Huron Consulting Group Inc. Form 10-Q For The Period Ended September 30, 2006
 


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006

OR

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number: 000-50976

Huron Consulting Group Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
01-0666114
(State or other jurisdiction
 
(IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization)
 
Identification Number)

550 West Van Buren Street
Chicago, Illinois
60607
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(312) 583-8700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o  Accelerated filer x  Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

As of October 31, 2006, approximately 18,028,100 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.

INDEX

         
Page
Part I - Financial Information
 
       
 
Item 1.
Consolidated Financial Statements
 
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets
1
   
Consolidated Statements of Income
2
   
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
3
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
4
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
5 - 14
       
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
15 - 26
       
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
27
       
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
27
       
Part II - Other Information
 
       
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
27
       
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
27
       
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
28
       
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
28
       
 
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
28
       
 
Item 5.
Other Information
28
       
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
28
       
Signature
29
 

PART I ¾ FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
   
 
September 30,
2006
 
 
December 31,
2005
 
Assets
             
Current assets:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
943
 
$
31,820
 
Receivables from clients, net
   
51,858
   
29,164
 
Unbilled services, net 
   
24,726
   
18,187
 
Income tax receivable
   
2,510
   
232
 
Deferred income taxes
   
15,903
   
12,553
 
Other current assets
   
5,619
   
5,799
 
Total current assets
   
101,559
   
97,755
 
Property and equipment, net 
   
27,357
   
13,162
 
Deferred income taxes 
   
4,777
   
2,154
 
Deposits and other assets 
   
1,468
   
1,147
 
Intangible assets, net 
   
5,269
   
844
 
Goodwill 
   
50,146
   
14,637
 
Total assets 
 
$
190,576
 
$
129,699
 
               
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
             
Current liabilities:
             
Accounts payable
 
$
4,778
 
$
2,671
 
Accrued expenses
   
8,572
   
4,357
 
Accrued payroll and related benefits
   
33,356
   
32,073
 
Income tax payable
   
¾
   
491
 
Deferred revenues
   
3,538
   
4,609
 
Borrowings
   
22,000
   
¾
 
Current portion of notes payable and capital lease obligations
   
1,143
   
1,282
 
Total current liabilities
   
73,387
   
45,483
 
Non-current liabilities:
             
Deferred compensation and other liabilities
   
414
   
274
 
Notes payable and capital lease obligations, net of current portion
   
1,134
   
2,127
 
Deferred lease incentives 
   
10,623
   
6,283
 
Total non-current liabilities
   
12,171
   
8,684
 
Commitments and contingencies
             
Stockholders’ equity
             
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 18,408,981 and 17,397,312 shares issued at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively 
   
178
   
174
 
Treasury stock, at cost, 346,037 and 148,933 shares at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively 
   
(7,322
)
 
(3,061
)
Additional paid-in capital 
   
73,990
   
58,908
 
Retained earnings 
   
38,172
   
19,511
 
Total stockholders’ equity
   
105,018
   
75,532
 
Total liabilities and stockholders equity 
 
$
190,576
 
$
129,699
 

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
- 1 -

 
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Revenues and reimbursable expenses:
                         
Revenues 
 
$
75,194
 
$
54,309
 
$
205,150
 
$
151,586
 
Reimbursable expenses 
   
7,921
   
4,840
   
20,051
   
13,901
 
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses
   
83,115
   
59,149
   
225,201
   
165,487
 
Direct costs and reimbursable expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown in operating expenses):
                         
Direct costs 
   
42,973
   
30,596
   
116,399
   
85,294
 
Intangible assets amortization 
   
467
   
682
   
2,183
   
1,067
 
Reimbursable expenses 
   
7,907
   
4,974
   
20,240
   
14,065
 
Total direct costs and reimbursable expenses
   
51,347
   
36,252
   
138,822
   
100,426
 
Operating expenses:
                         
Selling, general and administrative 
   
16,724
   
13,774
   
47,278
   
37,603
 
Depreciation and amortization 
   
2,921
   
1,905
   
5,998
   
3,861
 
Total operating expenses
   
19,645
   
15,679
   
53,276
   
41,464
 
Operating income 
   
12,123
   
7,218
   
33,103
   
23,597
 
Other income (expense):
                         
Interest income (expense), net 
   
(404
)
 
84
   
(365
)
 
313
 
Other expense 
   
¾
   
(37
)
 
¾
   
(36
)
Total other income (expense)
   
(404
)
 
47
   
(365
)
 
277
 
Income before provision for income taxes 
   
11,719
   
7,265
   
32,738
   
23,874
 
Provision for income taxes 
   
4,934
   
3,499
   
14,077
   
10,624
 
Net income 
 
$
6,785
 
$
3,766
 
$
18,661
 
$
13,250
 
                           
Earnings per share:
                         
Basic
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.24
 
$
1.15
 
$
0.85
 
Diluted
 
$
0.39
 
$
0.22
 
$
1.08
 
$
0.79
 
                           
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
                         
Basic
   
16,424
   
15,777
   
16,272
   
15,657
 
Diluted
   
17,415
   
16,950
   
17,220
   
16,801
 
                           
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
- 2 -

 
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
   
Common Stock
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
 
 
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity
 
   
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2005
   
17,397,312
 
$
174
 
$
(3,061
)
$
58,908
 
$
19,511
 
$
75,532
 
 
Net income
   
¾
   
¾
   
¾
   
¾
   
18,661
   
18,661
 
 
Issuance of common stock in connection with:
                                     
 
Restricted stock awards, net of cancellations
   
5,000
   
¾
   
(2,864
)
 
2,864
   
¾
   
¾
 
 
Exercise of stock options
   
384,369
   
4
   
¾
   
320
   
¾
   
324
 
 
Share-based compensation
   
¾
   
¾
   
¾
   
7,223
   
¾
   
7,223
 
 
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings
   
¾
   
¾
   
(1,397
)
 
¾
   
¾
   
(1,397
)
 
Income tax benefit on share-based compensation
   
¾
   
¾
   
¾
   
4,675
   
¾
   
4,675
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2006
   
17,786,681
 
$
178
 
$
(7,322
)
$
73,990
 
$
38,172
 
$
105,018
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
- 3 -

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
   
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
             
Net income 
 
$
18,661
 
$
13,250
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
             
Depreciation and amortization 
   
8,181
   
4,928
 
Deferred income taxes 
   
(6,420
)
 
(3,516
)
Share-based compensation 
   
7,223
   
4,993
 
Tax benefit from share-based compensation 
   
¾
   
1,969
 
Allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services 
   
750
   
513
 
Other 
   
134
   
39
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:
             
Increase in receivables from clients 
   
(17,058
)
 
(4,828
)
Increase in unbilled services 
   
(6,624
)
 
(11,096
)
Increase in income tax receivable 
   
(2,769
)
 
(188
)
Decrease (increase) in other current assets and other 
   
441
   
(509
)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses 
   
7,079
   
1,150
 
Increase in accrued payroll and related benefits 
   
1,282
   
4,113
 
Decrease in income tax payable 
   
¾
   
(615
)
(Decrease) increase in deferred revenues 
   
(1,071
)
 
1,854
 
Net cash provided by operating activities 
   
9,809
   
12,057
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Purchases of property and equipment 
   
(14,956
)
 
(5,986
)
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired 
   
(50,187
)
 
(12,450
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(65,143
)
 
(18,436
)
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 
   
324
   
137
 
Tax benefit from share-based compensation 
   
4,676
   
¾
 
Shares redeemed for employee tax withholdings 
   
(1,397
)
 
¾
 
Proceeds from borrowings under line of credit 
   
89,500
   
¾
 
Repayments on line of credit 
   
(67,500
)
 
¾
 
Principal payments of notes payable and capital lease obligations 
   
(1,146
)
 
¾
 
Refund of initial public offering costs 
   
¾
   
25
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
24,457
   
162
 
               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
   
(30,877
)
 
(6,217
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 
   
31,820
   
28,092
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 
 
$
943
 
$
21,875
 
               
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
             
Cash paid during the period for:
             
Income taxes 
 
$
18,591
 
$
12,974
 
Interest 
 
$
398
 
$
69
 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
             
Liabilities assumed in connection with businesses acquired 
 
$
2,953
 
$
2,307
 
Issuance of notes payable for purchase of business 
 
$
¾
 
$
3,000
 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
- 4 -

 
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
1.  
Description of Business

Huron Consulting Group Inc. was formed on March 19, 2002. Huron Consulting Group Inc., together with its indirect wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, (collectively, the “Company”), is an independent provider of financial and operational consulting services, whose clients include Fortune 500 companies, medium-sized businesses, leading academic institutions, healthcare organizations and the law firms that represent these various organizations.

2.  
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2005 included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006. The Company’s results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or any other interim period.

3.  
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” FIN No. 48 provides a comprehensive model for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure in the financial statements of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. FIN No. 48 is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2007. The adoption of this interpretation is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, earnings per share, or cash flows.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB No. 108 was issued to address diversity in practice in quantifying financial statement misstatements. Current practice allows for the evaluation of materiality on the basis of either (1) the error quantified as the amount by which the current year income statement was misstated (“rollover method”) or (2) the cumulative error quantified as the cumulative amount by which the current year balance sheet was misstated (“iron curtain method”). The guidance provided in SAB 108 requires both methods to be used in evaluating materiality (“dual approach”). SAB No. 108 permits companies to initially apply its provisions either by (1) restating prior financial statements as if the dual approach had always been used or (2) recording the cumulative effect of initially applying the “dual approach” as adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2006 with an offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. The provisions of SAB No. 108 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, earnings per share, or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements in financial statements, but standardizes its definition and guidance in GAAP. Thus, for some entities, the application of this statement may change current practice. SFAS No. 157 is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this statement may have on its financial position and results of operations.
 
- 5 -

 
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
4.  
Share-based Compensation

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS No. 123R”). This statement requires that the costs of employee share-based payments be measured at fair value on the awards’ grant date and recognized in the financial statements over the requisite service period.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective application transition method. Under this method, compensation cost for the portion of awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered that are outstanding as of the adoption date is recognized over the remaining service period. The compensation cost for that portion of awards is based on the grant-date fair value of those awards as calculated for pro forma disclosures under SFAS No. 123, as originally issued. All new awards and awards that are modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the adoption date are accounted for under the provisions of SFAS No. 123R. Prior periods have not been restated under this transition method. The Company recognizes share-based compensation ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the requisite service period. In addition, pursuant to SFAS No. 123R, the Company is required to estimate the amount of expected forfeitures when calculating share-based compensation, instead of accounting for forfeitures as they occur, which was the Company’s practice prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. As of January 1, 2006, the cumulative effect of adopting the estimated forfeiture method was not material.

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for share-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations and elected the disclosure option of SFAS No. 123 as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure.” SFAS No. 123 requires that companies either recognize compensation expense for grants of stock, stock options and other equity instruments based on fair value, or provide pro forma disclosure of net income and earnings per share in the notes to the financial statements. Accordingly, the Company measured compensation expense for stock options as the excess, if any, of the estimated fair market value of the Company’s stock at the date of grant over the exercise price. The following table details the effect on net income and earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 had compensation expense for the stock plans been recorded based on the fair value method under SFAS No. 123.

   
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2005
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2005
 
 
Net income
 
$
3,766
 
$
13,250
 
Add: Total share-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects
   
1,091
   
2,948
 
Deduct: Total share-based compensation expense determined under the
fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects
   
(1,136
)
 
(3,082
)
Pro forma net income
 
$
3,721
 
$
13,116
 
Earnings per share:
             
    Basic - as reported
 
$
0.24
 
$
0.85
 
Basic - pro forma
 
$
0.24
 
$
0.84
 
    Diluted - as reported
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.79
 
Diluted - pro forma
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.78
 

Equity Incentive Plans
In connection with its initial public offering, the Company adopted the 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), which replaced the Company’s then existing equity plans for grants of share-based awards. The Omnibus Plan permits the grant of stock options, restricted stock, and other share-based awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Company’s common stock. Under the Omnibus Plan, as originally adopted,
 
- 6 -

 
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 

a total of 2,141,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance to eligible employees, executive officers, independent contractors and outside directors. The Plan was amended effective as of May 2, 2006 to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance by 2,100,000. As of September 30, 2006, approximately 2,273,000 shares remain available for future issuance.

The Compensation Committee of the board of directors has the responsibility of interpreting the Omnibus Plan and determining all of the terms and conditions of awards made under the Omnibus Plan, including when the awards will become exercisable or otherwise vest. Subject to acceleration under certain conditions, the majority of the Company’s stock options and restricted stock vest annually, pro-rata over 4 years. All stock options have a ten-year contractual term.

The weighted average fair values of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 were $18.39 and $22.84, respectively, which were estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for both periods:

Expected dividend yield
   
0
%
Expected volatility
   
40
%
Risk-free interest rate
   
4.6
%
Expected option life (in years)
   
4
 

Stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was as follows:

   
Number
of
Options
(in thousands)
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price
(in dollars)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
(in years)
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in millions)
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2006 
   
1,305
 
$
2.15
             
Granted:
                         
Exercise price = fair market value 
   
8
 
$
30.29
             
Exercised 
   
(384
)
$
0.84
             
Forfeited or expired 
   
(82
)
$
3.31
             
Outstanding at September 30, 2006 
   
847
 
$
2.91
   
7.0
 
$
30.7
 
Exercisable at September 30, 2006 
   
463
 
$
2.17
   
6.7
 
$
17.2
 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $11.7 million and $5.7 million, respectively.

Restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was as follows:

   
Number of Shares
(in thousands)
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
(in dollars)
 
Restricted stock at January 1, 2006
   
1,279
 
$
19.24
 
Granted
   
632
 
$
28.68
 
Vested
   
(174
)
$
22.00
 
Forfeited
   
(154
)
$
19.01
 
Restricted stock at September 30, 2006
   
1,583
 
$
22.34
 
 
- 7 -

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
The aggregate fair value of restricted stock that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $5.1 million. There was no restricted stock vesting during the nine months ended September 30, 2005. On July 1, 2006, the Company issued a total of 504,500 shares of restricted stock to certain employees. Although these restricted shares were not issued to the grantees until July 1, 2006, a grant date was established for measurement purposes under SFAS No. 123R on February 28, 2006, the date that the Company’s Compensation Committee approved the award. As such, the Company began to recognize the expense relating to this award effective February 28, 2006.

Total share-based compensation cost recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $2.5 million and $1.9 million, respectively, with related income tax benefits of $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Total share-based compensation cost recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $7.2 million and $5.0 million, respectively, with related income tax benefits of $3.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2006, there was $30.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years.

5.  
Business Combinations

Acquisitions of Document Review Consulting Services LLC and Aaxis Technologies Inc.
On July 31, 2006, the Company acquired Document Review Consulting Services LLC (“DRCS”) and Aaxis Technologies Inc. (“Aaxis”). With the acquisitions of DRCS and Aaxis, the Company can enhance its service offerings to the office of the general counsel and law firms by helping them manage information in a comprehensive manner during litigation, investigations, mergers and acquisitions, and other major transactions. The acquisitions were consummated in two separate transactions on July 31, 2006 and the results of operations of DRCS and Aaxis have been included within the Operational Consulting segment since that date.

The aggregate purchase price of the DRCS acquisition was approximately $16.7 million, which consisted of $2.0 million cash paid at closing, $0.3 million of transaction costs, and $14.4 million of debt and liabilities assumed, the majority of which we immediately discharged. Additional purchase consideration may be payable if specific performance targets are met over a three-year period. Such amounts will be recorded as an adjustment to goodwill if payable.

The aggregate purchase price of the Aaxis acquisition was approximately $7.9 million, which consisted of $5.1 million cash paid at closing, $0.2 million of transaction costs, $1.9 million of debt and liabilities assumed, all of which we immediately discharged, and a $0.7 million working capital adjustment accrued for at September 30, 2006. Additional purchase consideration may be payable if specific performance targets are met over a three-year period. Such amounts will be recorded as an adjustment to goodwill if payable.

The Company financed the DRCS and Aaxis acquisitions with cash on hand and borrowings totaling $22.0 million under the Company’s bank credit agreement.

Acquisition of MSGalt & Company, LLC
On April 3, 2006, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of MSGalt & Company, LLC (“Galt”), a specialized advisory firm consisting of 25 consultants that designs and implements corporate-wide programs to improve shareholder returns. The aggregate purchase price of the acquisition was $25.2 million, which consisted of $20.4 million cash paid at closing, $0.2 million of transaction costs, and $4.6 million of additional purchase price earned by Galt during the second quarter as certain performance targets were met. The Company financed this acquisition with cash on hand and borrowings of $6.5 million under the Company’s bank credit agreement. Additional purchase consideration may be payable if specific performance targets are met over a four-year period. Such amounts will be recorded as an adjustment to goodwill if payable. Also, additional payments may be made based on the amount of revenues the Company receives from referrals made by Galt employees over a four-year period. Such amounts will be recorded as an expense if payable. The acquisition was consummated on April 3, 2006
 
- 8 -

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
and the results of operations of Galt have been included within the Operational Consulting segment since that date.

The identifiable intangible assets that were acquired totaled $4.3 million and have an estimated weighted average useful life of 20.0 months, which consisted of customer contracts totaling $1.7 million (3.2 months weighted average useful life), customer relationships totaling $1.4 million (6.1 months weighted average useful life), and non-competition agreements totaling $1.2 million (60.0 months weighted average useful life). Additionally, the Company recorded $20.9 million of goodwill, which the Company intends to deduct for income tax purposes.

Acquisition of Speltz & Weis LLC
On May 9, 2005, Huron Consulting Group Inc. acquired Speltz & Weis LLC (“S&W”), a specialized consulting firm that consisted of 26 consultants. The aggregate purchase price of the acquisition was $17.2 million, which consisted of $14.0 million cash paid at closing, notes payable totaling $3.0 million payable in three equal annual installments of $1.0 million (together with accrued interest at 4% per annum) that began on May 8, 2006, and $0.2 million of transaction costs. Additional purchase consideration may be payable based on the performance of S&W over a three-year period. Such amounts will be recorded as an adjustment to goodwill if payable. No additional purchase consideration has been earned by S&W as of September 30, 2006. Also, additional payments may be made based on the amount of revenues the Company receives from certain referrals made by S&W employees. Such amounts will be recorded as an expense if payable. The acquisition was consummated on May 9, 2005 and the results of operations of S&W have been included within the Financial Consulting segment since that date.

The identifiable intangible assets that were acquired consisted of customer contracts of $1.9 million (8.4 months weighted average useful life) and customer relationships of $0.7 million (15.1 months weighted average useful life). Additionally, the Company recorded $14.6 million of goodwill, which the Company intends to deduct for income tax purposes.

Purchase Price Allocations
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the Company’s significant business acquisitions.

   
Galt
 
S&W
 
Assets Acquired:
 
April 3,
2006
 
May 9,
2005
 
Current assets
 
$
 
$
2,291
 
Equipment
   
11
   
16
 
Intangible assets
   
4,300
   
2,600
 
Goodwill
   
20,864
   
14,637
 
     
25,175
   
19,544
 
Liabilities Assumed:
             
Current liabilities
   
   
2,307
 
               
Net Assets Acquired
 
$
25,175
 
$
17,237
 

Pro Forma Financial Data
The following unaudited pro forma financial data gives effect to the acquisitions of Galt and S&W as if they had been completed at the beginning of the period presented. The acquisitions of DRCS and Aaxis had an immaterial impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and thus, pro forma financial information is not presented. The unaudited pro forma financial data are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have been achieved if the acquisition had occurred on the dates indicated, nor are they necessarily indicative of future results.
 
- 9 -

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
   
Historical Huron and Historical Galt
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2006
Actual
 
2005
Pro forma
 
2006
Pro forma
 
2005
Pro forma
 
Revenues, net of reimbursable expenses 
 
$
75,194
 
$
58,811
 
$
209,219
 
$
162,808
 
Operating income 
 
$
12,123
 
$
8,936
 
$
34,823
 
$
25,588
 
Income before provision for income taxes 
 
$
11,719
 
$
8,745
 
$
34,245
 
$
25,248
 
Net income 
 
$
6,785
 
$
4,651
 
$
19,562
 
$
14,071
 
Earnings per share:
                         
Basic
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.29
 
$
1.20
 
$
0.90
 
Diluted
 
$
0.39
 
$
0.27
 
$
1.14
 
$
0.84
 


   
Historical Huron and
Historical S&W
 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2006
Actual
 
2005
Pro forma
 
Revenues, net of reimbursable expenses 
 
$
205,150
 
$
159,867
 
Operating income 
 
$
33,103
 
$
24,465
 
Income before provision for income taxes 
 
$
32,738
 
$
24,705
 
Net income 
 
$
18,661
 
$
13,621
 
Earnings per share:
             
Basic
 
$
1.15
 
$
0.87
 
Diluted
 
$
1.08
 
$
0.81
 

6.  
Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were as follows:

   
Financial
Consulting
 
Operational Consulting
 
Total
 
Balance as of January 1, 2006
 
$
11,739
 
$
2,898
 
$
14,637
 
Goodwill acquired in connection with business combinations
   
854
   
34,655
   
35,509
 
Balance as of September 30, 2006
 
$
12,593
 
$
37,553
 
$
50,146
 
 
- 10 -

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets amortization expense was $1.5 million and $3.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. Intangible assets amortization expense was $1.4 million and $1.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, which included a charge of $0.6 million relating to the write-off of a customer contract. Estimated intangible assets amortization expense is $4.5 million for 2006, $1.7 million for 2007, $1.1 million for 2008, $0.8 million for 2009, $0.6 million for 2010, and $0.1 million for 2011. These amounts are based on intangible assets recorded as of September 30, 2006 and actual amortization expense could differ from these estimated amounts as a result of the finalization of the DRCS and Aaxis valuations, future acquisitions and other factors. Intangible assets are as follows:

   
September 30, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
 
   
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Customer contracts
 
$
3,960
 
$
3,960
 
$
1,900
 
$
1,848
 
Customer relationships
   
4,366
   
1,526
   
700
   
359
 
Non-competition agreements
   
2,105
   
160
   
   
 
Technology and software
   
585
   
101
   
475
   
24
 
Total
 
$
11,016
 
$
5,747
 
$
3,075
 
$
2,231
 

7.  
Property and Equipment

Property and equipment at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are detailed below:

   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
Computers, related equipment and software
 
$
14,545
 
$
9,747
 
Furniture and fixtures
   
7,462
   
3,721
 
Leasehold improvements
   
17,387
   
6,122
 
Assets under capital lease 
   
409
   
409
 
Assets under construction 
   
   
1,229
 
Property and equipment
   
39,803
   
21,228
 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
(12,446
)
 
(8,066
)
Property and equipment, net
 
$
27,357
 
$
13,162
 
 
- 11 -

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
8.  
Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding unvested restricted common stock. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential reduction in earnings per share that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock under the treasury stock method. Earnings per share under the basic and diluted computations are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Net income
 
$
6,785
 
$
3,766
 
$
18,661
 
$
13,250
 
                           
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
   
16,424
   
15,777
   
16,272
   
15,657
 
Weighted average common stock equivalents
   
991
   
1,173
   
948
   
1,144
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
   
17,415
   
16,950
   
17,220
   
16,801
 
                           
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.24
 
$
1.15
 
$
0.85
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.39
 
$
0.22
 
$
1.08
 
$
0.79
 

There were no anti-dilutive securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

9.  
Line of Credit

The Company had a bank credit agreement that originally expired on February 10, 2006. On January 17, 2006, the Company extended the credit agreement for ninety days to May 10, 2006. On March 28, 2006, the Company further extended the credit agreement for another sixty days to July 10, 2006, and also amended certain terms of the original agreement.

On June 7, 2006, the Company entered into a new credit agreement with various financial institutions. Under the terms of this new unsecured revolving credit facility, the Company may borrow up to $75.0 million. Additionally, the Company may elect to increase the revolver by $25.0 million. Fees and interest on borrowings vary based on the Company’s total debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) ratio as set forth in the credit agreement and will be based on a spread over LIBOR or a spread over the base rate, which is the greater of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or the Prime Rate, as selected by the Company. All outstanding principal is due upon expiration of the credit agreement on May 31, 2011. The credit agreement includes financial covenants that require the Company to maintain certain interest coverage ratio, total debt to EBITDA ratio and net worth levels. In addition, certain acquisitions and similar transactions will need to be approved by the lenders. The amount outstanding under this credit facility at September 30, 2006 was $22.0 million and bears interest at 6.0%. The Company had no borrowings outstanding under the bank credit agreement at December 31, 2005. At both September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants.

10.  
Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation
From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal matters arising out of the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of these matters cannot presently be determined, in the opinion of management, disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
 
- 12 -

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Guarantees
Guarantees in the form of letters of credit totaling $6.2 million and $6.5 million were outstanding at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, to support certain office lease obligations.

To the extent permitted by law, the Company’s by-laws and articles of incorporation require that the Company indemnify its officers and directors against judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with civil or criminal action or proceedings, as it relates to their services to the Company if such person acted in good faith. Although there is no limit on the amount of indemnification, the Company may have recourse against its insurance carrier for certain payments made.

11.  
Segment Information

Segments are defined by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” as components of a company in which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

The Company provides services through two segments: Financial Consulting and Operational Consulting. The Financial Consulting segment provides services that help clients effectively address complex challenges that arise from litigation, disputes, investigations, regulation, financial distress and other sources of significant conflict or change. The Operational Consulting segment provides services that help clients improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of their operations by enhancing revenue, reducing costs, managing regulatory compliance and maximizing procurement efficiency.

Segment operating income consists of the revenues generated by a segment, less the direct costs of revenue and selling, general and administrative costs that are incurred directly by the segment. Unallocated corporate costs include costs related to administrative functions that are performed in a centralized manner that are not attributable to a particular segment. These administrative function costs include costs for corporate office support, all office facility costs, costs relating to accounting and finance, human resources, legal, marketing, information technology and company-wide business development functions, as well as costs related to overall corporate management.

The following table presents information about reported segments along with the items necessary to reconcile the segment information to the totals reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements:
 
- 13 -

HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
   
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Financial Consulting:
                         
Revenues 
 
$
34,645
 
$
33,259
 
$
101,274
 
$
87,702
 
Operating income 
 
$
14,222
 
$
13,400
 
$
40,316
 
$
35,844
 
Segment operating income as a percent of segment revenues 
   
41.1
%
 
40.3
%
 
39.8
%
 
40.9
%
 
Operational Consulting:
                         
Revenues 
 
$
40,549
 
$
21,050
 
$
103,876
 
$
63,884
 
Operating income 
 
$
14,678
 
$
6,511
 
$
37,408
 
$
22,499
 
Segment operating income as a percent of segment revenues 
   
36.2
%
 
30.9
%
 
36.0
%
 
35.2
%
 
Total Company:
                         
Revenues 
 
$
75,194
 
$
54,309
 
$
205,150
 
$
151,586
 
Reimbursable expenses 
   
7,921
   
4,840
   
20,051
   
13,901
 
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses 
 
$
83,115
 
$
59,149
 
$
225,201
 
$
165,487
 
                           
Statement of operations reconciliation:
                         
Segment operating income
 
$
28,900
 
$
19,911
 
$
77,724
 
$
58,343
 
Charges not allocated at the segment level:
                         
Other selling, general and administrative expenses
   
13,856
   
10,788
   
38,623
   
30,885
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
2,921
   
1,905
   
5,998
   
3,861
 
Other expense (income)
   
404
   
(47
)
 
365
   
(277
)
Income before provision for income taxes
 
$
11,719
 
$
7,265
 
$
32,738
 
$
23,874
 

During the three months ended September 30, 2006, one client generated 12.2%, or $9.2 million, of the Company's consolidated revenues. Of the $9.2 million, $7.9 million was generated by the Financial Consulting segment and $1.3 million was generated by the Operational Consulting segment. This client’s total receivables and unbilled services balance at September 30, 2006 represented less than 10.0% of the Company’s total receivables and unbilled services balance.

During the three months ended September 30, 2005, one client generated 10.3%, or $5.6 million, of the Company's consolidated revenues. Of the $5.6 million, $4.2 million was generated by the Financial Consulting segment and $1.4 million was generated by the Operational Consulting segment. This client’s total receivables and unbilled services balance at September 30, 2005 represented 12.1% of the Company’s total receivables and unbilled services balance.

During the three months ended September 30, 2005, another client generated 9.9%, or $5.4 million, of the Company's consolidated revenues. Of the $5.4 million, $4.6 million was generated by the Financial Consulting segment and $0.8 million was generated by the Operational Consulting segment. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, this client generated 11.6%, or $17.6 million, of the Company's consolidated revenues. Of the $17.6 million, $14.9 million was generated by the Financial Consulting segment and $2.7 million was generated by the Operational Consulting segment. This client’s total receivables and unbilled services balance at September 30, 2005 represented 10.2% of the Company’s total receivables and unbilled services balance.
 
- 14 -

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Huron,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Huron Consulting Group Inc. and its indirect operating subsidiaries, Huron Consulting Services LLC and Speltz & Weis LLC.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” or “continues.” These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectation about our future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, including without limitation, that our business continues to grow at the current expectations; that we are able to expand our service offerings through our existing consultants and new hires; that we successfully integrate the businesses we acquire; and that existing market conditions do not change from current expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Please see “Risk Factors” in our 2005 annual report on Form 10-K for a complete description of the material risks we face.

OVERVIEW

Our History
Huron was formed in March 2002 and commenced operations in May 2002. We were founded by a core group of experienced financial and operational consultants that consisted primarily of former Arthur Andersen LLP partners and professionals, with equity sponsorship from a group of investors led by Lake Capital Management LLC. For purposes of holding their investment in us, these investors formed HCG Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. On October 18, 2004, we completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) and became a publicly traded company. During the first quarter of 2006, HCG Holdings LLC sold 7,245,000 shares of our common stock in a secondary offering.

On May 9, 2005, we acquired Speltz & Weis LLC (“S&W”), a specialized consulting firm that consisted of 26 consultants. With the acquisition of S&W, the Company provides interim management, organizational renewal and turnaround services, and other crisis management services to distressed hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The results of operations of S&W have been included within the Financial Consulting segment since the date of acquisition.

On April 3, 2006, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of MSGalt & Company, LLC (“Galt”), a specialized advisory firm consisting of 25 consultants that designs and implements corporate-wide programs to improve shareholder returns. The results of operations of Galt have been included within the Operational Consulting segment since the date of acquisition.

On July 31, 2006, the Company acquired Document Review Consulting Services LLC (“DRCS”) and Aaxis Technologies Inc. (“Aaxis”) in two separate transactions. The results of operations of DRCS and Aaxis have been included within the Operational Consulting segment since the date of acquisition. The acquisitions of DRCS and Aaxis enhance the Company’s service offerings to the office of the general counsel and law firms by helping them manage information in a comprehensive manner during litigation, investigations, mergers and acquisitions, and other major transactions. Aaxis provides full-service electronic data discovery support to litigation teams and corporate counsel with a focus on forensics and data gathering, end-to-end data processing, and information consulting. DRCS provides comprehensive document review using experienced contract reviewers. The utilization of experienced contract reviewers allows for cost-effective and flexible solutions to meet client needs.

Our Business
Huron is an independent provider of financial and operational consulting services, with clients that include Fortune 500 companies, medium-sized businesses, leading academic institutions, healthcare organizations and the law firms that represent these various organizations.
- 15 -

 
We provide our services through two segments: Financial Consulting and Operational Consulting. Our Financial Consulting segment provides services that help clients effectively address complex challenges that arise from litigation, disputes, investigations, regulation, financial distress and other sources of significant conflict or change. Our Operational Consulting segment provides services that help clients improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of their operations, reduce costs, manage regulatory compliance and maximize procurement efficiency.

The majority of our revenues are generated by our billable consultants who provide consulting services to our clients. A smaller portion of our revenues is generated by our other revenue-generating employees, consisting of our document review and electronic data discovery groups, whom we acquired in the third quarter this year as discussed above. We refer to our billable consultants and other revenue-generating employees collectively as revenue-generating professionals.

Consulting services revenues are primarily driven by the number of billable consultants we employ and their utilization rates, as well as the billing rates we charge our clients. Revenues generated by our document review and electronic data discovery groups are largely dependent on the number of professionals and independent contractors we employ, their utilization and billing rates charged, as well as the number of pages reviewed and amount of data processed.

We also bill our clients for reimbursable expenses such as travel and out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with engagements. We manage our business on the basis of revenues before reimbursable expenses. We believe this is the most accurate reflection of our services because it eliminates the effect of these reimbursable expenses that we bill to our clients at cost.

Most of our revenues are generated based on either the number of hours incurred by our revenue-generating professionals and independent contractors, the number of pages reviewed by our document review group, or the amount of data processed by our electronic data discovery group at agreed upon rates. We refer to these types of arrangements collectively as time and expense engagements. Time and expense engagements represented 84.9% and 83.6% of our revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.

In fixed fee engagements, we agree to a pre-established fee in exchange for a pre-determined set of consulting services. We set the fees based on our estimates of the costs and timing for completing the fixed fee engagements. It is the client’s expectation in these engagements that the pre-established fee will not be exceeded except in mutually agreed upon circumstances. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, fixed fee engagements represented 13.4% and 13.7% of our revenues, respectively.

Performance-based fee engagements generally tie fees to the attainment of contractually defined objectives. We enter into performance-based engagements in essentially two forms. First, we generally earn fees that are directly related to the savings formally acknowledged by the client as a result of adopting our recommendations for improving cost effectiveness in the procurement area. Second, we have performance-based engagements in which we earn a success fee when and if certain pre-defined outcomes occur. Often this type of success fee supplements time and expense or fixed fee engagements. While performance-based fee revenues represented only 1.7% and 2.7% of our revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, such revenues in the future may cause significant variations in quarterly revenues and operating results due to the timing of achieving the performance-based criteria.

Business Strategy, Opportunities and Challenges
Our primary strategy is to meet the needs of our financial consulting and operational consulting clients by providing a balanced portfolio of service offerings and capabilities, so that we can adapt quickly and effectively to emerging opportunities in the marketplace. To achieve this, we have entered into select acquisitions of complementary businesses and continue to hire highly qualified revenue-generating professionals. Since we commenced operations, we have nearly quadrupled the number of these professionals from 213 on May 31, 2002 to 810 as of September 30, 2006. To expand our business, we will remain focused on growing our existing relationships and developing new relationships, continue to promote and provide an integrated approach to service delivery, broaden the scope of our existing services, and continue to acquire complementary businesses. Additionally, we intend to enhance our visibility in the marketplace by continuing to build our brand.
 
- 16 -

 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make assessments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Critical accounting policies are those policies that we believe present the most complex or subjective measurements and have the most potential to impact our financial position and operating results. While all decisions regarding accounting policies are important, we believe that there are five accounting policies that could be considered critical. These critical accounting policies include revenue recognition, the allowances for doubtful accounts and unbilled services, carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, valuation of net deferred tax assets, and share-based compensation.

Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenues in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin, or SAB, No. 101, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,” as amended by SAB No. 104, “Revenue Recognition.” Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the related services are provided, the price is fixed and determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Our services are primarily rendered under arrangements that require the client to pay based on the hours incurred by our revenue-generating professionals, the number of pages reviewed by our document review group, or the amount of data processed by our electronic data discovery group at agreed-upon rates and recognized as services are provided. Revenues related to fixed fee engagements are recognized based on estimates of services provided versus the total services to be provided under the engagement. Losses, if any, on fixed fee engagements are recognized in the period in which the loss first becomes probable and reasonably estimable. To date, such losses have not been significant. Revenues related to performance-based engagements are recognized when all performance-based criteria are met. We also have contracts with clients to deliver multiple services that are covered under both individual and separate engagement letters. These arrangements allow for our services to be valued and accounted for on a separate basis. Reimbursable expenses related to time and expense and fixed fee engagements are recognized as revenue in the period in which the expense is incurred. Reimbursable expenses subject to performance-based criteria are recognized as revenue when all performance criteria are met. Direct costs incurred on all types of engagements, including performance-based engagements, are recognized in the period in which incurred.

Differences between the timing of billings and the recognition of revenue are recorded as either unbilled services or deferred revenue. Revenues recognized for services performed but not yet billed to clients are recorded as unbilled services. Amounts billed to clients but not yet recognized as revenues are recorded as deferred revenue. Client prepayments and retainers that are unearned are also classified as deferred revenue and recognized over future periods as earned in accordance with the applicable engagement agreement.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Unbilled Services
We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts and for services performed but not yet billed for estimated losses based on several factors, including the historical percentages of fee adjustments and write-offs by service group, an assessment of a client’s ability to make required payments and the estimated cash realization from amounts due from clients. The allowances are assessed by management on a regular basis. If the financial condition of a client deteriorates in the future, impacting the client’s ability to make payments, an increase to our allowance might be required or our allowance may not be sufficient to cover actual write-offs.

The provision for doubtful accounts and unbilled services is recorded as a reduction in revenue to the extent the provision relates to fee adjustments and other discretionary pricing adjustments. To the extent the provision relates to a client’s inability to make required payments, the provision is recorded in operating expenses.

Carrying Value of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Our goodwill balance as of September 30, 2006 was $50.1 million, which resulted from our acquisitions. Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” we test goodwill for impairment annually or whenever indications of impairment arise, such as loss of key personnel,
 
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unanticipated competition, or other unforeseen developments. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, resulting in an impairment charge for this excess. An impairment test involves considerable management judgment and estimates regarding future operating results and cash flows. Pursuant to our policy, we performed the annual goodwill assessment as of April 30, 2006 and determined that no impairment of goodwill existed as of that date.

Intangible assets represent purchased assets that lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill. Our intangible assets balances, net of accumulated amortization, totaled $5.3 million at September 30, 2006 and consist of customer relationships, customer contracts, non-competition agreements, as well as technology and software. We use valuation techniques in estimating the initial fair value of acquired intangible assets. These valuations are primarily based on the present value of the estimated net cash flows expected to be derived from the client contracts and relationships, discounted for assumptions about future customer attrition. We evaluate our intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Therefore, higher or earlier-than-expected customer attrition may result in higher future amortization charges or an impairment charge for customer-related intangible assets.

Valuation of Net Deferred Tax Assets
We have recorded net deferred tax assets as we expect to realize future tax benefits related to the utilization of these assets. Although we experienced net losses early in our history, no valuation allowance has been recorded relating to these deferred tax assets because we believe that it is more likely than not that future taxable income will be sufficient to allow us to utilize these assets. Should we determine in the future that we will not be able to fully utilize all or part of these deferred tax assets, we would need to establish a valuation allowance, which would be recorded as a charge to income in the period the determination was made. While utilization of these deferred tax assets will provide future cash flow benefits, they will not have an effect on future income tax provisions.

Share-based Compensation
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” which requires that companies recognize compensation expense for grants of stock, stock options and other equity instruments based on fair value. Given the lack of a public market for our common stock prior to our IPO, we established an estimated fair value of the common stock as well as the exercise price for the options to purchase this stock. We estimated the fair value of our common stock by evaluating our results of business activities and projections of our future results of operations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth selected segment and consolidated operating results and other operating data for the periods indicated. Segment operating income consists of the revenues generated by a segment, less the direct costs of revenue and selling, general and administrative costs that are incurred directly by the segment. Unallocated corporate costs include costs related to administrative functions that are performed in a centralized manner that are not attributable to a particular segment.
 
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Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Segment and Consolidated Operating Results (in thousands):
 
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Revenues and reimbursable expenses:
                         
Financial Consulting 
 
$
34,645
 
$
33,259
 
$
101,274
 
$
87,702
 
Operational Consulting 
   
40,549
   
21,050
   
103,876
   
63,884
 
Total revenues 
   
75,194
   
54,309
   
205,150
   
151,586
 
Total reimbursable expenses 
   
7,921
   
4,840
   
20,051
   
13,901
 
Total revenues and reimbursable expenses 
 
$
83,115
 
$
59,149
 
$
225,201
 
$
165,487
 
                           
Operating income:
                         
Financial Consulting 
 
$
14,222
 
$
13,400
 
$
40,316
 
$
35,844
 
Operational Consulting 
   
14,678
   
6,511
   
37,408
   
22,499
 
Total segment operating income 
   
28,900
   
19,911
   
77,724
   
58,343
 
                           
Unallocated corporate costs 
   
13,856
   
10,788
   
38,623
   
30,885
 
Depreciation and amortization expense 
   
2,921
   
1,905
   
5,998
   
3,861
 
Total operating expenses 
   
16,777
   
12,693
   
44,621
   
34,746
 
                           
Operating income 
 
$
12,123
 
$
7,218
 
$
33,103
 
$
23,597
 
                           
Other Operating Data:
                         
Number of revenue-generating professionals (at period end) (1):
                         
Financial Consulting - Billable Consultants 
   
336
   
308
             
Operational Consulting - Billable Consultants 
   
428
   
318
             
Operational Consulting - Other Professionals 
   
46
   
             
Total 
   
810
   
626
             
 
Average number of revenue-generating professionals (for the period) (1):
                         
Financial Consulting - Billable Consultants 
   
319
   
297
   
310
   
280
 
Operational Consulting - Billable Consultants 
   
400
   
298
   
364
   
263
 
Operational Consulting - Other Professionals 
   
22
   
   
9
   
 
Total
   
741
   
595
   
683
   
543
 
 
Billable consultant utilization rate (2):
                         
Financial Consulting 
   
80.7
%
 
82.9
%
 
79.5
%
 
79.4
%
Operational Consulting 
   
77.4
%
 
69.6
%
 
76.2
%
 
72.9
%
Total
   
78.9
%
 
76.2
%
 
77.7
%
 
76.2
%
 
Average billing rate per hour (3):
                         
Financial Consulting 
 
$
278
 
$
274
 
$
282
 
$
277
 
Operational Consulting 
 
$
240
 
$
209
 
$
240
 
$
220
 
Total
 
$
257
 
$
244
 
$
260
 
$
249
 
 

(1)  
Revenue-generating professionals consist of our billable consultants and other professionals. Billable consultants generate revenues primarily based on number of hours worked while our other professionals generate revenues based on number of hours worked and units produced, such as pages reviewed and data processed. Revenue-generating professionals exclude interns and independent contractors.
(2)  
We calculate the utilization rate for our billable consultants by dividing the number of hours all our consultants worked on client assignments during a period by the total available working hours for all of our consultants during the same period, assuming a forty-hour work week, less paid holidays and vacation days.
(3)   For engagements where revenues are based on number of hours worked by our billable consultants, average billing rate per hour is calculated by dividing revenues for a period by the number of hours worked on client assignments during the same period.
 
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Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

Revenues
Revenues increased $20.9 million, or 38.5%, to $75.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $54.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2006 included revenues generated by Galt and revenues generated by DRCS and Aaxis since July 31, 2006. Revenues from time and expense engagements increased $15.9 million, or 33.2%, to $63.8 million for the third quarter of 2006 from $47.9 million for the third quarter of 2005. Revenues from fixed fee engagements increased $5.6 million, or 124.4%, to $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues from performance-based engagements decreased $0.6 million, or 31.6%, to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

Of the overall $20.9 million increase in revenues, $15.5 million was attributable to an increase in the number of revenue-generating professionals and usage of independent contractors, $3.5 million was attributable to an increase in the average billing rate per hour, and $1.9 million was attributable to an increase in the utilization rate of our billable consultants. The increases were reflective of growing demand for our services from new and existing clients and our acquisitions. The average number of revenue-generating professionals increased to 741 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from 595 for the three months ended September 30, 2005, as we added a significant number of billable consultants in our Operational Consulting segment. The increase was also reflective of our acquisitions. Our average billing rate per hour for engagements where revenues are based on number of hours worked by our billable consultants increased 5.3% to $257 for the three months ended September, 2006 from $244 for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Average billing rate per hour for any given period is calculated by dividing revenues for the period by the number of hours worked on client assignments during the same period. Our billable consultant utilization rate increased to 78.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from 76.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The utilization rate for any given period is calculated by dividing the number of hours all our billable consultants worked on client assignments during the period by the total available working hours for all of our billable consultants during the same period, assuming a 40-hour work week, less paid holidays and vacation days.

Total Direct Costs
Our direct costs increased $12.4 million, or 40.5%, to $43.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $30.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $8.9 million of the increase was attributable to the increase in the average number of revenue-generating professionals described above, the promotion of our billable consultants during the year, including nine to the managing director level effective January 1, 2006, and their related compensation and benefit costs. Additionally, $2.3 million of the increase in direct costs was attributable to an increased usage of independent contractors, particularly in our document review group. We expect to continue to hire additional managing directors, as well as hire additional managers, associates and analysts to expand support for our existing practices and better leverage our managing directors and directors. As such, we expect direct costs will continue to increase in the near term.

Total direct costs for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 included $0.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of intangible assets amortization expense.

Operating Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2.9 million, or 21.4%, to $16.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $13.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2005. Of the $2.9 million increase, $2.3 million was due to higher salaries and share-based compensation associated with our non-revenue-generating professionals, $0.8 million was attributable to increased facilities costs, and $0.5 million resulted from an increase in training and recruiting costs. These increases were offset by lower marketing spending and the absence of secondary offering costs. During the third quarter of 2005 in connection with a proposed secondary offering, we incurred costs totaling $0.4 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share.

Depreciation expense increased $0.7 million, or 58.3%, to $1.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $1.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2005 as computers, network equipment, furniture and fixtures, and leasehold improvements were added to support our increase in employees. Non-direct intangible
 
- 20 -

assets amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $1.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively. Included in intangible assets amortization expense in the three months ended September 30, 2005 is a $0.6 million charge relating to the write off of a customer contract.

Operating Income
Operating income increased $4.9 million, or 68.0%, to $12.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in operating income was primarily due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by the increases in direct costs and selling, general and administrative expense as discussed above. Operating margin, which is defined as operating income expressed as a percentage of revenues, increased to 16.1% in the three months ended September 30, 2006 from 13.3% in the three months ended September 30, 2005 as our selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenues decreased in 2006 compared to 2005.

Net Income
Net income increased $3.0 million, or 80.2%, to $6.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.39 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $0.22 for the comparable period last year.

Segment Results

Financial Consulting

Revenues
Financial Consulting segment revenues increased $1.3 million, or 4.2%, to $34.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $33.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues from time and expense engagements increased $1.9 million, or 5.9%, to $34.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $32.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues from fixed fee engagements decreased $0.6 million, or 54.5%, to $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. There were no revenues from performance-based engagements in the third quarter of 2006 and were immaterial in the third quarter of 2005.

Of the overall $1.3 million increase in revenues, $1.7 million was attributable to an increase in the number of billable consultants, $0.5 million was attributable to an increase in the average billing rate per hour, partially offset by a decrease of $0.9 million in revenues attributable to a decrease in the utilization rate of our billable consultants. The average number of billable consultants increased to 319 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from 297 for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The average billing rate per hour increased to $278 for the third quarter of 2006 from $274 for the third quarter of 2005. The utilization rate for the Financial Consulting segment decreased to 80.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from 82.9% for the comparable period last year.

Operating Income
Financial Consulting segment operating income increased $0.8 million, or 6.1%, to $14.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $13.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2005. Segment operating margin, defined as segment operating income expressed as a percentage of segment revenues, increased to 41.1% for the third quarter of 2006 from 40.3% in the same period last year, primarily due to the increase in revenues as described above, coupled with a decrease in general and administrative costs.

Operational Consulting

Revenues
Operational Consulting segment revenues increased $19.4 million, or 92.6%, to $40.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $21.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2006 included revenues generated by Galt and revenues generated by DRCS and Aaxis since July 31, 2006. Revenues from time and expense engagements increased $13.9 million, or 88.5%, to $29.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $15.7 million for the comparable period last year. Revenues from fixed fee engagements increased $6.1 million, or 174.3%, to $9.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues from
 
- 21 -

performance-based engagements decreased $0.6 million, or 31.6%, to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

Of the overall $19.4 million increase in revenues, $13.6 million was attributable to an increase in the number of revenue-generating professionals and usage of independent contractors, $3.0 million was attributable to an increase in the average billing rate per hour, and $2.8 million was attributable to an increase in the utilization rate of our billable consultants. These increases were reflective of growing demand for our services from new and existing clients and our acquisitions. The average number of revenue-generating professionals increased to 422 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from 298 for the three months ended September 30, 2005, as we added a significant number of billable consultants over the past year. The increase was also reflective of our acquisitions. The average billing rate per hour for engagements where revenues are based on number of hours worked by our billable consultants increased 14.8% to $240 for the third quarter of 2006 from $209 for the comparable period last year. The billable consultant utilization rate for our Operational Consulting segment increased to 77.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from 69.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

Operating Income
Operational Consulting segment operating income increased $8.2 million, or 125.4%, to $14.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Segment operating margin increased to 36.2% for the third quarter of 2006 from 30.9% in the same period last year primarily due to the increase in revenues as described above.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

Revenues
Revenues increased $53.6 million, or 35.3%, to $205.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $151.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 included revenues generated by Galt since April 3, 2006 and revenues generated by DRCS and Aaxis since July 31, 2006. Revenues from time and expense engagements increased $42.2 million, or 32.7%, to $171.4 million for the first nine months of 2006 from $129.2 million for the first nine months of 2005. Revenues from fixed fee engagements increased $9.6 million, or 51.6%, to $28.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $18.6 million for the same period last year. Revenues from performance-based engagements increased $1.8 million, or 47.4%, to $5.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Of the overall $53.6 million increase in revenues, $42.8 million was attributable to an increase in the number of revenue-generating professionals and usage of independent contractors, $7.8 million was attributable to an increase in the average billing rate per hour, and $3.0 million was attributable to an increase in the utilization rate of our billable consultants. These increases were reflective of growing demand for our services from new and existing clients and our acquisitions. The average number of revenue-generating professionals increased to 683 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from 543 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, as we added a significant number of billable consultants in our Operational Consulting segment. The increase in revenue-generating professionals was also reflective of our acquisitions. Our average billing rate per hour for engagements where revenues are based on number of hours worked by our billable consultants increased to $260 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $249 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Additionally, our billable consultant utilization rate increased to 77.7% for the first nine months of 2006 from 76.2% for the comparable period last year.

Total Direct Costs
Our direct costs increased $31.1 million, or 36.5%, to $116.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $85.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $26.0 million of the increase was attributable to the increase in the average number of revenue-generating professionals described above, the promotion of our billable consultants during the year, including nine to the managing director level effective January 1, 2006, and their related compensation and benefit costs. Share-based compensation expense associated with our revenue-generating professionals increased $1.4 million, or 38.9%, to $5.0 million in the first nine months of 2006 from $3.6 million in the first nine months of 2005. Additionally, $2.6 million of the increase in direct costs was attributable to an increased usage of independent contractors, particularly in our document review group.

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Total direct costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 included $2.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of intangible assets amortization expense. The increase in 2006 was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Galt in the second quarter of 2006, in which customer contracts with a value of $1.7 million were acquired and amortized over 3.2 months.

Operating Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $9.7 million, or 25.7%, to $47.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $37.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $2.9 million of this increase was due to higher facilities costs attributable to two new leases that we entered into during the second half of 2005. The remaining increase in selling, general and administrative costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the same period last year was due to a $3.2 million increase in salaries and share-based compensation associated with our non-revenue-generating professionals, a $1.2 million increase in training and recruiting costs, and a $0.8 million increase in marketing expenses. During the third quarter of 2005, we incurred costs associated with a proposed secondary offering. These costs totaled $0.4 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share. During the first quarter of 2006, we completed our secondary offering and recorded related costs totaling $0.6 million after tax, or $0.03 per diluted share. These costs were expensed in the period incurred because we did not issue new securities in the offering.

Depreciation expense increased $1.6 million, or 51.6%, to $4.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $3.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as computers, network equipment, furniture and fixtures, and leasehold improvements were added to support our increase in employees. Non-direct intangible assets amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $1.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Included in intangible assets amortization expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 is a $0.6 million charge relating to the write off of a customer contract.

Operating Income
Operating income increased $9.5 million, or 40.3%, to $33.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $23.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in operating income was primarily due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by the increases in direct costs, selling, general and administrative expense and intangible assets amortization as discussed above. Operating margin increased slightly to 16.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from 15.6% in the comparable period last year as our selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenues decreased in 2006 compared to 2005.

Net Income
Net income increased $5.4 million, or 40.8%, to $18.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $13.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.08 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $0.79 for the comparable period last year.

Segment Results

Financial Consulting

Revenues
Financial Consulting segment revenues increased $13.6 million, or 15.5%, to $101.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $87.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues from time and expense engagements increased $15.0 million, or 17.9%, to $98.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $83.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues from fixed fee engagements decreased $1.8 million, or 47.4%, to $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues from performance-based engagements for the first nine months of 2006 totaled $0.4 million and were immaterial for the comparable period last year.

Of the overall $13.6 million increase in revenues, $11.3 million was attributable to an increase in the number of billable consultants, $2.1 million was attributable to an increase in the average billing rate per hour, and $0.2 million was attributable to an increase in the utilization rate of our billable consultants. The average number of billable consultants increased to 310 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from 280 for the nine months ended
 
- 23 -

 
September 30, 2005. The average billing rate per hour increased to $282 for the first nine months of 2006 from $277 for the comparable period last year. The utilization rate for the Financial Consulting segment remained steady at 79.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to 79.4% for the comparable period last year.

Operating Income
Financial Consulting segment operating income increased $4.5 million, or 12.5%, to $40.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $35.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Segment operating margin decreased to 39.8% for the first nine months of 2006 from 40.9% in the same period last year, primarily due to the increase in billable consultants, particularly at the managing director level, and their related compensation costs.

Operational Consulting

Revenues
Operational Consulting segment revenues increased $40.0 million, or 62.6%, to $103.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $63.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 included revenues generated by Galt since April 3, 2006 and revenues generated by DRCS and Aaxis since July 31, 2006. Revenues from time and expense engagements increased $27.2 million, or 60.0%, to $72.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $45.3 million for the comparable period last year. Revenues from fixed fee engagements increased $11.4 million, or 77.0%, to $26.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $14.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Revenues from performance-based engagements increased $1.4 million, or 36.8%, to $5.2 million for the first nine months of 2006 from $3.8 million for the same period last year.

Of the overall $40.0 million increase in revenues, $31.4 million was attributable to an increase in the number of revenue-generating professionals and usage of independent contractors, $5.8 million was attributable to an increase in the average billing rate per hour, and $2.8 million was attributable to an increase in the utilization rate of our billable consultants. These increases were reflective of growing demand for our services from new and existing clients and our acquisitions. The average number of revenue-generating professionals increased to 373 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from 263 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, as we added a significant number of billable consultants over the past year. The increase was also reflective of our acquisitions. The average billing rate per hour for engagements where revenues are based on number of hours worked by our billable consultants increased 9.1% to $240 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $220 for the comparable period last year. The billable consultant utilization rate for our Operational Consulting segment increased to 76.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from 72.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Operating Income
Operational Consulting segment operating income increased $14.9 million, or 66.3%, to $37.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $22.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Segment operating margin increased to 36.0% for the first nine months of 2006 from 35.2% in the same period last year, primarily due to the increase in revenues as described above, partially offset by intangible assets amortization.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations, existing cash and cash equivalents and debt capacity available under our credit facility. Cash and cash equivalents, consisting of demand deposits and short-term commercial paper, decreased $30.9 million from $31.8 million at December 31, 2005 to $0.9 million at September 30, 2006 primarily due to the our acquisitions and purchases of property and equipment.

Cash flows generated by operating activities totaled $9.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to $12.1 million for the same period last year. Our operating assets and liabilities consist primarily of receivables from billed and unbilled services, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and accrued payroll and related benefits. The volume of billings and timing of collections and payments affect these account balances. The $2.3 million decrease in cash provided by operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to
 
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the same period last year was primarily attributable to a growth in our receivables. This was partially offset by an increase in revenues and improved financial results.

Cash used in investing activities was $65.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and $18.4 million for the same period last year. The use of cash in the first nine months of 2006 primarily related to the acquisitions of Galt, DRCS and Aaxis, as well as leasehold improvements at our offices in New York City and Boston. The use of cash in the first nine months of 2005 primarily related to the acquisition of S&W.

We have a bank credit agreement that originally expired on February 10, 2006. On January 17, 2006, we extended the credit agreement for ninety days to May 10, 2006. On March 28, 2006, we further extended the credit agreement for another sixty days to July 10, 2006, and also amended certain terms of the original agreement.

On June 7, 2006, we entered into a new credit agreement with various financial institutions. Under the terms of this new unsecured revolving credit facility, we may borrow up to $75.0 million. Additionally, we may elect to increase the revolver by $25.0 million. Fees and interest on borrowings vary based on total debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) ratio as set forth in the credit agreement and will be based on a spread over LIBOR or a spread over the base rate, which is the greater of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or the Prime Rate, as selected by us. All outstanding principal is due upon expiration of the credit agreement on May 31, 2011. The credit agreement includes financial covenants that require the maintenance of certain interest coverage ratio, total debt to EBITDA ratio and net worth levels. In addition, certain acquisitions and similar transactions will need to be approved by the lenders.

During the third quarter of 2006, we borrowed $22.0 million under the credit facility to fund our acquisitions of Aaxis and DRCS. We also made borrowings throughout the year to fund our operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the average daily outstanding balance under our credit facility was $9.8 million. The amount outstanding at September 30, 2006 was $22.0 million and bears interest at 6.0%. We had no borrowings outstanding under the bank credit agreement at December 31, 2005. At both September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we were in compliance with the debt covenants under the credit facilities.

Future Needs
Our primary financing need has been to fund our growth. Our growth strategy includes hiring additional revenue-generating professionals and expanding our service offerings through existing professionals, new hires or acquisitions. We intend to fund such growth with cash generated from operations and borrowings under our credit agreement. Because we expect that our future annual growth rate in revenues and related percentage increases in working capital balances will moderate, we believe cash generated from operations, supplemented as necessary by borrowings under our credit facility, will be adequate to fund this growth. Our ability to secure short-term and long-term financing in the future will depend on several factors, including our future profitability, the quality of our accounts receivable and unbilled services, our relative levels of debt and equity and overall condition of the credit markets.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table represents our obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts, such as lease agreements, and under contingent commitments as of December 31, 2005 (in thousands).

   
Less
than 1
Year
 
1 to 3
Years
 
4 to 5
Years
 
After 5
Years
 
Total
 
Notes payable
 
$
1,000
 
$
2,000
 
$
¾
 
$
¾
 
$
3,000
 
Interest on notes payable
   
120
   
120
   
¾
   
¾
   
240
 
Capital lease obligations
   
282
   
127
   
¾
   
¾
   
409
 
Operating lease obligations
   
7,003
   
27,010
   
14,916
   
25,629
   
74,558
 
Purchase obligations
   
997
   
322
   
¾
   
¾
   
1,319
 
Total contractual obligations
 
$
9,402
 
$
29,579
 
$
14,916
 
$
25,629
 
$
79,526
 
 
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During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we made borrowings under our credit agreement to fund our business acquisitions. As of September 30, 2006, we had borrowings outstanding totaling $22.0 million, which is due upon expiration of the credit agreement on May 31, 2011.

We lease our facilities and certain equipment under operating lease arrangements expiring on various dates through 2016, with various renewal options. We lease office facilities under noncancelable operating leases that include fixed or minimum payments plus, in some cases, scheduled base rent increases over the term of the lease. Certain leases provide for monthly payments of real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expense applicable to the property. Some of the leases contain provisions whereby the future rental payments may be adjusted for increases in operating expense above the specified amount.

Purchase obligations include sponsorships, subscriptions to research tools and other commitments to purchase services where we cannot cancel or would be required to pay a termination fee in the event of cancellation.

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” FIN No. 48 provides a comprehensive model for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure in the financial statements of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. FIN No. 48 will be effective for us beginning on January 1, 2007. The adoption of this interpretation is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, earnings per share, or cash flows.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB No. 108 was issued to address diversity in practice in quantifying financial statement misstatements. Current practice allows for the evaluation of materiality on the basis of either (1) the error quantified as the amount by which the current year income statement was misstated (“rollover method”) or (2) the cumulative error quantified as the cumulative amount by which the current year balance sheet was misstated (“iron curtain method”). The guidance provided in SAB 108 requires both methods to be used in evaluating materiality (“dual approach”). SAB No. 108 permits companies to initially apply its provisions either by (1) restating prior financial statements as if the dual approach had always been used or (2) recording the cumulative effect of initially applying the “dual approach” as adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2006 with an offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. The provisions of SAB No. 108 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, earnings per share, or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements in financial statements, but standardizes its definition and guidance in GAAP. Thus, for some entities, the application of this statement may change current practice. SFAS No. 157 will be effective for us beginning on January 1, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this statement may have on our financial position and results of operations.
 
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ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks related to changes in interest rates and changes in the market value of our investments. We do not enter into interest rate swaps, caps or collars or other hedging instruments.

Our exposure to changes in interest rates is limited to borrowings under our bank credit agreement, which has variable interest rates tied to the LIBOR, Federal Funds rate or prime rate. At September 30, 2006, we had borrowings outstanding totaling $22.0 million that bear interest at 6.0%. A one percent change in this interest rate would not have a material effect on our financial position or operating results.

At September 30, 2006, we had notes payable totaling $2.0 million that are payable in $1.0 million installments in May 2007 and 2008. We are not exposed to interest rate risks in respect to these notes as they bear a fixed interest rate at 4% per annum.

From time to time, we invest excess cash in marketable securities. These investments principally consist of overnight sweep accounts and short-term commercial paper. Due to the short maturity of our investments, we have concluded that we do not have material market risk exposure.
 
ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Our management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of September 30, 2006. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2006, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act and such information is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the “Exchange Act”) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II ¾ OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal matters arising out of the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of these matters cannot presently be determined, in the opinion of management, disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
 
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

See “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2005 annual report on Form 10-K for a complete description of the material risks it faces. There have been no material changes to our business risk factors since December 31, 2005.
 
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ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Our 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan permits the netting of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock awards to satisfy individual tax withholding requirements. During the quarter ended September 30, 2006, the Company redeemed such shares as presented in the table below.

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Redeemed
to Satisfy
Employee Tax Withholding Requirements
 
Weighted-
Average Fair
Market Value
Per Share
Redeemed
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly Announced Plans
or Programs
 
Maximum
Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs
 
 
July 2006
   
10,907
 
$
35.09
   
N/A
   
N/A
 

N/A - Not applicable.
 
ITEM 3.
 DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 
ITEM 4.
 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
None.
 
ITEM 5.
 OTHER INFORMATION

None.
 
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
 
(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Exhibit
10.24
 
Executive Officers’ Compensation for 2005 and 2006 Summary Sheet as of September 30, 2006.
     
10.40
 
Amendment No. 2 to the Huron Consulting Group Inc. 2002 Equity Incentive Plan.
     
10.41
 
Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Huron Consulting Group Inc. 2002 Equity Incentive Plan (California).
     
10.42
 
Amendment No. 1 to the Huron Consulting Group Inc. 2003 Equity Incentive Plan.
     
31.1
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



     
Huron Consulting Group Inc.
     
(Registrant)
       
       
Date:
November 2, 2006
 
/s/ Gary L. Burge
     
Gary L. Burge
     
Vice President,
     
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
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