Huron Consulting (HURN) 10-K 26 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 18, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
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	'	23,284,297	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$1,055,300,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$58,131	$25,162
Receivables from clients, net	123,750	97,510
Unbilled services, net	55,125	47,232
Income tax receivable	270	192
Deferred income taxes, net	15,498	14,751
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	19,740	15,525
Total current assets	272,514	200,372
Property and equipment, net	38,742	33,805
Other non-current assets	16,485	15,322
Intangible assets, net	21,222	18,879
Goodwill	536,637	519,522
Total assets	885,600	787,900
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	8,185	8,461
Accrued expenses	19,180	17,692
Accrued payroll and related benefits	97,677	61,672
Bank borrowings, current portion	25,000	'
Accrued consideration for business acquisitions, current portion	5,177	5,640
Income tax payable	2,917	7,872
Deferred revenues	15,248	15,388
Total current liabilities	173,384	116,725
Non-current liabilities:	'	'
Deferred compensation and other liabilities	5,360	6,973
Bank borrowings, net of current portion	143,750	192,500
Deferred lease incentives	12,355	6,936
Deferred income taxes, net	20,487	14,560
Accrued consideration for business acquisitions, net of current portion	'	4,885
Total non-current liabilities	181,952	225,854
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 25,246,565 and 24,793,327 shares issued at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	245	240
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,993,769 and 1,880,809 shares at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	-88,091	-83,715
Additional paid-in capital	443,144	420,825
Retained earnings	175,763	109,330
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-797	-1,359
Total stockholders' equity	530,264	445,321
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$885,600	$787,900

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
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	25,246,565	24,793,327
Treasury stock, shares	1,993,769	1,880,809

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ear

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Other Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues and reimbursable expenses:	'	'	'
Revenues	$720,522	$625,961	$606,314
Reimbursable expenses	67,267	55,764	51,580
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses	787,789	681,725	657,894
Direct costs and reimbursable expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown in operating expenses):	'	'	'
Direct costs	443,539	384,884	376,084
Amortization of intangible assets and software development costs	3,091	3,809	5,364
Reimbursable expenses	67,320	55,772	51,673
Total direct costs and reimbursable expenses	513,950	444,465	433,121
Operating expenses and other operating gains:	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	138,538	125,266	119,325
Restructuring charges	761	4,004	3,829
Restatement related expenses	'	1,785	4,579
Litigation and other settlement (gains) losses	-5,875	1,150	1,096
Depreciation and amortization	20,510	18,529	18,524
Goodwill impairment charge	'	13,083	21,973
Total operating expenses and other operating gains	153,934	163,817	169,326
Operating income	119,905	73,443	55,447
Other income (expense), net:	'	'	'
Interest expense, net of interest income	-6,518	-8,223	-12,259
Other income (expense), net	252	428	-78
Total other expense, net	-6,266	-7,795	-12,337
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	113,639	65,648	43,110
Income tax expense	47,176	29,695	21,629
Net income from continuing operations	66,463	35,953	21,481
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (including loss on disposal of $1.9 million in 2011), net of tax	-30	475	-962
Net income	66,433	36,428	20,519
Net earnings per basic share:	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$2.98	$1.64	$1.01
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	$0.02	($0.05)
Net income	$2.98	$1.66	$0.96
Net earnings per diluted share:	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$2.92	$1.61	$0.99
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	$0.02	($0.04)
Net income	$2.92	$1.63	$0.95
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:	'	'	'
Basic	22,322	21,905	21,324
Diluted	22,777	22,285	21,676
Comprehensive income:	'	'	'
Net income	66,433	36,428	20,519
Foreign currency translation gain, net of tax	89	129	154
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax	473	-279	597
Other comprehensive income (loss)	562	-150	751
Comprehensive income	$66,995	$36,278	$21,270

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ear1

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Other Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Gain (Loss) on disposal of discontinued operations	($1,860)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$348,372	$222	($65,675)	$363,402	$52,383	($1,960)
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	22,241,429	-1,420,935	'	'	'
Comprehensive income	21,270	'	'	'	20,519	751
Issuance of common stock in connection with:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations	'	6	-5,539	5,533	'	'
Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations, shares	'	618,990	-109,023	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	219	1	'	218	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares	'	27,862	'	'	'	'
Settlement of class action lawsuit	13,648	5	'	13,643	'	'
Settlement of class action lawsuit, shares	'	474,547	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	18,443	'	'	18,443	'	'
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings	-4,521	'	-4,521	'	'	'
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings, shares	'	'	-149,075	'	'	'
Income tax benefit (deficit) on share-based compensation	-642	'	'	-642	'	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	396,789	234	-75,735	400,597	72,902	-1,209
Ending 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 (deficit) 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	41,000	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 (deficit) 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	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$66,433	$36,428	$20,519
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	23,609	25,251	24,717
Share-based compensation	18,347	15,651	19,388
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services	4,411	-4,935	-8,392
Deferred income taxes	4,683	-521	29,702
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	'	'	20
Loss on sale of business	'	'	1,860
Non-cash portion of litigation settlement	'	'	1,096
Goodwill impairment charge	'	13,083	23,900
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:	'	'	'
(Increase) decrease in receivables from clients	-21,731	19,713	-21,055
(Increase) decrease in unbilled services	-11,932	4,333	-7,179
(Increase) decrease in current income tax receivable / payable, net	-5,027	27,078	-15,244
(Increase) decrease in other assets	1,189	2,615	4,296
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,514	-10,226	-3,810
Increase (decrease) in accrued payroll and related benefits	34,724	-5,676	20,909
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues	-962	-20,430	18,682
Net cash provided by operating activities	115,258	102,364	109,409
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment, net	-20,225	-17,521	-14,731
Net investment in life insurance policies	-1,002	-600	-434
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	-30,297	-55,223	-24,905
Capitalization of internally developed software	-1,572	-895	'
Sale of business	'	'	788
Proceeds from note receivable	438	'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-52,658	-74,239	-39,282
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	198	276	219
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings	-1,449	-4,438	-4,521
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	2,354	1,585	1,094
Proceeds from borrowings under credit facility	96,000	273,000	282,301
Repayments on credit facility	-119,750	-274,000	-348,500
Payments for debt issue costs	-1,155	-2,482	'
Payments of capital lease obligations	-19	-12	-62
Deferred payment for purchase of property and equipment	-471	'	'
Deferred acquisition payments	-5,356	-2,000	-2,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-29,648	-8,071	-71,469
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	17	28	75
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	32,969	20,082	-1,267
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	25,162	5,080	6,347
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	58,131	25,162	5,080
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'	'
Property and equipment expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,548	4,376	1,151
Note received for sale of business	'	'	2,680
Debt issuance costs	'	'	2,699
Issuance of common stock in connection with settlement of class action lawsuit	'	'	13,648
Deferred payments related to business combinations	'	10,113	'
Cash paid during the year for:	'	'	'
Interest	4,912	7,211	9,578
Income taxes	$45,658	$14,370	$6,179

Description_of_Business

Description of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
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, 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_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
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, 2013 and 2012, and the results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Certain amounts reported in the previous years have been reclassified to conform to the 2013 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.
	During the fourth quarter of 2013, we identified that accrued capital expenditures were incorrectly classified as Purchases of property and equipment, net within in the investing activities section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows presented herein have been revised to reflect the correction of this error. The results of this correction were a (decrease) increase in net cash used in investing activities of $(3.2) million and $0.8 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, with offsetting adjustments recorded to net cash provided by operating activities during the same periods. This classification error is not considered material for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, and 2013 or the quarters ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013, and September 30, 2013.
	In recent years, we have undertaken several separate initiatives to divest certain practices within the Huron Financial segment in order to enable us to devote more of our energy and financial resources to the remaining businesses of the Company where we have a more substantial market presence. As a result of these actions, the operating results of the divested practices are reported as “discontinued operations.” All other operations of the business are considered “continuing operations.” Amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to this presentation in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codifications (“ASC”) Topic 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements” to allow for meaningful comparison of continuing operations. See Note 3 “Discontinued Operations” for additional information about our discontinued operations.
	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 FASB ASC Topic 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 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. 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. License revenue from our revenue cycle management software is 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.
	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 Topic 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 17 “Segment Information” for concentration of accounts receivable and unbilled services.
	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. The carrying values of our bank borrowings reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value, using level 2 inputs, since they bear interest at variable rates based on market rates as set forth in the 2011 Credit Agreement. See Note 11 “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 $2.2 million and $0.9 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we amortized $0.2 million of capitalized software development costs. We did not amortize any of the capitalized software development costs in 2012 or 2011 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 Topic 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 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill
	We account for intangible assets in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.” This topic requires that certain identifiable intangible assets be amortized over their expected useful lives. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in a similar manner to our long-lived assets described above. In 2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.6 million relating to intangible assets for which the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value. No impairment charges for intangible assets were recorded in 2013 or 2012.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Under the provisions of ASC Topic 350, goodwill is required to be tested at the reporting unit level for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests whenever indications of impairment arise. We have determined our reporting units to be the Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, Huron Education and Life Sciences, Huron Financial and All Other segments based on the definition of a reporting unit as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment that constitutes a reporting unit. We did not identify any components of the operating segments that meet the definition of a reporting unit. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, resulting in an impairment charge for the excess. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-08, which allows us to assess qualitative factors for some or all of our reporting units to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. Alternatively, we may bypass this qualitative assessment for some or all of our reporting units and perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test.
	In the third quarters of 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $13.1 million and $22.0 million, respectively, related to our Huron Financial segment. See Note 4 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for information regarding our 2012 and 2011 goodwill impairment charges.
	Pursuant to our policy, we performed the annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2013 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, 2013 that would indicate goodwill may have become impaired since our annual impairment test. Based on our evaluation as of December 31, 2013, we determined that no indications of impairment have arisen since our annual goodwill impairment test.
	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 $12.4 million and $6.9 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, 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 Topic 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 Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” Share-based compensation cost is measured based on the grant date fair value of the respective awards. We recognize share-based compensation ratably using either the graded vesting attribution method or the straight-line attribution method, as appropriate, over the requisite service period, net of our estimated amount of expected forfeitures.
	In the second quarter of 2013, we identified a $1.1 million error in share-based compensation expense resulting from the use of the straight-line attribution method for performance awards with graded vesting features granted in prior periods. The $1.1 million pretax adjustment, which resulted in a $0.9 million increase in Direct costs and a $0.2 million increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses, with a corresponding $1.1 million increase in Additional paid-in capital, represented the cumulative error related to all prior period financial statements beginning with the first quarter of 2010 through the first quarter of 2013. After consideration of both quantitative and qualitative factors, we concluded that our previously issued annual and quarterly financial statements for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012 and the first quarter of 2013 were not materially misstated, and the effect of recognizing this adjustment during the second quarter of 2013 was not material for the period then ended and is not material for full year 2013 results.
	Sponsorship and Advertising Costs
	Sponsorship and advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Such expenses for 2013, 2012, and 2011 totaled $6.6 million, $6.1 million, and $6.2 million, respectively, and are a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of earnings.
	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 (expense), net on the statements of operations. We recognized immaterial foreign currency transaction losses in 2013 and 2011, and immaterial foreign currency transaction gains in 2012.
	Segment Reporting
	ASC Topic 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 by ASC Topic 280 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 Education and Life Sciences, Huron Legal, Huron Financial, and All Other.
	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 Financial. 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. Certain amounts reported in the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	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. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2014. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2013-11 to impact our 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. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2014. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which amends current accounting guidance on comprehensive income. The guidance requires an entity to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income if the amount is reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, a cross reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about the reclassification amounts is required. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. The guidance required a change in disclosure only and did not have any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	3. Discontinued Operations
	In recent years, we have undertaken several separate initiatives to divest certain practices within the Huron Financial segment in order to enable us to devote more of our energy and financial resources to the remaining businesses of the Company where we have a more substantial market presence. Most recently, on December 30, 2011, we sold the Accounting Advisory (“AA”) practice to a group of investors including the managing director of the practice at the time and recognized a loss of $1.9 million in connection with the sale.
	As a result of these actions, the operating results of our divested practices are reported as “discontinued operations.” All other operations of the business are considered “continuing operations.” Summarized operating results of discontinued operations are presented in the following table (amounts in thousands):
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012		2011
	Revenues		$	64		$	598	$	22,824
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense (1)		$	(49	)	$	764	$	(1,915	)
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	(30	)	$	475	$	(962	)
	-1	Includes goodwill impairment charge of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.
	There were no significant assets or liabilities related to discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	The table below sets forth the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
			Health and				Huron				Huron				Huron				Huron			Total
			Education				Healthcare				Legal				Education				Financial
			Consulting												and Life
															Sciences
	Balance as of December 31, 2011:
	Goodwill		$	450,828			$	—			$	33,180			$	—			$	158,077		$	642,085
	Accumulated impairment losses			—				—				—				—				(129,900	)		(129,900	)
	Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2011			450,828				—				33,180				—				28,177			512,185
	Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations			552				—				19,353				—				—			19,905
	Additional purchase price subsequently recorded for business combinations (1)			101				—				—				—				—			101
	Goodwill reallocation (2)			(1,000	)			—				—				—				1,000			—
	Foreign currency translation			—				—				414				—				—			414
	Impairment charge			—				—				—				—				(13,083	)		(13,083	)
	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
	-1	Consists primarily of additional purchase price earned by selling shareholders subsequent to the business combination as certain financial performance targets and conditions were met. These payments are not contingent upon the continuing employment of the selling shareholders. Such amounts are recorded as additional purchase consideration in the period they are earned with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. As of December 31, 2011, $32.1 million was accrued under such arrangements and was paid to selling shareholders in 2012. As of December 31, 2013, we have no further obligations under these arrangements for prior acquisitions.
	-2	From time to time, we reorganize our internal organization structure to better align our service offerings. During the first quarter of 2012, we moved our healthcare valuation practice from our Health and Education Consulting segment to our Financial Consulting segment. As a result, $1.0 million of related goodwill was also reallocated between these segments using a relative fair value approach.
	2013 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test
	Pursuant to our policy and in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other,” we performed our annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2013 on our four reporting units that carry a goodwill balance: Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, Huron Education and Life Sciences and Huron Financial. For the Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, and Huron Education and Life Sciences 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 is 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 Financial reporting unit, we performed the first step of the quantitative two-step impairment test by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, inclusive of assigned goodwill. In estimating the fair value of the Huron Financial 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. 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 Financial reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by 36% 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, 2013, we concluded that goodwill was not impaired.
	First Quarter 2013 Goodwill Reassignment
	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 Financial. 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 and reporting units.
	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 by 79% and 61%, respectively. 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 Financial 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 Financial segment with its net book value (or carrying amount), including goodwill. In estimating the fair value of the Huron Financial segment, 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 Financial segment 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 Financial segment’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 to reduce the carrying value of goodwill in our Huron Financial segment.
	Third Quarter 2011 Goodwill Impairment Charge
	During the third quarter of 2011, in connection with our quarterly forecasting cycle, we updated the forecasted results of operations for our operating segments based on the most recent financial results and our best estimates of future operations. The updated forecast reflected a decline in revenues for the AA practice within our Huron Financial segment primarily due to the inability to generate new sales to replace decreasing revenues from one significant client. As a result, in connection with the preparation of our financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, we performed an impairment analysis with respect to the carrying value of goodwill in our Huron Financial segment.
	Our goodwill impairment test was performed using the quantitative two-step process discussed above. In the first step, we compared the fair value of the Huron Financial segment with its net book value (or carrying amount), including goodwill. In estimating the fair value of the Huron Financial segment, 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 Financial segment was less than its carrying value as of September 30, 2011 and, as such, we applied the second step of the goodwill impairment test to this segment as described above. Based on the result of the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis, we recorded a $23.9 million non-cash pretax charge to reduce the carrying value of goodwill in our Huron Financial segment. The tax benefit associated with this charge was $9.5 million. Of the $23.9 million goodwill impairment charge, $1.9 million is reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Other Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2011.
	Acquisitions
	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.
	During 2012, the Company completed two acquisitions within the Huron Legal segment: Ascertus Ltd., a London-based source of software solutions and professional services for corporate legal departments and law firms, and Adams Grayson, a managed review and legal staffing firm based in Washington, D.C.; and one acquisition within the former Health and Education Consulting segment: the Higher Education practice of Slover-Linett Strategies, Inc., a research and assessment services practice for colleges, universities and other higher education organizations (“Slover-Linett”). The aggregate fair value of the total consideration transferred for the two acquisitions within the Huron Legal segment totaled $31.2 million. We recorded $8.6 million of intangible assets and $19.4 million of goodwill related to these two acquisitions. The fair value of the total consideration transferred for the acquisition within the former Health and Education Consulting segment totaled $1.5 million. We recorded $0.4 million of intangible assets and $1.0 million of goodwill related to this acquisition.
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
					December 31, 2013								December 31, 2012
			Useful Life		Gross				Accumulated				Gross				Accumulated
			in Years		Carrying				Amortization				Carrying				Amortization
					Amount								Amount
	Customer contracts		1		$	689			$	226			$	—			$	—
	Customer relationships		2 to 13			31,946				14,814				24,738				10,268
	Non-competition agreements		1 to 6			5,480				3,655				4,684				3,067
	Trade names		1 to 8			120				24				150				8
	Technology and software		5			4,041				2,559				4,041				1,751
	Document reviewer database		3			450				270				450				90
	License		2			50				6				—				—
	Total				$	42,776			$	21,554			$	34,063			$	15,184
	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 customer relationships, customer contracts, non-competition agreements, trade names, technology and software, the document reviewer database, and licenses are amortized on a straight-line basis.
	Intangible assets amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $6.8 million, $7.0 million, and $8.2 million, respectively. Estimated intangible assets amortization expense is $7.2 million for 2014, $5.1 million for 2015, $3.5 million for 2016, $2.3 million for 2017, and $1.4 million for 2018. Actual amortization expense could differ from these estimated amounts as a result of future acquisitions and other factors.
	As discussed under Note 9 “Restructuring Charges,” we wrote off $0.6 million of intangible assets during 2011 as a result of a change in strategy and forecasted results for a specific practice in our former Health and Education Consulting segment.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	5. Property and Equipment
	Depreciation expense for property and equipment was $16.6 million, $15.3 million, and $15.7 million for 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Property and equipment at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Computers, related equipment, and software	$	69,979		$	54,575
	Leasehold improvements		39,343			36,388
	Furniture and fixtures		19,442			18,946
	Assets under capital lease		1,022			877
	Assets under construction		612			—
	Property and equipment		130,398			110,786
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(91,656	)		(76,981	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	38,742		$	33,805
	During 2011, we decreased our estimate of the expected useful life for certain internal use software and as a result recorded additional depreciation expense of $0.6 million and $1.2 million during 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, this software was fully depreciated.

Borrowings

Borrowings	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Borrowings	'
	6. Borrowings
	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 by the first and second amendments to the credit agreement dated as of August 31, 2012 and September 25, 2013, respectively (as amended and modified, the “2011 Credit Agreement”). The 2011 Credit Agreement replaced the previous Credit Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2006, and all subsequent amendments thereto, by and among the Company and the lenders therein. The second amendment to the credit agreement extended the term of the 2011 Credit Agreement from August 31, 2017 to September 25, 2018, and provided for less restrictive covenants, among other things.
	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 greatest 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 the date of the second amendment to the credit agreement, the Term Loan had a principal amount outstanding of $181.3 million. This principal balance is subject to scheduled quarterly amortization payments that began in 2013. The aggregate annual quarterly amortization payments, expressed as a percentage of the original principal balance, are as follows: 6.9% in 2013, 13.8% in 2014, 15.8% in 2015, 16.6% in 2016, 16.6% in 2017, and 30.3% in 2018, as set forth in the 2011 Credit Agreement. The maturity date for the Term Loan is September 25, 2018, at which time the outstanding principal balance and all accrued interest will be due and payable in full. 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, 2013, 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. In addition, certain acquisitions and similar transactions need to be approved by the lenders.
	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 that varies throughout the term and was 3.00 to 1.00 as of December 31, 2013, as those ratios are defined therein, as well as a minimum net worth greater than $150 million. At December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with these financial covenants with a fixed charge coverage ratio of 4.28 to 1.00, a leverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00, and net worth greater than $150 million. At December 31, 2012, we were also in compliance with these financial debt covenants.
	The borrowing capacity under the 2011 Credit Agreement is reduced by any outstanding letters of credit and payments under the Term Loan. At December 31, 2013, outstanding letters of credit totaled $4.9 million and are primarily used as security deposits for our office facilities. As of December 31, 2013, the unused borrowing capacity under the 2011 Credit Agreement was $242.6 million. Borrowings outstanding under this credit facility at December 31, 2013 totaled $168.8 million, all of which was under the Term Loan. These borrowings carried a weighted average interest rate of 2.0%, including the effect of the interest rate swaps described below in Note 10 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity.” Borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2012 were $192.5 million and carried a weighted average interest rate of 2.5%. Effective March 31, 2013, we have classified as current liabilities the scheduled quarterly principal payments due under the Term Loan within twelve months of the balance sheet date, as we intend to make these payments with cash from operations rather than from availability under the Revolver.

Capital_Structure

Capital Structure	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Capital Structure	'
	7. 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, 2013 and 2012, 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.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	8. 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. Earnings per share under the basic and diluted computations are as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Net income from continuing operations	$	66,463		$	35,953	$	21,481
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(30	)		475		(962	)
	Net income	$	66,433		$	36,428	$	20,519
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic		22,322			21,905		21,324
	Weighted average common stock equivalents		455			380		352
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted		22,777			22,285		21,676
	Net earnings per basic share:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	2.98		$	1.64	$	1.01
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			0.02		(0.05	)
	Net income	$	2.98		$	1.66	$	0.96
	Net earnings per diluted share:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	2.92		$	1.61	$	0.99
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			0.02		(0.04	)
	Net income	$	2.92		$	1.63	$	0.95
	The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes unvested restricted stock, outstanding options and other common stock equivalents in periods where inclusion of such potential common stock instruments would be anti-dilutive. The weighted average common stock equivalents presented above do not include the effect of approximately 75,900, 85,300, and 342,000 common stock equivalents for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
	9. Restructuring Charges
	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. The charge primarily consisted of the remaining balance on the lease paid in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	As of December 31, 2013, our restructuring charge liability is $0.7 million, and consists of $0.6 million related to the present value of remaining lease payments, net of estimated sublease income, for our vacated office spaces in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. and $0.1 million related to severance costs. The restructuring charge liability is included as a component of Accrued expenses and Deferred compensation and other liabilities.
	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.
	During 2011, we incurred a $3.8 million pretax restructuring expense. This expense 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 $1.0 million primarily relating to our All Other segment.
	Office exit costs—During 2011, we relocated our Boston office and consolidated space at our Chicago headquarters. In conjunction with the Boston relocation, we incurred moving expenses and recorded a charge for the present value of the remaining lease payments through 2013 for our old office space, net of estimated sublease income. The total charge associated with the Boston office exit was $0.3 million. As a result of the Chicago office space consolidation we incurred a $0.5 million charge, which primarily consisted of the present value of remaining lease payments through 2014, net of estimated sublease income.
	Accelerated depreciation—We accelerated the depreciation on leasehold improvements related to two of our office spaces. We incurred $0.6 million of accelerated depreciation expense on leasehold improvements at our Boston office location, which we vacated during the fourth quarter of 2011, as discussed above. We also incurred $0.8 million of accelerated depreciation expense on leasehold improvements related to our New York City office, which we vacated during the fourth quarter of 2012, as discussed above.
	Intangible asset write-off – As the result of a change in strategy and forecasted results for a specific practice in our All Other segment, we wrote off $0.6 million of intangible assets during 2011.

Restructuring_Charges

Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring Charges	'
	9. Restructuring Charges
	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. The charge primarily consisted of the remaining balance on the lease paid in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	As of December 31, 2013, our restructuring charge liability is $0.7 million, and consists of $0.6 million related to the present value of remaining lease payments, net of estimated sublease income, for our vacated office spaces in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. and $0.1 million related to severance costs. The restructuring charge liability is included as a component of Accrued expenses and Deferred compensation and other liabilities.
	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.
	During 2011, we incurred a $3.8 million pretax restructuring expense. This expense 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 $1.0 million primarily relating to our All Other segment.
	Office exit costs—During 2011, we relocated our Boston office and consolidated space at our Chicago headquarters. In conjunction with the Boston relocation, we incurred moving expenses and recorded a charge for the present value of the remaining lease payments through 2013 for our old office space, net of estimated sublease income. The total charge associated with the Boston office exit was $0.3 million. As a result of the Chicago office space consolidation we incurred a $0.5 million charge, which primarily consisted of the present value of remaining lease payments through 2014, net of estimated sublease income.
	Accelerated depreciation—We accelerated the depreciation on leasehold improvements related to two of our office spaces. We incurred $0.6 million of accelerated depreciation expense on leasehold improvements at our Boston office location, which we vacated during the fourth quarter of 2011, as discussed above. We also incurred $0.8 million of accelerated depreciation expense on leasehold improvements related to our New York City office, which we vacated during the fourth quarter of 2012, as discussed above.
	Intangible asset write-off – As the result of a change in strategy and forecasted results for a specific practice in our All Other segment, we wrote off $0.6 million of intangible assets during 2011.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity	'
	10. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity
	On March 20, 2009, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement for a notional amount of $100.0 million effective on March 31, 2009 and ending on February 23, 2012. We entered into this derivative instrument to hedge against the risk of changes in future cash flows related to changes in interest rates on $100.0 million of the total variable-rate borrowings outstanding described above in Note 6 “Borrowings.” Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, we received from the counterparty interest on the $100.0 million notional amount based on one-month LIBOR and we paid to the counterparty a fixed rate of 1.715%. This swap effectively converted $100.0 million of our variable-rate borrowings to fixed-rate borrowings beginning on March 31, 2009 and through February 23, 2012.
	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 continue hedging against the interest rate risks of our variable-rate borrowings described above. 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 described above. 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 described above. 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 Topic 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 Topic 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, 2013, it was anticipated that $0.5 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, 2013, 2012, and 2011.
	The table below sets forth additional information relating to these interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		Fair Value (Derivative Asset and Liability)
	Balance Sheet Location	December 31,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Other non-current assets	$	752	$	—
	Accrued expenses	$	765	$	493
	Deferred compensation and other liabilities	$	140	$	439
	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. If we had elected to net our derivative instruments subject to master netting agreements as of December 31, 2013, the impact would have reduced our derivative assets and liabilities by $0.8 million. As of December 31, 2012, all of our derivative instruments were recorded as liabilities.
	We do not use derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, and we did not have any other derivative instruments or hedging activities as of December 31, 2013. Refer to Note 12 “Other Comprehensive Income” for additional information on our derivative instruments.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	11. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Certain of our assets and liabilities are measured at fair value. ASC Topic 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 Topic 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.
	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. The carrying values of our bank borrowings reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value, using level 2 inputs, since they bear interest at variable rates based on market rates as set forth in the 2011 Credit Agreement. Refer to Note 6 “Borrowings.”
	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, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant		Total
		in Active		Other		Unobservable
		Markets for		Observable		Inputs
		Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	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 payments		—		—		5,177		5,177
	Total liabilities	$	—	$	583	$	5,177	$	5,760
	December 31, 2012
	Asset:
	Promissory note	$	—	$	—	$	2,907	$	2,907
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	932	$	—	$	932
	Deferred acquisition payments		—		—		10,525		10,525
	Total liabilities	$	—	$	932	$	10,525	$	11,457
	As part of the consideration received for the sale of our AA practice on December 30, 2011, the Company received a $3.5 million promissory note payable over four years. The note will be paid to the Company in quarterly installments of approximately $0.2 million which began in April 2013 with a final payment of approximately $1.1 million on the maturity date in December 2015. The fair value of the note is based on the net present value of the projected cash flows using a discount rate of 14%, which accounts for the risks associated with the note. The decrease in the fair value of the note during 2013 reflects the principal payments received, 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.
	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.
	Deferred acquisition payments are included in the total purchase consideration for certain business acquisitions the Company has completed, and represent fixed future payments owed to the sellers of those businesses. The fair value of the deferred acquisition payments is based on the payment terms, which range from one to two years, and the net present value of expected cash flows using a discount rate ranging from 4% to 8%. The decrease in the fair value during 2013 reflects the principal payments made, less the accretion of interest expense in excess of interest payments made.

Other_Comprehensive_Income

Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Other Comprehensive Income	'
	12. Other Comprehensive Income
	The table below sets forth the components of other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013									2012									2011
		Before			Tax			Net			Before			Tax			Net of			Before			Tax			Net of
		Taxes			(Expense)			of			Taxes			(Expense)			Taxes			Taxes			(Expense)			Taxes
					Benefit			Taxes						Benefit									Benefit
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	41		$	48		$	89		$	235		$	(106	)	$	129		$	175		$	(21	)	$	154
	Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
	Change in fair value	$	222		$	(83	)	$	139		$	(1,133	)	$	454		$	(679	)	$	(507	)	$	203		$	(304	)
	Reclassification adjustments into earnings		557			(223	)		334			667			(267	)		400			1,501			(600	)		901
	Net unrealized gain (loss)	$	779		$	(306	)	$	473		$	(466	)	$	187		$	(279	)	$	994		$	(397	)	$	597
	Other comprehensive income	$	820		$	(258	)	$	562		$	(231	)	$	81		$	(150	)	$	1,169		$	(418	)	$	751
	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.
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, includes the following components:
		Foreign Currency			Net Unrealized			Accumulated Other
		Translation			Gains/(Losses)			Comprehensive Loss
		Adjustments			on Derivatives
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	(805	)	$	(554	)	$	(1,359	)
	Current period change		89			473			562
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	(716	)	$	(81	)	$	(797	)

Employee_Benefit_and_Deferred_

Employee Benefit and Deferred Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit and Deferred Compensation Plans	'
	13. 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, 2013, 2012, and 2011 were $13.8 million, $12.0 million, and $11.1 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, 2013 and 2012 was $4.3 million and $4.4 million, respectively.

Equity_Incentive_Plans

Equity Incentive Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Equity Incentive Plans	'
	14. 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. As of December 31, 2013, approximately 750,173 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, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $18.3 million, $15.7 million, and $19.2 million, respectively, with related income tax benefits of $7.1 million, $6.0 million, and $7.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, there was $19.2 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 2.4 years.
	In the second quarter of 2013, we identified a $1.1 million error in share-based compensation expense resulting from the use of the straight-line attribution method for performance awards with graded vesting features granted in prior periods. The $1.1 million pretax adjustment, which resulted in a $0.9 million increase in Direct costs and a $0.2 million increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses, with a corresponding $1.1 million increase in Additional paid-in capital, represents the cumulative error related to all prior period financial statements beginning with the first quarter of 2010 through the first quarter of 2013. After consideration of both quantitative and qualitative factors, we concluded that our previously issued annual and quarterly financial statements for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012 and the first quarter of 2013 were not materially misstated, and the effect of recognizing this adjustment during the second quarter of 2013 was not material for the period then ended and is not material for full year 2013 results.
	Stock Options
	During 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company granted stock option awards to certain named executive officers. 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 values of the options granted during 2013, 2012, and 2011 were calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:
		2013		2012	2011
	Black-Scholes option-pricing model:
	Expected dividend yield	0.00%		0.00%	0.00%
	Expected volatility	45.00%		45.00%	45.00%
	Risk-free rate	1.10%		1.20%	2.1% / 2.7%
	Expected option life (in years)	6.25		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, 2012, and 2011 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, 2013 was as follows:
		Number			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		of			Average		Average		Intrinsic
		Options			Exercise		Remaining		Value
		(in thousands)			Price		Contractual		(in millions)
					(in dollars)		Term
							(in years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		246		$	22.49		6.4	$	2.7
	Granted		37		$	39.19
	Exercised		(41	)	$	4.85
	Forfeited or expired		(5	)	$	29.89
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		237		$	27.95		6.2	$	8.2
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013		162		$	24.2		5.1	$	6.2
	The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $17.46, $17.09, and $12.52, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $1.7 million, $1.2 million, and $0.5 million, respectively.
	Restricted Stock Awards
	The grant date fair values of our restricted stock awards are measured pursuant to ASC Topic 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, 2013 was as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
		(in thousands)			Grant Date
					Fair Value
					(in dollars)
	Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2012		820		$	32.95
	Granted		379		$	39.76
	Vested		(354	)	$	33.94
	Forfeited		(88	)	$	36.1
	Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2013		757		$	35.53
	The aggregate fair value of restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $14.3 million, $12.2 million, and $14.5 million, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of restricted stock granted during 2012 and 2011 was $37.46 and $27.09, respectively.
	Performance-based Share Awards
	During 2013, 2012, and 2011, 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 dependent upon the achievement of predefined performance goals during the year of grant as established by the Compensation Committee. For certain performance awards, the recipients may earn additional shares of stock for performance achieved above a stated target level. Subject to acceleration under certain conditions, the earned awards vest over a three-year service period. The grant date fair values of our performance-based share awards are measured pursuant to ASC Topic 718. Compensation cost is amortized into expense over the service period.
	Performance-based stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
		(in thousands)			Grant Date
					Fair Value
					(in dollars)
	Nonvested performance-based stock at December 31, 2012		189		$	33.55
	Granted		219		$	39.19
	Vested		(72	)	$	29.22
	Forfeited		(88	)	$	38.38
	Nonvested performance-based stock at December 31, 2013		248		$	38.07
	The aggregate fair value of performance-based stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $3.6 million, $2.9 million, and $0.7 million, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of performance-based stock granted during 2012 and 2011 was $38.18 and $27.10, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	15. Income Taxes
	The income tax expense for continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 consists of the following:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	33,718		$	23,511		$	(9,428	)
	State		6,358			5,033			(542	)
	Foreign		27			59			(115	)
	Total current		40,103			28,603			(10,085	)
	Deferred:
	Federal		6,181			878			27,972
	State		900			289			3,513
	Foreign		(8	)		(75	)		229
	Total deferred		7,073			1,092			31,714
	Income tax expense for continuing operations	$	47,176		$	29,695		$	21,629
	The components of income from continuing operations before income tax expense were as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	U.S.	$	125,140		$	76,750		$	54,313
	Foreign		(11,501	)		(11,102	)		(11,203	)
	Total	$	113,639		$	65,648		$	43,110
	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,
		2013			2012			2011
	Percent of pretax income from continuing operations:
	At U.S. statutory tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		4.3			5.4			6.6
	Meals and entertainment		0.5			0.8			1.2
	Valuation allowance		2			2			4.5
	Disallowed executive compensation		—			0.3			0.7
	Foreign source income		1			2.5			4.5
	Tax credits / Section 199 Deduction		(0.8	)		—			(2.5	)
	Other		(0.5	)		(0.8	)		0.2
	Effective income tax expense rate for continuing operations		41.5	%		45.2	%		50.2	%
	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. The effective tax rate for discontinued operations in 2011 was 49.8% based on a tax benefit of $1.0 million.
	Deferred tax assets for continuing operations at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consist of the following:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Share-based compensation	$	6,206		$	6,337
	Accrued payroll and other liabilities		10,922			9,215
	Deferred lease incentives		5,470			3,381
	Revenue recognition		2,675			3,219
	Net operating loss carry forwards		5,813			4,354
	Tax credits		1,002			611
	Other		1,517			2,408
	Total deferred tax assets		33,605			29,525
	Valuation allowance		(5,746	)		(4,104	)
	Net deferred tax assets		27,859			25,421
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Prepaid expenses		(2,950	)		(4,174	)
	Property and equipment		(2,622	)		(1,478	)
	Intangibles and Goodwill		(25,523	)		(17,774	)
	Other		(1,748	)		(1,754	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(32,843	)		(25,180	)
	Net deferred tax asset (liability) for continuing operations	$	(4,984	)	$	241
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had valuation allowances of $5.7 million and $4.1 million, respectively, primarily due to uncertainties relating to the ability to utilize deferred tax assets recorded for foreign losses. In addition, the Company has net foreign operating losses of $28.5 million which carry forward indefinitely and state net operating loss carry forwards of $2.6 million which will expire between 2025 and 2031. The Company also has federal and state tax credit carry forwards of $1.0 million which expire in 2021 and 2018, respectively.
	In accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”, we must 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, 2011	$	746
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
	Additions based on tax positions related to the prior years		52
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	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
Of the $0.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2013, $0.4 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, 2013 and 2012, 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. The Company is currently under audit by federal tax authorities for tax years 2009 through 2011. Tax years 2009 through 2012 are subject to future examinations by state and local tax authorities. The Company is currently under audit by Quebec tax authorities. Our foreign income tax filings are subject to future examinations by the local foreign tax authorities for tax years 2007 through 2012.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees	'
	16. 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, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $13.3 million, $16.8 million, and $14.9 million, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases and sublease income as of December 31, 2013, are as follows:
		Capital		Operating		Sublease
		Lease		Lease		Income
		Obligations		Obligations
	2014	$	84	$	13,157	$	4,138
	2015		49		14,467		3,665
	2016		—		13,298		1,933
	2017		—		9,369		—
	2018		—		7,426		—
	Thereafter		—		26,774		—
	Total	$	133	$	84,491	$	9,736
	Litigation
	Qui Tam Action
	On December 9, 2009, plaintiff, Associates Against Outlier Fraud, filed a first amended qui tam complaint against Huron Consulting Group Inc. and others under the federal and New York state False Claims Act (“FCA”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The federal and state FCA authorize private individuals (known as “relators”) to sue on behalf of the government (known as “qui tam” actions) alleging that false or fraudulent claims were knowingly submitted to the government. Once a qui tamaction is filed, the government may elect to intervene in the action. If the government declines to intervene, the relator may proceed with the action. Under the federal and state FCA, the government may recover treble damages and civil penalties (civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation under the federal FCA and $12,000 per violation under the state FCA). On January 6, 2010, the United States declined to intervene in the lawsuit. After the Court granted Huron’s motion to dismiss without prejudice, on September 29, 2010, the relator filed a second amended complaint alleging that Huron and others caused St. Vincent Catholic Medical Center to receive more than $30 million in inflated outlier payments under the Medicare and Medicaid programs in violation of the federal and state FCA and seeking to recover an unspecified amount of civil penalties. On March 8, 2013, the Court granted Huron’s motion for summary judgment and dismissed the relator’s second amended complaint in its entirety with prejudice. As a result, during the third quarter of 2013, we reversed the charge of $1.2 million relating to settlement discussions which we had recorded in 2012. The relator filed an appeal on April 2, 2013. On April 8, 2013, Huron filed an appeal of an earlier denial of a motion to dismiss filed by Huron which argued that the relator’s action was barred because, under the FCA jurisdictional bar, the action was based on publicly disclosed information and the relator cannot qualify as an original source. We continue to believe that the claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
	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 breach of contract or defamation/damage to reputation. In addition, the court terminated the Local Sponsorship Agreement as requested by Huron in its counterclaims. On January 16, 2014, Tamalluk appealed the ruling in Huron’s favor. We continue to believe the claims are without merit and will vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
	Other Litigation Gain
	During the third quarter of 2013, we reached a settlement agreement to resolve a lawsuit brought by Huron, resulting in a gain of $5.3 million being recorded. We collected $2.6 million of the settlement amount during the fourth quarter of 2013, and received the remaining amount in January 2014. As of December 31, 2013, the second settlement payment of $2.7 million is recorded as a receivable in Prepaid expenses and other current assets.
	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 or threatened with 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 $4.9 million and $5.1 million were outstanding at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 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

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	17. Segment Information
	Segments are defined by ASC Topic 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. In the first quarter of 2013, the Company reorganized its internal financial reporting structure. Under the new structure, the Company began reporting information as five operating segments: Huron Healthcare; Huron Legal; Huron Education and Life Sciences; Huron Financial; and All Other. Our chief operating decision maker manages the business under these five operating segments.
	Under this new internal financial reporting structure, the former Health and Education Consulting segment became two separate segments: Huron Healthcare and Huron Education and Life Sciences. These practices continue to share a significant number of academic medical center clients and will continue to closely collaborate in the market. The Legal Consulting segment is now referred to as Huron Legal and the Financial Consulting segment is now referred to as Huron Financial. The structure of the Legal Consulting and Financial Consulting segments did not change. 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. While our consolidated results have not been impacted, we have restated our historical segment information for consistent presentation.
	•	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. This segment provides consulting services related to hospital or healthcare organization performance improvement, revenue cycle improvement, clinical quality and care variation, labor productivity, non-labor cost management, information technology, patient flow improvement, and physician practice management.
	•	Huron Legal
		Our Huron Legal segment provides advisory and business services to assist law departments of major global corporations and law firms with their cost and risk effectiveness, organizational design and development, and operational efficiency. These results-driven services add value to organizations by helping reduce the amounts spent on legal services and enhance client service. Our expertise focuses on strategic and management consulting, cost management, and technology and information management including matter management, records 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, and pharmaceutical and medical device industries, as well as law firms and others that do business with these industries. We develop and implement performance improvement, technology, and research enterprise solutions to help clients address challenges relating to financial management, strategy, operational and organizational effectiveness, research administration, and regulatory compliance. Our technology consulting services and solutions extend beyond the higher education, academic medical center, and pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
	•	Huron Financial
		Our Huron Financial segment provides financial advisory, interim management, operational improvement, capital advisory, and valuation services. We assist clients in a broad range of industries and across the spectrum from healthy, well-capitalized companies to organizations in transition, creditors, owners, investors, and other key constituents in connection with out-of-court restructurings and bankruptcy proceedings. Our consultants provide senior level involvement and extensive industry experience to drive results. Our experienced leadership, management depth and flexible staffing model allow us to efficiently lead projects ranging from middle market to large company assignments. We draw on career experience gathered from operations, lending, investment banking, portfolio and asset management, public accounting, and management consulting to provide practical business solutions. Effective January 1, 2014, the Huron Financial segment name was changed to Huron Business Advisory.
	•	All Other
		Our All Other segment consists of any lines 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.
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Huron Healthcare:
	Revenues		$	358,766		$	288,762		$	280,384
	Operating income		$	141,870		$	110,864		$	105,995
	Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues			39.5	%		38.4	%		37.8	%
	Huron Legal:
	Revenues		$	182,394		$	184,918		$	172,355
	Operating income		$	41,964		$	44,317		$	43,213
	Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues			23	%		24	%		25.1	%
	Huron Education and Life Sciences:
	Revenues		$	148,304		$	129,427		$	115,328
	Operating income		$	35,898		$	38,283		$	33,051
	Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues			24.2	%		29.6	%		28.7	%
	Huron Financial:
	Revenues		$	29,974		$	22,019		$	34,911
	Operating income		$	7,279		$	1,888		$	9,928
	Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues			24.3	%		8.6	%		28.4	%
	All Other:
	Revenues		$	1,084		$	835		$	3,336
	Operating loss		$	(1,256	)	$	(2,285	)	$	(6,222	)
	Segment operating loss as a percentage of segment revenues			N/M			N/M			N/M
	Total Company:
	Revenues		$	720,522		$	625,961		$	606,314
	Reimbursable expenses			67,267			55,764			51,580
	Total revenues and reimbursable expenses		$	787,789		$	681,725		$	657,894
	Statements of Earnings reconciliation:
	Segment operating income		$	225,755		$	193,067		$	185,965
	Items not allocated at the segment level:
	Other operating expenses and gains			85,340			88,012			90,021
	Depreciation and amortization expense			20,510			18,529			18,524
	Goodwill impairment charge (1)			—			13,083			21,973
	Other expense, net			6,266			7,795			12,337
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense		$	113,639		$	65,648		$	43,110
	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,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Segment Assets:
	Huron Healthcare		$	95,900		$	60,288
	Huron Legal			42,190			51,594
	Huron Education and Life Sciences			29,364			31,129
	Huron Financial			11,228			1,462
	All Other			257			50
	Unallocated assets (1)			706,661			643,377
	Total assets		$	885,600		$	787,900
	-1	Goodwill and intangible assets are included in unallocated assets, as management does not evaluate these items at the segment level when assessing segment performance or allocating resources.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, 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, 2013, 2012, and 2011. 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, 2012, no single client’s total receivables and unbilled services balance represented greater than 10% of our total receivables and unbilled services balance.

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
	18. 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		Additions (1)		Deductions		Ending
			balance						balance
	Year ended December 31, 2011:
	Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services		$	15,950		42,348		47,616	$	10,682
	Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		$	765		1,775		—	$	2,540
	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
	-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_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	'
	19. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
		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 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	$	0.5		$	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
		Quarter Ended
	2012	Mar. 31			Jun. 30			Sep. 30		Dec. 31
	Revenues	$	138,637		$	144,671		$	161,888	$	180,765
	Reimbursable expenses		13,796			14,554			13,470		13,944
	Total revenues and reimbursable expenses		152,433			159,225			175,358		194,709
	Gross profit		40,692			51,620			71,883		73,065
	Operating income		3,637			14,701			20,564		34,541
	Net income from continuing operations		587			6,305			10,416		18,645
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		269			202			47		(43	)
	Net income		856			6,507			10,463		18,602
	Net earnings per basic share:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.03		$	0.29		$	0.47	$	0.85
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		0.01			0.01			0.01		—
	Net income	$	0.04		$	0.3		$	0.48	$	0.85
	Net earnings per diluted share:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.03		$	0.28		$	0.47	$	0.83
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		0.01			0.01			—		—
	Net income	$	0.04		$	0.29		$	0.47	$	0.83
	Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
	Basic		21,775			21,918			21,950		21,976
	Diluted		22,164			22,248			22,326		22,399

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	20. Subsequent Events
	Effective January 1, 2014, we completed our acquisition of the assets of The Frankel Group Associates, LLC (“The Frankel Group”), a life sciences consulting firm. Under the terms of the asset purchase agreement, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of The Frankel Group. The results of operations of The Frankel Group will be included within the Huron Education and Life Sciences segment.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
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, 2013 and 2012, and the results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Certain amounts reported in the previous years have been reclassified to conform to the 2013 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.
	During the fourth quarter of 2013, we identified that accrued capital expenditures were incorrectly classified as Purchases of property and equipment, net within in the investing activities section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows presented herein have been revised to reflect the correction of this error. The results of this correction were a (decrease) increase in net cash used in investing activities of $(3.2) million and $0.8 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, with offsetting adjustments recorded to net cash provided by operating activities during the same periods. This classification error is not considered material for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, and 2013 or the quarters ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013, and September 30, 2013.
	In recent years, we have undertaken several separate initiatives to divest certain practices within the Huron Financial segment in order to enable us to devote more of our energy and financial resources to the remaining businesses of the Company where we have a more substantial market presence. As a result of these actions, the operating results of the divested practices are reported as “discontinued operations.” All other operations of the business are considered “continuing operations.” Amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to this presentation in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codifications (“ASC”) Topic 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements” to allow for meaningful comparison of continuing operations. See Note 3 “Discontinued Operations” for additional information about our discontinued operations.
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.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	We recognize revenues in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 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 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. 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. License revenue from our revenue cycle management software is 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.
	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 Topic 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 17 “Segment Information” for concentration of accounts receivable and unbilled services.
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. The carrying values of our bank borrowings reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value, using level 2 inputs, since they bear interest at variable rates based on market rates as set forth in the 2011 Credit Agreement. See Note 11 “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 $2.2 million and $0.9 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we amortized $0.2 million of capitalized software development costs. We did not amortize any of the capitalized software development costs in 2012 or 2011 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 Topic 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 2013, 2012 or 2011.
Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill	'
	Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill
	We account for intangible assets in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.” This topic requires that certain identifiable intangible assets be amortized over their expected useful lives. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in a similar manner to our long-lived assets described above. In 2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.6 million relating to intangible assets for which the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value. No impairment charges for intangible assets were recorded in 2013 or 2012.
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Under the provisions of ASC Topic 350, goodwill is required to be tested at the reporting unit level for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests whenever indications of impairment arise. We have determined our reporting units to be the Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, Huron Education and Life Sciences, Huron Financial and All Other segments based on the definition of a reporting unit as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment that constitutes a reporting unit. We did not identify any components of the operating segments that meet the definition of a reporting unit. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, resulting in an impairment charge for the excess. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-08, which allows us to assess qualitative factors for some or all of our reporting units to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. Alternatively, we may bypass this qualitative assessment for some or all of our reporting units and perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test.
	In the third quarters of 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $13.1 million and $22.0 million, respectively, related to our Huron Financial segment. See Note 4 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for information regarding our 2012 and 2011 goodwill impairment charges.
	Pursuant to our policy, we performed the annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2013 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, 2013 that would indicate goodwill may have become impaired since our annual impairment test. Based on our evaluation as of December 31, 2013, we determined that no indications of impairment have arisen since our annual goodwill impairment test.
	Pursuant to our policy and in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” we performed our annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2013 on our four reporting units that carry a goodwill balance: Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, Huron Education and Life Sciences and Huron Financial. For the Huron Healthcare, Huron Legal, and Huron Education and Life Sciences 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 is 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.
	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.
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 $12.4 million and $6.9 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, 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 Topic 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.
	In accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”, we must 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.
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	We account for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” Share-based compensation cost is measured based on the grant date fair value of the respective awards. We recognize share-based compensation ratably using either the graded vesting attribution method or the straight-line attribution method, as appropriate, over the requisite service period, net of our estimated amount of expected forfeitures.
	In the second quarter of 2013, we identified a $1.1 million error in share-based compensation expense resulting from the use of the straight-line attribution method for performance awards with graded vesting features granted in prior periods. The $1.1 million pretax adjustment, which resulted in a $0.9 million increase in Direct costs and a $0.2 million increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses, with a corresponding $1.1 million increase in Additional paid-in capital, represented the cumulative error related to all prior period financial statements beginning with the first quarter of 2010 through the first quarter of 2013. After consideration of both quantitative and qualitative factors, we concluded that our previously issued annual and quarterly financial statements for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012 and the first quarter of 2013 were not materially misstated, and the effect of recognizing this adjustment during the second quarter of 2013 was not material for the period then ended and is not material for full year 2013 results.
Sponsorship and Advertising Costs	'
	Sponsorship and Advertising Costs
	Sponsorship and advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Such expenses for 2013, 2012, and 2011 totaled $6.6 million, $6.1 million, and $6.2 million, respectively, and are a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of earnings.
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 (expense), net on the statements of operations. We recognized immaterial foreign currency transaction losses in 2013 and 2011, and immaterial foreign currency transaction gains in 2012.
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting
	ASC Topic 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 by ASC Topic 280 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 Education and Life Sciences, Huron Legal, Huron Financial, and All Other.
	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 Financial. 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. Certain amounts reported in the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
	Segments are defined by ASC Topic 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. In the first quarter of 2013, the Company reorganized its internal financial reporting structure. Under the new structure, the Company began reporting information as five operating segments: Huron Healthcare; Huron Legal; Huron Education and Life Sciences; Huron Financial; and All Other. Our chief operating decision maker manages the business under these five operating segments.
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	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. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2014. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2013-11 to impact our 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. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2014. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which amends current accounting guidance on comprehensive income. The guidance requires an entity to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income if the amount is reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, a cross reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about the reclassification amounts is required. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. The guidance required a change in disclosure only and did not have any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Derivatives and Hedging	'
	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity
	ASC Topic 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 Topic 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, 2013, it was anticipated that $0.5 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, 2013, 2012, and 2011.
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures	'
	Certain of our assets and liabilities are measured at fair value. ASC Topic 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 Topic 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.
	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. The carrying values of our bank borrowings reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value, using level 2 inputs, since they bear interest at variable rates based on market rates as set forth in the 2011 Credit Agreement. Refer to Note 6 “Borrowings.”
Equity Incentive Plans	'
	Restricted Stock Awards
	The grant date fair values of our restricted stock awards are measured pursuant to ASC Topic 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.
	Performance-based Share Awards
	During 2013, 2012, and 2011, 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 dependent upon the achievement of predefined performance goals during the year of grant as established by the Compensation Committee. For certain performance awards, the recipients may earn additional shares of stock for performance achieved above a stated target level. Subject to acceleration under certain conditions, the earned awards vest over a three-year service period. The grant date fair values of our performance-based share awards are measured pursuant to ASC Topic 718. Compensation cost is amortized into expense over the service period.

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Summarized Operating Results of Discontinued Operations	'
	Summarized operating results of discontinued operations are presented in the following table (amounts in thousands):
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012		2011
	Revenues		$	64		$	598	$	22,824
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense (1)		$	(49	)	$	764	$	(1,915	)
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	(30	)	$	475	$	(962	)
	-1	Includes goodwill impairment charge of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
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 segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
			Health and				Huron				Huron				Huron				Huron			Total
			Education				Healthcare				Legal				Education				Financial
			Consulting												and Life
															Sciences
	Balance as of December 31, 2011:
	Goodwill		$	450,828			$	—			$	33,180			$	—			$	158,077		$	642,085
	Accumulated impairment losses			—				—				—				—				(129,900	)		(129,900	)
	Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2011			450,828				—				33,180				—				28,177			512,185
	Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations			552				—				19,353				—				—			19,905
	Additional purchase price subsequently recorded for business combinations (1)			101				—				—				—				—			101
	Goodwill reallocation (2)			(1,000	)			—				—				—				1,000			—
	Foreign currency translation			—				—				414				—				—			414
	Impairment charge			—				—				—				—				(13,083	)		(13,083	)
	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
	-1	Consists primarily of additional purchase price earned by selling shareholders subsequent to the business combination as certain financial performance targets and conditions were met. These payments are not contingent upon the continuing employment of the selling shareholders. Such amounts are recorded as additional purchase consideration in the period they are earned with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. As of December 31, 2011, $32.1 million was accrued under such arrangements and was paid to selling shareholders in 2012. As of December 31, 2013, we have no further obligations under these arrangements for prior acquisitions.
	-2	From time to time, we reorganize our internal organization structure to better align our service offerings. During the first quarter of 2012, we moved our healthcare valuation practice from our Health and Education Consulting segment to our Financial Consulting segment. As a result, $1.0 million of related goodwill was also reallocated between these segments using a relative fair value approach.
Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
					December 31, 2013								December 31, 2012
			Useful Life		Gross				Accumulated				Gross				Accumulated
			in Years		Carrying				Amortization				Carrying				Amortization
					Amount								Amount
	Customer contracts		1		$	689			$	226			$	—			$	—
	Customer relationships		2 to 13			31,946				14,814				24,738				10,268
	Non-competition agreements		1 to 6			5,480				3,655				4,684				3,067
	Trade names		1 to 8			120				24				150				8
	Technology and software		5			4,041				2,559				4,041				1,751
	Document reviewer database		3			450				270				450				90
	License		2			50				6				—				—
	Total				$	42,776			$	21,554			$	34,063			$	15,184

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Computers, related equipment, and software	$	69,979		$	54,575
	Leasehold improvements		39,343			36,388
	Furniture and fixtures		19,442			18,946
	Assets under capital lease		1,022			877
	Assets under construction		612			—
	Property and equipment		130,398			110,786
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(91,656	)		(76,981	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	38,742		$	33,805

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
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,
		2013			2012		2011
	Net income from continuing operations	$	66,463		$	35,953	$	21,481
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(30	)		475		(962	)
	Net income	$	66,433		$	36,428	$	20,519
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic		22,322			21,905		21,324
	Weighted average common stock equivalents		455			380		352
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted		22,777			22,285		21,676
	Net earnings per basic share:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	2.98		$	1.64	$	1.01
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			0.02		(0.05	)
	Net income	$	2.98		$	1.66	$	0.96
	Net earnings per diluted share:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	2.92		$	1.61	$	0.99
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			0.02		(0.04	)
	Net income	$	2.92		$	1.63	$	0.95

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
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, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		Fair Value (Derivative Asset and Liability)
	Balance Sheet Location	December 31,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Other non-current assets	$	752	$	—
	Accrued expenses	$	765	$	493
	Deferred compensation and other liabilities	$	140	$	439

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
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, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant		Total
		in Active		Other		Unobservable
		Markets for		Observable		Inputs
		Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	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 payments		—		—		5,177		5,177
	Total liabilities	$	—	$	583	$	5,177	$	5,760
	December 31, 2012
	Asset:
	Promissory note	$	—	$	—	$	2,907	$	2,907
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	932	$	—	$	932
	Deferred acquisition payments		—		—		10,525		10,525
	Total liabilities	$	—	$	932	$	10,525	$	11,457

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Components of Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	'
	The table below sets forth the components of other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013									2012									2011
		Before			Tax			Net			Before			Tax			Net of			Before			Tax			Net of
		Taxes			(Expense)			of			Taxes			(Expense)			Taxes			Taxes			(Expense)			Taxes
					Benefit			Taxes						Benefit									Benefit
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	41		$	48		$	89		$	235		$	(106	)	$	129		$	175		$	(21	)	$	154
	Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
	Change in fair value	$	222		$	(83	)	$	139		$	(1,133	)	$	454		$	(679	)	$	(507	)	$	203		$	(304	)
	Reclassification adjustments into earnings		557			(223	)		334			667			(267	)		400			1,501			(600	)		901
	Net unrealized gain (loss)	$	779		$	(306	)	$	473		$	(466	)	$	187		$	(279	)	$	994		$	(397	)	$	597
	Other comprehensive income	$	820		$	(258	)	$	562		$	(231	)	$	81		$	(150	)	$	1,169		$	(418	)	$	751
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax	'
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, includes the following components:
		Foreign Currency			Net Unrealized			Accumulated Other
		Translation			Gains/(Losses)			Comprehensive Loss
		Adjustments			on Derivatives
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	(805	)	$	(554	)	$	(1,359	)
	Current period change		89			473			562
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	(716	)	$	(81	)	$	(797	)

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Tables

Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Fair Values of Options Granted	'
	The fair values of the options granted during 2013, 2012, and 2011 were calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:
		2013		2012	2011
	Black-Scholes option-pricing model:
	Expected dividend yield	0.00%		0.00%	0.00%
	Expected volatility	45.00%		45.00%	45.00%
	Risk-free rate	1.10%		1.20%	2.1% / 2.7%
	Expected option life (in years)	6.25		6.25	6.25
Schedule of Stock Option Activity	'
	Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:
		Number			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		of			Average		Average		Intrinsic
		Options			Exercise		Remaining		Value
		(in thousands)			Price		Contractual		(in millions)
					(in dollars)		Term
							(in years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		246		$	22.49		6.4	$	2.7
	Granted		37		$	39.19
	Exercised		(41	)	$	4.85
	Forfeited or expired		(5	)	$	29.89
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		237		$	27.95		6.2	$	8.2
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013		162		$	24.2		5.1	$	6.2
Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity	'
	Restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
		(in thousands)			Grant Date
					Fair Value
					(in dollars)
	Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2012		820		$	32.95
	Granted		379		$	39.76
	Vested		(354	)	$	33.94
	Forfeited		(88	)	$	36.1
	Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2013		757		$	35.53
Schedule of Performance-Based Stock Activity	'
	Performance-based stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
		(in thousands)			Grant Date
					Fair Value
					(in dollars)
	Nonvested performance-based stock at December 31, 2012		189		$	33.55
	Granted		219		$	39.19
	Vested		(72	)	$	29.22
	Forfeited		(88	)	$	38.38
	Nonvested performance-based stock at December 31, 2013		248		$	38.07

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Expense for Continuing Operations	'
	The income tax expense for continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 consists of the following:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	33,718		$	23,511		$	(9,428	)
	State		6,358			5,033			(542	)
	Foreign		27			59			(115	)
	Total current		40,103			28,603			(10,085	)
	Deferred:
	Federal		6,181			878			27,972
	State		900			289			3,513
	Foreign		(8	)		(75	)		229
	Total deferred		7,073			1,092			31,714
	Income tax expense for continuing operations	$	47,176		$	29,695		$	21,629
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,
		2013			2012			2011
	U.S.	$	125,140		$	76,750		$	54,313
	Foreign		(11,501	)		(11,102	)		(11,203	)
	Total	$	113,639		$	65,648		$	43,110
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,
		2013			2012			2011
	Percent of pretax income from continuing operations:
	At U.S. statutory tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		4.3			5.4			6.6
	Meals and entertainment		0.5			0.8			1.2
	Valuation allowance		2			2			4.5
	Disallowed executive compensation		—			0.3			0.7
	Foreign source income		1			2.5			4.5
	Tax credits / Section 199 Deduction		(0.8	)		—			(2.5	)
	Other		(0.5	)		(0.8	)		0.2
	Effective income tax expense rate for continuing operations		41.5	%		45.2	%		50.2	%
Net Deferred Tax Assets for Continuing Operations	'
	Deferred tax assets for continuing operations at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consist of the following:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Share-based compensation	$	6,206		$	6,337
	Accrued payroll and other liabilities		10,922			9,215
	Deferred lease incentives		5,470			3,381
	Revenue recognition		2,675			3,219
	Net operating loss carry forwards		5,813			4,354
	Tax credits		1,002			611
	Other		1,517			2,408
	Total deferred tax assets		33,605			29,525
	Valuation allowance		(5,746	)		(4,104	)
	Net deferred tax assets		27,859			25,421
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Prepaid expenses		(2,950	)		(4,174	)
	Property and equipment		(2,622	)		(1,478	)
	Intangibles and Goodwill		(25,523	)		(17,774	)
	Other		(1,748	)		(1,754	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(32,843	)		(25,180	)
	Net deferred tax asset (liability) for continuing operations	$	(4,984	)	$	241
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, 2011	$	746
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
	Additions based on tax positions related to the prior years		52
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	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

Commitments_Contingencies_and_1

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
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, 2013, are as follows:
		Capital		Operating		Sublease
		Lease		Lease		Income
		Obligations		Obligations
	2014	$	84	$	13,157	$	4,138
	2015		49		14,467		3,665
	2016		—		13,298		1,933
	2017		—		9,369		—
	2018		—		7,426		—
	Thereafter		—		26,774		—
	Total	$	133	$	84,491	$	9,736

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Components of Segment Information	'
	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.
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Huron Healthcare:
	Revenues		$	358,766		$	288,762		$	280,384
	Operating income		$	141,870		$	110,864		$	105,995
	Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues			39.5	%		38.4	%		37.8	%
	Huron Legal:
	Revenues		$	182,394		$	184,918		$	172,355
	Operating income		$	41,964		$	44,317		$	43,213
	Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues			23	%		24	%		25.1	%
	Huron Education and Life Sciences:
	Revenues		$	148,304		$	129,427		$	115,328
	Operating income		$	35,898		$	38,283		$	33,051
	Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues			24.2	%		29.6	%		28.7	%
	Huron Financial:
	Revenues		$	29,974		$	22,019		$	34,911
	Operating income		$	7,279		$	1,888		$	9,928
	Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues			24.3	%		8.6	%		28.4	%
	All Other:
	Revenues		$	1,084		$	835		$	3,336
	Operating loss		$	(1,256	)	$	(2,285	)	$	(6,222	)
	Segment operating loss as a percentage of segment revenues			N/M			N/M			N/M
	Total Company:
	Revenues		$	720,522		$	625,961		$	606,314
	Reimbursable expenses			67,267			55,764			51,580
	Total revenues and reimbursable expenses		$	787,789		$	681,725		$	657,894
	Statements of Earnings reconciliation:
	Segment operating income		$	225,755		$	193,067		$	185,965
	Items not allocated at the segment level:
	Other operating expenses and gains			85,340			88,012			90,021
	Depreciation and amortization expense			20,510			18,529			18,524
	Goodwill impairment charge (1)			—			13,083			21,973
	Other expense, net			6,266			7,795			12,337
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense		$	113,639		$	65,648		$	43,110
Segment Assets	'
	December 31,				December 31,
	2013				2012
	Segment Assets:
	Huron Healthcare		$	95,900		$	60,288
	Huron Legal			42,190			51,594
	Huron Education and Life Sciences			29,364			31,129
	Huron Financial			11,228			1,462
	All Other			257			50
	Unallocated assets (1)			706,661			643,377
	Total assets		$	885,600		$	787,900
	-1	Goodwill and intangible assets are included in unallocated assets, as management does not evaluate these items at the segment level when assessing segment performance or allocating resources.

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
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		Additions (1)		Deductions		Ending
			balance						balance
	Year ended December 31, 2011:
	Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services		$	15,950		42,348		47,616	$	10,682
	Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		$	765		1,775		—	$	2,540
	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
	-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_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Selected Quarterly Financial Data	'
	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 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	$	0.5		$	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
		Quarter Ended
	2012	Mar. 31			Jun. 30			Sep. 30		Dec. 31
	Revenues	$	138,637		$	144,671		$	161,888	$	180,765
	Reimbursable expenses		13,796			14,554			13,470		13,944
	Total revenues and reimbursable expenses		152,433			159,225			175,358		194,709
	Gross profit		40,692			51,620			71,883		73,065
	Operating income		3,637			14,701			20,564		34,541
	Net income from continuing operations		587			6,305			10,416		18,645
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		269			202			47		(43	)
	Net income		856			6,507			10,463		18,602
	Net earnings per basic share:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.03		$	0.29		$	0.47	$	0.85
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		0.01			0.01			0.01		—
	Net income	$	0.04		$	0.3		$	0.48	$	0.85
	Net earnings per diluted share:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.03		$	0.28		$	0.47	$	0.83
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		0.01			0.01			—		—
	Net income	$	0.04		$	0.29		$	0.47	$	0.83
	Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
	Basic		21,775			21,918			21,950		21,976
	Diluted		22,164			22,248			22,326		22,399

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Billing

Share-Based Compensation [Member]

Share-Based Compensation [Member]

Share-Based Compensation [Member]

Share-Based Compensation [Member]

Furniture and fixtures [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Financial Consulting [Member]

Financial Consulting [Member]

Health and Education Consulting [Member]

Health and Education Consulting [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Segment

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Direct Costs [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expense [Member]

Segment

Computer Equipment [Member]

Computer Equipment [Member]

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impact of cash flow classification error on investing and operating activities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($3,200,000)

$800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of billing arrangements for revenue recognition

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and Cash Equivalents maturity period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 months

'

'

Depreciated over an estimated useful life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'P5Y

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'P4Y

'P2Y

Unamortized capitalized software development costs

2,200,000

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortized capitalized software development costs

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment charges for long-lived assets

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment charge relating to intangible assets

0

0

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

'

'

'

Goodwill impairment charges

'

13,083,000

21,973,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,083,000

21,973,000

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred lease incentives

12,355,000

6,936,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Error and impact in current financial statements

'

'

'

1,100,000

1,100,000

900,000

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sponsorship and advertising costs

$6,600,000

$6,100,000

$6,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of operating segments

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (Accounting Advisory [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounting Advisory [Member]	'
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Gain (Loss) on sale of discontinued operation	($1.90)

Discontinued_Operations_Summar

Discontinued Operations - Summarized Operating Results of Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$64	$598	$22,824
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-49	764	-1,915
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$1	$10	($9)	($32)	($43)	$47	$202	$269	($30)	$475	($962)

Discontinued_Operations_Summar1

Discontinued Operations - Summarized Operating Results of Discontinued Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Impairment charge on goodwill	$1,900

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill, net beginning balance	$519,522	$512,185	'
Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations	17,085	19,905	'
Additional purchase price subsequently recorded for business combinations	'	101	'
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013	519,522	'	'
Foreign currency translation	30	414	'
Impairment charge	'	-13,083	-21,973
Goodwill	679,620	662,505	642,085
Accumulated impairment losses	-142,983	-142,983	-129,900
Goodwill, net ending balance	536,637	519,522	512,185
Huron Healthcare [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill, net beginning balance	'	'	'
Goodwill reallocation	355,880	'	'
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013	355,880	'	'
Goodwill	355,880	'	'
Goodwill, net ending balance	355,880	'	'
Huron Legal [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill, net beginning balance	52,947	33,180	'
Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations	'	19,353	'
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013	52,947	'	'
Foreign currency translation	212	414	'
Goodwill	53,159	52,947	33,180
Goodwill, net ending balance	53,159	52,947	'
Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations	17,085	'	'
Goodwill reallocation	94,601	'	'
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013	94,601	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-182	'	'
Goodwill	111,504	'	'
Goodwill, net ending balance	111,504	'	'
Huron Financial [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill, net beginning balance	16,094	28,177	'
Goodwill reallocation	'	1,000	'
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013	16,094	'	'
Impairment charge	'	-13,083	'
Goodwill	159,077	159,077	158,077
Accumulated impairment losses	-142,983	-142,983	-129,900
Goodwill, net ending balance	16,094	16,094	'
Health and Education Consulting [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill, net beginning balance	450,481	450,828	'
Goodwill recorded in connection with business combinations	'	552	'
Additional purchase price subsequently recorded for business combinations	'	101	'
Goodwill reallocation	-450,481	-1,000	'
Total new alignment as of January 1, 2013	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	450,481	450,828
Goodwill, net ending balance	'	450,481	'
Health and Education Consulting [Member] | Huron Healthcare [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill reallocation	355,880	'	'
Health and Education Consulting [Member] | Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill reallocation	$94,601	'	'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
			Health and Education Consulting [Member]	Health and Education Consulting [Member]	Financial Consulting [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued additional purchase price earned	$0	$32,100	'	'	'
Reallocation of goodwill	'	'	($450,481)	($1,000)	$1,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 02, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 02, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Segment

Blue Stone International, LLC [Member]

Huron Financial [Member]

Huron Financial [Member]

Huron Healthcare [Member]

Huron Healthcare [Member]

Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member]

Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member]

Huron Legal [Member]

Health and Education Consulting [Member]

Health and Education Consulting [Member]

Health and Education Consulting [Member]

Health and Education Consulting [Member]

Health and Education Consulting [Member]

Huron Healthcare [Member]

Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member]

Goodwill [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of excess fair value

'

'

'

'

36.00%

'

'

79.00%

'

61.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reportable segments

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reassigned amount of goodwill

'

'

'

'

'

$1,000,000

$355,880,000

'

$94,601,000

'

'

($450,481,000)

($1,000,000)

'

$355,880,000

$94,601,000

Goodwill impairment loss continuing and discontinued operations

'

13,083,000

23,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill impairment loss discontinued operations

'

'

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit associated with goodwill impairment

'

'

9,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible assets related to acquisitions

'

'

'

8,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,600,000

'

400,000

'

'

'

Goodwill related to acquisitions

'

'

'

17,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,400,000

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

Purchase price of acquisition

'

'

'

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

31,200,000

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

Intangible assets amortization expense

6,800,000

7,000,000

8,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense 2014

7,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense 2015

5,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense 2016

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense 2017

2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense 2018

1,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment charge relating to intangible assets

$0

$0

$600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$600,000

'

'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible assets	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$42,776	$34,063
Accumulated Amortization	21,554	15,184
Customer Contracts [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Useful Life in Years	'1 year	'
Gross Carrying Amount	689	'
Accumulated Amortization	226	'
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	31,946	24,738
Accumulated Amortization	14,814	10,268
Customer relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Useful Life in Years	'2 years	'
Customer relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Useful Life in Years	'13 years	'
Non-competition agreements [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	5,480	4,684
Accumulated Amortization	3,655	3,067
Non-competition agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Useful Life in Years	'1 year	'
Non-competition agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Useful Life in Years	'6 years	'
Trade names [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	120	150
Accumulated Amortization	24	8
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	'	'
Useful Life in Years	'5 years	'
Gross Carrying Amount	4,041	4,041
Accumulated Amortization	2,559	1,751
Document reviewer database [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Useful Life in Years	'3 years	'
Gross Carrying Amount	450	450
Accumulated Amortization	270	90
Oracle Platinum License [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Useful Life in Years	'2 years	'
Gross Carrying Amount	50	'
Accumulated Amortization	$6	'

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life And Values [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation expense for property and equipment	$16.60	$15.30	$15.70
Additional depreciation	'	$0.60	$1.20

Property_and_Equipment_Summary

Property and Equipment - Summary of Premises and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment	$130,398	$110,786
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-91,656	-76,981
Property and equipment, net	38,742	33,805
Computers, related equipment and software [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment	69,979	54,575
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment	39,343	36,388
Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment	19,442	18,946
Assets under capital lease [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment	1,022	877
Assets under construction [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment	$612	'

Borrowings_Additional_Informat

Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 25, 2013
			Revolving credit facility [Member]	Term Loan Facility [Member]	Term Loan Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate principal amount	$450	'	$247.50	$202.50	'
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	'	'	'	'
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%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of original principal balance in year one	6.90%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of original principal balance in year two	13.80%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of original principal balance in year three	15.80%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of original principal balance in year four	16.60%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of original principal balance in year five	16.60%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of original principal balance in year six	30.30%	'	'	'	'
Maturity date	25-Sep-18	'	'	'	'
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility	'	192.5	'	168.8	181.3
Credit Agreement, dividends restriction amount	50	'	'	'	'
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	'	'	'	'
Minimum net worth amount	150	'	'	'	'
Actual fixed charge coverage ratio	4.28	'	'	'	'
Actual leverage ratio	1.1	'	'	'	'
Outstanding letters of credit	4.9	5.1	'	'	'
Unused borrowing capacity under Credit Agreement	$242.60	'	'	'	'
Percentage of weighted average interest rate of borrowings	2.00%	2.50%	'	'	'

Capital_Structure_Additional_I

Capital Structure - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
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_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$22,119	$17,161	$15,814	$11,369	$18,645	$10,416	$6,305	$587	$66,463	$35,953	$21,481
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1	10	-9	-32	-43	47	202	269	-30	475	-962
Net income	$22,120	$17,171	$15,805	$11,337	$18,602	$10,463	$6,507	$856	$66,433	$36,428	$20,519
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	22,409	22,386	22,351	22,139	21,976	21,950	21,918	21,775	22,322	21,905	21,324
Weighted average common stock equivalents	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	455	380	352
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	22,973	22,873	22,760	22,487	22,399	22,326	22,248	22,164	22,777	22,285	21,676
Net earnings per basic share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$0.99	$0.77	$0.71	$0.51	$0.85	$0.47	$0.29	$0.03	$2.98	$1.64	$1.01
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01	'	$0.02	($0.05)
Net income	$0.99	$0.77	$0.71	$0.51	$0.85	$0.48	$0.30	$0.04	$2.98	$1.66	$0.96
Net earnings per diluted share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$0.96	$0.75	$0.69	$0.51	$0.83	$0.47	$0.28	$0.03	$2.92	$1.61	$0.99
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	($0.01)	'	'	$0.01	$0.01	'	$0.02	($0.04)
Net income	$0.96	$0.75	$0.69	$0.50	$0.83	$0.47	$0.29	$0.04	$2.92	$1.63	$0.95

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Weighted average common stock equivalents antidilutive	75,900	85,300	342,000

Restructuring_Charges_Addition

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Employee Severance [Member]

Huron Education And Life Sciences and All Other Segments [Member]

All Other [Member]

Office space in Washington, D.C [Member]

San Francisco And Washington Dc [Member]

Boston [Member]

Boston [Member]

New York City office locations [Member]

New York City office locations [Member]

New York City office locations [Member]

Chicago [Member]

Washington, D.C [Member]

Washington, D.C [Member]

Office Relocation [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Office Space [Member]

Leasehold Improvements [Member]

Restructuring Charges [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pretax restructuring charge

'

$761,000

$4,004,000

$3,829,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Present value of remaining lease payments, net of sublease income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

500,000

700,000

'

Contract termination costs for computer termination cost

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring charge liability

700,000

700,000

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Severance expense

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Brokerage fees related to sublease arrangement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

700,000

'

'

'

'

'

Net favorable impact related to updated assumptions for certain lease accruals

'

'

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring reserve accelerated depreciation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

'

2,500,000

800,000

'

'

400,000

Intangible asset write-off due to change in strategy and forecast results

'

$0

$0

$600,000

'

'

$600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009	Apr. 04, 2013	30-May-12	Dec. 08, 2011	Mar. 20, 2009
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Variable-rate borrowings outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$100
Fixed-rate borrowings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100
Interest rate swap agreement, effective date	31-Mar-14	31-May-12	29-Feb-12	31-Mar-09	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap agreement, end date	31-Aug-17	14-Apr-16	14-Apr-16	23-Feb-12	'	'	'	'
Duration of LIBOR	'1 month	'1 month	'1 month	'1 month	'	'	'	'
Percentage of fixed rate	'	'	'	'	0.99%	0.70%	0.99%	1.72%
Anticipated net losses, net of tax, currently recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss reclassified into earnings	0.5	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impact on Balance Sheet by netting derivative instruments	0.8	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap agreement for a notional amount	'	'	'	'	60	37	56.6	$100
Percentage of debt effectively fixed by interest rate swaps	'	'	'	'	80.00%	'	'	'

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity - Fair Value Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other non-current assets [Member]	'	'
Fair Value interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments	'	'
Fair Value (Derivative Asset and Liability)	$752	'
Accrued expenses [Member]	'	'
Fair Value interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments	'	'
Fair Value (Derivative Asset and Liability)	765	493
Deferred compensation and other liabilities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments	'	'
Fair Value (Derivative Asset and Liability)	$140	$439

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	$3,156	'
Liabilities, fair value	5,760	11,457
Deferred acquisition payments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Liabilities, fair value	5,177	10,525
Promissory note [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	2,726	2,907
Interest rate swap [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	430	'
Liabilities, fair value	583	932
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	'	'
Liabilities, fair value	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Deferred acquisition payments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Liabilities, fair value	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Promissory note [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Interest rate swap [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	'	'
Liabilities, fair value	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	430	'
Liabilities, fair value	583	932
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Deferred acquisition payments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Liabilities, fair value	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Promissory note [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Interest rate swap [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	430	'
Liabilities, fair value	583	932
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	2,726	'
Liabilities, fair value	5,177	10,525
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Deferred acquisition payments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Liabilities, fair value	5,177	10,525
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Promissory note [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	2,726	2,907
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Interest rate swap [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Asset/Liability	'	'
Asset, fair value	'	'
Liabilities, fair value	'	'

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2011
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'	'
Promissory note received for sale of AA	'	$3.50
Promissory note payable period	'4 years	'
Consideration received as promissory note payable, 2013	0.2	'
Consideration received as promissory note payable, 2015	$1.10	'
Promissory note [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'	'
Discount rate used to measure fair value	14.00%	'
Promissory note payable maturity date	31-Dec-15	'
Minimum [Member] | Deferred acquisition payments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'	'
Discount rate used to measure fair value	4.00%	'
Deferred acquisition payment terms	'1 year	'
Maximum [Member] | Deferred acquisition payments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'	'
Discount rate used to measure fair value	8.00%	'
Deferred acquisition payment terms	'2 years	'

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Com

Other Comprehensive Income - Components of Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, before taxes	$41	$235	$175
Change in fair value, before taxes	222	-1,133	-507
Reclassification adjustments into earnings, before taxes	557	667	1,501
Net unrealized gain (loss), before taxes	779	-466	994
Other comprehensive income, before taxes	820	-231	1,169
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax (expense) benefit	48	-106	-21
Change in fair value, tax (expense) benefit	-83	454	203
Reclassification adjustments into earnings, tax (expense) benefit	-223	-267	-600
Net unrealized gain (loss), tax (expense) benefit	-306	187	-397
Other comprehensive income, tax (expense) benefit	-258	81	-418
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes	89	129	154
Change in fair value, net of taxes	139	-679	-304
Reclassification adjustments into earnings, net of taxes	334	400	901
Net unrealized gain (loss), net of taxes	473	-279	597
Other comprehensive income	$562	($150)	$751

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Com1

Other Comprehensive Income - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Beginning balance	($805)	'	'
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Current period change	89	129	154
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Ending balance	-716	-805	'
Net Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives, Beginning balance	-554	'	'
Net Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives, Current period change	473	-279	597
Net Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives, Ending balance	-81	-554	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Beginning balance	-1,359	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Current period change	562	-150	751
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Ending balance	($797)	($1,359)	'

Employee_Benefit_and_Deferred_1

Employee Benefit and Deferred Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Benefits [Abstract]	'	'	'
Employer contributions up to percent of employee's salaries	6.00%	'	'
Employer matching contributions	$13.80	$12	$11.10
Deferred compensation liability	$4.30	$4.40	'

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Additio

Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Share-Based Compensation [Member]

Share-Based Compensation [Member]

Share-Based Compensation [Member]

Share-Based Compensation [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Performance-Based Stock Activity [Member]

Performance-Based Stock Activity [Member]

Performance-Based Stock Activity [Member]

Stock Option [Member]

Stock Option [Member]

Stock Option [Member]

Executive Officer [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

Two Thousand And Four Plan [Member]

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Direct Costs [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expense [Member]

Stock Option [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock shares reserved, as originally adopted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

850,000

'

'

Common stock shares reserved

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

548,204

Shares available for issuance as of adoption date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,398,204

'

'

Shares available for issuance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

750,173

'

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

$18.30

$15.70

$19.20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income tax benefits

7.1

6

7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost

'

19.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost, Period

'2 years 4 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Error and impact in current financial statements

'

'

'

1.1

1.1

0.9

0.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Award vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

Stock options contractual term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

Weighted average fair value of options granted

'

'

'

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'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

$17.46

$17.09

$12.52

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.7

1.2

0.5

'

'

'

'

Aggregate fair value of stock vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14.30

$12.20

$14.50

$3.60

$2.90

$0.70

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant date fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$39.76

$37.46

$27.09

$39.19

$38.18

$27.10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Fair_Va

Equity Incentive Plans - Fair Values of Options Granted (Detail) (Black-Scholes option-pricing model [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Black-Scholes option-pricing model [Member]	'	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Method Used [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	45.00%	45.00%	45.00%
Risk-free rate, minimum	'	'	2.10%
Risk-free rate, maximum	'	'	2.70%
Risk-free rate	1.10%	1.20%	'
Expected option life (in years)	'6 years 3 months	'6 years 3 months	'6 years 3 months

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Schedul

Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Beginning Balance, Number of Options	246	'
Granted, Number of Options	37	'
Exercised, Number of Options	-41	'
Forfeited or expired, Number of Options	-5	'
Ending Balance, Number of Options	237	246
Exercisable, Number of Options	162	'
Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.49	'
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$39.19	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$4.85	'
Forfeited or expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$29.89	'
Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$27.95	$22.49
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$24.20	'
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Option Outstanding	'6 years 2 months 12 days	'6 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Options Exercisable	'5 years 1 month 6 days	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Option Outstanding, Beginning balance	$2.70	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Option Outstanding, Ending balance	8.2	2.7
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable, Ending Balance	$6.20	'

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Schedul1

Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Awards [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Nonvested stock, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	820	'	'
Granted, Number of Shares	379	'	'
Vested, Number of Shares	-354	'	'
Forfeited, Number of Shares	-88	'	'
Nonvested Stock, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	757	820	'
Nonvested Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$32.95	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$39.76	$37.46	$27.09
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$33.94	'	'
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$36.10	'	'
Nonvested Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$35.53	$32.95	'

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Schedul2

Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Performance-Based Stock Activity (Detail) (Performance-Based Stock Activity [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Performance-Based Stock Activity [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Nonvested stock, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	189	'	'
Granted, Number of Shares	219	'	'
Number of Shares, Vested	-72	'	'
Number of Shares, Forfeited	-88	'	'
Nonvested Stock, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	248	189	'
Nonvested Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$33.55	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$39.19	$38.18	$27.10
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$29.22	'	'
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$38.38	'	'
Nonvested Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$38.07	$33.55	'

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Income

Income Taxes - Summary of Income Tax Expense For Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	$33,718	$23,511	($9,428)
State	6,358	5,033	-542
Foreign	27	59	-115
Total current	40,103	28,603	-10,085
Deferred:	'	'	'
Federal	6,181	878	27,972
State	900	289	3,513
Foreign	-8	-75	229
Total deferred	7,073	1,092	31,714
Income tax expense for continuing operations	$47,176	$29,695	$21,629

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Compon

Income Taxes - Summary of Components of Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
U.S.	$125,140	$76,750	$54,313
Foreign	-11,501	-11,102	-11,203
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	$113,639	$65,648	$43,110

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory Income Tax Rate to Our Effective Tax Rate for Continuing Operations (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
At U.S. statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	4.30%	5.40%	6.60%
Meals and entertainment	0.50%	0.80%	1.20%
Valuation allowance	2.00%	2.00%	4.50%
Disallowed executive compensation	'	0.30%	0.70%
Foreign source income	1.00%	2.50%	4.50%
Tax credits / Section 199 Deduction	-0.80%	'	-2.50%
Other	-0.50%	-0.80%	0.20%
Effective income tax expense rate for continuing operations	41.50%	45.20%	50.20%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effective tax rates for discontinued operations	39.30%	37.80%	49.80%
Tax Benefit (expense)	$100,000	$300,000	$1,000,000
Valuation allowance	5,746,000	4,104,000	'
Federal and state tax credit carry forwards	1,000,000	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	400,000	'	'
Effective tax rate if recognized	400,000	'	'
Foreign[Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating losses carry forwards	28,500,000	'	'
Income tax year is subject future examinations by federal tax authorities and local tax authorities	'2007 through 2012	'	'
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating losses carry forwards	$2,600,000	'	'
Tax credit carry forward expiration year	'2018	'	'
Income tax year is subject future examinations by federal tax authorities and local tax authorities	'2009 through 2012	'	'
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	'2009 through 2011	'	'
Minimum [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carry forward expiration year	'2025	'	'
Maximum [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carry forward expiration year	'2031	'	'

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets for Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Share-based compensation	$6,206	$6,337
Accrued payroll and other liabilities	10,922	9,215
Deferred lease incentives	5,470	3,381
Revenue recognition	2,675	3,219
Net operating loss carry forwards	5,813	4,354
Tax credits	1,002	611
Other	1,517	2,408
Total deferred tax assets	33,605	29,525
Valuation allowance	-5,746	-4,104
Net deferred tax assets	27,859	25,421
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Prepaid expenses	-2,950	-4,174
Property and equipment	-2,622	-1,478
Intangibles and Goodwill	-25,523	-17,774
Other	-1,748	-1,754
Total deferred tax liabilities	-32,843	-25,180
Net deferred tax asset (liability) for continuing operations	($4,984)	$241

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of1

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	$441	$798	$746
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	'	'	'
Additions based on tax positions related to the prior years	40	117	52
Decrease based on tax positions related to the prior year	-51	'	'
Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations	'	-474	'
Decrease based on settlements with taxing authorities	-19	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	$411	$441	$798

Commitments_Contingencies_and_2

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 22, 2013	Aug. 22, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
						Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]	Claim against damage on reputation and defamation [Member]	Claim against breach of contract [Member]	Chicago, Illinois [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expiry of office space and certain equipment and software under non-cancelable operating and capital lease arrangements ,with various renewal options	'	'	'2024	'	'	'	'	'	'
Principle executive offices Lease expiring	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'2024-09
Renewal option that allow continue to occupy the majority of office space valid until	'	'	'2029	'	'	'	'	'	'
Period of renewal option that allow continue to occupy the majority of office space	'	'	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'	'
Rental expense, including operating costs and taxes	'	'	$13,300,000	$16,800,000	$14,900,000	'	'	'	'
Maximum amount of civil penalties per violation under the Federal False Claims Act	'	'	11,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum amount of civil penalties per violation under the State False Claims Act	'	'	12,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Alleged amount of outlier payments received	'	'	30,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Settlement charges recorded during the period	'	1,200,000	5,875,000	-1,150,000	-1,096,000	'	'	'	'
Loss contingency, claim filed by related party	'	'	'	'	'	'	50,000,000	50,000,000	'
Proceeds from legal settlements	2,600,000	'	'	'	'	2,700,000	'	'	'
Gain on other litigation	'	5,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Guarantees in the form of letters of credit	$4,900,000	'	$4,900,000	$5,100,000	'	'	'	'	'

Commitments_Contingencies_and_3

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees - Future Minimum Rental Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Leases and Sublease Income (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Capital Lease Obligations, 2014	$84
Capital Lease Obligations, 2015	49
Capital Lease Obligations, 2016	'
Capital Lease Obligations, 2017	'
Capital Lease Obligations, 2018	'
Capital Lease Obligations, Thereafter	'
Capital Lease Obligations, Total	133
Operating Lease Obligations, 2014	13,157
Operating Lease Obligations, 2015	14,467
Operating Lease Obligations, 2016	13,298
Operating Lease Obligations, 2017	9,369
Operating Lease Obligations, 2018	7,426
Operating Lease Obligations, Thereafter	26,774
Operating Lease Obligations, Total	84,491
Sublease Income, 2014	4,138
Sublease Income, 2015	3,665
Sublease Income, 2016	1,933
Sublease Income, 2017	'
Sublease Income, 2018	'
Sublease Income, Thereafter	'
Sublease Income, Total	$9,736

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Clients	Clients	Clients
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of operating segments	5	'	'
Minimum percentage of combined receivables and unbilled services for single client	10.00%	10.00%	'
Number of clients that accounted for greater than 10% of combined receivables and unbilled services balances	1	0	'
Customer revenues as a percentage of consolidated revenue, for which no single client reached	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Number of client generated greater than 10% of consolidated revenues	0	0	0
Huron Healthcare [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Client percentage of combined receivables and unbilled services greater than threshold	14.00%	'	'

Segment_Information_Components

Segment Information - Components of Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Components of Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$211,344	$174,735	$170,407	$164,036	$180,765	$161,888	$144,671	$138,637	$720,522	$625,961	$606,314
Reimbursable expenses	16,266	17,542	18,123	15,336	13,944	13,470	14,554	13,796	67,267	55,764	51,580
Operating income	36,894	31,119	30,549	21,343	34,541	20,564	14,701	3,637	119,905	73,443	55,447
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses	227,610	192,277	188,530	179,372	194,709	175,358	159,225	152,433	787,789	681,725	657,894
Statements of Earnings reconciliation:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	225,755	193,067	185,965
Items not allocated at the segment level:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other operating expenses and gains	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	85,340	88,012	90,021
Depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,510	18,529	18,524
Goodwill impairment charge	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,083	21,973
Other expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,266	7,795	12,337
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	113,639	65,648	43,110
Huron Healthcare [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Components of Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	358,766	288,762	280,384
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	141,870	110,864	105,995
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	39.50%	38.40%	37.80%
Huron Legal [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Components of Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	182,394	184,918	172,355
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	41,964	44,317	43,213
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	23.00%	24.00%	25.10%
Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Components of Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	148,304	129,427	115,328
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	35,898	38,283	33,051
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	24.20%	29.60%	28.70%
Huron Financial [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Components of Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	29,974	22,019	34,911
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,279	1,888	9,928
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	24.30%	8.60%	28.40%
All Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Components of Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,084	835	3,336
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($1,256)	($2,285)	($6,222)

Segment_Information_Segment_As

Segment Information - Segment Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Assets:	'	'
Total assets	$885,600	$787,900
Unallocated assets [Member]	'	'
Segment Assets:	'	'
Total assets	706,661	643,377
Huron Healthcare [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Assets:	'	'
Total assets	95,900	60,288
Huron Legal [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Assets:	'	'
Total assets	42,190	51,594
Huron Education and Life Sciences [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Assets:	'	'
Total assets	29,364	31,129
Huron Financial [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Assets:	'	'
Total assets	11,228	1,462
All Other [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Assets:	'	'
Total assets	$257	$50

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou2

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Summary of Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Unbilled Services and Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$7,042	$10,682	$15,950
Additions	44,123	44,613	42,348
Deductions	39,258	48,253	47,616
Ending balance	11,907	7,042	10,682
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning balance	4,104	2,540	765
Additions	1,642	1,564	1,775
Deductions	'	'	'
Ending balance	$5,746	$4,104	$2,540

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$211,344	$174,735	$170,407	$164,036	$180,765	$161,888	$144,671	$138,637	$720,522	$625,961	$606,314
Reimbursable expenses	16,266	17,542	18,123	15,336	13,944	13,470	14,554	13,796	67,267	55,764	51,580
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses	227,610	192,277	188,530	179,372	194,709	175,358	159,225	152,433	787,789	681,725	657,894
Gross profit	81,751	67,984	66,869	57,235	73,065	71,883	51,620	40,692	'	'	'
Operating income	36,894	31,119	30,549	21,343	34,541	20,564	14,701	3,637	119,905	73,443	55,447
Net income from continuing operations	22,119	17,161	15,814	11,369	18,645	10,416	6,305	587	66,463	35,953	21,481
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1	10	-9	-32	-43	47	202	269	-30	475	-962
Net income	$22,120	$17,171	$15,805	$11,337	$18,602	$10,463	$6,507	$856	$66,433	$36,428	$20,519
Net earnings per basic share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$0.99	$0.77	$0.71	$0.51	$0.85	$0.47	$0.29	$0.03	$2.98	$1.64	$1.01
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01	'	$0.02	($0.05)
Net income	$0.99	$0.77	$0.71	$0.51	$0.85	$0.48	$0.30	$0.04	$2.98	$1.66	$0.96
Net earnings per diluted share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$0.96	$0.75	$0.69	$0.51	$0.83	$0.47	$0.28	$0.03	$2.92	$1.61	$0.99
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	($0.01)	'	'	$0.01	$0.01	'	$0.02	($0.04)
Net income	$0.96	$0.75	$0.69	$0.50	$0.83	$0.47	$0.29	$0.04	$2.92	$1.63	$0.95
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	22,409	22,386	22,351	22,139	21,976	21,950	21,918	21,775	22,322	21,905	21,324
Diluted	22,973	22,873	22,760	22,487	22,399	22,326	22,248	22,164	22,777	22,285	21,676