Syneos Health (SYNH) 10-Q 31 Oct 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 24, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	INC Research Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,610,950
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		53,616,646

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 259,557	$ 234,494	$ 767,358	$ 673,384
Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses	132,234	115,651	437,167	322,970
Total revenue	391,791	350,145	1,204,525	996,354
Costs and operating expenses:
Direct costs	159,641	135,530	471,196	398,988
Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses	132,234	115,651	437,167	322,970
Selling, general and administrative	41,743	40,429	127,818	113,354
Restructuring, CEO transition and other costs	2,881	(28)	10,283	1,566
Transaction expenses	1,127	403	2,857	922
Asset impairment charges	0	0	0	3,931
Depreciation	5,305	4,357	15,257	13,543
Amortization	9,464	9,462	28,388	28,413
Total operating expenses	352,395	305,804	1,092,966	883,687
Income from operations	39,396	44,341	111,559	112,667
Other income (expense), net:
Interest income	62	28	139	157
Interest expense	(3,226)	(3,065)	(9,317)	(12,687)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(439)	0	(439)	(9,795)
Other (expense) income, net	(2,384)	(1,003)	(10,761)	4,138
Total other expense, net	(5,987)	(4,040)	(20,378)	(18,187)
Income before provision for income taxes	33,409	40,301	91,181	94,480
Income tax expense	(6,078)	(2,487)	(16,042)	(8,089)
Net income	$ 27,331	$ 37,814	$ 75,139	$ 86,391
Earnings per share:
Basic (USD per share)	$ 0.50	$ 0.67	$ 1.39	$ 1.47
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.64	$ 1.35	$ 1.42
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (shares)	54,186	56,325	54,147	58,583
Diluted (shares)	55,567	58,764	55,836	60,826

Condensed Consolidated Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 27,331	$ 37,814	$ 75,139	$ 86,391
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($139), $0, $102 and $0	769	0	(154)	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	981	(880)	5,048	(12,274)
Comprehensive income	$ 29,081	$ 36,934	$ 80,033	$ 74,117

Condensed Consolidated Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized losses on derivative investments, tax benefit	$ (139)	$ 0	$ 102	$ 0

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 102,948	$ 85,011
Restricted cash	634	452
Accounts receivable:
Billed, net	178,954	158,315
Unbilled	168,497	139,697
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	36,008	38,571
Total current assets	487,041	422,046
Property and equipment, net	45,960	44,813
Goodwill	553,026	553,008
Intangible assets, net	124,004	152,340
Deferred income taxes	10,512	12,073
Other long-term assets	23,611	26,939
Total assets	1,244,154	1,211,219
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	22,206	22,497
Accrued liabilities	146,146	111,262
Deferred revenue	283,431	311,029
Current portion of long-term debt	30,938	29,804
Total current liabilities	482,721	474,592
Long-term debt, less current portion	466,641	472,035
Deferred income taxes	4,062	28,066
Other long-term liabilities	28,868	19,092
Total liabilities	982,292	993,785
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 600,000,000 shares authorized; 53,579,958 and 53,871,484 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively	536	539
Additional paid-in-capital	565,457	559,910
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(36,649)	(41,543)
Accumulated deficit	(267,482)	(301,472)
Total shareholders' equity	261,862	217,434
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,244,154	$ 1,211,219

Condensed Consolidated Balance6

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Preferred stock shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock shares issued	53,579,958	53,871,484
Common stock shares outstanding	53,579,958	53,871,484

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Operating activities
Net income	$ 75,139	$ 86,391
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	43,645	41,956
Loss on extinguishment of debt	439	9,795
Stock repurchase costs	0	922
Amortization of capitalized loan fees	765	1,079
Share-based compensation	9,404	3,288
Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts	1,927	(440)
Deferred income tax benefit	(5,226)	112
Foreign currency adjustments	18,789	(2,302)
Asset impairment charges	0	3,931
Other adjustments	160	(152)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable billed and unbilled	(58,748)	(84,107)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(894)	(2,085)
Deferred revenue	5,753	93,753
Other assets and liabilities	3,971	(11,019)
Net cash provided by operating activities	95,124	141,122
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(16,826)	(11,565)
Net cash used in investing activities	(16,826)	(11,565)
Financing activities
Payments on long-term debt	0	(475,001)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	525,000
Payments of debt financing costs	(868)	(4,987)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	100,000	0
Repayments of revolving credit facility	(105,000)	0
Payments related to business combinations	0	(973)
Principal payments toward capital lease obligations	0	(398)
Payments of stock repurchase costs	0	(922)
Payments for repurchase of common stock	(64,500)	(150,000)
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation	(825)	(3,161)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	14,415	1,058
Net cash used in financing activities	(56,778)	(109,384)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(3,583)	(10,535)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	17,937	9,638
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	85,011	126,453
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 102,948	$ 136,091

Basis of Presentation and Chang

Basis of Presentation and Changes in Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Changes in Significant Accounting Policies	Basis of Presentation and Changes in Significant Accounting Policies Principal Business INC Research Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") is a Contract Research Organization ("CRO") providing a comprehensive range of clinical development services for the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries to its customers across various therapeutic areas. The international infrastructure of the Company’s development business enables it to conduct Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials globally for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies. Unaudited Interim Financial Information The Company prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information. The significant accounting policies followed by the Company for interim financial reporting are consistent with the accounting policies followed for annual financial reporting. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2016 . The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016 or any other future period. The amounts in the December 31, 2015 consolidated condensed balance sheet are derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2015 . Share-Based Compensation In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , in an effort to simplify the accounting for share-based payments and improve the usefulness of information provided to financial statement users related to income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and the classification of share-based payments within the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, and early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this ASU effective in the first quarter of 2016. The following summarizes the effects of the adoption on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements: Income taxes - Upon adoption of this standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) are recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. The tax effects of exercised or vested awards are treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. The Company also recognizes excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. As a result, the Company recognized discrete adjustments to income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , in the amount of $4.6 million and $12.6 million , respectively, related to excess tax benefits. The Company has applied the modified retrospective adoption approach beginning in 2016 and has recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings and reduced its deferred tax liability by $7.6 million . This adjustment related to tax assets that had previously arisen from tax deductions for equity compensation expenses that were greater than the compensation recognized for financial reporting. These assets had been excluded from the deferred tax assets and liabilities totals on the balance sheet as a result of certain realization requirements previously included in ASC 718 Stock Compensation . Prior periods have not been adjusted. Forfeitures - Prior to adoption, share-based compensation expense was recognized on a straight line basis, net of estimated forfeitures, such that expense was recognized only for share-based awards that are expected to vest. A forfeiture rate was estimated annually and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differed from initial estimates. Upon adoption, the Company will no longer apply a forfeiture rate and instead will account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company has applied the modified retrospective adoption approach beginning in 2016 and has booked a cumulative-effect adjustment to additional paid-in-capital and share-based compensation expense of $0.1 million . Prior periods have not been adjusted. Statements of Cash Flows - The Company historically accounted for excess tax benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows as a financing activity. Upon adoption of this standard, excess tax benefits are classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. The Company has elected to adopt this portion of the standard on a prospective basis beginning in 2016. Prior periods have not been adjusted. Earnings Per Share - The Company uses the treasury stock method to compute diluted earnings per share, unless the effect would be anti-dilutive. Under this method, the Company will no longer be required to estimate the tax rate and apply it to the dilutive share calculation for determining the dilutive earnings per share. The Company has utilized the modified retrospective adoption approach and has applied this methodology beginning in 2016 and prior periods have not been adjusted. Upon adoption, no other aspects of ASU 2016-09 had an effect on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or related footnote disclosures. Property and Equipment Beginning in 2016, the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-05, Customer's Accounting For Fees Paid In A Cloud Computing Arrangement , which provides guidance for accounting for cloud computing costs. Upon adoption of this standard, software cloud computing arrangements containing a software license are accounted for consistently with the acquisition of other software licenses. In the event an arrangement does not contain a software license, the Company accounts for the arrangement as a service contract. The Company has elected to adopt this standard prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after January 1, 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or related footnote disclosures. Prior periods have not been restated. Derivatives The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative. If the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and has satisfied the criteria necessary, the Company applies hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company chooses not to apply hedge accounting. Details related to the Company's derivative transactions as of September 30, 2016 , are discussed in " Note 4 - Derivatives " of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In accordance with FASB’s fair value measurement guidance, the Company measures the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . ASU 2014-09 will eliminate transaction- and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current U.S. GAAP and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 will require that companies recognize revenue based on the value of transferred goods or services as they occur in the contract. The ASU also will require additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In July 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date , which delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and modified the standard to allow early adoption. For public entities, the standard is now effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) , to clarify principal versus agent considerations in order to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance related to this topic. In April 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing . ASU 2016-10 clarifies the implementation guidance on identifying performance obligations. In May 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients . ASU 2016-12 does not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606, but rather narrows aspects of Topic 606 by reducing the potential for diversity in practice at initial application and by reducing the cost and complexity of applying Topic 606 both at transition and on an ongoing basis. These ASUs apply to all companies that enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services. ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-12 did not change the core principles of the previously issued guidance and did not change its effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of these standards on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, implementing accounting system changes related to the adoption, and considering additional disclosure requirements. In August 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern . ASU 2014-15 will explicitly require management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern at each annual and interim period. Footnote disclosures will be required if conditions give rise to substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the report issuance date. The ASU defines substantial doubt using a likelihood threshold of "probable" similar to the current use of that term in U.S. GAAP for loss contingencies and provides example indicators. ASU 2014-15 is effective for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities . ASU 2016-01 requires public companies to use exit prices to measure the fair value of financial instruments. Specifically the guidance will require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statement and will eliminate the disclosure requirements related to measurement assumptions for the fair value of instruments measured at amortized cost. In addition, for liabilities measured at fair value under the fair value option, ASU 2016-01 requires companies to present in other comprehensive income changes in fair value due to changes in instrument specific credit risk. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments is not permitted for public companies. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases . ASU 2016-02 will require organizations to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, including leases that were previously classified as operating leases. The ASU will also require additional disclosures about leasing arrangements related to the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted and the new guidance will be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships . ASU 2016-05 clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. ASU 2016-05 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Credit Losses, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments . ASU 2016-13 introduces a new forward-looking “expected loss” approach, to estimate credit losses on most financial assets and certain other instruments, including trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also expands the disclosure requirements regarding the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments , which provides guidance on reducing the diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. In addition to other specific cash flow issues, ASU 2016-15 provides clarification on when an entity should separate cash receipts and cash payments into more than one class of cash flows and when an entity should classify those cash receipts and payments into one class of cash flows on the basis of predominance. The new guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory , in an effort to reduce the cost and complexity, as well as improve the accounting for income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets. Under current U.S. GAAP the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer is prohibited until the asset has been sold to an outside party. ASU 2016-16 eliminates the requirement to delay recognition and allows an entity to recognize the income tax consequences when the transfer of an intra-entity asset other than inventory occurs. The new guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which financial statements have not been issued. That is, earlier adoption should be in the first interim period if an entity issues interim financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adoption and estimates that the impact of this guidance will not be material to its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Financial Statement Details

Financial Statement Details	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Financial Statement Details	Financial Statement Details Accounts receivable billed, net Accounts receivable billed, net of provision for doubtful accounts, consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Accounts receivable, billed $ 184,277 $ 161,872 Less provision for doubtful accounts (5,323 ) (3,557 ) Accounts receivable billed, net $ 178,954 $ 158,315 Goodwill The changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were as follows (in thousands): Total Clinical Development Services Phase I Services Balance at December 31, 2015: Gross goodwill $ 569,174 $ 561,032 $ 8,142 Accumulated impairment losses (16,166 ) (8,024 ) (8,142 ) Total goodwill and accumulated impairment losses 553,008 553,008 — 2016 Activity: Impact of foreign currency translation 18 18 — Balance at September 30, 2016: Gross goodwill 569,192 561,050 8,142 Accumulated impairment losses (16,166 ) (8,024 ) (8,142 ) Total goodwill and accumulated impairment losses $ 553,026 $ 553,026 $ — Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes Accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL"), net of taxes consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Foreign currency translation loss $ (36,495 ) $ (41,543 ) Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of taxes (154 ) — Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes $ (36,649 ) $ (41,543 ) The following table summarizes the changes in AOCL, net of taxes by component for the three months ended September 30, 2016 : Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of taxes Foreign currency translation loss Total Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (923 ) $ (37,476 ) $ (38,399 ) Other comprehensive gain, net of taxes before reclassifications 638 981 $ 1,619 Amount of gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into the income statement 131 — $ 131 Net current-period other comprehensive gain, net of taxes 769 981 $ 1,750 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ (154 ) $ (36,495 ) $ (36,649 ) The following table summarizes the changes in AOCL, net of taxes by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 : Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of taxes Foreign currency translation loss Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ — $ (41,543 ) $ (41,543 ) Other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of taxes before reclassifications (285 ) 5,048 $ 4,763 Amount of gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into the income statement 131 — $ 131 Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of taxes (154 ) 5,048 $ 4,894 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ (154 ) $ (36,495 ) $ (36,649 ) Amounts reported in AOCL related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s term loan. The Company estimates that $0.3 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense in the next 12 months. Other (expense) income, net Other (expense) income, net consisted of the following (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net realized foreign currency gain (loss) $ 2,978 $ 1,092 $ 8,439 $ 1,099 Net unrealized foreign currency gain (loss) (5,196 ) (2,161 ) (18,789 ) 2,302 Other, net (166 ) 66 (411 ) 737 Total other (expense) income, net $ (2,384 ) $ (1,003 ) $ (10,761 ) $ 4,138

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt First Amendment to the Credit Agreement On August 31, 2016, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement and Increase Revolving Joinder (the “First Amendment”) which amended the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2015 (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”). The First Amendment, (i) extended the maturity date of the term and revolving loans under the Credit Agreement to August 31, 2021, (ii) increased the available borrowing capacity under the revolving line of credit from $150.0 million to $200.0 million , and (iii) reduced the interest rate margins on all term and revolving loans, and certain fees. As of September 30, 2016 , $475.0 million was outstanding on the term loan. The Company is not required to make principal payments on the term loan until September 30, 2017. From then through June 30, 2021, the term loan has scheduled quarterly principal payments of the initial principal borrowed of 1.25% , or $5.9 million per quarter in year 2; 1.875% , or $8.9 million per quarter in years 3 and 4; and 2.50% , or $11.9 million per quarter in year 5; with the remaining outstanding principal due on August 31, 2021. As of September 30, 2016 , there were $25.0 million in revolver borrowings, $0.8 million of letters of credit, and no swingline loans outstanding, leaving $174.2 million in available borrowings under the Revolver. The Credit Agreement provides Eurodollar Rate and Base Rate term loans. Eurodollar Rate term loans are one-, two-, three-, or six-month loans (or, with permission, twelve-months) and interest is due on the last day of each three-month period of the loans. Base Rate term loans have interest due the last day of each calendar quarter-end. In advance of the last day of the then-current type of loan, the Company may select a new type of loan, so long as it does not extend beyond August 31, 2021. Under the First Amendment, the applicable margin with respect to Base Rate loan was reduced to between 0.25% and 1.00% , and the applicable margin with respect to the Eurodollar Rate borrowings was reduced to between 1.25% and 2.00% depending on the "Secured Net Leverage Ratio" (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The Company will continue to pay a quarterly commitment fee between 0.20% and 0.35% on the average daily unused balance of the Revolver depending on the Secured Net Leverage Ratio at the adjustment date. As of September 30, 2016 , the interest rate on the term loan was 2.03% and the interest rate on the Revolver was 2.04% . The Credit Agreement permits the Company to increase term loan or revolving commitments and/or to request the establishment of one or more new term loan facilities and/or revolving facilities in an aggregate amount not to exceed $175.0 million if certain net leverage requirements are met. The availability of such additional capacity is subject to, among other things, receipt of commitments from existing lenders or other financial institutions. The Company's maturities of obligations under the Credit Agreement for the years following December 31, 2015, are as follows (in thousands): 2016 (remaining 3 months) $ — 2017 36,875 2018 29,688 2019 35,625 2020 41,562 2021 356,250 Deferred issuance costs (2,421 ) Total long-term debt 497,579 Less current portion (30,938 ) Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 466,641 The Credit Agreement contains usual and customary restrictive and financial covenants, as well as financial covenants. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants for all periods through September 30, 2016 . Debt Issuance Costs The Company recorded debt issuance costs related to its term loan of approximately $2.4 million and $2.9 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively. These costs were recorded as a reduction of the principal balance of the associated debt and are being amortized as a component of interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the term loan. The Company recorded total debt issuance costs related to its revolving line of credit of approximately $1.0 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively. Debt issuance costs associated with the revolver are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other long-term assets within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. These costs are amortized as a component of interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the Revolver.

Derivatives

Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives	Derivatives On May 11, 2016, the Company entered into two interest rate swaps with a combined notional value of $300.0 million in an effort to limit its exposure to variable interest rates on its term loan. Interest began accruing on the swaps on June 30, 2016 and the interest rate swaps expire on June 30, 2018 and May 14, 2020. The material terms of these derivatives are substantially the same as those contained within the Credit Agreement, including monthly settlements with the swap counterparty. The interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges because these transactions were executed to manage the Company's exposure to variable interest rate movements and their impact on future interest payments. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in AOCL and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings and is included in the "Interest expense" line item in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded an immaterial amount of hedge ineffectiveness in earnings attributable to inconsistencies in certain terms between the interest rate swaps and its Credit Agreement. The fair values of the Company’s interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments and the line items on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets to which they were recorded are summarized in the following table (in thousands): Balance Sheet Classification September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Interest rate swaps - current Accrued liabilities $ 48 $ — Interest rate swaps - non-current Other long-term assets $ 54 $ — Interest rate swaps - non-current Other long-term liabilities $ 250 $ —

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, debt and interest rate swaps. The fair value of the cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their respective carrying amounts based on the liquidity and short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the long-term debt is determined based on market prices for similar financial instruments or model-derived valuations based on observable inputs and falls under Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as defined in the authoritative guidance. The estimated fair value of the long-term debt and revolver was $495.3 million at September 30, 2016 . Recurring Fair Value Measurements Currently, the Company uses interest rate swaps to manage its risk related to variable interest rates on its term loan. The fair value of interest rate swaps is determined using the market standard methodology of discounted future variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are determined by discounting the future expected cash receipts that would occur if variable interest rates rise above the fixed rate of the swaps. The variable interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the swap are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and volatilities. As of September 30, 2016 , the fair value of the interest rate swaps was approximately $0.2 million and these derivatives were identified as Level 2 assets and liabilities. The Company did not have any recurring fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of September 30, 2016 . There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements Certain assets, including goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, are carried on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets at cost and are not re-measured to fair value on a recurring basis. These assets are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, net are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a triggering event has occurred. The Company tests finite-lived intangible assets for impairment upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. As of September 30, 2016 , assets carried on the balance sheet and not re-measured to fair value on a recurring basis totaled $677.0 million and were comprised of: goodwill of $553.0 million ; finite-lived intangible assets, net, of $89.0 million ; and indefinite-lived intangible assets of $35.0 million .

Restructuring, CEO Transition a

Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs	Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs On March 31, 2016, management approved a global plan to eliminate certain positions worldwide in an effort to ensure that the Company's organizational focus and resources were properly aligned with its strategic goals and to continue strengthening the delivery of its growing backlog to customers. Accordingly, the Company made changes to its therapeutic unit structure designed to realign with management focus and optimize the efficiency of its resourcing to achieve its strategic plan. Under this plan , the Company eliminated approximately 195 positions and incurred $7.1 million related to employee severance costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . The Company expects to complete the remaining actions and make substantially all payments to affected employees during 2016. During the third quarter, the Company also announced the closure of one of its facilities associated with this restructuring. The Company plans to exit this facility and record a restructuring charge during the fourth quarter of 2016. On July 27, 2016, the Company entered into a transition agreement with its former Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") related to the transition to a new CEO as of October 1, 2016. The CEO transition agreement is effective September 30, 2016 through February 28, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recognized $2.8 million of costs associated with this transition, which will be paid through August 2018. Additionally, the Company incurred charges of $0.5 million related primarily to legal and consulting cost incurred for the continued consolidation of its legal entities and the restructuring of its contract management process in preparation for adopting further accounting pronouncements. These costs were partially offset by a net reduction in facility closure expenses of $0.2 million due to the reversal of previously accrued liabilities as a result of completing negotiations with respect to exiting certain facilities. The Company expects to incur additional costs between $3.1 million and $4.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2016, related to its restructuring activities and the CEO transition. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company made payments and provision adjustments for all plans as presented below (in thousands): Employee Severance Costs, Including Executive Transition Costs Facility Closure Charges Other Charges Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 1,065 $ 3,661 $ — $ 4,726 Expenses incurred, net 9,890 (152 ) 545 10,283 Payments made (5,055 ) (999 ) (505 ) (6,559 ) Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 5,900 $ 2,510 $ 40 $ 8,450 The costs related to these actions are included in the "Restructuring, CEO transition and other costs" line item in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. These costs are not allocated to the Company’s reportable segments because they are not part of the segment performance measures regularly reviewed by management.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders' Equity On July 26, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a $150.0 million repurchase program for shares of the Company’s common stock in open market transactions effected through a broker-dealer at prevailing market prices, in block trades, or in privately negotiated transactions. The Company may also repurchase shares of its common stock pursuant to a trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which would permit shares of the Company’s common stock to be repurchased when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so by law. The program commenced on August 1, 2016 and will end no later than December 31, 2017. The stock repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount of common stock, and it could be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. The timing and amount of repurchases will be determined by the Company’s management based on a variety of factors such as the market price of the Company’s common stock, the Company’s liquidity requirements, and overall market conditions. The stock repurchase program will be subject to applicable legal requirements, including federal and state securities laws. On August 22, 2016, the Company's former private equity sponsors, Avista Capital Partners, L.P. ("Avista") and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board ("OTPP"), completed a secondary offering for 4,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock. In conjunction with the secondary offering, the Company repurchased 1,500,000 shares of its Class A common stock under the stock repurchase program from Avista and OTPP in a private transaction at a price of $43.00 per share, resulting in a total purchase price of approximately $64.5 million . The Company immediately retired all of the repurchased Class A common stock and charged the par value of the shares to common stock. The excess of the repurchase price over par was applied on a pro rata basis against additional paid-in-capital, with the remainder applied to accumulated deficit. As of September 30, 2016 , the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase up to $85.5 million of shares of the Company's common stock under the stock repurchase program.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 (in thousands, except per share data): Net Income (Numerator) Number of Shares (Denominator) Per-Share Amount For the three months ended September 30, 2016 Basic earnings per share $ 27,331 54,186 $ 0.50 Effect of dilutive securities — 1,381 Diluted earnings per share $ 27,331 55,567 $ 0.49 For the three months ended September 30, 2015 Basic earnings per share $ 37,814 56,325 $ 0.67 Effect of dilutive securities — 2,439 Diluted earnings per share $ 37,814 58,764 $ 0.64 Net Income (Numerator) Number of Shares (Denominator) Per-Share Amount For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 Basic earnings per share $ 75,139 54,147 $ 1.39 Effect of dilutive securities — 1,689 Diluted earnings per share $ 75,139 55,836 $ 1.35 For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 Basic earnings per share $ 86,391 58,583 $ 1.47 Effect of dilutive securities — 2,243 Diluted earnings per share $ 86,391 60,826 $ 1.42 The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes unexercised stock options and unvested restricted stock units ("RSUs") that are anti-dilutive. The following common stock equivalents were excluded from the earnings per share computation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Weighted average number of stock options and RSUs calculated using the treasury stock method that were excluded due to the exercise/threshold price exceeding the average market price of the Company's common stock during the period 787 344 806 184

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation The following table summarizes option activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 : Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2015 3,421,425 $ 15.75 Granted 388,471 $ 42.86 $ 14.90 Exercised (1,174,856 ) $ 10.95 Forfeited (54,930 ) $ 31.51 Expired — $ — Outstanding at September 30, 2016 2,580,110 $ 21.69 The Company recorded a receivable of $0.4 million from the Company's brokerage services provider associated with certain stock option exercises, which was included in the "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" line item on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2016 . The full amount was received in October 2016. The following table summarizes activity related to performance- and time-based RSUs for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 : Number of RSUs Weighted Average Non-vested at December 31, 2015 225,110 Granted 675,990 $ 42.92 Vested (58,583 ) Forfeited (18,456 ) Non-vested at September 30, 2016 824,061 At September 30, 2016 , there was $28.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years . Performance Based Awards In January 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors (the "Board") and Compensation Committee granted the executive officers performance-based RSUs (“PRSUs”) for up to a maximum of 144,900 shares of common stock. These performance-based grants are subject to the Company's performance in fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018 and will not be distributed until after the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed. Vesting is contingent upon the Company meeting company-wide adjusted earnings per share performance goals in each of the three years. The related share-based compensation expense is determined based on the value of the underlying shares on the date of grant and is recognized over the vesting term, with a maximum of one-third of the potential awards earned in each year the targets are met. During the interim financial periods, management estimates the number of PRSUs that are probable to vest until the achievement of the performance goals is known. These awards are included in the table above. Employee Stock Purchase Plan In March 2016, the Board approved the INC Research Holdings, Inc. 2016 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), which was also approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 24, 2016. The ESPP allows eligible employees to authorize payroll deductions of up to 10% of their base salary or wages to be applied toward the purchase of full shares of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the offering period. Participating employees will purchase shares of the Company's common stock at a 15% discount to the lesser of the closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (i) on the first day of the trading period or (ii) the last trading day of each offering period. Offering periods under the ESPP are six months in duration and the first offering period began on September 1, 2016. Under this plan, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. As of September 30, 2016 , there were 1.0 million shares reserved for future issuance under the ESPP. Total share-based compensation expense associated with stock options, RSUs, and the ESPP recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Direct costs $ 1,860 $ 732 $ 4,402 $ 1,468 Selling, general and administrative 1,657 936 5,002 1,820 Total share-based compensation expense $ 3,517 $ 1,668 $ 9,404 $ 3,288

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 18.2% and 17.6% , respectively. The Company's effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to (i) the geographic split of pre-tax income, (ii) tax credits, and (iii) discrete tax adjustments related to foreign exchange losses due to historical branch transactions and excess tax benefits on share-based payments, as described in Note 1 under "Share-Based Compensation." The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 6.2% and 8.6% , respectively. The Company's effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to (i) income or losses generated in jurisdictions where the income tax expense or benefit was offset by a corresponding change in the valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets, (ii) the geographic split of pre-tax income, and (iii) discrete tax adjustments related to the release of valuation allowances and unrecognized tax benefits. As of September 30, 2016 , the Company's unrecognized tax benefits totaled $16.6 million , all of which would impact the Company's effective tax rate if recognized. The increase in the tax liability from December 31, 2015 is attributable to the Company's adoption of ASU 2013-11. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of September 30, 2016 , accrued interest and penalties totaled $1.7 million and $0.8 million , respectively.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company is managed through two reportable segments: Clinical Development Services and Phase I Services. Clinical Development Services offers a variety of services, including full-service global studies, as well as ancillary services such as clinical monitoring, investigator recruitment, patient recruitment, data management, study reports to assist customers with their drug development process, and specialized consulting services. Phase I Services focuses on clinical development services for Phase I trials that include scientific exploratory medicine, first-in-human studies through proof-of-concept stages, and support for Phase I studies in established compounds. The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") reviews segment performance and allocates resources based upon segment revenue and segment contribution margin. Inter-segment revenue is eliminated from the segment reporting presented to the CODM and is not included in the segment revenue presented in the table below. Revenue, direct costs and contribution margin for each of the Company's segments were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 Revenue: Clinical Development Services $ 255,220 $ 229,218 $ 755,370 $ 661,243 Phase I Services 4,337 5,276 11,988 12,141 Segment revenue 259,557 234,494 767,358 673,384 Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses not allocated to segments 132,234 115,651 437,167 322,970 Total revenue $ 391,791 $ 350,145 $ 1,204,525 $ 996,354 Direct costs: Clinical Development Services $ 156,593 $ 132,367 $ 462,210 $ 390,510 Phase I Services 3,048 3,163 8,986 8,478 Segment direct costs 159,641 135,530 471,196 398,988 Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses not allocated to segments 132,234 115,651 437,167 322,970 Direct costs and reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses $ 291,875 $ 251,181 $ 908,363 $ 721,958 Segment contribution margin: Clinical Development Services $ 98,627 $ 96,851 $ 293,160 $ 270,733 Phase I Services 1,289 2,113 3,002 3,663 Segment contribution margin 99,916 98,964 296,162 274,396 Less expenses not allocated to segments: Selling, general and administrative 41,743 40,429 127,818 113,354 Restructuring, CEO transition and other costs 2,881 (28 ) 10,283 1,566 Transaction expenses 1,127 403 2,857 922 Asset impairment charges — — — 3,931 Depreciation and amortization 14,769 13,819 43,645 41,956 Consolidated income from operations $ 39,396 $ 44,341 $ 111,559 $ 112,667 The CODM reviews the Company's assets on a consolidated basis. The Company does not allocate assets to its reportable segments as they are not included in the review performed by the CODM for purposes of assessing segment performance or allocating resources.

Operations by Geographic Locati

Operations by Geographic Location	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operations by Geographic Location	Operations by Geographic Location The Company conducts operations in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America through wholly-owned subsidiaries and representative sales offices. The Company attributes net service revenue to geographical locations based upon the location of the customer (i.e., the location to which the Company invoices the end customer). The following table summarizes total revenue by geographic area (in thousands and all intercompany transactions have been eliminated): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 Net service revenue: North America(1) $ 215,015 $ 171,756 $ 599,519 $ 491,207 Europe, Middle East and Africa 37,030 58,083 148,028 168,876 Asia-Pacific 7,512 4,569 19,795 13,154 Latin America — 86 16 147 Total net service revenue 259,557 234,494 767,358 673,384 Reimbursable-out-of-pocket expenses 132,234 115,651 437,167 322,970 Total revenue $ 391,791 $ 350,145 $ 1,204,525 $ 996,354 (1) Net service revenue for the North America region includes revenue attributable to the United States of $208.0 million and $165.9 million , or 80.1% and 70.7% of net service revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Net service revenue for the North America region includes revenue attributable to the United States of $582.4 million and $477.0 million , or 75.9% and 70.8% of net service revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. No other countries represented more than 10% of net service revenue for any period. The following table summarizes long-lived assets by geographic area (in thousands and all intercompany transactions have been eliminated): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Total property and equipment, net: North America(1) $ 31,774 $ 28,992 Europe, Middle East, and Africa 8,574 9,891 Asia-Pacific 4,809 5,491 Latin America 803 439 Total property and equipment, net $ 45,960 $ 44,813 (1) Long-lived assets for the North America region include property and equipment, net attributable to the United States of $31.3 million and $28.7 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk No customer accounted for 10% or more of total net service revenue for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016 or 2015 . At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , no customer accounted for more than 10% of billed and unbilled accounts receivable balances.

Related-Party Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related-Party Transactions	Related-Party Transactions The Company recorded net service revenue of $0.3 million and $0.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, from a customer who had a significant shareholder who was also a significant shareholder of the Company. The Company recorded net service revenue of $0.1 million for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , from a customer who had a significant shareholder who was also a significant shareholder of the Company.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies The Company records accruals for claims, suits, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company reviews claims, suits, investigations and proceedings at least quarterly and records or adjusts accruals related to such matters to reflect the impact and status of any settlements, rulings, advice of counsel or other information pertinent to a particular matter. In the normal course of business, the Company periodically becomes involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to its business. While the outcome of these matters could differ from management's expectations, the Company does not believe the resolution of these matters will have a material effect upon the Company's financial statements. The Company currently maintains insurance for risks associated with the operation of its business, provision of professional services and ownership of property. These policies provide coverage for a variety of potential losses, including loss or damage to property, bodily injury, general commercial liability, professional errors and omissions, and medical malpractice. The Company is self-insured for certain losses relating to health insurance claims for the majority of its employees located within the United States. The Company purchases stop-loss coverage from third party insurance carriers to limit individual or aggregate loss exposure with respect to the Company's health insurance claims. Accrued insurance liabilities and related expenses are based on estimates of claims incurred but not reported. Incurred but not reported claims are generally determined by taking into account historical claims payments and known trends such as claim frequency and severity. The Company makes estimated judgments and assumptions with respect to these calculations, including but not limited to, estimated healthcare cost trends, estimated lag time to report any paid claims, average cost per claim and other factors. The Company believes the estimates of future liability are reasonable based on its methodology; however, changes in claims activity (volume and amount per claim) could materially affect the estimate for these liabilities. The Company continually monitors claim activity and incidents and makes necessary adjustments based on these evaluations. As of September 30, 2016 , the Company had accrued self-insurance reserves of $3.1 million .

Basis of Presentation and Cha23

Basis of Presentation and Changes in Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Unaudited Interim Financial Information	The Company prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information. The significant accounting policies followed by the Company for interim financial reporting are consistent with the accounting policies followed for annual financial reporting. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2016 . The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016 or any other future period. The amounts in the December 31, 2015 consolidated condensed balance sheet are derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2015 .
Share-Based Compensation	In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , in an effort to simplify the accounting for share-based payments and improve the usefulness of information provided to financial statement users related to income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and the classification of share-based payments within the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, and early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this ASU effective in the first quarter of 2016. The following summarizes the effects of the adoption on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements: Income taxes - Upon adoption of this standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) are recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. The tax effects of exercised or vested awards are treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. The Company also recognizes excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. As a result, the Company recognized discrete adjustments to income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , in the amount of $4.6 million and $12.6 million , respectively, related to excess tax benefits. The Company has applied the modified retrospective adoption approach beginning in 2016 and has recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings and reduced its deferred tax liability by $7.6 million . This adjustment related to tax assets that had previously arisen from tax deductions for equity compensation expenses that were greater than the compensation recognized for financial reporting. These assets had been excluded from the deferred tax assets and liabilities totals on the balance sheet as a result of certain realization requirements previously included in ASC 718 Stock Compensation . Prior periods have not been adjusted. Forfeitures - Prior to adoption, share-based compensation expense was recognized on a straight line basis, net of estimated forfeitures, such that expense was recognized only for share-based awards that are expected to vest. A forfeiture rate was estimated annually and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differed from initial estimates. Upon adoption, the Company will no longer apply a forfeiture rate and instead will account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company has applied the modified retrospective adoption approach beginning in 2016 and has booked a cumulative-effect adjustment to additional paid-in-capital and share-based compensation expense of $0.1 million . Prior periods have not been adjusted. Statements of Cash Flows - The Company historically accounted for excess tax benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows as a financing activity. Upon adoption of this standard, excess tax benefits are classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. The Company has elected to adopt this portion of the standard on a prospective basis beginning in 2016. Prior periods have not been adjusted. Earnings Per Share - The Company uses the treasury stock method to compute diluted earnings per share, unless the effect would be anti-dilutive. Under this method, the Company will no longer be required to estimate the tax rate and apply it to the dilutive share calculation for determining the dilutive earnings per share. The Company has utilized the modified retrospective adoption approach and has applied this methodology beginning in 2016 and prior periods have not been adjusted. Upon adoption, no other aspects of ASU 2016-09 had an effect on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or related footnote disclosures.
Property and Equipment	Beginning in 2016, the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-05, Customer's Accounting For Fees Paid In A Cloud Computing Arrangement , which provides guidance for accounting for cloud computing costs. Upon adoption of this standard, software cloud computing arrangements containing a software license are accounted for consistently with the acquisition of other software licenses. In the event an arrangement does not contain a software license, the Company accounts for the arrangement as a service contract. The Company has elected to adopt this standard prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after January 1, 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or related footnote disclosures. Prior periods have not been restated.
Derivatives	The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative. If the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and has satisfied the criteria necessary, the Company applies hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company chooses not to apply hedge accounting. Details related to the Company's derivative transactions as of September 30, 2016 , are discussed in " Note 4 - Derivatives " of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In accordance with FASB’s fair value measurement guidance, the Company measures the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . ASU 2014-09 will eliminate transaction- and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current U.S. GAAP and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 will require that companies recognize revenue based on the value of transferred goods or services as they occur in the contract. The ASU also will require additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In July 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date , which delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and modified the standard to allow early adoption. For public entities, the standard is now effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) , to clarify principal versus agent considerations in order to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance related to this topic. In April 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing . ASU 2016-10 clarifies the implementation guidance on identifying performance obligations. In May 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients . ASU 2016-12 does not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606, but rather narrows aspects of Topic 606 by reducing the potential for diversity in practice at initial application and by reducing the cost and complexity of applying Topic 606 both at transition and on an ongoing basis. These ASUs apply to all companies that enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services. ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-12 did not change the core principles of the previously issued guidance and did not change its effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of these standards on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, implementing accounting system changes related to the adoption, and considering additional disclosure requirements. In August 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern . ASU 2014-15 will explicitly require management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern at each annual and interim period. Footnote disclosures will be required if conditions give rise to substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the report issuance date. The ASU defines substantial doubt using a likelihood threshold of "probable" similar to the current use of that term in U.S. GAAP for loss contingencies and provides example indicators. ASU 2014-15 is effective for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities . ASU 2016-01 requires public companies to use exit prices to measure the fair value of financial instruments. Specifically the guidance will require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statement and will eliminate the disclosure requirements related to measurement assumptions for the fair value of instruments measured at amortized cost. In addition, for liabilities measured at fair value under the fair value option, ASU 2016-01 requires companies to present in other comprehensive income changes in fair value due to changes in instrument specific credit risk. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments is not permitted for public companies. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases . ASU 2016-02 will require organizations to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, including leases that were previously classified as operating leases. The ASU will also require additional disclosures about leasing arrangements related to the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted and the new guidance will be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships . ASU 2016-05 clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. ASU 2016-05 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Credit Losses, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments . ASU 2016-13 introduces a new forward-looking “expected loss” approach, to estimate credit losses on most financial assets and certain other instruments, including trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also expands the disclosure requirements regarding the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments , which provides guidance on reducing the diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. In addition to other specific cash flow issues, ASU 2016-15 provides clarification on when an entity should separate cash receipts and cash payments into more than one class of cash flows and when an entity should classify those cash receipts and payments into one class of cash flows on the basis of predominance. The new guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory , in an effort to reduce the cost and complexity, as well as improve the accounting for income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets. Under current U.S. GAAP the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer is prohibited until the asset has been sold to an outside party. ASU 2016-16 eliminates the requirement to delay recognition and allows an entity to recognize the income tax consequences when the transfer of an intra-entity asset other than inventory occurs. The new guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which financial statements have not been issued. That is, earlier adoption should be in the first interim period if an entity issues interim financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adoption and estimates that the impact of this guidance will not be material to its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Financial Statement Details (Ta

Financial Statement Details (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Receivable Billed, Net	Accounts receivable billed, net of provision for doubtful accounts, consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Accounts receivable, billed $ 184,277 $ 161,872 Less provision for doubtful accounts (5,323 ) (3,557 ) Accounts receivable billed, net $ 178,954 $ 158,315
Schedule of Goodwill	The changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were as follows (in thousands): Total Clinical Development Services Phase I Services Balance at December 31, 2015: Gross goodwill $ 569,174 $ 561,032 $ 8,142 Accumulated impairment losses (16,166 ) (8,024 ) (8,142 ) Total goodwill and accumulated impairment losses 553,008 553,008 — 2016 Activity: Impact of foreign currency translation 18 18 — Balance at September 30, 2016: Gross goodwill 569,192 561,050 8,142 Accumulated impairment losses (16,166 ) (8,024 ) (8,142 ) Total goodwill and accumulated impairment losses $ 553,026 $ 553,026 $ —
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Taxes	Accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL"), net of taxes consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Foreign currency translation loss $ (36,495 ) $ (41,543 ) Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of taxes (154 ) — Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes $ (36,649 ) $ (41,543 ) The following table summarizes the changes in AOCL, net of taxes by component for the three months ended September 30, 2016 : Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of taxes Foreign currency translation loss Total Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (923 ) $ (37,476 ) $ (38,399 ) Other comprehensive gain, net of taxes before reclassifications 638 981 $ 1,619 Amount of gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into the income statement 131 — $ 131 Net current-period other comprehensive gain, net of taxes 769 981 $ 1,750 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ (154 ) $ (36,495 ) $ (36,649 ) The following table summarizes the changes in AOCL, net of taxes by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 : Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of taxes Foreign currency translation loss Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ — $ (41,543 ) $ (41,543 ) Other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of taxes before reclassifications (285 ) 5,048 $ 4,763 Amount of gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into the income statement 131 — $ 131 Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of taxes (154 ) 5,048 $ 4,894 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ (154 ) $ (36,495 ) $ (36,649 )
Schedule of Other (Expense) Income, Net	Other (expense) income, net consisted of the following (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net realized foreign currency gain (loss) $ 2,978 $ 1,092 $ 8,439 $ 1,099 Net unrealized foreign currency gain (loss) (5,196 ) (2,161 ) (18,789 ) 2,302 Other, net (166 ) 66 (411 ) 737 Total other (expense) income, net $ (2,384 ) $ (1,003 ) $ (10,761 ) $ 4,138

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Maturities of Debt Obligations	The Company's maturities of obligations under the Credit Agreement for the years following December 31, 2015, are as follows (in thousands): 2016 (remaining 3 months) $ — 2017 36,875 2018 29,688 2019 35,625 2020 41,562 2021 356,250 Deferred issuance costs (2,421 ) Total long-term debt 497,579 Less current portion (30,938 ) Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 466,641

Derivatives (Tables)

Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Hedging Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets	The fair values of the Company’s interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments and the line items on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets to which they were recorded are summarized in the following table (in thousands): Balance Sheet Classification September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Interest rate swaps - current Accrued liabilities $ 48 $ — Interest rate swaps - non-current Other long-term assets $ 54 $ — Interest rate swaps - non-current Other long-term liabilities $ 250 $ —

Restructuring, CEO Transition27

Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs	During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company made payments and provision adjustments for all plans as presented below (in thousands): Employee Severance Costs, Including Executive Transition Costs Facility Closure Charges Other Charges Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 1,065 $ 3,661 $ — $ 4,726 Expenses incurred, net 9,890 (152 ) 545 10,283 Payments made (5,055 ) (999 ) (505 ) (6,559 ) Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 5,900 $ 2,510 $ 40 $ 8,450

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 (in thousands, except per share data): Net Income (Numerator) Number of Shares (Denominator) Per-Share Amount For the three months ended September 30, 2016 Basic earnings per share $ 27,331 54,186 $ 0.50 Effect of dilutive securities — 1,381 Diluted earnings per share $ 27,331 55,567 $ 0.49 For the three months ended September 30, 2015 Basic earnings per share $ 37,814 56,325 $ 0.67 Effect of dilutive securities — 2,439 Diluted earnings per share $ 37,814 58,764 $ 0.64 Net Income (Numerator) Number of Shares (Denominator) Per-Share Amount For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 Basic earnings per share $ 75,139 54,147 $ 1.39 Effect of dilutive securities — 1,689 Diluted earnings per share $ 75,139 55,836 $ 1.35 For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 Basic earnings per share $ 86,391 58,583 $ 1.47 Effect of dilutive securities — 2,243 Diluted earnings per share $ 86,391 60,826 $ 1.42
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes unexercised stock options and unvested restricted stock units ("RSUs") that are anti-dilutive. The following common stock equivalents were excluded from the earnings per share computation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Weighted average number of stock options and RSUs calculated using the treasury stock method that were excluded due to the exercise/threshold price exceeding the average market price of the Company's common stock during the period 787 344 806 184

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Option Activity	The following table summarizes option activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 : Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2015 3,421,425 $ 15.75 Granted 388,471 $ 42.86 $ 14.90 Exercised (1,174,856 ) $ 10.95 Forfeited (54,930 ) $ 31.51 Expired — $ — Outstanding at September 30, 2016 2,580,110 $ 21.69
Summary of Restricted Stock Units Activity	The following table summarizes activity related to performance- and time-based RSUs for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 : Number of RSUs Weighted Average Non-vested at December 31, 2015 225,110 Granted 675,990 $ 42.92 Vested (58,583 ) Forfeited (18,456 ) Non-vested at September 30, 2016 824,061
Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense Recognized in Statements of Operations	Total share-based compensation expense associated with stock options, RSUs, and the ESPP recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Direct costs $ 1,860 $ 732 $ 4,402 $ 1,468 Selling, general and administrative 1,657 936 5,002 1,820 Total share-based compensation expense $ 3,517 $ 1,668 $ 9,404 $ 3,288

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Information	Revenue, direct costs and contribution margin for each of the Company's segments were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 Revenue: Clinical Development Services $ 255,220 $ 229,218 $ 755,370 $ 661,243 Phase I Services 4,337 5,276 11,988 12,141 Segment revenue 259,557 234,494 767,358 673,384 Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses not allocated to segments 132,234 115,651 437,167 322,970 Total revenue $ 391,791 $ 350,145 $ 1,204,525 $ 996,354 Direct costs: Clinical Development Services $ 156,593 $ 132,367 $ 462,210 $ 390,510 Phase I Services 3,048 3,163 8,986 8,478 Segment direct costs 159,641 135,530 471,196 398,988 Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses not allocated to segments 132,234 115,651 437,167 322,970 Direct costs and reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses $ 291,875 $ 251,181 $ 908,363 $ 721,958 Segment contribution margin: Clinical Development Services $ 98,627 $ 96,851 $ 293,160 $ 270,733 Phase I Services 1,289 2,113 3,002 3,663 Segment contribution margin 99,916 98,964 296,162 274,396 Less expenses not allocated to segments: Selling, general and administrative 41,743 40,429 127,818 113,354 Restructuring, CEO transition and other costs 2,881 (28 ) 10,283 1,566 Transaction expenses 1,127 403 2,857 922 Asset impairment charges — — — 3,931 Depreciation and amortization 14,769 13,819 43,645 41,956 Consolidated income from operations $ 39,396 $ 44,341 $ 111,559 $ 112,667

Operations by Geographic Loca31

Operations by Geographic Location (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Total Revenue by Geographic Area	The following table summarizes total revenue by geographic area (in thousands and all intercompany transactions have been eliminated): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 Net service revenue: North America(1) $ 215,015 $ 171,756 $ 599,519 $ 491,207 Europe, Middle East and Africa 37,030 58,083 148,028 168,876 Asia-Pacific 7,512 4,569 19,795 13,154 Latin America — 86 16 147 Total net service revenue 259,557 234,494 767,358 673,384 Reimbursable-out-of-pocket expenses 132,234 115,651 437,167 322,970 Total revenue $ 391,791 $ 350,145 $ 1,204,525 $ 996,354 (1) Net service revenue for the North America region includes revenue attributable to the United States of $208.0 million and $165.9 million , or 80.1% and 70.7% of net service revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Net service revenue for the North America region includes revenue attributable to the United States of $582.4 million and $477.0 million , or 75.9% and 70.8% of net service revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. No other countries represented more than 10% of net service revenue for any period.
Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area	The following table summarizes long-lived assets by geographic area (in thousands and all intercompany transactions have been eliminated): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Total property and equipment, net: North America(1) $ 31,774 $ 28,992 Europe, Middle East, and Africa 8,574 9,891 Asia-Pacific 4,809 5,491 Latin America 803 439 Total property and equipment, net $ 45,960 $ 44,813 (1) Long-lived assets for the North America region include property and equipment, net attributable to the United States of $31.3 million and $28.7 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively.

Basis of Presentation and Cha32

Basis of Presentation and Changes in Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jan. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Discrete adjustments to income tax expense	$ 4,600			$ 12,600
Income tax expense	6,078		$ 2,487	16,042	$ 8,089
Deferred tax liabilities	4,062			4,062			$ 28,066
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 3,517		$ 1,668	$ 9,404	$ 3,288
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Deferred tax liabilities						$ (7,600)
Allocated share-based compensation expense		$ 100
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 | Retained Earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle in period of adoption						7,600
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 | Additional Paid-in Capital
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle in period of adoption						$ 100

Financial Statement Details - A

Financial Statement Details - Accounts Receivable Billed, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, billed	$ 184,277	$ 161,872
Less provision for doubtful accounts	(5,323)	(3,557)
Accounts receivable billed, net	$ 178,954	$ 158,315

Financial Statement Details - S

Financial Statement Details - Schedule of Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning gross goodwill	$ 569,174
Accumulated impairment losses	(16,166)
Total goodwill and accumulated impairment losses	553,008
Impact of foreign currency translation	18
Ending gross goodwill	569,192
Accumulated impairment losses	(16,166)
Total goodwill and accumulated impairment losses	553,026
Clinical Development Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning gross goodwill	561,032
Accumulated impairment losses	(8,024)
Total goodwill and accumulated impairment losses	553,008
Impact of foreign currency translation	18
Ending gross goodwill	561,050
Accumulated impairment losses	(8,024)
Total goodwill and accumulated impairment losses	553,026
Phase I Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning gross goodwill	8,142
Accumulated impairment losses	(8,142)
Total goodwill and accumulated impairment losses	0
Impact of foreign currency translation	0
Ending gross goodwill	8,142
Accumulated impairment losses	(8,142)
Total goodwill and accumulated impairment losses	$ 0

Financial Statement Details -35

Financial Statement Details - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation loss	$ (36,495)	$ (41,543)
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of taxes	(154)	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	$ (36,649)	$ (41,543)

Financial Statement Details -36

Financial Statement Details - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 217,434
Ending Balance	$ 261,862	261,862
Total
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(38,399)	(41,543)
Other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of taxes before reclassifications	1,619	4,763
Amount of gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into the income statement	131	131
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of taxes	1,750	4,894
Ending Balance	(36,649)	(36,649)
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of taxes
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(923)	0
Other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of taxes before reclassifications	638	(285)
Amount of gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into the income statement	131	131
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of taxes	769	(154)
Ending Balance	(154)	(154)
Foreign currency translation loss
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(37,476)	(41,543)
Other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of taxes before reclassifications	981	5,048
Amount of gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into the income statement	0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of taxes	981	5,048
Ending Balance	$ (36,495)	$ (36,495)

Financial Statement Details - O

Financial Statement Details - Other (Expense) Income, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Net realized foreign currency gain (loss)	$ 2,978	$ 1,092	$ 8,439	$ 1,099
Net unrealized foreign currency gain (loss)	(5,196)	(2,161)	(18,789)	2,302
Other, net	(166)	66	(411)	737
Total other (expense) income, net	$ (2,384)	$ (1,003)	$ (10,761)	$ 4,138

Financial Statement Details -38

Financial Statement Details - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Interest Expense | Interest Rate Swap | Cash Flow Hedging
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Estimated gain (loss), net expected to be transferred from AOCI to earnings	$ 0.3

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Det

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument
Debt issuance costs	$ 2,421,000
Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument
Permitted borrowing increase (not to exceed)	$ 175,000,000
Credit Agreement | Eurodollar Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument
Applicable margin on variable rate (percent)	1.25%
Credit Agreement | Eurodollar Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument
Applicable margin on variable rate (percent)	2.00%
Credit Agreement | Base Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument
Applicable margin on variable rate (percent)	0.25%
Credit Agreement | Base Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument
Applicable margin on variable rate (percent)	1.00%
Credit Agreement | Term Loan
Debt Instrument
Amount outstanding	$ 475,000,000
Interest rate percentage	2.03%
Debt issuance costs	$ 2,400,000			$ 2,900,000
Credit Agreement | Revolver
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 200,000,000	$ 150,000,000
Amount outstanding	$ 25,000,000
Quarterly principal payment required in year two (percent of outstanding balance)	1.25%
Quarterly principal payment required in year two	$ 5,900,000
Quarterly principal payment required in year three (percent of outstanding balance)	1.875%
Quarterly principal payment required in year three	$ 8,900,000
Quarterly principal payment required in year four (percent of outstanding balance)	2.50%
Quarterly principal payment required in year four	$ 8,900,000
Quarterly principal payment required in year five (percent of outstanding balance)	2.50%
Quarterly principal payment required in year five	$ 11,900,000
Remaining borrowing capacity under revolver	$ 174,200,000
Interest rate percentage	2.04%
Debt issuance costs	$ 1,000,000			$ 1,000,000
Credit Agreement | Revolver | Minimum
Debt Instrument
Commitment fee (percentage)	0.20%
Credit Agreement | Revolver | Maximum
Debt Instrument
Commitment fee (percentage)	0.35%
Credit Agreement | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument
Amount outstanding	$ 800,000
Credit Agreement | Swingline Loan
Debt Instrument
Amount outstanding	$ 0

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Ma

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Maturities of Debt Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2016 (remaining 3 months)	$ 0
2,017	36,875
2,018	29,688
2,019	35,625
2,020	41,562
2,021	356,250
Deferred issuance costs	(2,421)
Total long-term debt	497,579
Less current portion	(30,938)	$ (29,804)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$ 466,641	$ 472,035

Derivatives - Additional Inform

Derivatives - Additional Information (Details) - Interest Rate Swap	May 11, 2016USD ($)interest_rate_swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of instruments held | interest_rate_swap	2
Derivative notional amount | $	$ 300,000,000

Derivatives - Interest Rate Swa

Derivatives - Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Hedging Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - Cash Flow Hedging - Interest Rate Swap - Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accrued liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability	$ 48,000	$ 0
Other long-term assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset	54,000	0
Other long-term liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability	$ 250,000	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 553,026	$ 553,008
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt fair value	495,300
Nonrecurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Intangible assets, carrying amount	677,000
Goodwill	553,000
Finite-lived intangible assets	89,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	35,000
Interest Rate Swap | Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liability	$ 200

Restructuring, CEO Transition44

Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016employee	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Number of positions expected to be eliminated | employee	195
Restructuring charges		$ 2,881	$ (28)	$ 10,283	$ 1,566
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Restructuring charges				10,283
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs | Employee Severance Costs
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Restructuring charges				7,100
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs | CEO Transition Costs
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Restructuring charges				2,800
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs | Other Charges
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Restructuring charges				545
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs | Facility Closure Charges
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Restructuring charges				(152)
Minimum | Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Additional estimated restructuring costs expected to be incurred in the fourth quarter of 2016		3,100		3,100
Maximum | Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Additional estimated restructuring costs expected to be incurred in the fourth quarter of 2016		$ 4,100		$ 4,100

Restructuring, CEO Transition45

Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs - Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring Reserve
Expenses incurred, net	$ 2,881	$ (28)	$ 10,283	$ 1,566
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs
Restructuring Reserve
Balance at beginning of the period			4,726
Expenses incurred, net			10,283
Payments made			(6,559)
Balance at end of the period	8,450		8,450
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs | Employee Severance Costs, Including Executive Transition Costs
Restructuring Reserve
Balance at beginning of the period			1,065
Expenses incurred, net			9,890
Payments made			(5,055)
Balance at end of the period	5,900		5,900
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs | Facility Closure Charges
Restructuring Reserve
Balance at beginning of the period			3,661
Expenses incurred, net			(152)
Payments made			(999)
Balance at end of the period	2,510		2,510
Restructuring, CEO Transition and Other Costs | Other Charges
Restructuring Reserve
Balance at beginning of the period			0
Expenses incurred, net			545
Payments made			(505)
Balance at end of the period	$ 40		$ 40

Shareholders' Equity (Details)

Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Aug. 22, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jul. 26, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount				$ 150,000
Total repurchase price		$ 64,500	$ 150,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount		$ 85,500
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares sold by stockholders	4,500,000
Class A Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased (in shares)	1,500,000
Stock repurchased, price per share (USD per share)	$ 43
Total repurchase price	$ 64,500

Earnings Per Share - Schedule o

Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net Income (Numerator)
Net income, basic earnings per share	$ 27,331	$ 37,814	$ 75,139	$ 86,391
Net income, effect of dilutive securities	0	0	0	0
Net income, diluted earnings per share	$ 27,331	$ 37,814	$ 75,139	$ 86,391
Number of Shares (Denominator)
Number of shares, basic earnings per share (in shares)	54,186	56,325	54,147	58,583
Number of shares, effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	1,381	2,439	1,689	2,243
Number of shares, diluted earnings per share (in shares)	55,567	58,764	55,836	60,826
Per-Share Amount
Per-share amount, basic earnings per share (USD per share)	$ 0.50	$ 0.67	$ 1.39	$ 1.47
Per-share amount, diluted earnings per share (USD per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.64	$ 1.35	$ 1.42

Earnings Per Share - Schedule48

Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Weighted average number of stock options and RSUs calculated using the treasury stock method that were excluded due to the exercise/threshold price exceeding the average market price of the Company's common stock during the period	787	344	806	184

Share-Based Compensation - Addi

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			$ 36,008		$ 36,008		$ 38,571
Allocated share-based compensation expense			3,517	$ 1,668	9,404	$ 3,288
Performance Restricted Stock Units (PSU)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)		144,900
Award vesting period (years)		3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options			28,100		$ 28,100
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition					2 years 8 months 13 days
Granted (in shares)					675,990
Year 2016 | Performance Restricted Stock Units (PSU)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights (percentage)		33.33%
Year 2017 | Performance Restricted Stock Units (PSU)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights (percentage)		33.33%
Year 2018 | Performance Restricted Stock Units (PSU)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights (percentage)		33.33%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) | Employee Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payroll deductions as a percentage of employee base salary, maximum	10.00%
Discount from market price of common stock, offering date	15.00%
Discount from market price of common stock, purchase date	15.00%
Allocated share-based compensation expense			$ 100		$ 100
Shares reserved for future issuances (in shares)			1,000,000		1,000,000
Brokerage Services Provider Receivable
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			$ 400		$ 400

Share-Based Compensation - Summ

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Option Activity (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016$ / sharesshares
Number of Options
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) | shares	3,421,425
Granted (in shares) | shares	388,471
Exercised (in shares) | shares	(1,174,856)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(54,930)
Expired (in shares) | shares	0
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) | shares	2,580,110
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period (in USD per share)	$ 15.75
Granted (in USD per share)	42.86
Exercised (in USD per share)	10.95
Forfeited (in USD per share)	31.51
Expired (in USD per share)	0
Outstanding at end of period (in USD per share)	21.69
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Granted (in USD per share)	$ 14.90

Share-Based Compensation - Su51

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Units Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016$ / sharesshares
Number of RSUs
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares)	225,110
Granted (in shares)	675,990
Vested (in shares)	(58,583)
Forfeited (in shares)	(18,456)
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	824,061
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Granted (in USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 42.92

Share-Based Compensation - Su52

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense Recognized in Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	$ 3,517	$ 1,668	$ 9,404	$ 3,288
Direct costs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	1,860	732	4,402	1,468
Selling, general and administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	$ 1,657	$ 936	$ 5,002	$ 1,820

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate (percent)	(18.20%)	(6.20%)	(17.60%)	(8.60%)
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 16.6		$ 16.6
Accrued interest	1.7		1.7
Accrued penalties	$ 0.8		$ 0.8

Segment Information (Details)

Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment			2
Revenue:
Segment revenue	$ 259,557	$ 234,494	$ 767,358	$ 673,384
Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses not allocated to segments	132,234	115,651	437,167	322,970
Total revenue	391,791	350,145	1,204,525	996,354
Direct costs:
Segment direct costs	159,641	135,530	471,196	398,988
Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses not allocated to segments	132,234	115,651	437,167	322,970
Direct costs and reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses	291,875	251,181	908,363	721,958
Segment contribution margin:
Segment contribution margin	99,916	98,964	296,162	274,396
Less expenses not allocated to segments:
Selling, general and administrative	41,743	40,429	127,818	113,354
Restructuring, CEO transition and other costs	2,881	(28)	10,283	1,566
Transaction expenses	1,127	403	2,857	922
Asset impairment charges	0	0	0	3,931
Depreciation and amortization	14,769	13,819	43,645	41,956
Income from operations	39,396	44,341	111,559	112,667
Clinical Development Services
Revenue:
Segment revenue	255,220	229,218	755,370	661,243
Direct costs:
Segment direct costs	156,593	132,367	462,210	390,510
Segment contribution margin:
Segment contribution margin	98,627	96,851	293,160	270,733
Phase I Services
Revenue:
Segment revenue	4,337	5,276	11,988	12,141
Direct costs:
Segment direct costs	3,048	3,163	8,986	8,478
Segment contribution margin:
Segment contribution margin	$ 1,289	$ 2,113	$ 3,002	$ 3,663

Operations by Geographic Loca55

Operations by Geographic Location - Total Revenue by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Revenues by Geographic Location
Total net service revenue	$ 259,557	$ 234,494	$ 767,358	$ 673,384
Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses	132,234	115,651	437,167	322,970
Total revenue	391,791	350,145	1,204,525	996,354
North America
Revenues by Geographic Location
Total net service revenue	215,015	171,756	599,519	491,207
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Revenues by Geographic Location
Total net service revenue	37,030	58,083	148,028	168,876
Asia-Pacific
Revenues by Geographic Location
Total net service revenue	7,512	4,569	19,795	13,154
Latin America
Revenues by Geographic Location
Total net service revenue	0	86	16	147
United States
Revenues by Geographic Location
Total net service revenue	$ 208,000	$ 165,900	$ 582,400	$ 477,000
Concentration risk percentage	80.10%	70.70%	75.90%	70.80%

Operations by Geographic Loca56

Operations by Geographic Location - Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Location
Total property and equipment, net	$ 45,960	$ 44,813
North America
Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Location
Total property and equipment, net	31,774	28,992
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Location
Total property and equipment, net	8,574	9,891
Asia-Pacific
Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Location
Total property and equipment, net	4,809	5,491
Latin America
Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Location
Total property and equipment, net	803	439
United States
Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Location
Total property and equipment, net	$ 31,300	$ 28,700

Related-Party Transactions (Det

Related-Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Revenue from related parties	$ 0.3	$ 0.1	$ 0.5	$ 0.1

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Self-insurance reserves, U.S. health care plan	$ 3.1