HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL INC - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 10-Q)

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-Accelerated filer

¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission File Number 0-25837

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



Delaware		36-2681268
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

233 South Wacker Drive-Suite 4900

Chicago, Illinois

60606-6303

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(312) 496-1200

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period of time that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer," “smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

As of October 23, 2017, there were 18,785,831 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX



		PAGE
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2016	1

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	2

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017	3

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	4

	Unaudited Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	5

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	15

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	27

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	27

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	29

Item 6.	Exhibits	30

SIGNATURE		31

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
	(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	105,718		$	165,011
Accounts receivable, net	129,640			93,191
Prepaid expenses	24,420			21,602
Other current assets	15,258			13,779
Income taxes recoverable	5,655			4,847
Total current assets	280,691			298,430
Non-current assets:
Property and equipment, net	41,945			35,099
Assets designated for retirement and pension plans	17,627			15,698
Investments	20,432			17,346
Other non-current assets	10,601			9,322
Goodwill	125,737			151,844
Other intangible assets, net	7,236			20,690
Deferred income taxes	49,158			33,073
Total non-current assets	272,736			283,072
Total assets	$	553,427		$	581,502
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	8,294		$	7,952
Accrued salaries and employee benefits	127,670			155,523
Deferred revenue, net	35,339			28,367
Other current liabilities	21,503			24,133
Income taxes payable	5,256			4,617
Total current liabilities	198,062			220,592
Non-current liabilities:
Accrued salaries and employee benefits	32,130			34,993
Retirement and pension plans	44,891			39,039
Other non-current liabilities	27,373			28,288
Total non-current liabilities	104,394			102,320
Total liabilities	302,456			322,912
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016	—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 19,585,777 shares issued, 18,781,433 and 18,578,176 shares outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	196			196
Treasury stock at cost, 804,344 and 1,007,601 shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	(26,097		)	(32,915		)
Additional paid in capital	224,986			229,957
Retained earnings	40,927			58,030
Accumulated other comprehensive income	10,959			3,322
Total stockholders’ equity	250,971			258,590
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	553,427		$	581,502

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016			2017			2016
Revenue:
Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)	$	159,800	$	143,519		$	452,020		$	422,569
Reimbursements	4,665		4,720			13,740			13,773
Total revenue	164,465		148,239			465,760			436,342
Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits	108,546		95,355			309,159			288,015
General and administrative expenses	37,232		36,158			111,454			106,986
Impairment charges	—		—			39,158			—
Reimbursed expenses	4,665		4,720			13,740			13,773
Total operating expenses	150,443		136,233			473,511			408,774
Operating income (loss)	14,022		12,006			(7,751		)	27,568
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest, net	94		42			195			172
Other, net	147		340			(2,773		)	418
Net non-operating income (expense)	241		382			(2,578		)	590
Income (loss) before income taxes	14,263		12,388			(10,329		)	28,158
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	6,092		5,448			(902		)	13,238
Net income (loss)	8,171		6,940			(9,427		)	14,920
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	995		(717		)	5,779			(1,173		)
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments	624		519			1,858			1,030
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,619		(198		)	7,637			(143		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	9,790	$	6,742		$	(1,790	)	$	14,777

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	18,781		18,577			18,720			18,528
Dilutive common shares	235		273			—			273
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	19,016		18,850			18,720			18,801

Basic net income per common share	$	0.44	$	0.37		$	(0.50	)	$	0.81
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.43	$	0.37		$	(0.50	)	$	0.79
Cash dividends paid per share	$	0.13	$	0.13		$	0.39		$	0.39

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)



									Additional Paid in Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Compre- hensive Income		Total
	Common Stock			Treasury Stock
	Shares	Amount		Shares		Amount
Balance at December 31, 2016	19,586	$	196	1,008		$	(32,915	)	$	229,957		$	58,030		$	3,322	$	258,590
Net loss	—	—		—		—			—			(9,427		)	—		(9,427		)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—	—		—		—			—			—			7,637		7,637
Treasury and common stock transactions:
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—		—			3,915			—			—		3,915
Vesting of equity, net of tax withholdings	—	—		(188	)	6,310			(8,716		)	—			—		(2,406		)
Re-issuance of treasury stock	—	—		(15	)	508			(170		)	—			—		338
Cash dividends declared ($0.39 per share)	—	—		—		—			—			(7,320		)	—		(7,320		)
Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units	—	—		—		—			—			(356		)	—		(356		)
Balance at September 30, 2017	19,586	$	196	805		$	(26,097	)	$	224,986		$	40,927		$	10,959	$	250,971

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016
Cash flows—operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(9,427	)	$	14,920
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,270			11,676
Deferred income taxes	(15,340		)	(1,731		)
Stock-based compensation expense	3,915			5,055
Accretion expense related to earnout payments	836			198
Impairment charges	39,158			—
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(32,603		)	(33,267		)
Accounts payable	49			2,270
Accrued expenses	(38,043		)	(47,130		)
Deferred revenue	6,061			1,298
Income taxes payable, net	(44		)	(76		)
Retirement and pension plan assets and liabilities	2,798			3,009
Prepaid expenses	(1,631		)	(4,228		)
Other assets and liabilities, net	(3,000		)	(1,008		)
Net cash used in operating activities	(36,001		)	(49,014		)
Cash flows—investing activities:
Restricted cash	(3		)	7,228
Acquisition of businesses	(364		)	(27,722		)
Capital expenditures	(13,161		)	(2,179		)
Purchases of available for sale investments	(2,117		)	(2,361		)
Proceeds from sales of available for sale investments	1,271			510
Net cash used in investing activities	(14,374		)	(24,524		)
Cash flows—financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	40,000			—
Payments on line of credit	(40,000		)	—
Cash dividends paid	(7,676		)	(7,442		)
Payment of employee tax withholdings on equity transactions	(2,392		)	(2,676		)
Acquisition earnout payments	(4,557		)	(7,461		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(14,625		)	(17,579		)
Effect of exchange rates fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents	5,707			640
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(59,293		)	(90,477		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	165,011			190,452
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	105,718		$	99,975

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(All tables in thousands, except share and per share figures)

(Unaudited)


1.	Basis of Presentation of Interim Financial Information

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Significant items subject to estimates and assumptions include revenue recognition, income taxes, interim effective tax rate and assessment of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment. Estimates are subject to a degree of uncertainty and actual results could differ from these estimates. These financial statements and notes are to be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on March 23, 2017.


2.	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

A complete listing of the Company’s significant accounting policies is discussed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation, Scope of Modification Accounting, which is intended to provide clarity and reduce both diversity in practice, cost and complexity when implementing a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. ASU 2017-09 requires that an entity should account for the effects of a modification unless the fair value, vesting conditions, and whether the award is classified as a liability instrument or an equity instrument remain unchanged in the modification. ASU 2017-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The impact of this accounting guidance will be dependent on future modification events including the number of awards modified.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-retirement Benefit Cost, which is intended to improve the consistency, transparency and usefulness of net benefit cost disclosures. ASU 2017-07 requires that an employer report the service cost component of net benefit cost in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. Additionally, the other components of net benefit costs are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. ASU 2017-07 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The impact of this accounting guidance will not be material to the Company's financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, under the amendments in this update, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The Board also eliminated the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity is required to disclose the amount of goodwill allocated to each reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount of net assets. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, during the three months ended June 30, 2017. The Company concluded that ASU 2017-04 is preferable to the current guidance included in ASC 350 due to the simplified process of subsequently measuring goodwill.

included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company currently does not include restricted cash amounts in the beginning and ending cash amounts and will change the presentation of the cash flow statement to include restricted cash in the beginning and ending cash totals. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted.The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2018. If the Company had adopted the guidance as of September 30, 2017, the beginning and ending balance of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the three months ended September 30, 2017 would have each increased by $0.6 million in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which is intended to reduce diversity in practice as to how certain cash receipts and cash payments should be presented and classified. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company has evaluated the standard and noted the guidance for contingent consideration payments made after a business combination are applicable to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company currently classifies all contingent consideration payments as financing activities. The impact of this change is not expected to be significant to the classification of these activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The new guidance will require entities that lease assets to recognize on their balance sheets the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases and to disclose key information about the leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The guidance requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting guidance. The effect is not known or reasonably estimable at this time.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments including the recognition of unrealized changes in fair value within net income. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting guidance.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The ASU requires that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for these goods or services. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The guidance permits the use of either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective method reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients or (ii) a retrospective method with the cumulative effect upon initial adoption recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective). The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2018 and will apply the modified retrospective method, which involves recognizing the cumulative effect of applying the guidance at the date of initial application with no restatement of the comparative periods presented.

The Company is performing its evaluation of ASU No. 2014-09. The Company is paid a retainer for its executive search services equal to approximately one-third of the estimated first year compensation for the position to be filled. If the actual compensation of a placed candidate exceeds the estimated compensation, the Company is often authorized to bill the client for one-third of the excess. The Company currently recognizes revenue associated with the difference between the estimated compensation and actual compensation at the time this amount is considered fixed and determinable. Under ASU 2014-09, the difference between estimated compensation and actual compensation is considered variable consideration. The Company will be required to estimate the amount of variable consideration for its executive search services at contract inception. The Company is still evaluating the financial impact of this change and if other changes will be required.

The Company is continuing to evaluate the impacts of adoption of this guidance and its preliminary assessments are subject to change.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been recast as a result of the change in the Company's operating segments as first reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 23, 2017. The reclassifications had no impact on net income, net cash flows or stockholders' equity.

Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by weighted average common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted. Common equivalent shares are excluded from the determination of diluted earnings per share in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017			2016
Net income (loss)	$	8,171	$	6,940	$	(9,427	)	$	14,920
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	18,781		18,577		18,720			18,528
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock units	187		202		—			202
Performance stock units	48		71		—			71
Diluted	19,016		18,850		18,720			18,801
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.44	$	0.37	$	(0.50	)	$	0.81
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.43	$	0.37	$	(0.50	)	$	0.79


3.	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:



Balance at December 31, 2016	$	2,575
Provision charged to income	2,154
Write-offs	(1,081		)
Foreign currency translation	95
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	3,743


4.	Property and Equipment, net

The components of the Company’s property and equipment are as follows:



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Leasehold improvements	$	48,007		$	42,891
Office furniture, fixtures and equipment	17,638			16,677
Computer equipment and software	28,176			30,186
Property and equipment, gross	93,821			89,754
Accumulated depreciation	(51,876		)	(54,655		)
Property and equipment, net	$	41,945		$	35,099

Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $2.8 million and $2.4 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $7.4 million and $7.0 million, respectively.


5.	Investments

The Company has a U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan that consists primarily of U.S. marketable securities and mutual funds, all of which are valued using Level 1 inputs (See Note 6, Fair Value Measurements). The fair value for these investments was $20.4 million and $17.3 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The aggregate cost basis for these investments was $14.5 million and $13.3 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.


6.	Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-level fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:


•	Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.


•	Level 2 – Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, or other inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.


•	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

The following tables provide a summary of the fair value measurements at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:



	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total
Balance at September 30, 2017
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$	20,432	$	—		$	—		$	20,432
Assets designated for retirement and pension plans	—		19,065			—			19,065
Pension benefit obligation	—		(24,878		)	—			(24,878		)
Acquisition earnout accruals	—		—			(6,980		)	(6,980		)
	$	20,432	$	(5,813	)	$	(6,980	)	$	7,639



	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016
U.S. non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$	17,346	$	—		$	—		$	17,346
Assets designated for retirement and pension plans	—		16,979			—			16,979
Pension benefit obligation	—		(22,128		)	—			(22,128		)
Acquisition earnout accruals	—		—			(10,991		)	(10,991		)
	$	17,346	$	(5,149	)	$	(10,991	)	$	1,206

The Level 2 assets above are reinsurance contracts fair valued in accordance with BaFin - German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority guidelines, which utilize observable inputs including mortality tables and discount rates. The Level 3 liabilities include accruals for future earnout payments related to prior acquisitions, the values of which are determined based on discounted cash flow models. The Company considers the recorded value of its financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, to approximate the fair value of the respective assets and liabilities at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 based upon the short-term nature of the assets and liabilities.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of Level 3 assets and liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.



	Acquisition Earnout Accruals
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(10,991	)
Earnout accretion	(836		)
Earnout payments	4,557
Philosophy IB earnout adjustment (Note 7)	705
Foreign currency translation	(415		)
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	(6,980	)


7.	Acquisitions

On October 1, 2015, the Company acquired Co Company, a UK-based management consulting firm that specializes in organizational development. The former owners of Co Company were eligible to receive additional cash consideration upon the realization of specific revenue and EBITDA Margin milestones achieved over the period October 2015 through December 2018. On August 25, 2016, the Company and the former owners of Co Company entered into a Deed of Amendment (the "Amendment") to the Share Purchase Agreement dated October 1, 2015. The Amendment adjusted the target fee revenue and targeted EBITDA margin for each remaining earn out period taking into consideration the unanticipated acquisitions completed subsequent to the Share Purchase Agreement. The new targets include subsequent acquisitions and took effect retrospectively from January 1, 2016. On June 14, 2017, the Company and the former owners of Co Company entered into an Earn Out Buyout Agreement (the “Buyout Agreement”) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Share Purchase Agreement dated October 1, 2015, as amended by a Deed of Amendment dated August 25, 2016. Pursuant to the Buyout Agreement, in accordance with the Share Purchase Agreement and Deed of Amendment, the Company exercised its right to buy out all of the remaining earnout amounts. The price paid to buy out the Remaining Earn Out Amounts was calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in the Purchase Agreement and resulted in an aggregate buyout payment to the former owners of Co Company of $2.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017.

On September 1, 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Philosophy IB, LLP ("Philosophy IB"), a New Jersey-based leadership, organization development and management consulting firm for $6.0 million, which was funded from existing cash. The former owners of Philosophy IB are eligible to receive an additional cash consideration based on two components: achieving revenue milestones generated from its software products from September 2016 through August 2019 and percentage of consulting revenue achieved over the period September 2016 to August 2019, subject to a profitability test. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company determined that the software and consulting revenue targets for the period from September 2016 to August 2017, or first installment, would not be achieved. As such, the Company reduced the first installment earnout accrual by $0.7 million.


8.	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The Company's goodwill by segment is as follows:



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Executive Search
Americas	$	88,712		$	88,101
Europe	44,231			42,599
Asia Pacific	9,351			8,893
Total Executive Search	142,294			139,593
Leadership Consulting	6,950			6,534
Culture Shaping	29,317			29,224
Goodwill, gross	178,561			175,351
Accumulated impairment	(52,824		)	(23,507		)
Goodwill, net	$	125,737		$	151,844

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are as follows:



	Executive Search							Leadership Consulting		Culture Shaping
	Americas		Europe			Asia Pacific		Leadership Consulting		Culture Shaping			Total
Gross goodwill at December 31, 2016	$	88,101	$	42,599		$	8,893	$	6,534	$	29,224		$	175,351
Accumulated impairment	—		(23,507		)	—		—		—			(23,507		)
Net goodwill at December 31, 2016	88,101		19,092			8,893		6,534		29,224			151,844
Philosophy IB acquisition	357		—			—		7		—			364
Foreign currency translation	254		1,632			458		409		93			2,846
Impairment	—		—			—		—		(29,317		)	(29,317		)
Net goodwill at September 30, 2017	$	88,712	$	20,724		$	9,351	$	6,950	$	—		$	125,737

In 2017, the Culture Shaping business continued the transition of senior-level personnel which began in 2016, primarily due to planned retirements. The Company has experienced lower than expected consultant productivity during the transition period. Also, the marketplace for culture shaping services has become increasingly more competitive and the business experienced lengthening sales cycles and decision processes within target client organizations. These events led to a decline in the revenue performance of the business and uncertainty around the timing of improving such performance. As a result, the Company identified a triggering event and performed an interim impairment evaluation on the goodwill related to its Culture Shaping reporting unit during the three months ended June 30, 2017.

During the impairment evaluation process, the Company used a discounted cash flow methodology to estimate the fair value of its Culture Shaping reporting unit. The discounted cash flow approach is dependent on a number of factors, including estimates of future market growth and trends, forecasted revenue and costs, capital investments, appropriate discount rates, certain assumptions to allocate shared costs, assets and liabilities, historical and projected performance of the reporting unit, and the macroeconomic conditions affecting each of the Company’s reporting units. The assumptions used in the determination of fair value were (1) a forecast of growth in the near and long term; (2) the discount rate; (3) working capital investments; and (4) other factors.

The Company early adopted ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other in conjunction with its impairment evaluation during the three months ended June 30, 2017. Under the adopted guidance, Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test is eliminated. Instead, the goodwill impairment test is completed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of a the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, however, the loss recognized is not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

Based on the results of the of the impairment evaluation, the Company determined that the goodwill within the Culture Shaping reporting unit was impaired, which resulted in an impairment charge of $29.3 million to write-off all of the goodwill. The impairment charge is recorded within Impairment charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The impairment was non-cash in nature and did not affect our current liquidity, cash flows, borrowing capability or operations; nor did it impact the debt covenants under our credit agreement.

The Company continues to monitor potential triggering events for its other reporting units including changes in the business climate in which it operates, the Company’s market capitalization compared to its book value, and the Company’s recent operating performance. Any changes in these factors could result in an impairment charge for the Company's reporting units.

Other Intangible Assets, net

The Company’s other intangible assets, net by segment, are as follows:



	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Executive Search
Americas	$	311	$	501
Europe	2,011		2,937
Asia Pacific	113		127
Total Executive Search	2,435		3,565
Leadership Consulting	4,801		6,223
Culture Shaping	—		10,902
Total other intangible assets, net	$	7,236	$	20,690

As discussed above, the Culture Shaping business was impacted by the transition of senior-level personnel, primarily due to planned retirements, and the Company experienced lower than expected consultant productivity. The Company has also experienced lengthening sales cycles and decision processes within target client organizations. Due to the impact of these events on revenue and earnings when compared to actual and forecasted results, and the impact to the revenue and earnings inputs utilized in the fair value assessment of the intangible assets, the Company identified a triggering event for its Culture Shaping intangible assets and performed an impairment evaluation during the three months ended June 30, 2017.

The analysis was conducted in accordance with accounting guidance on fair value measurements taking into consideration Level 3 inputs, primarily consisting of discounted cash flow and replacement cost methodologies. Based on this evaluation, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to its Culture Shaping client relationships, trade name, software and non-compete intangible assets of $9.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The impairment charge is recorded within Impairment charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

The carrying amount of amortizable intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization are as follows:



	Weighted Average Life (in years)	September 30, 2017							December 31, 2016
	Weighted Average Life (in years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Client relationships	8.2	$	21,454	$	(14,800	)	$	6,654	$	33,299	$	(21,653	)	$	11,646
Trade name	0.0	456		(456		)	—		9,436		(4,465		)	4,971
Software	0.0	—		—			—		7,200		(4,114		)	3,086
Non-compete	5.2	427		(169		)	258		974		(423		)	551
Technology	5.3	638		(314		)	324		604		(168		)	436
Total intangible assets	8.0	$	22,975	$	(15,739	)	$	7,236	$	51,513	$	(30,823	)	$	20,690

Intangible asset amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $0.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Intangible asset amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $3.9 million and $4.7 million, respectively.

The Company's estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets as of September 30, 2017 for the years ended December 31st is as follows:



Remainder of 2017	$	824
2018	2,528
2019	1,526
2020	887
2021	614
Thereafter	857
Total	$	7,236


9.	Other Non-Current Liabilities

The components of other non-current liabilities are as follows:



	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Premise related costs	$	18,735	$	18,188
Accrued earnout payments	6,980		8,518
Other	1,658		1,582
Total other non-current liabilities	$	27,373	$	28,288


10.	Line of Credit

On June 30, 2015, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Restated Credit Agreement”). The Restated Credit Agreement amended and restated the Credit Agreement executed on June 22, 2011 (the “Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the Restated Credit Agreement, the Company replaced its Revolving Facility and Term Facility (“Existing Facility”) with a single senior unsecured revolving line of credit with an aggregate commitment of up to $100 million, which includes a sublimit of $25 million for letters of credit, and a $50 million expansion feature (the “Replacement Facility”). The Replacement Facility will mature on June 30, 2020. Borrowings under the Restated Credit Agreement bear interest at the Company’s election at the existing Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a spread as determined by the Company’s leverage ratio.

Borrowings under the Replacement Facility may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, Permitted Acquisitions (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and for other general corporate purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries. The obligations under the Replacement Facility are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company borrowed $40.0 million under the Restated Credit Agreement and elected the Adjusted LIBOR Rate. The Company subsequently repaid $15.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $25.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Restated Credit Agreement and the Company was in compliance with the financial and other covenants under the Restated Credit Agreement and no event of default existed.


11.	Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s 2012 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program (the “2012 Program”) provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, and other stock-based awards that are valued based upon the grant date fair value of shares. These awards may be granted to directors, selected employees and independent contractors. The 2012 Program originally authorized 1,300,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to awards under the plan.

On May 22, 2014, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 2012 Program to increase the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 2012 Program by 700,000 shares. As of September 30, 2017, 1,744,266 awards have been issued under the 2012 Program and 790,225 shares remain available for future awards, which includes 534,491 forfeited awards. The 2012 Program provides that no awards can be granted after May 24, 2022.

In September 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with its former Chief Executive Officer pursuant to which Mr. Wolstencroft voluntarily agreed, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, to forfeit 100 percent of his 2017 restricted stock unit and performance stock unit grants. Mr. Wolstencroft remains eligible to continue vesting in 100 percent of his 2014 sign-on restricted stock unit grant, without proration, subject to his continued service on the board through the future scheduled vesting dates. With respect to his outstanding 2015 and 2016 restricted stock unit and performance stock unit grants, Mr. Wolstencroft remains eligible to earn an agreed upon pro-rata portion of the tranches scheduled to vest in 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to his continued service as a director through the scheduled vesting dates (and with the performance goals for performance stock unit deemed to have been achieved at target level performance), and he agreed to forfeit the remaining portions of such 2015 and 2016 restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards.

The Company measures its stock-based compensation costs based on the grant date fair value of the awards and recognizes these costs in the financial statements over the requisite service period.

A summary of information with respect to stock-based compensation is as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Salaries and employee benefits	$	199	$	1,155	$	3,915	$	4,492
General and administrative expenses	—		—		338		563
Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net income	79		437		1,561		2,005

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:



	Number of Restricted Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair Value
Outstanding on December 31, 2016	537,273		$	20.97
Granted	243,306		24.18
Vested and converted to common stock	(217,028	)	21.39
Forfeited	(68,255	)	24.05
Outstanding on September 30, 2017	495,296		21.94

As of September 30, 2017, there was $4.1 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 2.0 years.

Performance Stock Units

The Company grants performance stock units to certain of its senior executives. The performance stock units are generally subject to a cliff vesting at the end of a three year period. The vesting will vary between 0%—200% based on the attainment of operating income goals over the three year vesting period. The performance stock units are expensed on a straight-line basis over the three year vesting period.

Performance stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:



	Number of Performance Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair Value
Outstanding on December 31, 2016	236,812		$	22.64
Granted	88,415		23.83
Vested and converted to common stock	(70,652	)	19.65
Forfeited	(65,598	)	24.06
Outstanding on September 30, 2017	188,977		23.83

As of September 30, 2017, there was $1.4 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested performance stock units, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.6 years.


12.	Income Taxes

The Company reported income before taxes of $14.3 million and an income tax provision of $6.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The Company reported income before taxes of $12.4 million and an income tax provision of $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were 42.7% and 44.0%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was impacted by losses that are not benefited for tax purposes and the mix of income. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was impacted by the mix of income.

The Company reported a loss before taxes of $10.3 million and an income tax benefit of $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The Company reported income before taxes of $28.2 million and an income tax provision of $13.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were 8.7% and 47.0%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was impacted by the non-deductibility of the employee benefit tax settlement (See Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies), the deferred tax effect on the long-lived assets and goodwill impairment and the inability to recognize losses in certain jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was impacted by the mix of income.

The Company estimates that its effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2017 will be approximately 8%. The full year effective rate for 2017 is primarily the result of a loss before income taxes due to the goodwill impairment and losses that cannot be benefited for tax purposes.


13.	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is summarized below:



	Available- for- Sale Securities			Foreign Currency Translation		Pension			AOCI
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	3,429		$	2,290	$	(2,397	)	$	3,322
Other comprehensive income before classification, net of tax	2,241			5,779		—			8,020
Amount reclassified from AOCI (1)	(383		)	—		—			(383		)
Net current period other comprehensive income	1,858			5,779		—			7,637
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	5,287		$	8,069	$	(2,397	)	$	10,959

(1) Available-for-Sale Securities reclassifications from AOCI are included in Other, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).


14.	Segment Information

The Company operates its executive search business in the Americas; Europe (which includes Africa); and Asia Pacific (which includes the Middle East) and operates its leadership consulting and culture shaping businesses as separate segments.

For segment purposes, reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses classified as revenue and other operating income are reported separately and, therefore, are not included in the results of each segment. The Company believes that analyzing trends in revenue before reimbursements (net revenue), analyzing operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue, and analyzing operating income more appropriately reflects its core operations.

The revenue and operating income (loss) by segment are as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Revenue:
Executive Search
Americas	$	88,254	$	75,602	$	248,442	$	230,486
Europe	33,994		27,844		90,534		78,783
Asia Pacific	21,865		22,813		64,162		63,427
Total Executive Search	144,113		126,259		403,138		372,696
Leadership Consulting	8,771		8,635		29,970		23,203
Culture Shaping	6,916		8,625		18,912		26,670
Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)	159,800		143,519		452,020		422,569
Reimbursements	4,665		4,720		13,740		13,773
Total revenue	$	164,465	$	148,239	$	465,760	$	436,342



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Operating income (loss):
Executive Search
Americas	$	23,574		$	19,208		$	66,086		$	58,583
Europe	4,131			2,530			5,947			6,926
Asia Pacific	1,213			2,223			5,319			4,830
Total Executive Search	28,918			23,961			77,352			70,339
Leadership Consulting	(1,162		)	(1,009		)	(3,732		)	(5,914		)
Culture Shaping (1)	142			41			(42,355		)	(1,928		)
Total segment operating income (loss)	27,898			22,993			31,265			62,497
Global Operations Support	(13,876		)	(10,987		)	(39,016		)	(34,929		)
Total operating income (loss)	$	14,022		$	12,006		$	(7,751	)	$	27,568


(1)	Culture Shaping operating loss includes the impact of $39.2 million of impairment charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.


15.	Guarantees

The Company has issued cash collateralized bank guarantees and letter of credit backed bank guarantees supporting certain obligations, primarily the payment of office lease obligations and business license requirements for certain of its subsidiaries in Europe and Asia Pacific. The bank guarantees were made to secure the respective agreements and are for the terms of the agreements, which extend through 2019. For each bank guarantee issued, the Company would have to perform under the guarantee if the subsidiary defaults on a lease payment. The maximum amount of undiscounted payments the Company would be required to make in the event of default on all outstanding guarantees is approximately $2.6 million as of September 30, 2017. The Company has not accrued for these arrangements as no event of default exists or is expected to exist.


16.	Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

The Company has contingent liabilities from various pending claims and litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, some of which involve claims for damages that are substantial in amount. Some of these matters are covered by insurance. Based upon information currently available, the Company believes the ultimate resolution of such claims and litigation will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

UK Employee Benefits Trust

On March 31, 2017, the Company reached a settlement with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) in the United Kingdom regarding HMRC’s challenge of the tax treatment of certain of the Company’s contributions in the United Kingdom to an Employee Benefits Trust between 2002 and 2008. HMRC alleged that the contributions should have been subject to Pay As You Earn tax and Class 1 National Insurance Contributions in the United Kingdom. In connection with the settlement, the Company agreed to pay approximately £5.4 million (equivalent to $6.8 million on the settlement date) related to Pay as You Earn tax, Class 1 National Insurance Contributions, inheritance tax and interest. Concurrently with the HMRC settlement, the Company also reached an agreement with the beneficiaries under the Employee Benefits Trust for the reimbursement of approximately £2.3 million (equivalent to $2.9 million on the settlement date) beneficiary-owed Pay as You Earn tax and Class 1 National Insurance Contributions.

The Company has recorded $1.5 million related to the Pay as You Earn tax and Class 1 National Insurance Contributions and the respective beneficiary reimbursements as a component of Salaries and employee benefits in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Inheritance tax and interest expense of $2.4 million incurred as a result of the settlement is recorded as a component of Other, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company made payments of approximately £5.4 million (equivalent to $6.9 million on the payment date) related to the Pay as You Earn tax, and received reimbursement of £2.0 million (equivalent to $2.6 million on the reimbursement date) from the beneficiaries under the Employee Benefits Trust. Approximately £0.3 million (equivalent to $0.4 million at September 20, 2017) of reimbursements related to beneficiary-owed Pay as You Earn tax is outstanding at September 30, 2017.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as well as other sections of this report on Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only our beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside our control. These statements include statements other than historical information or statements of current condition and may relate to our future plans and objectives and results. By identifying these statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements.

Factors that may affect the outcome of the forward-looking statements include, among other things, leadership changes; our ability to attract, integrate, manage and retain qualified consultants and senior leaders; our ability to develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with our clients; fluctuations in the global and local economies and our ability to execute successfully our strategies; social or political instability in markets where we operate, the impact of the U.K. referendum to leave the European Union (Brexit); the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; unfavorable tax law changes and tax authority rulings; price competition; the ability to forecast, on a quarterly basis, variable compensation accruals that ultimately are determined based on the achievement of annual results; our ability to realize our tax losses; the timing of the establishment or reversal of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets; the mix of profit and loss by country; our ability to integrate future acquisitions; our reliance on information management systems; any impairment of our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets; and the ability to align our cost structure and headcount with net revenue. For more information on the factors that could affect the outcome of forward-looking statements, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, under Risk Factors in Item 1A. We caution the reader that the list of factors may not be exhaustive. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Executive Overview

Our Business. We are a leadership advisory firm providing executive search, leadership consulting and culture shaping services to businesses and business leaders worldwide. We help our clients build leadership teams by facilitating the recruitment, management and development of senior executives. We provide our services to a broad range of clients through the expertise of approximately 400 consultants located in major cities around the world.

Executive Search. We partner with respected organizations globally to build and sustain the best leadership teams in the world, with a specialized focus on the placement of top-level senior executives. We believe focusing on top-level senior executives provides the opportunity for several advantages including access to and influence with key decision makers, increased potential for recurring search and consulting engagements, higher fees per executive search, enhanced brand visibility, and a leveraged global footprint. Working at the top of client organizations also facilitates the attraction and retention of high-caliber consultants who desire to serve top industry executives and their leadership needs.

Our executive search services are provided on a retained basis. Revenue before reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses (“net revenue”) consists of retainers and indirect expenses billed to clients. For each assignment, we enter into a contract with our client that outlines the general terms and conditions of the assignment. Typically, we are paid a retainer for our executive search services equal to approximately one-third of the estimated first year compensation for the position to be filled. In addition, generally, if the actual compensation of a placed candidate exceeds the estimated compensation, we often are authorized to bill the client for one-third of the excess. Indirect expenses are calculated as a percentage of the retainer with certain dollar limits per search. We generally bill our clients for our retainer and indirect expenses in one-third increments over a three-month period commencing in the month of a client's acceptance of the contract.

Leadership Consulting. Leadership consulting works with clients to accelerate performance at the strategic, organization, team and individual leader levels. Our leadership consulting services generate revenue primarily through the professional fees generated for each engagement which are generally based on the size of the project and scope of services. Depending on the terms of the agreement, net revenue from leadership consulting is either recognized proportionally as services are performed or in accordance with the completion of the engagement deliverables. On September 1, 2016, we acquired Philosophy IB, LLP, a leadership, organizational development and management consulting firm. On February 29, 2016, we acquired Decision Strategies International, Inc., which specializes in advising organizations and institutions on strategic planning and decision making in certain operating environments, leadership development and talent strategy.

Culture Shaping. Our culture shaping business uses proprietary technology to analyze and interpret organizational cultures and drivers and partner with clients to administer methods that develop alignment on leadership teams and desired

organizational outcomes. Our culture shaping services generate revenue through a combination of professional service and license fees related to the engagement. Net revenue associated with culture shaping consulting is recognized proportionally as services are performed. Net revenue associated with licenses to use culture shaping proprietary materials is typically recognized over the term of the arrangement.

We have announced our intentions to combine our Leadership Consulting and Culture Shaping services to create Heidrick Consulting, a comprehensive offering of the firm's advisory services. We have not yet determined the the expected timing or impact of this change on our reportable segments.

Key Performance Indicators

We manage and assess Heidrick & Struggles’ performance through various means, with the primary financial and operational measures including net revenue, operating income, operating margin, Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP), and Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP). Executive Search and Leadership Consulting performance is also measured using consultant headcount and consultant productivity. Specific to Executive Search, confirmation trends and average revenue per search or project are used to measure performance.

Revenue is driven by market conditions and a combination of the number of executive search engagements and leadership consulting and culture shaping projects and the average revenue per search or project. With the exception of compensation expense, incremental increases in revenue do not necessarily result in proportionate increases in costs, particularly operating and administrative expenses, thus potentially improving operating margins.

The number of consultants, confirmation trends, number of searches or projects completed, productivity levels and the average revenue per search or project will vary from quarter to quarter, affecting net revenue and operating margin.

Our Compensation Model

At the Executive Search consultant level there are fixed and variable components of compensation. Individuals are rewarded for their performance based on a system that directly ties a portion of their compensation to the amount of net revenue for which they are responsible. A portion of the reward is based upon individual performance against a series of non-financial measures. Credit towards the variable portion of an Executive Search consultant’s compensation is earned by generating net revenue for winning and executing work. Each quarter, we review and update the expected annual performance of all Executive Search consultants and accrue variable compensation accordingly. The amount of variable compensation that is accrued for each Executive Search consultant is based on a tiered payout model. Overall Company performance determines the amount available for total variable compensation. The more net revenue that is generated by the consultant, the higher the percentage credited towards the consultant’s variable compensation and thus accrued by our Company as expense. The mix of individual consultants who generate the revenue can significantly affect the total amount of compensation expense recorded, which directly impacts operating margin. As a result, the variable portion of the compensation expense may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. The total variable compensation is discretionary and is based on Company-wide financial targets approved by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

A portion of our Executive Search consultants’ and management cash bonuses is deferred and paid over a three-year vesting period. The compensation expense related to the amounts being deferred is recognized on a graded vesting attribution method over the requisite service period. This service period begins on January 1 of the respective fiscal year and continues through the deferral date, which coincides with our bonus payments in the first quarter of the following year, and for an additional three year vesting period. The deferrals are recorded in Accrued salaries and employee benefits within both current and non-current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Fourth Quarter 2017 Outlook

We are currently forecasting 2017 fourth quarter net revenue of between $150 million and $160 million. Our 2017 fourth quarter guidance is based upon, among other things, management’s assumptions for the anticipated volume of new executive search confirmations and leadership consulting and culture shaping projects, the current backlog, consultant productivity, consultant retention, the seasonality of our business and average currency rates in September 2017.

Our 2017 guidance is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under Item 1A - Risk Factors in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. As such, actual results could vary from these projections.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes, for the periods indicated, our results of operations as a percentage of revenue before reimbursements (net revenue):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Revenue:
Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Reimbursements	2.9		3.3		3.0		3.3
Total revenue	102.9		103.3		103.0		103.3
Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits	67.9		66.4		68.4		68.2
General and administrative expenses	23.3		25.2		24.7		25.3
Impairment Charges	—		—		8.7		—
Reimbursed expenses	2.9		3.3		3.0		3.3
Total operating expenses	94.1		94.9		104.8		96.7
Operating income (loss)	8.8		8.4		(1.7	)	6.5
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest, net	0.1		—		—		—
Other, net	0.1		0.2		(0.6	)	0.1
Net non-operating income (expense)	0.2		0.3		(0.6	)	0.1
Income (loss) before income taxes	8.9		8.6		(2.3	)	6.7
Provision for income taxes	3.8		3.8		(0.2	)	3.1
Net income (loss)	5.1	%	4.8	%	(2.1	)%	3.5	%

Note: Totals and sub-totals may not equal the sum of individual line items due to rounding.

We operate our executive search services in the Americas; Europe (which includes Africa); and Asia Pacific (which includes the Middle East) and operate our leadership consulting and culture shaping businesses as separate segments (See Note 14, Segment Information).

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, our revenue and operating income by segment (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Revenue:
Executive Search
Americas	$	88,254	$	75,602	$	248,442	$	230,486
Europe	33,994		27,844		90,534		78,783
Asia Pacific	21,865		22,813		64,162		63,427
Total Executive Search	144,113		126,259		403,138		372,696
Leadership Consulting	8,771		8,635		29,970		23,203
Culture Shaping	6,916		8,625		18,912		26,670
Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue)	159,800		143,519		452,020		422,569
Reimbursements	4,665		4,720		13,740		13,773
Total revenue	$	164,465	$	148,239	$	465,760	$	436,342



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Operating income (loss):
Executive Search
Americas	$	23,574		$	19,208		$	66,086		$	58,583
Europe	4,131			2,530			5,947			6,926
Asia Pacific	1,213			2,223			5,319			4,830
Total Executive Search	28,918			23,961			77,352			70,339
Leadership Consulting	(1,162		)	(1,009		)	(3,732		)	(5,914		)
Culture Shaping (1)	142			41			(42,355		)	(1,928		)
Total segment operating income (loss)	27,898			22,993			31,265			62,497
Global Operations Support	(13,876		)	(10,987		)	(39,016		)	(34,929		)
Total operating income (loss)	$	14,022		$	12,006		$	(7,751	)	$	27,568


(1)	Culture Shaping operating loss includes the impact of $39.2 million of impairment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Three months ended September 30, 2017 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

Total revenue. Consolidated total revenue increased $16.2 million, or 10.9%, to $164.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $148.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in total revenue was due primarily to the increase in revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue). Consolidated net revenue increased $16.3 million, or 11.3%, to $159.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $143.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations which negatively impacted results by $1.1 million, or 0.8%, consolidated net revenue increased $15.2 million or 10.6%. Executive Search net revenue was $144.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $17.9 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in Executive Search net revenue was the result of growth in the Americas and Europe, partially offset by a decrease in revenue in Asia Pacific. Leadership Consulting net revenue increased $0.1 million, or 1.6%, to $8.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $8.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Culture Shaping net revenue was $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.7 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.

The number of Executive Search and Leadership Consulting consultants was 351 and 18, respectively, as of September 30, 2017 compared to 334 and 22, respectively, as of September 30, 2016. Specific to Executive Search, our largest business, productivity as measured by annualized net Executive Search revenue per consultant was $1.6 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The number of confirmed searches increased 4.0% compared to 2016. The average revenue per executive search increased to $128,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $116,600 for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits. Consolidated salaries and employee benefits expense increased $13.2 million, or 13.8%, to $108.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $95.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase was due to higher fixed compensation of $1.4 million and higher variable compensation of $11.8 million. Fixed compensation increased primarily due to base salaries, payroll taxes and benefits related to our recent acquisitions and new hires over the last year. These increases were partially offset by lower minimum guarantee and sign-on bonus amortization. Variable compensation increased primarily due to improved productivity in the Executive Search business. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which negatively impacted results by $0.7 million, or 0.7%, consolidated salaries and benefits expense increased $12.5 million, or 13.1%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, we had an average of 1,816 employees compared to an average of 1,770 employees for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

As a percentage of net revenue, salaries and employee benefits expense was 67.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 66.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

General and administrative expenses. Consolidated general and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million, or 3.0%, to $37.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $36.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase is due to expenses associated with our annual global partners meeting and office occupancy expenses, partially offset by lower professional fees. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which negatively impacted results by $0.2 million, or 0.6%, consolidated general and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million, or 2.4%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.

As a percentage of net revenue, general and administrative expenses were 23.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 25.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Operating income (loss). Consolidated operating income was $14.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $12.0 million of operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Exchange rate fluctuations positively impacted operating income by $0.2 million, or 1.5%, for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Net non-operating income (expense). Net non-operating income was $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to net non-operating income of approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Interest, net was $0.1 million of income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to less than $0.1 million of income for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Other, net was income of $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and income of $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Income taxes. See Note 12, Income Taxes.

Executive Search

Americas

The Americas segment reported net revenue of $88.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 16.7% from $75.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in net revenue was due to an increase in consultant headcount and an increase in the number of confirmed searches. All practice groups contributed to the increase in net revenue. There were 169 Partner and Principal consultants as of September 30, 2017 compared to 154 as of September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $8.6 million as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. Fixed compensation increased $0.7 million, primarily due to higher base salaries and payroll taxes. Variable compensation increased $7.9 million primarily due to higher bonus accruals as a result of increased productivity.

General and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million primarily due to lower internal travel costs.

Operating income was $23.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $4.4 million compared to $19.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Europe

Europe reported net revenue of $34.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 22.1% from $27.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in net revenue was due to a 6.3% increase in the number of executive search confirmations and an increase in consultant headcount. Our acquisition of JCA Group in August 2016 contributed to the year-over-year growth in net revenue. All industry practice groups contributed to net revenue growth with the exception of the Global Technology & Services practice group. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations which positively impacted results by $0.9 million, or 3.2%, net revenue increased $5.2 million or 18.9%. There were 103 Partner and Principal consultants as of September 30, 2017 as compared to 95 as of September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $4.6 million as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. Fixed compensation increased $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to compensation expense associated with the JCA acquisition in August 2016. Variable compensation increased $3.1 million due to higher bonus accruals.

General and administrative expense remained consistent with the prior year, primarily due to increases in intangible amortization, earnout accretion and office occupancy costs related to the JCA acquisition in August 2016, offset by a decrease in professional fees and internal travel costs.

The Europe segment reported operating income of $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $1.6 million compared to $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific reported net revenue of $21.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an decrease of 4.2% compared to $22.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in net revenue was due to a 10.4% decrease in the number of executive search confirmations. Foreign exchange rates did not have an impact on revenue. There were 79 Partner and Principal consultants as of September 30, 2017 compared to 85 as of September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $0.3 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. Fixed compensation decreased $0.1 million due to lower base salaries and payroll taxes and amortization of sign-on bonuses. Variable compensation increased $0.4 million due to higher bonus accruals due to increased productivity.

General and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to lower professional services and internal travel costs, partially offset by higher occupancy costs.

The Asia Pacific segment reported operating income of $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.0 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Leadership Consulting

The Leadership Consulting segment reported net revenue of $8.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 1.6% compared to $8.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Contributing to the increase in net revenue were our DSI and Philosophy IB acquisitions and an increase in the number of Leadership Consulting engagements. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which positively impacted results by $0.1 million, or 0.8%, net revenue increased $0.1 million or 0.8%. There were 18 Leadership Consulting Partner consultants at September 30, 2017 compared to 22 at September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $0.9 million compared to the prior year. Fixed compensation increased $0.8 million due to additional headcount related to the Philosophy IB acquisition, partially offset by lower amortization of minimum guarantees. Variable compensation was consistent with the prior year.

General and administrative expenses decreased $0.6 million due to lower internal travel costs and reductions in certain earnout accruals, partially offset by increased intangible amortization and earnout accretion related to our Philosophy IB acquisition in September 2016.

The Leadership Consulting segment reported an operating loss of $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $0.2 million compared to an operating loss of $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Culture Shaping

The Culture Shaping segment reported net revenue of $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 19.8%, compared to $8.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Net revenue decreased due to a decline in the volume of enterprise agreements, partially offset by an increase in consulting revenue. Foreign exchange rates did not have an impact on revenue. There were 17 Partner and Principal consultants at both September 30, 2017 and 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased $0.7 million due to $1.3 million of investments in new and existing consultants incurred in the prior year that did not reoccur in the three months ended September 30, 2017.

General and administrative expenses decreased $1.1 million primarily due to lower intangible amortization due to the impairment recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2017.

The Culture Shaping segment reported an operating income of $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to operating income of less than $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Global Operations Support

Global Operations Support expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 increased $2.9 million, or 26.3%, to $13.9 million from $11.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased $0.4 million due to lower stock compensation expense, partially offset by higher management and support bonuses.

General and administrative expenses increased $3.3 million due to expenses related to our annual global partners meeting and information technology costs, partially offset by lower hiring and temporary labor costs.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

Total revenue. Consolidated total revenue increased $29.4 million, or 6.7%, to $465.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $436.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in total revenue was due primarily to the increase in revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).

Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue). Consolidated net revenue increased $29.5 million, or 7.0%, to $452.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $422.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations which negatively impacted results by $4.9 million, or 1.2%, consolidated net revenue increased $34.4 million or 8.1%. Executive Search net revenue was $403.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $30.4 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in Executive Search net revenue was the result of growth in all regions. Leadership Consulting net revenue increased $6.8 million, or 29.2%, to $30.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $23.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in Leadership Consulting net revenue was primarily the result of the DSI and Philosophy IB acquisitions. Culture Shaping net revenue was $18.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $7.8 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to a lower volume of client work.

Specific to Executive Search, our largest business, productivity as measured by annualized net Executive Search revenue per consultant was $1.5 million and $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The number of confirmed searches increased 4.5% compared to 2016. The average revenue per executive search increased to $116,300 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $112,300 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits. Consolidated salaries and employee benefits expense increased $21.1 million, or 7.3%, to $309.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $288.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase was due to higher fixed compensation of $11.5 million and higher variable compensation of $9.6 million. Fixed compensation increased due to higher compensation related to our recent acquisitions, new hires over the last year and the HMRC employee benefit tax settlement of $1.5 million. Variable compensation increased primarily due to increased productivity in our Executive Search and Leadership Consulting businesses. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which positively impacted results by $2.9 million, or 1.0%, consolidated salaries and benefits expense increased $24.0 million, or 8.3%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we had an average of 1,812 employees compared to an average of 1,721 employees for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

As a percentage of net revenue, salaries and employee benefits expense was 68.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 68.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

General and administrative expenses. Consolidated general and administrative expenses increased $4.5 million, or 4.2%, to $111.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $107.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase reflects costs associated with ongoing general and administrative expenses related to the acquisitions made in 2016, including the use of third-party consultants and contractors to execute work for leadership consulting services, higher office occupancy and higher audit fees. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which positively impacted results by $1.5 million, or 1.4%, consolidated general and administrative expenses increased $6.0 million, or 5.6%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

As a percentage of net revenue, general and administrative expenses were 24.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 25.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Impairment charges. In 2017, the Culture Shaping business continued the transition of senior-level personnel which began in 2016, primarily due to planned retirements. The Company has experienced lower than expected consultant productivity during the transition period. Also, the marketplace for culture shaping services has become increasingly more competitive and the business experienced lengthening sales cycles and decision processes within target client organizations. These events led to a decline in the revenue performance of the business and uncertainty around the timing of improving such performance. As a result, the Company identified a triggering event and performed an interim impairment evaluation on the goodwill and intangible assets related to its Culture Shaping reporting unit during the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Based on the results of the of the impairment evaluation, the Company determined that the goodwill and intangible assets within the Culture Shaping reporting unit were impaired, which resulted in an impairment charge of $39.2 million to write-off

all of the goodwill and intangible assets. The impairment charge is recorded within Impairment charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The impairment was non-cash in nature and did not affect our current liquidity, cash flows, borrowing capability or operations; nor did it impact the debt covenants under our credit agreement.

Operating income (loss). Consolidated operating loss was $7.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to operating income of $27.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in operating income is the result of a $39.2 million impairment of intangible assets and goodwill within the Culture Shaping segment. When excluding impairment charges, the Company reported $31.4 million of operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Exchange rate fluctuations negatively impacted operating income by $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Net non-operating income (expense). Net non-operating expense was $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to net non-operating income of $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Interest, net was $0.2 million of income for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

Other, net was expense of $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and income of $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Other, net decreased primarily due to the HMRC employee benefit tax settlement of $2.4 million.

Income taxes. See Note 12, Income Taxes.

Executive Search

Americas

The Americas segment reported net revenue of $248.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 7.8% from $230.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in net revenue was due to a 5.7% increase in the number of executive search confirmations and an increase in consultant headcount. All practice groups contributed to the increased net revenue. There were 169 Partner and Principal consultants as of September 30, 2017 compared to 154 as of September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $8.4 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Fixed compensation increased $4.0 million primarily due to higher base salaries, payroll taxes and benefits. Variable compensation increased by $4.4 million primarily due to higher bonus accruals resulting from increased productivity.

General and administrative expenses increased $2.0 million primarily due to office occupancy, litigation expense and the use of external third-party consultants to perform client work.

Operating income was $66.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $7.5 million compared to $58.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Europe

Europe reported net revenue of $90.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 14.9% from $78.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in net revenue was due to a 7.0% increase in the number of executive search confirmations and an increase in consultant headcount. Our acquisition of JCA Group in August 2016 also contributed to the year-over-year growth in net revenue. All industry practice groups contributed to net revenue growth except for the Global Technology & Services practice group. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations which negatively impacted results by $3.5 million, or 4.4%, net revenue increased $15.2 million or 19.4%. There were 103 Partner and Principal consultants as of September 30, 2017 compared to 95 as of September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $10.4 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Fixed compensation increased $7.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to compensation expense associated with the JCA acquisition in August 2016, increases in legacy base salaries and payroll taxes and the HMRC employee benefit tax settlement, net of reimbursements, of $1.5 million. Variable compensation increased $3.3 million due to higher bonus accruals as a result of increased productivity.

General and administrative expense increased $2.3 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to ongoing general and administrative expenses related to the JCA Group acquisition.

The Europe segment reported operating income of $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.0 million compared to $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific reported net revenue of $64.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 1.2% compared to $63.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The Life Sciences and Industrial industry practice groups contributed to net revenue growth. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations which positively impacted results by $0.1 million, or 0.1%, net revenue increased $0.7 million or 1.0%. There were 79 Partner and Principal consultants as of September 30, 2017 compared to 85 as of September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $0.9 million. Fixed compensation declined by $0.1 million due to lower amortization of sign-on bonuses and guarantees and base salaries and payroll taxes, partially offset by increases in retirement and benefits expense. Variable compensation increased $1.0 million due to higher bonus accruals resulting from increased productivity.

General and administrative expenses decreased $0.7 million primarily due to lower office occupancy expenses and internal travel costs, partially offset by increased professional fees.

The Asia Pacific segment reported operating income of $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $0.5 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Leadership Consulting

The Leadership Consulting segment reported net revenue of $30.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 29.2% compared to $23.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in net revenue was partially driven by our DSI and Philosophy IB acquisitions. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations which negatively impacted results by $1.4 million, or 6.0%, net revenue increased $8.2 million or 35.2%. There were 18 Leadership Consulting Partner consultants at September 30, 2017 compared to 22 at September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $4.0 million compared to the prior year. Fixed compensation increased $3.2 million primarily due to the acquisitions of DSI and Philosophy IB, partially offset by lower amortization of minimum guarantees and separation expenses. Variable compensation increased $0.8 million compared to the prior year due to higher bonus accruals.

General and administrative expenses increased $0.6 million primarily due to ongoing general and administrative expenses related to the acquisitions of DSI and Philosophy IB and the use of external third-party consultants to complete client work, partially offset by declines in litigation expense, other professional fees, and internal travel expenses.

The Leadership Consulting segment reported an operating loss of $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an improvement of $2.2 million compared to an operating loss of $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Culture Shaping

The Culture Shaping segment reported net revenue of $18.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $7.8 million, or 29.1%, compared to $26.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Net revenue decreased due to a decline in the volume of client work. Excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations which negatively impacted results by $0.3 million, or 1.2%, net revenue decreased $7.4 million or 27.9%. There were 17 Partner and Principal consultants at both September 30, 2017 and 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased $4.5 million primarily due to investments in new and existing consultants incurred in the prior year that did not reoccur in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

General and administrative expenses decreased $2.0 million primarily due to lower intangible amortization and earnout accretion, partially offset by higher internal travel costs, information technology expenses, and office occupancy costs.

Impairment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $39.2 million as a result of an interim impairment evaluation on the goodwill and amortizable intangible assets related to our Culture Shaping reporting unit. The impairment charge is recorded within Impairment charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

The Culture Shaping segment reported an operating loss of $42.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decline of $40.4 million compared to an operating loss of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The

increase in operating loss primarily reflects the write-off of $39.2 million of goodwill and intangible assets due to impairment. When excluding goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges, the Culture Shaping segment report an operating loss of $3.2 million.

Global Operations Support

Global Operations Support expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 increased $4.1 million, or 11.7%, to $39.0 million from $34.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $1.9 million, or 9.9%, due to higher bonus accruals, partially offset by lower separation costs.

General and administrative expenses increased $2.2 million, or 13.8%, due to higher internal travel and information technology costs, partially offset by lower office occupancy costs and hiring and temporary labor fees.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General. We continually evaluate our liquidity requirements, capital needs and availability of capital resources based on our operating needs. We believe that our available cash balances together with the funds expected to be generated from operations and funds available under our committed revolving credit facility will be sufficient to finance our operations for the foreseeable future, as well as to finance the cash payments associated with our cash dividends and stock repurchase program.

We pay the non-deferred portion of annual bonuses in the first quarter following the year in which they are earned. Employee bonuses are accrued throughout the year and are based on our performance and the performance of the individual employee.

Lines of credit. On June 30, 2015, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Restated Credit Agreement”). The Restated Credit Agreement amended and restated the Credit Agreement executed on June 22, 2011 (the “Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the Restated Credit Agreement, the Company replaced its Revolving Facility and Term Facility (“Existing Facility”) with a single senior unsecured revolving line of credit with an aggregate commitment of up to $100 million, which includes a sublimit of $25 million for letters of credit, and a $50 million expansion feature (the “Replacement Facility”). The Replacement Facility will mature on June 30, 2020. Borrowings under the Restated Credit Agreement bear interest at the Company’s election at the existing Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a spread as determined by the Company’s leverage ratio.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we borrowed $40.0 million under the Restated Credit Agreement and elected the Adjusted LIBOR Rate. We subsequently repaid $15.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and repaid $25.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017.

Cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 were $105.7 million, $165.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively. The $105.7 million of cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2017 includes $66.4 million held by our foreign subsidiaries. A portion of the $66.4 million is considered permanently reinvested in these foreign subsidiaries. If these funds were required to satisfy obligations in the U.S., the repatriation of these funds could cause us to incur additional U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes. Any additional taxes could be offset, in part or in whole, by foreign tax credits. The amount of such taxes and application of tax credits would be dependent on the income tax laws and other circumstances at the time these amounts are repatriated. Based on these variables, it is not practicable to determine the income tax liability that might be incurred if these earnings were to be repatriated.

Cash flows used in operating activities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, cash used in operating activities was $36.0 million. This use of cash was primarily the result of a reduction in accrued expenses due to cash bonus payments of $137.0 million related to 2016 and prior year cash bonus deferrals with 2017 variable compensation accruals of $112.0 million

partially offsetting these payments. Also contributing to the use of cash was an increase in accounts receivable of $32.6 million, net loss of $9.4 million, increase in deferred tax assets of $15.3 million, a $6.5 million payment for Senn Delaney retention awards, an increase in other assets and liabilities of $3.0 million, and an increase in prepaid expenses of $1.6 million. These uses of cash were partially offset by impairment charges of $39.2 million, depreciation and amortization of $11.3 million, deferred revenue of $6.1 million, a net increase in retirement and pension plan liabilities of $2.8 million and stock compensation expense of $3.9 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, cash used in operating activities was $49.0 million. This use of cash was primarily the result of a reduction in accrued expenses due to cash bonus payments of $145.0 million related to 2015 and prior year cash bonus deferrals with 2016 variable compensation accruals of $101.0 million partially offsetting these payments, an increase in accounts receivable of $33.3 million, the payment of $6.5 million for the retention bonus paid to certain key executives related to the Senn Delaney acquisition and an increase in prepaid expenses of $4.2 million. These uses of cash were partially offset by a net income of $14.9 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $11.7 million, stock compensation expense of $5.1 million an increase in accounts payable of $2.3 million and an increase in deferred revenue of $1.3 million.

Cash flows used in investing activities. Cash used in investing activities was $14.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to capital expenditures of $13.1 million and purchases of available for sale investments of $2.1 million related to the Company's non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

Cash used in investing activities was $24.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to our acquisitions of JCA Group, DSI and Philosophy IB for $14.9 million, $9.0 million and $6.0 million, respectively. This use of cash was partially offset by a reduction in restricted cash of $7.2 million primarily due to a release of funds for the retention bonuses paid to certain key executives related to the Senn Delaney acquisition.

Cash flows used in financing activities. Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $14.6 million primarily due to dividend payments of $7.6 million, acquisition earnout payments related to the Co Company and Scambler MacGregor acquisitions of $4.6 million, and employee tax withholding payments on equity transactions of $2.4 million. The Company borrowed and repaid $40.0 million under its line of credit during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $17.6 million primarily due to earnout payments for Senn Delaney, Scambler MacGregor and Co Company acquisitions of $6.8 million, $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, cash dividend payments of $7.4 million and the payment of employee tax withholdings on equity transactions of $2.7 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. We do not have material off-balance sheet arrangements, special purpose entities, trading activities of non-exchange traded contracts or transactions with related parties.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 23, 2017, and in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. If actual amounts are ultimately different from previous estimates, the revisions are included in our results of operations for the period in which the actual amounts become known.

An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or if changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the financial statements. Management believes its critical accounting policies that reflect its more significant estimates and assumptions relate to revenue recognition, income taxes, interim effective tax rate and assessment of goodwill and other

intangible assets for impairment. See Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on March 23, 2017.

Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash, which requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore amounts generally described as restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company currently does not include restricted cash amounts in the beginning and ending cash amounts and will change the presentation of the cash flow statement to include restricted cash in the beginning and ending cash totals. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted.The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2018. If the Company had adopted the guidance as of September 30, 2017, the beginning and ending balance of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the three months ended September 30, 2017 would have each increased by $0.6 million in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The guidance requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting guidance. The effect is not known or reasonably estimable at this time.

The Company is continuing to evaluate the impacts of adoption of this guidance and its preliminary assessments are subject to change.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Currency market risk. With our operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, we conduct business using various currencies. Revenue earned in each country is generally matched with the associated expenses incurred, thereby reducing currency risk to earnings. However, because certain assets and liabilities are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in currency rates may cause fluctuations in the valuation of such assets and liabilities. As the local currency of our subsidiaries has generally been designated as the functional currency, we are affected by the translation of foreign currency financial statements into U.S. dollars. A 10% change in the average exchange rate for currencies of all foreign countries in which we operate would have increased or decreased our net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 by $0.6 million). For financial information by geographic segment, see Note 14, Segment Information, in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


(a)	Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Any system of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

Management of the Company, with the participation of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017. Based on the evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2017.


(b)	Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The information presented in Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6. Exhibits



Exhibit No.		Description

*31.1		Certification of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*31.2		Certification of the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*32.1		Certification of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*32.2		Certification of the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

*101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

*101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

*101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

*101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

*101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document



*	Filed herewith.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 26, 2017




	Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
	(Registrant)


	/s/ Stephen A. Bondi
	Stephen A. Bondi
	Vice President, Controller