Korn Ferry (KFY) 10-Q 11 Mar 22 2022 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Mar. 04, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	KFY
Entity Registrant Name	KORN FERRY
Entity Central Index Key	0000056679
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		53,902,870
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity File Number	001-14505
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-2623879
Entity Address, Address Line One	1900 Avenue of the Stars
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 2600
Entity Address, City or Town	Los Angeles
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	90067
City Area Code	310
Local Phone Number	552-1834
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 846,505	$ 850,778
Marketable securities	73,110	63,667
Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $34,617 and $29,324 at January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively	603,346	448,733
Income taxes and other receivables	41,708	40,024
Unearned compensation	62,446	53,206
Prepaid expenses and other assets	40,635	30,724
Total current assets	1,667,750	1,487,132
Marketable securities, non-current	187,635	182,692
Property and equipment, net	131,198	131,778
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	154,818	174,121
Cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance policies, net of loans	181,126	161,295
Deferred income taxes	77,000	73,106
Goodwill	699,518	626,669
Intangible assets, net	89,574	92,949
Unearned compensation, non-current	126,082	102,356
Investments and other assets	21,395	24,428
Total assets	3,336,096	3,056,526
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable	47,203	44,993
Income taxes payable	28,771	23,041
Compensation and benefits payable	429,683	394,606
Operating lease liability, current	46,583	47,986
Other accrued liabilities	298,911	239,444
Total current liabilities	851,151	750,070
Deferred compensation and other retirement plans	384,437	346,455
Operating lease liability, non-current	142,349	155,998
Long-term debt	395,303	394,794
Deferred tax liabilities	2,936	3,832
Other liabilities	24,675	36,602
Total liabilities	1,800,851	1,687,751
Stockholders' equity
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized,75,347 and 74,915 shares issued and 54,216 and 54,008 shares outstanding at January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively	562,564	583,260
Retained earnings	1,049,431	834,949
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(80,718)	(51,820)
Total Korn Ferry stockholders' equity	1,531,277	1,366,389
Noncontrolling interest	3,968	2,386
Total stockholders' equity	1,535,245	1,368,775
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 3,336,096	$ 3,056,526

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 34,617	$ 29,324
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	75,347,000	74,915,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	54,216,000	54,008,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Total revenue	$ 684,956	$ 477,880	$ 1,916,452	$ 1,262,552
Compensation and benefits	445,870	326,333	1,273,746	917,530
General and administrative expenses	60,811	47,271	175,143	140,836
Depreciation and amortization	16,104	15,735	47,381	46,068
Restructuring charges, net		838		30,732
Total operating expenses	558,666	412,725	1,585,131	1,193,020
Operating income	126,290	65,155	331,321	69,532
Other (loss) income, net	(7,277)	14,935	2,236	26,374
Interest expense, net	(7,029)	(7,298)	(18,820)	(21,686)
Income before provision for income taxes	111,984	72,792	314,737	74,220
Income tax provision	26,927	21,204	76,951	25,409
Net income	85,057	51,588	237,786	48,811
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(956)	(269)	(3,090)	(547)
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry	$ 84,101	$ 51,319	$ 234,696	$ 48,264
Earnings per common share attributable to Korn Ferry:
Basic	$ 1.55	$ 0.95	$ 4.33	$ 0.89
Diluted	$ 1.54	$ 0.94	$ 4.28	$ 0.88
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	52,999	52,596	52,958	53,030
Diluted	53,495	53,013	53,538	53,396
Cash dividends declared per share:	$ 0.12	$ 0.10	$ 0.36	$ 0.30
Fee Revenue
Total revenue	$ 680,741	$ 475,360	$ 1,905,579	$ 1,254,896
Cost of services	31,666	20,028	77,988	50,198
Reimbursed Out Of Pocket Engagement Expenses
Total revenue	4,215	2,520	10,873	7,656
Reimbursed Expenses
Cost of services	$ 4,215	$ 2,520	$ 10,873	$ 7,656

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 85,057	$ 51,588	$ 237,786	$ 48,811
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(15,279)	25,071	(30,818)	47,374
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax	1,159	663	1,851	1,988
Net unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax	(115)	(5)	(132)	(39)
Comprehensive income	70,822	77,317	208,687	98,134
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(909)	(257)	(2,889)	(612)
Comprehensive income attributable to Korn Ferry	$ 69,913	$ 77,060	$ 205,798	$ 97,522

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net	Total Korn Ferry Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance at Apr. 30, 2020	$ 1,223,691	$ 585,560	$ 742,993	$ (107,172)	$ 1,221,381	$ 2,310
Beginning Balance, Shares at Apr. 30, 2020		54,450
Net income	(30,855)		(30,833)		(30,833)	(22)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	25,655			25,580	25,580	75
Dividends paid to shareholders	(5,807)		(5,807)		(5,807)
Purchase of stock	(4,442)	$ (4,442)			(4,442)
Purchase of stock, shares		(161)
Issuance of stock	3,966	$ 3,966			3,966
Issuance of stock (shares)		580
Stock-based compensation	5,813	$ 5,813			5,813
Ending Balance at Jul. 31, 2020	1,218,021	$ 590,897	706,353	(81,592)	1,215,658	2,363
Ending Balance, Shares at Jul. 31, 2020		54,869
Beginning Balance at Apr. 30, 2020	1,223,691	$ 585,560	742,993	(107,172)	1,221,381	2,310
Beginning Balance, Shares at Apr. 30, 2020		54,450
Net income	48,811
Ending Balance at Jan. 31, 2021	1,294,994	$ 576,798	774,303	(57,914)	1,293,187	1,807
Ending Balance, Shares at Jan. 31, 2021		53,997
Beginning Balance at Jul. 31, 2020	1,218,021	$ 590,897	706,353	(81,592)	1,215,658	2,363
Beginning Balance, Shares at Jul. 31, 2020		54,869
Net income	28,078		27,778		27,778	300
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,061)			(2,063)	(2,063)	2
Dividends paid to shareholders	(5,607)		(5,607)		(5,607)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	(1,115)					(1,115)
Purchase of stock	(22,878)	$ (22,878)			(22,878)
Purchase of stock, shares		(757)
Issuance of stock (shares)		41
Stock-based compensation	7,084	$ 7,084			7,084
Ending Balance at Oct. 31, 2020	1,221,522	$ 575,103	728,524	(83,655)	1,219,972	1,550
Ending Balance, Shares at Oct. 31, 2020		54,153
Net income	51,588		51,319		51,319	269
Other comprehensive income (loss)	25,729			25,741	25,741	(12)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(5,540)		(5,540)		(5,540)
Purchase of stock	(7,779)	$ (7,779)			(7,779)
Purchase of stock, shares		(224)
Issuance of stock	2,594	$ 2,594			2,594
Issuance of stock (shares)		68
Stock-based compensation	6,880	$ 6,880			6,880
Ending Balance at Jan. 31, 2021	1,294,994	$ 576,798	774,303	(57,914)	1,293,187	1,807
Ending Balance, Shares at Jan. 31, 2021		53,997
Beginning Balance at Apr. 30, 2021	$ 1,368,775	$ 583,260	834,949	(51,820)	1,366,389	2,386
Beginning Balance, Shares at Apr. 30, 2021	54,008	54,008
Net income	$ 76,397		74,823		74,823	1,574
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,999)			(8,023)	(8,023)	24
Dividends paid to shareholders	(6,866)		(6,866)		(6,866)
Purchase of stock	(20,091)	$ (20,091)			(20,091)
Purchase of stock, shares		(297)
Issuance of stock	3,992	$ 3,992			3,992
Issuance of stock (shares)		795
Stock-based compensation	6,962	$ 6,962			6,962
Ending Balance at Jul. 31, 2021	1,421,170	$ 574,123	902,906	(59,843)	1,417,186	3,984
Ending Balance, Shares at Jul. 31, 2021		54,506
Beginning Balance at Apr. 30, 2021	$ 1,368,775	$ 583,260	834,949	(51,820)	1,366,389	2,386
Beginning Balance, Shares at Apr. 30, 2021	54,008	54,008
Net income	$ 237,786
Ending Balance at Jan. 31, 2022	$ 1,535,245	$ 562,564	1,049,431	(80,718)	1,531,277	3,968
Ending Balance, Shares at Jan. 31, 2022	54,216	54,216
Beginning Balance at Jul. 31, 2021	$ 1,421,170	$ 574,123	902,906	(59,843)	1,417,186	3,984
Beginning Balance, Shares at Jul. 31, 2021		54,506
Net income	76,332		75,772		75,772	560
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(6,865)			(6,687)	(6,687)	(178)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(6,683)		(6,683)		(6,683)
Purchase of stock	(7,353)	$ (7,353)			(7,353)
Purchase of stock, shares		(99)
Issuance of stock (shares)		59
Stock-based compensation	7,288	$ 7,288			7,288
Ending Balance at Oct. 31, 2021	1,483,889	$ 574,058	971,995	(66,530)	1,479,523	4,366
Ending Balance, Shares at Oct. 31, 2021		54,466
Net income	85,057		84,101		84,101	956
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(14,235)			(14,188)	(14,188)	(47)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(6,665)		(6,665)		(6,665)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	(1,307)					(1,307)
Purchase of stock	(22,331)	$ (22,331)			(22,331)
Purchase of stock, shares		(307)
Issuance of stock	3,696	$ 3,696			3,696
Issuance of stock (shares)		57
Stock-based compensation	7,141	$ 7,141			7,141
Ending Balance at Jan. 31, 2022	$ 1,535,245	$ 562,564	$ 1,049,431	$ (80,718)	$ 1,531,277	$ 3,968
Ending Balance, Shares at Jan. 31, 2022	54,216	54,216

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 237,786	$ 48,811
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	47,381	46,068
Stock-based compensation expense	21,975	20,210
Impairment of right of use assets	7,392
Impairment of fixed assets	1,915
Provision for doubtful accounts	15,029	11,561
Gain on cash surrender value of life insurance policies	(3,897)	(8,575)
Gain on marketable securities	(2,366)	(27,176)
Deferred income taxes	(2,704)	(3,061)
Change in other assets and liabilities:
Deferred compensation	32,192	45,224
Receivables due from clients	(155,849)	(62,844)
Income taxes and other receivables	(5,822)	(83)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(8,662)	(1,891)
Unearned compensation	(32,966)	(35,211)
Income taxes payable	5,261	(13,122)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	70,473	22,559
Other	(5,661)	11,835
Net cash provided by operating activities	221,477	54,305
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(32,659)	(22,842)
Purchase of marketable securities	(69,314)	(55,057)
Proceeds from sales/maturities of marketable securities	66,933	53,393
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(90,860)
Premium on company-owned life insurance policies	(14,290)	(14,366)
Proceeds from life insurance policies	3,382	8,366
Dividends received from unconsolidated subsidiaries	255	205
Net cash used in investing activities	(136,553)	(30,301)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of tax withholdings on restricted stock	(18,244)	(4,712)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of employee stock options and in connection with an employee stock purchase plan	6,919	5,706
Dividends paid to shareholders	(20,214)	(16,954)
Repurchases of common stock	(28,949)	(30,387)
Principal payments on finance leases	(860)	(1,024)
Payments on life insurance policy loans	(178)	(7,877)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(1,307)	(558)
Net cash used in financing activities	(62,833)	(55,806)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(26,364)	36,686
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(4,273)	4,884
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	850,778	689,244
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$ 846,505	$ 694,128

Organization and Summary of Sig

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Business Korn Ferry, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a global organizational consulting firm. The Company helps clients synchronize strategy and talent to drive superior performance. The Company works with organizations to design their structures, roles and responsibilities. The Company helps organizations hire the right people to bring their strategy to life and advise them on how to reward, develop and motivate their people. The Company is pursuing a strategy that will help Korn Ferry to focus on clients and collaborate intensively across the organization. This approach builds on the best of the Company’s past and gives the Company a clear path to the future with focused initiatives to increase its client and commercial impact. Korn Ferry is transforming how clients address their talent management needs. The Company has evolved from a mono-line to a diversified business, giving its consultants more frequent and expanded opportunities to engage with clients. The Company has seven reportable segments that operate through the following four lines of business: 1. Consulting aligns organization structure, culture, performance and people to drive sustainable growth by addressing four fundamental needs: Organizational Strategy, Assessment and Succession, Leadership and Professional Development, and Total Rewards. This work is supported by a comprehensive range of some of the world’s leading intellectual property (“lP”) and data. 2. Digital leverages an artificial intelligence powered machine-learning platform to identify structure, roles, capabilities and behaviors needed to drive business forward. This end-to-end system combines Korn Ferry proprietary data, client data and external market data to generate insight and recommend action. 3. Executive Search helps organizations recruit board level, chief executive and other senior executive and general management talent. Behavioral interviewing and proprietary assessments are used to determine ideal organizational fit, and salary benchmarking builds appropriate frameworks for compensation and retention. This business is managed and reported on a geographic basis and represents four of the Company’s reportable segments (Executive Search North America, Executive Search EMEA, Executive Search Asia Pacific and Executive Search Latin America). 4. Recruitment Process Outsourcing (“RPO”) & Professional Search combines people, process expertise and IP-enabled technology to deliver enterprise talent acquisition solutions to clients. Transaction sizes range from single professional searches to team, department and line of business projects, and global outsource recruiting solutions. 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, 2021 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 our different industries. 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. The Company has control of a Mexican subsidiary and consolidates the operations of this subsidiary. Noncontrolling interest, which represents the Mexican partners’ 51% interest in the Mexican subsidiary, is reflected on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 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 or determinable. The most significant areas that require management’s judgment are revenue recognition, deferred compensation, annual performance-related bonuses, evaluation of the carrying value of receivables, goodwill and other intangible assets, share-based payments, leases and the recoverability of deferred income taxes. Revenue Recognition Substantially all fee revenue is derived from talent and organizational consulting services and digital sales, stand-alone or as part of a solution, fees for professional services related to executive and professional recruitment performed on a retained basis and RPO, either Revenue is recognized when control of the goods and services are transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. Revenue contracts with customers are evaluated based on the five-step model outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606 (“ASC 606”): 1) identify the contract with a customer; 2) identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract; 3) determine the transaction price; 4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligation(s); and 5) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied. Consulting fee revenue is primarily recognized as services are rendered, measured by total hours incurred as a percentage of the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for consulting engagements 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. Digital fee revenue is generated from IP platforms enabling large-scale, technology-based talent programs for pay, talent development, engagement, and assessment and is consumed directly by an end user or indirectly through a consulting engagement. Revenue is recognized as services are delivered and the Company has a legally enforceable right to payment. Revenue also comes from the sale of the Company’s proprietary IP subscriptions, which are considered symbolic IP due to the dynamic nature of the content. As a result, revenue is recognized over the term of the contract. Functional IP licenses grant customers the right to use IP content via the delivery of a flat file. Because the IP content license has significant stand-alone functionality, revenue is recognized upon delivery and when an enforceable right to payment exists. Revenue for tangible and digital products sold by the Company, such as books and digital files, is recognized when these products are shipped. Fee revenue from executive and professional search activities is generally one-third of the estimated first-year cash compensation of the placed candidate, plus a percentage of the fee to cover RPO fee Reimbursements The Company incurs certain out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by its clients, which are accounted for as revenue in the consolidated statements of income. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts An allowance is established for doubtful accounts by taking a charge to general and administrative expenses. The Company’s expected credit loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers’ trade accounts receivable. Due to the short-term nature of such receivables, the estimate of amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected is primarily based on historical loss-rate experience. When required, the Company adjusts the loss-rate methodology to account for current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectations of future economic and market conditions. The Company generally assesses future economic condition for a period of sixty to ninety days, which corresponds with the contractual life of its accounts receivables. After the Company exhausts all collection efforts, the amount of the allowance is reduced for balances written off as uncollectible. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, the Company’s investments in cash equivalents consisted of money market funds and commercial paper with initial maturity of less than 90 days for which market prices are readily available and as of January 31, 2022 also included US Treasury and Agency securities with initial maturity of less than 90 days for which market prices are readily available. Marketable Securities The Company currently has investments in marketable securities and mutual funds that are classified as either equity securities or available-for-sale debt 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 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. Such investments are classified as equity securities and mirror 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. 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, dividend income and the changes in fair value in marketable securities are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in other (loss) 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 commercial paper and corporate notes/bonds as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021 and also includes US Treasury and Agency securities as of April 30, 2021. These marketable fixed income (debt) 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 January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, 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, marketable securities and foreign currency forward contracts. The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as equity securities are obtained from quoted market prices, and the fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and foreign currency forward contracts are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets and financial instruments. Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges The Company has established a program that primarily utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures primarily originating from intercompany balances due to cross border work performed in the ordinary course of business. These foreign currency forward contracts are neither used for trading purposes nor are they designated as hedging instruments pursuant to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging 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 noncontrolling 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 12 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 nine months ended January 31, 2021, the Company recorded an adjustment of $2.6 million to increase goodwill as a result of additional tax liabilities from the Miller Heiman Group, Achieve Forum and Strategy Execution (the “Acquired Companies”) acquisition completed on November 1, 2019. Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and current and non-current operating lease liability, in the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, net, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and the lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term on the commencement date. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with variable lease payments recognized in the periods in which they are incurred. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. For all leases with non-lease components the Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets include property, equipment, ROU assets and software developed or obtained for internal use. In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment consolidated statements of income in general and administrative expenses. During the three months ended January 31, 2022 and the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021 , there were no impairment charges recorded. 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. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the 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). Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. Results of the annual qualitative impairment test performed as of January 31, 2022, indicated that the fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded its carrying amount and no reporting units were at risk of failing the impairment test. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases and IP. Intangible assets 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 one 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. The Company reviewed its intangible assets and noted no impairment as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021. 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/profitability metrics for Consulting, Digital and RPO & Professional Search consultants), the level of engagements referred by a consultant in one line of business to a different line of business, and 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/line of business results, including profitability, the achievement of strategic objectives, 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 $117.7 million and $332.9 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022, respectively, included in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income. The performance-related bonus expense was $68.4 million and $200.4 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, respectively. 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-based compensation awards, payroll taxes and employee insurance benefits. Unearned compensation on the consolidated balance sheets includes long-term retention awards that are generally amortized over four-to-five years. 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 an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock units, restricted stock and the estimated fair value of stock purchases under the ESPP on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the“FASB”) issued guidance on Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions to the guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative rates. Entities can elect to adopt this guidance as of any date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 and can adopt it for new contracts and contract modifications entered into through December 31, 2022. The Company adopted this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2021 and the Company elected to apply the amendments prospectively through December 12, 2022. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Recently Proposed Accounting Standards – Not Yet Adopted In October 2021, the FASB issued an amendment in accounting for contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers, which clarifies that an acquirer of a business should recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting guidance but does not anticipate that it will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	2. Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share ASC 260, Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing basic net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing diluted 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. Financial instruments that are not in the form of common stock, but when converted into common stock increase earnings per share, are anti-dilutive and are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022, restricted stock awards of 1.2 million and 1.2 million were outstanding, respectively, but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, restricted stock awards of 1.5 million and 1.3 million were outstanding, respectively, 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 common share attributable to common stockholders: Three Months Ended January 31, Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 2022 2021 (in thousands, except per share data) Net income attributable to Korn Ferry $ 84,101 $ 51,319 $ 234,696 $ 48,264 Less: distributed and undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders 1,798 1,377 5,363 1,149 Basic net earnings attributable to common stockholders 82,303 49,942 229,333 47,115 Add: undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders 1,658 1,232 4,908 714 Less: reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders 1,643 1,222 4,856 709 Diluted net earnings attributable to common stockholders $ 82,318 $ 49,952 $ 229,385 $ 47,120 Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 52,999 52,596 52,958 53,030 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock 490 414 573 352 ESPP 6 3 7 14 Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 53,495 53,013 53,538 53,396 Net earnings per common share: Basic earnings per share $ 1.55 $ 0.95 $ 4.33 $ 0.89 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.54 $ 0.94 $ 4.28 $ 0.88

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Equity [Abstract]
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, net were as follows: January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 (in thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments $ (64,283 ) $ (33,666 ) Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax (16,284 ) (18,135 ) Marketable securities unrealized loss, net of tax (151 ) (19 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net $ (80,718 ) $ (51,820 ) The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended January 31, 2022: Foreign Currency Translation Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan (1) Unrealized Losses on Marketable Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance as of October 31, 2021 $ (49,051 ) $ (17,443 ) $ (36 ) $ (66,530 ) Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period (15,232 ) 824 (115 ) (14,523 ) Reclassification of realized net losses to net income — 335 — 335 Balance as of January 31, 2022 $ (64,283 ) $ (16,284 ) $ (151 ) $ (80,718 ) The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the nine months ended January 31, 2022: Foreign Currency Translation Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan (1) Unrealized Losses on Marketable Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance as of April 30, 2021 $ (33,666 ) $ (18,135 ) $ (19 ) $ (51,820 ) Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period (30,617 ) 839 (133 ) (29,911 ) Reclassification of realized net losses to net income — 1,012 1 1,013 Balance as of January 31, 2022 $ (64,283 ) $ (16,284 ) $ (151 ) $ (80,718 ) (1) The tax effect on unrealized (losses) gains were $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022 . The tax effect on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022 The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended January 31, 2021: Foreign Currency Translation Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan (1) Unrealized Losses on Marketable Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance as of October 31, 2020 $ (61,426 ) $ (22,229 ) $ — $ (83,655 ) Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period 25,083 — (5 ) 25,078 Reclassification of realized net losses to net income — 663 — 663 Balance as of January 31, 2021 $ (36,343 ) $ (21,566 ) $ (5 ) $ (57,914 ) The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the nine months ended January 31, 2021: Foreign Currency Translation Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan (1) Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance as of April 30, 2020 $ (83,652 ) $ (23,554 ) $ 34 $ (107,172 ) Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period 47,309 — (39 ) 47,270 Reclassification of realized net losses to net income — 1,988 — 1,988 Balance as of January 31, 2021 $ (36,343 ) $ (21,566 ) $ (5 ) $ (57,914 ) (1) The tax effect on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021.

Employee Stock Plans

Employee Stock Plans	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
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 operations for the periods indicated: Three Months Ended January 31, Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 2022 2021 (in thousands) Restricted stock $ 7,141 $ 6,880 $ 21,391 $ 19,777 ESPP 185 135 584 433 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 7,326 $ 7,015 $ 21,975 $ 20,210 Stock Incentive Plan At the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on October 3, 2019, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment and restatement to the Korn Ferry Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2019 amendment and restatement being the “Fourth A&R 2008 Plan”), which, among other things, eliminated the fungible share counting provision and decreased the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for stock-based awards by 2,141,807 shares, leaving 3,600,000 shares available for issuance, subject to certain changes in the Company’s capital structure and other extraordinary events. The Fourth A&R 2008 Plan was also amended to generally require a minimum one-year Restricted Stock The Company grants time-based restricted stock awards to executive officers and other senior employees generally vesting over a four-year The Company also grants market-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 using extensive market data that is 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. Restricted stock activity during the nine months ended January 31, 2022 is summarized below: Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value (in thousands, except per share data) Non-vested, April 30, 2021 2,370 $ 34.34 Granted 481 $ 65.07 Vested (807 ) $ 43.87 Forfeited/expired (52 ) $ 34.30 Non-vested, January 31, 2022 1,992 $ 40.29 As of January 31, 2022, there were 0.4 million shares outstanding relating to market-based restricted stock units with total unrecognized compensation totaling $11.0 million. As of January 31, 2022, there was $58.8 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 2.6 years. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022, 2,509 shares and 267,316 shares of restricted stock totaling $0.2 million and $18.2 million, respectively, were repurchased by the Company, at the option of employees, to pay for taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock. During three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, 3,695 shares and 168,341 shares of restricted stock totaling $0.2 million and $4.7 million, respectively, were repurchased by the Company, at the option of employees, to pay for taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock. Employee Stock Purchase Plan The Company has an ESPP that, in accordance with Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, allows eligible employees to authorize payroll deductions of up to 15% of their salary to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. On June 3, 2020, the Company amended the plan so that the purchase price of the shares purchased could not be less than 85% or more than 100% of the fair market price of the common stock on the last day of the enrollment period. This amendment became effective July 1, 2020. Employees may not purchase more than $25,000 in stock during any calendar year. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the ESPP is 3.0 million shares. During the three months ended January 31, 2022 and 2021, employees purchased 48,801 shares at $68.16 and 59,561 shares at $39.15 per share, respectively, under the ESPP. During the nine months ended January 31, 2022 and 2021 an average price of Common Stock During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022, the Company repurchased (on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions) 304,500 and the Company repurchased (on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions) 220,000 shares and 973,451 shares of the Company’s stock for $7.6 million and $30.4 million, respectively.

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]
Financial Instruments	5. Financial Instruments The following tables show the Company’s financial instruments and balance sheet classifications as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021: January 31, 2022 Fair Value Measurement Balance Sheet Classification Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Cash and Cash Equivalents Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Non- current Income taxes and other receivables (in thousands) Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Other Comprehensive Loss Level 2: Commercial paper $ 38,857 $ — $ (34 ) $ 38,823 $ 1,999 $ 36,824 $ — $ — Corporate notes/bonds 39,951 — (171 ) 39,780 — 24,381 15,399 — U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities 1,500 — — 1,500 1,500 — — — Total debt investments $ 80,308 $ — $ (205 ) $ 80,103 $ 3,499 $ 61,205 $ 15,399 $ — Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Net Income Level 1: Mutual funds (1) $ 184,141 $ — $ 11,905 $ 172,236 $ — Total $ 184,141 $ — $ 11,905 $ 172,236 $ — Cash $ 754,823 $ 754,823 $ — $ — $ — Money market funds 88,183 88,183 — — — Level 2: Foreign currency forward contracts 1,491 — — — 1,491 Total $ 1,108,741 $ 846,505 $ 73,110 $ 187,635 $ 1,491 April 30, 2021 Fair Value Measurement Balance Sheet Classification Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Cash and Cash Equivalents Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Non-current Other Accrued Liabilities (in thousands) Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Other Comprehensive Income Level 2: Commercial paper $ 51,979 $ 1 $ (7 ) $ 51,973 $ 9,499 $ 42,474 $ — $ — Corporate notes/bonds 26,371 — (20 ) 26,351 — 10,134 16,217 — U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities 1,975 — — 1,975 — 1,975 — — Total debt investments $ 80,325 $ 1 $ (27 ) $ 80,299 $ 9,499 $ 54,583 $ 16,217 $ — Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Net Income Level 1: Mutual funds (1) $ 175,559 $ — $ 9,084 $ 166,475 $ — Total $ 175,559 $ — $ 9,084 $ 166,475 $ — Cash $ 752,737 $ 752,737 $ — $ — $ — Money market funds 88,542 88,542 — — — Level 2: Foreign currency forward contracts (12 ) — — — (12 ) Total $ 1,097,125 $ 850,778 $ 63,667 $ 182,692 $ (12 ) (1) These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations of $175.2 million and $157.3 million as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $25.9 million and $26.5 million as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively. During the three months ended January 31, 2022, the fair value of the investments decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a loss of $7.7 million, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net. During the nine months ended January 31, 2022, the fair value increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $2.4 million, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $15.2 million and $27.2 million, respectively, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net. 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 January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, marketable securities classified as available-for-sale consisted of commercial paper and corporate notes/bonds, and as of April 30, 2021 also includes US Treasury and Agency securities, for which market prices for similar assets are readily available. Investments that have an original maturity of 90 days or less and are considered highly liquid investments are classified as cash equivalents. As of January 31, 2022, available-for-sale marketable securities had remaining maturities ranging from one to 22 months. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022, there were $18.7 million and $54.7 million in sales/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities, respectively. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, there were $16.3 million and $44.7 million in sales/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities, respectively. Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges The fair value of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments are as follows: January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 (in thousands) Derivative assets: Foreign currency forward contracts $ 1,753 $ 822 Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts $ 262 $ 834 As of January 31, 2022, the total notional amounts of the forward contracts purchased and sold were $93.7 million and $45.4 million, respectively. As of April 30, 2021, the total notional amounts of the forward contracts purchased and sold were $69.4 million and $44.9 million, respectively. The Company recognizes forward contracts as a net asset or net liability on the consolidated balance sheets as such contracts are covered by a master netting agreement. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022, the Company incurred a loss of $0.3 million and a gain of $0.2 million, respectively, related to forward contracts, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Foreign currency gains and losses related to forward contracts are offset by foreign currency losses and gains that result from transactions denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, the Company incurred gains of $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, related to forward contracts, which are recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. These foreign currency gains are offset by foreign currency losses that result from transactions denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency.

Deferred Compensation and Retir

Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
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. Among these plans is a defined benefit pension plan for certain employees in the U.S. The assets of this plan are held separately from the assets of the sponsor in self-administered funds. All other defined benefit obligations from other plans are unfunded. The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows: Three Months Ended January 31, Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 2022 2021 (in thousands) Service cost $ 9,762 $ 8,218 $ 28,190 $ 23,698 Interest cost 1,038 1,047 3,095 3,127 Amortization of actuarial loss 537 997 1,622 2,990 Expected return on plan assets (1) (387 ) (351 ) (1,160 ) (1,053 ) Net periodic service credit amortization (101 ) (101 ) (304 ) (304 ) Net periodic benefit costs (2) $ 10,849 $ 9,810 $ 31,443 $ 28,458 (1) The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 6.00% and 6.00% for January 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. (2) The service cost, interest cost and the other components of net periodic benefit costs are included in compensation and benefits expense, interest expense, net and other (loss) income, net, respectively, on the consolidated statements of income. The Company purchased COLI contracts insuring the lives of certain employees eligible to participate in the deferred compensation and pension plans as a means of setting aside funds to cover such plans. The gross CSV of these contracts of $261.0 and $241.3 million as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively, The Company’s ECAP is intended to provide certain employees an opportunity to defer their salary and/or bonus on a pre-tax basis. 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 on the employee’s performance. Certain key management may also receive Company ECAP contributions upon commencement of employment. The Company amortizes these contributions on a straight-line basis over the service period, generally a five year period. Participants have the ability to allocate their deferrals among a number of investment options and may receive their benefits at termination, retirement or ‘in service’ either in a lump sum or in quarterly installments over one -to- 15 years . The ECAP amounts that are expected to be paid to employees over the next 12 months are classified as a current liability included in compensation and benefits payable on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. 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 January 31, 2022, deferred compensation liability decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a reduction in compensation expense of $7.0 million. Offsetting the decrease in compensation and benefits expense was a decrease in the fair value of marketable securities (held in trust to satisfy obligations of the ECAP liabilities) of $7.7 million during the three months ended January 31, 2022, recorded in other (loss) income, net on the consolidated statements of income. During the nine months ended January 31, 2022, deferred compensation liability increased; therefore, the Company recognized compensation expense of $3.1 million. Offsetting the increase in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities (held in trust to satisfy obligations of the ECAP liabilities) of $2.4 million during the nine months ended January 31, 2022 recorded in other (loss) income, net on the consolidated statements of income. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, deferred compensation liability increased; therefore, the Company recognized compensation expense of $14.5 million and $26.3 million, respectively. Offsetting the increase in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities (held in trust to satisfy obligations of the ECAP liabilities) of $15.2 million and $27.2 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, respectively, recorded in other (loss) income, net on the consolidated statements of income (see Note 5— Financial Instruments

Fee Revenue

Fee Revenue	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Fee Revenue	7. Fee Revenue Contract Balances A contract asset (unbilled receivables) is recorded when the Company transfers control of products or services before there is an unconditional right to payment. A contract liability (deferred revenue) is recorded when cash is received in advance of performance of the obligation. Deferred revenue represents the future performance obligations to transfer control of products or services for which the Company has already received consideration. Deferred revenue is presented in other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The following table outlines the Company’s contract asset and liability balances as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021: January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 (in thousands) Contract assets-unbilled receivables $ 94,794 $ 82,842 Contract liabilities-deferred revenue $ 241,426 $ 184,610 During the nine months ended January 31, 2022, the Company recognized revenue of $119.6 million that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period. Performance Obligations The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to exclude the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with a duration of one year or less, which applies to all executive search and professional search fee revenue. As of January 31, 2022, the aggregate transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied for contracts with an expected duration of greater than one year at inception was $958.7 million. Of the $958.7 million of remaining performance obligations, the Company expects to recognize approximately $184.5 million in the remainder of fiscal 2022, $442.6 million in fiscal 2023, $213.4 million in fiscal 2024 and the remaining Disaggregation of Revenue The Company disaggregates its revenue by line of business and further by region for Executive Search. This information is presented in Note 11— Segments The following table provides further disaggregation of fee revenue by industry: Three Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 Dollars % Dollars % (dollars in thousands) Industrial $ 181,016 26.6 % $ 131,959 27.8 % Life Sciences/Healthcare 126,840 18.6 92,588 19.5 Financial Services 121,459 17.8 84,078 17.7 Technology 124,903 18.4 74,774 15.7 Consumer Goods 97,210 14.3 63,325 13.3 Education/Non-Profit/General 29,313 4.3 28,636 6.0 Fee Revenue $ 680,741 100.0 % $ 475,360 100.0 % Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 Dollars % Dollars % (dollars in thousands) Industrial $ 500,078 26.2 % $ 346,650 27.6 % Life Sciences/Healthcare 370,009 19.4 241,451 19.3 Financial Services 341,099 17.9 232,723 18.5 Technology 323,504 17.0 188,789 15.0 Consumer Goods 271,233 14.2 168,840 13.5 Education/Non-Profit 99,656 5.3 76,443 6.1 Fee Revenue $ 1,905,579 100.0 % $ 1,254,896 100.0 %

Credit Losses

Credit Losses	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Credit Losses	8. Credit Losses The Company is exposed to credit losses primarily through the provision of its Executive Search, Consulting and Digital services. The Company’s expected credit loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers' trade accounts receivables. Due to the short-term nature of such receivables, the estimate of the amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected is primarily based on historical loss-rate experience. When required, the Company adjusts the loss-rate methodology to account for current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectations of future economic and market conditions. The Company generally assesses future economic conditions for a period of sixty to ninety days, which corresponds with the contractual life of its accounts receivables. Additionally, specific allowance amounts are established to record the appropriate provision for customers that have a higher probability of default. The Company’s monitoring activities include timely account reconciliation, dispute resolution, payment confirmation, consideration of customers' financial condition and macroeconomic conditions. Balances are written off when determined to be uncollectible. The activity in the allowance for credit losses on the Company's trade receivables is as follows: (in thousands) Balance at April 30, 2021 $ 29,324 Provision for credit losses 15,029 Write-offs (9,713 ) Recoveries of amounts previously written off 645 Foreign currency translation (668 ) Balance at January 31, 2022 $ 34,617 The fair value and unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position, are as follows: Less Than 12 Months Balance Sheet Classification Balance at January 31, 2022 Fair Value Unrealized Loss Cash and Cash Equivalent Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Non- Current (in thousands) Commercial paper $ 32,373 $ 34 $ 1,999 $ 30,374 $ — Corporate notes/bonds $ 39,780 $ 171 $ — $ 24,381 $ 15,399 Less Than 12 Months Balance Sheet Classification Balance at April 30, 2021 Fair Value Unrealized Loss Cash and Cash Equivalent Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Non- Current (in thousands) Commercial paper $ 36,378 $ 7 $ 5,749 $ 30,629 $ — Corporate notes/bonds $ 26,350 $ 20 $ — $ 10,133 $ 16,217 The unrealized losses on 19 and 18 investments in commercial paper securities and 24 and 15 investments in corporate notes/bonds on January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively, were caused by fluctuations in market interest rates. The Company only purchases high grade bonds that have a maturity from the date of purchase of no more than two years. The Company monitors the credit worthiness of its investments on a quarterly basis. The Company does not intend to sell the investments and does not believe it will be required to sell the investments before the investments mature and therefore recover the amortized cost basis.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	9. Income Taxes The provision for income tax was an expense of $26.9 million and $77.0 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022, respectively, with an effective tax rate of 24.0% and 24.4%, respectively, compared to an expense of $21.2 million and $25.4 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, respectively, with an effective tax rate of 29.1% and 34.2%, respectively. In addition to the impact of U.S. state income taxes and the jurisdictional mix of earnings, which generally create variability in our effective tax rate over time, the effective tax rate in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021 was affected by the tax expense recorded for withholding taxes on inter-company dividends that are not eligible for credit and a shortfall recorded in connection with stock-based awards that vested in the three months ended July 31, 2020. The shortfall is the amount by which the Company’s tax deduction for these awards, based on the fair market value of the awards on the date of vesting, is less than the expense recorded in the Company’s financial statements over the awards’ vesting period .

Restructuring Charges, Net

Restructuring Charges, Net	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges, Net	10. Restructuring Charges, Net There were no restructuring charges in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022. On April 20, 2020, in light of the continuing uncertainty in worldwide economic conditions caused by COVID-19 and, as part of a broader program aimed at further enhancing Korn Ferry’s strong balance sheet and liquidity position, the Company adopted a restructuring plan intended to adjust its cost base to the then-current economic environment and to position the Company to invest into its recovery. The Company continued the implementation of this plan in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and this resulted in restructuring charges, net of $0.8 million and $30.7 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021 Changes in the restructuring liability during the three months ended January 31, 2022, were as follows: Restructuring Liability (in thousands) As of October 31, 2021 $ 2,673 Reductions for cash payments (716 ) Exchange rate fluctuations (192 ) As of January 31, 2022 $ 1,765 Changes in the restructuring liability during the nine months ended January 31, 2022, were as follows: Restructuring Liability (in thousands) As of April 30, 2021 $ 6,985 Reductions for cash payments (4,654 ) Exchange rate fluctuations (566 ) As of January 31, 2022 $ 1,765 As of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, the restructuring liability is included in the current portion of other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, except for $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, which are included in other long-term liabilities.

Segments

Segments	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	11. Segments The Company has seven reportable segments: Consulting, Digital, Executive Search North America, Executive Search EMEA, Executive Search Asia Pacific, Executive Search Latin America and RPO & Professional Search. Revenues are directly attributed to a reportable segment and expenses not directly associated with a specific segment are allocated based on the most relevant measures applicable, including revenues, headcount and other factors. The Company’s seven reportable segments operate through the following four lines of business: 1. Consulting aligns organization structure, culture, performance and people to drive sustainable growth by addressing four fundamental needs: Organizational Strategy, Assessment and Succession, Leadership and Professional Development and Total Rewards. This work is supported by a comprehensive range of some of the world’s leading lP and data. 2. Digital leverages an artificial intelligence powered, machine-learning platform to identify structure, roles, capabilities and behaviors needed to drive business forward. This end-to-end system combines Korn Ferry proprietary data, client data, and external market data to generate insight and recommend action. 3. Executive Search helps organizations recruit board level, chief executive and other senior executive and general management talent. Behavioral interviewing and proprietary assessments are used to determine ideal organizational fit, and salary benchmarking builds appropriate frameworks for compensation and retention. 4. RPO & Professional Search combines people, process expertise and IP-enabled technology to deliver enterprise talent acquisition solutions to clients. Transaction sizes range from single professional searches to team, department and line of business projects, and global outsource recruiting solutions. Executive Search is managed by geographic regional leaders. Worldwide operations for Consulting, Digital, and RPO & Professional Search are managed by their Chief Executive Officers. The Executive Search geographic regional leaders and the Chief Executive Officers of Consulting, Digital, and RPO & Professional Search report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company also operates Corporate to record global expenses. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) review of 1) fee revenue and 2) adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). To the extent that such costs or charges occur, Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring charges, integration/acquisition costs, certain separation costs and certain non-cash charges (goodwill, intangible asset and other impairment charges). The CODM is not provided asset information by reportable segment. Financial highlights by reportable segments are as follows: Three Months Ended January 31, 2022 Executive Search Consulting Digital North America EMEA Asia Pacific Latin America Subtotal RPO & Professional Search Corporate Consolidated (in thousands) Fee revenue $ 162,889 $ 90,194 $ 152,597 $ 47,509 $ 31,425 $ 7,468 $ 238,999 $ 188,659 $ — $ 680,741 Total revenue $ 163,824 $ 90,501 $ 153,454 $ 47,666 $ 31,448 $ 7,470 $ 240,038 $ 190,593 $ — $ 684,956 Net income $ 84,101 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 956 Other loss, net 7,277 Interest expense, net 7,029 Income tax provision 26,927 Operating income $ 126,290 Depreciation and amortization 16,104 Other loss, net (7,277 ) Integration/acquisition costs 3,214 Adjusted EBITDA ( 1) $ 28,556 $ 28,142 $ 45,702 $ 8,080 $ 9,451 $ 2,484 $ 65,717 $ 44,109 $ (28,193 ) $ 138,331 (1) Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes integration/acquisition costs. Three Months Ended January 31, 2021 Executive Search Consulting Digital North America EMEA Asia Pacific Latin America Subtotal RPO & Professional Search Corporate Consolidated (in thousands) Fee revenue $ 136,268 $ 75,791 $ 106,002 $ 35,991 $ 21,643 $ 4,468 $ 168,104 $ 95,197 $ — $ 475,360 Total revenue $ 136,593 $ 75,967 $ 106,325 $ 36,016 $ 21,680 $ 4,468 $ 168,489 $ 96,831 $ — $ 477,880 Net income attributable to Korn Ferry $ 51,319 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 269 Other income, net (14,935 ) Interest expense, net 7,298 Income tax provision 21,204 Operating income $ 65,155 Depreciation and amortization 15,735 Other income, net 14,935 Restructuring charges, net 838 Adjusted EBITDA ( 1) $ 27,515 $ 27,134 $ 30,941 $ 3,918 $ 6,375 $ 458 $ 41,692 $ 19,630 $ (19,308 ) $ 96,663 (1) Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes net restructuring charges. Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 Executive Search Consulting Digital North America EMEA Asia Pacific Latin America Subtotal RPO & Professional Search Corporate Consolidated (in thousands) Fee revenue $ 476,260 $ 259,504 $ 449,472 $ 132,690 $ 88,385 $ 20,815 $ 691,362 $ 478,453 $ — $ 1,905,579 Total revenue $ 478,563 $ 259,894 $ 451,836 $ 133,080 $ 88,447 $ 20,821 $ 694,184 $ 483,811 $ — $ 1,916,452 Net income $ 234,696 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 3,090 Other income, net (2,236 ) Interest expense, net 18,820 Income tax provision 76,951 Operating income $ 331,321 Depreciation and amortization 47,381 Other income, net 2,236 Integration/acquisition costs 4,298 Impairment of fixed assets 1,915 Impairment of right of use assets 7,392 Adjusted EBITDA ( 1) $ 85,458 $ 82,330 $ 137,939 $ 23,328 $ 25,972 $ 6,204 $ 193,443 $ 114,334 $ (81,022 ) $ 394,543 (1) Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes integration/acquisition costs and impairment charges. Nine Months Ended January 31, 2021 Executive Search Consulting Digital North America EMEA Asia Pacific Latin America Subtotal RPO & Professional Search Corporate Consolidated (in thousands) Fee revenue $ 362,271 $ 206,807 $ 266,485 $ 97,701 $ 59,702 $ 12,419 $ 436,307 $ 249,511 $ — $ 1,254,896 Total revenue $ 363,234 $ 207,027 $ 267,790 $ 97,925 $ 59,840 $ 12,419 $ 437,974 $ 254,317 $ — $ 1,262,552 Net income attributable to Korn Ferry $ 48,264 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 547 Other income, net (26,374 ) Interest expense, net 21,686 Income tax provision 25,409 Operating income $ 69,532 Depreciation and amortization 46,068 Other income, net 26,374 Integration/acquisition costs 737 Restructuring charges, net 30,732 Adjusted EBITDA ( 1) $ 54,282 $ 58,161 $ 57,439 $ 8,445 $ 11,610 $ 480 $ 77,974 $ 39,453 $ (56,427 ) $ 173,443 (1) Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes integration/acquisition costs and net restructuring charges.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	12. Long-Term Debt 4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 On December 16, 2019, the Company completed a private placement of 4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”) with a $400 million principal amount pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Notes were issued with a $4.5 million discount and will mature December 15, 2027, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 2020. The Notes represent senior unsecured obligations that rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The Company may redeem the Notes prior to maturity, subject to certain limitations and premiums defined in the indenture governing the Notes. At any time prior to December 15, 2022, the Company may redeem the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal plus the Applicable Premium (as defined in the indenture governing the Notes), and accrued and unpaid interest. At any time prior to December 15, 2022, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 104.625% of the principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest. At any time and from time to time on or after December 15, 2022, the Company may redeem the Notes at the applicable redemption prices set forth in the table below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on December 15 of each of the years indicated: Year Percentage 2022 102.313% 2023 101.156% 2024 and thereafter 100.000% The Notes allow the Company to pay $25 million of dividends per fiscal year with no restrictions, plus an unlimited amount of dividends so long as the Company’s consolidated total leverage ratio is not greater than 3.50 to 1.00, and the Company is not in default under the indenture governing the Notes. The Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company's existing and future wholly owned domestic subsidiaries to the extent such subsidiaries guarantee the Company's revolving credit facility. The indenture governing the Notes requires that, upon the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline (each as defined in the indenture), the Company shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes at 101% of their principal amount, and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company used the proceeds from the offering of the Notes to repay $276.9 million outstanding under the Company’s prior revolving credit facility and to pay expenses and fees in connection therewith. The remainder of the proceeds were used for general corporate requirements. The effective interest rate on the Notes was 4.86% as of January 31, 2022 As of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, the fair value of the Notes was $ 408.0 million and $416.5 million, respectively, based on borrowing rates required of notes with similar terms, maturity and credit risk. The fair value of the Notes was classified as a Level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. Long-term debt, at amortized cost, consisted of the following: In thousands January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes $ 400,000 $ 400,000 Less: Unamortized discount and issuance costs (4,697 ) (5,206 ) Long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs $ 395,303 $ 394,794 Credit Facility On December 16, 2019, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks and Bank of America, National Association as administrative agent to among other things, provide for enhanced financial flexibility. The Credit Agreement provides for a $650.0 million five-year The principal balance of the Revolver, if any, is due on the date of its termination. The Revolver matures on December 16, 2024 and any unpaid principal balance is payable on this date. The Revolver may also be prepaid and terminated early by the Company at any time without premium or penalty (subject to customary LIBOR breakage fees). At the Company’s option, loans issued under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at either LIBOR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus the applicable interest rate margin. The interest rate applicable to loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement may fluctuate between LIBOR plus 1.125% per annum to LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum, in the case of LIBOR borrowings (or between the alternate base rate plus 0.125% per annum and the alternate base rate plus 1.00% per annum, in the alternative), based upon the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio at such time. In addition, the Company will be required to pay to the lenders a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.175% to 0.35% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the Revolver, based upon the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio at such time, and fees relating to the issuance of letters of credit. As of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, there was no outstanding liability under the Revolver. The unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the Credit Agreement was $2.6 million and $3.3 million as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively. The debt issuance costs were included in other current assets and other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. As of January 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants. The Company had a total of $645.3 million and $646.0 million available under the Revolver

Leases

Leases	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	13. Leases The Company’s lease portfolio is comprised of operating leases for office space and equipment and finance leases for equipment. Equipment leases are comprised of vehicles and office equipment. The majority of the Company’s leases include both lease and non-lease components. Non-lease components primarily include maintenance, insurance, taxes and other utilities. The Company combines fixed payments for non-lease components with its lease payments and accounts for them as a single lease component, which increases its ROU assets and lease liabilities. Some of the leases include one or more options to renew or terminate the lease at the Company’s discretion. Generally, the renewal and termination options are not included in the ROU assets and lease liabilities as they are not reasonably certain of exercise. The Company has elected not to recognize a ROU asset or lease liability for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of the future minimum lease payments. The Company applies the portfolio approach when determining the incremental borrowing rate since it has a centrally managed treasury function. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is estimated to approximate the interest rate on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments in a similar economic environment. Operating leases contain both office and equipment leases and have remaining terms that range from less than one year to 11 years, some of which also include options to extend or terminate the lease. Finance leases are comprised of equipment leases and have remaining terms that range from less than one year to six years. Finance lease assets are included in property and equipment, net while finance lease liabilities are included in other accrued liabilities and other liabilities. During the nine months ended January 31, 2022, the Company reduced its real estate footprint and as a result recorded an impairment charge of the ROU assets of $7.4 million recorded in the consolidated statements of income. On November 1, 2021 the Company acquired Lucas Group and as a result recognized ROU assets of $3.8 million with a corresponding liability of $9.4 million. The ROU asset was adjusted to reflect unfavorable lease terms when compared with current market rates. The components of lease expense were as follows: Three Months Ended January 31, Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 2022 2021 (in thousands) Finance lease cost Amortization of ROU assets $ 248 $ 296 $ 785 $ 951 Interest on lease liabilities 19 29 64 90 267 325 849 1,041 Operating lease cost 13,013 14,199 40,288 42,209 Short-term lease cost 279 113 761 325 Variable lease cost 2,820 3,157 7,919 8,349 Lease impairment cost — — 7,392 — Sublease income (283 ) (186 ) (742 ) (461 ) Total lease cost $ 16,096 $ 17,608 $ 56,467 $ 51,463 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 (in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 48,246 $ 51,456 Financing cash flows from finance leases $ 860 $ 1,024 ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 22,662 $ 11,322 Finance leases $ 916 $ 497 Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 (in thousands) Finance Leases: Property and equipment, at cost $ 5,051 $ 4,801 Accumulated depreciation (2,738 ) (2,590 ) Property and equipment, net $ 2,313 $ 2,211 Other accrued liabilities $ 935 $ 1,010 Other liabilities 1,393 1,301 Total finance lease liabilities $ 2,328 $ 2,311 Weighted average remaining lease terms: Operating leases 5.0 years 5.0 years Finance leases 3.2 years 2.7 years Weighted average discount rate: Operating leases 4.5 % 4.8 % Finance leases 3.4 % 4.2 % Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Year Ending April 30, Operating Financing (in thousands) 2022 (excluding the nine months ended January 31, 2022) $ 14,207 $ 267 2023 51,954 920 2024 43,171 596 2025 36,077 367 2026 33,376 194 Thereafter 32,592 100 Total lease payments 211,377 2,444 Less: imputed interest 22,445 116 Total $ 188,932 $ 2,328

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	14. Acquisitions On November 1, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Lucas Group for $90.9 million, net of cash acquired. Lucas Group contributes a substantial professional search and contracting expertise that is expected to enhance the Company’s search portfolio. Lucas Group is a professional search and contract staffing firm, targeting middle market businesses. The addition of Lucas Group to Korn Ferry’s broader talent acquisition portfolio – spanning Executive Search, RPO, and Professional Search – is expected to accelerate Korn Ferry’s ability to capture additional share of this significant market. Lucas Group is included in the RPO & Professional Search segment. Actual results of operations of Lucas Group are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from November 1, 2021, the effective date of the acquisition. The following table provides a summary of the net assets acquired: (in thousands) Current assets (1) $ 25,138 Long-term assets 7,787 Intangible assets (2) 11,600 Current liabilities 14,765 Long-term liabilities 15,713 Net assets acquired 14,047 Purchase price 90,860 Goodwill $ 76,813 ( 1 ) Included in current assets is acquired receivables in the amount of $13.8 million. ( 2 ) Acquisition-related intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisition consists of customer relationships and tradenames of $10.4 million, and $1.2 million, respectively, with weighted-average useful lives from the date of purchase of seven years, and two years, respectively. The aggregate purchase price was allocated on a preliminary basis to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. As of January 31, 2022, these allocations remain preliminary with regard to income taxes. The measurement period for purchase price allocation ends as soon as information on the facts and circumstances become available, not to exceed 12 months.

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	15. Subsequent Event Quarterly Dividend Declaration On March 8, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per share with a payment date of April 14, 2022 to holders of the Company’s common stock of record at the close of business on March 28, 2022. The declaration and payment of future dividends under the quarterly dividend policy will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, the terms of the Company’s indebtedness and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem to be relevant. The Board of Directors may amend, revoke or suspend the dividend policy at any time and for any reason.

Organization and Summary of S_2

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
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, 2021 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 our different industries. 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. The Company has control of a Mexican subsidiary and consolidates the operations of this subsidiary. Noncontrolling interest, which represents the Mexican partners’ 51% interest in the Mexican subsidiary, is reflected on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 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 or determinable. The most significant areas that require management’s judgment are revenue recognition, deferred compensation, annual performance-related bonuses, evaluation of the carrying value of receivables, goodwill and other intangible assets, share-based payments, leases and the recoverability of deferred income taxes.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Substantially all fee revenue is derived from talent and organizational consulting services and digital sales, stand-alone or as part of a solution, fees for professional services related to executive and professional recruitment performed on a retained basis and RPO, either Revenue is recognized when control of the goods and services are transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. Revenue contracts with customers are evaluated based on the five-step model outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606 (“ASC 606”): 1) identify the contract with a customer; 2) identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract; 3) determine the transaction price; 4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligation(s); and 5) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied. Consulting fee revenue is primarily recognized as services are rendered, measured by total hours incurred as a percentage of the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for consulting engagements 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. Digital fee revenue is generated from IP platforms enabling large-scale, technology-based talent programs for pay, talent development, engagement, and assessment and is consumed directly by an end user or indirectly through a consulting engagement. Revenue is recognized as services are delivered and the Company has a legally enforceable right to payment. Revenue also comes from the sale of the Company’s proprietary IP subscriptions, which are considered symbolic IP due to the dynamic nature of the content. As a result, revenue is recognized over the term of the contract. Functional IP licenses grant customers the right to use IP content via the delivery of a flat file. Because the IP content license has significant stand-alone functionality, revenue is recognized upon delivery and when an enforceable right to payment exists. Revenue for tangible and digital products sold by the Company, such as books and digital files, is recognized when these products are shipped. Fee revenue from executive and professional search activities is generally one-third of the estimated first-year cash compensation of the placed candidate, plus a percentage of the fee to cover RPO fee
Reimbursements	Reimbursements The Company incurs certain out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by its clients, which are accounted for as revenue in the consolidated statements of income.
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 Company’s expected credit loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers’ trade accounts receivable. Due to the short-term nature of such receivables, the estimate of amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected is primarily based on historical loss-rate experience. When required, the Company adjusts the loss-rate methodology to account for current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectations of future economic and market conditions. The Company generally assesses future economic condition for a period of sixty to ninety days, which corresponds with the contractual life of its accounts receivables. After the Company exhausts all collection efforts, the amount of the allowance is reduced for balances written off 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 from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, the Company’s investments in cash equivalents consisted of money market funds and commercial paper with initial maturity of less than 90 days for which market prices are readily available and as of January 31, 2022 also included US Treasury and Agency securities with initial maturity of less than 90 days for which market prices are readily available.
Marketable Securities	Marketable Securities The Company currently has investments in marketable securities and mutual funds that are classified as either equity securities or available-for-sale debt 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 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. Such investments are classified as equity securities and mirror 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. 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, dividend income and the changes in fair value in marketable securities are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in other (loss) 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 commercial paper and corporate notes/bonds as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021 and also includes US Treasury and Agency securities as of April 30, 2021. These marketable fixed income (debt)
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 January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, 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, marketable securities and foreign currency forward contracts. The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as equity securities are obtained from quoted market prices, and the fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and foreign currency forward contracts are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets and financial instruments.
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges	Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges The Company has established a program that primarily utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures primarily originating from intercompany balances due to cross border work performed in the ordinary course of business. These foreign currency forward contracts are neither used for trading purposes nor are they designated as hedging instruments pursuant to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging
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 noncontrolling 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 12 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 nine months ended January 31, 2021, the Company recorded an adjustment of $2.6 million to increase goodwill as a result of additional tax liabilities from the Miller Heiman Group, Achieve Forum and Strategy Execution (the “Acquired Companies”) acquisition completed on November 1, 2019.
Leases	Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and current and non-current operating lease liability, in the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, net, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and the lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term on the commencement date. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with variable lease payments recognized in the periods in which they are incurred. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. For all leases with non-lease components the Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets include property, equipment, ROU assets and software developed or obtained for internal use. In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment consolidated statements of income in general and administrative expenses. During the three months ended January 31, 2022 and the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021 , there were no impairment charges recorded.
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. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the 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). Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. Results of the annual qualitative impairment test performed as of January 31, 2022, indicated that the fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded its carrying amount and no reporting units were at risk of failing the impairment test. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases and IP. Intangible assets 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 one 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. The Company reviewed its intangible assets and noted no impairment as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021.
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/profitability metrics for Consulting, Digital and RPO & Professional Search consultants), the level of engagements referred by a consultant in one line of business to a different line of business, and 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/line of business results, including profitability, the achievement of strategic objectives, 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 $117.7 million and $332.9 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022, respectively, included in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income. The performance-related bonus expense was $68.4 million and $200.4 million during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, respectively. 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-based compensation awards, payroll taxes and employee insurance benefits. Unearned compensation on the consolidated balance sheets includes long-term retention awards that are generally amortized over four-to-five years.
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 an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock units, restricted stock and the estimated fair value of stock purchases under the ESPP on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the“FASB”) issued guidance on Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions to the guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative rates. Entities can elect to adopt this guidance as of any date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 and can adopt it for new contracts and contract modifications entered into through December 31, 2022. The Company adopted this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2021 and the Company elected to apply the amendments prospectively through December 12, 2022. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Recently Proposed Accounting Standards - Not Yet Adopted	Recently Proposed Accounting Standards – Not Yet Adopted In October 2021, the FASB issued an amendment in accounting for contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers, which clarifies that an acquirer of a business should recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting guidance but does not anticipate that it will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Basic and Diluted Earnings Pe_2

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share Attributable to Common Stockholders	The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders: Three Months Ended January 31, Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 2022 2021 (in thousands, except per share data) Net income attributable to Korn Ferry $ 84,101 $ 51,319 $ 234,696 $ 48,264 Less: distributed and undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders 1,798 1,377 5,363 1,149 Basic net earnings attributable to common stockholders 82,303 49,942 229,333 47,115 Add: undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders 1,658 1,232 4,908 714 Less: reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders 1,643 1,222 4,856 709 Diluted net earnings attributable to common stockholders $ 82,318 $ 49,952 $ 229,385 $ 47,120 Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 52,999 52,596 52,958 53,030 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock 490 414 573 352 ESPP 6 3 7 14 Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 53,495 53,013 53,538 53,396 Net earnings per common share: Basic earnings per share $ 1.55 $ 0.95 $ 4.33 $ 0.89 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.54 $ 0.94 $ 4.28 $ 0.88

Comprehensive Income (Tables)

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net were as follows: January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 (in thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments $ (64,283 ) $ (33,666 ) Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax (16,284 ) (18,135 ) Marketable securities unrealized loss, net of tax (151 ) (19 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net $ (80,718 ) $ (51,820 )
Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended January 31, 2022: Foreign Currency Translation Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan (1) Unrealized Losses on Marketable Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance as of October 31, 2021 $ (49,051 ) $ (17,443 ) $ (36 ) $ (66,530 ) Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period (15,232 ) 824 (115 ) (14,523 ) Reclassification of realized net losses to net income — 335 — 335 Balance as of January 31, 2022 $ (64,283 ) $ (16,284 ) $ (151 ) $ (80,718 ) The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the nine months ended January 31, 2022: Foreign Currency Translation Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan (1) Unrealized Losses on Marketable Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance as of April 30, 2021 $ (33,666 ) $ (18,135 ) $ (19 ) $ (51,820 ) Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period (30,617 ) 839 (133 ) (29,911 ) Reclassification of realized net losses to net income — 1,012 1 1,013 Balance as of January 31, 2022 $ (64,283 ) $ (16,284 ) $ (151 ) $ (80,718 ) (1) The tax effect on unrealized (losses) gains were $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022 . The tax effect on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022 The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended January 31, 2021: Foreign Currency Translation Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan (1) Unrealized Losses on Marketable Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance as of October 31, 2020 $ (61,426 ) $ (22,229 ) $ — $ (83,655 ) Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period 25,083 — (5 ) 25,078 Reclassification of realized net losses to net income — 663 — 663 Balance as of January 31, 2021 $ (36,343 ) $ (21,566 ) $ (5 ) $ (57,914 ) The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the nine months ended January 31, 2021: Foreign Currency Translation Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan (1) Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance as of April 30, 2020 $ (83,652 ) $ (23,554 ) $ 34 $ (107,172 ) Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period 47,309 — (39 ) 47,270 Reclassification of realized net losses to net income — 1,988 — 1,988 Balance as of January 31, 2021 $ (36,343 ) $ (21,566 ) $ (5 ) $ (57,914 ) (1) The tax effect on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021.

Employee Stock Plans (Tables)

Employee Stock Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
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 operations for the periods indicated: Three Months Ended January 31, Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 2022 2021 (in thousands) Restricted stock $ 7,141 $ 6,880 $ 21,391 $ 19,777 ESPP 185 135 584 433 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 7,326 $ 7,015 $ 21,975 $ 20,210
Restricted Stock Activity	Restricted stock activity during the nine months ended January 31, 2022 is summarized below: Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value (in thousands, except per share data) Non-vested, April 30, 2021 2,370 $ 34.34 Granted 481 $ 65.07 Vested (807 ) $ 43.87 Forfeited/expired (52 ) $ 34.30 Non-vested, January 31, 2022 1,992 $ 40.29

Financial Instruments (Tables)

Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Financial Instruments and Balance Sheet Classifications	The following tables show the Company’s financial instruments and balance sheet classifications as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021: January 31, 2022 Fair Value Measurement Balance Sheet Classification Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Cash and Cash Equivalents Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Non- current Income taxes and other receivables (in thousands) Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Other Comprehensive Loss Level 2: Commercial paper $ 38,857 $ — $ (34 ) $ 38,823 $ 1,999 $ 36,824 $ — $ — Corporate notes/bonds 39,951 — (171 ) 39,780 — 24,381 15,399 — U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities 1,500 — — 1,500 1,500 — — — Total debt investments $ 80,308 $ — $ (205 ) $ 80,103 $ 3,499 $ 61,205 $ 15,399 $ — Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Net Income Level 1: Mutual funds (1) $ 184,141 $ — $ 11,905 $ 172,236 $ — Total $ 184,141 $ — $ 11,905 $ 172,236 $ — Cash $ 754,823 $ 754,823 $ — $ — $ — Money market funds 88,183 88,183 — — — Level 2: Foreign currency forward contracts 1,491 — — — 1,491 Total $ 1,108,741 $ 846,505 $ 73,110 $ 187,635 $ 1,491 April 30, 2021 Fair Value Measurement Balance Sheet Classification Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Cash and Cash Equivalents Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Non-current Other Accrued Liabilities (in thousands) Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Other Comprehensive Income Level 2: Commercial paper $ 51,979 $ 1 $ (7 ) $ 51,973 $ 9,499 $ 42,474 $ — $ — Corporate notes/bonds 26,371 — (20 ) 26,351 — 10,134 16,217 — U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities 1,975 — — 1,975 — 1,975 — — Total debt investments $ 80,325 $ 1 $ (27 ) $ 80,299 $ 9,499 $ 54,583 $ 16,217 $ — Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Net Income Level 1: Mutual funds (1) $ 175,559 $ — $ 9,084 $ 166,475 $ — Total $ 175,559 $ — $ 9,084 $ 166,475 $ — Cash $ 752,737 $ 752,737 $ — $ — $ — Money market funds 88,542 88,542 — — — Level 2: Foreign currency forward contracts (12 ) — — — (12 ) Total $ 1,097,125 $ 850,778 $ 63,667 $ 182,692 $ (12 ) (1) These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations of $175.2 million and $157.3 million as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $25.9 million and $26.5 million as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively. During the three months ended January 31, 2022, the fair value of the investments decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a loss of $7.7 million, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net. During the nine months ended January 31, 2022, the fair value increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $2.4 million, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $15.2 million and $27.2 million, respectively, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net.
Financial Instruments and Balance Sheet Classifications	The following tables show the Company’s financial instruments and balance sheet classifications as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021: January 31, 2022 Fair Value Measurement Balance Sheet Classification Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Cash and Cash Equivalents Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Non- current Income taxes and other receivables (in thousands) Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Other Comprehensive Loss Level 2: Commercial paper $ 38,857 $ — $ (34 ) $ 38,823 $ 1,999 $ 36,824 $ — $ — Corporate notes/bonds 39,951 — (171 ) 39,780 — 24,381 15,399 — U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities 1,500 — — 1,500 1,500 — — — Total debt investments $ 80,308 $ — $ (205 ) $ 80,103 $ 3,499 $ 61,205 $ 15,399 $ — Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Net Income Level 1: Mutual funds (1) $ 184,141 $ — $ 11,905 $ 172,236 $ — Total $ 184,141 $ — $ 11,905 $ 172,236 $ — Cash $ 754,823 $ 754,823 $ — $ — $ — Money market funds 88,183 88,183 — — — Level 2: Foreign currency forward contracts 1,491 — — — 1,491 Total $ 1,108,741 $ 846,505 $ 73,110 $ 187,635 $ 1,491 April 30, 2021 Fair Value Measurement Balance Sheet Classification Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Cash and Cash Equivalents Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Non-current Other Accrued Liabilities (in thousands) Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Other Comprehensive Income Level 2: Commercial paper $ 51,979 $ 1 $ (7 ) $ 51,973 $ 9,499 $ 42,474 $ — $ — Corporate notes/bonds 26,371 — (20 ) 26,351 — 10,134 16,217 — U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities 1,975 — — 1,975 — 1,975 — — Total debt investments $ 80,325 $ 1 $ (27 ) $ 80,299 $ 9,499 $ 54,583 $ 16,217 $ — Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Net Income Level 1: Mutual funds (1) $ 175,559 $ — $ 9,084 $ 166,475 $ — Total $ 175,559 $ — $ 9,084 $ 166,475 $ — Cash $ 752,737 $ 752,737 $ — $ — $ — Money market funds 88,542 88,542 — — — Level 2: Foreign currency forward contracts (12 ) — — — (12 ) Total $ 1,097,125 $ 850,778 $ 63,667 $ 182,692 $ (12 ) (1) These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations of $175.2 million and $157.3 million as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $25.9 million and $26.5 million as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively. During the three months ended January 31, 2022, the fair value of the investments decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a loss of $7.7 million, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net. During the nine months ended January 31, 2022, the fair value increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $2.4 million, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $15.2 million and $27.2 million, respectively, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net.
Fair Value of Liabilities Derivatives	The fair value of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments are as follows: January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 (in thousands) Derivative assets: Foreign currency forward contracts $ 1,753 $ 822 Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts $ 262 $ 834
Not Designated as Hedge Instrument
Fair Value of Assets Derivatives	The fair value of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments are as follows: January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 (in thousands) Derivative assets: Foreign currency forward contracts $ 1,753 $ 822 Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts $ 262 $ 834

Deferred Compensation and Ret_2

Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Costs	The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows: Three Months Ended January 31, Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 2022 2021 (in thousands) Service cost $ 9,762 $ 8,218 $ 28,190 $ 23,698 Interest cost 1,038 1,047 3,095 3,127 Amortization of actuarial loss 537 997 1,622 2,990 Expected return on plan assets (1) (387 ) (351 ) (1,160 ) (1,053 ) Net periodic service credit amortization (101 ) (101 ) (304 ) (304 ) Net periodic benefit costs (2) $ 10,849 $ 9,810 $ 31,443 $ 28,458 (1) The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 6.00% and 6.00% for January 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. (2) The service cost, interest cost and the other components of net periodic benefit costs are included in compensation and benefits expense, interest expense, net and other (loss) income, net, respectively, on the consolidated statements of income.

Fee Revenue (Tables)

Fee Revenue (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of Contract Asset and Liability	The following table outlines the Company’s contract asset and liability balances as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021: January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 (in thousands) Contract assets-unbilled receivables $ 94,794 $ 82,842 Contract liabilities-deferred revenue $ 241,426 $ 184,610
Schedule of Disaggregation of Fee Revenue by Industry	The following table provides further disaggregation of fee revenue by industry: Three Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 Dollars % Dollars % (dollars in thousands) Industrial $ 181,016 26.6 % $ 131,959 27.8 % Life Sciences/Healthcare 126,840 18.6 92,588 19.5 Financial Services 121,459 17.8 84,078 17.7 Technology 124,903 18.4 74,774 15.7 Consumer Goods 97,210 14.3 63,325 13.3 Education/Non-Profit/General 29,313 4.3 28,636 6.0 Fee Revenue $ 680,741 100.0 % $ 475,360 100.0 % Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 Dollars % Dollars % (dollars in thousands) Industrial $ 500,078 26.2 % $ 346,650 27.6 % Life Sciences/Healthcare 370,009 19.4 241,451 19.3 Financial Services 341,099 17.9 232,723 18.5 Technology 323,504 17.0 188,789 15.0 Consumer Goods 271,233 14.2 168,840 13.5 Education/Non-Profit 99,656 5.3 76,443 6.1 Fee Revenue $ 1,905,579 100.0 % $ 1,254,896 100.0 %

Credit Losses (Tables)

Credit Losses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Summary of Activity in Allowance for Credit Losses on Trade Receivables	The activity in the allowance for credit losses on the Company's trade receivables is as follows: (in thousands) Balance at April 30, 2021 $ 29,324 Provision for credit losses 15,029 Write-offs (9,713 ) Recoveries of amounts previously written off 645 Foreign currency translation (668 ) Balance at January 31, 2022 $ 34,617
Schedule of Fair Value and Unrealized Losses on Available for Sale Debt Securities	The fair value and unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position, are as follows: Less Than 12 Months Balance Sheet Classification Balance at January 31, 2022 Fair Value Unrealized Loss Cash and Cash Equivalent Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Non- Current (in thousands) Commercial paper $ 32,373 $ 34 $ 1,999 $ 30,374 $ — Corporate notes/bonds $ 39,780 $ 171 $ — $ 24,381 $ 15,399 Less Than 12 Months Balance Sheet Classification Balance at April 30, 2021 Fair Value Unrealized Loss Cash and Cash Equivalent Marketable Securities, Current Marketable Securities, Non- Current (in thousands) Commercial paper $ 36,378 $ 7 $ 5,749 $ 30,629 $ — Corporate notes/bonds $ 26,350 $ 20 $ — $ 10,133 $ 16,217

Restructuring Charges, Net (Tab

Restructuring Charges, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Changes In Restructuring Liability	Changes in the restructuring liability during the three months ended January 31, 2022, were as follows: Restructuring Liability (in thousands) As of October 31, 2021 $ 2,673 Reductions for cash payments (716 ) Exchange rate fluctuations (192 ) As of January 31, 2022 $ 1,765 Changes in the restructuring liability during the nine months ended January 31, 2022, were as follows: Restructuring Liability (in thousands) As of April 30, 2021 $ 6,985 Reductions for cash payments (4,654 ) Exchange rate fluctuations (566 ) As of January 31, 2022 $ 1,765

Segments (Tables)

Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Financial Highlights by Operating Segment	Financial highlights by reportable segments are as follows: Three Months Ended January 31, 2022 Executive Search Consulting Digital North America EMEA Asia Pacific Latin America Subtotal RPO & Professional Search Corporate Consolidated (in thousands) Fee revenue $ 162,889 $ 90,194 $ 152,597 $ 47,509 $ 31,425 $ 7,468 $ 238,999 $ 188,659 $ — $ 680,741 Total revenue $ 163,824 $ 90,501 $ 153,454 $ 47,666 $ 31,448 $ 7,470 $ 240,038 $ 190,593 $ — $ 684,956 Net income $ 84,101 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 956 Other loss, net 7,277 Interest expense, net 7,029 Income tax provision 26,927 Operating income $ 126,290 Depreciation and amortization 16,104 Other loss, net (7,277 ) Integration/acquisition costs 3,214 Adjusted EBITDA ( 1) $ 28,556 $ 28,142 $ 45,702 $ 8,080 $ 9,451 $ 2,484 $ 65,717 $ 44,109 $ (28,193 ) $ 138,331 (1) Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes integration/acquisition costs. Three Months Ended January 31, 2021 Executive Search Consulting Digital North America EMEA Asia Pacific Latin America Subtotal RPO & Professional Search Corporate Consolidated (in thousands) Fee revenue $ 136,268 $ 75,791 $ 106,002 $ 35,991 $ 21,643 $ 4,468 $ 168,104 $ 95,197 $ — $ 475,360 Total revenue $ 136,593 $ 75,967 $ 106,325 $ 36,016 $ 21,680 $ 4,468 $ 168,489 $ 96,831 $ — $ 477,880 Net income attributable to Korn Ferry $ 51,319 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 269 Other income, net (14,935 ) Interest expense, net 7,298 Income tax provision 21,204 Operating income $ 65,155 Depreciation and amortization 15,735 Other income, net 14,935 Restructuring charges, net 838 Adjusted EBITDA ( 1) $ 27,515 $ 27,134 $ 30,941 $ 3,918 $ 6,375 $ 458 $ 41,692 $ 19,630 $ (19,308 ) $ 96,663 (1) Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes net restructuring charges. Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 Executive Search Consulting Digital North America EMEA Asia Pacific Latin America Subtotal RPO & Professional Search Corporate Consolidated (in thousands) Fee revenue $ 476,260 $ 259,504 $ 449,472 $ 132,690 $ 88,385 $ 20,815 $ 691,362 $ 478,453 $ — $ 1,905,579 Total revenue $ 478,563 $ 259,894 $ 451,836 $ 133,080 $ 88,447 $ 20,821 $ 694,184 $ 483,811 $ — $ 1,916,452 Net income $ 234,696 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 3,090 Other income, net (2,236 ) Interest expense, net 18,820 Income tax provision 76,951 Operating income $ 331,321 Depreciation and amortization 47,381 Other income, net 2,236 Integration/acquisition costs 4,298 Impairment of fixed assets 1,915 Impairment of right of use assets 7,392 Adjusted EBITDA ( 1) $ 85,458 $ 82,330 $ 137,939 $ 23,328 $ 25,972 $ 6,204 $ 193,443 $ 114,334 $ (81,022 ) $ 394,543 (1) Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes integration/acquisition costs and impairment charges. Nine Months Ended January 31, 2021 Executive Search Consulting Digital North America EMEA Asia Pacific Latin America Subtotal RPO & Professional Search Corporate Consolidated (in thousands) Fee revenue $ 362,271 $ 206,807 $ 266,485 $ 97,701 $ 59,702 $ 12,419 $ 436,307 $ 249,511 $ — $ 1,254,896 Total revenue $ 363,234 $ 207,027 $ 267,790 $ 97,925 $ 59,840 $ 12,419 $ 437,974 $ 254,317 $ — $ 1,262,552 Net income attributable to Korn Ferry $ 48,264 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 547 Other income, net (26,374 ) Interest expense, net 21,686 Income tax provision 25,409 Operating income $ 69,532 Depreciation and amortization 46,068 Other income, net 26,374 Integration/acquisition costs 737 Restructuring charges, net 30,732 Adjusted EBITDA ( 1) $ 54,282 $ 58,161 $ 57,439 $ 8,445 $ 11,610 $ 480 $ 77,974 $ 39,453 $ (56,427 ) $ 173,443 (1) Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes integration/acquisition costs and net restructuring charges.

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Redemption of Notes at Applicable Redemption Prices	At any time and from time to time on or after December 15, 2022, the Company may redeem the Notes at the applicable redemption prices set forth in the table below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on December 15 of each of the years indicated: Year Percentage 2022 102.313% 2023 101.156% 2024 and thereafter 100.000%
Schedule of Long-term Debt, at Amortized Cost	Long-term debt, at amortized cost, consisted of the following: In thousands January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes $ 400,000 $ 400,000 Less: Unamortized discount and issuance costs (4,697 ) (5,206 ) Long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs $ 395,303 $ 394,794

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Leases [Abstract]
Components of Lease Expense	The components of lease expense were as follows: Three Months Ended January 31, Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 2022 2021 (in thousands) Finance lease cost Amortization of ROU assets $ 248 $ 296 $ 785 $ 951 Interest on lease liabilities 19 29 64 90 267 325 849 1,041 Operating lease cost 13,013 14,199 40,288 42,209 Short-term lease cost 279 113 761 325 Variable lease cost 2,820 3,157 7,919 8,349 Lease impairment cost — — 7,392 — Sublease income (283 ) (186 ) (742 ) (461 ) Total lease cost $ 16,096 $ 17,608 $ 56,467 $ 51,463
Summary of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases	Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022 2021 (in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 48,246 $ 51,456 Financing cash flows from finance leases $ 860 $ 1,024 ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 22,662 $ 11,322 Finance leases $ 916 $ 497
Summary of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases	Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: January 31, 2022 April 30, 2021 (in thousands) Finance Leases: Property and equipment, at cost $ 5,051 $ 4,801 Accumulated depreciation (2,738 ) (2,590 ) Property and equipment, net $ 2,313 $ 2,211 Other accrued liabilities $ 935 $ 1,010 Other liabilities 1,393 1,301 Total finance lease liabilities $ 2,328 $ 2,311 Weighted average remaining lease terms: Operating leases 5.0 years 5.0 years Finance leases 3.2 years 2.7 years Weighted average discount rate: Operating leases 4.5 % 4.8 % Finance leases 3.4 % 4.2 %
Summary of Maturities of Lease Liabilities	Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Year Ending April 30, Operating Financing (in thousands) 2022 (excluding the nine months ended January 31, 2022) $ 14,207 $ 267 2023 51,954 920 2024 43,171 596 2025 36,077 367 2026 33,376 194 Thereafter 32,592 100 Total lease payments 211,377 2,444 Less: imputed interest 22,445 116 Total $ 188,932 $ 2,328

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of Net Assets Acquired	The following table provides a summary of the net assets acquired: (in thousands) Current assets (1) $ 25,138 Long-term assets 7,787 Intangible assets (2) 11,600 Current liabilities 14,765 Long-term liabilities 15,713 Net assets acquired 14,047 Purchase price 90,860 Goodwill $ 76,813 ( 1 ) Included in current assets is acquired receivables in the amount of $13.8 million. ( 2 ) Acquisition-related intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisition consists of customer relationships and tradenames of $10.4 million, and $1.2 million, respectively, with weighted-average useful lives from the date of purchase of seven years, and two years, respectively.

Organization and Summary of S_3

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2021USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2022USD ($)Segment	Jan. 31, 2021USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2021USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2020USD ($)
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of business segments | Segment			7
Number of line of business | Segment			4
Credit loss for available for sales debt securities	$ 0		$ 0			$ 0
Impairment of right of use assets			7,392,000
Impairment of fixed assets			1,915,000
Impairment of long-lived assets		$ 0		$ 0
Impairment of goodwill			0
Impairment of intangible assets			0		$ 0
Performance-related bonus expenses	$ 117,700,000	$ 68,400,000	$ 332,900,000	200,400,000
ASU 2021-01
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Change in accounting principle, accounting standards update, adopted	true		true
Change in accounting principle, accounting standards update, adoption date	May 1, 2021		May 1, 2021
Change in accounting principle, accounting standards update, immaterial effect	true		true
Minimum
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful lives			1 year
Amortization of long-term retention awards			4 years
Maximum
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful lives			24 years
Amortization of long-term retention awards			5 years
Leasehold Improvements and Furniture and Fixtures
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Impairment of fixed assets			$ 1,900,000
Acquired Companies
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Business acquisitions adjustment, increase in goodwill				$ 2,600,000
Mexican Subsidiary
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	51.00%		51.00%

Basic and Diluted Earnings Pe_3

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Restricted Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share, shares	1.2	1.5	1.2	1.3

Basic and Diluted Earnings Pe_4

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share Attributable to Common Stockholders (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry	$ 84,101	$ 51,319	$ 234,696	$ 48,264
Less: distributed and undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders	1,798	1,377	5,363	1,149
Basic net earnings attributable to common stockholders	82,303	49,942	229,333	47,115
Add: undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders	1,658	1,232	4,908	714
Less: reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders	1,643	1,222	4,856	709
Diluted net earnings attributable to common stockholders	$ 82,318	$ 49,952	$ 229,385	$ 47,120
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	52,999	52,596	52,958	53,030
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	53,495	53,013	53,538	53,396
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.55	$ 0.95	$ 4.33	$ 0.89
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.54	$ 0.94	$ 4.28	$ 0.88
ESPP
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities	6	3	7	14
Restricted Stock
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities	490	414	573	352

Comprehensive Income - Componen

Comprehensive Income - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (64,283)	$ (33,666)
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax	(16,284)	(18,135)
Marketable securities unrealized loss, net of tax	(151)	(19)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	$ (80,718)	$ (51,820)

Comprehensive Income - Changes

Comprehensive Income - Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2022		Jan. 31, 2021		Jan. 31, 2022		Jan. 31, 2021
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance						$ 1,366,389
Ending balance		$ 1,531,277				1,531,277
Foreign Currency Translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance		(49,051)		$ (61,426)		(33,666)		$ (83,652)
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period		(15,232)		25,083		(30,617)		47,309
Ending balance		(64,283)		(36,343)		(64,283)		(36,343)
Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance		(17,443)	[1]	(22,229)	[2]	(18,135)	[1]	(23,554)	[2]
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period	[1]	824				839
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income		335	[1]	663	[2]	1,012	[1]	1,988	[2]
Ending balance		(16,284)	[1]	(21,566)	[2]	(16,284)	[1]	(21,566)	[2]
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance		(36)				(19)		34
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period		(115)		(5)		(133)		(39)
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income						1
Ending balance		(151)		(5)		(151)		(5)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance		(66,530)		(83,655)		(51,820)		(107,172)
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period		(14,523)		25,078		(29,911)		47,270
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income		335		663		1,013		1,988
Ending balance		$ (80,718)		$ (57,914)		$ (80,718)		$ (57,914)
[1]	The tax effect on unrealized (losses) gains were $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022 . The tax effect on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022
[2]	The tax effect on the reclassifications of realized net losses was $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021

Comprehensive Income - Change_2

Comprehensive Income - Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) - Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Tax effect on unrealized gains (losses)	$ 0.3		$ 0.3
Tax effect on reclassification of realized net losses	$ 0.1	$ 0.2	$ 0.3	$ 0.7

Employee Stock Plans - Componen

Employee Stock Plans - Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 7,326	$ 7,015	$ 21,975	$ 20,210
Restricted Stock
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	7,141	6,880	21,391	19,777
ESPP
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 185	$ 135	$ 584	$ 433

Employee Stock Plans - Addition

Employee Stock Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2019	Jan. 31, 2022	Oct. 31, 2021	Jul. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2021	Oct. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payments of tax withholdings on restricted stock								$ 18,244,000	$ 4,712,000
Shares repurchased during the period, value		$ 22,331,000	$ 7,353,000	$ 20,091,000	$ 7,779,000	$ 22,878,000	$ 4,442,000
Treasury Stock, Common
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares repurchased during the period		304,500			220,000			435,581	973,451
Shares repurchased during the period, value		$ 22,100,000			$ 7,600,000			$ 31,500,000	$ 30,400,000
ESPP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for future issuance		400,000						400,000
Authorized payroll deductions		15.00%						15.00%
Authorized payroll deductions, value								$ 25,000
Maximum number of shares reserved for issuance		3,000,000						3,000,000
Employees stock purchased		48,801			59,561			103,826	188,608
Employees stock purchased, price per share		$ 68.16			$ 39.15			$ 66.64	$ 30.25
ESPP | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair market price of common stock								85.00%
ESPP | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair market price of common stock								100.00%
Time Based Restricted Stock
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]
Vesting period								3 years
Shares outstanding		400,000						400,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards		$ 11,000,000						$ 11,000,000
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares outstanding		1,992,000						1,992,000		2,370,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards		$ 58,800,000						$ 58,800,000
Expected cost recognized over weighted-average period								2 years 7 months 6 days
Shares repurchased during the period to pay for taxes		2,509			3,695			267,316	168,341
Payments of tax withholdings on restricted stock		$ 200,000			$ 200,000			$ 18,200,000	$ 4,700,000
Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock available for stock-based awards	2,141,807
Shares available for future issuance	3,600,000
Vesting period	1 year

Employee Stock Plans - Restrict

Employee Stock Plans - Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) - Restricted Stock shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Non-vested, beginning balance | shares	2,370
Shares, Granted | shares	481
Shares, Vested | shares	(807)
Shares, Forfeited/expired | shares	(52)
Shares, Non-vested, ending balance | shares	1,992
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Non-vested, beginning balance | $ / shares	$ 34.34
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted | $ / shares	65.07
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested | $ / shares	43.87
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited/expired | $ / shares	34.30
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Non-vested, ending balance | $ / shares	$ 40.29

Financial Instruments - Financi

Financial Instruments - Financial Instruments and Balance Sheet Classifications (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 846,505	$ 850,778
Marketable Securities, Current		73,110	63,667
Marketable securities, non-current		187,635	182,692
Income Taxes & Other Receivables		1,491
Fair Value		1,108,741	1,097,125
Other Accrued Liabilities			(12)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost		80,308	80,325
Unrealized Gains			1
Unrealized Losses		(205)	(27)
Fair Value		80,103	80,299
Cash and cash equivalents		3,499	9,499
Marketable Securities, Current		61,205	54,583
Marketable securities, non-current		15,399	16,217
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Commercial Paper
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost		38,857	51,979
Unrealized Gains			1
Unrealized Losses		(34)	(7)
Fair Value		38,823	51,973
Cash and cash equivalents		1,999	9,499
Marketable Securities, Current		36,824	42,474
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate Notes/Bonds
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost		39,951	26,371
Unrealized Losses		(171)	(20)
Fair Value		39,780	26,351
Marketable Securities, Current		24,381	10,134
Marketable securities, non-current		15,399	16,217
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost		1,500	1,975
Fair Value		1,500	1,975
Cash and cash equivalents		1,500
Marketable Securities, Current			1,975
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Income Taxes & Other Receivables		1,491
Fair Value		1,491	(12)
Other Accrued Liabilities			(12)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Mutual Funds
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Marketable Securities, Current	[1]	11,905	9,084
Marketable securities, non-current	[1]	172,236	166,475
Fair Value	[1]	184,141	175,559
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Marketable Securities, Current		11,905	9,084
Marketable securities, non-current		172,236	166,475
Fair Value		184,141	175,559
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Cash
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		754,823	752,737
Fair Value		754,823	752,737
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Money Market Funds
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		88,183	88,542
Fair Value		$ 88,183	$ 88,542
[1]	These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations of $175.2 million and $157.3 million as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $25.9 million and $26.5 million as of January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively. During the three months ended January 31, 2022, the fair value of the investments decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a loss of $7.7 million, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net. During the nine months ended January 31, 2022, the fair value increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $2.4 million, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net. During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $15.2 million and $27.2 million, respectively, which was recorded in other (loss) income, net.

Financial Instruments - Finan_2

Financial Instruments - Financial Instruments and Balance Sheet Classifications (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Obligations for which assets are held in trust	$ 175.2		$ 175.2		$ 157.3
Gain (loss) on marketable securities	(7.7)	$ 15.2	2.4	$ 27.2
Unvested obligations under deferred compensation plans	$ 25.9		$ 25.9		$ 26.5

Financial Instruments - Additio

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Financial Instrument [Line Items]
Sale/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities	$ 18.7	$ 16.3	$ 54.7	$ 44.7
Unrealized gains relates to equity securities			12	22.2
Not Designated as Hedge Instrument | Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
Financial Instrument [Line Items]
Foreign currency gains (losses)	(0.3)	$ 1.7	0.2	$ 1.9
Not Designated as Hedge Instrument | Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts | Income Taxes And Other Receivables | Derivatives Purchased
Financial Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount	93.7		93.7		$ 69.4
Not Designated as Hedge Instrument | Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts | Income Taxes And Other Receivables | Derivatives Sold
Financial Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount	$ 45.4		$ 45.4		$ 44.9
Available-for-sale Marketable Securities | Minimum
Financial Instrument [Line Items]
Marketable securities remaining maturity			1 month
Available-for-sale Marketable Securities | Maximum
Financial Instrument [Line Items]
Marketable securities remaining maturity			22 months

Financial Instruments - Fair Va

Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedge Instruments (Detail) - Not Designated as Hedge Instrument - Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Derivative assets:
Fair Value of Derivative Assets	$ 1,753	$ 822
Derivative liabilities:
Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities	$ 262	$ 834

Deferred Compensation and Ret_3

Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefits Costs (Detail) - Deferred Compensation Plan - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost		$ 9,762	$ 8,218	$ 28,190	$ 23,698
Interest cost		1,038	1,047	3,095	3,127
Amortization of actuarial loss		537	997	1,622	2,990
Expected return on plan assets	[1]	(387)	(351)	(1,160)	(1,053)
Net periodic service credit amortization		(101)	(101)	(304)	(304)
Net periodic benefit costs	[2]	$ 10,849	$ 9,810	$ 31,443	$ 28,458
[1]	The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 6.00% and 6.00% for January 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
[2]	The service cost, interest cost and the other components of net periodic benefit costs are included in compensation and benefits expense, interest expense, net and other (loss) income, net, respectively, on the consolidated statements of income.

Deferred Compensation and Ret_4

Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefits Costs (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	6.00%	6.00%

Deferred Compensation and Ret_5

Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase in market value of the underlying COLI investments			$ 3,897	$ 8,575
Recognized investment income (expense)	$ (7,700)	$ 15,200	$ 2,400	27,200
Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Option to receive employee benefits by quarterly installments periods			1 year
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Option to receive employee benefits by quarterly installments periods			15 years
CSV of COLI Contracts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase in market value of the underlying COLI investments	1,700	4,700	$ 3,900	8,600
Deferred Compensation Plan | CSV of COLI Contracts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Gross CSV	261,000		261,000		$ 241,300
Outstanding policy loans	79,800		$ 79,800		$ 80,000
Executive Capital Accumulation Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Deferred compensation arrangement vesting period			5 years
Gain (loss) on deferred compensation plan	$ (7,000)	$ 14,500	$ 3,100	$ 26,300

Fee Revenue - Schedule of Contr

Fee Revenue - Schedule of Contract Asset and Liability (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Contract assets-unbilled receivables	$ 94,794	$ 82,842
Contract liabilities-deferred revenue	$ 241,426	$ 184,610

Fee Revenue - Additional Inform

Fee Revenue - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022USD ($)
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Contract liabilities, revenue recognized	$ 119.6
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation	$ 958.7
Revenue, practical expedient, initial application and transition, completed contract, same reporting period	true
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, optional exemption, performance obligation	true

Fee Revenue - Additional Info_2

Fee Revenue - Additional Information (Details 1) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022USD ($)
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation	$ 958.7
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2022-02-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation	$ 184.5
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	3 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2022-05-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation	$ 442.6
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2023-05-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation	$ 213.4
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2024-05-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation	$ 118.2
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, explanation	2025 and thereafter

Fee Revenue - Schedule of Disag

Fee Revenue - Schedule of Disaggregation of Fee Revenue by Industry (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Fee Revenue	$ 684,956	$ 477,880	$ 1,916,452	$ 1,262,552
Industrial
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Fee Revenue	$ 181,016	$ 131,959	$ 500,078	$ 346,650
Fee Revenue, Percentage	26.60%	27.80%	26.20%	27.60%
Life Sciences/Healthcare
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Fee Revenue	$ 126,840	$ 92,588	$ 370,009	$ 241,451
Fee Revenue, Percentage	18.60%	19.50%	19.40%	19.30%
Financial Services
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Fee Revenue	$ 121,459	$ 84,078	$ 341,099	$ 232,723
Fee Revenue, Percentage	17.80%	17.70%	17.90%	18.50%
Technology
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Fee Revenue	$ 124,903	$ 74,774	$ 323,504	$ 188,789
Fee Revenue, Percentage	18.40%	15.70%	17.00%	15.00%
Consumer Goods
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Fee Revenue	$ 97,210	$ 63,325	$ 271,233	$ 168,840
Fee Revenue, Percentage	14.30%	13.30%	14.20%	13.50%
Education/Non-Profit/General
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Fee Revenue	$ 29,313	$ 28,636	$ 99,656	$ 76,443
Fee Revenue, Percentage	4.30%	6.00%	5.30%	6.10%
Fee Revenue
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Fee Revenue	$ 680,741	$ 475,360	$ 1,905,579	$ 1,254,896
Fee Revenue, Percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

Credit Losses - Summary of Acti

Credit Losses - Summary of Activity in Allowance for Credit Losses on Trade Receivables (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Credit Loss [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 29,324
Provision for credit losses	15,029	$ 11,561
Write-offs	(9,713)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	645
Foreign currency translation	(668)
Ending Balance	$ 34,617

Credit Losses - Schedule of Fai

Credit Losses - Schedule of Fair Value and Unrealized Losses on Available for Sale Debt Securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Commercial Paper
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	$ 32,373	$ 36,378
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Loss	34	7
Commercial Paper | Cash and Cash Equivalents
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,999	5,749
Commercial Paper | Marketable Securities Current
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]
Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities, Current	30,374	30,629
Corporate Notes/Bonds
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	39,780	26,350
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Loss	171	20
Corporate Notes/Bonds | Marketable Securities Current
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]
Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities, Current	24,381	10,133
Corporate Notes/Bonds | Marketable Securities Non-Current
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]
Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities, Non-Current	$ 15,399	$ 16,217

Credit Losses - Additional Info

Credit Losses - Additional Information (Details) - Investment	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Commercial Paper
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]
Debt securities, available-for-sale, unrealized loss position, number of investments	19	18
Corporate Notes/Bonds
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]
Debt securities, available-for-sale, unrealized loss position, number of investments	24	15

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax (benefit) provision	$ 26,927	$ 21,204	$ 76,951	$ 25,409
Income tax (benefit) provision tax rate	24.00%	29.10%	24.40%	34.20%

Restructuring Charges, Net - Ad

Restructuring Charges, Net - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, net		$ 838,000		$ 30,732,000
Restructuring liability included in other long-term liabilities	$ 500,000		$ 500,000		$ 600,000
Severance
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, net	$ 0	$ 800,000	$ 0	$ 30,700,000

Restructuring Charges, Net - Ch

Restructuring Charges, Net - Changes In Restructuring Liability (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2022
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Liability, Beginning balance	$ 2,673	$ 6,985
Reductions for cash payments	(716)	(4,654)
Exchange rate fluctuations	(192)	(566)
Restructuring Liability, Ending balance	$ 1,765	$ 1,765

Segments - Additional Informati

Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of business segments	7
Number of line of business	4

Segments - Financial Highlights

Segments - Financial Highlights by Operating Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022		Jan. 31, 2021		Jan. 31, 2022		Jan. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 684,956		$ 477,880		$ 1,916,452		$ 1,262,552
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry	84,101		51,319		234,696		48,264
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	956		269		3,090		547
Other (income) loss, net	7,277		(14,935)		(2,236)		(26,374)
Interest expense, net	7,029		7,298		18,820		21,686
Income tax provision	26,927		21,204		76,951		25,409
Operating income	126,290		65,155		331,321		69,532
Depreciation and amortization	16,104		15,735		47,381		46,068
Other income (loss), net	(7,277)		14,935		2,236		26,374
Integration/acquisition costs	3,214				4,298		737
Impairment of fixed assets					1,915
Impairment of right of use assets					7,392
Restructuring charges, net			838				30,732
Adjusted EBITDA	138,331	[1]	96,663	[2]	394,543	[3]	173,443	[4]
Fee Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	680,741		475,360		1,905,579		1,254,896
Operating Segments | Consulting
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	163,824		136,593		478,563		363,234
Adjusted EBITDA	28,556	[1]	27,515	[2]	85,458	[3]	54,282	[4]
Operating Segments | Digital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	90,501		75,967		259,894		207,027
Adjusted EBITDA	28,142	[1]	27,134	[2]	82,330	[3]	58,161	[4]
Operating Segments | Executive Search
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	240,038		168,489		694,184		437,974
Adjusted EBITDA	65,717	[1]	41,692	[2]	193,443	[3]	77,974	[4]
Operating Segments | Executive Search | North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	153,454		106,325		451,836		267,790
Adjusted EBITDA	45,702	[1]	30,941	[2]	137,939	[3]	57,439	[4]
Operating Segments | Executive Search | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	47,666		36,016		133,080		97,925
Adjusted EBITDA	8,080	[1]	3,918	[2]	23,328	[3]	8,445	[4]
Operating Segments | Executive Search | Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	31,448		21,680		88,447		59,840
Adjusted EBITDA	9,451	[1]	6,375	[2]	25,972	[3]	11,610	[4]
Operating Segments | Executive Search | Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	7,470		4,468		20,821		12,419
Adjusted EBITDA	2,484	[1]	458	[2]	6,204	[3]	480	[4]
Operating Segments | RPO & Professional Search
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	190,593		96,831		483,811		254,317
Adjusted EBITDA	44,109	[1]	19,630	[2]	114,334	[3]	39,453	[4]
Operating Segments | Fee Revenue | Consulting
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	162,889		136,268		476,260		362,271
Operating Segments | Fee Revenue | Digital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	90,194		75,791		259,504		206,807
Operating Segments | Fee Revenue | Executive Search
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	238,999		168,104		691,362		436,307
Operating Segments | Fee Revenue | Executive Search | North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	152,597		106,002		449,472		266,485
Operating Segments | Fee Revenue | Executive Search | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	47,509		35,991		132,690		97,701
Operating Segments | Fee Revenue | Executive Search | Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	31,425		21,643		88,385		59,702
Operating Segments | Fee Revenue | Executive Search | Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	7,468		4,468		20,815		12,419
Operating Segments | Fee Revenue | RPO & Professional Search
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	188,659		95,197		478,453		249,511
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	$ (28,193)	[1]	$ (19,308)	[2]	$ (81,022)	[3]	$ (56,427)	[4]
[1]	Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes integration/acquisition costs
[2]	Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes net restructuring charges
[3]	Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes integration/acquisition costs and impairment charges
[4]	Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and further excludes integration/acquisition costs and net restructuring charges

Long-Term Debt - Additional Inf

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 16, 2019	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity		$ 645,300,000	$ 646,000,000
Standby Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt arrangement		4,700,000	4,000,000
Standby Letters of Credit | Other Financial Institutions
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt arrangement		$ 10,300,000	11,000,000
4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.625%
Principal amount	$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument, unamortized discount	$ 4,500,000
Debt instrument, maturity date		Dec. 15, 2027
Debt instrument, interest rate terms		interest payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 2020
Interest payment commencing date		Jun. 15, 2020
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%
Dividends payable per fiscal year	$ 25,000,000
Debt Instrument, change in control and rating decline, percentage of principal amount	101.00%
Debt instrument, proceeds from offering used to repay outstanding debt	$ 276,900,000
Interest rate, effective percentage		4.86%
Debt instrument, fair value		$ 408,000,000	416,500,000
4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio to be attained for payment of dividends	3.50
Redemption before December 15, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of principal amount redeemable with equity offering proceeds	35.00%
Percentage of principal amount of debt redeemed	104.625%
Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement initiation date	Dec. 16, 2019
Unamortized debt issuance costs		$ 2,600,000	3,300,000
Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term	5 years
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 650,000,000
Line of credit facility, maturity date		Dec. 16, 2024
Long-term debt		$ 0	$ 0
Credit Agreement | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio to be attained for payment of dividends	4.25
Credit Agreement | Maximum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on variable interest rate		2.00%
Credit Agreement | Maximum | Base Rate Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on variable interest rate		1.00%
Credit Agreement | Maximum | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly commitment fee on average daily unused amount of Credit Facilities		0.35%
Credit Agreement | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Pro forma liquidity	$ 50,000,000
Credit Agreement | Minimum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on variable interest rate		1.125%
Credit Agreement | Minimum | Base Rate Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on variable interest rate		0.125%
Credit Agreement | Minimum | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly commitment fee on average daily unused amount of Credit Facilities		0.175%

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Re

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Redemption of Notes at Applicable Redemption Prices (Detail) - 4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022
2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	102.313%
2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	101.156%
2024 and thereafter
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Lo

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-term Debt, at Amortized Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 395,303	$ 394,794
4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less: Unamortized discount and issuance costs	(4,697)	(5,206)
Long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	395,303	394,794
4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 | Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 400,000	$ 400,000

Leases - Additional Information

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Nov. 01, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Lessee operating lease, existence of option to extend [true/false]	true
Lessee operating lease, existence of option to terminate [true/false]	true
Impairment of right of use assets	$ 7,392
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	154,818		$ 174,121
Lease liability	$ 188,932
Lucas Group
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		$ 3,800
Lease liability		$ 9,400
Minimum
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Lessee operating lease, term of contract	1 year
Lessee finance lease, term of contract	1 year
Maximum
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Lessee operating lease, term of contract	11 years
Lessee finance lease, term of contract	6 years

Leases - Components of Lease Ex

Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Finance lease cost
Amortization of ROU assets	$ 248	$ 296	$ 785	$ 951
Interest on lease liabilities	19	29	64	90
Finance lease cost	267	325	849	1,041
Operating lease cost	13,013	14,199	40,288	42,209
Short-term lease cost	279	113	761	325
Variable lease cost	2,820	3,157	7,919	8,349
Lease impairment cost			7,392
Sublease income	(283)	(186)	(742)	(461)
Total lease cost	$ 16,096	$ 17,608	$ 56,467	$ 51,463

Leases - Summary of Supplementa

Leases - Summary of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 48,246	$ 51,456
Financing cash flows from finance leases	860	1,024
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	22,662	11,322
Finance leases	$ 916	$ 497

Leases - Summary of Supplemen_2

Leases - Summary of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Finance Leases:
Property and equipment, at cost	$ 5,051	$ 4,801
Accumulated depreciation	(2,738)	(2,590)
Property and equipment, net	$ 2,313	$ 2,211
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	us-gaap:OtherAssets	us-gaap:OtherAssets
Other accrued liabilities	$ 935	$ 1,010
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
Other liabilities	$ 1,393	$ 1,301
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Other liabilities	Other liabilities
Total finance lease liabilities	$ 2,328	$ 2,311
Weighted average remaining lease terms:
Operating leases	5 years	5 years
Finance leases	3 years 2 months 12 days	2 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases	4.50%	4.80%
Finance leases	3.40%	4.20%

Leases - Summary of Maturities

Leases - Summary of Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Operating
2022 (excluding the nine months ended January 31, 2022)	$ 14,207
2023	51,954
2024	43,171
2025	36,077
2026	33,376
Thereafter	32,592
Total lease payments	211,377
Less: imputed interest	22,445
Total	188,932
Financing
2022 (excluding the nine months ended January 31, 2022)	267
2023	920
2024	596
2025	367
2026	194
Thereafter	100
Total lease payments	2,444
Less: imputed interest	116
Total	$ 2,328	$ 2,311

Acquisitions - Additional Infor

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 01, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		$ 90,860
Lucas Group
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ 90,900

Acquisitions - Summary of Net A

Acquisitions - Summary of Net Assets Acquired (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jan. 31, 2022	Nov. 01, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 699,518		$ 626,669
Lucas Group
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets	[1]		$ 25,138
Long-term assets			7,787
Intangible assets	[2]		11,600
Current liabilities			14,765
Long-term liabilities			15,713
Net assets acquired			14,047
Purchase price			90,860
Goodwill			$ 76,813
[1]	Included in current assets is acquired receivables in the amount of $13.8 million.
[2]	Acquisition-related intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisition consists of customer relationships and tradenames of $10.4 million, and $1.2 million, respectively, with weighted-average useful lives from the date of purchase of seven years, and two years, respectively.

Acquisitions -Summary of Net As

Acquisitions -Summary of Net Assets Acquired (Parenthetical) (Detail) - Lucas Group $ in Millions	Nov. 01, 2021USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired receivables	$ 13.8
Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 10.4
Weighted average useful life	7 years
Trade Names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 1.2
Weighted average useful life	2 years

Subsequent Event - Additional I

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) - Subsequent Event - Dividend Declared	Mar. 08, 2022$ / shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends payable, declared date	Mar. 8, 2022
Dividends payable, per share amount	$ 0.12
Dividends payable, payable date	Apr. 14, 2022
Dividends declared, record date	Mar. 28, 2022