Basis of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated and condensed financial statements have been prepared by Sapient Corporation (the “Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. These financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting solely of normal, recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or the entire fiscal year.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. Accordingly, the Company will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2017. Management is currently evaluating which transition approach to use and the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the Company's consolidated revenue, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11 (“ASU 2013-11”), Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This amendment requires entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward or a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, unless certain conditions exist. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods (and the interim periods within) beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption and retrospective application are permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014 and this adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05 (“ASU 2013-05”), Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity. This amendment requires a parent company to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income only if a sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods (and the interim periods within) beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption and retrospective application are permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2013-05 effective January 1, 2014 and this adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.