Share-Based Compensation Expense

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Share-Based Compensation Expense [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation Expense

7.SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE

Share-based compensation expense is recorded for restricted stock units, stock options and the discount given on employee stock purchase plan transactions.

The amounts attributable to each category of share-based compensation expense were as follows (in thousands):

	For the three months ended
	March 31,
	2017		2016
Amortization of restricted stock unit awards	$	2,656	$	2,251
Amortization of stock option awards		219		167
Discount given on employee stock purchase transactions through our Employee Stock Purchase Plan		147		111
Total share-based compensation expense	$	3,022	$	2,529

Total share-based compensation expense consisted of the following (in thousands):

	For the three months ended
	March 31,
	2017		2016
Cost of services before reimbursable expenses	$	1,617	$	1,495
General and administrative expenses		1,405		1,034
Total share-based compensation expense	$	3,022	$	2,529

Share-based compensation expense attributable to client-service employees was included in cost of services before reimbursable expenses. Share-based compensation expense attributable to corporate management and support personnel was included in general and administrative expenses.

At March 31, 2017, we had $13.8 million of total compensation costs related to unvested share-based awards that have not been recognized as share-based compensation expense. The compensation costs will be recognized as an expense over the remaining vesting periods. The weighted average remaining vesting period is approximatelytwoyears. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we granted an aggregate of 191,536 share-based awards, consisting of restricted stock units with an aggregate fair value of $4.4million at the time of grant.  These grants include certain awards that vest based on relative achievement of pre-established performance criteria.