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Basis of Presentation and General Information (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 01, 2016

Basis 0f Presentation and General Information [Abstract]

The Hackett Group is an intellectual property-based strategic consultancy and leading enterprise benchmarking and best practices implementation firm to global companies. Services include business transformation, enterprise performance management, working capital management, and global business services. The Hackett Group also provides dedicated expertise in business strategy, operations, finance, human capital management, strategic sourcing, procurement, and information technology, including its award-winning Oracle EPM and SAP practices.

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts and those of its wholly-owned subsidiaries which the Company is required to consolidate. The Company consolidates the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of its entities.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year generally consists of a 52-week period and periodically consists of a 53-week period as each fiscal year ends on the Friday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 ended on January 1, 2016, January 2, 2015 and December 27, 2013, respectively. References to a year included in the consolidated financial statements refer to a fiscal year rather than a calendar year.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company considers all short-term investments with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Due to the short maturity period of cash equivalents, the carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair market value. The Company places its temporary cash investments with high credit quality financial institutions. At times, such investments may be in excess of the F.D.I.C. insurance limits. The Company has not experienced any loss to date on these investments.

As of January 1, 2016 and January 2, 2015, the Company did not have any restricted cash balances.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from its clients not making required payments. Management makes estimates of the collectability of accounts receivable and critically reviews accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, past-due accounts, client credit-worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. If the financial condition of the Company’s clients were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Dividends

In December 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the initiation of an annual cash dividend program in the amount of $0.10 per share. In 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the annual dividend payment from $0.10 per share to $0.12 per share. In 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the annual dividend payment from $0.12 to $0.20 per share, to be paid semi-annually. Subsequent to fiscal 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the annual dividend to $0.26 per share, to be paid semi-annually. The Company’s dividend policy is reviewed periodically by the Board of Directors. The amount and timing of all dividend payments is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon business conditions, contractual obligations, legal restrictions, results of operations, financial conditions and other factors.

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated to amortize the depreciable assets over their useful lives using the straight-line method and commences when the asset is placed in service. The range of estimated useful lives is three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for betterments and major improvements are capitalized. The carrying amount of assets sold or retired and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet in the year of disposal and any resulting gains or losses are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company capitalizes the costs of internal-use software, which generally includes hardware, software, and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with, and who devote time, to the development of internal-use computer software.

Long-Lived Assets (excluding Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets)

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. If an evaluation is required, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset are compared to the asset’s carrying amount to determine if there has been an impairment. The amount of an impairment is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value. Estimates of future undiscounted cash flows are based on management’s view of growth rates for the related business, anticipated future economic conditions and estimates of residual values.

Business Combinations

For transactions that are considered business combinations, the Company utilizes fair values in determining the carrying values of the purchased assets and assumed liabilities, which are recorded at fair value at acquisition date, and identifiable intangible assets are recorded at fair value. Costs directly related to the business combinations are recorded as expenses as they are incurred. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values become available. A bargain purchase gain on an acquisition occurs when the net of the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the consideration paid.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized, but rather are tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. The excess cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment at the reporting unit level utilizing the market approach. The reporting units consist of The Hackett Group (including Benchmarking, Business Transformation, Business Transformation Enterprise Performance Management (“EPM”), Strategy and Operations and Executive Advisory Programs) and Hackett Technology Solutions (including SAP ERP and SAP Application Maintenance and Support (“AMS”), Oracle EPM and EPM AMS). In assessing the recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets, the Company utilizes the market approach and makes estimates based on assumptions regarding various factors to determine if impairment tests are met. The market approach utilizes valuation multiples based on operating data from publicly traded companies within the same industry. Multiples derived from guideline companies provide an indication of how much a knowledgeable investor in the marketplace would be willing to pay for a company. These multiples are then applied to the Company’s reporting units to arrive at an indication of value. This approach contains management’s judgment, using appropriate and customary assumptions available at the time.

The Company performed its annual step one impairment test of goodwill in the fourth quarter of fiscal years 2015 and 2014 and determined that goodwill was not impaired. The carrying amount and activity of goodwill attributable to The Hackett Group and Hackett Technology Solutions was as follows (in thousands):


			Hackett
	The Hackett		Technology
	Group		Solutions		Total
Balance at December 27, 2013		45,149		31,134		76,283
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(854)		—		(854)
Balance at January 2, 2015		44,295		31,134		75,429
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(845)		—		(845)
Balance at January 1, 2016	$	43,450	$	31,134	$	74,584

Other intangible assets are tested for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying value of an asset may not be fully recoverable. If an evaluation is required, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset are compared to the asset’s carrying amount to determine if there has been an impairment. The amount of an impairment is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value. Estimates of future undiscounted cash flows are based on management’s view of growth rates for the related business, anticipated future economic conditions and estimates of residual values. Other intangible assets arise from business combinations and consist of customer relationships, customer backlog and trademarks that are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis over periods of up to five years.

Other intangible assets, included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consist of the following (in thousands):


	January 1,		January 2,
	2016		2015
Gross carrying amount	$	22,448	$	22,448
Accumulated amortization		(18,679)		(16,472)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		33		33
	$	3,802	$	6,009

All of the Company’s intangible assets are expected to be fully amortized by the end of 2018. For the year ended January 1, 2016, the Company recorded $2.2 million of amortization expense. The estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets as of January 1, 2016 is as follows: $1.1 million in 2016, $1.3 million in 2017 and $1.4 million in 2018. See Note 15 for further discussion.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is principally derived from fees for services generated on a project-by-project basis. Revenue for services rendered is recognized on a time and materials basis or on a fixed-fee or capped-fee basis.

Revenue for time and materials contracts is recognized based on the number of hours worked by our consultants at an agreed upon rate per hour and is recognized in the period in which services are performed.

Revenue related to fixed-fee or capped-fee contracts is recognized on the proportional performance method of accounting based on the ratio of labor hours incurred to estimated total labor hours. This percentage is multiplied by the contracted dollar amount of the project to determine the amount of revenue to recognize in an accounting period. The contracted dollar amount used in this calculation excludes the amount the client pays for reimbursable expenses. There are situations where the number of hours to complete projects may exceed the original estimate. These increases can be as a result of an increase in project scope, unforeseen events that arise, or the inability of the client or the delivery team to fulfill their responsibilities. On an on-going basis, project delivery, Office of Risk Management and finance personnel review hours incurred and estimated total labor hours to complete projects. Any revisions in these estimates are reflected in the period in which they become known. If the Company estimates indicate that a contract loss will occur, a loss provision will be recorded in the period in which the loss first becomes probable and reasonably estimable. Contract losses are determined to be the amount by which the estimated direct costs of the contract exceed the estimated total revenue that will be generated by the contract and are included in total cost of service.

Revenue from advisory services is recognized ratably over the life of the agreements.

Additionally, the Company earns revenue from the resale of software licenses and maintenance contracts. Revenue for the resale software and software licenses is recognized upon contract execution and customer receipt of software. Revenue from maintenance contracts is recognized ratably over the life of the agreements.

Revenue for contracts with multiple elements is allocated based on the respective selling price of the individual elements.

Unbilled revenue represents revenue for services performed that have not been invoiced. If the Company does not accurately estimate the scope of the work to be performed, or does not manage its projects properly within the planned periods of time, or does not meet clients’ expectations under the contracts, then future consulting margins may be negatively affected or losses on existing contracts may need to be recognized. Any such reductions in margins or contract losses could be material to the Company’s results of operations.

Sales tax collected from customers and remitted to the applicable taxing authorities is accounted for on a net basis, with no impact on revenue.

Revenue before reimbursements excludes reimbursable expenses charged to clients. Reimbursements, which include travel and out-of-pocket expenses, are included in revenue, and an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses is included in cost of service.

The agreements entered into in connection with a project, whether time and materials based or fixed-fee or capped-fee based, typically allow clients to terminate early due to breach or for convenience with 30 days’ notice. In the event of termination, the client is contractually required to pay for all time, materials and expenses incurred by the Company through the effective date of the termination. In addition, from time to time the Company enters into agreements with its clients that limit its right to enter into business relationships with specific competitors of that client for a specific time period. These provisions typically prohibit the Company from performing a defined range of services which it might otherwise be willing to perform for potential clients. These provisions are generally limited to six to twelve months and usually apply only to specific employees or the specific project team.

Stock Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant-date fair value of those awards, with limited exceptions, over the requisite service period.

Restructuring Reserves

Restructuring reserves reflect judgments and estimates of the Company’s ultimate costs of severance, closure and consolidation of facilities and settlement of contractual obligations under its operating leases, including sublease rental rates, absorption period to sublease space and other related costs. The Company reassesses the reserve requirements to complete each individual plan under the restructuring programs at the end of each reporting period. If these estimates change in the future or actual results differ from the Company’s estimates, additional charges may be required.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting carrying values and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured by using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income taxes also reflect the impact of certain state operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is provided if the Company believes it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. An increase or decrease in the valuation allowance, if any, that results from a change in circumstances, and which causes a change in the Company’s judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax asset, is included in the tax provision.

The Company utilized a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods and income tax disclosures. The Company reports penalties and tax-related interest expense as a component of income tax expense.

Net Income per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. With regard to common stock subject to vesting requirements and restricted stock units issued to employees, the calculation includes only the vested portion of such stock.

The potential issuance of common shares upon the exercise, conversion or vesting of unvested restricted stock units, common stock subject to vesting, stock options and stock appreciation right units ("SARs"), as calculated under the treasury stock method, may be dilutive. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, and will increase by the assumed conversion of other potentially dilutive securities during the period.

The following table reconciles basic and diluted weighted average shares:


	Year Ended
	January 1,		January 2,		December 27,
	2016		2015		2013
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		29,620,361		28,718,263		30,283,298
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested restricted stock units and common stock subject
to vesting requirements issued to employees		1,617,820		1,152,974		1,809,565
Common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options and SARs		729,447		9,765		22,802
Dilutive weighted average common shares outstanding		31,967,628		29,881,002		32,115,665

There were 0.5 million, 0.3 million and 0.8 million shares of underlying awards granted excluded from the above reconciliation for the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect on diluted net income per share.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and unbilled revenue, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities and debt. As of January 1, 2016 and January 2, 2015, the carrying amount of each financial instrument, with the exception of debt, approximated the instrument’s fair value due to the short-term nature and maturity of these instruments.

The Company uses significant other observable market data or assumptions (Level 2 inputs as defined in accounting guidance) that it believes market participants would use in pricing debt. The fair value of the debt approximated its carrying amount using Level 2 inputs, due to the short-term variable interest rates based on market rates utilizing the market approach.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company provides services primarily to Global 2000 companies and other sophisticated buyers of business consulting and information technology services. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its major customers and maintains reserves for potential credit losses. In 2015, 2014 and 2013 no customer accounted for more than 5% of total revenue.

Management’s Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make 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 and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Other Comprehensive Income

The Company reports its comprehensive income in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income, which establishes standards for reporting and presenting comprehensive income and its components in a full set of financial statements. Other comprehensive income consists of net income and cumulative currency translation adjustments.

Translation of Non-U.S. Currency Amounts

The assets and liabilities held by the Company’s foreign entities that have a functional currency other than the U.S. Dollar are translated into U.S. Dollars at exchange rates in effect at the end of each reporting period. Foreign entity revenue and expenses are translated into U.S. Dollars at the average rates that prevailed during the period. The resulting net translation gains and losses are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in net income.

Segment Reporting

The Company engages in business activities in one operating segment, which provides business and technology consulting services.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue recognition, which provides for a single, principles-based model for revenue recognition and replaces the existing revenue recognition guidance. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017 and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. It permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method and early adoption is permitted, however not before December 15, 2016. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is in the process of evaluating the effect this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued amendments to its guidance which are intended to simplify the balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs. These amendments require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this update. The amendments are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and requires a retrospective transition method. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

On November 20, 2015, the FASB issued guidance which requires an entity to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as non-current in a classified balance sheet. The update becomes effective January 1, 2017, however early adoption is permitted. The Company chose early adoption for the periods presented.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on leases which supersedes the current lease guidance. The core principle requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from nearly all leases in the statement of financial position. Accounting applied by lessors will remain largely consistent with previous guidance, additional changes set to align lessor accounting with the revised lessee model and the FASB’s revenue recognition guidance. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts in the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation, including the following:

The Company reclassified on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows the dollar value of shares having a value equal to tax withholding, which were withheld and never issued. In lieu of issuing the shares, taxes were paid on the employee’s behalf. In 2014 and 2013, $2.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively, related to the net shares withheld was reclassified from cash flows from operations to cash flows from financing activities to conform to current period presentation; and

In accordance with new guidance, the Company reclassified its current deferred tax asset to net against the non-current deferred tax liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The impact in 2015 and 2014 was $0.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively.