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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Acquisition [Policy Text Block]
Assets and liabilities of the acquired companies were recorded at their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. The excess purchase price over the fair value of net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired has been allocated to goodwill. The fair value assigned to identifiable intangible assets was determined primarily by using a discounted cash flow method. The Company's allocation for the purchase price for Apex, except for the pre-acquisition contingencies and income taxes related to the acquisition, have been finalized. Any material measurement period adjustments will be recorded retrospectively to the acquisition date.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition. Revenues from contract assignments, net of sales adjustments and discounts, are recognized when earned, based on hours worked by the Company’s contract professionals on a weekly basis. Conversion and direct hire fees are recognized when employment candidates begin permanent employment. The Company records a sales allowance against consolidated revenues, which is an estimate based on historical billing adjustment experience. The sales allowance is recorded as a reduction to revenues and an increase to the allowance for billing adjustments. The billing adjustment reserve includes an allowance for fallouts. Fallouts are direct hire and conversion fees that do not complete the contingency period, which is typically 90 days or less. The Company includes reimbursed expenses, in revenues and the associated amounts of reimbursable expenses in cost of services.

The Company records revenues on a gross basis as a principal or on a net basis as an agent depending on the arrangement. The key indicators as to whether it acts as a principal or an agent are whether the Company (i) has the direct contractual relationships with its customers, (ii) bears the risks and rewards of the transactions, and (iii) has the discretion to select the contract professionals and establish their price.

Income Tax
Income Taxes. Income taxes are accounted for using the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. 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. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company makes a comprehensive review of its uncertain tax positions regularly. An uncertain tax position represents the Company’s expected treatment of a tax position taken in a filed return, or planned to be taken in a future tax return or claim that has not been reflected in measuring income tax expense for financial reporting purposes. In general, until these positions are sustained by the taxing authorities or statutes expire for the year that the position was taken, the Company does not recognize the tax benefits resulting from such positions and reports the tax effects as a liability for uncertain tax positions.
Foreign Currency Transactions
Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currency of the Company’s foreign operations is their local currency, and as such, their assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during each monthly period. The related translation adjustments are recorded as cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments in accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions, which are not material, are included in Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less on the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Billing Adjustments
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Billing Adjustments. The Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts and an allowance for billing adjustments related to trade receivables based on an analysis of historical collection and billing adjustment experience. The Company applies bad debt percentages based on experience to the outstanding accounts receivable balances at the end of the period, as well as analyzes specific reserves as needed. Impaired receivables, or portions thereof, are written-off when deemed uncollectible.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, generally three to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the related asset or the remaining term of the lease. Costs associated with customized internal-use software systems that have reached the application development stage and meet recoverability tests are capitalized. Such capitalized costs include external direct costs utilized in developing or obtaining the applications and payroll and payroll-related expenses for employees who are directly associated with the application development.
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment on an annual basis as of October 31, and for goodwill whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount and for indefinite lived intangibles, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2012, the Company changed the date of the annual impairment test for goodwill from December 31 to October 31. The change is preferable because it alleviates constraints on accounting resources during the year-end financial statement close and reporting process and better aligns the timing of the assessment with our planning and forecasting process, which occurs primarily in the third quarter. The change in accounting principle related to the annual goodwill impairment test date did not delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge. Due to significant judgments and estimates that are utilized in the goodwill impairment analysis, the Company determined it was impracticable to objectively determine, without the use of hindsight, projected cash flows and related valuation estimates as of each October 31 for periods prior to October 31, 2012. As such, the Company has prospectively applied the change in the annual goodwill impairment test date from October 31, 2012.

Intangible assets with indefinite lives consist of trademarks. The Company tests trademarks for impairment on an annual basis, on October 31. In order to test the trademarks for impairment, the Company determines the fair value of the trademarks and compares such amount to its carrying value. The fair value of the trademarks is determined using a projected discounted cash flow analysis based on the relief-from-royalty approach. The principal factors used in the discounted cash flow analysis requiring judgment are projected net sales, discount rate, royalty rate and terminal value assumption. The royalty rate used in the analysis is based on transactions that have occurred in our industry. Intangible assets having finite lives are amortized over their useful lives and are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Customer relations are amortized using an accelerated method. Contractor relations and non-compete agreements are amortized using the straight-line method. Other than the goodwill impairment in 2010 discussed below, we did not have any impairment of indefinite lived or finite lived intangibles in 2012, 2011, or 2010.

Goodwill is tested for impairment using a two-step process in which the first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit, which is generally an operating segment or one level below the operating segment level, which is a business and for which discrete financial information is available and reviewed by segment management, to the reporting unit's carrying value. The second step measures the amount of impairment by comparing the implied fair value of the respective reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying value of that goodwill. The goodwill impairment loss is measured by the amount the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. The Company evaluates long-lived assets, other than goodwill and identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, in which case a write-down is recorded to reduce the related asset to its estimated fair value.
Workers’ Compensation and Medical Malpractice Loss Reserves
Workers’ Compensation and Medical Malpractice Loss Reserves. The Company carries retention policies for its workers’ compensation liability and medical malpractice liability exposures. In connection with these programs, the Company pays a base premium plus actual losses incurred, not to exceed certain stop-loss limits. The Company is insured for losses above these limits, both per occurrence and in the aggregate. The workers' compensation and medical malpractice loss reserves are based upon an actuarial report obtained from a third party and determined based on claims filed and claims incurred but not reported. The Company accounts for claims incurred but not yet reported based on estimates derived from historical claims experience and current trends of industry data. Changes in estimates and differences in estimates and actual payments for claims are recognized in the period that the estimates changed or the payments were made
Contingencies
Contingencies. The Company records an estimated loss from a loss contingency when information available prior to issuance of its financial statements indicates it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Accounting for contingencies, such as legal settlements, workers’ compensation matters and medical malpractice insurance matters, requires the Company to use judgment.
Business Combinations
Business Combinations. The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. To the extent the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, such excess is allocated to goodwill. The Company determines the estimated fair values after review and consideration of relevant information including discounted cash flows, quoted market prices and estimates made by management. Accordingly, these can be affected by contract performance and other factors over time, which may cause final amounts to differ materially from original estimates. The Company adjusts the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, up to one year after the acquisition closing date if it obtains more information regarding asset valuations and liabilities assumed.
 
Goodwill acquired in business combinations is assigned to the reporting unit(s) expected to benefit from the combination as of the acquisition date. Acquisition related costs are recognized separately from the acquisition and are expensed as incurred.
Stock-based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation. The Company records compensation expense for restricted stock awards and stock units based on the fair market value of the awards on the date of grant. Market-based awards, which are based on achievement of targets indexed to the Company’s share price, are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Compensation expense for performance-based awards is measured based on the amount of shares ultimately expected to vest, estimated at each reporting date based on management’s expectations regarding the relevant performance criteria. The Company accounts for stock options granted and ESPP shares based on an estimated fair market value using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. This methodology requires the use of subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility and the estimated life of each award. The fair value of equity-based compensation awards less the estimated forfeitures is amortized over the vesting period of the award.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risks consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in low risk investments with quality credit institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure with any single institution above FDIC insured limits. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited because of the large number of geographically dispersed customers, thus spreading the trade credit risk. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations to identify risks and maintains an allowance to address these risks.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The recorded values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair value based on their short-term nature. Long-term debt recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2012 was $426.6 million. The fair value of the long-term debt was determined using the quoted price technique, based on Level 2 inputs including the yields of comparable companies with similar credit characteristics, was $430.0 million.
Derivatives Instruments
Derivative Instruments. The Company utilizes derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, nor does it use leveraged financial instruments.
Advertising Costs
Advertising Costs. Advertising costs, which are expensed as incurred, were $5.3 million in 2012, $3.2 million in 2011, and $3.1 million in 2010.