Korn Ferry (KFY) 10-Q 9 Sep 14 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Sep. 03, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Jul-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2015	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Trading Symbol	'KFY	'
Entity Registrant Name	'KORN FERRY INTERNATIONAL	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000056679	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--04-30	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	50,299,015

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$238,573	$333,717
Marketable securities	17,633	9,566
Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,371 and $9,513, respectively	202,387	175,986
Income taxes and other receivables	8,163	8,244
Deferred income taxes	4,375	4,486
Prepaid expenses and other assets	32,864	29,955
Total current assets	503,995	561,954
Marketable securities, non-current	115,382	124,993
Property and equipment, net	61,966	60,434
Cash surrender value of company owned life insurance policies, net of loans	96,732	94,274
Deferred income taxes, net	50,291	55,039
Goodwill	255,932	257,582
Intangible assets, net	47,518	49,560
Investments and other assets	35,622	29,830
Total assets	1,167,438	1,233,666
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable	20,019	19,375
Income taxes payable	8,043	13,014
Compensation and benefits payable	113,159	192,035
Other accrued liabilities	68,701	62,509
Total current liabilities	209,922	286,933
Deferred compensation and other retirement plans	164,694	169,235
Other liabilities	23,718	21,962
Total liabilities	398,334	478,130
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 62,757 and 62,282 shares issued and 50,286 and 49,811 shares outstanding, respectively	451,863	449,631
Retained earnings	323,314	308,781
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	-5,587	-2,388
Stockholders' equity	769,590	756,024
Less: notes receivable from stockholders	-486	-488
Total stockholders' equity	769,104	755,536
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,167,438	$1,233,666

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$10,371	$9,513
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000	150,000
Common stock, shares issued	62,757	62,282
Common stock, shares outstanding	50,286	49,811

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Fee revenue	$251,188	$228,437
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses	9,137	9,150
Total revenue	260,325	237,587
Compensation and benefits	169,106	152,770
General and administrative expenses	37,368	39,871
Reimbursed expenses	9,137	9,150
Cost of services	9,465	9,509
Depreciation and amortization	6,770	5,944
Restructuring charges, net	9,886	3,682
Total operating expenses	241,732	220,926
Operating income	18,593	16,661
Other income, net	2,177	2,267
Interest expense, net	-794	-591
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	19,976	18,337
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net	466	465
Income tax provision	5,909	7,385
Net income	$14,533	$11,417
Earnings per common share:	'	'
Basic	$0.30	$0.24
Diluted	$0.29	$0.24
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:	'	'
Basic	48,703	47,665
Diluted	49,591	48,519

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Net income	$14,533	$11,417
Other comprehensive income:	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-3,680	-3,026
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of taxes	487	'
Unrealized losses on marketable securities, net of taxes	-6	-57
Comprehensive income	$11,334	$8,334

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$14,533	$11,417
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	6,770	5,944
Stock-based compensation expense	3,319	2,960
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,911	1,442
Gain on cash surrender value of life insurance policies	-3,263	-1,291
Gain on marketable securities	-2,018	-1,941
Deferred income taxes	4,859	3,356
Change in other assets and liabilities:	'	'
Deferred compensation	1,715	1,436
Receivables due from clients	-28,312	-22,111
Income tax and other receivables	152	2,481
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-2,909	-3,977
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	-466	-465
Income taxes payable	-4,967	2,014
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-77,636	-62,800
Other	-3,735	-5,794
Net cash used in operating activities	-90,047	-67,329
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of property and equipment	-6,590	-5,183
Purchase of marketable securities	-4,319	-20,662
Proceeds from sales/maturities of marketable securities	7,812	34,179
Change in restricted cash	'	2,861
Payment of contingent consideration from acquisition	'	-15,000
Premiums on company-owned life insurance policies	-419	-419
Proceeds from life insurance policies	1,801	'
Dividends received from unconsolidated subsidiaries	318	510
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,397	-3,714
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-3,731	-1,945
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of employee stock options and in connection with an employee stock purchase plan	1,479	1,822
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	1,165	97
Payments on life insurance policy loans	-705	'
Net cash used in financing activities	-1,792	-26
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,908	-2,571
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-95,144	-73,640
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	333,717	224,066
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$238,573	$150,426

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Nature of Business
	Korn/Ferry International, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its subsidiaries are engaged in the business of providing talent management solutions, including executive recruitment on a retained basis, recruitment for non-executive professionals, recruitment process outsourcing and leadership & talent consulting services. The Company’s worldwide network of 84 offices in 37 countries enables it to meet the needs of its clients in all industries.
	Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
	The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2014 for the Company and its wholly and majority owned/controlled domestic and international subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements conform with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and prevailing practice within the industry. The consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these periods. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year.
	Investments in affiliated companies, which are 50% or less owned and where the Company exercises significant influence over operations, are accounted for using the equity method.
	The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.
	Use of Estimates and Uncertainties
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed and determinable. The most significant areas that require management judgment are revenue recognition, restructuring, deferred compensation, annual performance related bonuses, evaluation of the carrying value of receivables, goodwill and other intangible assets, fair value of contingent consideration, share-based payments and the recoverability of deferred income taxes.
	Revenue Recognition
	Substantially all professional fee revenue is derived from fees for professional services related to executive recruitment performed on a retained basis, recruitment for non-executive professionals, recruitment process outsourcing and leadership & talent consulting services. Fee revenue from executive recruitment activities and recruitment for non-executive professionals is generally one-third of the estimated first year cash compensation of the placed executive or non-executive professional, as applicable, plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect engagement related expenses. The Company generally recognizes revenue on a straight-line basis over a three-month period, commencing upon client acceptance, as this is the period over which the recruitment services are performed. Fees earned in excess of the initial contract amount are recognized upon completion of the engagement, which reflect the difference between the final actual compensation of the placed executive and the estimate used for purposes of the previous billings. Since the initial contract fees are typically not contingent upon placement of a candidate, our assumptions primarily relate to establishing the period over which such service is performed. These assumptions determine the timing of revenue recognition and profitability for the reported period. Any revenues associated with services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is resolved. In addition to recruitment for non-executive professionals, Futurestep provides recruitment process outsourcing (“RPO”) services and fee revenue is recognized as services are rendered and/or as milestones are achieved. Fee revenue from Leadership & Talent Consulting (“LTC”) services is recognized as services are rendered for consulting engagements and other time based services, measured by total hours incurred to the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for the consulting engagement may vary from initial estimates with such updates being recognized in the period of determination. Depending on the timing of billings and services rendered, the Company accrues or defers revenue as appropriate. LTC revenue is also derived from the sale of solution services, which includes revenue from licenses and from the sale of products. Revenue from licenses is recognized using a straight-line method over the term of the contract (generally 12 months). Revenue from perpetual licenses is recognized when the license is sold. Products sold by the Company mainly consist of books and automated services covering a variety of topics including performance management, team effectiveness, and coaching and development. The Company recognizes revenue for its products when the product has been sold. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company included deferred revenue of $38.3 million and $36.8 million, respectively, in other accrued liabilities.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	An allowance is established for doubtful accounts by taking a charge to general and administrative expenses. The amount of the allowance is based on historical loss experience, assessment of the collectability of specific accounts, as well as expectations of future collections based upon trends and the type of work for which services are rendered. After the Company exhausts all collection efforts, the amount of the allowance is reduced for balances identified as uncollectible.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company’s investments in cash equivalents consist of money market funds for which market prices are readily available. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company had cash equivalents of $104.4 million and $186.6 million, respectively.
	Marketable Securities
	The Company currently has investments in marketable securities and mutual funds which are classified as either trading securities or available-for-sale, based upon management’s intent and ability to hold, sell or trade such securities. The classification of the investments in these marketable securities and mutual funds is assessed upon purchase and reassessed at each reporting period. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The investments that the Company may sell within the next twelve months are carried as current assets. Realized gains (losses) on marketable securities are determined by specific identification. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis, dividends are recorded as earned on the ex-dividend date. Interest and dividend income are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in interest expense, net.
	The Company invests in mutual funds, (for which market prices are readily available) that are held in trust to satisfy obligations under the Company’s deferred compensation plans (see Note 5 — Marketable Securities) and are classified as trading securities. Such investments are based upon the employees’ investment elections in their deemed accounts in the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan and similar plans in Asia Pacific and Canada (“ECAP”) from a pre-determined set of securities and the Company invests in marketable securities to mirror these elections. The changes in fair value in trading securities are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in other income, net.
	The Company also invests cash in excess of its daily operating requirements and capital needs primarily in marketable fixed income (debt) securities in accordance with the Company’s investment policy, which restricts the type of investments that can be made. The Company’s investment portfolio includes corporate bonds. These marketable fixed income (debt) securities are classified as available-for-sale securities based on management’s decision, at the date such securities are acquired, not to hold these securities to maturity or actively trade them. The Company carries these marketable debt securities at fair value based on the market prices for these marketable debt securities or similar debt securities whose prices are readily available. The changes in fair values, net of applicable taxes, are recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of comprehensive income. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the fair value of an investment below its amortized cost is considered to be “other-than-temporary,” a credit loss is recorded in the statement of income in other income, net; any amount in excess of the credit loss is recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of comprehensive income. Generally, the amount of the loss is the difference between the cost or amortized cost and its then current fair value; a credit loss is the difference between the discounted expected future cash flows to be collected from the debt security and the cost or amortized cost of the debt security. The determination of the other-than-temporary decline includes, in addition to other relevant factors, a presumption that if the market value is below cost by a significant amount for a period of time, a write-down may be necessary. During the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, no other-than-temporary impairment was recognized.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is the price the Company would receive to sell an asset or transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. For those assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company determines the fair value based upon the quoted market price, if available. If a quoted market price is not available for identical assets, the fair value is based upon the quoted market price of similar assets. The fair values are assigned a level within the fair value hierarchy as defined below:
		•	Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
		•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
		•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
	As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and marketable securities. The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as trading are obtained from quoted market prices, and the fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets.
	Business Acquisitions
	Business acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method. The acquisition method requires the reporting entity to identify the acquirer, determine the acquisition date, recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity, and recognize and measure goodwill or a gain from the purchase. The acquiree’s results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill, or if the fair value of the assets acquired exceeds the purchase price consideration, a bargain purchase gain is recorded. Adjustments to fair value assessments are generally recorded to goodwill over the measurement period (not longer than twelve months). The acquisition method also requires that acquisition-related transaction and post-acquisition restructuring costs be charged to expense as committed, and requires the Company to recognize and measure certain assets and liabilities including those arising from contingencies and contingent consideration in a business combination. During the three months ended July 31, 2013, the Company paid contingent consideration to the selling stockholders of PDI Ninth House (“PDI”) of $15 million, as required under the merger agreement as a result of the achievement of certain pre-determined goals associated with expense synergies.
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. The goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill of the reporting unit would be considered impaired. To measure the amount of the impairment loss, the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. For each of these tests, the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units is determined using a combination of valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow methodology. To corroborate the discounted cash flow analysis performed at each reporting unit, a market approach is utilized using observable market data such as comparable companies in similar lines of business that are publicly traded or which are part of a public or private transaction (to the extent available). Results of the annual impairment test performed as of January 31, 2014, indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. There were no indicators of impairment as of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014 that would have required further testing.
	Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases, intellectual property and trademarks and are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized in a pattern in which the asset is consumed if that pattern can be reliably determined, or using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which range from two to 24 years. For intangible assets subject to amortization, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of the intangible assets is considered not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of the asset may be less than its carrying amount. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, there were no indicators of impairment with respect to the Company’s intangible assets.
	Compensation and Benefits Expense
	Compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income consist of compensation and benefits paid to consultants (employees who originate business), executive officers and administrative and support personnel. The most significant portions of this expense are salaries and the amounts paid under the annual performance related bonus plan to employees. The portion of the expense applicable to salaries is comprised of amounts earned by employees during a reporting period. The portion of the expenses applicable to annual performance related bonuses refers to the Company’s annual employee performance related bonus with respect to a fiscal year, the amount of which is communicated and paid to each eligible employee following the completion of the fiscal year.
	Each quarter, management makes its best estimate of its annual performance related bonuses, which requires management to, among other things, project annual consultant productivity (as measured by engagement fees billed and collected by executive search consultants and revenue and other performance metrics for LTC and Futurestep consultants), the level of engagements referred by a fee earner in one line of business to a different line of business, Company performance including profitability, competitive forces and future economic conditions and their impact on the Company’s results. At the end of each fiscal year, annual performance related bonuses take into account final individual consultant productivity (including referred work), Company results including profitability, the achievement of strategic objectives and the results of individual performance appraisals, and the current economic landscape. Accordingly, each quarter the Company reevaluates the assumptions used to estimate annual performance related bonus liability and adjusts the carrying amount of the liability recorded on the consolidated balance sheet and reports any changes in the estimate in current operations.
	Because annual performance-based bonuses are communicated and paid only after the Company reports its full fiscal year results, actual performance-based bonus payments may differ from the prior year’s estimate. Such changes in the bonus estimate historically have been immaterial and are recorded in current operations in the period in which they are determined. The performance related bonus expense was $39.0 million and $31.2 million for the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which was reduced by a change in the previous years’ estimate recorded in the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, of $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively. This resulted in net bonus expense of $38.7 million and $30.5 million in the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, included in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income.
	Other expenses included in compensation and benefits expense are due to changes in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities, changes in cash surrender value (“CSV”) of company owned life insurance (“COLI”) contracts, amortization of stock compensation awards, payroll taxes and employee insurance benefits.
	Restructuring Charges, Net
	The Company accounts for its restructuring charges as a liability when the obligations are incurred and records such charges at fair value. Changes in the estimates of the restructuring charges are recorded in the period the change is determined.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has employee compensation plans under which various types of stock-based instruments are granted. These instruments principally include restricted stock units, restricted stock and stock options. The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock units, restricted stock and the estimated fair value of stock options on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award.
	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
	In March 2013, the FASB issued guidance on releasing cumulative translation adjustments when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. In addition, these amendments provide guidance on the release of cumulative translation adjustments in partial sales of equity method investments and in step acquisitions. This new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. Prior periods should not be adjusted and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance during the three months ended July 31, 2014 and the adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.
	In June 2013, the FASB issued guidance on how a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements if the ultimate settlement of such liability will not result in a cash payment to the tax authority but will, rather, reduce a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss or tax credit carryforward. The FASB concluded that, when settlement in such manner is available under tax law, the liability for an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a reduction of the deferred tax asset associated with the net operating loss or tax credit carryforward. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this guidance during the three months ended July 31, 2014 and the adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.
	Recently Proposed Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance that supersedes revenue recognition requirements regarding contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or for the transfer of nonfinancial assets. Under the new guidance, entities are required to recognize revenue in order to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis to be performed on transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those annual years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on our financial condition and results of operations.

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Per

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	2. Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per common share was computed by dividing net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share was computed by dividing net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common equivalent shares. Dilutive common equivalent shares include all in-the-money outstanding options or other contracts to issue common stock as if they were exercised or converted. During the three months ended July 31, 2014, all shares of outstanding options were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. During the three months ended July 31, 2013, options to purchase 0.3 million shares were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.
	The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings per share calculations:
		Three Months Ended
		July 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	$	14,533	$	11,417
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
	Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		48,703		47,665
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Restricted stock		756		659
	Stock options		132		195
	Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		49,591		48,519
	Net earnings per common share:
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.3	$	0.24
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.29	$	0.24

Comprehensive_Income

Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Comprehensive Income	'
	3. Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to stockholders’ equity, except those changes resulting from investments by stockholders (changes in paid in capital) and distributions to stockholders (dividends) and is reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, is recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity.
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:
			July 31,			April 30,
			2014			2014
			(in thousands)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		$	11,924		$	15,604
	Deferred compensation and benefit pension plan adjustments, net of taxes			(17,519	)		(18,006	)
	Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of taxes			8			14
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		$	(5,587	)	$	(2,388	)
	The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended July 31, 2014:
			Foreign			Deferred			Unrealized			Accumulated
			Currency			Compensation			Gains			Other
			Translation			and Pension			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
						Plan (1)			Marketable			Income (Loss)
									Securities
			(in thousands)
	Balance as of April 30, 2014		$	15,604		$	(18,006	)	$	14		$	(2,388	)
	Unrealized losses arising during the period			(3,680	)		—			(6	)		(3,686	)
	Reclassification of realized net losses to net income			—			487			—			487
	Balance as of July 31, 2014		$	11,924		$	(17,519	)	$	8		$	(5,587	)
	-1	The tax effects on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.3 million for the three months ended July 31, 2014.
	The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended July 31, 2013:
			Foreign			Deferred			Unrealized			Accumulated
			Currency			Compensation			Gains			Other
			Translation			and Pension			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
						Plan			Marketable			Income (Loss)
									Securities
			(in thousands)
	Balance as of April 30, 2013		$	17,559		$	(20,236	)	$	46		$	(2,631	)
	Unrealized losses arising during the period			(3,026	)		—			(89	)		(3,115	)
	Reclassification of realized net losses to net income			—			—			32			32
	Balance as of July 31, 2013		$	14,533		$	(20,236	)	$	(11	)	$	(5,714	)

Employee_Stock_Plans

Employee Stock Plans	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Employee Stock Plans	'
	4. Employee Stock Plans
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended
		July 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Restricted stock	$	3,252		$	2,820
	Stock options		67			140
	Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax		3,319			2,960
	Tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense		(982	)		(1,192	)
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	2,337		$	1,768
	The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the grant date fair value of employee stock options. The expected volatility reflects consideration of the historical volatility in the Company’s publicly traded stock during the period the option is granted. The Company believes historical volatility in these instruments is more indicative of expected future volatility than the implied volatility in the price of the Company’s common stock. The expected life of each option is estimated using historical data. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issue with a remaining term approximating the expected term of the option. The Company uses historical data to estimate forfeiture rates applied to the gross amount of expense determined using the option valuation model. The Company did not grant stock options in the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Stock Incentive Plans
	At the Company’s 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on September 27, 2012, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment and restatement to the Korn/Ferry International Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2012 amendment and restatement being the “Second A&R 2008 Plan”), which among other things, increased the current maximum number of shares that may be issued under the plan to 5,700,000 shares, subject to certain changes in the Company’s capital structure and other extraordinary events. The Second A&R 2008 Plan provides for the grant of awards to eligible participants, designated as either nonqualified or incentive stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, any of which may be performance-based or market-based, and incentive bonuses, which may be paid in cash or a combination thereof. Under the Second A&R 2008 Plan, the ability to issue full-value awards is limited by requiring full-value stock awards to count 1.91 times as much as stock options.
	Stock Options
	Stock option transactions under the Company’s Second A&R 2008 Plan, as amended to date, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended July 31, 2014
		Options			Weighted-			Weighted-		Aggregate
					Average			Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining		Value
					Price			Contractual
								Life (In Years)
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Outstanding, April 30, 2014		396		$	16.23
	Exercised		(85	)	$	17.61
	Forfeited/expired.		(6	)	$	19.37
	Outstanding, July 31, 2014		305		$	15.8			2.21	$	4,156
	Exercisable, July 31, 2014		294		$	15.56			2.14	$	4,069
	As of July 31, 2014, there was $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards of stock options that will be recognized in fiscal 2015.
	Additional information pertaining to stock options:
		Three Months Ended
		July 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Total fair value of stock options vested	$	324		$	802
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	1,039		$	1,664
	Restricted Stock
	The Company grants time-based restricted stock awards to executive officers and other senior employees generally vesting over a three to four year period. In addition, certain key management members typically receive time-based restricted stock awards grants upon commencement of employment and may receive them annually in conjunction with the Company’s performance review. Time-based restricted stock awards are granted at a price equal to fair value, which is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense for time-based restricted stock awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
	The Company also grants market-based and performance-based restricted stock units to executive officers and other senior employees. The market-based units vest after three years depending upon the Company’s total stockholder return over the three-year performance period relative to other companies in its selected peer group. The fair value of these market-based restricted stock units are determined by a third-party valuation using extensive market data that are based on historical Company and peer group information. The Company recognizes compensation expense for market-based restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
	Performance-based restricted stock units vest after three years depending upon the Company meeting certain objectives that are set at the time the restricted stock unit is issued. Performance-based restricted stock units are granted at a price equal to the fair value, which is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense for performance-based restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. At the end of each reporting period, the Company estimates the number of restricted stock units expected to vest, based on the probability that certain performance objectives will be met, exceeded, or fall below target levels, and takes into account these estimates when calculating the expense for the period.
	Restricted stock activity during the three months ended July 31, 2014 is summarized below:
		Shares			Weighted-
					Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Non-vested, April 30, 2014		1,880		$	18.95
	Granted		390		$	29.9
	Vested		(514	)	$	19.2
	Non-vested, July 31, 2014		1,756		$	21.14
	As of July 31, 2014, there were 0.3 million shares and 0.2 million shares outstanding relating to market-based and performance-based restricted stock units, respectively, with total unrecognized compensation totaling $5.2 million and $3.9 million, respectively.
	As of July 31, 2014, there was $30.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to all non-vested awards of restricted stock, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.7 years. During the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, 125,421 shares and 100,374 shares of restricted stock totaling $3.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, were repurchased by the Company, at the option of the employee, to pay for taxes related to vesting of restricted stock.
	Common Stock
	During the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company issued 85,321 shares and 188,879 shares of common stock, respectively, as a result of the exercise of stock options, with cash proceeds from the exercise of $1.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
	No shares were repurchased during the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, other than to satisfy minimum tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of restricted stock as described above.

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Marketable Securities	'
	5. Marketable Securities
	As of July 31, 2014, marketable securities consisted of the following:
			Trading			Available-for-			Total
			(1)(2)			Sale (2)
			(in thousands)
	Mutual funds		$	116,719		$	—		$	116,719
	Corporate bonds			—			16,296			16,296
	Total			116,719			16,296			133,015
	Less: current portion of marketable securities			(11,581	)		(6,052	)		(17,633	)
	Non-current marketable securities		$	105,138		$	10,244		$	115,382
	As of April 30, 2014, marketable securities consisted of the following:
			Trading			Available-for-			Total
			(1)(2)			Sale (2)
			(in thousands)
	Mutual funds		$	116,207		$	—		$	116,207
	Corporate bonds			—			18,352			18,352
	Total			116,207			18,352			134,559
	Less: current portion of marketable securities			(4,510	)		(5,056	)		(9,566	)
	Non-current marketable securities		$	111,697		$	13,296		$	124,993
	-1	These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested and unvested obligations of $118.2 million and $117.6 million as of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). During both the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized income of $2.0 million, which was recorded in other income, net.
	-2	The Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis include trading securities classified as Level 1 and available-for-sale securities classified as Level 2. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company had no investments classified as Level 3.
	The amortized cost and fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale investments were as follows:
			July 31, 2014
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Estimated
			Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair Value
						Gains			Losses (1)
			(in thousands)
	Corporate bonds		$	16,278		$	23		$	(5	)	$	16,296
			April 30, 2014
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Estimated
			Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair Value
						Gains			Losses (1)
			(in thousands)
	Corporate bonds		$	18,325		$	31		$	(4	)	$	18,352
	-1	There are no marketable securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or more.
	Investments in marketable securities classified as available-for-sale securities are made based on the Company’s investment policy, which restricts the types of investments that can be made. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, marketable securities classified as available-for-sale consist of corporate bonds for which market prices for similar assets are readily available. As of July 31, 2014, available-for-sale marketable securities have remaining maturities ranging from five months to 1.5 years. During the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company received $2.0 million and $29.3 million, respectively, in proceeds from sales/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities. Investments in marketable securities classified as trading are based upon investment selections the employee elects from a pre-determined set of securities in the ECAP and the Company invests in marketable securities to mirror these elections. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company’s investments in marketable securities classified as trading consist of mutual funds for which market prices are readily available.
	As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company’s marketable securities classified as trading were $116.7 million (gross unrealized gains of $10.4 million and gross unrealized losses of $0.5 million) and $116.2 million (gross unrealized gains of $9.2 million and $0.7 million of gross unrealized losses), respectively.

Deferred_Compensation_and_Reti

Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans	'
	6. Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
	The Company has several deferred compensation and retirement plans for eligible consultants and vice-presidents that provide defined benefits to participants based on the deferral of current compensation or contributions made by the Company subject to vesting and retirement or termination provisions. In June 2003, the Company amended the deferred compensation plans, with the exception of the ECAP and international retirement plans, so as not to allow new participants or the purchase of additional deferral units by existing participants.
	The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		July 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	$	763	$	780
	Interest cost		747		676
	Net periodic benefit costs	$	1,510	$	1,456
	The Company purchased COLI contracts insuring employees eligible to participate in the deferred compensation and pension plans as a means of funding benefits under such plans. The gross CSV of these contracts of $168.9 million and $167.2 million is offset by outstanding policy loans of $72.2 million and $72.9 million in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, respectively. The CSV value of the underlying COLI investments increased by $3.3 million and $1.3 million during the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of income.
	The Company has an ECAP, which is intended to provide certain employees an opportunity to defer salary and/or bonus on a pre-tax basis or make an after-tax contribution. In addition, the Company, as part of its compensation philosophy, makes discretionary contributions into the ECAP and such contributions may be granted to key employees annually based upon employee performance. Certain key management may also receive Company ECAP contributions upon commencement of employment. The Company made contributions to the ECAP during the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 of $1.2 million and $14.2 million, respectively. The Company expects to contribute an additional $17.1 million during the remainder of fiscal 2015. As these contributions vest, the amounts are recorded as a liability in deferred compensation and other retirement plans on the accompanying balance sheet and compensation and benefits on the accompanying consolidated statement of income. Participants generally vest in Company contributions over a four year period.
	The ECAP is accounted for whereby the changes in the fair value of the vested amounts owed to the participants are adjusted with a corresponding charge (or credit) to compensation and benefits costs. During the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, deferred compensation liability increased; therefore, the Company recognized an increase in compensation expense of $1.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Offsetting these increases in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities classified as trading (held in trust to satisfy obligations under certain deferred compensation liabilities) of $2.0 million during both the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, recorded in other income, net on the consolidated statement of income (see Note 5 — Marketable Securities).

Restructuring_Charges_Net

Restructuring Charges, Net	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Restructuring Charges, Net	'
	7. Restructuring Charges, Net
	The Company took actions to rationalize its cost structure as a result of efficiencies obtained from prior year technology investments that enabled further integration of the legacy business and the recent acquisitions, as well as other cost saving initiatives. This resulted in restructuring charges of $9.9 million against operations in the three months ended July 31, 2014, of which $9.6 million relates to severance and $0.3 million relates to consolidation/abandonment of premises.
	Changes in the restructuring liability during the three months ended July 31, 2014 are as follows:
		Severance			Facilities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Liability as of April 30, 2014	$	—		$	2,813		$	2,813
	Restructuring charges, net		9,571			315			9,886
	Reductions for cash payments		(3,332	)		(672	)		(4,004	)
	Exchange rate fluctuations		(57	)		6			(51	)
	Liability as of July 31, 2014	$	6,182		$	2,462		$	8,644
	As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the restructuring liability is included in the current portion of other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, except for $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of facilities costs which primarily relate to commitments under operating leases, net of sublease income, which are included in other long-term liabilities and will be paid over the next four years.
	The restructuring liability by segment is summarized below:
		July 31, 2014
		Severance			Facilities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Executive Recruitment
	North America	$	886		$	39		$	925
	Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”)		2,662			537			3,199
	Asia Pacific		9			—			9
	South America		228			—			228
	Total Executive Recruitment		3,785			576			4,361
	LTC		1,529			1,416			2,945
	Futurestep		822			470			1,292
	Corporate		46			—			46
	Liability as of July 31, 2014	$	6,182		$	2,462		$	8,644
		April 30, 2014
		Severance			Facilities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Executive Recruitment
	North America	$	—		$	193		$	193
	EMEA		—			379			379
	Total Executive Recruitment		—			572			572
	LTC		—			1,587			1,587
	Futurestep		—			654			654
	Liability as of April 30, 2014	$	—		$	2,813		$	2,813

Business_Segments

Business Segments	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Business Segments	'
	8. Business Segments
	The Company currently operates in three global businesses: Executive Recruitment, LTC and Futurestep. The Executive Recruitment segment focuses on recruiting Board of Director and C-level positions, in addition to research-based interviewing and onboarding solutions, for clients predominantly in the consumer, financial services, industrial, life sciences/healthcare and technology industries. LTC provides a comprehensive blend of leadership and talent management solutions including both consulting services and product offerings. Service and product offerings in this segment include: Talent Strategy and Organizational Alignment, Succession Management, Board and CEO Services, Leadership Development and Workforce Performance, Inclusion and Diversity, all underpinned by a comprehensive array of world-leading IP, products and tools. Futurestep is a global industry leader in enterprise-wide consulting and recruitment solutions. Its portfolio of services includes RPO, talent acquisition and management consulting services, project-based recruitment, non-executive and other professional recruitment. The Executive Recruitment business segment is managed by geographic regional leaders and LTC and Futurestep worldwide operations are managed by its President and Chief Executive Officer, respectively. The Executive Recruitment geographic regional leaders, the president of LTC and Chief Executive Officer of Futurestep report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company also operates a Corporate segment to record global expenses of the Company.
	The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the Company’s chief operating decision maker’s (“CODM”) review of (1) fee revenue and (2) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), which is further adjusted to exclude restructuring charges (net of recoveries) and/or integration/acquisition and certain separation costs (“Adjusted EBITDA”). The accounting policies for the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies, except that unusual or infrequent items that do not recur on a regular basis are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.
	Financial highlights by business segment are as follows:
		Three Months Ended July 31, 2014
		Executive Recruitment
		North		EMEA		Asia		South		Subtotal		LTC		Futurestep			Corporate			Consolidated
		America				Pacific		America
		(in thousands)
	Fee revenue	$	82,300	$	40,297	$	19,534	$	6,284	$	148,415	$	63,548	$	39,225		$	—		$	251,188
	Total revenue	$	86,082	$	41,429	$	20,369	$	6,309	$	154,189	$	65,420	$	40,716		$	—		$	260,325
	Net income																			$	14,533
	Other income, net																				(2,177	)
	Interest expense, net																				794
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net																				(466	)
	Income tax provision																				5,909
	Operating income (loss)	$	18,998	$	2,643	$	2,522	$	73	$	24,236	$	3,460	$	3,457		$	(12,560	)		18,593
	Depreciation and amortization		904		489		294		85		1,772		3,252		446			1,300			6,770
	Other income (loss), net		129		46		109		33		317		217		(2	)		1,645			2,177
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net		68		—		—		—		68		—		—			398			466
	EBITDA		20,099		3,178		2,925		191		26,393		6,929		3,901			(9,217	)		28,006
	Restructuring charges, net		1,151		3,987		17		377		5,532		2,758		1,424			172			9,886
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	21,250	$	7,165	$	2,942	$	568	$	31,925	$	9,687	$	5,325		$	(9,045	)	$	37,892
		Three Months Ended July 31, 2013
		Executive Recruitment
		North		EMEA		Asia		South		Subtotal		LTC		Futurestep			Corporate			Consolidated
		America				Pacific		America
		(in thousands)
	Fee revenue	$	74,147	$	34,377	$	21,128	$	7,003	$	136,655	$	60,062	$	31,720		$	—		$	228,437
	Total revenue	$	78,111	$	35,457	$	21,927	$	7,036	$	142,531	$	62,082	$	32,974		$	—		$	237,587
	Net income																			$	11,417
	Other income, net																				(2,267	)
	Interest expense, net																				591
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net																				(465	)
	Income tax provision																				7,385
	Operating income (loss)	$	16,324	$	5,960	$	4,500	$	1,496	$	28,280	$	4,335	$	2,545		$	(18,499	)		16,661
	Depreciation and amortization		963		435		306		74		1,778		2,897		408			861			5,944
	Other income, net		127		234		17		3		381		8		565			1,313			2,267
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net		102		—		—		—		102		—		—			363			465
	EBITDA		17,516		6,629		4,823		1,573		30,541		7,240		3,518			(15,962	)		25,337
	Restructuring charges, net		816		460		60		—		1,336		1,149		1,134			63			3,682
	Separation costs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—			2,500			2,500
	Integration costs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—			394			394
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	18,332	$	7,089	$	4,883	$	1,573	$	31,877	$	8,389	$	4,652		$	(13,005	)	$	31,913

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Long-Term Debt	'
	9. Long-Term Debt
	As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company had no borrowings under its long-term debt arrangements. At July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, there was $2.8 million of standby letters of credit issued under its long-term debt arrangements. The Company had a total of $1.6 million and $1.5 million of standby letters of credits with other financial institutions as of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, respectively.

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si1

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	'
	Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
	The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2014 for the Company and its wholly and majority owned/controlled domestic and international subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements conform with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and prevailing practice within the industry. The consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these periods. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year.
	Investments in affiliated companies, which are 50% or less owned and where the Company exercises significant influence over operations, are accounted for using the equity method.
	The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.
Use of Estimates and Uncertainties	'
	Use of Estimates and Uncertainties
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed and determinable. The most significant areas that require management judgment are revenue recognition, restructuring, deferred compensation, annual performance related bonuses, evaluation of the carrying value of receivables, goodwill and other intangible assets, fair value of contingent consideration, share-based payments and the recoverability of deferred income taxes.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Substantially all professional fee revenue is derived from fees for professional services related to executive recruitment performed on a retained basis, recruitment for non-executive professionals, recruitment process outsourcing and leadership & talent consulting services. Fee revenue from executive recruitment activities and recruitment for non-executive professionals is generally one-third of the estimated first year cash compensation of the placed executive or non-executive professional, as applicable, plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect engagement related expenses. The Company generally recognizes revenue on a straight-line basis over a three-month period, commencing upon client acceptance, as this is the period over which the recruitment services are performed. Fees earned in excess of the initial contract amount are recognized upon completion of the engagement, which reflect the difference between the final actual compensation of the placed executive and the estimate used for purposes of the previous billings. Since the initial contract fees are typically not contingent upon placement of a candidate, our assumptions primarily relate to establishing the period over which such service is performed. These assumptions determine the timing of revenue recognition and profitability for the reported period. Any revenues associated with services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is resolved. In addition to recruitment for non-executive professionals, Futurestep provides recruitment process outsourcing (“RPO”) services and fee revenue is recognized as services are rendered and/or as milestones are achieved. Fee revenue from Leadership & Talent Consulting (“LTC”) services is recognized as services are rendered for consulting engagements and other time based services, measured by total hours incurred to the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for the consulting engagement may vary from initial estimates with such updates being recognized in the period of determination. Depending on the timing of billings and services rendered, the Company accrues or defers revenue as appropriate. LTC revenue is also derived from the sale of solution services, which includes revenue from licenses and from the sale of products. Revenue from licenses is recognized using a straight-line method over the term of the contract (generally 12 months). Revenue from perpetual licenses is recognized when the license is sold. Products sold by the Company mainly consist of books and automated services covering a variety of topics including performance management, team effectiveness, and coaching and development. The Company recognizes revenue for its products when the product has been sold. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company included deferred revenue of $38.3 million and $36.8 million, respectively, in other accrued liabilities.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	An allowance is established for doubtful accounts by taking a charge to general and administrative expenses. The amount of the allowance is based on historical loss experience, assessment of the collectability of specific accounts, as well as expectations of future collections based upon trends and the type of work for which services are rendered. After the Company exhausts all collection efforts, the amount of the allowance is reduced for balances identified as uncollectible.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company’s investments in cash equivalents consist of money market funds for which market prices are readily available. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company had cash equivalents of $104.4 million and $186.6 million, respectively.
Marketable Securities	'
	Marketable Securities
	The Company currently has investments in marketable securities and mutual funds which are classified as either trading securities or available-for-sale, based upon management’s intent and ability to hold, sell or trade such securities. The classification of the investments in these marketable securities and mutual funds is assessed upon purchase and reassessed at each reporting period. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The investments that the Company may sell within the next twelve months are carried as current assets. Realized gains (losses) on marketable securities are determined by specific identification. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis, dividends are recorded as earned on the ex-dividend date. Interest and dividend income are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in interest expense, net.
	The Company invests in mutual funds, (for which market prices are readily available) that are held in trust to satisfy obligations under the Company’s deferred compensation plans (see Note 5 — Marketable Securities) and are classified as trading securities. Such investments are based upon the employees’ investment elections in their deemed accounts in the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan and similar plans in Asia Pacific and Canada (“ECAP”) from a pre-determined set of securities and the Company invests in marketable securities to mirror these elections. The changes in fair value in trading securities are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in other income, net.
	The Company also invests cash in excess of its daily operating requirements and capital needs primarily in marketable fixed income (debt) securities in accordance with the Company’s investment policy, which restricts the type of investments that can be made. The Company’s investment portfolio includes corporate bonds. These marketable fixed income (debt) securities are classified as available-for-sale securities based on management’s decision, at the date such securities are acquired, not to hold these securities to maturity or actively trade them. The Company carries these marketable debt securities at fair value based on the market prices for these marketable debt securities or similar debt securities whose prices are readily available. The changes in fair values, net of applicable taxes, are recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of comprehensive income. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the fair value of an investment below its amortized cost is considered to be “other-than-temporary,” a credit loss is recorded in the statement of income in other income, net; any amount in excess of the credit loss is recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of comprehensive income. Generally, the amount of the loss is the difference between the cost or amortized cost and its then current fair value; a credit loss is the difference between the discounted expected future cash flows to be collected from the debt security and the cost or amortized cost of the debt security. The determination of the other-than-temporary decline includes, in addition to other relevant factors, a presumption that if the market value is below cost by a significant amount for a period of time, a write-down may be necessary. During the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, no other-than-temporary impairment was recognized.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is the price the Company would receive to sell an asset or transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. For those assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company determines the fair value based upon the quoted market price, if available. If a quoted market price is not available for identical assets, the fair value is based upon the quoted market price of similar assets. The fair values are assigned a level within the fair value hierarchy as defined below:
		•	Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
		•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
		•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
	As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and marketable securities. The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as trading are obtained from quoted market prices, and the fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets.
Business Acquisitions	'
	Business Acquisitions
	Business acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method. The acquisition method requires the reporting entity to identify the acquirer, determine the acquisition date, recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity, and recognize and measure goodwill or a gain from the purchase. The acquiree’s results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill, or if the fair value of the assets acquired exceeds the purchase price consideration, a bargain purchase gain is recorded. Adjustments to fair value assessments are generally recorded to goodwill over the measurement period (not longer than twelve months). The acquisition method also requires that acquisition-related transaction and post-acquisition restructuring costs be charged to expense as committed, and requires the Company to recognize and measure certain assets and liabilities including those arising from contingencies and contingent consideration in a business combination. During the three months ended July 31, 2013, the Company paid contingent consideration to the selling stockholders of PDI Ninth House (“PDI”) of $15 million, as required under the merger agreement as a result of the achievement of certain pre-determined goals associated with expense synergies.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. The goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill of the reporting unit would be considered impaired. To measure the amount of the impairment loss, the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. For each of these tests, the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units is determined using a combination of valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow methodology. To corroborate the discounted cash flow analysis performed at each reporting unit, a market approach is utilized using observable market data such as comparable companies in similar lines of business that are publicly traded or which are part of a public or private transaction (to the extent available). Results of the annual impairment test performed as of January 31, 2014, indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. There were no indicators of impairment as of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014 that would have required further testing.
	Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases, intellectual property and trademarks and are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized in a pattern in which the asset is consumed if that pattern can be reliably determined, or using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which range from two to 24 years. For intangible assets subject to amortization, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of the intangible assets is considered not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of the asset may be less than its carrying amount. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, there were no indicators of impairment with respect to the Company’s intangible assets.
Compensation and Benefits Expense	'
	Compensation and Benefits Expense
	Compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income consist of compensation and benefits paid to consultants (employees who originate business), executive officers and administrative and support personnel. The most significant portions of this expense are salaries and the amounts paid under the annual performance related bonus plan to employees. The portion of the expense applicable to salaries is comprised of amounts earned by employees during a reporting period. The portion of the expenses applicable to annual performance related bonuses refers to the Company’s annual employee performance related bonus with respect to a fiscal year, the amount of which is communicated and paid to each eligible employee following the completion of the fiscal year.
	Each quarter, management makes its best estimate of its annual performance related bonuses, which requires management to, among other things, project annual consultant productivity (as measured by engagement fees billed and collected by executive search consultants and revenue and other performance metrics for LTC and Futurestep consultants), the level of engagements referred by a fee earner in one line of business to a different line of business, Company performance including profitability, competitive forces and future economic conditions and their impact on the Company’s results. At the end of each fiscal year, annual performance related bonuses take into account final individual consultant productivity (including referred work), Company results including profitability, the achievement of strategic objectives and the results of individual performance appraisals, and the current economic landscape. Accordingly, each quarter the Company reevaluates the assumptions used to estimate annual performance related bonus liability and adjusts the carrying amount of the liability recorded on the consolidated balance sheet and reports any changes in the estimate in current operations.
	Because annual performance-based bonuses are communicated and paid only after the Company reports its full fiscal year results, actual performance-based bonus payments may differ from the prior year’s estimate. Such changes in the bonus estimate historically have been immaterial and are recorded in current operations in the period in which they are determined. The performance related bonus expense was $39.0 million and $31.2 million for the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which was reduced by a change in the previous years’ estimate recorded in the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, of $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively. This resulted in net bonus expense of $38.7 million and $30.5 million in the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, included in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income.
	Other expenses included in compensation and benefits expense are due to changes in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities, changes in cash surrender value (“CSV”) of company owned life insurance (“COLI”) contracts, amortization of stock compensation awards, payroll taxes and employee insurance benefits.
Restructuring Charges, Net	'
	Restructuring Charges, Net
	The Company accounts for its restructuring charges as a liability when the obligations are incurred and records such charges at fair value. Changes in the estimates of the restructuring charges are recorded in the period the change is determined.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has employee compensation plans under which various types of stock-based instruments are granted. These instruments principally include restricted stock units, restricted stock and stock options. The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock units, restricted stock and the estimated fair value of stock options on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
	In March 2013, the FASB issued guidance on releasing cumulative translation adjustments when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. In addition, these amendments provide guidance on the release of cumulative translation adjustments in partial sales of equity method investments and in step acquisitions. This new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. Prior periods should not be adjusted and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance during the three months ended July 31, 2014 and the adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.
	In June 2013, the FASB issued guidance on how a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements if the ultimate settlement of such liability will not result in a cash payment to the tax authority but will, rather, reduce a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss or tax credit carryforward. The FASB concluded that, when settlement in such manner is available under tax law, the liability for an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a reduction of the deferred tax asset associated with the net operating loss or tax credit carryforward. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this guidance during the three months ended July 31, 2014 and the adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.
Recently Proposed Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Proposed Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance that supersedes revenue recognition requirements regarding contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or for the transfer of nonfinancial assets. Under the new guidance, entities are required to recognize revenue in order to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis to be performed on transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those annual years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on our financial condition and results of operations.

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Per1

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings per share calculations:
		Three Months Ended
		July 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	$	14,533	$	11,417
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
	Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		48,703		47,665
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Restricted stock		756		659
	Stock options		132		195
	Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		49,591		48,519
	Net earnings per common share:
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.3	$	0.24
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.29	$	0.24

Comprehensive_Income_Tables

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:
			July 31,			April 30,
			2014			2014
			(in thousands)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		$	11,924		$	15,604
	Deferred compensation and benefit pension plan adjustments, net of taxes			(17,519	)		(18,006	)
	Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of taxes			8			14
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		$	(5,587	)	$	(2,388	)
Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended July 31, 2014:
			Foreign			Deferred			Unrealized			Accumulated
			Currency			Compensation			Gains			Other
			Translation			and Pension			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
						Plan (1)			Marketable			Income (Loss)
									Securities
			(in thousands)
	Balance as of April 30, 2014		$	15,604		$	(18,006	)	$	14		$	(2,388	)
	Unrealized losses arising during the period			(3,680	)		—			(6	)		(3,686	)
	Reclassification of realized net losses to net income			—			487			—			487
	Balance as of July 31, 2014		$	11,924		$	(17,519	)	$	8		$	(5,587	)
	-1	The tax effects on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.3 million for the three months ended July 31, 2014.
	The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended July 31, 2013:
			Foreign			Deferred			Unrealized			Accumulated
			Currency			Compensation			Gains			Other
			Translation			and Pension			(Losses) on			Comprehensive
						Plan			Marketable			Income (Loss)
									Securities
			(in thousands)
	Balance as of April 30, 2013		$	17,559		$	(20,236	)	$	46		$	(2,631	)
	Unrealized losses arising during the period			(3,026	)		—			(89	)		(3,115	)
	Reclassification of realized net losses to net income			—			—			32			32
	Balance as of July 31, 2013		$	14,533		$	(20,236	)	$	(11	)	$	(5,714	)

Employee_Stock_Plans_Tables

Employee Stock Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Components Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized	'
	The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended
		July 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Restricted stock	$	3,252		$	2,820
	Stock options		67			140
	Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax		3,319			2,960
	Tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense		(982	)		(1,192	)
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	2,337		$	1,768
Stock Options Transactions	'
	Stock option transactions under the Company’s Second A&R 2008 Plan, as amended to date, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended July 31, 2014
		Options			Weighted-			Weighted-		Aggregate
					Average			Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining		Value
					Price			Contractual
								Life (In Years)
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Outstanding, April 30, 2014		396		$	16.23
	Exercised		(85	)	$	17.61
	Forfeited/expired.		(6	)	$	19.37
	Outstanding, July 31, 2014		305		$	15.8			2.21	$	4,156
	Exercisable, July 31, 2014		294		$	15.56			2.14	$	4,069
Additional Information Pertaining to Stock Options	'
	Additional information pertaining to stock options:
		Three Months Ended
		July 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Total fair value of stock options vested	$	324		$	802
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	1,039		$	1,664
Restricted Stock Activity	'
	Restricted stock activity during the three months ended July 31, 2014 is summarized below:
		Shares			Weighted-
					Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Non-vested, April 30, 2014		1,880		$	18.95
	Granted		390		$	29.9
	Vested		(514	)	$	19.2
	Non-vested, July 31, 2014		1,756		$	21.14

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Summary of Marketable Securities	'
	As of July 31, 2014, marketable securities consisted of the following:
			Trading			Available-for-			Total
			(1)(2)			Sale (2)
			(in thousands)
	Mutual funds		$	116,719		$	—		$	116,719
	Corporate bonds			—			16,296			16,296
	Total			116,719			16,296			133,015
	Less: current portion of marketable securities			(11,581	)		(6,052	)		(17,633	)
	Non-current marketable securities		$	105,138		$	10,244		$	115,382
	As of April 30, 2014, marketable securities consisted of the following:
			Trading			Available-for-			Total
			(1)(2)			Sale (2)
			(in thousands)
	Mutual funds		$	116,207		$	—		$	116,207
	Corporate bonds			—			18,352			18,352
	Total			116,207			18,352			134,559
	Less: current portion of marketable securities			(4,510	)		(5,056	)		(9,566	)
	Non-current marketable securities		$	111,697		$	13,296		$	124,993
	-1	These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested and unvested obligations of $118.2 million and $117.6 million as of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). During both the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized income of $2.0 million, which was recorded in other income, net.
	-2	The Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis include trading securities classified as Level 1 and available-for-sale securities classified as Level 2. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company had no investments classified as Level 3.
Amortized Cost and Fair Values of Marketable Securities Classified as Available-For-Sale Investments	'
	The amortized cost and fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale investments were as follows:
			July 31, 2014
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Estimated
			Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair Value
						Gains			Losses (1)
			(in thousands)
	Corporate bonds		$	16,278		$	23		$	(5	)	$	16,296
			April 30, 2014
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Estimated
			Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair Value
						Gains			Losses (1)
			(in thousands)
	Corporate bonds		$	18,325		$	31		$	(4	)	$	18,352
	-1	There are no marketable securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or more.

Deferred_Compensation_and_Reti1

Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans (Tables) (Deferred Compensation Plans)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Deferred Compensation Plans	'
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		July 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	$	763	$	780
	Interest cost		747		676
	Net periodic benefit costs	$	1,510	$	1,456

Restructuring_Charges_Net_Tabl

Restructuring Charges, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Changes in Restructuring Liability	'
	Changes in the restructuring liability during the three months ended July 31, 2014 are as follows:
		Severance			Facilities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Liability as of April 30, 2014	$	—		$	2,813		$	2,813
	Restructuring charges, net		9,571			315			9,886
	Reductions for cash payments		(3,332	)		(672	)		(4,004	)
	Exchange rate fluctuations		(57	)		6			(51	)
	Liability as of July 31, 2014	$	6,182		$	2,462		$	8,644
Summary Of Restructuring Liability By Segment	'
	The restructuring liability by segment is summarized below:
		July 31, 2014
		Severance			Facilities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Executive Recruitment
	North America	$	886		$	39		$	925
	Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”)		2,662			537			3,199
	Asia Pacific		9			—			9
	South America		228			—			228
	Total Executive Recruitment		3,785			576			4,361
	LTC		1,529			1,416			2,945
	Futurestep		822			470			1,292
	Corporate		46			—			46
	Liability as of July 31, 2014	$	6,182		$	2,462		$	8,644
		April 30, 2014
		Severance			Facilities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Executive Recruitment
	North America	$	—		$	193		$	193
	EMEA		—			379			379
	Total Executive Recruitment		—			572			572
	LTC		—			1,587			1,587
	Futurestep		—			654			654
	Liability as of April 30, 2014	$	—		$	2,813		$	2,813

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Financial Highlights By Business Segment	'
	Financial highlights by business segment are as follows:
		Three Months Ended July 31, 2014
		Executive Recruitment
		North		EMEA		Asia		South		Subtotal		LTC		Futurestep			Corporate			Consolidated
		America				Pacific		America
		(in thousands)
	Fee revenue	$	82,300	$	40,297	$	19,534	$	6,284	$	148,415	$	63,548	$	39,225		$	—		$	251,188
	Total revenue	$	86,082	$	41,429	$	20,369	$	6,309	$	154,189	$	65,420	$	40,716		$	—		$	260,325
	Net income																			$	14,533
	Other income, net																				(2,177	)
	Interest expense, net																				794
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net																				(466	)
	Income tax provision																				5,909
	Operating income (loss)	$	18,998	$	2,643	$	2,522	$	73	$	24,236	$	3,460	$	3,457		$	(12,560	)		18,593
	Depreciation and amortization		904		489		294		85		1,772		3,252		446			1,300			6,770
	Other income (loss), net		129		46		109		33		317		217		(2	)		1,645			2,177
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net		68		—		—		—		68		—		—			398			466
	EBITDA		20,099		3,178		2,925		191		26,393		6,929		3,901			(9,217	)		28,006
	Restructuring charges, net		1,151		3,987		17		377		5,532		2,758		1,424			172			9,886
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	21,250	$	7,165	$	2,942	$	568	$	31,925	$	9,687	$	5,325		$	(9,045	)	$	37,892
		Three Months Ended July 31, 2013
		Executive Recruitment
		North		EMEA		Asia		South		Subtotal		LTC		Futurestep			Corporate			Consolidated
		America				Pacific		America
		(in thousands)
	Fee revenue	$	74,147	$	34,377	$	21,128	$	7,003	$	136,655	$	60,062	$	31,720		$	—		$	228,437
	Total revenue	$	78,111	$	35,457	$	21,927	$	7,036	$	142,531	$	62,082	$	32,974		$	—		$	237,587
	Net income																			$	11,417
	Other income, net																				(2,267	)
	Interest expense, net																				591
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net																				(465	)
	Income tax provision																				7,385
	Operating income (loss)	$	16,324	$	5,960	$	4,500	$	1,496	$	28,280	$	4,335	$	2,545		$	(18,499	)		16,661
	Depreciation and amortization		963		435		306		74		1,778		2,897		408			861			5,944
	Other income, net		127		234		17		3		381		8		565			1,313			2,267
	Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net		102		—		—		—		102		—		—			363			465
	EBITDA		17,516		6,629		4,823		1,573		30,541		7,240		3,518			(15,962	)		25,337
	Restructuring charges, net		816		460		60		—		1,336		1,149		1,134			63			3,682
	Separation costs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—			2,500			2,500
	Integration costs		—		—		—		—		—		—		—			394			394
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	18,332	$	7,089	$	4,883	$	1,573	$	31,877	$	8,389	$	4,652		$	(13,005	)	$	31,913

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si2

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014
	Office
	Country
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of offices	84	'	'
Number of countries in which entity operates	37	'	'
Investments in affiliated companies maximum	50.00%	'	'
Deferred revenue	$38,300,000	'	$36,800,000
Cash equivalents	104,400,000	'	186,600,000
Realized loss of other-than-temporary impairment	0	0	'
Payment of contingent consideration from acquisitions	'	15,000,000	'
Impairment of goodwill	0	'	0
Impairment of intangible assets	0	'	0
Performance related bonus expenses	39,000,000	31,200,000	'
(Decrease) increase in performance related bonus expenses	-300,000	-700,000	'
Performance related bonus after reduction in the previous year estimate	$38,700,000	$30,500,000	'
Minimum	'	'	'
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Intangible assets estimated useful lives	'2 years	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Intangible assets estimated useful lives	'24 years	'	'

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Per2

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, shares	0.3

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Per3

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	$14,533	$11,417
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	48,703	47,665
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	49,591	48,519
Basic earnings per share	$0.30	$0.24
Diluted earnings per share	$0.29	$0.24
Restricted Stock	'	'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Stock	756	659
Stock Options	'	'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Stock	132	195

Components_of_Accumulated_Othe

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$11,924	$15,604	'	'
Deferred compensation and benefit pension plan adjustments, net of taxes	-17,519	-18,006	'	'
Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of taxes	8	14	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	($5,587)	($2,388)	($5,714)	($2,631)

Changes_in_Each_Component_of_A

Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014		Jul. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	($2,388)		($2,631)
Unrealized losses arising during the period	-3,686		-3,115
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income	487		32
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	-5,587		-5,714
Accumulated Translation Adjustment	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	15,604		17,559
Unrealized losses arising during the period	-3,680		-3,026
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	11,924		14,533
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	-18,006	[1]	-20,236
Unrealized losses arising during the period	'		'
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income	487	[1]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	-17,519	[1]	-20,236
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	14		46
Unrealized losses arising during the period	-6		-89
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income	'		32
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	$8		($11)
[1]	The tax effects on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.3 million for the three months ended July 31, 2014.

Changes_in_Each_Component_of_A1

Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Tax effects on reclassifications of realized net losses	$0.30

Components_of_StockBased_Compe

Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax	$3,319	$2,960
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense	-982	-1,192
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	2,337	1,768
Restricted Stock	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax	3,252	2,820
Stock Options	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax	$67	$140

Employee_Stock_Plans_Additiona

Employee Stock Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Common stock repurchased, value	$3,731,000	$1,945,000
Cash proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,479,000	1,822,000
Shares repurchased during the period	0	0
Time Based Restricted Stock | Minimum	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'
Time Based Restricted Stock | Maximum	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Vesting period	'4 years	'
Market Based Restricted Stock	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards	5,200,000	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'
Shares outstanding	300,000	'
Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards	3,900,000	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'
Shares outstanding	200,000	'
Stock Options	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards	100,000	'
Stock Options | Common Stock	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Stock issued for stock options exercised	85,321	188,879
Restricted Stock	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards	30,400,000	'
Expected cost recognized over weighted-average period	'2 years 8 months 12 days	'
Shares repurchased during the period	125,421	100,374
Common stock repurchased, value	$3,731,000	$1,945,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2008	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Stock incentive plan, maximum number of shares issuable	5,700,000	'
Issuance of full-value stock awards limitation, required ratio to stock options	1.91	'

Stock_Options_Transactions_Det

Stock Options Transactions (Detail) (Stock Options, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014
Stock Options	'
Options	'
Outstanding, April 30, 2014	396
Exercised	-85
Forfeited/expired	-6
Outstanding, July 31, 2014	305
Exercisable, July 31, 2014	294
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Outstanding, April 30, 2014	$16.23
Exercised	$17.61
Forfeited/expired	$19.37
Outstanding, July 31, 2014	$15.80
Exercisable, July 31, 2014	$15.56
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	'
Outstanding, July 31, 2014	'2 years 2 months 16 days
Exercisable, July 31, 2014	'2 years 1 month 21 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'
Outstanding, July 31, 2014	$4,156
Exercisable, July 31, 2014	$4,069

Additional_Information_Pertain

Additional Information Pertaining to Stock Options (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of stock options vested	$324	$802
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$1,039	$1,664

Restricted_Stock_Activity_Deta

Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Shares, Non-vested, April 30, 2014	1,880
Shares, Granted	390
Shares, Vested	-514
Shares, Non-vested, July 31, 2014	1,756
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Non-vested, April 30, 2014	$18.95
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$29.90
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$19.20
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Non-vested, July 31, 2014	$21.14

Summary_of_Marketable_Securiti

Summary of Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014		Apr. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Marketable Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Trading	$116,719	[1],[2]	$116,207	[1],[2]
Less: current portion of marketable securities	-11,581	[1],[2]	-4,510	[1],[2]
Non-current marketable securities	105,138	[1],[2]	111,697	[1],[2]
Available-for-Sale	16,296	[2]	18,352	[2]
Less: current portion of marketable securities	-6,052	[2]	-5,056	[2]
Non-current marketable securities	10,244	[2]	13,296	[2]
Total	133,015		134,559
Less: current portion of marketable securities	-17,633		-9,566
Non-current marketable securities	115,382		124,993
Mutual Funds	'		'
Schedule Of Marketable Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Trading	116,719	[1],[2]	116,207	[1],[2]
Total	116,719		116,207
Corporate Bonds	'		'
Schedule Of Marketable Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-Sale	16,296	[2]	18,352	[2]
Total	$16,296		$18,352
[1]	These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company's vested and unvested obligations of $118.2 million and $117.6 million as of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 - Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). During both the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized income of $2.0 million, which was recorded in other income, net.
[2]	The Company's financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis include trading securities classified as Level 1 and available-for-sale securities classified as Level 2. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company had no investments classified as Level 3.

Summary_of_Marketable_Securiti1

Summary of Marketable Securities (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014
Schedule Of Marketable Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Obligations for which assets are held in trust	$118,200,000	'	$117,600,000
Recognized investment income	$2,018,000	$1,941,000	'

Amortized_Cost_and_Fair_Values

Amortized Cost and Fair Values of Marketable Securities Classified as Available-For-Sale Investments (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014		Apr. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Estimated Fair Value	$16,296	[1]	$18,352	[1]
Corporate Bonds	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Amortized Cost	16,278		18,325
Gross Unrealized Gains	23		31
Gross Unrealized Losses	-5	[2]	-4	[2]
Estimated Fair Value	$16,296	[1]	$18,352	[1]
[1]	The Company's financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis include trading securities classified as Level 1 and available-for-sale securities classified as Level 2. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company had no investments classified as Level 3.
[2]	There are no marketable securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or more.

Amortized_Cost_and_Fair_Values1

Amortized Cost and Fair Values of Marketable Securities Classified as Available-For-Sale Investments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or more	$0	$0

Marketable_Securities_Addition

Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014		Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014
Schedule Of Marketable Securities [Line Items]	'		'	'
Proceeds from sales/maturities of available-for-sale securities	$2,000,000		$29,300,000	'
Trading securities	116,719,000	[1],[2]	'	116,207,000	[1],[2]
Gross unrealized gains	10,400,000		'	9,200,000
Gross unrealized losses	$500,000		'	$700,000
Minimum	'		'	'
Schedule Of Marketable Securities [Line Items]	'		'	'
Available-for-sale marketable securities, remaining maturities	'5 months		'	'
Maximum	'		'	'
Schedule Of Marketable Securities [Line Items]	'		'	'
Available-for-sale marketable securities, remaining maturities	'1 year 6 months		'	'
[1]	These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company's vested and unvested obligations of $118.2 million and $117.6 million as of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 - Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). During both the three months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized income of $2.0 million, which was recorded in other income, net.
[2]	The Company's financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis include trading securities classified as Level 1 and available-for-sale securities classified as Level 2. As of July 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the Company had no investments classified as Level 3.

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Ben

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Detail) (Deferred Compensation Plan, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Deferred Compensation Plan	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization of actuarial loss	$763	$780
Interest cost	747	676
Net periodic benefit costs	$1,510	$1,456

Deferred_Compensation_and_Reti2

Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Increase in market value of the underlying COLI investments	$3,263,000	$1,291,000	'
Recognized investment income	2,018,000	1,941,000	'
Csv Of Coli Contracts	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross CSV	168,900,000	'	167,200,000
Outstanding policy loans	72,200,000	'	72,900,000
Increase in market value of the underlying COLI investments	3,263,000	1,291,000	'
Executive Capital Accumulation Plan	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Company contributions	1,200,000	14,200,000	'
Deferred compensation arrangement, expected company contribution in remainder of fiscal year	17,100,000	'	'
Deferred compensation arrangement vesting period	'4 years	'	'
Gain on investment	$1,700,000	$1,600,000	'

Restructuring_Charges_Net_Addi

Restructuring Charges, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$9,886,000	$3,682,000	'
Restructuring liability included in other long-term liabilities	800,000	'	700,000
Long-term restructuring liability, payment term	'4 years	'	'
Severance	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	9,571,000	'	'
Facilities	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$315,000	'	'

Changes_In_Restructuring_Liabi

Changes In Restructuring Liability (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Liability, Beginning period	$2,813	'
Restructuring charges, net	9,886	3,682
Reductions for cash payments	-4,004	'
Exchange rate fluctuations	-51	'
Liability, Ending period	8,644	'
Severance	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring charges, net	9,571	'
Reductions for cash payments	-3,332	'
Exchange rate fluctuations	-57	'
Liability, Ending period	6,182	'
Facilities	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Liability, Beginning period	2,813	'
Restructuring charges, net	315	'
Reductions for cash payments	-672	'
Exchange rate fluctuations	6	'
Liability, Ending period	$2,462	'

Summary_of_Restructuring_Liabi

Summary of Restructuring Liability by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	$8,644	$2,813
Executive Recruitment	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	4,361	572
Executive Recruitment | North America	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	925	193
Executive Recruitment | EMEA	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	3,199	379
Executive Recruitment | Asia Pacific	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	9	'
Executive Recruitment | South America	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	228	'
LTC	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	2,945	1,587
Futurestep	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	1,292	654
Corporate	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	46	'
Severance	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	6,182	'
Severance | Executive Recruitment	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	3,785	'
Severance | Executive Recruitment | North America	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	886	'
Severance | Executive Recruitment | EMEA	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	2,662	'
Severance | Executive Recruitment | Asia Pacific	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	9	'
Severance | Executive Recruitment | South America	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	228	'
Severance | LTC	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	1,529	'
Severance | Futurestep	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	822	'
Severance | Corporate	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	46	'
Facilities	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	2,462	2,813
Facilities | Executive Recruitment	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	576	572
Facilities | Executive Recruitment | North America	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	39	193
Facilities | Executive Recruitment | EMEA	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	537	379
Facilities | LTC	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	1,416	1,587
Facilities | Futurestep	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	$470	$654

Business_Segments_Additional_I

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of business segments	3

Business_Segments_Detail

Business Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fee revenue	$251,188	$228,437
Total revenue	260,325	237,587
Net income	14,533	11,417
Other income, net	-2,177	-2,267
Interest expense, net	794	591
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net	-466	-465
Income tax provision	5,909	7,385
Operating income	18,593	16,661
Depreciation and amortization	6,770	5,944
Other income (loss), net	2,177	2,267
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net	466	465
EBITDA	28,006	25,337
Restructuring charges, net	9,886	3,682
Separation costs	'	2,500
Integration costs	'	394
Adjusted EBITDA	37,892	31,913
Operating Segments | Executive Recruitment	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fee revenue	148,415	136,655
Total revenue	154,189	142,531
Operating income	24,236	28,280
Depreciation and amortization	1,772	1,778
Other income (loss), net	317	381
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net	68	102
EBITDA	26,393	30,541
Restructuring charges, net	5,532	1,336
Adjusted EBITDA	31,925	31,877
Operating Segments | Executive Recruitment | North America	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fee revenue	82,300	74,147
Total revenue	86,082	78,111
Operating income	18,998	16,324
Depreciation and amortization	904	963
Other income (loss), net	129	127
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net	68	102
EBITDA	20,099	17,516
Restructuring charges, net	1,151	816
Adjusted EBITDA	21,250	18,332
Operating Segments | Executive Recruitment | EMEA	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fee revenue	40,297	34,377
Total revenue	41,429	35,457
Operating income	2,643	5,960
Depreciation and amortization	489	435
Other income (loss), net	46	234
EBITDA	3,178	6,629
Restructuring charges, net	3,987	460
Adjusted EBITDA	7,165	7,089
Operating Segments | Executive Recruitment | Asia Pacific	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fee revenue	19,534	21,128
Total revenue	20,369	21,927
Operating income	2,522	4,500
Depreciation and amortization	294	306
Other income (loss), net	109	17
EBITDA	2,925	4,823
Restructuring charges, net	17	60
Adjusted EBITDA	2,942	4,883
Operating Segments | Executive Recruitment | South America	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fee revenue	6,284	7,003
Total revenue	6,309	7,036
Operating income	73	1,496
Depreciation and amortization	85	74
Other income (loss), net	33	3
EBITDA	191	1,573
Restructuring charges, net	377	'
Adjusted EBITDA	568	1,573
Operating Segments | LTC	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fee revenue	63,548	60,062
Total revenue	65,420	62,082
Operating income	3,460	4,335
Depreciation and amortization	3,252	2,897
Other income (loss), net	217	8
EBITDA	6,929	7,240
Restructuring charges, net	2,758	1,149
Adjusted EBITDA	9,687	8,389
Operating Segments | Futurestep	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fee revenue	39,225	31,720
Total revenue	40,716	32,974
Operating income	3,457	2,545
Depreciation and amortization	446	408
Other income (loss), net	-2	565
EBITDA	3,901	3,518
Restructuring charges, net	1,424	1,134
Adjusted EBITDA	5,325	4,652
Corporate	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Operating income	-12,560	-18,499
Depreciation and amortization	1,300	861
Other income (loss), net	1,645	1,313
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net	398	363
EBITDA	-9,217	-15,962
Restructuring charges, net	172	63
Separation costs	'	2,500
Integration costs	'	394
Adjusted EBITDA	($9,045)	($13,005)

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$0	$0
Standby Letters of Credit	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt arrangement	2.8	2.8
Other Financial Institutions | Standby Letters of Credit	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt arrangement	$1.60	$1.50