EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1289848
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 1289848_10-K_2024_0001289848-24-000036.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
OVERVIEW
Huron is a global professional services firm that partners with clients to develop growth strategies, optimize operations and accelerate digital transformation, including using an enterprise portfolio of technology, data and analytics solutions, to empower clients to own their future. By collaborating with clients, embracing diverse perspectives, encouraging new ideas and challenging the status quo, we create sustainable results for the organizations we serve.
We are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with additional locations in the United States and abroad in Canada, India, Singapore and Switzerland.
OUR STRATEGY
The combination of our deep industry expertise and breadth of our offerings is the foundation of our growth strategy and why our clients choose Huron as their trusted advisor. Key focus areas of our growth strategy include:
•Accelerating Growth in Healthcare and Education: Huron has leading market positions in healthcare and education, providing comprehensive offerings to the largest health systems, academic medical centers, colleges and universities, and research institutes in the United States.
•Growing Presence in Commercial Industries: Huron’s commercial industry focus has increased the diversification of the Company’s portfolio and end markets while expanding the range of capabilities it can deliver to clients, providing new avenues for growth and an important balance to its healthcare and education focus.
•Rapidly Growing Global Digital Capability: Huron’s ability to provide a broad portfolio of digital offerings that support the strategic and operational needs of its clients is at the foundation of the Company’s strategy. Huron will continue to advance its integrated digital platform to support its strong growth trajectory.
•Solid Foundation for Margin Expansion: The Company is well-positioned to achieve consistent margin expansion as well as strong annual adjusted diluted earnings per share growth. We are committed to operating income margin expansion by growing the areas of the business that provide the most attractive returns, improving the operational efficiency of our delivery for clients, and scaling our selling, general, and administrative expenses as we grow.
•Strong Balance Sheet and Cash Flows: Strong free cash flows have and will continue to be a hallmark of Huron’s financial strength and business model. The Company is committed to deploying capital in a strategic and balanced way, including returning capital to shareholders and executing strategic, tuck-in acquisitions.
OUR SERVICES AND PRODUCTS
We provide our services and products and manage our business under three operating segments: Healthcare, Education, and Commercial, which align our business by industry. The Commercial segment includes all industries outside of healthcare and education, including, but not limited to, financial services and energy and utilities. We also provide revenue reporting across two principal capabilities: i) Consulting and Managed Services and ii) Digital, which are methods by which we deliver our services and products.
Operating Industries
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we derived 49%, 32% and 19% of our consolidated revenues from our Healthcare, Education and Commercial operating segments, respectively.
•Healthcare
Our Healthcare segment serves acute care providers, including national and regional health systems; academic health systems; community health systems; the federal health system; and public, children’s and critical access hospitals, and non-acute care providers, including physician practices and medical groups; payors; and long-term care or post-acute providers. Our healthcare-focused services and products include financial and operational performance improvement consulting, which spans revenue cycle, cost and care delivery transformation; digital offerings, spanning technology and analytic-related services, including enterprise health record (“EHR”), enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) and enterprise performance management (“EPM”), customer relationship management (“CRM”), data management and technology managed services, and a portfolio of software products; organizational transformation; revenue cycle managed services and outsourcing; financial and capital advisory consulting; and strategy and innovation consulting.
To best serve our clients, we continue to diversify our portfolio of offerings. For example, we have broadened our capabilities beyond our leading profit and loss-focused offerings (e.g., revenue cycle, cost transformation) into offerings dedicated to optimizing our clients' financial positions through financial advisory and transaction-related services; transforming care delivery models through virtual health, health equity and social determinants of health models; and evolving organizations by supporting change management and developing the next generation of leaders by applying our best practices (e.g., revenue cycle leadership).
•Education
Our Education segment serves public and private colleges and universities, research institutes and other education-related organizations. Our education and research-focused services and products include our digital offerings, spanning technology and analytic-related services, including student information systems, ERP and EPM, CRM, data management and technology managed services and our Huron Research Suite product suite (the leading software suite designed to facilitate and improve research administration service delivery and compliance); our research-focused consulting and managed services; and our strategy and operations consulting services, which span finance and accounting and operations to organization and talent strategy and student and academic strategy. We continue to broaden our offerings into new areas. Most recently, we expanded our research managed services, advancement, campus health and well-being, and athletics offerings.
•Commercial
Our Commercial segment is focused on serving industries and organizations facing significant disruption and regulatory change by helping them adapt to rapidly changing environments and accelerate business transformation. Our Commercial professionals work primarily with six primary buyers: the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the chief strategy officer, the chief human resources officer, the chief operating officer, and organizational advisors, including lenders and law firms. We have a deep focus on serving organizations in the financial services, energy and utilities, industrials and manufacturing industries and the public sector while opportunistically serving commercial industries more broadly, including professional and business services, life sciences, consumer products, and nonprofit. Our Commercial professionals use their deep industry, functional and technical expertise to deliver our digital services and software products, financial advisory (special situation advisory and corporate finance advisory) services, and strategy and innovation consulting services.
Capabilities
Within each of our operating segments, we provide our offerings under two principal capabilities: i) Consulting and Managed Services and ii) Digital.
•Consulting and Managed Services
Our Consulting and Managed Services capabilities represent our management consulting services, managed services (excluding technology-related managed services) and outsourcing services delivered across industries. Our Consulting and Managed Services experts help our clients address a variety of strategic, operational, financial, people and organizational-related challenges. These services are often combined with technology, analytic and data-driven solutions powered by our Digital capability to support long-term relationships with our clients and drive lasting impact. Examples include the areas of revenue cycle management and research administration managed services and outsourcing at our healthcare and education and research-focused clients, where our projects are often coupled with our digital services and product offerings and management consulting services to sustain improved performance.
•Digital
Our Digital capabilities represent our technology and analytics services, including technology-related managed services and software products delivered across industries. Our Digital experts help clients address a variety of business challenges, including, but not limited to, designing and implementing technologies to accelerate transformation, facilitate data-driven decision making and improve customer and employee experiences. We have invested organically and inorganically to expand our Digital offerings, which now span beyond traditional ERP implementations into a broader set of administrative systems, industry-specific systems of record and systems of engagement that act as the “digital front door” to an organization. We also have grown our data, analytics and automation offerings to deliver a unified and actionable technology ecosystem for our clients.
We have expanded our ecosystem to work with more than 25 technology partners. We are a Leading Modern Oracle Network Partner; a Summit-level consulting partner with Salesforce.com and a Premium Partner with Salesforce.org; a Workday Services, Preferred Channel, Extend, and Application Management Services Partner; an Amazon Web Services consulting partner; an Informatica Platinum Partner; an SAP Concur implementation partner; and a Boomi Elite Partner.
We have also grown our proprietary software product portfolio to address our clients' challenges with solutions that expand our base of recurring revenue and further differentiate our consulting, digital and managed services offerings. Our product portfolio bundles our deep industry expertise and unique intellectual property together to serve our clients outside of our traditional consulting offerings. Our product portfolio includes, among others: Huron Research Suite, the leading software suite designed to facilitate and improve research administration service delivery and compliance; Huron Intelligence™ Rounding, the #1 ranked Digital Rounding solution in the 2023 Best in KLAS® report; and Huron Intelligence™ Analytic Suite in Healthcare, a predictive analytics suite to improve care delivery while lowering costs.
OUR CLIENTS AND INDUSTRIES
We provide services to both financially sound organizations and organizations in transition across industries, including healthcare, education, financial services, energy and utilities, industrials and manufacturing, public sector and other commercial industries. Our clients span hospitals, health systems and academic medical centers; colleges, universities and research institutes; banks, asset managers, insurance companies and private equity firms; oil and gas and utilities companies; manufacturing organizations; and the federal government. In 2023, we served nearly 2,000 clients and our 10 largest clients accounted for approximately 19% of our consolidated revenues.
HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT
Our people are at the center of Huron’s strategy, and we are committed to providing a workplace where our talented and diverse team can thrive both personally and professionally. Success hinges on our ability to attract, engage, develop, reward, and retain highly skilled professionals. The cornerstone of our human capital strategy lies in both our mission-driven approach and an enduring belief that great leaders and engaged coaches cultivate a work environment where team members feel valued, create deep connections, and see their future with Huron. Our unwavering focus extends across every aspect of the employee journey, from the recruitment phase to post-employment or retirement. We strive to craft a personalized experience for our employees, empowering them to have a meaningful impact on our clients, communities, and each other.
This commitment has consistently earned Huron external recognition, including being named a “Best Place to Work” by Glassdoor in January 2024; being named a Best Firm to Work For by Consulting magazine in 2023 for the 13th consecutive year; a decade of perfect scores on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation Corporate Equality Index (CEI); and receiving two companywide awards from Consulting magazine for diversity, equity and inclusion and retaining female talent in 2023. In addition to external recognitions, we monitor human capital-related internal metrics. Our leading measure is our quarterly employee engagement score. In addition, we regularly review voluntary turnover across a number of key variables including business unit, individual performance, geography, and demographics in order to assess the effectiveness of our employee development and total rewards programs.
Additional information on our people and programs follows.
Our People: As of December 31, 2023, our workforce was comprised of approximately 6,480 full-time professionals.
•Our nearly 240 managing directors and principals actively play a pivotal role in serving our clients, acting as strategic business advisors, coaches, and industry experts and collaborating with organizations and their leaders to tackle complex business challenges. Managing directors and principals lead our revenue-generating sales and client service efforts, innovation and the development of our intellectual capital, foster the growth of our people, and act as stewards of our organizational culture. Together, our managing directors and principals contribute significantly to our market reputation, addressing clients' challenges and ensuring the highest quality delivery of our engagements. In addition to the responsibilities listed above, our managing directors' primary focus is on propelling our business growth by selling our portfolio of offerings to generate revenue streams from both new and existing clients.
•Senior directors, directors, and managers are primarily focused on managing day-to-day client relationships and our engagement teams while overseeing the delivery and quality of our work as well as developing our people and nurturing our collaborative culture.
•Associates and analysts focus on ensuring client commitments are met by gathering and organizing data, conducting detailed analyses, crafting materials that synthesize information to support our recommendations, and implement financial, operational, and technology and analytic solutions to execute on the recommendations we provide to clients.
•Our functional professionals, who are led by our executives and corporate vice presidents, comprise Huron’s enterprise functional teams, including corporate development, facilities, finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, legal, and marketing. These professionals offer strategic guidance and execute on initiatives on behalf of the enterprise to support our client-facing objectives and the achievement of our growth strategy.
In addition to our full-time employees, we engage temporary workers on an as-needed basis, primarily seeking specialized skills and/or experience to augment our capacity for delivering client engagements or internal initiatives.
Development: We know the ability to advance one’s career, growing both personally and professionally, is critical to employee retention and engagement. To facilitate this advancement, we offer a diverse array of learning and development opportunities and experiences that can be tailored to personal needs and applied to individual context. We are committed to creating learning pathways that reflect the unique needs of our diverse population, engage them in a future at Huron, and enhance our culture of belonging. We continue to:
•Facilitate an interactive two-day orientation curriculum for newly hired employees to ensure a smooth induction into the organization.
•Offer just-in-time, personal coaching and training opportunities that inform and prepare leaders and coaches to excel in moments that matter for our employees.
•Strive to develop world class leaders, guided by our values and leadership principles, by delivering programs and opportunities, such as our Senior Director Cohort, Milestone schools and Sponsorship program, that achieve this goal by focusing on key leadership behaviors.
•Provide access to a variety of learning opportunities that are offered through multiple modalities to further develop employees’ skills, including technical knowledge, EQ capabilities, team dynamics, and a proficiency in coaching and developing others.
•Encourage employees to enhance their professional capabilities through external learning opportunities that certify and validate industry, functional and technical skills.
•Match employees with internal onboarding stewards, performance coaches, mentors, and, in some cases, sponsors to facilitate their growth and expand their network of support.
Total Rewards: Our market-competitive total rewards package is a core element of our employee value proposition to attract, motivate, and retain top talent. Our philosophy is designed to pay for performance, rewarding and retaining our highest performing employees and paying competitively versus peer companies. To accomplish this, we offer employees a competitive base salary, short- and long-term variable pay incentives, and market-competitive and equitable benefits.
Engagement: We gauge our employee engagement success through various metrics, including:
•Employee engagement and pulse scores, which was 81 in 2023 and surpassed the Glint Employee Engagement global benchmark of 76;
•Coach quality score, which was 83.5 in 2023 and above the Glint Coach Quality global benchmark of 81; and
•Volunteer hours in our communities, which was nearly 12,000 hours in 2023.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Huron strives to reflect the rich diversity of the clients we serve and the communities in which we live. Our commitment to inclusion has been embedded in the organization since our founding and is fostered in our day-to-day work environment. In 2020, we renewed our commitment to holding ourselves accountable by developing a five-year diversity, equity, and inclusion action plan to help build a more equitable society. Through our achievements and actions in 2023, we continued to cultivate an inclusive culture, advance diverse representation across all levels of the organization, expand our community outreach and support, and remain committed to our pay equity strategy with on-going analysis and studies. In 2023, we:
•Deepened the relationships of our senior leadership team by designating them as executive sponsors for each of our nine employee resource groups (iMatter teams) to focus on connection, awareness, advice, action, advocacy, and amplification of these communities.
•Created Dinner and Dialogue series for our C-Suite to engage with, and learn directly from, small groups from our diverse communities represented by our iMatter teams as a way to enhance our Heritage month activities.
•Hosted Women in Leadership summits in North America and India.
•Revamped our sponsorship program, a key talent accelerator program, offering dedicated leadership coaching and C-suite exposure with sponsorship program participants focused on development and personal interests.
•Launched the Women in India and Women of Color subcommunities to create spaces that specifically address the unique experiences and perspectives of women from diverse backgrounds.
To learn more about how we continue to execute and expand on our diversity, equity, and inclusion action plan, please refer to our annual Corporate Social Responsibility report, which is available on our investor relations website located at ir.huronconsultinggroup.com.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
As a mission-driven company, we recognize it is our collective responsibility to actively contribute to a sustainable and brighter future, benefiting our clients, employees, communities, and shareholders. We continue to publish an annual report highlighting the actions we have taken globally to strengthen our clients, our communities, our people and the environment. Our Corporate Social Responsibility report reflects our efforts in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”), particularly the five goals that are integrally aligned with our values-driven culture and the work we do for our clients: good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, and climate action. We have and will continue to pursue these goals through our Huron Helping Hands program, employee resource groups, sustainability efforts, and corporate partnerships. As an addendum to our Corporate Social Responsibility report, we publish a Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”) index in line with SASB’s Professional & Commercial Services standards. Our SASB index provides further quantitative and qualitative information regarding our data security programs, practices and policies, workforce diversity and engagement metrics, and our approach to promoting professional integrity and ethical behavior among our workforce, commensurate with best practices for professional services organizations.
For additional information on Huron’s commitment to a more sustainable future, refer to our annual Corporate Social Responsibility report, which includes our SASB index, and is available on our investor relations website located at ir.huronconsultinggroup.com.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING
Our business development and marketing activities are aimed at cultivating relationships, generating leads, and building a strong brand reputation with offices of the C-suite and senior level influencers and decision makers of organizations within our core industries. We believe excellent service delivery to clients is critical to building and maintaining relationships and sustaining and strengthening our brand reputation, and we emphasize the importance of high-quality client service to all of our employees.
Currently, we generate new business opportunities through the combination of relationships our managing directors and principals have with individuals working at our prospective clients and with our technology partners and marketing activities. We also view market-based collaboration between our employees as a key component in building our business. Often, the client relationship of an employee in one area of our business leads to opportunities in another area, enhancing the opportunity to increase wallet share at a specific client. All of our managing directors and principals understand their roles in ongoing relationship and business development, which is reinforced through our compensation and incentive programs. We actively seek to identify new business opportunities and frequently receive referrals and repeat business from past and current clients. In addition, to complement the business development efforts of our managing directors, we have dedicated business development professionals who are focused exclusively on developing client relationships and generating new business.
COMPETITION
The professional services industry is extremely competitive, highly fragmented, and constantly evolving. The industry includes a large number of participants with a variety of skills and industry expertise, including other strategy, business operations, technology, and financial advisory consulting firms; general management consulting firms; the consulting practices of major accounting firms; technical and economic advisory firms; regional and specialty consulting firms; consulting divisions of our technology partners; and the internal professional resources of organizations. We compete with a large number of service and technology providers in all of our segments. Our competitors vary, depending on the particular industry and expertise area, and we expect to continue to face competition from new market entrants.
We believe the principal competitive factors in our market include reputation, the ability to attract and retain top talent, the capacity to manage engagements effectively to drive high value to clients, and the ability to deliver measurable and sustainable results. There is also competition on price, although to a lesser extent due to the criticality of the issues that many of our services and products address. Some competitors have a greater geographic footprint, including a broader international presence, and more resources than we do, but we believe our reputation, industry and capability expertise, and ability to deliver high-value, quality service and measurable results to our clients across a balanced portfolio of offerings and to attract and retain employees with broad capabilities and deep industry expertise enable us to compete favorably in the professional services marketplace.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These filings are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Our website is located at www.huronconsultinggroup.com, and our investor relations website is located at ir.huronconsultinggroup.com. We make our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 available through our website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
We provide information about our business and financial performance, including our corporate profile, on the Investor Relations page of our website. Additionally, we webcast our earnings calls and certain events we participate in with members of the investment community on the Investor Relations page of our website. Further corporate governance information, including our code of ethics, code of business conduct, corporate governance guidelines, and board committee charters, is also available on the Investor Relations page of our website. The content of our websites is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
The following discussion of risk factors may be important to understanding the statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or elsewhere. The following information should be read in conjunction with Part II-Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Discussions about the important operational risks that our business encounters can be found in Part II-Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Risks Related to Human Capital Resources
An inability to retain our senior management team and other managing directors would be detrimental to the success of our business.
We rely heavily on our senior management team, our practice leaders, and other managing directors; our ability to retain them is particularly important to our future success. Given the highly specialized nature of our services, the senior management team must have a thorough understanding of our service offerings as well as the skills and experience necessary to manage an organization consisting of a diverse group of professionals. In addition, we rely on our senior management team and other managing directors to generate revenues and market our business. Further, our senior management’s and other managing directors’ personal reputations and relationships with our clients are a critical element in obtaining and maintaining client engagements. Members of our senior management team and our other managing directors could choose to leave or join one of our competitors and some of our clients could choose to use the services of that competitor instead of our services. If one or more members of our senior management team or our other managing directors leave and we cannot replace them with a suitable candidate quickly, or if legal restrictions on non-competition agreements are put into place, we could experience difficulty in securing and successfully completing engagements, managing our business properly and executing on our growth strategy, which could harm our business prospects and results of operations.
If we are unable to hire and retain talented people in an industry where there is great competition for talent, it could have a serious negative effect on our prospects and results of operations.
Our business involves the delivery of professional services and is highly labor-intensive. Our success depends largely on our general ability to attract, develop, motivate, and retain highly skilled professionals. Further, we must successfully maintain the right mix of professionals with relevant experience and skill sets as we continue to grow, as we expand into new service offerings, and as the market evolves. The loss of a significant number of our professionals, the inability to attract, hire, develop, train, and retain additional skilled personnel, or failure to maintain the right mix of professionals could have a serious negative effect on us, including our ability to manage, staff, and successfully complete our existing engagements and obtain new engagements. Qualified professionals are in great demand, and we face significant competition for both senior and junior professionals with the requisite credentials and experience. Our principal competition for talent comes from other consulting firms and accounting firms, as well as from organizations seeking to staff their internal professional positions. Many of these competitors may be able to offer greater compensation and benefits or more attractive lifestyle choices, career paths, or geographic locations than we can offer. Therefore, we may not be successful in attracting and retaining the skilled consultants we require to conduct and expand our operations successfully. Increasing competition for these revenue-generating professionals may also significantly increase our labor costs, which could negatively affect our margins and results of operations.
If we are unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with our continued growth, we might be unable to achieve our business objectives.
As we continue to grow and evolve, it might become increasingly difficult to maintain effective standards across a large enterprise and effectively institutionalize our knowledge or to effectively change the strategy, operations or culture of our Company in a timely manner. It might also become more difficult to maintain our culture; effectively manage and monitor our people and operations; effectively communicate our core values, policies and procedures, strategies and goals; and motivate, engage and retain our people, particularly given the distribution of our employees across the U.S. and internationally, the rate of new hires, the breadth of skills and expertise across all of our solutions, and the fact that essentially all of our employees have the option to work remotely. The size and scope of our operations increase the possibility that we will have employees who expose us to unacceptable business risks, despite our efforts to train them and maintain internal controls to prevent such instances. For example, employee misconduct could involve the improper use of sensitive or confidential information entrusted to us, or obtained inappropriately, or the failure to comply with legislation or regulations regarding the protection of sensitive or confidential information, including personal data and proprietary information. Furthermore, the inappropriate use of social networking sites or artificial intelligence (“AI”) by our employees could result in breaches of confidentiality, unauthorized disclosure of nonpublic company information or damage to our reputation. If we do not continue to develop and implement the right processes and tools to manage our enterprise and instill our culture and core values into all of our employees, our ability to compete successfully and achieve our business objectives could be impaired. In addition, effective January 1, 2022, we made, and continue to make, changes to our operating model, including how we are organized as the needs and size of our business change, and if we do not successfully implement the changes, our business and results of operation may be negatively impacted.
Risks Related to Business Operations, Growth and Development
We may incur costs to support our business and the inability to effectively build a support structure for the business could have an adverse impact on our growth and profitability.
We have grown significantly since we commenced operations and have increased the number of our full-time professionals from 249 in 2002 to approximately 6,480 as of December 31, 2023. Additionally, our considerable growth has placed demands on our management and our internal systems, procedures,and controls and will continue to do so in the future. To successfully manage growth, we must periodically adjust and strengthen our operating, financial, accounting, and other systems, procedures, and controls, which may increase our total costs and may adversely affect our operating income and our ability to sustain profitability if we do not generate increased revenues to offset the costs. As a public company, our information and control systems must enable us to prepare accurate and timely financial information and other required disclosures. If we discover deficiencies in our existing information and control systems that impede our ability to satisfy our reporting requirements, we must successfully implement improvements to those systems in an efficient and timely manner.
Our international operations could result in additional risks.
We operate both domestically and internationally, including in Canada, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Although historically our international operations have been limited, we intend to continue to expand internationally. Such expansion may result in additional risks or increase the acuity of risks that are not present domestically and which could adversely affect our business or our results of operations, including:
•compliance with additional U.S. regulations and those of other nations applicable to international operations;
•cultural and language differences;
•employment laws, including immigration laws affecting the mobility of employees, and rules and related social and cultural factors;
•losses related to start-up costs, lack of revenue, higher costs due to low utilization, and delays in purchase decisions by prospective clients;
•currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies;
•potentially adverse tax consequences and limitations on our ability to utilize losses generated in our foreign operations;
•different regulatory requirements and other barriers to conducting business;
•different or less stable political and economic environments;
•greater personal security risks for employees traveling to or located in unstable locations;
•health emergencies or pandemics, including COVID-19; and
•civil disturbances or other catastrophic events.
Further, conducting business abroad subjects us to increased regulatory compliance and oversight. For example, we are subject to laws prohibiting certain payments to governmental officials, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which increases the risk from our international operations relative to our competitors who do not operate outside the United States. A failure to comply with applicable regulations could result in regulatory enforcement actions as well as substantial civil and criminal penalties assessed against us and our employees.
In addition, expanding into new geographic areas and expanding current service offerings is challenging and may require integrating new employees into our company culture as well as assessing the demand in the applicable market. If we cannot manage the risks associated with new employees, new service offerings or new locations effectively, we are unlikely to be successful in these efforts, which could harm our ability to sustain profitability and our business prospects.
The Company has significant operations in India, which presents additional risks.
We have significant operations in India, including nearly 2,100 employees, which could subject the Company to country-specific risks or exacerbate certain other risks. For example, from time to time, India has experienced instances of civil unrest, terrorism and hostilities among neighboring countries. Terrorist attacks, military activity, rioting, or civil or political unrest in the future could influence the Indian economy and our operations by disrupting operations and communications and making travel within India more difficult and less desirable. Further, India has experienced natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides and drought in the past few years. The extent and severity of these natural disasters determines their impact on the Indian economy. Our operations and employees in India may be adversely affected by these or other social and political uncertainties or change, military activity, health-related risks, acts of terrorism or natural disasters. Additionally, as the overall population of India is large, and the cities in which we operate are dense, the impact of any such occurrences could have a disproportionate adverse effect on our operations.
Additionally, the challenges presented by India’s complex business environment and heightened risk for potential corruption may increase our risk of violating applicable anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws. We face the risk that our employees or any third parties we engage to do work on our behalf may take action determined to be in violation of anti-corruption laws in any jurisdiction in which we conduct business, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, India’s Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and Indian Penal Code. If we violate applicable anti-corruption laws or our internal policies designed to ensure ethical business practices, we could face financial penalties and/or reputational harm that would negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, since 1991, successive Indian governments have generally pursued policies of economic liberalization and financial sector reforms, including by significantly relaxing restrictions on the private sector. Nevertheless, the role of the Indian central and state governments in the Indian economy as producers, consumers and regulators has remained significant and there is no assurance that such liberalization policies will continue. A significant change in India’s policy of economic liberalization and deregulation or any social or political uncertainties could adversely affect business and economic conditions in India generally and our business and employees in particular.
Lastly, unfavorable fluctuations in the currency exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Indian rupee could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. As we continue to grow our operations in India, more of our expenses will be incurred in the Indian rupee. An increase in the value of the Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar, in which our revenue is primarily recorded, could increase costs for delivery of services and decrease the profitability of our engagements that utilize our employees in India.
Additional hiring, departures, and business acquisitions and dispositions, as well as other organizational changes, could disrupt our operations, increase our costs or otherwise harm our business.
Our business strategy is dependent in part upon our ability to grow by hiring individuals or groups of individuals and by acquiring complementary businesses. However, we may be unable to identify, hire, acquire, or successfully integrate new employees and acquired businesses without substantial expense, delay, or other operational or financial obstacles. From time to time, we will evaluate the total mix of
services we provide and we may conclude that businesses may not achieve the results we previously expected. Competition for future hiring and acquisition opportunities in our markets could increase the compensation we offer to potential employees or the prices we pay for businesses we wish to acquire. In addition, we may be unable to achieve the financial, operational, and other benefits we anticipate from any hiring or acquisition, as well as any disposition, including those we have completed so far. New acquisitions could also negatively impact existing practices and cause current employees to depart. Hiring additional employees or acquiring businesses could also involve a number of additional risks, including the diversion of management’s time, attention, and resources from managing and marketing our Company; the potential assumption of liabilities of an acquired business; the inability to attain the expected synergies with an acquired business; and the perception of inequalities if different groups of employees are eligible for different benefits and incentives or are subject to different policies and programs.
Selling and shutting down certain operations present similar challenges in a service business. Dispositions not only require management’s time, but they can impair existing relationships with clients or otherwise affect client satisfaction, particularly in situations where the divestiture eliminates only part of the complement of consulting services provided to a client. Dispositions may also involve continued financial involvement, as we may be required to retain responsibility for, or agree to indemnify buyers against, liabilities related to a business sold.
Additionally, effective January 1, 2022, we modified our operating model to report under three industries, which are our reportable segments. The new operating model was designed to strengthen Huron's go-to-market strategy and support our growth. The full implementation across all areas of our business to effect this change may take place over several years. If we do not successfully implement and continue to refine this change to our operating model, our business and results of operation may be negatively impacted.
The healthcare and education industries are areas of significant focus for our business, and factors that adversely affect the financial condition of these industries could consequently affect our business.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from clients in the healthcare and education industries. As a result, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by conditions affecting these industries, both generally and those specific to the types of clients we serve in these industries, including hospitals and health systems, academic medical centers, and higher education institutions. The healthcare and education industries are highly regulated and are subject to changing political, legislative, regulatory, and other influences. Uncertainty in any of these areas could cause our clients to delay or postpone decisions to use our services. Existing and new federal and state laws and regulations affecting the healthcare and education industries could create unexpected liabilities for us, could cause us or our clients to incur additional costs, and could restrict our or our clients’ operations.
Additionally, regulatory and legislative changes in these industries could reduce the demand for our services, decreasing our competitive position or potentially rendering certain of our service offerings obsolete, change client buying patterns or decision making or require us to make unplanned modifications to our service offerings, which could require additional time and investment. If we fail to accurately anticipate the application of the laws and regulations affecting our clients and the industries they serve, if anticipated changes in regulation or regulatory uncertainty impact client buying patterns, or if such laws and regulations decrease our competitive position or limit the applicability of our service offerings, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted. Similarly, certain of our healthcare and education clients may experience or anticipate experiencing financial distress or face complex challenges as a result of general economic conditions or operations-specific reasons. Such clients may not have the financial resources or stakeholder support to start new projects or to continue existing projects.
Specifically with respect to healthcare, many healthcare laws are complex and their application to us, our clients, or the specific services and relationships we have with our clients are not always clear. In addition, federal and state legislatures have periodically introduced programs to reform or amend the U.S. healthcare system at both the federal and state level, such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and continue to consider further significant reforms. Due to the significant implementation issues arising under these laws and potential new legislation, it is unclear what long-term effects they will have on the healthcare industry and in turn on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Our failure to accurately anticipate the application of new laws and regulations, or our failure to comply with such laws and regulations, could create liability for us, result in adverse publicity and negatively affect our business.
There are many factors that could affect the purchasing practices, operations, and, ultimately, the operating funds of healthcare and education organizations, such as reimbursement policies for healthcare expenses, student loan policies or regulations, federal and state budgetary considerations, internal stakeholders’ views of engaging third-party consultants, consolidation in either industry, and regulation, litigation, and general economic conditions. In particular, we could be required to make unplanned modifications of our products and services (which would require additional time and investment) or we could suffer reductions in demand for our products and services as a result of changes in regulations affecting either industry, such as changes in the way that healthcare organizations are paid for their services (e.g., based on patient outcomes instead of services provided).
In addition, state tax authorities have challenged the tax-exempt status of some hospitals and other healthcare facilities claiming such status on the basis that they are operating as charitable and/or religious organizations. If the tax-exempt status of any of our clients is revoked or
compromised by new legislation or interpretation of existing legislation, that client’s financial health could be adversely affected, which could adversely impact demand for our services, our sales, revenue, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our digital offerings are a significant focal point for our business, including a focus on the adaptation and expansion of our services and products in response to ongoing changes in customer demand, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect our results of operations.
Our financial results depend, in part, on our ability to continue to develop and implement services and solutions that anticipate and respond to rapid and continuing changes in technology to serve the evolving needs of our clients. Examples of areas of significant change include digital and analytic services and products, which are continually evolving. Technological developments may materially affect the cost and use of current technology by our clients and some of these technological developments may reduce and replace some of our historical services and products. This changing technological landscape may cause clients to delay spending under existing contracts and engagements and delay entering into new contracts while they evaluate new technologies. Such spending delays can negatively impact our results of operations.
Technological developments, which may be rapid, also could shift demand to new services and products. If, as a result of new technologies, our clients demand new services and products, we may be less competitive in these new areas or we may need to make significant investment in our portfolio of software products to meet that demand. Our growth strategy focuses on responding to these types of developments by driving innovation that will enable us to expand our business into new growth areas and enhance our current portfolio of software products. If we do not sufficiently invest in new technology, adapt to industry developments, evolve and expand our business at sufficient speed and scale, or make the right strategic investments, or fail to timely deliver on our product roadmap for our portfolio of software products to respond to these developments and successfully drive innovation, our services and products, our results of operations, and our ability to develop and maintain a competitive advantage and execute on our growth strategy could be adversely affected. Additionally, as we expand our services and products into these new areas, we may be exposed to operational, legal, regulatory, ethical, technological and other risks specific to such new areas, which may negatively affect our reputation and demand for our services and products.
Many of our client contracts are short-term in duration and may be terminated by our clients with little or no notice and without penalty, which may cause our operating results to be unpredictable and may result in unexpected declines in our utilization and revenues.
Our clients typically retain us on an engagement-by-engagement basis, rather than under long-term recurring contracts, and many of our client contracts are 12 months or less in duration. The volume of work performed for any particular client is likely to vary from year to year, and a major client in one fiscal period may not require or may decide not to use our services in any subsequent fiscal period. Moreover, a large portion of our new engagements come from existing clients. Accordingly, the failure to obtain new large engagements or multiple engagements from existing or new clients could have a material adverse effect on the amount of revenues we generate.
In addition, a large portion of our engagement agreements can be terminated by our clients with little or no notice and without penalty. In client engagements that involve multiple engagements or stages, there is a risk that a client may choose not to retain us for additional stages of an engagement or that a client will cancel or delay additional planned engagements. For clients in bankruptcy, a bankruptcy court could elect not to retain our interim management consultants, terminate our retention, require us to reduce our fees for the duration of an engagement, elect not to approve claims against fees earned by us prior to or after the bankruptcy filing, or subject previously paid amounts to be returned to the bankruptcy estate as preferential payments under the bankruptcy code.
Terminations of engagements, cancellations of portions of the project plan, delays in the work schedule, or reductions in fees could result from factors unrelated to our services. When engagements are terminated or reduced, we lose the associated future revenues, and we may not be able to recover associated costs or redeploy the affected employees in a timely manner to minimize the negative impact. In addition, our clients’ ability to terminate engagements with little or no notice and without penalty makes it difficult to predict our operating results in any particular fiscal period.
Conflicts of interest could preclude us from accepting engagements thereby causing decreased utilization and revenues.
We provide services in connection with bankruptcy and other proceedings that usually involve sensitive client information and frequently are adversarial. In connection with bankruptcy proceedings, we are required by law to be “disinterested” and may not be able to provide multiple services to a particular client. In addition, our engagement agreement with a client or other business reasons may preclude us from accepting engagements from time to time with the client's competitors or adversaries. Moreover, in many industries in which we provide services, there has been a continuing trend toward business consolidations and strategic alliances. These consolidations and alliances reduce the number of companies that may seek our services and increase the chances that we will be unable to accept new engagements as a result of conflicts of interest. If we are unable to accept new engagements for any reason, our consultants may become underutilized, which would adversely affect our revenues and results of operations in future periods.
Our ability to maintain and attract new business depends upon our reputation, the professional reputation of our revenue-generating employees, and the quality of our services.
As a professional services firm, our ability to secure new engagements depends heavily upon our reputation and the individual reputations of our professionals. Any factor that diminishes our reputation or that of our employees, including not meeting client expectations or misconduct by our employees, could make it substantially more difficult for us to attract new engagements and clients. Similarly, because we obtain many of our new engagements from former or current clients, or from referrals by those clients, or by law firms that we have worked with in the past, any client that questions the quality of our work or that of our consultants could impair our ability to secure additional new engagements and clients.
The consulting services industry is highly competitive and we may not be able to compete effectively.
The consulting services industry in which we operate includes a large number of participants and is intensely competitive. We face competition from other business operations and financial consulting firms, general management consulting firms, the consulting practices of major accounting firms, technical and economic advisory firms, regional and specialty consulting firms, consulting divisions of our technology partners, and the internal professional resources of organizations. In addition, because there are relatively low barriers to entry, we expect to continue to face competition from new entrants into the business operations and financial consulting industries. Competition in several of the sectors in which we operate is particularly intense as many of our competitors are seeking to expand their market share in these sectors. Many of our competitors have a greater national and international presence, and have a significantly greater number of personnel, financial, technical, and marketing resources. In addition, these competitors may generate greater revenues and have greater name recognition than we do. Some of our competitors may also have lower overhead and other costs and, therefore, may be able to more effectively compete through lower priced service offerings. Our ability to compete also depends in part on the ability of our competitors to hire, retain, and motivate skilled professionals, the price at which others offer comparable services, the ability of our competitors to offer new and valuable products and services to clients, and our competitors’ responsiveness to their clients. If we are unable to compete successfully with our existing competitors or with any new competitors, our financial results will be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Information Technology
Our business is becoming increasingly dependent on information technology and will require additional investments in order to grow and meet the demands of our clients.
We depend on the use of sophisticated technologies and systems. Many of our practices provide services that are increasingly dependent on the use of software applications and systems that we do not own and which could become unavailable. Moreover, our technology platforms will require continuing investments by us in order to expand existing service offerings and develop complementary services. For example, we have subscription-based offerings that require us to incur costs associated with upgrades and maintenance that could impact profit margins associated with those offerings and related services. Our future success depends on our ability to adapt our services and infrastructure while continuing to improve the performance, features, and reliability of our services in response to the evolving demands of the marketplace.
Adverse changes to our relationships with key third-party vendors or the business of our key third-party vendors could unfavorably impact our business.
A portion of our services and solutions depend on technology or software provided by third-party vendors. Some of these third-party vendors refer potential clients to us, and others require that we obtain their permission prior to accessing their software while performing services for our clients. These third-party vendors could terminate their relationship with us without cause and with little or no notice, which could limit our service offerings and harm our financial condition and operating results. In addition, if a third-party vendor’s business changes, is reduced, or fails to adapt to changing market demands, it could adversely affect our business. Moreover, if third-party technology or software that is important to our business does not continue to be available or utilized within the marketplace, or if the services that we provide to clients are no longer relevant in the marketplace, our business may be unfavorably impacted.
We could experience system failures, service interruptions, or security breaches that could negatively impact our business.
Our organization is comprised of employees who work on matters throughout the United States and around the world. Our technology platform is a “virtual office” from which we all operate. We may be subject to disruption to our operating systems from technology events that are beyond our control, including the possibility of failures at third-party data centers, disruptions to the internet, natural disasters, power losses, and malicious attacks. In addition, despite the implementation of security measures, our infrastructure and operating systems, including the internet and related systems, may be vulnerable to physical break-ins, hackers, improper employee or contractor access, computer viruses, programming errors, denial-of-service attacks, cyberattacks created through AI, or other attacks by third parties seeking to disrupt operations or misappropriate information or similar physical or electronic breaches of security. While we have taken and are taking reasonable steps to prevent and mitigate the damage of such events, including implementation of system security measures, information backup, disaster recovery processes, and crisis response plans, and where possible, obtaining insurance against such events, those steps may not be effective and there can be no assurance that any such steps can be effective against all possible risks. We will need to continue
to invest in technology in order to achieve redundancies necessary to prevent service interruptions. Access to our systems as a result of a security breach, the failure of our systems, or the loss of data could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability, or regulatory penalties and disrupt operations, which could adversely affect our business and financial results.
Issues related to the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) may result in reputational harm or liability that could adversely impact our business.
As with many innovations, AI presents risks, challenges, and unintended consequences that could affect its adoption, and therefore our business. We may incorporate AI solutions into our information platforms, products and services, and these technologies may become important to our operations over time. AI technologies are complex and rapidly evolving and the technologies that we use or develop may ultimately be flawed. Additionally, leveraging AI capabilities to potentially improve our information platforms, products and services presents further risks and challenges. If we experience an actual or perceived breach of privacy or security incident because of the use of AI, we may lose valuable sensitive or confidential client or employee data which could damage our reputation. Further, dependence on AI without adequate safeguards to make certain business decisions may introduce additional operational vulnerabilities by impacting our relationships with customers, partners, and third-party vendors, by producing inaccurate outcomes based on flaws in the underlying data, or other unintended results.
Further, incorporating AI gives rise to litigation risk and risk of non-compliance and unknown cost of compliance, as AI is an emerging technology for which the legal and regulatory landscape is not fully developed (including potential liability for breaching intellectual property or privacy rights or laws). While new AI initiatives, laws, and regulations are emerging and evolving, what they ultimately will look like remains uncertain, and our obligation to comply with them could entail significant costs, negatively affect our business, or entirely limit our ability to incorporate certain AI capabilities into our offerings.
While we aim to use and develop AI responsibly and attempt to mitigate ethical and legal issues presented by its use, we may ultimately be unsuccessful in identifying or resolving issues before they arise.
Risks Related to Legal Matters
Our reputation could be damaged and we could incur additional liabilities if we fail to protect client and employee data through our own accord or if our information systems are breached.
We rely on information technology systems to process, transmit, and store electronic information and to communicate among our locations around the world and with our clients, partners, and employees. These locations include India, Canada, Switzerland, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, all of which have their own either recently updated or potential new data protection laws. The breadth and complexity of this infrastructure increases the potential risk of security breaches which could lead to potential unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
In providing services to clients, we may manage, utilize, and store sensitive or confidential client or employee data, including personal data and protected health information. As a result, we are subject to numerous laws and regulations designed to protect this information, such as the U.S. federal and state laws governing the protection of health or other personally identifiable information, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and international laws such as the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which went into effect in 2018. In addition, many states, U.S. federal governmental authorities and non-U.S. jurisdictions have adopted, proposed or are considering adopting or proposing, additional data security and/or data privacy statutes or regulations. Continued governmental focus on data security and privacy may lead to additional legislative and regulatory action, which could increase the complexity of doing business. The increased emphasis on information security and the requirements to comply with applicable U.S. and foreign data security and privacy laws and regulations may increase our costs of doing business and negatively impact our results of operations.
These laws and regulations are increasing in complexity and number. If any person, including any of our employees or third-party vendors, negligently disregards or intentionally breaches our established controls or contractual obligations with respect to client or employee data, or otherwise mismanages or misappropriates that data, we could be subject to significant monetary damages, regulatory enforcement actions, fines, and/or criminal prosecution. We maintain certain insurance coverages for cybersecurity incidents through our directors and officers insurance policy, in amounts we believe to be reasonable and at a cost that is included in our general insurance premiums, but the policy limits and the breadth of coverage may be inadequate to cover any particular claim or all claims plus the cost of legal defense.
In addition, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential client or employee data, whether through systems failure, employee negligence, including the misuse of AI, fraud, or misappropriation, could damage our reputation and cause us to lose clients and their related revenue in the future.
Our engagements could result in professional liability, which could be very costly and hurt our reputation.
Our engagements typically involve complex analyses and the exercise of professional judgment. As a result, we are subject to the risk of professional liability. From time to time, lawsuits with respect to our work are pending. Litigation alleging that we performed negligently or breached any other obligations could expose us to significant legal liabilities and, regardless of outcome, is often very costly, could distract our management, could damage our reputation, and could harm our financial condition and operating results. We also face increased litigation risk as a result of an expanded workforce. In addition, certain of our engagements, including interim management engagements and corporate restructurings, involve greater risks than other consulting engagements. We are not always able to include provisions in our engagement agreements that are designed to limit our exposure to legal claims relating to our services. While we attempt to identify and mitigate our exposure with respect to liability arising out of our consulting engagements, these efforts may be ineffective and an actual or alleged error or omission on our part or the part of our client or other third parties in one or more of our engagements could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we carry professional liability insurance to cover many of these types of claims, but the policy limits and the breadth of coverage may be inadequate to cover any particular claim or all claims plus the cost of legal defense. For example, we provide services on engagements in which the impact on a client may substantially exceed the limits of our errors and omissions insurance coverage. If we are found to have professional liability with respect to work performed on such an engagement, we may not have sufficient insurance to cover the entire liability.
Our business could be materially adversely affected if we incur liability in connection with service offering innovation, including new or expanded service offerings.
We may grow our business through service offering innovation, including by entering into new or expanded lines of business beyond our core services. To the extent we enter into new or expanded lines of business, we may face new risks and uncertainties, including the possibility these new or expanded lines of business involve greater risks than our core services, that we have insufficient expertise to engage in such activities profitably or without incurring inappropriate amounts of risk, that the required investment of capital and other resources is greater than anticipated, and that we lose existing clients due to the perception that we are no longer focusing on our core business. Entry into new or expanded lines of business may also subject us to new laws and regulations with which we are not familiar and may lead to increased litigation and regulatory risk. For example, our recently launched Huron Managed Services business within the Healthcare industry provides revenue cycle managed services to hospitals and health systems. These services include the coding, preparation, submission and collection of claims for medical service to payors for reimbursement. Such claims are governed by U.S. federal and state laws. U.S. federal law provides civil liability to any persons that knowingly submit, or cause to be submitted, a claim to a payor, including Medicare, Medicaid and private health plans, seeking payment for any services or items that overbills or bills for services or items that have not been provided to the patient. U.S. federal law may also impose criminal penalties for intentionally submitting such false claims. In addition, federal and state law regulates the collection of debt and may impose monetary penalties for violating those regulations. In connection with these laws, we may be subjected to U.S. federal or state government investigations and possible penalties may be imposed upon us, false claims actions may have to be defended and private payors may file claims against us. Any investigation or proceeding related to these laws, even if unwarranted or without merit, may have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our intellectual property rights in our “Huron Consulting Group” name are important, and any inability to use that name could negatively impact our ability to build brand identity.
We believe that establishing, maintaining, and enhancing the “Huron Consulting Group” name and “Huron” brand is important to our business. We are, however, aware of a number of other companies that use names containing “Huron.” There could be potential trade name or service mark infringement claims brought against us by the users of these similar names and marks and those users may have trade name or service mark rights that are senior to ours. If another company were to successfully challenge our right to use our name, or if we were unable to prevent a competitor from using a name that is similar to our name, our ability to build brand identity could be negatively impacted.
Risks Related to Financial Management and Performance
Our financial results could suffer if we are unable to achieve or maintain adequate utilization and suitable billing rates for our consultants, or if we are slow to respond to the market's return to a predominantly in-person service delivery model.
Our profitability depends to a large extent on the utilization and billing rates of our professionals. Utilization of our professionals is affected by a number of factors, including:
•the number and size of client engagements;
•the timing of the commencement, completion and termination of engagements, which in many cases is unpredictable;
•our ability to transition our consultants efficiently from completed engagements to new engagements;
•the hiring of additional consultants because there is generally a transition period for new consultants that results in a temporary drop in our utilization rate;
•the use of independent contractors as a substitute for hiring additional consultants;
•unanticipated changes in the scope of client engagements;
•our ability to forecast demand for our services and thereby maintain an appropriate level of consultants; and
•conditions affecting the industries in which we practice as well as general economic conditions.
The billing rates of our consultants that we are able to charge are also affected by a number of factors, including:
•our clients’ perception of our ability to add value through our services;
•the market demand for the services we provide;
•an increase in the number of engagements in the government sector, which are subject to federal contracting regulations;
•introduction of new services by us or our competitors;
•our competition and the pricing policies of our competitors; and
•current economic conditions.
If we are unable to achieve and maintain adequate overall utilization as well as maintain or increase the billing rates for our consultants, our financial results could materially suffer. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of our consultants performed services at the physical locations of our clients. Starting in 2020, in response to the shut downs that resulted from the proliferation of the COVID-19 pandemic, substantially all of our services were delivered remotely. If we are out of step with a general market return to in-person service delivery, our business could be materially adversely affected.
Our quarterly and annual results of operations have fluctuated in the past and may continue to fluctuate in the future as a result of certain factors, some of which may be outside of our control.
A key element of our strategy is to market our products and services directly to certain large organizations, such as health systems and acute care hospitals and public universities, and to increase the number of our products and services utilized by existing clients. The sales cycle for some of our products and services is often lengthy and may involve significant commitment of client personnel. As a consequence, the commencement date of a client engagement often cannot be accurately forecasted. As discussed below, certain of our client contracts contain terms that result in revenue that is deferred and cannot be recognized until the occurrence of certain events. As a result, the period of time between contract signing and recognition of associated revenue may be lengthy, and we may not be able to predict with certainty the period in which revenue will be recognized.
Fee discounts, pressure to not increase or even decrease our rates, and less advantageous contract terms could result in the loss of clients, lower revenues and operating income, higher costs, and less profitable engagements. More discounts or write-offs than we expect in any period would have a negative impact on our results of operations.
Other fluctuations in our results of operations may be due to a number of other factors, some of which are not within our control, including:
•the timing and volume of client invoices processed and payments received, which may affect the fees payable to us under certain of our engagements;
•client decisions regarding renewal or termination of their contracts;
•the amount and timing of costs related to the development or acquisition of technologies or businesses; and
•unforeseen legal expenses, including litigation and other settlement gains or losses.
Furthermore, we base our annual employee bonus expense, in part, upon our expected annual adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for that year. If we experience lower adjusted EBITDA in a quarter without a corresponding change to our full-year adjusted EBITDA expectation, our estimated bonus expense will not be reduced, which will have a negative impact on our quarterly results of operations for that quarter. Our quarterly results of operations may vary significantly and period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations may not be meaningful. The results of one quarter should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.
If our quarterly or annual results of operations fall below the expectations of our annual and long-term forecasts, and therefore fall below the expectations of securities analysts or investors, the price of our common stock could decline substantially.
Revenues from our performance-based engagements are difficult to predict, and the timing and extent of recovery of our costs is uncertain.
We have certain engagement agreements under which our fees include a significant performance-based component. Performance-based fees are contingent on the achievement of specific measures, such as our clients meeting cost-saving or other contractually-defined goals. The achievement of these contractually-defined goals may be subject to acknowledgment by the client and is often impacted by factors outside of our control, such as the actions of the client or other third parties. To the extent that any revenue is contingent upon the achievement of a performance target, we recognize such revenue using a process that requires us to make significant management judgments, estimates, and assumptions. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions we have used for revenue recognition are reasonable, subsequent changes could have a material impact to our future financial results. A greater number of performance-based fee arrangements may result in increased volatility in our working capital requirements and greater variations in our quarter-to-quarter results, which could affect the price of our common stock. In addition, an increase in the proportion of performance-based fee arrangements may temporarily offset the positive effect on our operating results from an increase in our utilization rate until the related revenues are recognized.
The profitability of our fixed-fee engagements with clients may not meet our expectations if we underestimate the cost of these engagements.
When making proposals for fixed-fee engagements, we estimate the costs and timing for completing the engagements. These estimates reflect our best judgment regarding the efficiencies of our methodologies and consultants as we plan to deploy them on engagements. Any increased or unexpected costs, expansion in scope of work without a commensurate increase in fees, or unanticipated delays in connection with the performance of fixed-fee engagements, including delays caused by factors outside our control, could make these contracts less profitable or unprofitable, which would have an adverse effect on our profit margin.
Our business performance might not be sufficient for us to meet the full-year financial guidance that we provide publicly.
We provide full-year financial guidance to the public based upon our expectations regarding our financial performance. While we believe that our annual financial guidance provides investors and analysts with insight to our view of the Company’s future performance, such financial guidance is based on assumptions that may not always prove to be accurate and may vary from actual results. If we fail to meet the full-year financial guidance that we provide, or if we find it necessary to revise or suspend such guidance during the year, the market value of our common stock could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Capital Resources
Our obligations under our senior secured credit facility are secured by a pledge of certain of the equity interests in our subsidiaries and a lien on substantially all of our assets and those of our subsidiary grantors. If we default on these obligations, our lenders may foreclose on our assets, including our pledged equity interest in our subsidiaries.
We have a Third Amended and Restated Security Agreement with Bank of America (the “Security Agreement”) and a Third Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement (the “Pledge Agreement”) associated with our Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2022 (as amended to date, the “Current Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the Security Agreement and to secure our obligations under the Current Credit Agreement, we granted our lenders a first-priority lien, subject to permitted liens, on substantially all of the personal property assets that we and the subsidiary grantors own. Pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, we granted our lenders a security interest in 100% of the voting stock or other equity interests in our domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the voting stock or other equity interests in certain of our foreign subsidiaries. If we default on our obligations under the Current Credit Agreement, our lenders could accelerate our indebtedness and may be able to exercise their liens on the equity interests subject to the Pledge Agreement and their liens on substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiary grantors, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, financial condition, and liquidity. In addition, the covenants contained in the Current Credit Agreement impose restrictions on our ability to engage in certain activities, such as the incurrence of additional indebtedness, certain investments, certain acquisitions and dispositions, and the payment of dividends.
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations and obligations, expose us to interest rate risk to the extent of our variable-rate debt, and adversely affect our financial results.
As of December 31, 2023, the senior secured credit facility consists of a $600 million revolving credit facility under which we had outstanding indebtedness of $324.0 million that becomes due and payable in full upon maturity on November 15, 2027. Additionally, in February 2024, we established a $275 million term loan facility under the senior secured credit facility. Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal, to pay interest, or to refinance our indebtedness, depends on our future performance. If we are unable to generate cash flow from operations sufficient to satisfy our obligations under our current indebtedness and any future indebtedness, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as reducing or delaying investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, refinancing, or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or dilutive. Our ability to refinance our current indebtedness or future indebtedness will depend on the
capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on the current indebtedness or future indebtedness.
In addition, our indebtedness, combined with our other financial obligations and contractual commitments, could have other important consequences such as exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates because our borrowings are at variable interest rates; making us more vulnerable to adverse changes in general U.S. and worldwide economic, industry, and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; or reducing our capacity to obtain additional financing and flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and our industry. Under the Current Credit Agreement, we are obligated to pay interest at either one, three or six month Term SOFR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus an applicable margin. The Current Credit Agreement replaced LIBOR with SOFR as the benchmark rate. SOFR is a relatively new reference rate, has a very limited history and is based on short-term repurchase agreements backed by Treasury securities. Changes in SOFR can be volatile and difficult to predict, and there is no assurance that SOFR will perform similarly to the way LIBOR, our previous benchmark rate, would have performed at any time. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Risks Related to Asset Impairment
Our goodwill and other intangible assets represent a substantial amount of our total assets, and we may be required to recognize a non-cash impairment charge for these assets if the performance of one or more of our reporting units falls below our expectations.
Our total assets reflect a substantial amount of goodwill and other intangible assets. At December 31, 2023, goodwill and other intangible assets totaled $643.8 million, or 51%, of our total assets. Goodwill results from our business acquisitions, representing the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired. We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, annually and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. Intangible assets other than goodwill represent purchased assets that lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill. Our intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships, trade names, technology and software and non-competition agreements, all of which were acquired through business acquisitions. We evaluate our intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. During 2023, 2022 and 2021, we did not record any impairment charges on our goodwill or other intangible assets.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit requires us to make significant judgments, estimates, and assumptions. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions underlying our valuation methodology are reasonable, these estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether or not a goodwill impairment charge is recognized and also the magnitude of any such charge. The results of an impairment analysis are as of a point in time. There is no assurance that the actual future earnings or cash flows of our reporting units will be consistent with our projections. We will monitor any changes to our assumptions and will evaluate goodwill as deemed warranted during future periods. Any significant decline in our operations could result in additional goodwill impairment charges.
We may incur impairment charges with respect to our convertible debt investment in Shorelight or our preferred stock investment in a hospital-at-home company.
Since 2014, we have invested $40.9 million, in the form of 1.69% convertible debt, in Shorelight Holdings, LLC (“Shorelight”), the parent company of Shorelight Education. Our investment is carried at its fair value of $68.0 million as of December 31, 2023, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2023, our investment in Shorelight is in an unrealized gain position. If the investment were to be in an unrealized loss position due to significant credit deterioration of Shorelight, we would recognize an allowance to decrease the carrying value of the investment to the fair value, which may be reversed in the event that the credit of Shorelight improves. As of December 31, 2023, we have not recognized any credit allowance on our investment. In the future, if there are adverse developments in Shorelight's business that may be the result of events within or outside of Shorelight's control, we may incur impairment charges with respect to our convertible debt investment, which could materially impact our results of operations.
In 2019, we invested $5.0 million, in the form of preferred stock, in a hospital-at-home company. Our investment is carried at its fair value of $7.4 million as of December 31, 2023, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in our results of operations when an observable price change for preferred stock issued by the company with similar rights and preferences to our preferred stock investment occurs. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $26.3 million on our investment, based on the valuation established in a new round of financing expected to close in early 2024. While our investment in the company remains in a net unrealized gain position as of December 31, 2023, if there is further deterioration in the earnings performance, credit rating, or business prospects of the company, or a significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic, or technological environment of the company, we would evaluate our investment for additional impairment. If during such evaluation it was determined that the fair value of our investment was below its carrying value, we would recognize an impairment for such difference, which could materially impact our results of operations.
General Risk Factors
Expanding our service offerings may involve additional risks and may not be profitable.
We may choose to develop new service offerings or eliminate service offerings because of market opportunities or client demands. Developing new service offerings involves inherent risks, including:
•our inability to estimate demand for the new service offerings;
•competition from more established market participants;
•exposure to new legal and operational risks;
•a lack of market understanding;
•unanticipated expenses to recruit and hire qualified consultants and to market our new service offerings; and
•unanticipated challenges with service delivery.
Changes in capital markets, legal or regulatory requirements, and general economic or other factors beyond our control could reduce demand for our services, in which case our revenues and profitability could decline.
A number of factors outside of our control affect demand for our services. These include:
•fluctuations in U.S. and global economies;
•the U.S. or global financial markets and the availability, costs, and terms of credit;
•changes in laws and regulations;
•political unrest, war, terrorism, geopolitical uncertainties, trade policies and sanctions, including the ongoing repercussions of the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas; and
•other economic factors and general business conditions, including inflation, rising interest rates, and the negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic and its downstream impacts.
For example, some portion of the services we provide may be considered by our clients to be more discretionary in nature, as the demand for the services may be impacted by economic slowdowns. We are not able to predict the positive or negative effects that future events or changes to the U.S. or global economy, financial markets, or regulatory and business environment could have on our operations. Furthermore, as 2024 is a presidential election year, the magnitude of any such positive or negative effects is even more uncertain.
If we are unable to collect our receivables or unbilled services, our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows could be adversely affected.
Our business depends on our ability to successfully obtain payment from our clients for the amounts owed to us for work performed. We evaluate the financial condition of our clients and usually bill and collect on relatively short cycles. We have established allowances for losses of receivables and unbilled services. We may not accurately assess the credit worthiness of our clients or macroeconomic conditions could result in financial difficulties for our clients, including bankruptcy and insolvency, such that clients may delay payments to us, request modifications to their payment arrangements that could increase our receivables balance, or default on their payment obligations to us. Actual losses on client balances could differ from those that we currently anticipate and as a result we might need to adjust our allowances. Timely collection of clients' contractual payments also depends upon our ability to complete our contractual commitments and bill and collect our contracted revenues. If we are unable to meet our contractual requirements, we might experience delays in collection of and/or be unable to collect our client balances, and if this occurs, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. In addition, if we experience an increase in the time to bill and collect for our services, our cash flows could be adversely affected.
Changes in U.S. tax laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flow, results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to income and other taxes in the U.S. at the state and federal level and also in foreign jurisdictions. Changes in applicable U.S. state, federal or foreign tax laws and regulations, or their interpretation and application, could materially affect our tax expense and profitability.
Future changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations, and their interpretation or enforcement, may be unpredictable, particularly as taxing jurisdictions face an increasing number of political, budgetary and other fiscal challenges. Tax rates in the jurisdictions in which we operate
may change as a result of macroeconomic and other factors outside of our control, making it increasingly difficult for multinational corporations like ourselves to operate with certainty about taxation in many jurisdictions. As a result, we could be materially adversely affected by future changes in tax law or policy (or in their interpretation or enforcement) in the jurisdictions where we operate, including the United States, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flow, results of operations, financial condition, as well as our effective income tax rate.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
We do not own any real estate or other physical properties. Our administrative and principal executive offices are located at 550 W. Van Buren Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as it is presently conducted. See Note 5 “Leases” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on our office facilities.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from Note 18 “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees” included within the notes to our consolidated financial statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we are not a party to any litigation or legal proceeding that, in the current opinion of management, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. However, due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in legal proceedings, actual results could differ from current expected results.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “HURN.” As of February 20, 2024, there were 313 registered holders of record of Huron’s common stock. A number of Huron’s stockholders hold their shares in street name; therefore, the Company believes that there are substantially more beneficial owners of its common stock.
Dividends
We have not declared or paid dividends on our common stock since we became a public company. Our board of directors re-evaluates this policy periodically. Any determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of the board of directors and will be dependent upon our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, terms of our financing arrangements, and such other factors as the board of directors deems relevant. In addition, the amount of dividends we may pay is subject to the restricted payment provisions of our senior secured credit facility. See the Liquidity and Capital Resources section under Part II-Item 7. “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further information on the restricted payment provisions of our senior secured credit facility.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The information required by this item appears under Part III-Item 12. “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders Matters.”
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Our Stock Ownership Participation Program and 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan permit the netting of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock awards to satisfy individual tax withholding requirements. During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, we reacquired 4,686 shares of common stock with a weighted average fair market value of $103.71 as a result of such tax withholdings.
In November 2020, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program permitting us to repurchase up to $50 million of our common stock through December 31, 2021. The share repurchase program has been subsequently extended and increased, most recently in the fourth quarter of 2023. The current authorization extends the share repurchase program through December 31, 2024 with a repurchase amount of $400 million, of which $86.2 million remains available as of December 31, 2023. The amount and timing of repurchases under the share repurchase program were and will continue to be determined by management and depend on a variety of factors, including the trading price of our common stock, capacity under our credit facility, general market and business conditions, and applicable legal requirements.
The following table provides information with respect to purchases we made of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Period Total Number
of Shares Purchased (1)
Average Price
Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs (2)
First quarter total 768,314 $ 69.68 632,894 $ 64,836,694
Second quarter total 196,166 $ 78.66 193,648 $ 49,602,177
Third quarter total 294,108 $ 98.07 290,288 $ 21,072,842
October 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023
76,247 $ 99.31 72,081 $ 113,932,607
November 1, 2023 - November 30, 2023
94,090 $ 103.35 93,570 $ 104,256,878
December 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
179,334 $ 100.75 179,334 $ 86,183,114
Fourth quarter total 349,671 $ 101.14 344,985 $ 86,183,114
Full year 2023 total 1,608,259 $ 82.81 1,461,815 $ 86,183,114
(1)The number of shares repurchased in the first, second and third quarters of 2023 included 135,420, 2,518, and 3,820 shares, respectively, to satisfy employee tax withholding requirements. Additionally, 4,166 shares in October and 520 shares in November were repurchased to satisfy employee tax withholding requirements. These shares do not reduce the repurchase authority under the Share Repurchase Program.
(2)As of the end of the period.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. [Reserved]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes appearing under Part II-Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The following MD&A contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those described under Part I-Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
The following information summarizes our results of operations for 2023, 2022 and 2021; and discusses those results of operations for 2023 compared to 2022. For a discussion of our results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021 refer to Part II-Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2023.
OVERVIEW
Huron is a global professional services firm that partners with clients to develop growth strategies, optimize operations and accelerate digital transformation, including using an enterprise portfolio of technology, data and analytics solutions, to empower clients to own their future. By collaborating with clients, embracing diverse perspectives, encouraging new ideas and challenging the status quo, we create sustainable results for the organizations we serve.
We provide our services and products and manage our business under three operating segments: Healthcare, Education and Commercial. We also provide revenue reporting across two principal capabilities: i) Consulting and Managed Services and ii) Digital. See Part I-Item 1. “Business-Overview-Our Services” and Note 19 “Segment Information” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our segments and capabilities.
COMPONENTS OF OPERATING RESULTS
Revenues
Our revenues are primarily generated by our employees who provide consulting and other professional services to our clients and are billable to our clients based on the number of hours worked, services provided, or achieved outcomes. We refer to these employees as our revenue-generating professionals. Revenues are primarily driven by the number of revenue-generating professionals we employ as well as the total value, scope, and terms of the consulting contracts under which they provide services. We also engage independent contractors to supplement our revenue-generating professionals on client engagements as needed.
We generate our revenues from providing professional services and software products under the following four types of billing arrangements: fixed-fee (including software license revenue); time-and-expense; performance-based; and software support, maintenance and subscriptions.
•Fixed-fee (including software license revenue): In fixed-fee billing arrangements, we agree to a pre-established fee in exchange for a predetermined set of professional services. We set the fees based on our estimates of the costs and timing for completing the engagements. Fixed-fee arrangements also include software licenses for our revenue cycle management software and research administration and compliance software.
•Time-and-expense: Under time-and-expense billing arrangements, we invoice our clients based on the number of hours worked by our revenue-generating professionals at agreed upon rates. Time-and-expense arrangements also include speaking engagements, conferences and publications purchased by our clients.
•Performance-based: In performance-based billing arrangements, fees are tied to the attainment of contractually defined objectives. We enter into performance-based engagements in essentially two forms. First, we generally earn fees that are directly related to the savings formally acknowledged by the client as a result of adopting our recommendations for improving operational and cost effectiveness in the areas we review. Second, we earn a success fee when and if certain predefined outcomes occur. Often, performance-based fees supplement our fixed-fee or time-and-expense engagements. The level of performance-based fees earned may vary based on our clients’ risk sharing preferences and the mix of services we provide.
•Software support, maintenance and subscriptions: Clients that have purchased one of our software licenses can pay an annual fee for software support and maintenance. We also generate subscription revenue from our cloud-based analytic tools and solutions. Software support, maintenance and subscription revenues are recognized ratably over the support or subscription period. These fees are generally billed in advance and included in deferred revenues until recognized.
Time-and-expense engagements do not provide us with a high degree of predictability as to performance in future periods. Unexpected changes in the demand for our services can result in significant variations in utilization and revenues and present a challenge to optimal
hiring and staffing. Moreover, our clients typically retain us on an engagement-by-engagement basis, rather than under long-term recurring contracts. The volume of work performed for any particular client can vary widely from period to period.
Our quarterly results are impacted principally by the total value, scope, and terms of our client contracts, the number of our revenue-generating professionals who are available to work, our revenue-generating professionals' utilization rate, and the bill rates we charge our clients. Our utilization rate can be negatively affected by increased hiring because there is generally a transition period for new professionals that results in a temporary drop in our utilization rate. Our utilization rate can also be affected by seasonal variations in the demand for our services from our clients. For example, during the third and fourth quarters of the year, vacations taken by our clients can result in the deferral of activity on existing and new engagements, which would negatively affect our utilization rate. The number of business work days is also affected by the number of vacation days taken by our consultants and holidays in each quarter. We typically have fewer business work days available in the fourth quarter of the year, which can impact revenues during that period.
Reimbursable Expenses
Reimbursable expenses that are billed to clients, primarily relating to travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with client engagements, are included in total revenues and reimbursable expenses. We manage our business on the basis of revenues before reimbursable expenses, which we believe is the most accurate reflection of our services because it eliminates the effect of reimbursable expenses that we bill to our clients at cost.
Operating Expenses
Our most significant expenses are costs classified as direct costs. Direct costs primarily consist of compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals, which includes salaries, performance bonuses, share-based compensation, signing and retention bonuses, payroll taxes and benefits. Direct costs also include fees paid to independent contractors that we retain to supplement our revenue-generating professionals, typically on an as-needed basis for specific client engagements, and technology costs, product and event costs, and commissions. Direct costs exclude amortization of intangible assets and software development costs and reimbursable expenses, both of which are separately presented in our consolidated statements of operations.
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs for our support personnel. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses is third-party professional fees, software licenses and data hosting expenses, rent and other office related expenses, sales and marketing related expenses, recruiting and training expenses, and practice administration and meetings expenses.
Other operating expenses include restructuring charges, depreciation expense, amortization expense related to internally developed software costs and amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations.
Segment Results
Segment operating income consists of the revenues generated by a segment, less operating expenses that are incurred directly by the segment. Other operating expenses not allocated at the segment level include corporate costs related to administrative functions that are performed in a centralized manner that are not attributable to a particular segment. These administrative function costs include corporate office support costs, office facility costs, costs related to accounting and finance, human resources, legal, marketing, information technology, and company-wide business development functions, and costs related to overall corporate management.
Non-GAAP Measures
We also assess our results of operations using the following non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share. These non-GAAP financial measures differ from GAAP because they exclude a number of items required by GAAP, each discussed below. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance, cash flows, or liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures may be defined differently from time to time and may be defined differently than similar terms used by other companies, and accordingly, care should be exercised in understanding how we define our non-GAAP financial measures.
Our management uses the non-GAAP financial measures to gain an understanding of our comparative operating performance, for example when comparing such results with previous periods or forecasts. These non-GAAP financial measures are used by management in their financial and operating decision making because management believes they reflect our ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful period-to-period comparisons. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures when publicly providing our business outlook, for internal management purposes, and as a basis for evaluating potential acquisitions and dispositions. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating Huron’s current operating performance and future prospects in the same manner as management does and in comparing in a consistent manner Huron’s current financial results with Huron’s past financial results.
These non-GAAP financial measures include adjustments for the following items:
Amortization of intangible assets: We exclude the effect of amortization of intangible assets from the calculation of adjusted net income, as it is inconsistent in its amount and frequency and is significantly affected by the timing and size of our acquisitions.
Restructuring charges: We have incurred charges due to restructuring various parts of our business. These restructuring charges have primarily consisted of costs associated with office space consolidations, including lease impairment charges and accelerated depreciation on lease-related property and equipment, and employee severance charges. In addition, restructuring charges in 2021 include costs related to the sale of the Life Sciences business in the fourth quarter of 2021. We exclude the effect of the restructuring charges from our non-GAAP measures to permit comparability with periods that were not impacted by these items. We do not include normal, recurring, cash operating expenses in our restructuring charges.
Other losses (gains), net: We exclude the effects of other losses and gains, which primarily relate to changes in the estimated fair value of our liabilities for contingent consideration related to business acquisitions and litigation settlement losses and gains, to permit comparability with periods that are not impacted by these items.
Transaction-related expenses: To permit comparability with prior periods, we exclude the impact of third-party advisory, legal, and accounting fees incurred related to the evaluation and/or consummation of business acquisitions.
Unrealized losses (gains) on preferred stock investment: We exclude the effect of unrealized losses and gains related to changes in the fair value of our preferred stock investment in a hospital-at-home company arising from observable price changes or impairment losses. These unrealized losses and gains are included as a component of other income (expense), net. We believe that these unrealized losses and gains are not indicative of the ongoing performance of our business and their exclusion permits comparability with prior periods.
Losses (gains) on sales of businesses: We exclude the effect of non-operating losses and gains recognized as a result of sales of businesses as they are infrequent, management believes that these items are not indicative of the ongoing performance of our business, and their exclusion permits comparability with periods that were not impacted by such items. The 2021 gain relates to the sale of our Life Sciences business in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net: We exclude the effect of foreign currency transaction losses and gains from the calculation of adjusted EBITDA because the amount of each loss or gain is significantly affected by changes in foreign exchange rates.
Tax effect of adjustments: The non-GAAP income tax adjustment reflects the incremental tax impact applicable to the non-GAAP adjustments.
Income tax expense, Interest expense, net of interest income, Depreciation and amortization: We exclude the effects of income tax expense, interest expense, net of interest income, and depreciation and amortization in the calculation of EBITDA, as these are customary exclusions as defined by the calculation of EBITDA to arrive at meaningful earnings from core operations excluding the effect of such items. We include, within the depreciation and amortization adjustment, the amortization of capitalized implementation costs of our ERP and other related software, which is included within selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue-Generating Professionals
Our revenue-generating professionals consist of our full-time consultants who generate revenues based on the number of hours worked; full-time equivalents, which consists of coaches and their support staff within the culture and organizational excellence solution, consultants who work variable schedules as needed by clients, and full-time employees who provide software support and maintenance services to clients; and our Healthcare managed services employees who provide revenue cycle billing, collections, insurance verification and change integrity services to clients.
Utilization Rate
The utilization rate of our revenue-generating professionals is calculated by dividing the number of hours our billable consultants worked on client assignments during a period by the total available working hours for these billable consultants during the same period. Available working hours are determined by the standard hours worked by each billable consultant, adjusted for part-time hours, and U.S. standard work weeks. Available working hours exclude local country holidays and vacation days. Utilization rates are presented for our revenue-generating professionals who primarily bill on an hourly basis. We do not present utilization rates for our Managed Services professionals as most of the revenues generated by these employees are not billed on an hourly basis.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Executive Highlights
Highlights from the year ended December 31, 2023 include:
•Total revenues increased 20.3% to $1.36 billion in 2023 from $1.13 billion in 2022.
•Healthcare segment revenues increased 26.0% to $674.0 million in 2023 from $535.0 million in 2022.
•Operating margin increased to 9.2% in 2023, compared to 8.8% in 2022.
•Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues increased 70 basis points to 12.3% from 11.6% in 2022.
•Diluted EPS was $3.19 for 2023, compared to $3.64 for 2022. Results for 2023 and 2022 include a non-cash unrealized loss and a non-cash unrealized gain related to our investment in a hospital-at-home company, which had an unfavorable impact of $0.99 and a favorable impact of $0.96 on diluted earnings per share in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
•Adjusted diluted EPS increased 43.1% to $4.91 for 2023, compared to $3.43 for 2022.
•Net cash provided by operating activities increased 58.4% to $135.3 million for 2023, compared to $85.4 million for 2022.
•Returned $123.6 million shareholders by repurchasing 1,461,815 shares of our common stock in 2023.
Total revenues increased $229.6 million, or 20.3%, to $1.36 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $1.13 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in revenues reflects continued strength in demand for both our Consulting and Managed Services capability and Digital capability across all segments, which demonstrates our focus on accelerating growth in our healthcare and education industries and growing our presence in commercial industries.
In our Consulting and Managed Services capability, revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 22.6% to $782.0 million, compared to $638.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and reflected strengthened demand in all of our segments. The utilization rate within our Consulting capability increased to 76.6% in 2023, compared to 75.2% in 2022.
Revenues within our Digital capability increased 17.3% to $580.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $494.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and reflected strengthened demand in all of our segments. The utilization rate within our Digital capability increased to 75.3% in 2023, compared to 71.0% in 2022.
The total number of revenue-generating professionals increased 14.2% to 5,519 as of December 31, 2023, compared to 4,832 as of December 31, 2022, as a result of hiring to support the overall increase in demand for our services within all of our segments. We proactively plan and manage the size and composition of our workforce and take actions as needed to address changes in the anticipated demand for our services as employee compensation costs are the most significant portion of our operating expenses.
Operating margin, which is defined as operating income expressed as a percentage of revenues, increased to 9.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 8.8% for the year ended December 31, 2022, driven by strong revenue growth that outpaced increases in operating expenses.
Net income was $62.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $75.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Results for 2023 include a non-cash impairment loss of $19.4 million, net of tax, related to our investment in a hospital-at-home company; and results for 2022 include a non-cash unrealized gain of $19.8 million, net of tax, related to the same investment. Diluted earnings per share was $3.19 for 2023, compared to $3.64 for 2022. The non-cash unrealized loss related to the investment had an unfavorable impact of $0.99 on diluted earnings per share in 2023, and the non-cash unrealized gain had a favorable impact of $0.96 on diluted earnings per share in 2022. See Note 13 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on our preferred stock investment and the non-cash unrealized gains and impairment loss recognized to date. As of December 31, 2023, the investment's carrying value was $7.4 million, reflecting a net unrealized gain of $2.4 million since inception.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 43.1% to $4.91 for 2023 from $3.43 for 2022, driven by an increase in operating income and a reduction in diluted shares outstanding resulting from share repurchases made under our share repurchase plan.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased 58.4% to $135.3 million in 2023, compared to $85.4 million in 2022. The increase in net net cash provided by operating activities was primarily related to an increase in cash collections in 2023 compared to the prior year; partially offset by an increase in salaries and related expenses for our revenue-generating professionals, an increase in payments for selling, general and administrative expenses in 2023 compared to the prior year, and an increase in the amount paid for annual performance bonuses in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022.
During 2023, we deployed $123.6 million of capital to repurchase 1,461,815 shares of our common stock, representing 7.4% of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2022.
Summary of Results
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected segment and consolidated operating results and other operating data, including non-GAAP measures. The results of operations for acquired businesses have been included in our results of operations since the date of their respective acquisition.
Segment and Consolidated Operating Results
(in thousands, except per share amounts): Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Healthcare:
Revenues $ 673,989 $ 534,999 $ 444,767
Operating income $ 172,900 $ 131,227 $ 118,324
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues 25.7 % 24.5 % 26.6 %
Education:
Revenues $ 429,663 $ 359,835 $ 242,374
Operating income $ 99,098 $ 78,924 $ 52,398
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues 23.1 % 21.9 % 21.6 %
Commercial:
Revenues $ 258,408 $ 237,621 $ 218,499
Operating income $ 54,202 $ 50,025 $ 34,296
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenues 21.0 % 21.1 % 15.7 %
Total Huron:
Revenues $ 1,362,060 $ 1,132,455 $ 905,640
Reimbursable expenses 36,695 26,506 21,318
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses $ 1,398,755 $ 1,158,961 $ 926,958
Segment operating income $ 326,200 $ 260,176 $ 205,018
Items not allocated at the segment level:
Other operating expenses 174,762 136,459 127,020
Restructuring charges 8,204 3,686 4,525
Depreciation and amortization 17,886 20,271 20,634
Operating income 125,348 99,760 52,839
Other income (expense), net (41,453) 8,817 27,197
Income before taxes 83,895 108,577 80,036
Income tax expense 21,416 33,025 17,049
Net income $ 62,479 $ 75,552 $ 62,987
Earnings per share
Basic $ 3.32 $ 3.73 $ 2.94
Diluted $ 3.19 $ 3.64 $ 2.89
Segment and Consolidated Operating Results
(in thousands, except per share amounts): Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Other Operating Data:
Number of revenue-generating professionals by segment (at period end):
Healthcare 2,270 1,890 1,596
Education 1,788 1,579 1,050
Commercial (1)
1,461 1,363 1,130
Total 5,519 4,832 3,776
Revenue by capability:
Consulting and Managed Services (2)
$ 782,020 $ 637,994 $ 555,915
Digital 580,040 494,461 349,725
Total $ 1,362,060 $ 1,132,455 $ 905,640
Number of revenue-generating professionals by capability (at period end):
Consulting and Managed Services (3)
2,648 2,294 1,838
Digital 2,871 2,538 1,938
Total 5,519 4,832 3,776
Utilization rate by capability (4):
Consulting 76.6% 75.2% 70.6%
Digital 75.3% 71.0% 72.5%
(1)The majority of our revenue-generating professionals within our Commercial segment can provide services across all of our industries, including healthcare and education.
(2)Managed Services capability revenues within our Healthcare segment was $70.1 million, $67.6 million and $47.7 million for the years ended 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Managed Services capability revenues within our Education segment was $19.5 million, $15.7 million and $9.1 million for the years ended 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(3)The number of Managed Services revenue-generating professionals within our Healthcare segment was 924, 715 and 509 as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The number of Managed Services revenue-generating professionals within our Education segment was 103, 106 and 72 as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(4)Utilization rates are presented for our revenue-generating professionals who primarily bill on an hourly basis. We do not present utilization rates for our Managed Services professionals as most of the revenues generated by these employees are not billed on an hourly basis.
Non-GAAP Measures
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Revenues $ 1,362,060 $ 1,132,455 $ 905,640
Net income $ 62,479 $ 75,552 $ 62,987
Add back:
Income tax expense 21,416 33,025 17,049
Interest expense, net of interest income 19,573 11,883 8,150
Depreciation and amortization 25,672 28,233 26,347
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 129,140 148,693 114,533
Add back:
Restructuring charges 11,550 9,909 12,401
Other losses (gains), net (444) (193) 198
Transaction-related expenses 357 50 1,782
Unrealized loss (gain) on preferred stock investment 26,262 (26,964) -
Gain on sale of business - - (31,510)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net 476 (655) 419
Adjusted EBITDA $ 167,341 $ 130,840 $ 97,823
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues 12.3 % 11.6 % 10.8 %
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Net income $ 62,479 $ 75,552 $ 62,987
Weighted average shares - diluted 19,601 20,746 21,809
Diluted earnings per share $ 3.19 $ 3.64 $ 2.89
Add back:
Amortization of intangible assets 8,219 11,198 9,251
Restructuring charges 11,550 9,909 12,401
Other losses (gains), net (444) (193) 198
Transaction-related expenses 357 50 1,782
Unrealized loss (gain) on preferred stock investment 26,262 (26,964) -
Gain on sale of business - - (31,510)
Tax effect of adjustments (12,175) 1,590 1,742
Total adjustments, net of tax 33,769 (4,410) (6,136)
Adjusted net income $ 96,248 $ 71,142 $ 56,851
Adjusted weighted average shares - diluted 19,601 20,746 21,809
Adjusted diluted earnings per share $ 4.91 $ 3.43 $ 2.61
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022
Revenues
Revenues by segment and capability for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
Revenues (in thousands) Year Ended
December 31, Increase / (Decrease)
2023 2022 $ %
Segment:
Healthcare $ 673,989 $ 534,999 $ 138,990 26.0 %
Education 429,663 359,835 69,828 19.4 %
Commercial 258,408 237,621 20,787 8.7 %
Total revenues $ 1,362,060 $ 1,132,455 $ 229,605 20.3 %
Capability:
Consulting and Managed Services $ 782,020 $ 637,994 $ 144,026 22.6 %
Digital 580,040 494,461 85,579 17.3 %
Total revenues $ 1,362,060 $ 1,132,455 $ 229,605 20.3 %
Total revenues increased $229.6 million, or 20.3%, to $1.36 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $1.13 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022. The overall increase in revenues reflects continued strength in demand for both our Consulting and Managed Services capability and Digital capability across all segments, which demonstrates our focus on accelerating growth in our healthcare and education industries and growing our presence in commercial industries.
•Healthcare revenues increased $139.0 million, or 26.0%, driven by strengthened demand for our performance improvement, financial advisory and strategy and innovation solutions within our Consulting and Managed Services capability, as well as strengthened demand for our technology and analytics services within our Digital capability. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 included $1.1 million of incremental revenues from our acquisitions of Customer Evolution, LLC and Roundtable Analytics, Inc, which were completed in December 2022 and September 2023, respectively.
The number of revenue-generating professionals within our Healthcare segment grew 20.1% to 2,270 as of December 31, 2023, compared to 1,890 as of December 31, 2022.
•Education revenues increased $69.8 million, or 19.4%, driven by strengthened demand for our technology and analytics services and software products within our Digital capability, as well as strengthened demand for our strategy and operations and research solutions within our Consulting and Managed Services capability.
The number of revenue-generating professionals within our Education segment grew 13.2% to 1,788 as of December 31, 2023, compared to 1,579 as of December 31, 2022.
•Commercial revenues increased $20.8 million, or 8.7%, driven by strengthened demand for our financial advisory solutions within our Consulting and Managed Services capability and our technology and analytics services within our Digital capability, partially offset by a decrease in demand for our strategy and innovation solution within our Consulting and Managed Services capability.
The number of revenue-generating professionals within our Commercial segment grew 7.2% to 1,461 as of December 31, 2023, compared to 1,363 as of December 31, 2022.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $214.2 million, or 20.2%, over the year ended December 31, 2022.
Operating expenses and operating expenses as a percentage of revenues were as follows:
Operating Expenses (in thousands, except amounts as a percentage of revenues) Year Ended December 31, Increase / (Decrease)
2023 2022
Direct costs $ 942,697 69.2% $ 785,881 69.4% $ 156,816
Reimbursable expenses 36,766 2.7% 26,671 2.4% 10,095
Selling, general and administrative expenses 257,488 18.9% 209,381 18.5% 48,107
Restructuring charges 11,550 0.8% 9,909 0.9% 1,641
Depreciation and amortization 24,906 1.8% 27,359 2.3% (2,453)
Total operating expenses $ 1,273,407 93.5% $ 1,059,201 93.5% $ 214,206
Direct Costs
Direct costs increased $156.8 million, or 20.0%, to $942.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $785.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The $156.8 million increase primarily related to a $143.2 million increase in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals as we continue to invest in and grow our talented team to meet increased market demand. Specifically, the increase in compensation costs is primarily attributable to a $92.7 million increase in salaries and related expenses driven by increased headcount and annual salary increases that went into effect in the first quarter of 2023, a $42.7 million increase in performance bonus expense, and a $6.9 million increase in share-based compensation expense. Additional increases in direct costs include a $6.2 million increase in technology costs, and a $4.0 million increase in contractor expenses. As a percentage of revenues, direct costs decreased to 69.2% during 2023, compared to 69.4% during 2022. The decrease was primarily due to revenue growth that outpaced the increase in salaries and related expenses for our revenue-generating professionals; largely offset by an increase in performance bonus expense, as a percentage of revenue.
Reimbursable Expenses
Reimbursable expenses are billed to clients at cost and primarily relate to travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with client engagements. These expenses are also included in total revenues and reimbursable expenses. We manage our business on the basis of revenues before reimbursable expenses, which we believe is the most accurate reflection of our services because it eliminates the effect of reimbursable expenses that are also included as a component of operating expenses.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $48.1 million, or 23.0%, to $257.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $209.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The $48.1 million increase primarily related to a $37.2 million increase in compensation costs for our support personnel driven by a $14.4 million increase in salaries and related expenses, a $12.3 million increase in deferred compensation expense attributable to the change in market value of our deferred compensation liability, a $5.9 million increase in share-based compensation expense, and a $4.8 million increase in performance bonus expense. The increase in deferred compensation expense is offset by an increase in the gain recognized for the change in the market value of investments that are used to fund our deferred compensation liability and recognized in other income (expense), net. Additionally, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $10.8 million for non-payroll costs driven by a $3.3 million increase in promotion and marketing expenses, a $2.8 million increase in practice administration and meetings expenses, a $2.6 million increase in legal expenses, and a $1.6 million increase in software and data hosting expenses. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 18.9% during 2023, compared to 18.5% during 2022. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in deferred compensation expense attributable to the change in market value of our deferred compensation liability, as a percentage of revenues; partially offset by revenue growth that outpaced the increases in total non-payroll costs.
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $11.6 million, compared to $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. During 2023, we exited our office spaces in Hillsboro, Oregon and Lexington, Massachusetts, resulting in non-cash impairment charges of $1.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively, on the related right-of-use operating lease assets and fixed assets. Additionally, restructuring charges incurred in 2023 included $3.0 million of severance-related expenses; $1.8 million for rent and related expenses, net of sublease income, for previously vacated office spaces; $0.9 million related to non-cash lease impairment charges driven by updated sublease assumptions for previously vacated office spaces; and $0.3 million related to the abandonment of a capitalized software development project.
The $9.9 million of restructuring charges incurred in 2022 included $5.7 million of severance-related expenses; $2.3 million for rent and related expenses, net of sublease income, for previously vacated office spaces; $0.7 million for third-party professional advisory fees related to the modification of our operating model; and $0.6 million for the early termination of a contract.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $2.5 million, or 9.0%, to $24.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $27.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The $2.5 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily attributable to intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions that were fully amortized in prior periods and a decrease in amortization of intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions due to the accelerated basis of amortization in prior periods.
Operating Income and Operating Margin
Operating income increased $25.6 million to $125.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $99.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Operating margin, which is defined as operating income expressed as a percentage of revenues, increased to 9.2% for 2023, compared to 8.8% for 2022.
Operating income and operating margin for each of our segments is as follows. See the Segment and Consolidated Operating Results table above for a reconciliation of our total segment operating income to consolidated Huron operating income.
Segment Operating Income (in thousands, except operating margin percentages) Year Ended December 31, Increase / (Decrease)
2023 2022
Healthcare $ 172,900 25.7% $ 131,227 24.5% $ 41,673
Education 99,098 23.1% 78,924 21.9% 20,174
Commercial 54,202 21.0% 50,025 21.1% 4,177
Total segment operating income $ 326,200 $ 260,176 $ 66,024
•Healthcare operating income increased $41.7 million, or 31.8%, primarily due to the increase in revenues; partially offset by increases in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals, contractor expenses, and compensation costs for our support personnel. The increases in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals and support personnel were primarily driven by an increase in headcount, annual salary increases that went into effect in the first quarter of 2023, an increase in performance bonus expense, and an increase in share-based compensation expense. Healthcare operating margin increased to 25.7% from 24.5% primarily due to the revenue growth that outpaced the increase in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals; partially offset by an increase in contractor expenses, as a percentage of revenues.
•Education operating income increased $20.2 million, or 25.6%, primarily due to the increase in revenues as well as decreases in contractor expenses, restructuring charges, and software and data hosting expenses; partially offset by increases in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals, technology expenses, practice administration and meetings expenses, and promotion and marketing expenses. The increases in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals were primarily driven by an increase in headcount, annual salary increases that went into effect in the first quarter of 2023, and an increase in performance bonus expense. Education operating margin increased to 23.1% from 21.9% primarily driven by decreases in contractor expenses and restructuring charges; partially offset by increases in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals and technology expenses, as percentages of revenue.
•Commercial operating income increased $4.2 million, or 8.3%, primarily due to the increase in revenues as well as a decrease in contractor expenses; partially offset by increases in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals, promotion and marketing expenses, and practice administration and meetings expenses. The increase in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals was primarily driven by an increase in performance bonus expense, an increase in headcount, and annual salary increases that went into effect in the first quarter of 2023. Commercial operating margin decreased slightly to 21.0% from 21.1% primarily driven by increases in compensation costs for our revenue-generating professionals and non-payroll selling, general and administrative costs, as percentages of revenues; partially offset by the decrease in contractor expenses.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Interest expense, net of interest income increased $7.7 million to $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was primarily attributable to higher interest rates and higher levels of borrowing under our credit facility in 2023 compared to 2022. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below and Note 7 “Financing Arrangements” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on our senior secured credit facility.
Other income (expense), net decreased $42.6 million to expense of $21.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from income of $20.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in other income, net was primarily attributable to changes in the fair value of our preferred stock investment in a hospital-at-home company. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $26.3 million on our preferred stock investment based on the valuation established in a new round of financing expected to close in early 2024. In the first quarter of 2022, we recognized a non-cash unrealized gain of $27.0 million for the same investment, based on the valuation established in a round of financing that closed that quarter. As of December 31, 2023, the investment's carrying value was $7.4 million, reflecting a net unrealized gain of $2.4 million on the investment since inception. See Note 13 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on our preferred stock investment. This decrease in other income, net was partially offset by a $12.2 million increase in the gain recognized for the market value of our investments that are used to fund our deferred compensation liability. During 2023 we recognized a $4.8 million gain for the market value of our deferred compensation investments compared to a $7.4 million loss recognized in 2022.
Income Tax Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2023, our effective tax rate was 25.5% as we recognized income tax expense of $21.4 million on income of $83.9 million. The effective tax rate of 25.5% was more favorable than the statutory rate, inclusive of state income taxes, of 26.2%, primarily due to a discrete tax benefit for share-based compensation awards that vested during the year and the positive impact of certain federal tax credits. These favorable items were partially offset by certain nondeductible expense items.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, our effective tax rate was 30.4% as we recognized income tax expense of $33.0 million on income of $108.6 million. The effective tax rate of 30.4% was less favorable than the statutory rate, inclusive of state income taxes, of 26.7%, primarily due to tax expense related to nondeductible losses on our investments used to fund our deferred compensation liability and certain nondeductible expense items.
See Note 17 “Income Taxes” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on our income tax expense.
Net Income and Earnings per Share
Net income decreased $13.1 million to $62.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $75.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to the changes in the fair value of our preferred stock investment in a hospital-at-home company recorded in other income (expense), net; partially offset by the increase in operating income. In 2023, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $26.3 million related to our preferred stock investment; and in 2022, we recognized a non-cash unrealized gain of $27.0 million related to the same investment as discussed above. Diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased to $3.19, compared to $3.64 for the year ended December 31, 2022, driven by the decrease in net income partially offset by a reduction in diluted shares outstanding resulting from share repurchases made under our share repurchase plan. The changes in fair value of our preferred stock investment in a hospital-at-home company had an unfavorable impact on our diluted earnings per share of $0.99 in 2023 and a favorable impact on our diluted earnings per share of $0.96 for 2022 .
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA decreased $19.6 million to $129.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $148.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in EBITDA was primarily attributable to the changes in the fair value of our preferred stock investment in the hospital-at-home company, as well as the increase in corporate expenses, excluding the impact of the change in the market value of our deferred compensation liability; largely offset by the increase in segment operating income. In 2023, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $26.3 million related to our preferred stock investment; and in 2022, we recognized a non-cash unrealized gain of $27.0 million related to the same investment as discussed above.
Adjusted EBITDA increased $36.5 million to $167.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $130.8 million for the year ended December 31,2022. The increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the increase in segment operating income, excluding the impact of segment restructuring charges; partially offset by the increase in corporate expenses, excluding the impacts of the change in the market value of our deferred compensation liability and corporate restructuring charges.
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Share
Adjusted net income increased $25.1 million to $96.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $71.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased to $4.91 in 2023, compared to $3.43 in 2022, driven by the increase in adjusted net income and a reduction in diluted shares outstanding resulting from share repurchases made under our share repurchase plan.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash and cash equivalents were $12.1 million, $11.8 million, and $20.8 million at December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash flows from our U.S. operations, and borrowing capacity available under our credit facility.
Cash Flows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 135,262 $ 85,400 $ 17,987
Net cash used in investing activities (36,652) (20,128) (20,143)
Net cash used in financing activities (98,327) (74,108) (44,410)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 32 (111) 170
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $ 315 $ (8,947) $ (46,396)
Operating Activities
Our operating assets and liabilities consist primarily of receivables from billed and unbilled services, accounts payable and accrued expenses, accrued payroll and related benefits, operating lease obligations and deferred revenues. The volume of services rendered and the related billings and timing of collections on those billings, as well as payments of our accounts payable and salaries, bonuses, and related benefits to employees affect these account balances. Our purchase obligations primarily consist of payments for software and other information technology products to support our business and corporate infrastructure.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $49.9 million to $135.3 million in 2023 from $85.4 million in 2022. The increase in net operating cash flows was primarily related to an increase in cash collections in 2023 compared to the prior year; partially offset by an increase in salaries and related expenses for our revenue-generating professionals, an increase in payments for selling, general and administrative expenses in 2023 compared to the prior year, and an increase in the amount paid for annual performance bonuses in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022.
Additionally, for 2023, our unbilled receivables increased partially driven by certain large Healthcare and Education engagements where our services performed and revenue recognized exceeded the amounts billed to clients in accordance with the contractual billing terms. In the future, we may enter into additional client engagements with similar deferred billing terms.
Investing Activities
Our investing activities primarily consist of purchases of complementary businesses; purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to computers and related equipment for our employees and leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures for office spaces; payments related to internally developed cloud-based software sold to our clients; and investments. Our investments include a convertible note investment in Shorelight Holdings, LLC, a preferred stock investment in a hospital-at-home company, and investments in life insurance policies that are used to fund our deferred compensation liability.
Net cash used in investing activities was $36.7 million for 2023 which primarily consisted of $25.7 million for payments related to internally developed software to advance our Healthcare and Education software products; $9.4 million for purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to purchases of computers and related equipment and leasehold improvements for certain office spaces; $3.1 million for contributions to our life insurance policies; and $1.6 million for the purchase of a business. These uses of cash for investing activities were partially offset by $3.0 million of cash received for distributions from our life insurance policies that are used to fund our deferred compensation liability.
Net cash used in investing activities was $20.1 million for 2022. The use of cash in 2022 primarily consisted of $12.5 million for purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to purchases of computers and related equipment and leasehold improvements; $11.8 million for payments related to internally developed software; and $3.4 million for the purchases of businesses. These uses of cash for investing activities were partially offset by $4.8 million of cash received for the sale of our aircraft in the first quarter of 2022 and $3.4 million of cash received for distributions from our life insurance policies that are used to fund our deferred compensation liability.
We estimate that cash utilized for purchases of property and equipment and software development in 2024 will total approximately $35 million to $40 million; primarily consisting of software development costs, leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures for certain office locations and information technology related equipment to support our corporate infrastructure.
Financing Activities
Our financing activities primarily consist of borrowings and repayments under our senior secured credit facility, share repurchases, shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings upon vesting of share-based compensation, and payments for contingent consideration liabilities related to business acquisitions. See “Financing Arrangements” below for additional information on our senior secured credit facility.
Net cash used in financing activities was $98.3 million in 2023. During 2023, we borrowed $354.0 million primarily to fund our operations, including our annual performance bonus payment in the first quarter of 2023, and made repayments on our borrowings of $320.0 million. Additionally, in 2023, we paid $122.8 million for share repurchases, including $1.1 million related to the settlement of share repurchases that were accrued as of December 31, 2022 and excluding $1.9 million that was accrued as of December 31, 2023. During 2023, we reacquired $10.5 million of common stock as a result of tax withholdings upon vesting of share-based compensation. We also made deferred acquisition payments of $1.5 million to the sellers of certain businesses we acquired. These payments were primarily the result of achieving specified financial performance targets in accordance with the related purchase agreements. These uses of cash for financing activities were partially offset by $2.5 million of cash received from stock option exercises in 2023.
Net cash used in financing activities was $74.1 million in 2022. During 2022, we borrowed $314.0 million under our senior secured credit facility primarily to fund our operations, including our annual performance bonus payment in the first quarter of 2022, and made repayments on our borrowings of $256.8 million. The repayments on our borrowings included the repayment of the outstanding principal of our promissory note due 2024 of $2.7 million from the proceeds received for the sale of our aircraft. Additionally, in 2022, we paid $120.4 million for share repurchases, including $0.2 million related to the settlement of share repurchases that were accrued as of December 31, 2021 and excluding $1.1 million that was accrued as of December 31, 2022. During 2022, we reacquired $7.8 million of common stock as a result of tax withholdings upon vesting of share-based compensation. Additionally, we made payments of $2.7 million for debt issuance costs related to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement executed in the fourth quarter of 2022. We also made deferred acquisition payments of $1.9 million to the sellers of certain businesses we acquired. These payments were primarily the result of achieving specified financial performance targets in accordance with the related purchase agreements. These uses of cash for financing activities were partially offset by $1.4 million of cash received from stock option exercises in 2022.
Share Repurchase Program
In November 2020, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program permitting us to repurchase up to $50 million of our common stock through December 31, 2021. The share repurchase program has been subsequently extended and increased, most recently in the fourth quarter of 2023. The current authorization extends the share repurchase program through December 31, 2024 with a repurchase amount of $400 million, of which $86.2 million remains available as of December 31, 2023. The amount and timing of repurchases under the share repurchase program were and will continue to be determined by management and depend on a variety of factors, including the trading price of our common stock, capacity under our credit facility, general market and business conditions, and applicable legal requirements.
Financing Arrangements
At December 31, 2023, we had $324.0 million outstanding under our senior secured credit facility, as discussed below.
The Company has a $600 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to the terms of a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 15, 2022 and amended by Amendment No. 1 (collectively, the “Amended Credit Agreement”) that becomes due and payable in full upon maturity on November 15, 2027. In February 2024, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “Second Amendment”) to the Amended Credit Agreement to establish a $275 million term loan as discussed below under “2024 Term Loan.” Prior to the Second Amendment, the Amended Credit Agreement provided the option to increase the revolving credit facility or establish term loan facilities in an aggregate amount up to $250 million, subject to customary conditions and the approval of any lender whose commitment would be increased, resulting in a maximum available principal amount under the Amended Credit Agreement of $850 million. The initial borrowings under the revolving credit facility were used to refinance borrowings outstanding under a prior credit agreement, and future revolving credit facility borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, share repurchases, permitted acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes.
Fees and interest on borrowings under the revolving credit facility vary based on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement). At our option, these borrowings will bear interest at one, three or six month Term SOFR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin will fluctuate between 1.125% per annum and 1.875% per annum, in the case of Term SOFR borrowings, or between 0.125% per annum and 0.875% per annum, in the case of base rate loans, based upon our Consolidated Leverage Ratio at such time. Fees and interest on borrowings are paid on a monthly basis.
In April 2023, the Company and PNC Capital Markets, LLC, as Sustainability Structuring Agent, with the consent of the Required Lenders (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Amended Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”) to incorporate specified key performance indicators with respect to certain environmental, social and governance targets of the Company. Based upon the performance of the Company against those key performance indicators in each Reference Year (as defined in the First
Amendment), certain adjustments to the otherwise applicable rates for interest, commitment fees and letter of credit fees will be made. These annual adjustments will not exceed an increase or decrease of 0.01% in the aggregate for all key performance indicators in the case of the commitment fee rate or an increase or decrease of 0.05% in the aggregate for all key performance indicators in the case of the Term SOFR borrowings, base rate borrowings or letter of credit fee rate.
Amounts borrowed under the Amended Credit Agreement may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. We are required to prepay the amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement in certain circumstances, including upon an Event of Default (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement). In addition, we have the right to permanently reduce or terminate the unused portion of the commitments provided under the Amended Credit Agreement at any time.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains usual and customary representations and warranties; affirmative and negative covenants, which include limitations on liens, investments, additional indebtedness, and restricted payments; and two quarterly financial covenants as follows: (i) a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of debt to consolidated EBITDA) of 3.75 to 1.00; however, the maximum permitted Consolidated Leverage Ratio will increase to 4.25 to 1.00 upon the occurrence of a Qualified Acquisition (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), and (ii) a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest) of 3.00 to 1.00. Consolidated EBITDA for purposes of the financial covenants is calculated on a continuing operations basis and includes adjustments to add back non-cash goodwill impairment charges, share-based compensation costs, certain non-cash restructuring charges, pro forma historical EBITDA for businesses acquired, and other specified items in accordance with the Amended Credit Agreement. For purposes of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, total debt is on a gross basis and is not netted against our cash balances. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with these financial covenants. Our Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of December 31, 2023 was 1.59 to 1.00, compared to 1.92 to 1.00 as of December 31, 2022. Our Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio as of December 31, 2023 was 10.85 to 1.00, compared to 14.04 to 1.00 as of December 31, 2022.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains restricted payment provisions, including a potential limit on the amount of dividends we may pay. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement, if our Consolidated Leverage Ratio is greater than 3.50, the amount of dividends and other Restricted Payments (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) we may pay is limited to an amount up to $50 million.
Borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2023 and 2022 totaled $324.0 million and $290.0 million, respectively. These borrowings carried a weighted average interest rate of 4.2% at December 31, 2023 and 3.8% at December 31, 2022 including the impact of the interest rate swaps described in Note 12 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity" within the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The borrowing capacity under the Amended Credit Agreement is reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the agreement and outstanding letters of credit. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $0.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, which are used as security deposits for our office facilities. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the unused borrowing capacity under the Amended Credit Agreement was $275.5 million and $309.3 million, respectively.
2024 Term Loan
In February 2024, the Company entered into Amendment No.2 to the Amended Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”), which established a $275 million term loan facility (the “Term Loan”) under the Amended Credit Agreement (as amended to date, the “Current Credit Agreement”). The Term Loan is subject to scheduled quarterly amortization payments of $3.4 million beginning June 30, 2024 through the maturity date of November 15, 2027, at which time the outstanding principal balance and all accrued interest will be due. Additionally, the Second Amendment provided for the option to increase the revolving credit facility or establish additional term loan facilities in an aggregate amount up to $250 million, subject to customary conditions and the approval of any lender whose commitment would be increased, resulting in a maximum available principal amount under the Current Credit Agreement of $1.13 billion. The proceeds of the Term Loan will be used to reduce borrowings under the company's revolving credit facility.
Interest on the Term Loan varies based on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Current Credit Agreement). At our option, the Term Loan will bear interest at one, three or six month Term SOFR plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin will range between 1.625% per annum and 2.375% per annum based upon our Consolidated Leverage Ratio at such time and subject to the adjustments allowed for performance against certain environmental, social and governance targets of the Company as outlined in the First Amendment.
The Current Credit Agreement maintains the same prepayment provisions, usual and customary representations and warranties, fee pricing schedule, and affirmative and negative covenants as the Amended Credit Agreement discussed above.
For further information, see Note 7 “Financing Arrangements” within the notes to the consolidated financial statements. For a discussion of certain risks and uncertainties related to the Current Credit Agreement, see Part I-Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”
Future Financing Needs
Our primary financing need is to fund our long-term growth. Our growth strategy is to expand our service offerings, which may require investments in new hires, acquisitions of complementary businesses, possible expansion into other geographic areas, and related capital expenditures.
We believe our internally generated liquidity, together with our available cash and the borrowing capacity available under our senior secured credit facility will be adequate to support our current financing needs and long-term growth strategy. Our ability to secure additional financing in the future, if needed, will depend on several factors, including our future profitability, the quality of our accounts receivable and unbilled services, our relative levels of debt and equity, and the overall condition of the credit markets.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We are not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements. We regularly review our financial reporting and disclosure practices and accounting policies to ensure that our financial reporting and disclosures provide accurate information relative to the current economic and business environment. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make assessments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Critical accounting policies and estimates are those policies and estimates that we believe present the most complex or subjective measurements and have the most potential to impact our financial position and operating results. While all decisions regarding accounting policies and estimates are important, we believe that there are five accounting policies and estimates that could be considered critical: revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services, business combinations, carrying values of goodwill and other intangible assets, and accounting for income taxes.
Revenue Recognition
We generate substantially all of our revenues from providing professional services to our clients. We also generate revenues from software licenses, software support and maintenance and subscriptions to our cloud-based analytic tools and solutions, speaking engagements, conferences, and publications.
Our revenue is generated under four types of billing arrangements: fixed-fee (including software license revenue); time-and-expense; performance-based; and software support, maintenance and subscriptions. Determining the method and amount of revenue to recognize requires us to make judgments and estimates. Specifically, multiple performance obligation arrangements require us to allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price, for which we rely on our overall pricing objectives, taking into consideration market conditions and other factors. Provisions are recorded for the estimated realization on all engagements, including engagements for which fees are subject to review by the bankruptcy courts. We continually evaluate our estimates of the provisions based on available information and experiences. Additionally, when accounting for fixed-fee and performance-based billing arrangements, we must make additional judgments and estimates as further described below.
In fixed-fee billing arrangements for professional services, we agree to a pre-established fee in exchange for a predetermined set of professional services. We set the fees based on our estimates of the costs and timing for completing the engagements. We generally recognize revenues under fixed-fee billing arrangements using a proportionate performance approach, which is based on work completed to date versus our estimates of the total services to be provided under the engagement. Estimates of total engagement revenues and cost of services are monitored regularly during the term of the engagement. Any increased or unexpected costs or unanticipated delays in connection with the performance of these engagements could make these contracts less profitable or unprofitable.
In performance-based billing arrangements, fees are tied to the attainment of contractually defined objectives. We enter into performance-based engagements in essentially two forms. First, we generally earn fees that are directly related to the savings formally acknowledged by the client as a result of adopting our recommendations for improving operational and cost effectiveness in the areas we review. Second, we earn a success fee when and if certain predefined outcomes occur. We recognize revenue under performance-based billing arrangements using the following steps: 1) estimate variable consideration using a probability-weighted assessment of the fees to be earned, 2) apply a constraint to the estimated variable consideration to limit the amount that could be reversed when the uncertainty is resolved (the “constraint”), and 3) recognize revenue of estimated variable consideration, net of the constraint, based on work completed to date versus our estimates of the total services to be provided under the engagement. Our estimates are monitored throughout the life of each contract and are based on an assessment of our anticipated performance, historical experience, and other information available at the time. While we
believe that the estimates and assumptions we use for revenue recognition for performance-based billing arrangements are reasonable, subsequent changes could materially impact our results of operations.
See Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on our revenue recognition accounting policy.
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Unbilled Services
We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts and for services performed but not yet billed based on several factors, including the estimated cash realization from amounts due from clients, an assessment of a client’s ability to make required payments, and the historical percentages of fee adjustments and write-offs by age of receivables and unbilled services. The allowances are assessed by management on a regular basis. These estimates may differ from actual results. If the financial condition of a client deteriorates in the future, impacting the client’s ability to make payments, an increase to our allowance might be required or our allowance may not be sufficient to cover actual write-offs.
We record the provision for doubtful accounts and unbilled services as a reduction in revenue. To the extent we write-off accounts receivable due to a client’s inability to pay, the charge is recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.
Business Combinations
We use the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, including identifiable intangible assets, are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, with the exception of contract assets and liabilities which are recognized and measured in accordance with our revenue recognition accounting policy described in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Goodwill is recorded as the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred, including any contingent consideration, over the net value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We base the fair values of identifiable intangible assets on detailed valuations that require management to make significant judgments, estimates, and assumptions, such as the expected future cash flows to be derived from the intangible assets, discount rates that reflect the risk factors associated with future cash flows, and estimates of useful lives.
We measure and recognize contingent consideration at fair value as of the acquisition date. We estimate the fair value of contingent consideration based on either a probability-weighted assessment of the specific financial performance targets being achieved or a Monte Carlo simulation model, as appropriate. These fair value measurements require the use of significant judgments, estimates, and assumptions, including financial performance projections and discount rates. The fair value of the contingent consideration is reassessed quarterly based on assumptions used in our latest financial projections and input provided by practice leaders and management, with any change in the fair value estimate recorded in earnings in that period. Increases or decreases in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities resulting from changes in the estimates or assumptions could materially impact the financial statements.
See Note 3 “Acquisitions and Divestiture” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on our acquisitions and Note 13 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on our contingent consideration liabilities.
Carrying Values of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We test goodwill for impairment, at the reporting unit level, annually and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. We perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30 and monitor for interim triggering events on an ongoing basis. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component) to which goodwill is assigned when initially recorded. We assign goodwill to reporting units based on our integration plans and the expected synergies resulting from the acquisition. As of December 31, 2023, we have three reporting units: Healthcare, Education, and Commercial.
Under GAAP, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of current events or circumstances would lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of one of our reporting units is greater than its carrying value. If we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value, no further testing is necessary. However, if we conclude otherwise, then we are required to perform a quantitative impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing the fair value with the carrying value of the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded in an amount equal to that difference with the loss not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
We determine the fair value of our reporting units using the income approach. For a company such as ours, the income approach will generally provide the most reliable indication of fair value because the value of such companies is dependent on their ability to generate earnings. We utilize a discounted cash flow analysis, which involves estimating the expected after-tax cash flows that will be generated by each reporting unit and then discounting those cash flows to present value, reflecting the relevant risks associated with each reporting unit and the time value of money. This approach requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including forecasted revenue growth
rates, forecasted EBITDA margins, and discount rates. Our forecasts are based on historical experience, current backlog, expected market demand, and other industry information.
The following is a discussion of the goodwill impairment test performed during 2023.
Pursuant to our policy, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2023 for our three reporting units: Healthcare, Education, and Commercial. We performed a qualitative assessment over all reporting units to determine if it was more likely than not the respective fair values of these reporting units were less than their carrying amounts, including goodwill.
For our qualitative assessment, we considered the most recent quantitative analysis performed for each reporting unit, which was as of January 1, 2022, including the key assumptions used within that analysis, the indicated fair values, and the amount by which those fair values exceeded their carrying amounts. One of the key assumptions used within the prior quantitative analysis was our internal financial projections; therefore, we considered the actual performance of each reporting unit during 2022 and 2023 compared to the internal financial projections used, as well as specific outlooks for each reporting unit based on our most recent internal financial projections. We also reviewed the current carrying value of each reporting unit in comparison to the carrying values as of the prior quantitative analysis. In addition, we considered various factors, including macroeconomic conditions, relevant industry and market trends for each reporting unit, and other entity-specific events, that could indicate a potential change in the fair value of our reporting units or the composition of their carrying values. Based on our assessments, we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair values for each of our reporting units exceeded their respective carrying amounts. As such, the goodwill for our reporting units was not considered impaired as of November 30, 2023, and a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis was not necessary.
The results of an impairment analysis are as of a point in time. There is no assurance that the actual future earnings or cash flows of our reporting units will be consistent with our projections. We will monitor any changes to our assumptions and will evaluate goodwill as deemed warranted during future periods. Any significant decline in our operations could result in non-cash goodwill impairment charges.
The carrying value of goodwill for each of our reporting units as of December 31, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):
Reporting Unit Carrying Value
of Goodwill
Healthcare $ 454,959
Education 122,235
Commercial 48,517
Total $ 625,711
Intangible assets represent purchased assets that lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill. Our intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, totaled $18.1 million at December 31, 2023 and primarily consist of customer relationships, technology and software, trade names, and non-competition agreements, all of which were acquired through business combinations. We evaluate our intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. No impairment charges for intangible assets were recorded in 2023.
Income Taxes
Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. In determining our provision for income taxes on an interim basis, we estimate our annual effective tax rate based on information available at each interim period. Changes in applicable U.S. state, federal or foreign tax laws and regulations, or their interpretation and application, could materially affect our tax expense.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in management’s opinion, it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. Factors considered in making this determination include the period of expiration of the tax asset, planned use of the tax asset, tax planning strategies and historical and projected taxable income as well as tax liabilities for the tax jurisdiction in which the tax asset is located. Valuation allowances will be subject to change in each future reporting period as a result of changes in one or more of these factors.
Our tax positions are subject to income tax audits by federal, state, local, and foreign tax authorities. A tax benefit from an uncertain position may be recognized in the financial statements only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable, based on its technical merits. We measure the tax benefit recognized as the largest amount of benefit which is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority. The estimate of the potential outcome of any uncertain tax issue is subject to management’s assessment of relevant risks,
facts and circumstances existing at that time. We believe that positions taken on our tax returns are fully supported. However, final determinations of prior year tax positions upon settlement with the taxing authority could be materially different from estimates. The outcome of these final determinations could have a material impact on our provision for taxes, net income, or cash flows in the period in which that determination is made.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Refer to Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the notes to the consolidated financial statements for information on new accounting pronouncements.
SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On February 11, 2024, we entered into an agreement to acquire Grenzebach Glier and Associates, Inc. (“GG+A”), a philanthropic management consulting firm that helps education institutions and healthcare, arts and other nonprofit organizations build and accelerate the philanthropic programs that support their mission. The transaction is expected to close in March 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The results of operations of GG+A will be included within our consolidated financial statements and results of operations of our Education segment from the date of acquisition. We do not expect the acquisition of GG+A to be significant to our consolidated financial statements.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
We are exposed to market risks primarily from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates and changes in the market value of our investments. We use certain derivative instruments to hedge a portion of the interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risks.
Interest Rate Risk
We have exposure to changes in interest rates associated with borrowings under our bank credit facility, which have variable interest rates tied to Term SOFR or an alternate base rate, at our option. At December 31, 2023, we had borrowings outstanding under the credit facility totaling $324.0 million that carried a weighted average interest rate of 4.2%, including the impact of the interest rate swaps described below. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in the interest rate would have a $0.7 million effect on our pretax income on an annualized basis, including the effect of the interest rate swaps. At December 31, 2022, we had borrowings outstanding under the credit facility totaling $290.0 million that carried a weighted average interest rate of 3.8%, including the impact of the interest rate swaps described below. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in the interest rate would have had a $0.9 million effect on our pretax income on an annualized basis, including the effect of the interest rate swaps.
We enter into forward interest rate swap agreements to hedge against the interest rate risks of our variable-rate borrowings. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, we receive from the counterparty interest on the notional amount based on one month Term SOFR and we pay to the counterparty a stated, fixed rate. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the aggregate notional amount of our forward interest rate swap agreements was $250.0 million and $200.0 million, respectively. The outstanding interest rate swap agreements as of December 31, 2023 are scheduled to mature on a staggered basis through February 29, 2028.
Foreign Currency Risk
We have exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar (USD) and the Indian Rupee (INR) related to our operations in India. We hedge a portion of our cash flow exposure related to our INR-denominated intercompany expenses by entering into non-deliverable foreign exchange forward contracts. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the aggregate notional amounts of these contracts were INR 1,375.7 million, or $16.6 million, and INR 657.9 million, or $8.0 million, respectively, based on the exchange rates in effect as of each period end. The outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts as of December 31, 2023 are scheduled to mature monthly through December 31, 2024.
We use a sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations may have on the fair value of our foreign currency exchange rate hedge portfolio. The sensitivity of the hedge portfolio is computed based on the market value of future cash flows as affected by changes in exchange rates. This sensitivity analysis represents the hypothetical changes in value of the hedge position and does not reflect the offsetting gain or loss on the underlying exposure. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in the foreign currency exchange rate between the USD and INR would have an immaterial impact on the fair value of our hedge instruments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Market Risk
We have a 1.69% convertible debt investment in Shorelight Holdings, LLC, a privately-held company, which we account for as an available-for-sale debt security. As such, the investment is carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and
reported in other comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of the investment was $68.0 million, with a total cost basis of $40.9 million. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of the investment was $57.6 million, with a total cost basis of $40.9 million.
We have a preferred stock investment in a privately-held hospital-at-home company, which we account for as an equity security without a readily determinable fair value using the measurement alternative. As such, the investment is carried at cost minus impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying value of the investment was $7.4 million and $33.6 million, respectively, with a total cost basis of $5.0 million. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $26.3 million on our preferred stock investment based on the valuation established in a new round of financing expected to close in early 2024. During the first quarter of 2022, we recognized a non-cash unrealized gain of $27.0 million, based on the observable price change of preferred stock issued by the company with similar rights and preferences to our preferred stock investment, a Level 2 input. The non-cash impairment loss and unrealized gain were recorded to other income (expense), net in our consolidated statement of operations.
We do not use derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. From time to time, we invest excess cash in short-term marketable securities. These investments principally consist of overnight sweep accounts. Due to the short maturity of these investments, we have concluded that we do not have material market risk exposure. Refer to Note 12 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity” within the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on our derivative instruments.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and supplementary data begin on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2023. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act, and such information is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:
(i)Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
(ii)Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
(iii)Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In connection with the preparation of this report, our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2023 using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). As a result of that evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended December 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
Securities Trading Plans of Directors and Executive Officers
During the fourth quarter of 2023, none of our executive officers or directors adopted or terminated contracts, instructions or written plans for the sale or purchase of our securities intended to satisfy the affirmative defense condition of Rule 10b5-1(c) trading plan or adopted or terminated a non-Rule 10b5-1(c) trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K).
The Company previously reported the adoption by Mr. McCartney of a 10b5-1 plan on August 2, 2023 covering 5,400 shares. Such shares include 2,700 shares held by Niamogue Foundation in which Mr. McCartney does not have a pecuniary interest.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from portions of our definitive proxy statement for our annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A by April 29, 2024 (the “Proxy Statement”) under “Nominees to Board of Directors,” “Directors Not Standing For Election” and “Executive Officers.”
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a portion of the Proxy Statement under “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports.”
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) that is applicable to all of our employees, officers and directors. The Code is available on the Corporate Governance page of our website at ir.huronconsultinggroup.com. If we make any amendments to or grant any waivers from the Code which are required to be disclosed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we will make such disclosures on our website.
Corporate Governance
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a portion of the Proxy Statement under “Board Meetings and Committees.”

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a portion of the Proxy Statement under “Executive Compensation.”
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a portion of the Proxy Statement under “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.”
Compensation Committee Report
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a portion of the Proxy Statement under “Compensation Committee Report.”

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table summarizes information with respect to equity compensation plans approved by shareholders as of December 31, 2023. We do not have equity compensation plans that have not been approved by shareholders.
Plan Category Number of Shares
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options Number of Shares
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
(excluding shares in
1st column)
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders:
2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (1)
205,647 $ 62.36 1,124,100
Stock Ownership Participation Program (2)
- N/A 123,887
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders N/A N/A N/A
Total 205,647 $ 62.36 1,247,987
(1)Our 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan was approved by our shareholders at our annual meeting held on May 1, 2012. Subsequent to the initial approval and through December 31, 2023, our shareholders have approved amendments to the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance to 5.4 million shares, in the aggregate.
(2)Our Stock Ownership Participation Program was approved by our shareholders at our annual meeting held on May 1, 2015. Subsequent to the initial approval and through December 31, 2023, our shareholders have approved amendments to the Stock Ownership Participation Program to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance to 0.7 million shares, in the aggregate.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a portion of the Proxy Statement under “Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a portion of the Proxy Statement under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”
Director Independence
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from portions of the Proxy Statement under “Nominees to Board of Directors,” “Directors Not Standing For Election,” and “Board Meetings and Committees.”

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a portion of the Proxy Statement under “Audit and Non-Audit Fees.”
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) Documents filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
1.Financial Statements-Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report and our Consolidated Financial Statements are listed below and begin on page of this Form 10-K.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2.Financial Statement Schedules-The financial statement schedules required by this item are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes.
3.Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number Exhibit Description Filed
herewith Furnished
herewith Incorporated by Reference
Form Period
Ending Exhibit Filing Date
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on July 28, 2023.
10-Q
9/30/2023 3.1 11/2/2023
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Huron Consulting Group Inc. (as amended on May 15, 2023).
8-K 3.2 5/19/2023
4.1 Specimen Stock Certificate.
S-1
(File No. 333-
115434) 4.1 10/5/2004
4.2 Description of Securities.
10-K 12/31/2019 4.2 2/26/2020
10.1 Office Lease, dated December 2003, between Union Tower, LLC and Huron Consulting Services LLC (formerly known as Huron Consulting Group LLC).
S-1
(File No. 333-
115434) 10.1 10/5/2004
10.2* Huron Consulting Group Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan as Amended and Restated effective January 1, 2009.
10-K 12/31/2008 10.12 2/24/2009
10.3* Senior Management Agreement by and between Huron Consulting Group Inc. and John D. Kelly.
8-K 10.1 1/6/2017
10.4 First Amendment to Lease by and between Huron Consulting Services LLC and Union Tower, LLC, dated August 23, 2004.
10-K 12/31/2012 10.17 2/21/2013
10.5 Second Amendment to Lease by and between Huron Consulting Services LLC and Union Tower, LLC, dated March 14, 2007.
10-K 12/31/2012 10.18 2/21/2013
10.6 Third Amendment to Lease by and between Huron Consulting Services LLC and Union Tower, LLC, dated April 2, 2010.
10-K 12/31/2012 10.19 2/21/2013
10.7 Fourth Amendment to Lease by and between Huron Consulting Services LLC and Union Tower, LLC, dated December 31, 2012.
8-K 10.1 1/4/2013
10.8†
Fifth Amendment to Lease by and between Huron Consulting Services LLC and Union Tower, LLC, dated December 1, 2013.
10-K 12/31/2019 10.13 2/26/2020
10.9 Sixth Amendment to Lease by and between Huron Consulting Services LLC and Onni Van Buren Chicago LLC, dated October 3, 2019.
8-K 10.1 10/16/2019
Exhibit
Number Exhibit Description Filed
herewith Furnished
herewith Incorporated by Reference
Form Period
Ending Exhibit Filing Date
10.10* Form of the Huron Consulting Group Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement.
10-K 12/31/2012 10.20 2/21/2013
10.11* Form of the Huron Consulting Group Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan Performance Stock Unit Agreement.
10-K 12/31/2014 10.32 2/24/2015
10.12* Form of the Huron Consulting Group Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement.
10-K 12/31/2014 10.33 2/24/2015
10.13* Form of the Huron Consulting Group Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan NEO Performance Stock Unit Agreement.
10-K 12/31/2014 10.34 2/24/2015
10.14*
Senior Management Agreement by and between Huron Consulting Group Inc. and Ernest W. Torain, Jr.
10-Q 3/31/2020 10.1 4/30/2020
10.15*
Form of Retention Bonus Agreement.
8-K 10.1 4/14/2021
10.16*
Form of the Huron Consulting Group Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
10-Q 9/30/2021 10.1 11/2/2021
10.17*
Senior Management Agreement by and between Huron Consulting Group Inc. and James R. Dail Jr.
8-K 10.1 6/7/2022
10.18†
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2022, among Huron Consulting Group Inc., as Borrower, certain subsidiaries as Guarantors, the Lenders Party, Hereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank, National Association as Co-Syndication Agents, PNC Capital Markets LLC, as Sustainability Structuring Agent, Bank of Montreal, Fifth Third Bank, National Association and TD Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, and BofA Securities, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and PNC Capital Markets LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.
8-K 10.1 11/16/2022
10.19 Third Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2022.
8-K 10.2 11/16/2022
10.20
Third Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2022.
8-K 10.3 11/16/2022
10.21*
Senior Management Agreement by and between Huron Consulting Group Inc. and C. Mark Hussey.
8-K/A 10.1 12/29/2022
10.22*
Senior Management Agreement by and between Huron Consulting Group Inc. and James H. Roth.
8-K/A 10.2 12/29/2022
10.23*
Huron Consulting Group Inc. Stock Ownership Participation Program, as amended effective November 23, 2022.
10-K 12/31/2022 10.26 2/28/2023
10.24†
Amendment No. 1 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2023, by and among Huron Consulting Group Inc., as Borrower, and PNC Capital Markets LLC, as Sustainability Structuring
Agent for and on behalf of the Lenders.
8-K 10.1 5/2/2023
10.25*
Huron Consulting Group Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective December 8, 2023.
X
Exhibit
Number Exhibit Description Filed
herewith Furnished
herewith Incorporated by Reference
Form Period
Ending Exhibit Filing Date
10.26†
Amendment No. 2 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2024, by and among Huron Consulting Group Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders Party Thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.
8-K 10.1 2/27/2024
21.1 List of Subsidiaries of Huron Consulting Group Inc.
X
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
X
31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
X
31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
X
32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
X
32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
X
97.1
Huron Consulting Group Compensation Clawback Policy
X
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. X
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document X
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document X
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document X
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document X
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document X
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) X
* Indicates the exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
†
Pursuant to Regulation S-K 601(b)(10)(iv), certain exhibits to this Exhibit have been omitted. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon its request, a copy of any or all omitted exhibits.