Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of the Business	Nature of the Business — Towers Watson & Co. (referred herein as “Towers Watson”, the “Company”or “we”) is a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance through effective people, risk and financial management. We offer solutions in the areas of employee benefits, talent management, rewards, risk and capital management and healthcare exchanges. Our fiscal year ends on June 30th.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation — Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Investments in affiliated companies over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the equity method.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for revenue recognition, allowances for billed and unbilled receivables from clients, discretionary compensation, income taxes, pension and post-retirement assumptions, incurred but not reported claims, and goodwill and intangible assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents — We consider all instruments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates, to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash — Our restricted cash balance as of June 30, 2012 and 2011 includes $166.9 million and $147.9 million, respectively, of cash received from our clients and reinsurers in connection with our reinsurance brokerage business. This cash is under our control such that we direct the investment of this cash and retain the interest income but is restricted to current operation of this business, consisting of the payment of reinsurance premiums, refund of overpayments and reinsurer payments on claims. According to regulations governing our reinsurance business, we are unable to use the cash in a way that deviates from these activities. In addition, as of June 30, 2012 and 2011 we have $4.5 and $5.3 million, respectively, of restricted cash, which is predominantly from our recently acquired Aliquant business which is restricted for the payment of our client's health and welfare premiums. The change in restricted cash from period to period is included in the cash flows from operating activities on our statement of cash flows. The change in the cash held from June 30, 2011 to June 30, 2012 was primarily due to the timing of significant cash receipts related to our reinsurance brokerage business at month end as compared to the prior year. This factor, combined with the timing of month end occurring over a weekend, did not allow the business sufficient time to remit the cash to our clients or reinsurers.
Short-term investments	Short-term investments — Our investments are classified at the time of purchase as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity, and reassessed as of each balance sheet date. Our short-term investments consist of available-for-sale securities, and are marked-to-market based on prices provided by our investment advisors, with unrealized gains and temporary unrealized losses reported as a component of other comprehensive income net of tax, until realized. When realized, we recognize gains and losses on the sales of the securities on a specific identification method and include the realized gains or losses in other non-operating income in the consolidated statements of operations. We include interest, dividends, and amortization of premium or discount on securities classified as available-for-sale in other non-operating income in the consolidated statements of operations. We also evaluate our available-for-sale securities to determine whether a decline in fair value of a security below the amortized cost basis is other than temporary. Should the decline be considered other than temporary, we write down the cost of the security and include the loss in earnings. In making this determination we consider such factors as the reason for and significance of the decline, current economic conditions, the length of time for which there has been an unrealized loss, the time to maturity, and other relevant information. Available-for-sale securities are classified as either short-term or long-term based on management's intention of when to sell the securities or maturity date, if applicable.
Receivables from Clients	Receivables from Clients — Billed receivables from clients are presented at their billed amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. Billed receivables include reinsurance intermediary amounts due to us and reinsurance advances. Reinsurance advances represent instances where we advance premiums, refunds or claims to reinsurance underwriters or parties to reinsurance contracts prior to collection. Unbilled receivables are stated at net realizable value less an allowance for unbillable amounts. Allowance for doubtful accounts related to billed receivables was $20.9 million and $12.6 million as of June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Allowance for unbilled receivables was $19.9 million and $16.7 million as of June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our billed and unbilled accounts receivable balances increased $105.4 million from June 30, 2011 to June 30, 2012, partially as a result of revenue growth, and partially due to an increased focus on ERP deployment activities in North America and parts of Europe. At this time, approximately 81% of our revenue is operating on the new Oracle ERP system. We expect that we may experience elevated levels of accounts receivable for the next few quarters while we continue deployments around the world. The allowance for doubtful accounts increased $8.3 million from June 30, 2011 to June 30, 2012. The number of days of sales outstanding increased to 87 at June 30, 2012 compared to 78 at June 30, 2011.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue when it is earned and realized or realizable which is when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement with a client, there is a fixed or determinable price, services have been rendered or products delivered or available for use, and collectability is reasonably assured. The majority of our revenue consists of fees earned from providing consulting services. We recognize revenue from these consulting engagements when hours are worked, either on a time-and-expense basis or on a fixed-fee basis, depending on the terms and conditions defined at the inception of an engagement with a client. We have engagement letters with our clients that specify the terms and conditions upon which the engagements are based. These terms and conditions can only be changed upon agreement by both parties. Individual associates' billing rates are principally based on a multiple of salary and compensation costs. Revenue for fixed-fee arrangements that span multiple months is based upon the percentage of completion method. We typically have three types of fixed-fee arrangements: annual recurring projects, projects of a short duration, and non-recurring system projects. Annual recurring projects and the projects of short duration are typically straightforward and highly predictable in nature. As a result, the project manager and financial staff are able to identify, as the project status is reviewed and bills are prepared monthly, the occasions when cost overruns could lead to the recording of a loss accrual. We have non-recurring system projects that are longer in duration and subject to more changes in scope as the project progresses. We evaluate at least quarterly, and more often as needed, project managers' estimates-to-complete to assure that the projects' current statuses are accounted for properly. Certain software contracts generally provide that if the client terminates a contract, we are entitled to payment for services performed through termination. Revenue recognition for fixed-fee engagements is affected by a number of factors that change the estimated amount of work required to complete the project such as changes in scope, the staffing on the engagement and/or the level of client participation. The periodic engagement evaluations require us to make judgments and estimates regarding the overall profitability and stage of project completion that, in turn, affect how we recognize revenue. We recognize a loss on an engagement when estimated revenue to be received for that engagement is less than the total estimated direct and indirect costs associated with the engagement. Losses are recognized in the period in which the loss becomes probable and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. We have experienced certain costs in excess of estimates from time to time. Management believes it is rare, however, for these excess costs to result in overall project losses. We have developed various software programs and technologies that we provide to clients in connection with consulting services. In most instances, such software is hosted and maintained by us and ownership of the technology and rights to the related code remain with us. Software developed to be utilized in providing services to a client, but for which the client does not have the contractual right to take possession, is capitalized during the implementation stage. Revenue associated with the related contract, together with amortization of the related capitalized software, is recognized over the service period. As a result, we do not recognize revenue during the implementation phase of an engagement. We deliver software under arrangements with clients where the maintenance associated with the initial software fees is a fixed percentage, and we are able to determine the stand-alone value of the delivered software separate from the maintenance. We recognize the initial software fees as software is delivered, and recognize the maintenance ratably over the contract period based on each element's relative fair value. For software arrangements in which initial fees are received in connection with mandatory maintenance for the initial software license to remain active, we determined that the initial maintenance period is substantive. Therefore, we recognize the fees for the initial license and maintenance bundle ratably over the initial contract term., which is generally one year. Each subsequent renewal fee is recognized ratably over the contractually stated renewal period. We collect, analyze and compile data in the form of surveys for our clients who have the option of participating in the survey. The surveys are published online via a web tool which provides simplistic functionality. We have determined that the web tool is inconsequential to the overall arrangement. We record the survey revenue when the results are delivered online and made available to our clients that have a contractual right to the data. If the data is updated more frequently than annually, we recognize the survey revenue ratably over the contractually stated period. In our capacity as a reinsurance broker, we collect premiums from our reinsurance clients and, after deducting our brokerage commissions, we remit the premiums to the respective reinsurance underwriters on behalf of our reinsurance clients. In general, compensation for reinsurance brokerage services is earned on a commission basis. Commissions are calculated as a percentage of a reinsurance premium as stipulated in the reinsurance contracts with our clients and reinsurers. We recognize brokerage services revenue on the later of the contract's inception or billing date as fees become known or as our services are provided for premium processing. In addition, we hold cash needed to settle amounts due reinsurers or our reinsurance clients, net of any commissions due to us, pending remittance to the ultimate recipient. We are permitted to invest these funds in high quality liquid instruments. As an insurance exchange, we generate revenue from commission paid to us by insurance carriers for health insurance polices issued through our enrollment services. Under our contracts with insurance carriers, once an application has been accepted by an insurance carrier and a policy has been issued, we will receive commission payments from the policy effective date until the end of the annual policy period as long as the policy is not cancelled by the insured or the carrier. We defer upfront fees and recognize revenue ratably from the policy effective date over the policy period, generally one year. The commission fee per policy placed with a carrier could vary by whether the insured was previously a Medicare participant and whether the policy is in its first or subsequent year. Due to the uncertainty of the commission fee per policy, we don't recognize revenue until the policy is accepted by the carrier, the policy is effective and a communication is received from the carrier of the fee per insured. As the commission fee is cancellable on a pro rata basis related to the underlying insurance policy which we are not party to, we recognize the commission fee ratably over the policy period. Our carrier contracts entitle us to receive commission fees per policy for the life of the policy unless limited by legislation or cancelled by the carrier or insured. We estimate that these commission fees generally continue for five or more years once placed. As a result, the majority of the revenue is recurring in nature and grows in direct proportion to the number of new policies added each year. Revenue recognized in excess of billings is recorded as unbilled accounts receivable. Cash collections and invoices generated in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue until the revenue recognition criteria are met. Client reimbursable expenses, including those relating to travel, other out-of-pocket expenses and any third-party costs, are included in revenue, and an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses are included in professional and subcontracted services as a cost of revenue.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes —We account for income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes the use of the asset and liability approach to the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities related to the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or income tax returns. 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. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a given deferred tax asset will not be realized. In accordance with ASC 740, income tax expense includes (i) deferred tax expense, which generally represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance during the year plus any change in valuation allowances and (ii) current tax expense, which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable from a taxing authority plus amounts accrued for expected tax contingencies (including both tax and interest). ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold of more-likely-than-not, and a measurement attribute for all tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, in order for those positions to be recognized in the financial statements. We continually review tax laws, regulations and related guidance in order to properly record any uncertain tax liability positions. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the outcome of tax audits.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation — Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions, including settlement of intercompany receivables and payables, are recognized currently in the general and administrative expenses line of our consolidated statements of operations. Foreign currency transactions resulted in (losses)/gains of $(1.1) million, $0.2 million and $1.3 million in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Assets and liabilities of our subsidiaries outside the United States are translated into the reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, based on exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses of our subsidiaries outside the United States are translated into U.S. dollars at weighted average exchange rates. Gains and losses on translation of our equity interests in our subsidiaries outside the United States and on intercompany notes are reported separately as accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders' equity in the consolidated balance sheets, since we do not plan or anticipate settlement of such balances in the foreseeable future.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents, receivables from clients, notes and accounts payable approximates fair value because of the short maturity and liquidity of those instruments. The investments are available-for-sale securities held at estimated fair value with maturities of less than two years. The term loan and revolving credit facility include variable interest rates that approximate market rates and as such, we consider its carrying amount to approximate fair value. Refer to Note 11 for the significant terms of these agreements.
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurement — Financial assets and liabilities recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs in the valuation techniques as follows: Level 1 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date. Level 2 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. We generally use third-party pricing services in determining the fair value of our investments. The pricing services use observable inputs when available. These values take into account recent market activity as well as other market observable data such as interest rate, spread and prepayment information. We perform various procedures to evaluate the accuracy of the fair values provided by the third-party service. These procedures include obtaining a detailed understanding of the models, inputs, and assumptions used in developing prices provided by the pricing services. This understanding includes a review of the vendors' Service Organization Controls report and as necessary discussions with valuation resources at the pricing services. We obtain the information necessary to assert the model, inputs and assumptions used comply with U.S. GAAP, including disclosure requirements. We independently review the listing of Level 1 financial assets in the portfolio, including U.S. Treasury securities, equity securities and mutual funds securities, and agree the price received from the third-party pricing service to the closing stock price from a national securities exchange, and on a sample basis. We also independently review our Level 2 and Level 3 financial assets and liabilities, which include derivative investments, corporate bonds and certain obligations of government agencies or states, municipalities and political subdivisions, pooled funds and mutual funds, limited partnerships and insurance contracts. Corporate bonds and certain obligations of government agencies or states, municipalities and political subdivisions are valued based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. Derivative investments are valued using a quoted value from the counterparty for each contract. The quoted price we receive is a Level 2 valuation based on observable quotes in the marketplace for the underlying currency. We use these underlying values to estimate amounts that would be paid or received to terminate the contracts at the reporting date based on current market prices for the underlying currency. See Note 10 for a description of the valuation methodologies used for Level 2 and Level 3 plan assets and liabilities by category. We perform additional procedures to validate and confirm the accuracy of the prices provided by the pricing service. Stale prices and significant price movements are monitored and investigated. If the price changes significantly, the fluctuation is reviewed for reasonableness based on market factors and adjusted if deemed necessary by management. If we determine that a price provided to us is outside our expectation, we will further examine the price, including having follow-up discussions with the pricing service. If we conclude that a price is not valid, we will adjust the price with the appropriate documentation and approvals by management. These adjustments do not occur frequently and have not historically been material. The availability of observable market data is monitored to assess the appropriate classification of financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy. Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the year ended June 30, 2012. We also monitor the value of the investments for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. No other-than-temporary impairments occurred during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.
Derivatives	Derivatives — All derivative instruments are recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Derivative instruments with a positive fair value are reported in other current assets and derivative instruments with a negative fair value are reported in other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized immediately in general and administrative expenses, unless the derivative is designated as a hedge and qualifies for hedge accounting. There are three hedging relationships where a derivative (hedging instrument) may qualify for hedge accounting: (1) a hedge of the change in fair value of a recognized asset or liability or firm commitment (fair value hedge), (2) a hedge of the variability in cash flows from forecasted transactions (cash flow hedge), and (3) a hedge of the variability caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates (foreign currency hedge). Under hedge accounting, recognition of derivative gains and losses can be matched in the same period with that of the hedged exposure and thereby minimize earnings volatility. If the derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting, we consider the transaction to be an “economic hedge” and changes in the fair value of the derivative asset or liability are recognized immediately in general and administrative expenses. At June 30, 2012, we had entered into foreign currency cash flow hedges and economic hedges. In order for a derivative to qualify for hedge accounting, the derivative must be formally designated as a fair value, cash flow, or a foreign currency hedge by documenting the relationship between the derivative and the hedged item. Additionally, the hedge relationship must be expected to be highly effective at offsetting changes in either the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item at both inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis. We assess the ongoing effectiveness of our hedges and measure and record hedge ineffectiveness, if any, at the end of each quarter. For a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in fair value of a hedging instrument is recognized in other comprehensive income, as a component of shareholders' equity, and subsequently reclassified to general and administrative expenses. The ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge is recognized immediately in general and administrative expenses. We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when (1) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, (2) we determine that the hedging transaction is no longer highly effective, (3) a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring in the time period described in the hedge documentation, (4) the hedged item matures or is sold, or (5) management elects to discontinue hedge accounting voluntarily. When hedge accounting is discontinued because the derivative no longer qualifies as a cash flow hedge we continue to carry the derivative in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at its fair value, recognize subsequent changes in the fair value of the derivative in current-period general and administrative expenses, and continue to defer the derivative gain or loss in other comprehensive income or loss until the hedged forecasted transaction affects expenses. If the hedged forecasted transaction is not likely to occur in the time period described in the hedge documentation or within a two month period of time thereafter, the deferred derivative gain or loss is reclassified immediately to general and administrative expenses.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of certain cash and cash equivalents, fixed income securities, and receivables from clients. We invest our excess cash in financial instruments that are primarily rated in the highest short-term rating category by major rating agencies. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables from clients are limited due to our large number of clients and their dispersion across many industries and geographic regions.
Change to Presentation of our Employee-Related Liabilities	Change to Presentation of our Employee-Related Liabilities — To provide enhanced disclosure of our employee-related liabilities we have changed the presentation in our consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2011. We disaggregated and reduced the other current liabilities by $175.5 million and accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income by $398.0 million and combined the amounts associated with employee-related liabilities of $573.2 million in a separate line item. In addition, we reclassified $27.1 million of noncurrent employee-related liabilities from the other noncurrent liabilities line item to the accrued retirement benefits and other employee-related liabilities line item which previously did not exist. In addition, the same changes are represented in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) Claims	Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) Claims — We accrue for IBNR professional liability claims that are probable and estimable, and for which we have not yet contracted for insurance coverage. We use actuarial assumptions to estimate and record a liability for IBNR professional liability claims. Our estimated IBNR liability is based on long-term trends and averages, and considers a number of factors, including changes in claim reporting patterns, claim settlement patterns, judicial decisions, and legislation and economic decisions, but excludes the effect of claims data for large cases due to the insufficiency of actual experience with such cases. Our estimated IBNR liability will fluctuate if claims experience changes over time. As of June 30, 2012 we had a $202.2 million IBNR liability, net of recoverable receivables of our captive insurance companies. This net liability decreased from $208.5 million as of June 30, 2011 as the result of known and improved claims experience. To the extent our captive insurance companies, PCIC and SMIC, expect losses to be covered by a third party, they record a receivable for the amount expected to be recovered. This receivable is classified in other current or other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheet.
Stock-based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation —During fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, we recognized compensation expense of $54.5 million, $78.0 million and $57.9 million, respectively, in connection with our stock-based compensation plans. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for the exercise of non-qualified stock options, vesting of restricted stock units and the award of stock purchase plan shares was $3.3 million, $37 thousand and $28 thousand for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Earnings per Share ("EPS")	Earnings per Share (“EPS”) — We adhere to guidance under ASC 260, Earnings per Share, relating to the two-class method of presenting EPS. This guidance addresses whether awards granted in share-based transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and therefore need to be included in the earning allocation in computing earnings per share using the two-class method. ASC 260-10-45-60 requires non-vested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents to be treated as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share. Our participating securities include non-vested restricted stock.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets — In applying the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, amounts assigned to identifiable assets and liabilities acquired were based on estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition, with the remainder recorded as goodwill. Intangible assets are initially valued at fair market value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually as of April 1, and whenever indicators of impairment exist. The fair value of the intangible assets is compared with their carrying value and an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of April 1, and whenever indicators of impairment exist. Goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level which is one level below our operating segments. The Company had nine reporting units on April 1, and added a tenth reporting unit with the acquisition of Extend Health, Inc. on May 29, 2012 (see Note 2), however this was presumed to be a transaction at arm's length and therefore was not included in the annual impairment test. During fiscal 2012, the Company early adopted ASU 2011-08, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”), which gives entities testing goodwill for impairment the option of performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. During this assessment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Qualitative factors we consider include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, company specific events, changes in circumstances, after tax cash flows and market capitalization. If the qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we perform the two step process to assess our goodwill for impairment. During fiscal 2012, the Company determined that no reporting units had a carrying value that was more likely than not to exceed their fair value, and therefore did not perform Steps 1 or 2 of the two-step impairment test. When the Company performs Step 1 of the two-step impairment test, we use Level 3 valuation techniques to estimate the fair value of a reporting unit that fall under income or market approaches. Under the discounted cash flow method, an income approach, the business enterprise value is determined by discounting to present value the terminal value which is calculated using debt-free after-tax cash flows for a finite period of years. Key estimates in this approach are internal financial projection estimates prepared by management, business risk, and expected rate of return on capital. The guideline company method, a market approach, develops valuation multiples by comparing our reporting units to similar publicly traded companies. Key estimates and selection of valuation multiples rely on the selection of similar companies, obtaining estimates of forecasted revenue and EBITDA estimates for the similar companies and selection of valuation multiples as they apply to the reporting unit characteristics. Under the similar transactions method, a market approach, actual transaction prices and operating data from companies deemed reasonably similar to the reporting units is used to develop valuation multiples as an indication of how much a knowledgeable investor in the marketplace would be willing to pay for the business units. If the Company was required to perform Step 2, we would determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit used in step one to all the assets and liabilities of that reporting unit (including any recognized or unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Then the implied fair value of goodwill would be compared to the carrying amount of goodwill to determine if goodwill is impaired.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted On December 17, 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2010-28, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), which (1) does not prescribe a specific method of calculating the carrying value of a reporting unit in the performance of step 1 of the goodwill impairment test and (2) requires entities with a zero or negative carrying value to assess, considering qualitative factors such as but not limited to those listed in ASC 350-20-35-30 whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. If an entity concludes that it is more likely than not that an impairment of goodwill exists, the entity must perform step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. These provisions are effective for impairment tests performed during the fourth quarter in our current fiscal year. During that impairment test, if any of our reporting units have a zero or negative carrying value, we will assess, on the basis of current facts and circumstances, whether it is more likely than not that an impairment of our goodwill exists. If so, we will perform step 2 of the goodwill impairment test and record the impairment charge, if any, as a cumulative-effect adjustment through beginning retained earnings. At this time, there is no impact on our financial statements as a result of adopting this provision. On September 15, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350):Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which gave entities testing goodwill for impairment the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of a reporting unit in Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the two-step impairment test would be required. Otherwise, further testing is not needed. The ASU was effective for all entities for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption was permitted and the Company implemented this guidance in our fiscal 2012 impairment test performed during the fourth quarter. The adoption did not have any impact to our financial statements as a result of adopting this provision. Not yet adopted On June 16, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which revised the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. The new guidance removes the presentation options in ASC 220, Comprehensive Income, and requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements. The ASU does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. At this time, there is no impact expected to our financial statements as a result of the change in presentation and the Company will adopt the new presentation in our fiscal year 2013 filings. On December 23, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05," which defers certain provisions of ASU 2011-05 including the indefinite deferral until further deliberation of the requirement for entities to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented (for both interim and annual financial statements). The FASB also decided that during the deferral period, entities would be required to comply with all existing requirements for reclassification adjustments in ASC 220, which indicates that "an entity may display reclassification adjustments on the face of the financial statement in which comprehensive income is reported, or it may disclose reclassification adjustments in the notes to the financial statements." The effective date for public entities is for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011. In light of this deferral, we will continue to disclose certain reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income as proscribed by the existing literature and we will adopt the other provisions of ASU 2011-05 within our fiscal year 2013 filings. On July 27, 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment” which amended the guidance in ASC 350-30 on testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment. The FASB issued the ASU in response to feedback on ASU 2011-08 which amended the goodwill impairment testing requirements by allowing an entity to perform a qualitative impairment assessment before proceeding to the two-step impairment test. Similarly, under ASU 2012-02, an entity testing an indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment has the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the asset. If the entity determines, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is not more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50 percent) impaired, the entity would not need to calculate the fair value of the asset. The ASU did not revise the requirement to test indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment. In addition, the ASU does not amend the requirement to test these assets for impairment between annual tests if there is a change in events or circumstances; however, it does revise the examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider in interim periods. ASU 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. Early adoption is permitted and the Company plans to adopt this ASU as part of its fiscal 2013 annual impairment test. The Company does not expect to have any impact to our financial statements as a result of adopting this provision.
Fixed Assets	Furniture, fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and presented net of depreciation or amortization. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are depreciated straight-line over lives ranging from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease terms or the asset lives.
Retirement Benefits	Any difference between actual and assumed results is amortized into Towers Watson's pension cost over the average remaining service period of participating associates. The company elected to adopt the fair value method in determining the market-related value of plan assets of the merged plans and the legacy Towers Perrin pension plan in Canada. The company considers the fair value method for determining market-related value of plan assets Actuarial gains and losses associated with changing any of the assumptions are accumulated as part of the unrecognized net gain or loss and amortized into the net periodic postretirement costs over the average remaining service period of participating associates, which is approximately 8 years.

Disclosure of accounting policy for fair value measurements, which may include, but is not limited to, how an entity that manages a group of financial assets and liabilities on the basis of its net exposure measures the fair value of those assets and liabilities.

No definition available.