable loan amortization, and benefits of our employee consultants. Costs of services also include out-of-pocket and other third-party vendor expenses, and the salaries of support staff whose time is billed directly to clients, such as librarians, editors, and programmers, as well as the amounts billed to us by our outside consultants for services rendered while completing a project. Costs of services does not include depreciation and amortization. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, bonuses, share-based compensation expense, and benefits of our administrative and support staff, commissions to non-employee experts for generating new business, office rent, marketing, and other costs. Business Combinations CRA accounts for business acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be measured and recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, with certain exceptions. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recorded on the date of acquisition in accordance with ASC Topic 842, Leases . In addition, contract assets and contract liabilities are recorded at the acquisition date as if the acquirer had originated the contracts in accordance with ASC 606, Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-08 , Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers . All other tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair value as of the date of acquisition. The purchase price is determined as the fair value of consideration transferred. Goodwill is recognized for the excess of consideration transferred over the estimated fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Intangible assets that are separate from goodwill and have determinable useful lives are valued separately. Fair value measurements require extensive use of estimates and assumptions, including estimates of future cash flows to be generated by the acquired assets, discount rates that we believe reflect the risk factors associated with the related cash flows, and estimates of useful lives. The useful lives of identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business acquisition are estimated based on the expected period that we will receive substantially all of the projected future benefits from the intangible asset. Deferred Compensation CRA accounts for performance-based and service-based cash awards using an accrual method where changes in estimates are accounted for prospectively over the remaining service period. To the extent the terms of an award attribute all or a portion of the expected future benefits to a period of service greater than one year, the cost of those benefits is accrued over the employee's or non-employee's requisite service period in a systematic and rational manner. The requisite service period typically ranges from two The terms of award agreements may include the achievement of minimum required financial targets over the award's measurement period. These financial targets may include a measure of revenue generation, profitability, or both. The amount of the liability of the award agreements is estimated based on internally generated financial projections. The process of projecting these financial targets over the measurement period is subjective and requires judgment and estimates. There can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions used in preparing these projections will prove to be accurate. Leases CRA is a lessee under certain operating leases for office space and equipment. CRA determines whether a contract is a lease at the inception of the contract, based on whether the contract provides CRA the right to control the use of a physically distinct asset or substantially all of the capacity of an asset. At the commencement date, operating lease liabilities and ROU assets are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. Lease liabilities are based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term, discounted using an incremental borrowing rate specific to the underlying asset. ROU assets are equal to the lease liability, adjusted for payments made to the lessor prior to the lease commencement date and lease incentives received, such as tenant improvement allowances. CRA estimates its incremental borrowing rate for each leased asset based on the interest rate CRA would incur to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term in a similar economic environment. CRA recognizes rent expense for its operating leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. CRA classifies as short-term leases any leases with an initial noncancellable term of twelve months or less that do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that CRA is reasonably certain to exercise. ROU assets and lease liabilities related to short-term leases are excluded from the consolidated balance sheets. CRA leases office space and equipment. CRA's equipment leases are generally short-term. CRA's office space leases have remaining lease terms between one which may include a penalty for exercising the option. Many of the termination options require notice within a specified period, after which the option is no longer available to CRA if not exercised. The extension options and termination options may be exercised at CRA's sole discretion. CRA does not consider in the measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities an option to extend or terminate a lease if CRA is not reasonably certain to exercise the option. As of December 28, 2024, CRA has not included any options to extend or terminate in its measurement of ROU assets or lease liabilities. Certain of CRA's office space leases impose asset retirement obligations due to office modifications or the periodic redecoration of the premises. These obligations are included in deferred compensation and other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and are recorded at a value based on their estimated discounted cash flows. Many of CRA's office space leases include fixed and variable payments. Variable payments relate to real estate taxes, sales or use taxes, insurance, operating expenses, and common area maintenance, which are usually billed at actual amounts incurred proportionate to CRA's rented square feet of the building. Variable payments that do not depend on an index or rate are expensed by CRA as they are incurred and are not included in the measurement of the lease liability. Many of CRA's leases contain both lease and non-lease components. For office space leases, lease and non-lease components are accounted for as a single component. For equipment leases, fixed and variable payments are allocated to each component relative to observable or estimated standalone prices. CRA measures its variable lease costs as the portion of variable payments that are allocated to lease components. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment as of October 15 and if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. CRA assesses goodwill at the reporting unit level. For CRA's fiscal 2024 goodwill impairment analysis, it operated as one reporting unit, which is its consulting services. The annual goodwill impairment test may use a qualitative or quantitative assessment. In performing the qualitative assessment, CRA considers various factors, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, a sustained decrease in share price, and factors specific to the reporting unit. In performing the quantitative assessment, CRA compares the estimated value of its reporting unit to its net book value to identify potential impairment. CRA estimates the fair value of its consulting business reporting unit utilizing its market capitalization plus an appropriate control premium. Market capitalization is determined by multiplying CRA's shares outstanding by the market price of its common stock. CRA determines the control premium utilizing data from publicly available premium studies for the trailing four quarters for public company transactions in its industry group. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its net book value, goodwill is impaired. Intangible Assets Intangible assets are comprised of customer relationship intangibles, which are separable from goodwill and have determinable useful lives. CRA's intangible assets are valued separately and amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of approximately three years for computer equipment, three Debt Issuance Costs CRA records its debt issuance costs related to its revolving credit facility as an asset and amortizes the costs over the term of the credit agreement using the straight-line method. Debt issuance costs in the amount of $0.2 million and $0.4 million are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 28, 2024. Debt issuance costs in the amount of $0.2 million and $0.6 million are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 30, 2023. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets CRA reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets (primarily property and equipment, finite-lived intangible assets, and ROU assets) to assess the recoverability of these assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Factors CRA considers important that could trigger an impairment review include, among others, the following: • a significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; • a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset (asset group); • a significant change in the manner of CRA's use of the acquired asset or the strategy for CRA's overall business; • a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset (asset group); • an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset (asset group); • a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset (asset group); • a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset (asset group) will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life; and • a significant negative industry or economic trend. If CRA determines that an impairment review is required, CRA would review the expected future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the assets or asset groups. If CRA determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets or asset groups may not be recoverable, CRA would measure any impairment based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by CRA to be commensurate with the risk inherent in CRA's current business model. If impairment is indicated through this review, the carrying amount of the assets would be reduced to their estimated fair value. Fair Value of Financial Instruments ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement), then priority to quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market (Level 2 measurement), then the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). CRA's financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments or because their stated interest rates are indicative of market interest rates. Income Taxes CRA records income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases. CRA includes in the estimate of deferred tax assets and liabilities an estimate of the realizable benefits from operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. CRA is required to establish a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets to reflect the likelihood of realization. Significant management judgment is required in determining deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against its net deferred tax assets. The weight of all available evidence is evaluated to determine whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The decision to record a valuation allowance requires varying degrees of judgment based upon the nature of the item giving rise to the deferred tax asset. If, after a valuation allowance is recorded, it is determined that CRA would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, CRA would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. CRA's effective tax rate may vary from period to period based on changes in estimated taxable income or loss; changes to the valuation allowance; changes to federal, state, or foreign tax laws; future expansion into areas with varying country, state, and local income tax rates; deductibility of certain costs; uncertain tax positions; expenses by jurisdiction; and results of acquisitions or dispositions. The calculation of CRA's tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in several different tax jurisdictions. CRA is periodically reviewed by domestic and foreign tax authorities. These reviews include questions regarding the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. CRA accounts for uncertainties in income tax positions in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740"). The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. CRA has elected to recognize the tax on global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") as a period expense in the period the tax is incurred. As such, CRA has included its GILTI provision associated with current-year operations solely within the estimated annual effective tax rate ("EAETR") and has not provided additional GILTI on deferred items. Share-Based Compensation CRA accounts for equity-based compensation using a fair value based recognition method. Under the fair value recognition requirements of ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation ("ASC Topic 718"), share-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period of the award. For those awards that are deemed probable of vesting, CRA recognizes the estimated fair value as expense over the requisite service period of the award. The amount of share-based compensation expense recognized at any date must at least equal the portion of grant date value of the award that is vested at that date. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, for time-vesting restricted stock units awarded to employees, CRA estimates share-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the restricted stock units and awards and recognizes the cost for awards that are probable of vesting over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis. Performance-vesting restricted stock units are expensed using the graded attribution method. The forfeiture rate is based upon historical experience. CRA believes its historical experience is an appropriate indicator of future forfeitures. Common Stock and Equity Equity transactions consist primarily of the repurchase by CRA of its common stock under its share repurchase program and the recognition of compensation expense and issuance of common stock under CRA’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company repurchases its common stock under its share repurchase program in open market purchases (including through any Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted by CRA) or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable insider trading and other securities laws and regulations. The purchase price of common stock is first charged against available paid-in capital (“PIC”) until PIC is exhausted, after which the purchase price is charged to retained earnings. CRA’s common stock has no par value. All shares repurchased have been retired. Net Income (Loss) Per Share CRA computes basic net income or loss per share utilizing the two-class method, whereby net earnings are allocated to each class of common stock and participating security as if all the net earnings for the period had been distributed. Under the two-class method, basic net income or loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss allocated to common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. CRA's participating securities consist of unvested share-based payment awards that contain a nonforfeitable right to receive dividends. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the basic net income or loss per share calculation. CRA computes diluted net income or loss per share utilizing the more dilutive of either the two-class method or the treasury stock method. Under the two-class method, diluted net income or loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares determined from the basic earnings per share computation and the number of common stock equivalents that would have a dilutive effect. Under the treasury stock method, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding is increased by the potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive shares are related to our restricted stock, stock options, time-vesting RSUs, and performance-vesting RSUs. To the extent that there is a net loss, CRA assumes all common stock equivalents to be anti-dilutive, and they are excluded from diluted weighted-average shares outstanding. Recent Accounting Standards Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures On December 28, 2024, CRA adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("ASU 2023-07"), which established reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclo |
