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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 25, 2017
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001053706
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-30
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,109,135
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

Condensed Consolidated Income Statements (unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements (unaudited)
Revenues	$ 91,325	$ 81,691	$ 273,059	$ 245,210
Costs of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	62,422	57,832	190,223	171,297
Selling, general and administrative expenses	20,803	16,671	59,778	52,748
Depreciation and amortization	2,453	1,891	6,652	5,861
Income from operations	5,647	5,297	16,406	15,304
GNU gain on sale of business assets			250	3,836
Interest expense, net	(116)	(129)	(361)	(356)
Other income (expense), net	4	(108)	(233)	(270)
Income before provision for income taxes	5,535	5,060	16,062	18,514
Provision for income taxes	(2,310)	(1,909)	(6,100)	(6,357)
Net income	3,225	3,151	9,962	12,157
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	(11)	42	(82)	(1,327)
Net income attributable to CRA International, Inc.	$ 3,214	$ 3,193	$ 9,880	$ 10,830
Net income per share attributable to CRA International, Inc:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.39	$ 1.18	$ 1.25
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.38	$ 1.15	$ 1.24
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	8,149	8,177	8,332	8,581
Diluted (in shares)	8,353	8,309	8,530	8,653

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
Net income	$ 3,225	$ 3,151	$ 9,962	$ 12,157
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,274	(608)	3,611	(2,523)
Comprehensive income	4,499	2,543	13,573	9,634
Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(11)	42	(82)	(1,327)
Comprehensive income attributable to CRA International, Inc.	$ 4,488	$ 2,585	$ 13,491	$ 8,307

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,899	$ 53,530
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $7,486 at September 30, 2017 and $4,253 at December 31, 2016	76,819	66,852
Unbilled services, net of allowances of $2,531 at September 30, 2017 and $1,720 at December 31, 2016	41,536	24,937
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,211	19,295
Forgivable loans	6,474	5,897
Total current assets	157,939	170,511
Property and equipment, net	41,062	36,381
Goodwill	88,529	74,764
Intangible assets, net	9,867	2,685
Deferred income taxes	10,105	10,049
Forgivable loans, net of current portion	25,388	28,065
Other assets	1,530	1,187
Total assets	334,420	323,642
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	17,162	13,729
Accrued expenses	74,285	75,281
Deferred revenue and other liabilities	3,980	3,021
Current portion of deferred rent	1,110	1,499
Current portion of deferred compensation	851	570
Total current liabilities	97,388	94,100
Non-current liabilities:
Deferred rent and facility-related non-current liabilities	18,790	15,191
Deferred compensation and other non-current liabilities	9,710	6,346
Deferred income taxes	355	122
Total non-current liabilities	28,855	21,659
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
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; 8,055,783 shares and 8,333,990 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	44,520	54,124
Retained earnings	173,119	166,914
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,207)	(13,818)
Total CRA International, Inc. shareholders' equity	207,432	207,220
Noncontrolling interest	745	663
Total shareholders' equity	208,177	207,883
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 334,420	$ 323,642

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
Allowances for accounts receivable (in dollars)	$ 7,486	$ 4,253
Allowance for unbilled services (in dollars)	$ 2,531	$ 1,720
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	8,055,783	8,333,990
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,055,783	8,333,990

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 9,962	$ 12,157
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	6,636	5,848
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	10	3
Impairment of intangible assets	523
GNU gain on sale of business assets	(250)	(3,836)
Deferred rent	1,316	3,250
Deferred income taxes	230	886
Share-based compensation expenses	4,633	4,791
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		(55)
Accounts receivable allowances	3,166	(247)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(11,600)	(3,627)
Unbilled services	(15,533)	(11,874)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and other assets	6,505	1,588
Forgivable loans	2,418	7,743
Incentive cash awards	956
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities	(1,181)	(414)
Net cash provided by operating activities	7,791	16,213
Investing activities:
Cash consideration paid for acquisitions	(16,163)
Purchases of property and equipment	(5,366)	(11,808)
GNU cash proceeds from sale of business assets	250	1,100
Net cash used in investing activities	(21,279)	(10,708)
Financing activities:
Issuance of common stock, principally stock option exercises	2,950	1,448
Payments on notes payable		(75)
Borrowings under line of credit	11,500	7,500
Repayments under line of credit	(11,500)	(7,500)
Tax withholding payments reimbursed by restricted shares	(703)	(490)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		55
Cash paid on dividend equivalents	(25)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders	(3,529)
Repurchases of common stock	(19,528)	(19,318)
Net cash used in financing activities	(20,835)	(18,380)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	1,692	(80)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(32,631)	(12,955)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	53,530	38,139
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	20,899	25,184
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of common stock for acquired business	3,044	44
Purchases of property and equipment not yet paid for	2,568	1,234
Purchases of property and equipment paid by a third party	1,640
Asset retirement obligations		1,479
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	7,297	3,959
Cash paid for interest	$ 248	$ 327

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity - (unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	CRA International, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2016 at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 207,220	$ 54,124	$ 166,914	$ (13,818)	$ 663	$ 207,883
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2016 (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		8,333,990				8,333,990
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income	9,880		9,880		82	$ 9,962
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3,611			3,611		3,611
Issuance of common stock for acquired businesses	3,044	$ 3,044				3,044
Issuance of common stock for acquired businesses (in shares)		89,312
Exercise of stock options	2,950	$ 2,950				2,950
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		133,955
Share-based compensation expense for employees	4,540	$ 4,540				4,540
Restricted share and unit vestings (in shares)		72,753
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding	(703)	$ (703)				(703)
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding (in shares)		(19,519)
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle related to ASU 2016-09	48		48			48
Shares repurchases	(19,528)	$ (19,528)				$ (19,528)
Shares repurchases (in shares)		(554,708)				(554,708)
Share-based compensation expense for non-employees	93	$ 93				$ 93
Accrued dividends on unvested units	(169)		(169)			(169)
Cash paid on dividend equivalents	(25)		(25)			(25)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders	(3,529)		(3,529)			(3,529)
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 207,432	$ 44,520	$ 173,119	$ (10,207)	$ 745	$ 208,177
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2017		8,055,783				8,055,783

Description of Business	9 Months Ended
Description of Business	Sep. 30, 2017
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 services in two broad areas: litigation, regulatory, and financial consulting and management consulting. CRA operates in one business segment. CRA operates its business under its registered trade name, Charles River Associates.

Basis of Presentation and Estimates	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation and Estimates	Sep. 30, 2017
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 fiscal quarters and year-to-date periods ended September 30, 2017 and October 1, 2016, 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 CRA's 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2017. 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 consolidated 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	9 Months Ended
Principles of Consolidation	Sep. 30, 2017
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 GNU123 Liquidating Corporation ("GNU", formerly known as NeuCo Inc.). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. CRA's ownership interest in GNU was 55.89% for all periods presented. GNU's financial results have been consolidated with CRA, and the portion of GNU's results allocable to its other owners is shown as "noncontrolling interest." GNU'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 GNU. CRA does not believe that the reporting lag will have a significant impact on CRA's consolidated income statements or financial condition. On April 13, 2016, a buyer acquired substantially all of the business assets and assumed substantially all of the liabilities of GNU for a purchase price of $1.35 million. Of this amount, $1.1 million was received at closing, with the remaining $0.25 million payable on or after April 13, 2017, subject to contingencies, as outlined in the asset purchase agreement, which remaining amount was paid in full on May 3, 2017. GNU recognized a gain on sale of its business assets of $0.25 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, of which $0.14 million is attributed to CRA, and $3.8 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2016, of which $2.1 million is attributed to CRA.

Recent Accounting Standards Adopted	9 Months Ended
Recent Accounting Standards Adopted	Sep. 30, 2017
Recent Accounting Standards Adopted
Recent Accounting Standards Adopted	4. Recent Accounting Standards Adopted Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 requires all of the tax effects related to share-based payments to be recorded through the income statement. The new pronouncement also allows for the option of estimating awards expected to vest or accounting for forfeitures when they occur. In the statement of cash flows, cash paid by employers when withholding shares for tax withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity whereas cash flows resulting from excess tax benefits should be reported in operating activities. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Accordingly, CRA adopted ASU No. 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, resulting in the recognition of a tax benefit of $0.5 million to retained earnings as of that date. CRA had traditionally classified employee taxes paid through employer share withholdings as financing activities, therefore no further adjustment was necessary. CRA has classified the excess tax benefits from share-based compensation as operating activities on a prospective basis beginning in the quarter ended April 1, 2017. Additionally, CRA did not make any changes to its accounting for forfeitures and continues to estimate forfeitures based on historical experience.

Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	9 Months Ended
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	Sep. 30, 2017
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	5. Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted Revenue from Contracts with Customers In August 2015, 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. 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. The standard is expected to have an impact on the amount and timing of revenue recognized and the related disclosures on CRA's financial statements. CRA will adopt ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 and CRA expects to adopt this new standard using the modified retrospective method, which requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the period of adoption. CRA currently anticipates that the most significant impact to adopting this guidance will occur with contracts which include variable consideration. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 will not have a material impact on CRA's consolidated financial position, results of operations, equity or cash flows. Leases (Topic 842) In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("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. Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash ("ASU 2016-18"). ASU 2016-18 amends ASC 230 to add or clarify guidance on the classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The new standard requires cash and cash equivalents balances on the statement of cash flows to include restricted cash and cash equivalent balances. ASU 2016-18 requires the registrant to provide appropriate disclosures about its accounting policies pertaining to restricted cash in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents that result from transfers between cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should not be presented as cash flow activities in the statement of cash flows. A registrant with a material balance of amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents must disclose information about the nature of the restrictions. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. CRA believes that the adoption of ASU 2016-18 will not have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures. Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business On January 5, 2017, the FASB issued a new ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business ("ASU 2017-01"). ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist companies and other reporting organizations with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under the amendments, a business is an integrated set of activities and assets that is capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return in the form of dividends, lower costs, or other economic benefits directly to investors or other owners, members, or participants. For public companies, ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. Early application of the amendments in ASU 2017-01 is allowed for transactions of which the acquisition date occurs before the issuance date or effective date of the amendments, only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance; and for transactions in which a subsidiary is deconsolidated or a group of assets is derecognized that occur before the issuance date or effective date of the amendments, only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. CRA has not yet determined the effects, if any, that the adoption of ASU 2017-01 may have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures. Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment On January 26, 2017, the FASB issued a new ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"). ASU 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill, and gives the option to eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the amendments, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The amendment also eliminated the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, the same impairment assessment applies to all reporting units. An entity is required to disclose the amount of goodwill allocated to each reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount of net assets. For public companies, ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. CRA has not yet determined the effects, if any, that the adoption of ASU 2017-04 may have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures. Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting On May 10, 2017, the FASB issued a new ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting ("ASU 2017-09"). ASU 2017-09 updates guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. Under the amendments, an entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all the following conditions are met. First, the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation technique that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification. Second, the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. Third, the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for public entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. CRA will adopt ASU 2017-09 during the first quarter of 2018. CRA has not completed its assessment of this standard and has not yet determined whether the impact of the adoption of this standard on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures will be material.

Business Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Business Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions

6. Business Acquisitions

On January 30, 2017, CRA acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of C1 Consulting LLC, an independent consulting firm, and its wholly-owned subsidiary C1 Associates (collectively, "C1") for initial consideration comprised of cash and CRA restricted common stock. The asset purchase agreement provided for additional purchase consideration to be paid for up to four years following the transaction in the form of an earnout, if specific performance targets are met. These earnout payments are payable in cash and CRA restricted common stock. The fair value of this obligation was measured as of the acquisition date and accounted for as a component of the purchase consideration, any adjustments to this initial valuation in future accounting periods will be reported as an adjustment to net income.

C1 provides management consulting services in the life sciences industry, and has built a reputation for its specialty consulting services. Acquiring C1 will assist CRA in expanding its geographical presence in the western part of the United States and Europe, servicing CRA's existing life sciences customers more efficiently, and providing opportunities to engage with new clients in both the United States and European markets.

The acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and C1's results of operations have been included in the accompanying condensed consolidated income statements from the date of acquisition. The following is a preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The allocation of the purchase price will be finalized as CRA receives additional information relevant to the acquisition and completes its analysis of transaction-related activities. The final purchase price allocation may be different from the preliminary estimate reported, the impact of which is not expected to be material to CRA's results of operations for fiscal 2017.

The following table shows CRA's acquired assets and liabilities assumed from the purchase of C1 Consulting (in thousands):

Assets Acquired:
Current assets:
Accounts receivable and unbilled receivables	$	3,820
Other current assets		10

Total current assets		3,830

Property and equipment		206
Other non-current assets		106
Intangible assets		8,800
Goodwill		12,626

Total assets acquired	$	25,568

Liabilities Assumed:
Current liabilities:
Deferred revenue	$	3,396
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		652

Total current liabilities		4,048
Contingent consideration		2,357

Total liabilities assumed		6,405

Net assets acquired	$	19,163

The intangible assets acquired are comprised of non-compete agreements and the value of customer relationships, the fair value of which was determined using the incremental income method and multi-period excess earnings method, respectively. The non-compete agreements are being amortized over the stated term of five years on a straight-line basis. The customer relationships intangible is being amortized over a ten year life on a straight-line basis, which approximates the expected pattern of economic benefit from this asset. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined using a monte carlo simulation and will be accreted over the liabilities' measurement period to its expected future payment value on a straight-line basis. The fair value of the contingent acquisition liability will be reassessed on a quarterly basis by CRA using additional information as it becomes available, and any change in the fair value estimate will be recorded in the earnings of that period.

Transaction related costs, which are principally legal and accounting service fees, amount to $0.5 million for the fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017 and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated income statement.

Cash and Cash Equivalents	9 Months Ended
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents	7. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist principally of money market funds with maturities of three months or less when purchased. As of September 30, 2017, a substantial portion of CRA's cash accounts were concentrated at a single financial institution, which potentially exposes CRA to credit risks. The financial institution has a short-term credit rating of A-2 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, and its cash on deposit is fully liquid. CRA continually monitors the credit ratings of the institution.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

8. 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 that are measured and recorded in the financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

	September 30, 2017
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Money market funds	$	5	$	—	$	—

Total Assets	$	5	$	—	$	—


Liabilities:
Contingent consideration liability	$	—	$	—	$	3,375

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	3,375

	December 31, 2016
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Money market funds	$	10,024	$	—	$	—

Total Assets	$	10,024	$	—	$	—


Liabilities:
Contingent consideration liability	$	—	$	—	$	549

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	549

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

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

The following table summarizes the changes in the contingent consideration liabilities over the fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Beginning balance	$	549		$	773
Acquisitions		2,357			—
Remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration		(296	)		71
Accretion		1,018			—
Payments		(299	)		(292	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		46			(3	)

Ending balance	$	3,375		$	549

- 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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Forgivable Loans

Forgivable Loans

9. Forgivable Loans

Forgivable loan activity for the fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Beginning balance	$	33,962		$	44,685
Advances		10,134			6,949
Accruals		670			316
Repayments		(1,884	)		(709	)
Reclassification to other receivables		(1,102	)		—
Amortization		(10,293	)		(16,575	)
Effect of foreign currency translation		375			(704	)

Ending balance	$	31,862		$	33,962


Current portion of forgivable loans	$	6,474		$	5,897


Non-current portion of forgivable loans	$	25,388		$	28,065

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

10. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017, are as follows (in thousands):

	Goodwill, gross		Accumulated impairment losses			Goodwill, net
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	151,181	$	(76,417	)	$	74,764
Goodwill adjustment related to acquisition		12,626		—			12,626
Effect of foreign currency translation		1,139		—			1,139

Balance at September 30, 2017	$	164,946	$	(76,417	)	$	88,529

Intangible assets that are separable from goodwill and have determinable useful lives are valued separately and amortized over their expected useful lives. There were impairment losses of $0.5 million related to intangible assets during the fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017. There were no impairment losses related to intangible assets during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

The components of acquired identifiable intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Non-competition agreements, net of accumulated amortization of $437 and $3,821, respectively	$	286	$	80
Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization of $2,838 and $5,181, respectively		9,581		2,605

Total, net of accumulated amortization	$	9,867	$	2,685

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Accrued Expenses

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Accrued Expenses

Accrued Expenses

11. Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Compensation and related expenses	$	60,254	$	67,582
Income taxes payable		465		534
Other		13,566		7,165

Total	$	74,285	$	75,281

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, approximately $47.2 million and $53.9 million, respectively, of accrued bonuses were included above in "Compensation and related expenses".

Credit Agreement	9 Months Ended
Credit Agreement	Sep. 30, 2017
Credit Agreement
Credit Agreement	12. Credit Agreement CRA is party to a credit agreement that provides CRA with a $125.0 million revolving credit facility and a $15.0 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit. CRA may use the proceeds of the revolving credit facility to provide working capital and for 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 borrowings outstanding under this revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the amount available under this revolving credit facility was reduced by certain letters of credit outstanding, which amounted to $3.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively. 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 September 30, 2017, CRA was in compliance with the covenants of its credit agreement.

Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

13. Revenue Recognition

CRA offers consulting services in two broad areas: litigation, regulatory, and financial consulting and management consulting. Together, these two service areas comprised 100.0% of CRA's consolidated revenues for the fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017. 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 on 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):

	Fiscal Year-to-Date Period Ended			Fiscal Year Ended
	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,253		$	3,648
Increases to reserve		6,076			2,761
Amounts written off		(2,852	)		(2,156	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		9			—

Balance at end of period	$	7,486		$	4,253

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

	Fiscal Year-to-Date Period Ended			Fiscal Year Ended
	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,720		$	2,354
Increases to reserves		1,727			2,102
Amounts written off		(914	)		(2,736	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		(2	)		—

Balance at end of period	$	2,531		$	1,720

Generally, accounts and unbilled receivables allowances are recorded as a reduction to revenues. During fiscal 2016, $1.1 million was recorded as a bad debt expense and reported as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses related to credit-related losses.

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				Fiscal Year-to-Date Period Ended
	September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016		September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016
Reimbursable expenses	$	9,675	$	8,969	$	29,463	$	25,510

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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Net Income per Share

Net Income per Share

14. 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 of 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 participating securities were not significant for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016.

The following table presents a reconciliation from net income attributable to CRA International, Inc. to net income available to common shareholders (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended				Fiscal Year-to-Date Period Ended
	September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016		September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016
Net income, as reported	$	3,214	$	3,193	$	9,880	$	10,830
Less: net income attributable to participating shares		21		24		66		74

Net income available to common shareholders	$	3,193	$	3,169	$	9,814	$	10,756

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended				Fiscal Year-to-Date Period Ended
	September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016		September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		8,149		8,177		8,332		8,581
Stock options		204		132		198		72

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		8,353		8,309		8,530		8,653

For the third quarter and fiscal year-to-date periods ended September 30, 2017, 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 40,439 and 66,470 shares, respectively. For the third quarter and fiscal year-to-date periods ended October 1, 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 205,015 and 680,950 shares, respectively. These share-based awards were anti-dilutive because their exercise price exceeded the average market price over the respective period.

On March 21, 2016 and May 3, 2017, CRA's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $20.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively, of CRA's common stock. Repurchases under these programs are discretionary and CRA may make 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 third quarter of fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017, CRA repurchased and retired 165,629 shares and 554,708 shares, respectively, under these share repurchase programs at an average price per share of $36.63 and $35.23, respectively. During the third quarter and fiscal year-to-date period ended October 1, 2016, CRA repurchased and retired 110,908 shares and 783,703 shares, respectively, under these share repurchase programs at an average price per share of $25.84 and $24.33, respectively. There was approximately $9.5 million available for future repurchases under these programs as of September 30, 2017.

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	15. Income Taxes CRA's effective income tax rates were 41.7% and 37.7% for the third quarters of fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2016, respectively. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 was higher than the prior year stemming from changes in the jurisdictional mix of earnings, executive compensation expenses, and the correction of a prior year estimate. This increase in rate was partially offset by the tax benefits related to stock-based compensation of approximately $0.1 million as well as provision to return true-ups. The effective tax rate in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 was higher than the combined Federal and state statutory tax rate also due to higher executive compensation and the correction of a prior year estimate. The effective tax rate in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016 was lower than the combined Federal and state statutory tax rate due to a favorable geographical mix of earnings. CRA's effective income tax rates were 38.0% and 34.3% for the fiscal year-to-date periods ended September 30, 2017 and October 1, 2016, respectively. The effective tax rate for the fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017 was higher than the prior year primarily due to a non-recurring item in the prior year that drove the rate down and was not replicated in the current year. Other drivers of a higher year-to-date fiscal year 2017 effective tax rate are executive compensation expenses and unfavorable discrete items, which were partially offset by a tax benefit related to stock-based compensation of approximately $0.4 million, as well as the tax implications associated with the reversal of contingent consideration. The effective tax rate for the fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017 was lower than the combined Federal and state statutory tax rate primarily due to a favorable geographical mix of earnings, as well as the tax benefit related to stock-based compensation and the tax implications associated with the reversal of contingent consideration, offset partially by executive compensation and other discrete unfavorable items. The effective tax rate fiscal year-to-date period ended October 1, 2016 was lower than the combined Federal and state statutory tax rate primarily due to a favorable geographical mix of earnings, as well as the sale of GNU's business assets. CRA has not provided for deferred income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on undistributed earnings from its foreign subsidiaries as of September 30, 2017 because such earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. CRA does not rely on these unremitted earnings as a source of funds for its domestic business, as it expects to have sufficient cash flow from operations and availability from its U.S. revolving credit facility to fund its U.S. operational and strategic needs.

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies	16. Commitments and 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.

Business Segment and Geographic Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Business Segment and Geographic Information

Business Segment and Geographic Information

17. Business Segment and Geographic Information

CRA is a leading consulting firm specializing in providing economic, financial and management consulting services. It offers consulting services in two broad areas: litigation, regulatory, and financial consulting and management consulting. These two areas represented approximately 100% of our consolidated revenues for fiscal 2017 and 2016. CRA manages its business on an integrated basis through its international network of offices and areas of functional expertise. Many of CRA's practice areas are represented in several of its offices and are managed across geographic borders. When CRA evaluated its business, and possible operating segments, CRA reviewed the manner in which it is organized and managed, composition and responsibilities of its management team, the identification of its chief operating decision maker, as well as the availability of discrete financial information for its various business components and geographic areas. During fiscal 2017 and the majority of fiscal 2016, it determined that CRA operated in one business segment, its consulting services business. Prior to the sale of substantially all of GNU's business assets on April 13, 2016, CRA operated in two operating segments. GNU's financial information is included below and is immaterial to the overall consolidated financial statements. Revenue based on the physical location of the operation to which the revenues relate, are as follows (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended September 30, 2017		Quarter Ended October 1, 2016		Fiscal Year-to- Date Ended September 30, 2017		Fiscal Year-to- Date Ended October 1, 2016
Revenue:
United States	$	70,910	$	63,955	$	217,608	$	189,832

United Kingdom		13,572		12,463		40,444		40,421
Other		6,843		5,273		15,007		14,957

Total foreign		20,415		17,736		55,451		55,378

Total Revenue	$	91,325	$	81,691	$	273,059	$	245,210

Long-lived assets by physical location are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Long-lived assets (property and equipment, net):
United States	$	34,005	$	30,735

United Kingdom		5,560		5,253
Other		1,497		393

Total foreign		7,057		5,646

Total Long-lived assets	$	41,062	$	36,381

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events	18. Subsequent Events On October 26, 2017, CRA announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per common share, payable on December 15, 2017 to shareholders of record as of November 28, 2017. On October 24, 2017, the Company extended its $125.0 million revolving credit facility for five years. The Company may use the proceeds of the revolving credit facility to provide working capital and for other general corporate purposes. Other than the letters of credit of approximately $3.6 million that had been issued under the previous credit agreement, no other outstanding borrowings existed at the time of the extension.

Business Acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

C1 Consulting

Business Acquisitions

Schedule of acquired assets and liabilities assumed from the purchase

The following table shows CRA's acquired assets and liabilities assumed from the purchase of C1 Consulting (in thousands):

Assets Acquired:
Current assets:
Accounts receivable and unbilled receivables	$	3,820
Other current assets		10

Total current assets		3,830

Property and equipment		206
Other non-current assets		106
Intangible assets		8,800
Goodwill		12,626

Total assets acquired	$	25,568

Liabilities Assumed:
Current liabilities:
Deferred revenue	$	3,396
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		652

Total current liabilities		4,048
Contingent consideration		2,357

Total liabilities assumed		6,405

Net assets acquired	$	19,163

Fair value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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

	September 30, 2017
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Money market funds	$	5	$	—	$	—

Total Assets	$	5	$	—	$	—


Liabilities:
Contingent consideration liability	$	—	$	—	$	3,375

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	3,375

	December 31, 2016
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Money market funds	$	10,024	$	—	$	—

Total Assets	$	10,024	$	—	$	—


Liabilities:
Contingent consideration liability	$	—	$	—	$	549

Total Liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	549

Summary of the changes in the contingent consideration liabilities

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Beginning balance	$	549		$	773
Acquisitions		2,357			—
Remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration		(296	)		71
Accretion		1,018			—
Payments		(299	)		(292	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		46			(3	)

Ending balance	$	3,375		$	549

Forgivable Loans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Forgivable Loans

Schedule of forgivable loans activity

Forgivable loan activity for the fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Beginning balance	$	33,962		$	44,685
Advances		10,134			6,949
Accruals		670			316
Repayments		(1,884	)		(709	)
Reclassification to other receivables		(1,102	)		—
Amortization		(10,293	)		(16,575	)
Effect of foreign currency translation		375			(704	)

Ending balance	$	31,862		$	33,962


Current portion of forgivable loans	$	6,474		$	5,897


Non-current portion of forgivable loans	$	25,388		$	28,065

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Schedule of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the fiscal year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017, are as follows (in thousands):

	Goodwill, gross		Accumulated impairment losses			Goodwill, net
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	151,181	$	(76,417	)	$	74,764
Goodwill adjustment related to acquisition		12,626		—			12,626
Effect of foreign currency translation		1,139		—			1,139

Balance at September 30, 2017	$	164,946	$	(76,417	)	$	88,529

Schedule of components of acquired identifiable intangible assets

The components of acquired identifiable intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Non-competition agreements, net of accumulated amortization of $437 and $3,821, respectively	$	286	$	80
Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization of $2,838 and $5,181, respectively		9,581		2,605

Total, net of accumulated amortization	$	9,867	$	2,685

Accrued Expenses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Accrued Expenses

Schedule of accrued expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Compensation and related expenses	$	60,254	$	67,582
Income taxes payable		465		534
Other		13,566		7,165

Total	$	74,285	$	75,281

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Revenue Recognition

Schedule of activity of accounts receivable allowance

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

	Fiscal Year-to-Date Period Ended			Fiscal Year Ended
	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,253		$	3,648
Increases to reserve		6,076			2,761
Amounts written off		(2,852	)		(2,156	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		9			—

Balance at end of period	$	7,486		$	4,253

Schedule of activity of unbilled receivables allowance

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

	Fiscal Year-to-Date Period Ended			Fiscal Year Ended
	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,720		$	2,354
Increases to reserves		1,727			2,102
Amounts written off		(914	)		(2,736	)
Effects of foreign currency translation		(2	)		—

Balance at end of period	$	2,531		$	1,720

Schedule of reimbursable expenses included in revenues

Reimbursable expenses are as follows (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended				Fiscal Year-to-Date Period Ended
	September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016		September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016
Reimbursable expenses	$	9,675	$	8,969	$	29,463	$	25,510

Net Income per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Net Income per Share

Schedule of reconciliation from net income attributable to CRA International, Inc. to net income available to common shareholders

The following table presents a reconciliation from net income attributable to CRA International, Inc. to net income available to common shareholders (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended				Fiscal Year-to-Date Period Ended
	September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016		September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016
Net income, as reported	$	3,214	$	3,193	$	9,880	$	10,830
Less: net income attributable to participating shares		21		24		66		74

Net income available to common shareholders	$	3,193	$	3,169	$	9,814	$	10,756

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

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended				Fiscal Year-to-Date Period Ended
	September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016		September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		8,149		8,177		8,332		8,581
Stock options		204		132		198		72

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		8,353		8,309		8,530		8,653

Business Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Business Segment and Geographic Information

Schedule of revenue and long-lived assets by country, based on the physical location of the operation to which the revenues or the assets relate

Revenue based on the physical location of the operation to which the revenues relate, are as follows (in thousands):

	Quarter Ended September 30, 2017		Quarter Ended October 1, 2016		Fiscal Year-to- Date Ended September 30, 2017		Fiscal Year-to- Date Ended October 1, 2016
Revenue:
United States	$	70,910	$	63,955	$	217,608	$	189,832

United Kingdom		13,572		12,463		40,444		40,421
Other		6,843		5,273		15,007		14,957

Total foreign		20,415		17,736		55,451		55,378

Total Revenue	$	91,325	$	81,691	$	273,059	$	245,210

Long-lived assets by physical location are as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Long-lived assets (property and equipment, net):
United States	$	34,005	$	30,735

United Kingdom		5,560		5,253
Other		1,497		393

Total foreign		7,057		5,646

Total Long-lived assets	$	41,062	$	36,381

Description of Business (Details)	9 Months Ended
Description of Business (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017 segment item
Description of Business
Number of broad areas of consulting services \| item	2
Number of business segment \| segment	1

Principles of Consolidation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 03, 2017	Apr. 13, 2016	Jul. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Sale of GNU interest
Purchase price received					$ 250	$ 1,100
GNU gain on sale of business assets					$ 250	$ 3,836
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations \| GNU
Sale of GNU interest
Purchase price receivable		$ 1,350
Purchase price received	$ 250	$ 1,100
GNU \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations \| GNU
Sale of GNU interest
GNU gain on sale of business assets			$ 250	$ 3,800
GNU
GNU Interest
Percentage of ownership interest held by the entity					55.89%
CRA \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations \| GNU
Sale of GNU interest
GNU gain on sale of business assets			$ 140	$ 2,100

Recent Accounting Standards Adopted (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Recent Accounting Standards Adopted
Income tax expense (benefit)		$ 2,310	$ 1,909	$ 6,100	$ 6,357
ASU 2016-09
Recent Accounting Standards Adopted
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (500)

Business Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Goodwill		$ 88,529	$ 74,764
C1 Consulting LLC
Business Acquisitions
Maximum earnout period (in years)	4 years
Current assets:
Accounts receivable and unbilled receivables	$ 3,820
Other current assets	10
Total current assets	3,830
Property and equipment	206
Other non-current assets	106
Intangible assets	8,800
Goodwill	12,626
Total assets acquired	25,568
Current liabilities:
Deferred revenue	3,396
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	652
Total current liabilities	4,048
Contingent consideration	2,357
Total liabilities assumed	6,405
Net assets acquired	$ 19,163
C1 Consulting LLC \| Selling, general and administrative expenses
Current liabilities:
Transaction related costs		$ 500
C1 Consulting LLC \| Non-competition agreements
Current liabilities:
Estimated useful life (in years)	5 years
C1 Consulting LLC \| Customer relationships
Current liabilities:
Estimated useful life (in years)	10 years

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Level 1
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Total Assets			$ 5	$ 10,024
Level 1 \| Money market funds
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents			5	10,024
Level 3
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Contingent consideration liability	$ 549	$ 773	3,375	549
Total Liabilities			$ 3,375	$ 549
Summary of changes in contingent consideration liability
Beginning balance	549	773
Acquisitions	2,357
Remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration	(296)	71
Accretion	1,018
Payments	(299)	(292)
Effects of foreign currency translation	46	(3)
Ending balance	$ 3,375	$ 549

Forgivable Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Forgivable Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Forgivable loans activity
Beginning balance	$ 33,962	$ 44,685
Advances	10,134	6,949
Accruals	670	316
Repayments	(1,884)	(709)
Reclassification to other receivables	(1,102)
Amortization	(10,293)	(16,575)
Effect of foreign currency translation	375	(704)
Ending balance	31,862	33,962
Current portion of forgivable loans	6,474	5,897
Non-current portion of forgivable loans	$ 25,388	$ 28,065

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period, Goodwill gross	$ 151,181
Goodwill adjustments related to acquisitions	12,626
Effect of foreign currency translation	1,139
Balance at the end of the period, Goodwill gross	164,946	$ 151,181
Balance at the beginning of the period, Accumulated impairment losses	(76,417)
Balance at the end of the period, Accumulated impairment losses	(76,417)	(76,417)
Balance at the beginning of the period, Goodwill, net	74,764
Balance at the end of the period, Goodwill, net	88,529	74,764
Intangible assets impairment losses	$ 523	$ 0

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Acquired and Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Acquired identifiable intangible assets
Acquired identifiable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$ 9,867	$ 2,685
Non-competition agreements
Acquired identifiable intangible assets
Acquired identifiable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	286	80
Accumulated amortization	437	3,821
Customer relationships
Acquired identifiable intangible assets
Acquired identifiable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	9,581	2,605
Accumulated amortization	$ 2,838	$ 5,181

Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accrued Expenses
Compensation and related expenses	$ 60,254	$ 67,582
Income taxes payable	465	534
Other	13,566	7,165
Total	74,285	75,281
Accrued bonuses	$ 47,200	$ 53,900

Credit Agreement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revolving credit facility
Senior Loan Agreement
Revolving credit facility, maximum capacity	$ 125.0
Amount of borrowings under revolving credit facility	0.0	$ 0.0
Letters of credit
Senior Loan Agreement
Revolving credit facility, maximum capacity	15.0
Amounts outstanding under letters of credit	$ 3.6	$ 2.2

- 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 - General (Details) - item	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Revenue Recognition - General (Details) - item	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Concentration Risk
Number of broad areas of consulting services	2	2
Revenue Benchmark \| Revenue Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk
Number of broad areas of consulting services	2	2
Percentage of consolidated revenues	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

Revenue Recognition - Accounts Receivable Allowance - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Roll forward of the accounts receivable allowance
Balance at beginning of period	$ 4,253	$ 3,648
Increases to reserve	6,076	2,761
Amounts written off	(2,852)	(2,156)
Effects of foreign currency translation	9
Balance at end of period	$ 7,486	$ 4,253

Revenue Recognition - Unbilled Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Roll forward of the unbilled receivables allowance
Balance at beginning of period			$ 1,720	$ 2,354	$ 2,354
Increases to reserves			1,727		2,102
Amounts written off			(914)		(2,736)
Effects of foreign currency translation			(2)
Balance at end of period	$ 2,531		2,531		1,720
Bad debt expense			2,852		2,156
Reimbursable expenses	$ 9,675	$ 8,969	$ 29,463	$ 25,510
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Roll forward of the unbilled receivables allowance
Bad debt expense					$ 1,100

Net Income per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Net Income per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Net income available to common shareholders
Net income, as reported	$ 3,214	$ 3,193	$ 9,880	$ 10,830
Less: net income attributable to participating shares	21	24	66	74
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 3,193	$ 3,169	$ 9,814	$ 10,756
Reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	8,149,000	8,177,000	8,332,000	8,581,000
Stock options	204,000	132,000	198,000	72,000
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	8,353,000	8,309,000	8,530,000	8,653,000
Calculation of common stock equivalents for purposes of computing diluted weighted average shares outstanding
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from EPS computation (in shares)	40,439	205,015	66,470	680,950

Net Income per Share - Share Repurchase Programs (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	May 03, 2017	Mar. 21, 2016
Share Repurchase Program
Share repurchase program, amount authorized to be repurchased					$ 20.0	$ 20.0
Number of shares repurchased and retired	165,629	110,908	554,708	783,703
Average repurchase price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 36.63	$ 25.84	$ 35.23	$ 24.33
Amount available for future repurchases	$ 9.5		$ 9.5

Income Taxes - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Income Taxes - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Changes in the balances of gross unrecognized tax benefits
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	41.70%	37.70%	38.00%	34.30%
Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation	$ 0.1		$ 0.4

Business Segment and Geographic Information (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 13, 2016 segment	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) item	Oct. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) item	Oct. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017 segment	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Business segment and geographic information
Number of Broad Areas of Consulting Services \| item		2		2
Number of business segments \| segment	2					1
Revenues		$ 91,325	$ 81,691	$ 273,059	$ 245,210
Total Long-lived assets (property and equipment, net)		$ 41,062		$ 41,062			$ 36,381
Revenue Benchmark \| Revenue Concentration Risk
Business segment and geographic information
Number of Broad Areas of Consulting Services \| item		2		2
Percentage of consolidated revenues		100.00%		100.00%		100.00%	100.00%
United States
Business segment and geographic information
Revenues		$ 70,910	63,955	$ 217,608	189,832
Total Long-lived assets (property and equipment, net)		34,005		34,005			$ 30,735
United Kingdom
Business segment and geographic information
Revenues		13,572	12,463	40,444	40,421
Total Long-lived assets (property and equipment, net)		5,560		5,560			5,253
Other
Business segment and geographic information
Revenues		6,843	5,273	15,007	14,957
Total Long-lived assets (property and equipment, net)		1,497		1,497			393
Total foreign
Business segment and geographic information
Revenues		20,415	$ 17,736	55,451	$ 55,378
Total Long-lived assets (property and equipment, net)		$ 7,057		$ 7,057			$ 5,646

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Oct. 26, 2017	Oct. 24, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events
Common stock quarterly cash dividend declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17
Revolving credit facility
Subsequent Events
Revolving credit facility, maximum capacity			$ 125.0
Amount of borrowings under revolving credit facility			0.0	$ 0.0
Revolving credit facility \| Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events
Revolving credit facility, maximum capacity		$ 125.0
Extended period of credit facility		5 years
Amount of borrowings under revolving credit facility		$ 0.0
Letters of credit
Subsequent Events
Revolving credit facility, maximum capacity			15.0
Amounts outstanding under letters of credit			$ 3.6	$ 2.2
Letters of credit \| Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events
Amounts outstanding under letters of credit		$ 3.6

- Definition

+ References + Details