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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 28, 2016
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001053706
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 02, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,966,780
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

Condensed Consolidated Income Statements - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
Revenues	$ 80,912	$ 78,039
Costs of services	55,515	53,819
Gross profit	25,397	24,220
Selling, general and administrative expenses	19,221	18,083
Depreciation and amortization	1,850	1,661
Income from operations	4,326	4,476
Interest income	38	17
Interest expense	(145)	(142)
NeuCo gain on extinguishment of debt		606
Other expense, net	(34)	(326)
Total	4,185	4,631
Provision for income taxes	(1,946)	(1,732)
Net income	2,239	2,899
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	184	(120)
Net income attributable to CRA International, Inc.	$ 2,423	$ 2,779
Net income per share attributable to CRA International, Inc.:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.30
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.30
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	8,871	9,190
Diluted (in shares)	8,927	9,403

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 2,239	$ 2,899
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	23	(2,262)
Comprehensive income	2,262	637
Less: comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	184	(120)
Comprehensive income attributable to CRA International, Inc.	$ 2,446	$ 517

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 22,581	$ 38,139
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $3,977 at April 2, 2016 and $3,648 at January 2, 2016	54,188	60,904
Unbilled services, net of allowances of $2,489 at April 2, 2016 and $2,354 at January 2, 2016	34,630	25,473
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,308	11,876
Forgivable loans	3,556	4,402
Total current assets	125,263	140,794
Property and equipment, net	35,243	31,338
Goodwill	76,643	76,970
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $10,615 at April 2, 2016 and $10,454 at January 2, 2016	3,385	3,591
Deferred income taxes	18,863	18,856
Forgivable loans, net of current portion	37,968	40,283
Other assets	1,611	1,885
Total assets	298,976	313,717
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	13,471	13,652
Accrued expenses	45,260	65,118
Deferred revenue and other liabilities	5,268	5,730
Current portion of deferred rent	1,241	1,069
Current portion of deferred compensation	551	814
Current portion of notes payable		75
Total current liabilities	65,791	86,458
Deferred rent and facility-related noncurrent liabilities	14,247	11,836
Deferred compensation and other noncurrent liabilities	4,719	4,355
Total noncurrent liabilities	18,966	16,191
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
Common stock, no par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 8,900,775 shares and 8,859,231 shares issued and outstanding at April 2, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively	66,614	65,731
Retained earnings	157,698	155,275
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,227)	(9,250)
Total CRA International, Inc. shareholders' equity	215,085	211,756
Noncontrolling interest	(866)	(688)
Total shareholders' equity	214,219	211,068
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 298,976	$ 313,717

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accounts receivable, net of allowances (in dollars)	$ 3,977	$ 3,648
Allowance for unbilled services (in dollars)	2,489	2,354
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$ 10,615	$ 10,454
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value ( in dollars per share )	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,900,775	8,859,231
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,900,775	8,859,231

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 2,239	$ 2,899
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) operating activities, net of effect of acquired businesses:
Depreciation and amortization	1,846	1,679
Loss on disposal of property and equipment		16
Deferred rent	2,579	344
Deferred income taxes		48
Share-based compensation expenses	1,655	1,609
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(32)	(39)
NeuCo gain on extinguishment of debt		(606)
Accounts receivable allowances	339	1,086
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	6,237	245
Unbilled services	(9,178)	(7,557)
Prepaid expenses and other current asset, and other assets	2,086	666
Forgivable loans	3,157	(1,650)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities	(20,888)	(22,942)
Net cash used in operating activities	(9,960)	(24,202)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment	(5,073)	(2,364)
Collections on notes receivable		1,550
Payments on notes receivable		(40)
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,073)	(854)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments on notes payable	(75)	(300)
Tax withholding payments reimbursed by restricted shares	(490)	(66)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	32	39
Repurchase of common stock	(296)	(4,535)
Net cash used in financing activities	(829)	(4,862)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	304	(1,051)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(15,558)	(30,969)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	38,139	48,199
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	22,581	17,230
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment not yet paid for	2,022
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	281	168
Cash paid for interest	$ 155	$ 78

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - 3 months ended Apr. 02, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	CRA International, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
BALANCE at Jan. 02, 2016	$ 211,756	$ 65,731	$ 155,275	$ (9,250)	$ (688)	$ 211,068
BALANCE (in shares) at Jan. 02, 2016		8,859,231				8,859,231
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	2,423		2,423		(184)	$ 2,239
Foreign currency translation adjustment	23			23		23
Share-based compensation expense for employees	1,643	$ 1,643				1,643
Share-based compensation expense for non-employees	6	$ 6				6
Restricted share vesting (in shares)		67,704
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding	(490)	$ (490)				(490)
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding (in shares)		(24,996)
Tax benefit on stock option exercises and restricted shares vesting	20	$ 20				20
Shares repurchased	(296)	$ (296)				(296)
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(1,164)
Change in ownership of NeuCo					6	6
BALANCE at Apr. 02, 2016	$ 215,085	$ 66,614	$ 157,698	$ (9,227)	$ (866)	$ 214,219
BALANCE (in shares) at Apr. 02, 2016		8,900,775				8,900,775

Description of Business	3 Months Ended
Description of Business	Apr. 02, 2016
Description of Business
Description of Business	1. Description of Business CRA International, Inc. ("CRA") is a worldwide leading consulting services firm that applies advanced analytic techniques and in-depth industry knowledge to complex engagements for a broad range of clients. CRA offers its services in two broad areas: litigation, regulatory, and financial consulting and management consulting. CRA operates in two business segments, which are consulting services and NeuCo. CRA operates its business under its registered trade name, Charles River Associates.

Basis of Presentation and Estimates	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation and Estimates	Apr. 02, 2016
Basis Of Presentation And Estimates
Basis of Presentation and Estimates	2. Basis of Presentation and Estimates The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the results of operations, financial position, cash flows, and stockholders' equity as of and for the quarters ending April 2, 2016 and April 4, 2015, respectively. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary for the fair statement of our results of operations, financial position, cash flows, and stockholders' equity for the interim periods presented in conformity with GAAP. Results of operations for the interim periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended January 2, 2016 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as the related 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. Estimates in these condensed consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, allowances for accounts receivable and unbilled services, revenue recognition on fixed price contracts, depreciation of property and equipment, share-based compensation, valuation of acquired intangible assets, impairment of long lived assets, goodwill, accrued and deferred income taxes, valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, accrued compensation, accrued exit costs, and other accrued expenses. These items are monitored and analyzed by CRA for changes in facts and circumstances, and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. CRA bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that CRA believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates if CRA's assumptions based on past experience or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate.

Principles of Consolidation	3 Months Ended
Principles of Consolidation	Apr. 02, 2016
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation	3. Principles of Consolidation The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CRA and its wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, the condensed consolidated financial statements include CRA's interest in NeuCo, Inc. ("NeuCo"). All significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated. CRA's ownership interest in NeuCo was 55.89% for all periods presented. NeuCo's financial results have been consolidated with CRA's, and the portion of NeuCo's results allocable to its other owners is shown as "noncontrolling interest." Additionally, a member of CRA's board of directors holds a greater than 5% interest in NeuCo as of April 2, 2016. NeuCo's interim reporting schedule is based on calendar month-ends, but its fiscal year end is the last Saturday of November. CRA's quarterly results could include a few days reporting lag between CRA's quarter end and the most recent financial statements available from NeuCo. CRA does not believe that the reporting lag will have a significant impact on CRA's consolidated income statements or financial condition. On January 8, 2015, NeuCo entered into an agreement to settle a note payable of approximately $981,000 in exchange for aggregate payments of $375,000. NeuCo recorded a gain on the extinguishment of this debt in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 of approximately $606,000. Under the settlement order, the scheduled payments were made as follows: $150,000 on January 8, 2015 and $150,000 on February 28, 2015. The final payment of $75,000 was paid on February 16, 2016.

Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	3 Months Ended
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	Apr. 02, 2016
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	4. Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 establishes new classification for excess tax benefits and deficiencies relating to share based payments. In addition, the new pronouncement allows for the option of estimating awards expected to vest or accounting for forfeitures when they occur. Cash paid by employers when withholding shares for tax withholding purposes will now be classified as a financing activity. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. CRA has not yet determined the effects, if any, that the adoption of ASU 2016-09 may have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures. Principal versus Agent Considerations In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations ("ASU 2016-08"). ASU 2016-08 clarifies the provisions of principal versus agent implementation. ASU 2016-08 requires entities to determine whether they are a principal or agent for each distinct good or service they provide to customers. The new standard also clarifies the assessment necessary to determine whether the entity is acting as a principal or agent based on contract and customer. For a public entity, the amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. CRA has not yet determined the effects, if any, that the adoption of ASU 2016-08 may have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures. Leases (Topic 842) In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 establishes a comprehensive new lease accounting model. The new standard clarifies the definition of a lease, requires a dual approach to lease classification similar to current lease classifications, and causes lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet as a lease liability with a corresponding right-of-use asset for leases with a lease term of more than twelve months. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition for capital or operating leases existing at or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, but it does not require transition accounting for leases that expire prior to the date of initial application. CRA has not yet determined the effects, if any, that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 may have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures. Revenue from Contracts with Customers In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date ("ASU 2015-14"). ASU 2015-14 defers by one year the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"). The deferral results in ASU 2014-09 being effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The main provision of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenue when control of the goods or services transfers to the customer, as opposed to the existing guidance of recognizing revenue when the risks and rewards transfer to the customer. CRA has not yet determined the effects, if any, that the adoption of ASU 2015-14 may have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures. Reporting of Going-Concern Uncertainties In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern ("ASU 2014-15"). ASU 2014-15 is intended to define management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization's ability to continue as a going concern and provides guidance to an organization's management, with principles and definitions that are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures in the financial statement footnotes. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. CRA believes that the adoption of ASU 2014-15 will not have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures

Cash and Cash Equivalents	3 Months Ended
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Apr. 02, 2016
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents	5. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist principally of money market funds with maturities of three months or less when purchased. As of April 2, 2016 and April 4, 2015, a substantial portion of CRA's cash accounts was concentrated at a single financial institution, which potentially exposes CRA to credit risks. The financial institution has a short-term credit rating of A by Standard & Poor's ratings services. CRA has not experienced any losses related to such accounts. CRA does not believe that there is significant risk of non- performance by the financial institution. CRA's cash on deposit is fully liquid and CRA continually monitors the credit ratings of the institution.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement), then priority to quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market (Level 2 measurement), then the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

The following table shows CRA's financial instruments as of April 2, 2016 and January 2, 2016 that are measured and recorded in the financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

	April 2, 2016
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Money market funds	$	17	$	—	$	—

Total Assets	$	17	$	—	$	—


Liabilities:
Contingent acquisition liability	$	—	$	—	$	814

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	814

	January 2, 2016
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Money market funds	$	6,015	$	—	$	—

Total Assets	$	6,015	$	—	$	—


Liabilities:
Contingent acquisition liability	$	—	$	—	$	773

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	773

The fair values of CRA's money market funds are based on quotes received from third-party banks.

The contingent acquisition liability in the table above is for estimated future contingent consideration payments related to a prior acquisition. The fair value measure of this liability is based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of this contingent acquisition liability are CRA's measures of the estimated payouts based on internally generated financial projections and discount rates. The fair value of the contingent acquisition liability is reassessed on a quarterly basis by CRA using additional information as it becomes available and any change in the fair value estimate is recorded in the earnings of that period.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Forgivable Loans

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Forgivable Loans.

Forgivable Loans

7. Forgivable Loans

Forgivable loan activity for the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):

	Forgivable Loans
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	44,685
Advances		1,157
Repayments		(257	)
Amortization		(4,065	)
Effect of foreign currency translation		4

Balance at April 2, 2016	$	41,524


Current portion of forgivable loans	$	3,556


Non-current portion of forgivable loans	$	37,968

Goodwill

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Goodwill

Goodwill

8. Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 2016, are as follows (in thousands):

	Goodwill, gross			Accumulated impairment losses			Goodwill, net
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	153,387		$	(76,417	)	$	76,970
Effect of foreign currency translation		(327	)		—			(327	)

Balance at April 2, 2016	$	153,060		$	(76,417	)	$	76,643

Accrued Expenses

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Accrued Expenses.

Accrued Expenses

9. Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

	April 2, 2016		January 2, 2016
Compensation and related expenses	$	38,010	$	57,963
Income taxes payable		120		323
Other		7,130		6,832

Total	$	45,260	$	65,118

As of April 2, 2016 and January 2, 2016, approximately $21.7 million and $44.9 million, respectively, of accrued bonuses were included above in "Compensation and related expenses".

Credit Agreement	3 Months Ended
Credit Agreement	Apr. 02, 2016
Credit Agreement
Credit Agreement	10. Credit Agreement CRA is party to a credit agreement that provides CRA with a $125.0 million revolving credit facility and a $15 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit. CRA may use the proceeds of the revolving credit facility for working capital and other general corporate purposes. CRA may repay any borrowings under the revolving credit facility at any time, but no later than April 24, 2018. There were no amounts outstanding under this revolving line of credit as of April 2, 2016 and January 2, 2016. As of April 2, 2016, the amount available under this revolving line of credit was reduced by certain letters of credit outstanding, which amounted to $2.1 million. Under the credit agreement, CRA must comply with various financial and non-financial covenants. Compliance with these financial covenants is tested on a fiscal quarterly basis. As of April 2, 2016 and January 2, 2016, CRA was in compliance with the covenants of its credit agreement.

Revenue Recognition

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

11. Revenue Recognition

CRA offers consulting services in two broad areas: litigation, regulatory, and financial consulting and management consulting. Together, these two service areas comprised approximately 99.1% of the consolidated revenues for the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 2016, and approximately 0.9% of the consolidated revenues came from CRA's NeuCo subsidiary. CRA recognizes all project revenue on a gross basis based on consideration of the criteria set forth in ASC Topic 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations.

The contracts that CRA enters into and operates under specify whether the engagement will be billed on a time-and-materials or a fixed-price basis. Most of CRA's revenue is derived from time-and-materials service contracts. Revenues from time-and-materials service contracts are recognized as services are provided based upon hours worked and contractually agreed-upon hourly rates, as well as indirect fees based upon hours worked. Revenues from a majority of CRA's fixed-price engagements are recognized using a proportional performance method based on the ratio of costs incurred, substantially all of which are labor-related, to the total estimated project costs. In general, project costs are classified in costs of services and are based on the direct salary of the consultants on the engagement plus all direct expenses incurred to complete the engagement, including any amounts billed to CRA by its non-employee experts.

CRA's billed and unbilled receivables consist of receivables from a broad range of clients in a variety of industries located throughout the U.S. and in other countries. CRA performs a credit evaluation of its clients to minimize its collectability risk. Periodically, CRA will require advance payment from certain clients. However, CRA does not require collateral or other security. CRA maintains accounts receivable allowances for estimated losses and disputed amounts resulting from clients' failures to make required payments. CRA bases its estimates on historical collection experience, current trends, and credit policy. In determining these estimates, CRA examines historical write-offs of its receivables and reviews client accounts to identify any specific customer collection issues. If the financial condition of any of CRA's customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability or intent to make payment, additional allowances may be required.

A rollforward of the accounts receivable allowance is as follows (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended
	April 2, 2016
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	3,648
Increases to reserve		836
Amounts written off		(503	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		(4	)

Balance at April 2, 2016	$	3,977

A rollforward of the unbilled receivables allowance is as follows (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended
	April 2, 2016
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	2,354
Increases to reserves		668
Amounts written off		(531	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		(2	)

Balance at April 2, 2016	$	2,489

Amounts deemed uncollectible are recorded as a reduction to revenues.

Revenues also include reimbursable expenses, which include travel and other out-of-pocket expenses, outside consultants, and other reimbursable expenses. Reimbursable expenses are as follows (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended
	April 2, 2016		April 4, 2015
Reimbursable expenses	$	8,030	$	8,872

CRA collects goods and services and value added taxes from customers and records these amounts on a net basis, which is within the scope of ASC Topic 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations.

Net Income Per Share

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Net Income Per Share

Net Income Per Share

12. Net Income per Share

CRA calculates basic and diluted earnings per common share using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are allocated to each class of common stock and participating security as if all of the net earnings for the period had been distributed. CRA's participating securities consist of unvested share-based payment awards that contain a nonforfeitable right to receive dividends and therefore are considered to participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. Basic earnings per common share excludes dilution and is calculated by dividing net earnings allocable to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net earnings allocable to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares as of the balance sheet date, as adjusted for the potential dilutive effect of non-participating share-based awards. Net earnings allocable to these participating securities were not significant for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 or fiscal 2015.

The following table presents a reconciliation from net income to the net income available to common shareholders (in thousands):

	April 2, 2016		April 4, 2015
Net income, as reported	$	2,423	$	2,779
Less: net income attributable to participating shares		18		4

Net income available to common shareholders	$	2,405	$	2,775

The following is a reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (in thousands) for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015:

	April 2, 2016		April 4, 2015
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		8,871		9,190
Common stock equivalents:
Stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units		56		213

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		8,927		9,403

For the first quarter ended April 2, 2016, the anti-dilutive share based awards that were excluded from the calculation of common stock equivalents for purposes of computing diluted weighted average shares outstanding amounted to 346,245 shares. For the first quarter ended April 4, 2015, the anti-dilutive share based awards that were excluded from the calculation of common stock equivalents for purposes of computing diluted weighted average shares outstanding amounted to 391,733 shares. These share-based awards each period were anti-dilutive because their exercise price exceeded the average market price over the respective period.

On October 23, 2014 and March 21, 2016, CRA's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $30.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively, of CRA's common stock. Repurchases under these programs are discretionary and CRA may make such repurchases under any of these programs in the open market (including under any Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted by CRA) or in privately negotiated transactions, in each case in accordance with applicable insider trading and other securities laws and regulations. CRA records the retirement of its repurchased shares as a reduction to common stock. During the first quarter ended April 2, 2016, there were no shares repurchased or retired under these share repurchase programs. During the first quarter ended April 4, 2015, CRA repurchased and retired 144,900 shares under these share repurchase programs at an average price per share of $31.33. As of April 2, 2016, there was approximately $28.1 million shares available for future repurchases under these programs.

On February 22, 2016, CRA announced the commencement of a modified "Dutch auction" self-tender offer to purchase for cash up to $30.0 million in value of shares of its common stock at a price within (and including) the range of $18.00 to $19.75 per share. The tender offer expired on Monday, March 21, 2016. A total of 1,164 shares of common stock were tendered at the final purchase price of $19.75 per share.

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Apr. 02, 2016
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	13. Income Taxes CRA's effective tax rates for the fiscal quarters ended April 2, 2016 and April 4, 2015 were 46.5% and 37.4%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2016 was higher than the prior year primarily due to a non-recurring benefit for the use of valuation allowances in the prior year, the geographical mix of earnings and state taxes. The effective tax rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 was higher than the combined Federal and state statutory tax rate primarily due to a loss in NeuCo for the quarter that was not benefited, as well as other permanent items, offset partially by a benefit for jurisdictional mix of earnings. The effective tax rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was lower than the combined Federal and state statutory tax rate primarily due to the geographical mix of earnings. Additionally, the effective tax rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 included a benefit for the release of a valuation allowance as a result of the current-year utilization of certain historical foreign net operating losses that previously had a valuation allowance, as well a discrete provision in connection with income taxes payable for a state examination that is nearing conclusion, offset partially by a discrete benefit due to the release of reserves in connection with the finalization of the tax examination in France for fiscal years 2011 and 2012.

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Contingencies	Apr. 02, 2016
Contingencies
Contingencies	14. Contingencies CRA is subject to legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In management's opinion, CRA believes it has adequate legal defenses and/or insurance coverage with respect to the eventuality of such actions. CRA does not believe any settlement or judgment relating to any pending legal action would materially affect its financial position or results of operations.

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Apr. 02, 2016
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events	15. Subsequent Events CRA voted in favor of the sale of substantially all of its NeuCo subsidiary's business assets for cash and other consideration, including the buyer's assumption of certain liabilities, subject to certain contingent liabilities of NeuCo related to various representations and warranties. The transaction closed on April 13, 2016. On April 27, 2016, CRA drew down $5.0 million on its existing revolving line of credit to fund operations and capital investments. These borrowings will be repaid in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Fair value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis

	April 2, 2016
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Money market funds	$	17	$	—	$	—

Total Assets	$	17	$	—	$	—


Liabilities:
Contingent acquisition liability	$	—	$	—	$	814

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	814

	January 2, 2016
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Money market funds	$	6,015	$	—	$	—

Total Assets	$	6,015	$	—	$	—


Liabilities:
Contingent acquisition liability	$	—	$	—	$	773

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	773

Forgivable Loans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Forgivable Loans.

Schedule of forgivable loans activity

Forgivable loan activity for the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):

	Forgivable Loans
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	44,685
Advances		1,157
Repayments		(257	)
Amortization		(4,065	)
Effect of foreign currency translation		4

Balance at April 2, 2016	$	41,524


Current portion of forgivable loans	$	3,556


Non-current portion of forgivable loans	$	37,968

Goodwill (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Goodwill

Schedule of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 2016, are as follows (in thousands):

	Goodwill, gross			Accumulated impairment losses			Goodwill, net
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	153,387		$	(76,417	)	$	76,970
Effect of foreign currency translation		(327	)		—			(327	)

Balance at April 2, 2016	$	153,060		$	(76,417	)	$	76,643

Accrued Expenses (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Accrued Expenses.

Schedule of accrued expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

	April 2, 2016		January 2, 2016
Compensation and related expenses	$	38,010	$	57,963
Income taxes payable		120		323
Other		7,130		6,832

Total	$	45,260	$	65,118

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Revenue Recognition

Schedule of activity of accounts receivable allowance

A rollforward of the accounts receivable allowance is as follows (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended
	April 2, 2016
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	3,648
Increases to reserve		836
Amounts written off		(503	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		(4	)

Balance at April 2, 2016	$	3,977

Schedule of activity of the unbilled receivables allowance

A rollforward of the unbilled receivables allowance is as follows (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended
	April 2, 2016
Balance at January 2, 2016	$	2,354
Increases to reserves		668
Amounts written off		(531	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		(2	)

Balance at April 2, 2016	$	2,489

Schedule of reimbursable expenses included in revenues

Reimbursable expenses are as follows (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended
	April 2, 2016		April 4, 2015
Reimbursable expenses	$	8,030	$	8,872

Net Income Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 02, 2016

Net Income Per Share

Schedule of reconciliation from net income to net income available to common shareholders

The following table presents a reconciliation from net income to the net income available to common shareholders (in thousands):

	April 2, 2016		April 4, 2015
Net income, as reported	$	2,423	$	2,779
Less: net income attributable to participating shares		18		4

Net income available to common shareholders	$	2,405	$	2,775

Schedule of reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

The following is a reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (in thousands) for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015:

	April 2, 2016		April 4, 2015
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		8,871		9,190
Common stock equivalents:
Stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units		56		213

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		8,927		9,403

Description of Business (Details)	3 Months Ended
Description of Business (Details)	Apr. 02, 2016 item
Description of Business
Number of broad areas of services	2
Number of business segments	2

Principles of Consolidation (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
Principles of Consolidation (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 08, 2015	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
NeuCo Interest
Repayments of Notes Payable		$ 75,000	$ 300,000
NeuCo gain on extinguishment of debt			606,000
NeuCo, Inc.
NeuCo Interest
Percentage of ownership interest held by the entity		55.89%
Notes Payable	$ 981,000
Repayments of Notes Payable	$ 375,000
NeuCo gain on extinguishment of debt			$ 606,000
NeuCo, Inc. \| Repayments of Notes payable on January 2015
NeuCo Interest
Repayments of Notes Payable		$ 150,000
NeuCo, Inc. \| Repayments of Notes payable on February 2015
NeuCo Interest
Repayments of Notes Payable		150,000
NeuCo, Inc. \| Repayments of Notes Payable on February 2016
NeuCo Interest
Repayments of Notes Payable		$ 75,000
NeuCo, Inc. \| Board of directors \| Minimum
NeuCo Interest
Percentage of ownership interest held by the entity		5.00%

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Level 1
Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
Total Assets	$ 17	$ 6,015
Level 1 \| Money market funds
Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
Cash and cash equivalents	17	6,015
Level 3
Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
Contingent acquisition liability	814	773
Total Liabilities	$ 814	$ 773

Forgivable Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Forgivable Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Forgivable loans activity
Beginning balance	$ 44,685
Advances	1,157
Repayments	(257)
Amortization	(4,065)
Effect of foreign currency translation	4
Ending balance	41,524
Current portion of forgivable loans	3,556	$ 4,402
Non-current portion of forgivable loans	$ 37,968	$ 40,283

Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2016 USD ($)
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period, gross	$ 153,387
Effect of foreign currency translation	(327)
Balance at the end of the period, gross	153,060
Balance at the beginning of the period, Accumulated impairment losses	(76,417)
Balance at the end of the period, Accumulated impairment losses	(76,417)
Balance at the beginning of the period, net	76,970
Balance at the end of the period, net	$ 76,643

Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Accrued Expenses.
Compensation and related expenses	$ 38,010	$ 57,963
Income taxes payable	120	323
Other	7,130	6,832
Total	45,260	65,118
Accrued bonuses	$ 21,700	$ 44,900

Credit Agreement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Revolving credit facility
Senior Loan Agreement
Revolving credit facility, maximum capacity	$ 125.0
Amount of borrowings outstanding under revolving line of credit	0.0	$ 0.0
Amounts outstanding under letters of credit	2.1
Letters of credit
Senior Loan Agreement
Revolving credit facility, maximum capacity	$ 15.0

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References + Details

Revenue Recognition (Details)	3 Months Ended
Revenue Recognition (Details)	Apr. 02, 2016 item
Number of broad areas of consulting services	2
Consulting Services
Percentage of revenue	99.1
NeuCo, Inc.
Percentage of revenue	0.9

Revenue Recognition (Details 2) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Revenue Recognition (Details 2) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2016 USD ($)
A rollforward of the accounts receivable allowance
Balance at January 2, 2016	$ 3,648
Increases to reserve	836
Amounts written off	(503)
Effects of foreign currency translation	(4)
Balance at April 2, 2016	$ 3,977

Revenue Recognition (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Revenue Recognition (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
A rollforward of the unbilled receivables allowance
Balance at January 2, 2016	$ 2,354
Increases to reserves	668
Amounts written off	(531)
Effects of foreign currency translation	(2)
Balance at April 2, 2016	2,489
Reimbursable expenses	$ 8,030	$ 8,872

Net Income per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Net Income per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
Net income available to common shareholders
Net income, as reported	$ 2,423	$ 2,779
Less: net income attributable to participating shares	18	4
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 2,405	$ 2,775
Reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	8,871,000	9,190,000
Common stock equivalents:
Stock options and restricted stock and restricted stock units (in shares)	56,000	213,000
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	8,927,000	9,403,000
Calculation of common stock equivalents for purposes of computing diluted weighted average shares outstanding
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from EPS computation (in shares)	346,245	391,733

Net Income per Share (Details 2) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 21, 2016	Feb. 22, 2016	Aug. 23, 2014
Share Repurchase Program
Share repurchase program, amount authorized to be repurchased			$ 20,000		$ 30,000
Number of shares repurchased and retired		144,900
Average repurchase price per share (in dollars per share)		$ 31.33
Amount available for future repurchases	$ 28,100
Repayments of Notes Payable	$ 75	$ 300
Modified Dutch Auction
Share Repurchase Program
Share repurchase program, amount authorized to be repurchased				$ 30,000
Number of common stock tendered				1,164
Minimum \| Modified Dutch Auction
Share Repurchase Program
Share price (in dollars per share)				$ 18.00
Maximum \| Modified Dutch Auction
Share Repurchase Program
Share price (in dollars per share)				$ 19.75

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details)	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
Reconciliation of tax rates with federal statutory rate
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	46.50%	37.40%

Subsequent Events (Details) $ in Millions	Apr. 27, 2016 USD ($)
Revolving credit facility \| Subsequent events
Subsequent Event
Line of credit draw downs	$ 5.0