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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-K
 
     
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Commission File Number 001-14505
 
 
 
 
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
     
Delaware   95-2623879
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2600,
Los Angeles, California
(Address of principal executive offices)
  90067
(Zip code)
 
(310) 552-1834
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of Each Class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
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 þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer þ
  Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
The number of shares outstanding of our common stock as of June 27, 2011 was 47,083,285 shares. The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on October 29, 2010, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, (assuming that the registrant’s only affiliates are its officers, directors and 10% or greater stockholders) was approximately $929,025,508 based upon the closing market price of $17.63 on that date of a share of common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on September 28, 2011 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
 


 

 
KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL
 
Index to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2011
 
                 
Item #   Description   Page
 
PART I.
  Item 1     Business     1  
  Item 1A     Risk Factors     10  
  Item 1B     Unresolved Staff Comments     14  
  Item 2     Properties     14  
  Item 3     Legal Proceedings     14  
  Item 4     Removed and Reserved     15  
        Executive Officers     15  
 
PART II.
  Item 5     Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     16  
  Item 6     Selected Financial Data     20  
  Item 7     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     21  
  Item 7A     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     35  
  Item 8     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     35  
  Item 9     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     35  
  Item 9A     Controls and Procedures     35  
  Item 9B     Other Information     36  
 
Part III.
  Item 10     Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     36  
  Item 11     Executive Compensation     36  
  Item 12     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     36  
  Item 13     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     36  
  Item 14     Principal Accountant Fees and Services     36  
 
Part IV.
  Item 15     Exhibit and Financial Statements Schedules     37  
        Signatures     40  
        Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules     F-1  
 EX-21.1
 EX-23.1
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT


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PART I.
 
Item 1.   Business
 
Business Overview
 
Korn/Ferry International (referred to herein as the “Company,” “Korn/Ferry,” or in the first person notations “we,” “our,” and “us”) is a premier global provider of talent management solutions that help clients to attract, deploy, develop and reward their talent. We opened our first office in Los Angeles in 1969 and currently operate in 76 offices in 35 countries. As of April 30, 2011, we had 2,463 full-time employees, including 471 executive recruitment and 162 Futurestep consultants who are primarily responsible for client services. Our clients include many of the world’s largest and most prestigious public and private companies, middle market and emerging growth companies, as well as government and nonprofit organizations. We have built strong client loyalty with 78% of our executive recruitment assignments performed during fiscal 2011 on behalf of clients for whom we had conducted assignments in the previous three fiscal years.
 
We were originally formed as a California corporation in November 1969 and reincorporated as a Delaware corporation in fiscal 2000.
 
We provide the following talent management solutions:
 
Executive Recruitment:  Executive Recruitment, our largest business, focuses on recruiting board-level, chief executive and other senior executive positions for clients predominantly in the consumer, financial services, industrial, life sciences/healthcare provider and technology industries. The relationships that we develop through this business are valuable in introducing our complementary service offerings to clients.
 
Leadership and Talent Consulting (“LTC”):  Our comprehensive blend of talent management offerings assists clients with their ongoing assessment, organizational and leadership development efforts. Services address five fundamental needs — board effectiveness, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) & senior management effectiveness, leadership development and enterprise learning, organization transformation and talent portfolio management. Each of Korn/Ferry’s solutions is delivered by an experienced team of leadership consultants, a global network of top executive coaches and the intellectual property of research-based, time-tested leadership assessment and developmental tools.
 
Talent Acquisition Solutions:  In 1998, we extended our market reach into middle management with the introduction of Futurestep, our outsourced and mid-level recruiting subsidiary. Futurestep draws from Korn/Ferry’s four decades of industry experience to create customized, flexible talent acquisition solutions to meet specific workforce needs of organizations around the world. In addition to being a pioneer in recruitment process outsourcing (“RPO”), the Company’s multi-tiered portfolio of services includes talent acquisition consulting services, project-based recruitment and mid-level recruitment.
 
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). You may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. Our reports, proxy statements and other documents filed electronically with the SEC are available at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.
 
We also make available, free of charge on our website at www.kornferry.com, our annual, quarterly, and current reports, and, if applicable, amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish them to, the SEC.
 
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation and Personnel Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors are also posted on our website at www.kornferry.com. Stockholders may request copies of these documents by writing to our Corporate Secretary at 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2600, Los Angeles, California 90067.


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Industry Overview
 
Executive Recruitment Services:  Our executive recruitment services concentrates on searches for positions with annual compensation of $250,000 or more, or comparable in foreign locations, which may involve board-level, chief executive and other senior executive positions. The industry is comprised of retained and contingency recruitment firms. Retained firms, such as Korn/Ferry, typically charge a fee for their services equal to approximately one-third of the first year annual cash compensation for the position being filled regardless of whether the position is filled. Contingency firms generally work on a non-exclusive basis and are compensated only upon successfully placing a recommended candidate.
 
Leadership and Talent Consulting Services:  With an increasing amount of Korn/Ferry’s revenue being generated by non-search engagements, our LTC services are driving our transformation into a broad-based talent management firm. These diversified solutions help our clients to not only attract but to deploy, develop and reward their best people in the context of their organization and talent strategy.
 
Talent Acquisition Solutions:  Futurestep, a Korn/Ferry subsidiary, offers talent acquisition solutions for mid- and high-level management, with annual compensation generally in the $100,000 to $150,000 range. Founded in 1998, Futurestep today has locations on four continents and a record of success in helping clients achieve business impact through effective talent operations.
 
Industry Trends
 
As the global economy continues to recover and expand, we believe the business outlook for the talent management industry is positive. Contributing to this is a confluence of market trends that will continue to fuel job growth and hiring, which include the following:
 
Consolidation of Talent Management Solution Providers — In choosing recruitment and human resource service providers, we believe:
 
  •  Companies are actively in search of preferred providers in order to create efficiencies and consolidate vendor relationships;
 
  •  Companies that can offer a full suite of talent management solutions are becoming increasingly attractive; and
 
  •  Clients seek trusted advisors who understand their business and unique organizational culture in order to manage the multiple needs of their business on a global scale.
 
Aging Population — In many major economic centers, the workforce population is aging at a rapid pace. The number of retirees has more than doubled over the last decade. Moreover, the supply of available qualified candidates is limited, making it more difficult for employers to secure executives. We believe this trend will have a positive impact on our business over the long-term as employers will increasingly seek service providers who can provide solutions for the impending talent shortage.
 
Globalization of Business — As the world markets continue to integrate into one global economy, many companies are strengthening their talent pool with experienced executives who can operate effectively in this global environment. Emerging markets such as China, India and Eastern Europe have executive talent demands that exceed the current available supply of executive talent in these geographies. The rapidly changing competitive landscape challenges multinational and local companies to identify and recruit qualified executives with the right combination of skills, experience and cultural compatibility. Clients are turning to firms that combine proven expertise with specialized knowledge of both key industries and local markets, enabling them to address their ongoing global talent needs.
 
Increased Outsourcing of Recruitment Functions — More companies are focusing on core competencies and outsourcing non-core, back-office functions to providers who can provide efficient, high-quality services. Third-party providers can apply immediate and long-term approaches for improving all aspects of talent acquisition. Advantages to outsourcing part or all of the recruitment function include:
 
  •  Access to a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates on an as-needed basis;


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  •  Reduction or elimination of the costs required to maintain and train an in-house recruiting department in a rapidly changing industry;
 
  •  Access to the most updated industry and geographic market information;
 
  •  Access to cutting-edge search technology software; and
 
  •  Ability to maintain management focus on core strategic business issues.
 
Key Role of Technology — At Korn/Ferry we are adding more regimen and scientific research into the recruitment process, with emphasis shifting from candidate identification to candidate assessment and placement. Driving this initiative is enhanced technology, as the power of the Internet, search engines and databases make it possible to efficiently identify greater numbers of qualified candidates. Innovative technology, when combined with world-class intellectual property and thought leadership, creates a compelling set of tools to manage the process of identifying, recruiting and assessing the most desirable candidates.
 
Other Industry Trends — In addition to the industry trends mentioned above, we believe the following factors will have a long-term positive impact on the talent management industry:
 
  •  Increasing demand for managers with broader qualifications;
 
  •  Increasing desire by candidates to more actively manage their careers;
 
  •  Increasing demand for senior executives with not just the right technical skills, but also the right leadership characteristics to meet the specific requirements of the position and organizational culture;
 
  •  Increasing demand for senior executives who can exceed the high standards of due diligence and public scrutiny as a result of recent securities legislation;
 
  •  Decreasing executive management tenure and more frequent job changes;
 
  •  Inadequate succession planning; and
 
  •  Increasing impact of Internet-enabled social media on the role of HR and the recruitment process.
 
Growth Strategy
 
Our objective is to expand our position as a premier global provider of talent management solutions. In order to meet this objective, we will continue to pursue five strategic initiatives:
 
1.   Drive an Integrated, Solutions-Based Go-to-Market Strategy
 
Differentiating Client Value Proposition — Korn/Ferry offers its clients a global, integrated, enterprise-wide talent management solution. To that end, we have made progress in helping clients more effectively and efficiently, attract, deploy, develop and reward their workforce.
 
In analyzing talent management across the attract-deploy-develop-reward value chain, Korn/Ferry has developed clear, industry-differentiating strengths through its market leading position in Executive Recruitment and RPO solutions, with distinct, diversified capabilities along the rest of the value chain through the Company’s LTC service line.
 
Our synergistic go-to-market strategy, utilizing all three of our service lines, is systematically driving more integrated, scalable client relationships, while accelerating our evolution to a consultative solutions-based organization. This is evidenced by the fact that nearly 86% of our top 50 clients utilize at least two of our service lines.
 
We are an increasingly diversified enterprise with a unique presence in the world of human capital services and products, which represents an estimated $400 billion global market opportunity.
 
In an effort to better coordinate global recruiting and to gain operational efficiencies, we expect that multinational clients increasingly will turn to strategic partners who can manage their recruitment needs on a centralized basis. This will require vendors with a global network of offices and technological support systems to


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manage multiple hires across geographical regions. In fiscal 2009, we established our Premier Client Partnership (“PCP”) program to act as a catalyst for change as we transform our Company from individual operators to an integrated talent solutions provider, in an effort to drive major global and regional strategic account development as well as to provide a framework for all of our client development activities. Today, the PCP program consists of global colleagues from every line of business and geography. Our goal is to cascade this methodology throughout every market, country and office.
 
2.   Deliver Unparalleled Client Excellence
 
World-class Intellectual Property — Korn/Ferry continues to scale and more deeply embed its industry-leading intellectual property within the talent management process of our global clients.
 
Our IP-driven Lominger tools and services are being utilized by our clients for everything from organizational development and job profiling to selection, training, individual and team development, succession planning and more. We have almost doubled the Lominger business since we acquired it in 2006. As a product-focused offering, Lominger technology helps us to generate long-term relationships with clients. We continue to seek ways to scale the Lominger product offering to our global clients.
 
Global organizations utilizing our firm’s validated assessment capability are realizing the power and benefits of Korn/Ferry IP in their talent evaluation process. Our assessment capability, currently utilized by more than 60% of our clients, can improve executive retention and prospects of promotion. We believe companies that use Korn/Ferry’s assessments to choose executives are more likely to find candidates that they would not only retain, but soon promote.
 
Technology.  Information technology has become a critical element of the executive talent management business. We have made significant investments in developing a robust technology infrastructure and a web-based executive recruitment platform, e-Korn/Ferry. In fiscal 2011, we continued to invest in enhanced tools and knowledge management to gain a competitive advantage. We introduced key enhancements to Searcher Express, our state-of-the-art engagement execution platform and the cornerstone of the Company’s strategy to better share knowledge, access data and improve the search process. A new client relationship management feature in Searcher Express provides a global business development opportunity tracking system for all lines of business.
 
We also embarked on a worldwide upgrade of our desktop and network infrastructure to provide best-in-class tools for our staff, including the rollout of a new intranet platform, Inside K/F, for enhanced information sharing and collaboration across markets and geographies. The new intranet also includes a project calendar function that organizes activities by individuals and lines of business, and a utilization management system to track client bookings via consultants’ Outlook® calendars. We also rolled out major enhancements to our client engagement collaboration portal, the Talent Dashboard, adding a talent pipeline feature as well as a voting tool to facilitate committee-based candidate selection.
 
The technology supporting LTC continued to evolve in fiscal 2011 through the integration of Lominger’s intellectual property into our assessment and talent management products. Our newly-developed intellectual property platform consolidates a rich set of assessment instruments and reports into a common web portal for our LTC clients. Usage of Korn/Ferry Advantage, a technology-based assessment process for our core executive recruitment business, stands at 64% of all search engagements.
 
The Korn/Ferry Advantage:  When launched in 2007, the goal of the Korn/Ferry Advantage was to establish a strategic leadership framework to engage with clients as they think about their own strategic plan and the candidate profiles that will be required to make their plans a reality. The Korn/Ferry Advantage offers a distinct “Korn/Ferry Way” for conducting executive search and ensuring quality control globally. After nearly four years of implementation, the Korn/Ferry Advantage has become firmly embedded in our culture and serves as a foundation of the Korn/Ferry search process. It has also emerged as a key competitive differentiator.


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Information technology is a key driver of Futurestep’s growth in RPO, project-based and mid-level recruitment. Database technology and the Internet have greatly improved capabilities in identifying, targeting and reaching potential candidates, thereby reducing placement times. Fiscal 2011 saw major system enhancements, including the upgrade of Futurestep to our enterprise engagement management and customer relationship management platform, Searcher Express, and the integration of advanced, Internet-based sourcing, assessment and selection technologies in the engagement workflow.
 
In fiscal 2011 we renewed our commitment to invest in technology across all lines of business — extending the Company’s brand through integration with social networks — and delivering our unique intellectual property through smart phones and tablets. We will continue to enhance our technology in order to strengthen our relationships with our existing clients, attract new clients, expand our markets through new delivery channels and maintain a competitive advantage in offering the full range of executive talent management services.
 
3.   Extend and Elevate the Korn/Ferry Brand
 
Next to our people, the Korn/Ferry brand is the strongest asset of the Company. Since inception, Korn/Ferry has always maintained an extremely aggressive stance in building our global presence and supporting our vision and ongoing growth through a robust and comprehensive marketing approach. At the highest level, we will continue to extend and elevate the Korn/Ferry brand to raise awareness and drive higher market share within key segments.
 
Our leadership in executive recruitment enables us to grow our business by increasing the number of recruitment assignments we handle for existing clients. We also believe that our strong relationships and well-recognized brand name will enable us to introduce new services to our existing client base and to potential new clients, while allowing us to build communities of candidates to whom we can directly market our services.
 
For example, we will leverage the work our Board & CEO Services practice performs at the top of our clients’ organizations to promote awareness of our various solutions at the highest levels. We believe these engagements will create significant “trickle-down” revenue opportunities across all of our lines of business and also lead to the expansion of other high-level, consultative relationships within the board and CEO community.
 
4.   Advance Korn/Ferry as a Premier Career Destination
 
As our business strategy evolves, so should our talent strategy in order to drive the growth we need and the culture we want, at a pace we can absorb. Our talent strategy is what we do to ensure that we attract, deploy, develop, and reward the best talent for ourselves (and, by extension, for our clients) to achieve our business potential.
 
We believe that the recruitment and retention of key consultants will be an ongoing driver of long-term growth. Our consultants bring with them diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise and were recruited based on their track records as top performers in their given industry.
 
5.   Pursue Transformational Opportunities Along the Broad Human Resources Spectrum
 
In addition to our heritage as a leading provider of executive recruitment, we also offer clients outsourced and mid-level recruitment, strategic and organizational alignment, leadership and executive development, and talent and performance management through Futurestep and LTC. We will continue to develop and add new products and services that our clients demand and continue to pursue a disciplined acquisition strategy, both of which are consistent with our strategic goals. Our non-executive recruitment businesses generated 26% of our overall fee revenue in fiscal 2011.
 
Our Services and Organization
 
Organization
 
The Company operates in two global business segments in the retained recruitment industry, Executive Recruitment and Futurestep. Our executive recruitment business is managed on a geographic basis throughout our four regions: North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and South America. Futurestep is managed on a worldwide basis with operations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. We face risks associated with political instability, legal


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requirements and currency fluctuations in these international operations. Examples of such risks include difficulties in staffing and managing global operations, social and political instability, fluctuation in currency exchange rates and potential adverse tax consequences.
 
We address the global recruitment needs of our clients at all levels of management by offering the following services:
 
Executive Recruitment Services
 
Overview.  Our executive recruitment services are typically used to fill executive-level positions, such as board directors, chief executive officers (“CEO”), chief financial officers (“CFO”), chief operating officers (“COO”), chief information officers (“CIO”) and other senior executive officers. Once we are retained by a client to conduct a search, we assemble a team comprised of consultants with appropriate geographic, industry and functional expertise. Our search consultants serve as management advisors who work closely with the client in identifying, assessing and placing qualified candidates. In fiscal 2011, we executed 11,501 executive recruitment assignments.
 
We utilize a unique, standardized approach to placing talent that integrates scientific research with our practical experience. Providing a more complete view of the candidate than is otherwise possible, our proprietary tools are statistically proven to generate better results in identifying the right person for the position. We call our executive recruitment methodology The Korn/Ferry Advantage.
 
We emphasize a close working relationship with the client and a comprehensive understanding of the client’s business issues, strategy and culture, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the skills necessary to succeed within a client’s organization. Initially, the search team consults with the client to better understand its history, culture, structure, expectations, challenges, future direction and operations. In these meetings, the team identifies the specific needs of the client and develops a profile of an ideal candidate for the position using our proprietary Leadership Sort System, which allows clients to select the desired leadership characteristics for specific roles. Early in the process, the team also works with the client to develop the general parameters of a compensation package that will attract highly qualified candidates.
 
Once the position is defined and outlined via an enhanced job specification that embodies the desired leadership characteristics, a research team identifies through the use of our proprietary databases and other information resources, companies in related industries facing similar issues and with operating characteristics similar to those of the client. In addition, the team consults with its established network of resources and searches our databases containing profiles of approximately five million executives to assist in identifying individuals with the right background, cultural fit and abilities. These sources are a critical element in assessing the marketplace.
 
An original list of candidates is carefully screened through phone interviews, video conferences and in-person meetings, using our proprietary behavioral interviewing approach. Candidates also complete Search AssessmentSM, a behavioral mapping tool that provides clients with insights into how candidates will lead, how they will approach and solve complex problems, what their emotional profile is likely to be and what motivates them to succeed. The client is then presented final qualified candidates to interview. We conduct due diligence and background verification of the candidate throughout the process, at times with the assistance of an independent third party.
 
The finalist for the position will usually meet with the client for a second and possibly a third round of discussions. At this point, the compensation package will have been discussed in detail, increasing the likelihood that an offer will be accepted. Generally, the search consultants will participate in the negotiations until a final offer is made and accepted. Throughout the process, ongoing communication with the client is critical to keep client management apprised of progress.
 
Industry Specialization.  Consultants in our five global markets and one regional specialty practice groups bring an in-depth understanding of the market conditions and strategic management issues faced by clients within their specific industry and geography. We are continually looking to expand our specialized expertise through internal development and strategic hiring in targeted growth areas.


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Percentage of Fiscal 2011 Assignments by Industry Specialization
 
         
Global Markets:
       
Industrial
    28 %
Financial Services
    18 %
Consumer
    18 %
Technology
    15 %
Life Sciences/Healthcare Provider
    16 %
Regional Specialties:
       
Education/Not-for-Profit
    5 %
 
Functional Expertise.  We have organized executive recruitment centers of functional expertise, composed of consultants who have extensive backgrounds in placing executives in certain functions, such as board directors, CEOs and other senior executive officers. Our Board & CEO Services group, for example, focuses exclusively on placing CEOs and board directors in organizations around the world. This is a dedicated team from the most senior ranks of the Company. Their work is with CEOs and in the board room, and their expertise is organizational leadership and governance. They conduct hundreds of engagements every year, tapping talent from every corner of the globe. This work spans all ranges of organizational scale and purpose. Members of functional groups are located throughout our regions and across our industry groups.
 
Percentage of Fiscal 2011 Assignments by Functional Expertise
 
         
Board Level/CEO/CFO/Senior Executive and General Management
    72 %
Marketing and Sales
    10 %
Human Resources and Administration
    6 %
Manufacturing/Engineering/Research and Development/Technology
    6 %
Finance and Control
    4 %
Information Systems
    2 %
 
Regions
 
North America — We opened our first office in Los Angeles in 1969, and currently have 23 offices throughout the United States and Canada. In fiscal 2011, the region generated fee revenue of $376.0 million from 4,846 assignments billed, with an average of 229 consultants.
 
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) — We opened our first European office in London in 1972, and currently have 19 offices in 17 countries throughout the region. In fiscal 2011, the region generated fee revenue of $155.8 million from 3,678 assignments billed, with an average of 136 consultants.
 
Asia Pacific — We opened our first Asia Pacific office in Tokyo in 1973, and currently have 18 offices in 10 countries throughout the region. In fiscal 2011, the region generated fee revenue of $90.3 million from 2,058 assignments billed, with an average of 91 consultants.
 
South America — We opened our first South America office in Brazil in 1974. As of April 30, 2011, we operate a network of seven offices in six countries covering the entire South American region. The region, generated fee revenue of $32.0 million in fiscal 2011 from 919 assignments billed, with an average of 18 consultants.
 
Mexico — We expanded our practice to Mexico through the 1977 acquisition of a less than 50% interest in a Mexico City company. We currently conduct operations in two offices in Mexico through a subsidiary in which we hold a minority interest. Our share of the net earnings from our Mexico subsidiary was $1.9 million and $0.1 million for the years ended April 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and is included in equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries on the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Client Base.  Our 4,736 clients include many of the world’s largest and most prestigious public and private companies, with 47% of the FORTUNE 500 companies being clients in fiscal 2011. In fiscal 2011, no single client


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represented more than 2% of fee revenue. We have established strong client loyalty with 78% of the executive recruitment assignments performed during fiscal 2011 on behalf of clients for whom we had conducted assignments in the previous three fiscal years.
 
Competition.  We are a premier global provider of talent management solutions. Other multinational executive recruitment firms include Egon Zehnder International, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., Russell Reynolds Associates and Spencer Stuart. Although these firms are our largest competitors, we also compete with smaller boutique firms that specialize in specific regional, industry or functional searches. We believe our brand name, differentiated business model, systematic approach to client service, cutting-edge technology, global network, prestigious clientele, strong specialty practices and high-caliber colleagues are recognized worldwide. We also believe that our long-term incentive compensation arrangements, as well as other executive benefits, distinguish us from most of our competitors and are important in attracting and retaining our key consultants.
 
Leadership and Talent Consulting Services.  In fiscal 2009, we consolidated our strategic management assessment and executive coaching and development services under the new name Leadership and Talent Consulting to more accurately reflect the array of solutions we now offer and to accommodate further growth. We have made significant investments in these service areas with the acquisitions of Lominger Limited, Inc. and Lominger Consulting (the “Lominger Entities”) and LeaderSource in fiscal 2007, Lore International in fiscal 2009 and SENSA Solutions in fiscal 2010. Our comprehensive blend of talent management offerings assists clients with the ongoing assessment and development of their senior executives and management teams, and addresses five fundamental needs:
 
1. Board effectiveness;
 
2. Leadership development and enterprise learning;
 
3. Organization transformation;
 
4. Integrated talent management; and
 
5. CEO & senior management effectiveness.
 
Each of Korn/Ferry’s solutions is delivered by an experienced team of leadership consultants, a global network of top executive coaches and the intellectual property of research-based, time-tested leadership assessment and developmental tools.
 
Talent Acquisition Solutions — Futurestep
 
Overview.  Founded in 1998 as Korn/Ferry’s scalable, outsourced recruitment subsidiary, Futurestep offers clients a portfolio of talent acquisition solutions, including RPO, talent acquisition consulting services, project-based recruitment, and mid-level recruitment. Each Futurestep engagement leverages a world-class global recruitment process and best-in-class technology to maximize and measure quality.
 
Futurestep combines traditional recruitment expertise with a multi-tiered portfolio of talent acquisition solutions. Futurestep consultants, based in 15 countries, have access to our databases of pre-screened, mid-level professionals. Our global candidate pool complements our international presence and multi-channel sourcing strategy to aid speed, efficiency and quality service for clients worldwide.
 
Futurestep consulting services help companies reduce costs and boost efficiency for talent management processes, evaluate and select service and technology vendors, establish objectives and metrics for success, and implement and optimize talent programs and systems. Through our services, and through the consulting expertise of The Newman Group, acquired by Futurestep in fiscal 2008, we help companies align people, processes and technology.
 
RPO solutions provide the expertise, services and support to help clients address strategic and operational challenges related to talent acquisition. Futurestep can act as or augment, the clients’ recruitment function.
 
Project-based recruitment solutions offer a proven, outsourced approach for augmenting and optimizing a company’s talent acquisition strategy to manage multiple hires within a specific timeframe. Consultants use our


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proprietary recruitment methodology to deliver seamless, workflow-driven talent acquisition strategies that enable clients to secure the right talent, quickly and effectively.
 
Futurestep’s mid-level recruitment service uses multiple sourcing channels, validated cultural assessments and our global database of more than two million pre-screened professionals to offer a low overhead approach that accelerates the recruitment process and provides a diverse, qualified set of mid-level candidates matched with specific cultural and strategic requirements.
 
Regions.  We opened our first Futurestep office in Los Angeles in May 1998. In January 2000, we acquired the Executive Search & Selection business of PA Consulting with operations in Europe and Asia Pacific. As of April 30, 2011, we had Futurestep operations in seven cities in North America, eight in Europe and 12 in Asia Pacific.
 
Competition.  Futurestep primarily competes for business with other RPO providers such as Spherion, KellyOCG and The RightThing and competes for search assignments with regional contingency recruitment firms and large national retained recruitment firms.
 
For talent acquisition and management consulting services, Futurestep competes with boutique consulting providers such as HRchitect and Knowledge Infusion and larger consulting firms such as Accenture, Aon Hewitt and Towers Watson.
 
Professional Staff and Employees
 
As of April 30, 2011, we had a total of 2,463 full-time employees. Of this, 1,774 were executive recruitment employees consisting of 471 consultants, 1,131 associates, researchers, administrative and support staff, and 172 LTC professionals. In addition, we had 15 consultants in our unconsolidated Mexico office. Futurestep had 628 employees as of April 30, 2011, consisting of 162 consultants and 466 administrative and support staff. Corporate had 61 professionals at April 30, 2011. We are not party to a collective bargaining agreement and consider our relations with our employees to be good. Korn/Ferry is an equal opportunity employer.
 
In Executive Recruitment, senior associates, associates and researchers support the efforts of our consultants with candidate sourcing and identification, but do not generally lead assignments. We have training and professional development programs. Promotion to senior client partner is based on a variety of factors, including demonstrated superior execution and business development skills, the ability to identify solutions to complex issues, personal and professional ethics, a thorough understanding of the market and the ability to develop and help build effective teams. In addition, we have a program for recruiting experienced professionals into our Company.
 
The following table provides information relating to each of our business segments for fiscal 2011. Financial information regarding our business segments for fiscal 2010 and 2009 and additional information for fiscal 2011 is contained in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
                                 
          Operating
    Number of
    Number of
 
    Fee
    Income
    Offices as of
    Consultants as of
 
    Revenue     (Loss)     April 30, 2011     April 30, 2011  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Executive Recruitment:
                               
North America
  $ 375,971     $ 80,685       23       225  
EMEA
    155,782       11,628       19       132  
Asia Pacific
    90,346       11,611       18       95  
South America
    31,959       7,475       7       19  
                                 
Total Executive Recruitment
    654,058       111,399       67       471  
Futurestep(1)
    90,191       4,955       9       162  
Corporate
          (30,569 )            
                                 
Total
  $ 744,249     $ 85,785       76       633  
                                 
 
 
(1) Futurestep partially occupies 19 of the executive recruitment offices globally in 15 countries.


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The following table provides information on fee revenues for each of the last three fiscal years attributable to the geographical regions in which the Company operates:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
Fee Revenue:
                       
United States
  $ 365,919     $ 270,859     $ 305,472  
Canada
    45,313       32,115       41,861  
EMEA
    183,373       157,376       172,899  
Asia Pacific
    117,685       88,004       93,668  
South America
    31,959       24,026       24,323  
                         
Total
  $ 744,249     $ 572,380     $ 638,223  
                         
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
The risks described below are the material risks facing our Company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.
 
Competition in our industry could result in us losing market share and/or require us to charge lower prices for services, which could reduce our revenue.
 
We compete for executive recruitment business with numerous executive recruitment firms and businesses that provide job placement services, including other large global executive search firms, smaller specialty firms and internet-based firms. Traditional executive recruitment competitors include Egon Zehnder International, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., Russell Reynolds Associates and Spencer Stuart. In each of our markets, our competitors may possess greater resources, greater name recognition and longer operating histories than we do, which may give them an advantage in obtaining future clients and attracting qualified professionals in these markets. Additionally, specialty firms can focus on regional or functional markets or on particular industries. There are no extensive barriers to entry into the executive recruitment industry and new recruiting firms continue to enter the market. We believe the continuing development and increased availability of information technology will continue to attract new competitors, especially Internet-enabled professional and social networking website providers. As these providers continue to evolve, they may develop offerings similar to or more expansive than ours, thereby increasing competition for our services or more broadly causing disruption in the executive recruitment industry. Increased competition, whether as a result of these professional and social networking website providers or traditional executive recruitment firms, may lead to pricing pressures that could negatively impact our business. For example, increased competition could require us to charge lower prices, and/or cause us to lose market share, each of which could reduce our fee revenue.
 
If we fail to attract and retain qualified and experienced consultants, our revenue could decline and our business could be harmed.
 
We compete with other executive recruitment firms for qualified and experienced consultants. Attracting and retaining consultants in our industry is particularly important because, generally, a small number of consultants have primary responsibility for a client relationship. Because client responsibility is so concentrated, the loss of key consultants may lead to the loss of client relationships. In 2011, for example, our top three executive search consultants had primary responsibility for generating business equal to approximately 3% of our net revenues, and our top ten executive search consultants had primary responsibility for generating business equal to approximately 7% of our net revenues. This risk is heightened due to the general portability of a consultant’s business. Any decrease in the quality of our reputation, reduction in our compensation levels relative to our peers or restructuring of our compensation program, whether as a result of insufficient revenue, a decline in the market price of our common stock or for any other reason, could impair our ability to retain existing consultants or attract additional qualified consultants with the requisite experience, skills and established client relationships. Our failure to retain our most


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productive consultants or maintain the quality of service to which our clients are accustomed and the ability of a departing consultant to move business to his or her new employer could result in a loss of clients, which could in turn cause our fee revenue to decline and our business to be harmed. We may also lose clients if the departing executive search consultant has widespread name recognition or a reputation as a specialist in executing searches in a specific industry or management function. Although our employment contracts prohibit former executive search consultants from soliciting any of our employees for a period of one year, we may lose additional executive search consultants if they choose to join the departing executive search consultant at another executive search firm. If we fail to limit departing executive search consultants from moving business or recruiting our executive search consultants to a competitor, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
 
Global economic developments and the conditions in the geographic regions and the industries from which we derive a significant portion of our fee revenue could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Demand for our services is affected by global economic conditions and the general level of economic activity in the geographic regions and industries in which we operate. When conditions in the global economy, including the credit markets, deteriorate, or economic activity slows, many companies hire fewer permanent employees and some companies, as a cost-saving measure, choose to rely on their own human resources departments rather than third-party search firms to find talent, which negatively affects our financial condition and results of operations, as evidenced by our results of operations for 2009 and 2010. During the recent economic downturn, our fee revenue significantly decreased from $790.6 million in fiscal 2008 to $572.4 million in fiscal 2010. While the economic activity in the regions and industries in which we operate has shown improvement recently, economic conditions remain uncertain. If such uncertainty persists or if the national or global economy or credit market conditions in general were to deteriorate, such uncertainty or changes could put additional negative pressure on demand for our services, resulting in lower cash flows and a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
If we are unable to retain our executive officers and key personnel, or integrate new members of our senior management who are critical to our business, we may not be able to successfully manage our business in the future.
 
Our future success depends upon the continued service of our executive officers and other key management personnel. If we lose the services of one or more of our executives or key employees, or if one or more of them decides to join a competitor or otherwise compete directly or indirectly with us, or if we are unable to integrate new members of our senior management who are critical to our business, we may not be able to successfully manage our business or achieve our business objectives.
 
If we are unable to maintain our professional reputation and brand name, our business will be harmed.
 
We depend on our overall reputation and brand name recognition to secure new engagements and to hire qualified professionals. Our success also depends on the individual reputations of our professionals. We obtain a majority of our new engagements from existing clients or from referrals by those clients. Any client who is dissatisfied with our assignments can adversely affect our ability to secure new engagements.
 
If any factor, including poor performance, hurts our reputation, we may experience difficulties in competing successfully for both new engagements and qualified consultants. Failing to maintain our professional reputation and the goodwill associated with our brand name could seriously harm our business.
 
We are subject to potential legal liability from clients, employees and candidates for employment. Insurance coverage may not be available to cover all of our potential liability and available coverage may not be sufficient to cover all claims that we may incur.
 
Our ability to obtain liability insurance, its coverage levels, deductibles and premiums are all dependent on market factors, our loss history and insurers’ perception of our overall risk profile. We are exposed to potential claims with respect to the executive recruitment process. For example, a client could assert a claim for matters such as breach of an off-limit agreement or recommending a candidate who subsequently proves to be unsuitable for the


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position filled. Further, the current employer of a candidate whom we placed could file a claim against us alleging interference with an employment contract. In addition, a candidate could assert an action against us for failure to maintain the confidentiality of the candidate’s employment search or for alleged discrimination, violations of employment law or other matters. Further, in various countries, we are subject to data protection laws impacting the processing of candidate information. We cannot ensure that our insurance will cover all claims or that insurance coverage will be available at economically acceptable rates. Significant uninsured liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We rely heavily on our information systems and if we lose that technology, or fail to further develop our technology, our business could be harmed.
 
Our success depends in large part upon our ability to store, retrieve, process, manage and protect substantial amounts of information. To achieve our strategic objectives and to remain competitive, we must continue to develop and enhance our information systems. This may require the acquisition of equipment and software and the development of new proprietary software, either internally or through independent consultants. If we are unable to design, develop, implement and utilize, in a cost-effective manner, information systems that provide the capabilities necessary for us to compete effectively, or for any reason any interruption or loss of our information processing capabilities occurs, this could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
We face risks associated with social and political instability, legal requirements, economic conditions and currency fluctuations in our international operations.
 
We operate in 35 countries and during the year ended April 30, 2011, generated 45% of our fee revenue from operations outside of North America. We are exposed to the risk of changes in social, political, legal and economic conditions inherent in international operations. Examples of risks inherent in transacting business worldwide that we are exposed to include:
 
  •  changes in and compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements;
 
  •  difficulties in staffing and managing global operations;
 
  •  social and political instability;
 
  •  fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
 
  •  statutory equity requirements;
 
  •  repatriation controls; and
 
  •  potential adverse tax consequences.
 
We have no hedging or similar foreign currency contracts and therefore fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies could impact our global operations. We cannot ensure that one or more of these factors will not harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
We may be limited in our ability to recruit employees from our clients and we could lose those opportunities to our competition, which could harm our business.
 
Either by agreement with clients, or for client relations or marketing purposes, we sometimes refrain from, for a specified period of time, recruiting candidates from a client when conducting searches on behalf of other clients. These off-limit agreements can generally remain in effect for up to two years following completion of an assignment. The duration and scope of the off-limit agreement, including whether it covers all operations of the client and its affiliates or only certain divisions of a client, generally are subject to negotiation or internal policies and may depend on factors such as the scope, size and complexity of the client’s business, the length of the client relationship and the frequency with which we have been engaged to perform executive searches for the client. If a prospective client believes that we are overly restricted by these off-limit agreements from recruiting employees of our existing clients, these prospective clients may not engage us to perform their executive searches. Therefore, our inability to recruit candidates from these clients may make it difficult for us to obtain search assignments from,


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or to fulfill search assignments for, other companies in that client’s industry. We cannot ensure that off-limit agreements will not impede our growth or our ability to attract and serve new clients, or otherwise harm our business.
 
We have provisions that make an acquisition of us more difficult and expensive.
 
Anti-takeover provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and under Delaware law make it more difficult and expensive for us to be acquired in a transaction that is not approved by our Board of Directors. Some of the provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws include:
 
  •  a classified Board of Directors;
 
  •  limitations on the removal of directors;
 
  •  limitation on stockholder actions;
 
  •  advance notification requirements for director nominations and actions to be taken at stockholder meetings; and
 
  •  the ability to issue one or more series of preferred stock by action of our Board of Directors.
 
These provisions could discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction in which stockholders could receive a premium over the current market price for the common stock.
 
We have deferred tax assets that we may not be able to use under certain circumstances.
 
If we are unable to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain jurisdictions, or if there is a significant change in the time period within which the underlying temporary differences become taxable or deductible, we could be required to increase our valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets. This would result in an increase in our effective tax rate, and an adverse effect on our future operating results. In addition, changes in statutory tax rates may also change our deferred tax assets or liability balances, with either a favorable or unfavorable impact on our effective tax rate. Our deferred tax assets may also be impacted by new legislation or regulation.
 
An impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets could negatively impact our consolidated results of operations and net worth.
 
Goodwill is initially recorded at fair value and is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment at least annually or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. In assessing the carrying value of goodwill, we make estimates and assumptions about revenues, operating margins, growth rates, and discount rates based on our business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and marketplace data. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying these factors. Goodwill valuations have been calculated using an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows of each reporting unit and a market approach. We could be required to evaluate the carrying value of goodwill prior to the annual assessment if we experience further unexpected significant declines in operating results, or sustained market capitalization declines. These types of events and the resulting analyses could result in goodwill impairment charges in the future. Impairment charges could substantially affect our results of operations and net worth in the periods of such charges.
 
Acquisitions may have an adverse effect on our business.
 
While we may, under certain circumstances, pursue acquisitions in the future, we may not be able to consummate such acquisitions on satisfactory terms or integrate the acquired businesses effectively and profitably into our existing operations. To the extent we consummate any acquisitions, our future success may depend in part on our ability to complete the integration of the acquisition target successfully into our operations. Failure to successfully integrate new employees and complementary businesses may adversely affect our profitability by creating operating inefficiencies that could increase operating expenses as a percentage of net revenues and reduce


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operating income. Further, after any acquisition, the acquired businesses’ clients may choose not to move their business to us causing an adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We may not be able to align our cost structure with our revenue level.
 
We must ensure that our costs and workforce continue to be in proportion to demand for our services. Any failure to maintain a balance between our cost structure and headcount and our revenue could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and lead to negative cash flows, which in turn might require us to obtain additional financing to meet our capital needs.
 
We may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available at all or may be available only on unfavorable terms.
 
Future adverse changes in the Company’s revenue could require us to institute cost cutting measures. To the extent our efforts are insufficient, we may incur negative cash flows. If such conditions persist over an extended period of time, it might require us to obtain financing to meet our capital needs. If we are unable to secure financing on favorable terms or at all, our ability to fund our operations could be impaired, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
We invest in marketable securities classified as trading and available for sale and if the market value of these securities declines materially, they could have an adverse affect on our earnings.
 
Marketable securities consist of mutual funds and investments in corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury and agency securities and commercial paper. The primary objectives of the mutual funds are to meet the obligations under certain of our deferred compensation plans, while the other securities are available for general corporate purposes. If the financial markets in which these securities trade were to materially decline in value, the unrealized losses and potential realized losses could negatively impact the Company’s reported financial results.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 2.   Properties
 
Our corporate office is located in Los Angeles, California. We lease all 76 of our executive recruitment and Futurestep offices located in North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and South America. As of April 30, 2011, we leased an aggregate of approximately 783,681 square feet of office space. The leases generally are for terms of one to 15 years and contain customary terms and conditions. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our current needs and we do not anticipate any difficulty replacing such facilities or locating additional facilities to accommodate any future growth.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
From time to time, we are involved in litigation both as a plaintiff and a defendant, relating to claims arising out of our operations. As of the date of this report, we are not engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.


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Item 4.   Removed and Reserved
 
Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
             
Name   Age   Position
 
Gary D. Burnison
    50    
President and Chief Executive Officer
Michael A. DiGregorio
    56    
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Ana Dutra
    47    
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Leadership and Talent Consulting
Byrne Mulrooney
    50    
Chief Executive Officer, Futurestep
 
Our executive officers serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors. There is no family relationship between any executive officer or director. The following information sets forth the business experience for at least the past five years for each of our executive officers.
 
Gary D. Burnison has been President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2007. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from March 2002 until June 30, 2007 and Chief Operating Officer from November 2003 until June 30, 2007. Prior to joining Korn/Ferry, Mr. Burnison was Principal and Chief Financial Officer of Guidance Solutions, a privately held consulting firm, from 1999 to 2001. Prior to that, he served as an executive officer and a member of the board of directors of Jefferies and Company, an investment bank and brokerage firm, from 1995 to 1999. Earlier, Mr. Burnison was a partner at KPMG Peat Marwick.
 
Michael A. DiGregorio joined the Company in June 2009 as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Korn/Ferry, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of St. John Knits International, Inc., a luxury women’s apparel company, from 2006 to 2009. Prior to joining St. John Knits International, Inc. Mr. DiGregorio served in various capacities at Jafra Cosmetics International, Inc., a multi-level direct sales company, serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1999 to 2004, President and Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Operations from 1998 to 1999, and General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of the company’s operations in Mexico from 1997 to 1998. He started his career at Touche, Ross and Company, a public accounting firm. Mr. DiGregorio received both a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
 
Ana Dutra has been Executive Vice President of Korn/Ferry and Chief Executive Officer of Leadership and Talent Consulting since February 2008. She is responsible for driving the global growth of our Leadership and Talent Consulting services, including our Lominger and LeaderSource companies. Prior to joining Korn/Ferry, Ms. Dutra led the global organization and change strategy practice at Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, from 2005 to 2008. Before this role, she led the organizational transformation practice at Mercer Management Consulting from 2001 to 2005. Earlier, Ms. Dutra was with Marakon Associates, CSC Index, Booz Allen Hamilton and IBM Consulting Group.
 
Byrne Mulrooney joined the Company in April 2010 as Chief Executive Officer of Futurestep. Prior to joining Korn/Ferry, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Flynn Transportation Services, a third party logistics company, from 2007 to 2010. Prior to that, he led Spherion’s workforce solutions business in North America, which provides workforce solutions in professional services and general staffing, including recruitment process outsourcing and managed services, from 2003 to 2007. Mr. Mulrooney has held executive positions for almost 20 years at EDS and IBM in client services, sales, marketing and operations. Mr. Mulrooney is a graduate of Villanova University in Pennsylvania. He holds a master’s degree in management from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.


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PART II.
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Common Stock
 
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KFY.” The following table sets forth the high and low sales price per share of the common stock for the periods indicated, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange:
 
                 
    High   Low
 
Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2011
               
First Quarter
  $ 16.68     $ 12.99  
Second Quarter
  $ 17.93     $ 12.78  
Third Quarter
  $ 24.00     $ 16.85  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 24.77     $ 19.34  
Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2010
               
First Quarter
  $ 14.29     $ 9.43  
Second Quarter
  $ 17.28     $ 12.57  
Third Quarter
  $ 18.00     $ 14.31  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 18.62     $ 14.65  
 
On June 27, 2011 the last reported sales price on the New York Stock Exchange for the Company’s common stock was $21.19 per share and there were approximately 6,200 beneficial holders of the Company’s common stock.


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Performance Graph
 
We have presented below a graph comparing the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company’s shares with the cumulative total stockholder return on (1) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and (2) a company-established peer group. The following graph compares the monthly percentage change in the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return with the cumulative total return of the companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and a peer group constructed by us. Cumulative total return for each of the periods shown in the performance graph is measured assuming an initial investment of $100 on April 30, 2006 and the reinvestment of any dividends paid by any company in the peer group on the date the dividends were declared.
 
In fiscal 2011, we established a new peer group comprised of a broad number of publicly traded companies, which are principally or in significant part involved in either professional staffing or consulting. The new peer group is comprised of the following 16 companies: CBIZ, Inc. (CBZ), FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN), Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (HSII), Huron Consulting Group Inc. (HURN), ICF International, Inc. (ICFI), Insperity, Inc. (NSP), Kelly Services, Inc. (KELYA), Kforce Inc. (KFRC), Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NCI), Resources Connection, Inc. (RECN), Robert Half International Inc. (RHI), SFN Group, Inc. (SFN), The Corporate Executive Board Company (EXBD), The Dun & Bradsheet Corporation (DNB), Towers Watson & Co. (TW) and TrueBlue, Inc. (TBI). We believe this group of professional services firms, is more reflective of similar sized companies in terms of our market capitalization, revenue or profitability, and therefore provides a more meaningful comparison of stock performance. The returns of each company have been weighted according to their respective stock market capitalization at the beginning of each measurement period for purposes of arriving at a peer group average.
 
The old peer group, presented for comparative purposes, consists of Caldwell Partners International Inc. (CWL/A CN), Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (HSII) and Hudson Highland Group (HHGP). This smaller group consists of publicly traded companies primarily engaged in executive recruiting or professional level staffing and recruiting.
 
The stock price performance depicted in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. This graph will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating this Form 10-K into any filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed soliciting material or deemed filed under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


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COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL, THE S&P 500 INDEX,
AN OLD PEER GROUP AND A NEW PEER GROUP
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
* $100 invested on 4/30/06 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending April 30.
 
Copyright© 2011, Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.researchdatagroup.com/S&P.htm
 
Dividends and Stock Repurchases
 
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock since April 30, 1996 and do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The Board of Directors has authorized the Company to repurchase up to $175.0 million of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock pursuant to issuer repurchase programs. Since the initial authorization on December 7, 2005 through April 30, 2011, we have repurchased approximately $150.6 million of the Company’s common stock under these programs. Our future dividend policy as well as any decision to execute our currently outstanding issuer repurchase programs will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Our credit facility does not restrict our ability to pay dividends.
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
The following table summarizes common stock repurchased by us during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011:
 
                                 
                      Approximate Dollar
 
                      Value of Shares
 
                Shares Purchased
    that may Yet be
 
                as Part of Publicly-
    Purchased Under
 
    Shares
    Average Price
    Announced Programs
    the Programs
 
    Purchased(1)     Paid per Share     (2), (3), (4) and(5)     (2), (3), (4) and (5)  
 
February 1, 2011 — February 28, 2011
    951     $ 23.98           $ 24.4 million  
March 1, 2011 — March 31, 2011
    16,189     $ 22.47           $ 24.4 million  
April 1, 2011 — April 30, 2011
    1,806     $ 22.31           $ 24.4 million  
                                 
Total
    18,946     $ 22.53                
                                 


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(1) Represents withholding of a portion of restricted shares to cover taxes upon vesting of restricted shares.
 
(2) On December 7, 2005, the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $50 million of the Company’s common stock in a common stock repurchase program. The shares can be repurchased in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion.
 
(3) On June 8, 2006, the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of an additional $25 million of the Company’s common stock in a common stock repurchase program. The shares can be repurchased in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion.
 
(4) On March 6, 2007, the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of an additional $50 million of the Company’s common stock in a common stock repurchase program. The shares can be repurchased in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion.
 
(5) On November 2, 2007, the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of an additional $50 million of the Company’s common stock in a common stock repurchase program. The shares can be repurchased in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion.


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The following selected financial data are qualified by reference to, and should be read together with, our “Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected statement of operations data set forth below for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and the selected balance sheet data as of April 30, 2011 and 2010 are derived from our consolidated financial statements, audited by Ernst & Young LLP appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The selected balance sheet data as of April 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and the selected statement of operations data set forth below for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2008 and 2007 are derived from consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which are not included in this Form 10-K report and were audited by Ernst & Young LLP.
 
                                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  
    (In thousands, except per share data and other operating data)  
 
Selected Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Fee revenue
  $ 744,249     $ 572,380     $ 638,223     $ 790,570     $ 653,422  
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses
    32,002       27,269       37,905       45,072       35,779  
                                         
Total revenue
    776,251       599,649       676,128       835,642       689,201  
Compensation and benefits
    507,405       413,340       442,632       540,056       447,692  
General and administrative expenses
    116,494       115,280       126,882       134,542       105,312  
Out-of-pocket engagement expenses
    51,766       41,585       49,388       58,750       44,662  
Depreciation and amortization
    12,671       11,493       11,583       10,441       9,280  
Restructuring charges, net(1)
    2,130       20,673       41,915              
                                         
Total operating expenses
    690,466       602,371       672,400       743,789       606,946  
                                         
Operating income (loss)
    85,785       (2,722 )     3,728       91,853       82,255  
Other income (loss), net
    6,454       10,066       (14,738 )     4,656       2,524  
Interest (expense) income, net
    (2,535 )     (2,622 )     (1,063 )     2,481       (2,280 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    32,692       (485 )     384       36,081       30,164  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net
    1,862       91       2,365       3,302       3,163  
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 58,874     $ 5,298     $ (10,092 )   $ 66,211     $ 55,498  
                                         
Basic earning (loss) per share
  $ 1.30     $ 0.12     $ (0.23 )   $ 1.50     $ 1.40  
Diluted earning (loss) per share
  $ 1.27     $ 0.12     $ (0.23 )   $ 1.46     $ 1.24  
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
    45,205       44,413       43,522       44,012       39,774  
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    46,280       45,457       43,522       45,528       46,938  
Other Operating Data:
                                       
Fee revenue by business segment:
                                       
Executive recruitment:
                                       
North America
  $ 375,971     $ 278,746     $ 309,514     $ 374,891     $ 329,065  
EMEA
    155,782       137,497       143,184       183,042       146,155  
Asia Pacific
    90,346       64,132       66,332       95,915       74,987  
South America
    31,959       24,026       24,323       25,556       17,426  
                                         
Total executive recruitment
    654,058       504,401       543,353       679,404       567,633  
Futurestep
    90,191       67,979       94,870       111,166       85,789  
                                         
Total fee revenue
  $ 744,249     $ 572,380     $ 638,223     $ 790,570     $ 653,422  
                                         
Number of offices (at period end)
    76       76       78       89       82  
Number of consultants (at period end)
    633       627       615       684       601  
Number of new engagements opened
    11,854       9,794       9,630       11,106       10,415  
Selected Balance Sheet Data as of April 30:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 246,856     $ 219,233     $ 255,000     $ 305,296     $ 226,137  
Marketable securities(2)
    122,231       77,219       75,255       83,966       98,130  
Working capital(3)
    207,731       182,781       198,250       196,259       193,716  
Total assets
    971,680       827,098       740,879       880,214       761,491  
Total stockholders’ equity
    578,337       491,342       459,099       496,134       432,955  


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(1) During fiscal 2011, we increased our previously recorded restructuring charges by $2.1 million, which primarily relates to higher facility lease costs than originally estimated. During fiscal 2010, our restructuring initiatives resulted in restructuring charges of $25.8 million against operations, of which $16.0 million and $9.8 million related to severance costs and the consolidation of premises, respectively. These restructuring charges were partially offset by $5.1 million of reductions from previous restructuring charges resulting in net restructuring costs of $20.7 million during fiscal 2010. During fiscal 2009, the restructuring charges were comprised of severance charges of $26.9 million and facilities charges of $15.0 million.
 
(2) As of April 30, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s marketable securities included $71.4 million, $69.0 million, $60.8 million, $63.5 million and $41.6 million, respectively, held in trust for settlement of the Company’s obligations under certain of its deferred compensation plans.
 
(3) The amounts reported have been conformed to current year presentation.
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Forward-looking Statements
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain certain statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, “forward-looking” statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “may,” “will,” “likely,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement. The principal risk factors that could cause actual performance and future actions to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, dependence on attracting and retaining qualified and experienced consultants, maintaining our brand name and professional reputation, potential legal liability, portability of client relationships, global and local political or economic developments in or affecting countries where we have operations, currency fluctuations in our international operations, risks related to growth, restrictions imposed by off-limits agreements, competition, reliance on information processing systems, our ability to enhance and develop new technology, employment liability risk, an impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, deferred tax assets that we may not be able to use, our ability to develop new products and services, alignment of our cost structure to our growth, risks related to the integration of recently acquired businesses and the matters disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Exchange Act reports, including Item 1A included in this Annual Report. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are made only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and we undertake no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
 
The following presentation of management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Executive Summary
 
Korn/Ferry International (referred to herein as the “Company,” “Korn/Ferry,” or in the first person notations “we,” “our,” and “us”) is a premier global provider of talent management solutions that helps clients to attract, deploy, develop and reward their talent. We are the premier provider of executive recruitment, leadership and talent consulting and talent acquisition solutions, with the broadest global presence in the recruitment industry. Our services include Executive Recruitment, middle-management recruitment (through Futurestep), Recruitment Process Outsourcing (“RPO”), Leadership and Talent Consulting (“LTC”) and executive coaching. Approximately 72% of the executive recruitment searches we performed in fiscal 2011 were for board level, chief executive and other senior executive and general management positions. Our 4,736 clients in fiscal 2011 included many of the world’s largest and most prestigious public and private companies, including approximately 47% of the FORTUNE 500, middle market and emerging growth companies, as well as government and nonprofit organizations. We have


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built strong client loyalty with 78% of the executive recruitment assignments performed during fiscal 2011 on behalf of clients for whom we had conducted assignments in the previous three fiscal years.
 
In an effort to maintain our long-term strategy of being the leading provider of talent management solutions, our strategic focus for fiscal 2012 centers upon enhancing the integration of our multi-service strategy. We plan to continue to address areas of increasing client demand, including RPO and LTC. We further plan to explore new products and services, continue to pursue a disciplined acquisition strategy, enhance our technology and processes and aggressively leverage our brand through thought leadership and intellectual capital projects as a means of delivering world-class service to our clients.
 
Fee revenue increased $171.9 million in fiscal 2011 to $744.3 million compared to $572.4 million fiscal 2010, with increases in fee revenue in all regions of Executive Recruitment and Futurestep. The North America region in executive recruitment experienced the largest dollar increase in fee revenue. During fiscal 2011, we recorded consolidated operating income of $85.8 million, with the Executive Recruitment and Futurestep segments contributing $111.4 million and $5.0 million, respectively, offset by corporate expenses of $30.6 million. This represents an increase of $88.5 million in fiscal 2011, from an operating loss of $2.7 million in fiscal 2010.
 
Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities increased by $72.6 million, or 24%, to $369.1 million at April 30, 2011 compared to $296.5 million at April 30, 2010, mainly due to cash provided by operating activities, partially offset by bonuses earned in fiscal 2010, which were paid in fiscal 2011. As of April 30, 2011, we held marketable securities, to settle obligations under our Executive Capital Accumulation Plan (“ECAP”), with a cost value of $64.7 million and a fair value of $71.4 million. Our working capital increased by $24.9 million in fiscal 2011 to $207.7 million. We believe that cash on hand and funds from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate requirements in the next twelve months. We had neither long-term debt nor any outstanding borrowings under our credit facility at April 30, 2011. Under our credit facility, we are required to maintain $10.0 million on account with the lender, and provides collateral for the standby letters of credit and potential future borrowings. As of April 30, 2011, we had $2.9 million of standby letters of credit issued under our facility.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements. Preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions and changes in the estimates are reported in current operations. In preparing our consolidated financial statements and accounting for the underlying transactions and balances, we apply our accounting policies as disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. We consider the policies discussed below as critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on management’s judgment. Specific risks for these critical accounting policies are described in the following paragraphs. Senior management has discussed the development and selection of the critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
Revenue Recognition.  Management is required to establish policies and procedures to ensure that revenue is recorded over the performance period for valid engagements and related costs are matched against such revenue. We provide recruitment services on a retained basis and generally bill clients in three monthly installments. Fees earned in excess of the initial contract amount are billed upon completion of the engagement, which reflects the final actual compensation of the placed executive. Since the fees are generally not contingent upon placement of a candidate, our assumptions primarily relate to establishing the period over which such service is performed. These assumptions determine the timing of revenue recognition and profitability for the reported period. If these assumptions do not accurately reflect the period over which revenue is earned, revenue and profit could differ. Any services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is fulfilled. Fee revenue from LTC services is recognized as earned. Furthermore, a provision for doubtful accounts on recognized revenue is established with a charge to general and administrative expenses based on historical loss experience, assessment of


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the collectability of specific accounts, as well as expectations of future collections based upon trends and the type of work for which services are rendered.
 
Annual Incentive Compensation.  Each quarter, management records its best estimate of its annual incentive compensation, which on a quarterly basis requires management to, among other things, project annual consultant productivity (as measured by engagement fees billed and collected by that consultant), our performance, competitive forces and future economic conditions and their impact on our results. At the end of each fiscal year, bonuses paid take into account final individual consultant productivity, our results, the achievement of strategic objectives and the results of individual performance appraisals, as determined by management, and the current economic landscape. Changes in any of the assumptions underlying the quarterly bonus accrual may significantly impact the compensation and benefits liability on our balance sheet and related compensation and benefits cost on our statement of operations. Differences between the assumptions used each quarter to estimate annual incentive compensation and actual cash payments made on an annual basis could materially impact the carrying amount of the liability and our operating results.
 
Deferred Compensation.  Estimating deferred compensation requires assumptions regarding the timing and probability of payments of benefits to participants and the discount rate. Changes in these assumptions would significantly impact the liability and related cost on our balance sheet and statement of operations. Management engages an independent actuary to periodically review these assumptions in order to ensure that they reflect the population and economics of our deferred compensation plans in all material respects and to assist us in estimating our deferred compensation liability and the related cost. The actuarial assumptions we use may differ from actual results due to changing market conditions or changes in the participant population. These differences could have a significant impact on our deferred compensation liability and the related cost.
 
Carrying Values.  Valuations are required under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) to determine the carrying value of various assets. Our most significant assets for which management is required to prepare valuations are goodwill, intangible assets and deferred income taxes. Management must identify whether events have occurred that may impact the carrying value of these assets and make assumptions regarding future events, such as cash flows and profitability. Differences between the assumptions used to prepare these valuations and actual results could materially impact the carrying amount of these assets and our operating results.
 
Results of Operations
 
The following table summarizes the results of our operations as a percentage of fee revenue:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
 
Fee revenue
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses
    4.3       4.8       5.9  
                         
Total revenue
    104.3       104.8       105.9  
Compensation and benefits
    68.2       72.2       69.3  
General and administrative expenses
    15.7       20.2       19.9  
Out-of-pocket engagement expenses
    6.9       7.3       7.7  
Depreciation and amortization
    1.7       2.0       1.8  
Restructuring charges
    0.3       3.6       6.6  
                         
Operating income (loss)
    11.5       (0.5 )     0.6  
                         
Net income (loss)
    7.9 %     0.9 %     (1.6 )%
                         


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The following tables summarize the results of our operations by business segment:
 
                                                 
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    Dollars     %     Dollars     %     Dollars     %  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Fee revenue
                                               
Executive recruitment:
                                               
North America
  $ 375,971       50.5 %   $ 278,746       48.7 %   $ 309,514       48.5 %
EMEA
    155,782       21.0       137,497       24.0       143,184       22.4  
Asia Pacific
    90,346       12.1       64,132       11.2       66,332       10.4  
South America
    31,959       4.3       24,026       4.2       24,323       3.8  
                                                 
Total executive recruitment
    654,058       87.9       504,401       88.1       543,353       85.1  
Futurestep
    90,191       12.1       67,979       11.9       94,870       14.9  
                                                 
Total fee revenue
    744,249       100.0 %     572,380       100.0 %     638,223       100.0 %
                                                 
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expense
    32,002               27,269               37,905          
                                                 
Total revenue
  $ 776,251             $ 599,649             $ 676,128          
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    Dollars     Margin(1)     Dollars     Margin(1)     Dollars     Margin(1)  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Operating income (loss)
                                               
Executive recruitment:
                                               
North America
  $ 80,685       21.5 %   $ 42,604       15.3 %   $ 37,516       12.1 %
EMEA
    11,628       7.5       (15,511 )     (11.3 )     2,061       1.4  
Asia Pacific
    11,611       12.9       7,826       12.2       5,396       8.1  
South America
    7,475       23.4       3,286       13.7       2,441       10.0  
                                                 
Total executive recruitment
    111,399       17.0       38,205       7.6       47,414       8.7  
Futurestep
    4,955       5.5       1,291       1.9       (12,003 )     (12.7 )
Corporate
    (30,569 )             (42,218 )             (31,683 )        
                                                 
Total operating income (loss)
  $ 85,785       11.5 %   $ (2,722 )     (0.5 )%   $ 3,728       0.6 %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Margin calculated as a percentage of fee revenue by business segment.
 
Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010
 
Fee Revenue
 
Fee Revenue.  Fee revenue increased $171.9 million, or 30%, to $744.3 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $572.4 million in fiscal 2010. Excluding fee revenue of $11.0 million and $3.7 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively, from the acquisition of Sensa Solutions (which we acquired on January 1, 2010), fee revenue would have been $733.3 million in fiscal 2011 and $568.7 million in fiscal 2010, an increase of $164.6 million, or 29%. The increase in fee revenue, excluding fee revenue from the acquisition of Sensa Solutions, was primarily attributable to a 24% increase in the number of engagements billed during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 and a 4% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement during the same period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenues by $4.1 million in fiscal 2011.
 
Executive Recruitment.  Executive recruitment reported fee revenue of $654.1 million, an increase of $149.7 million, or 30%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $504.4 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in executive


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recruitment fee revenue was mainly due to a 26% increase in the number of executive recruitment engagements billed in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010, and a 3% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement during the same period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenues by $2.1 million in fiscal 2011.
 
North America reported fee revenue of $376.0 million, an increase of $97.2 million, or 35%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $278.8 million in fiscal 2010. Excluding fee revenue of $11.0 million and $3.7 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively, from the acquisition of Sensa Solutions, fee revenue would have been $365.0 million and $275.1 million during the same periods, an increase of $89.9 million, or 33%. North America’s increase in fee revenue, excluding fee revenue from the Sensa acquisition, which is included in North America’s results from January 1, 2010, the effective date of the acquisition, was primarily due to a 33% increase in the number of engagements billed. The largest increase in fee revenue from fiscal 2010 to 2011 were in the industrial, financial services and technology sectors. Exchange rates favorably impacted North America fee revenue by $2.2 million in fiscal 2011.
 
EMEA reported fee revenue of $155.8 million, an increase of $18.3 million, or 13%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $137.5 million in fiscal 2010. EMEA’s increase in fee revenue was primarily driven by a 15% increase in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010, offset by a 2% decrease in weighted-average fees billed per engagement during the same period. The decrease in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement was mainly due to unfavorable exchange rates in EMEA during fiscal 2011, which unfavorably impacted EMEA fee revenue by $4.8 million. We acquired Whitehead Mann, effective, June 11, 2009, which has been fully integrated within EMEA. The performance in existing offices in the United Kingdom, Italy and France were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 with the industrial, financial services and life sciences/healthcare provider sectors experiencing the largest increases.
 
Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $90.3 million, an increase of $26.2 million, or 41%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $64.1 million in fiscal 2010 mainly due to a 26% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 12% increase in weighted-average fees billed per engagement. The increase in performance in Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Australia were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. The largest increases in fee revenue were experienced in the financial services, industrial and technology sectors. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for Asia Pacific by $4.3 million in fiscal 2011.
 
South America reported fee revenue of $32.0 million, an increase of $8.0 million, or 33%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $24.0 million in fiscal 2010 mainly due to a 30% increase in the number of engagements billed and a 2% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement. The increase in performance in Brazil was the primary contributor to the increase in fee revenue in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. The industrial, technology and financial services sectors were the primary contributors to the increase in fee revenue. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for South America by $0.4 million in fiscal 2011.
 
Futurestep.  Futurestep reported fee revenue of $90.2 million, an increase of $22.2 million, or 33%, in fiscal 2011 compared to $68.0 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in Futurestep’s fee revenue was due to a 21% increase in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010, coupled with a 10% increase in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement. The increase in Futurestep’s fee revenue consisted of North America fee revenue increase of $11.1 million, or 46%, to $35.3 million; Europe fee revenue increase of $7.7 million, or 39%, to $27.6 million and an increase in Asia Pacific fee revenue of $3.4 million, or 14%, to $27.3 million. Improvement in Futurestep fee revenue is attributed to increases in middle-management recruitment and RPO. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for Futurestep by $2.0 million in fiscal 2011.
 
Compensation and Benefits
 
Compensation and benefits expense increased $94.1 million, or 23%, to $507.4 million in fiscal 2011 from $413.3 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in compensation and benefits expenses is primarily due to an increase in the weighted-average compensation in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010, including a $53.0 million increase in the variable component of compensation and an increase in headcount of 12%. This increase was partially offset by a $2.0 million decrease of the bonus provision due to a change in the estimate of bonus payouts. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expenses by $2.9 million during fiscal 2011.


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Executive recruitment compensation and benefits expense increased $86.9 million, or 26%, to $424.9 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $338.0 million in fiscal 2010, primarily due to a $50.3 million increase in the variable component of compensation and to a lesser extent due to a 7% increase in executive recruitment headcount. Variable compensation was also lower during fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2011, due to the challenging economic conditions experienced during fiscal 2010. Executive recruitment compensation and benefits expenses as a percentage of fee revenue were 65% in fiscal 2011 compared to 67% in fiscal 2010.
 
Futurestep compensation and benefits expense increased $11.6 million, or 22%, to $64.3 million in fiscal 2011 from $52.7 million in fiscal 2010, primarily due to a 29% increase in headcount, $2.7 million increase in the variable component of compensation and $2.5 million for external contractors. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of fee revenue decreased to 71% in fiscal 2011 from 78% in fiscal 2010.
 
Corporate compensation and benefits expense decreased $4.4 million, or 20%, to $18.2 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $22.6 million in fiscal 2010, primarily due to a smaller increase in certain deferred compensation liabilities of $5.0 million during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010. We hold marketable securities, classified as trading securities, in trust for settlement of these deferred compensation obligations. The change in fair value of these marketable securities is included in other income, net, which substantially offsets the decrease in compensation and benefits expense created by the change in these deferred compensation liabilities. We have other deferred compensation retirement plans, which increased compensation and benefits expense by $2.2 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 due to a smaller increase in the cash surrender value (“CSV”) of company owned life insurance (“COLI”) during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010.
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
General and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million, or 1%, to $116.5 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $115.3 million in fiscal 2010 due to increases of $4.3 million in bad debt expense; $3.1 million in travel and meetings expense and $2.1 million in other expenses including business development and premises and office expense. Substantially offsetting these increases was a $4.9 million reduction in the estimated fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration and a $3.4 million decrease in net foreign exchange losses. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted general and administrative expenses by $0.3 million in fiscal 2011. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 16% in fiscal 2011 as compared to 20% in fiscal 2010.
 
Executive recruitment general and administrative expenses increased by $5.2 million, or 6%, to $88.6 million in fiscal 2011 from $83.4 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in general and administrative expenses was driven by increases of $3.9 million in bad debt expense, $2.4 million in travel and meetings expense and $1.4 million in business development expenses, which were offset by a $1.8 million decrease in net foreign exchange losses and $1.5 million in professional expenses. The increase in bad debt expense was in line with the increase in our revenues. Travel and meetings expense and business development expenses increased primarily due to the increase in our overall business activities. Executive recruitment general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 14% in fiscal 2011 compared to 17% in fiscal 2010.
 
Futurestep general and administrative expenses increased $3.0 million, or 21%, to $17.4 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $14.4 million in fiscal 2010, primarily due to increases of $1.2 in other expenses including bad debt expense, professional expenses and business development expense; $0.9 million in travel and meetings expense and $0.6 million in premises and office expense. These expenses increased primarily due to the increase in the level of our overall business activities and revenue. Futurestep general and administrative expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 19% in fiscal 2011 compared to 21% in fiscal 2010.
 
Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased $7.0 million, or 40%, to $10.5 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $17.5 million in fiscal 2010, primarily due to a $4.9 million decrease in the estimated fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration and $1.6 million increase in net foreign exchange gains.
 
Out-of-Pocket Engagement Expenses
 
Out-of-pocket engagement expenses consist of expenses incurred by candidates and our consultants that are normally billed to clients. Out-of-pocket engagement expenses increased $10.2 million, or 25%, to $51.8 million in


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fiscal 2011, compared to $41.6 million in fiscal 2010, in line with the increase in fee revenue. Out-of-pocket engagement expenses as a percentage of fee revenue was 7% in both fiscal 2011 and 2010.
 
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
 
Depreciation and amortization expenses were $12.7 million and $11.5 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively. This expense relates mainly to computer equipment, software, furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements.
 
Restructuring (Reductions) Charges, Net
 
Restructuring charges decreased by $18.6 million, or 90%, to $2.1 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $20.7 million in fiscal 2010. In fiscal 2011, our restructuring charges, net of recoveries, primarily relate to higher facility lease costs than originally estimated.
 
In fiscal 2010, we reorganized our go-to-market and operating structure in EMEA and in an effort to reduce redundancy attributed to the acquisition of Whitehead Mann, we incurred restructuring charges of $25.8 million to reduce the combined workforce and to consolidate premises. These restructuring charges were offset by $5.1 million of reductions from previous restructuring charges ($2.8 million in premise and facilities costs and $2.3 million in severance costs).
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
Operating income increased by $88.5 million to $85.8 million in fiscal 2011 compared to an operating loss of $2.7 million in fiscal 2010. This increase in operating income resulted from a $171.9 million increase in fee revenue and an $18.6 million decrease in net restructuring expenses, which were partially offset by a $94.1 million increase in compensation and benefits expense.
 
Executive recruitment operating income increased by $73.2 million, to $111.4 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $38.2 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in executive recruitment operating income is attributable to a $149.7 million increase in fee revenue and a decrease in net restructuring expenses of $21.2 million. These items positively impacting operating income were offset by an $86.9 million increase in compensation and benefits expense, resulting primarily from an increase in the variable component of compensation and increased headcount. In addition, general and administrative costs increased $5.2 million primarily due to bad debt expense, which increase is in line with our revenue increase. Executive recruitment operating income during fiscal 2011 as a percentage of fee revenue was 17% compared to 8% in fiscal 2010.
 
Futurestep operating income increased by $3.7 million to $5.0 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to $1.3 million in fiscal 2010. The change in Futurestep operating income is primarily due to a $22.2 million increase in fee revenue, offset by increases of $11.6 million in compensation and benefits and $3.0 million in general and administrative expenses, related to an increase in our overall business activities, and a $2.6 million restructuring charge due to higher facility lease costs than originally estimated. Futurestep operating income as a percentage of fee revenue was 5% in fiscal 2011 as compared to 2% in fiscal 2010.
 
Other Income, Net
 
Other income, net decreased by $3.7 million, to $6.4 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $10.1 million in fiscal 2010. The decrease is primarily due to lower net gains on marketable securities classified as trading in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010. The decrease in other income, net includes a $3.5 million decrease in gains in the market value of mutual funds held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans (see Note — 5 Marketable Securities, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements). Partially offsetting this decline in market value gains was a decrease in the related deferred compensation retirement plan liabilities of $1.9 million, which is included in compensation and benefit expense.


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Interest Expense, Net
 
Interest expense, net primarily relates to borrowings under our COLI policies, which is partially offset by interest earned on cash and cash equivalent balances. Interest expense, net was $2.5 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to $2.6 million in fiscal 2010.
 
Income Taxes Provision (Benefit)
 
The provision for income taxes was $32.7 million in fiscal 2011 compared to a benefit for income taxes of $0.5 million in fiscal 2010. The provision for income taxes in fiscal 2011 reflects a 36% effective tax rate, compared to a 10% tax benefit for fiscal 2010. The effective tax rate in fiscal 2011 is higher when compared to the effective tax rate in fiscal 2010, as we recorded higher income before provision for income taxes during fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2011 is lower when compared to a normalized effective tax rate as we recorded a $2.1 million reversal of a liability related to a state tax provision taken in 2004 due to the state statue expiring. In addition, in fiscal 2010, we recorded a $10.3 million reversal of a liability related to a federal tax position taken in fiscal 2004, offset by an additional provision of $7.5 million for the tax impact of future repatriations of cash dividends and additional valuation allowances on the Company’s current inventory of foreign tax credit carryforwards.
 
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries, Net
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary, net is comprised of our less than 50% interest in our Mexican subsidiary. We report our interest in earnings or loss of our Mexican subsidiary on the equity basis as a one-line adjustment to net income (loss), net of taxes. Equity in earnings was $1.9 million in fiscal 2011 compared to $0.1 million in fiscal 2010.
 
Fiscal 2010 Compared to Fiscal 2009
 
Fee Revenue
 
Fee Revenue.  Fee revenue decreased $65.8 million, or 10%, to $572.4 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $638.2 million in fiscal 2009. Excluding fee revenue of approximately $40 million in fiscal 2010 from the acquisition of Whitehead Mann and Sensa Solutions, fee revenue would have been $532.4 million in fiscal 2010, a decrease of $105.8 million, or 17% as compared to fiscal 2009. The decrease in fee revenue, excluding fee revenue from these fiscal 2010 acquisitions, was primarily attributable to an 8% decrease in the weighted-average fees billed per engagement during fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009 and an 8% decrease in the number of executive search engagements billed during the same period, both of which were driven by the depressed global economic conditions in the second half of fiscal 2009 and the first half of fiscal 2010, which continue to have an impact on many of our client’s people initiatives. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenues by $4.4 million in fiscal 2010.
 
Executive Recruitment.  Executive recruitment reported fee revenue of $504.4 million, a decrease of $38.9 million, or 7%, in fiscal 2010 compared to $543.3 million in fiscal 2009. The decline in executive recruitment fee revenue was due to a 7% decrease in the average fees billed per engagement in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009 and a 1% decrease in the number of engagements billed during the same period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenues by $2.7 million in fiscal 2010.
 
North America reported fee revenue of $278.8 million, a decrease of $30.7 million, or 10%, in fiscal 2010 compared to $309.5 million in fiscal 2009 primarily due to a 6% decrease in the average fees billed per engagement in the region during fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009 and a 4% decrease in the number of engagements billed during the same period. The overall decline in fee revenue was driven by declines in fee revenue in the industrial, consumer goods and healthcare sectors. Exchange rates favorably impacted North America fee revenue by $1.5 million in fiscal 2010.
 
EMEA reported fee revenue of $137.5 million, a decrease of $5.7 million, or 4%, in fiscal 2010 compared to $143.2 million in fiscal 2009. EMEA’s decrease in fee revenue was driven by a 10% decrease in average fees billed per engagement in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009, offset by a 6% increase in the number of engagements billed during the same period. The performance in existing offices in the Netherlands, Italy, United Arab Emirates


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and Germany were the primary contributors to the decrease in fee revenue in fiscal 2010 in comparison to fiscal 2009. The technology, industrial and financial services sectors experienced the largest decrease in fee revenue in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted EMEA fee revenue by $2.0 million in fiscal 2010. The decline in EMEA’s fee revenue as a result of the global economic conditions was partially offset by the fee revenue from the acquisition of Whitehead Mann of approximately $36 million, which is included in EMEA’s results from June 11, 2009, the effective date of the acquisition.
 
Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $64.1 million, a decrease of $2.2 million, or 3%, in fiscal 2010 compared to $66.3 million in fiscal 2009 due to a 3% decrease in average fees billed per engagement in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. The decline in performance in Japan, New Zealand and Singapore were the primary contributors to the decrease in fee revenue in fiscal 2010 over the year-ago period. The largest decrease in fee revenue was experienced in the industrial and healthcare sectors. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for Asia Pacific by $2.4 million in fiscal 2010.
 
South America reported fee revenue of $24.0 million, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 1%, in fiscal 2010 compared to $24.3 million in fiscal 2009. The number of engagements billed decreased 10% within the region in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009, offset by a 9% increase in the average fees billed per engagement in the region during the same period. The decline in performance in the financial services, consumer goods and industrial sectors were the primary contributor to the decrease in fee revenue in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for South America by $0.8 million in fiscal 2010.
 
Futurestep.  Futurestep reported fee revenue of $68.0 million, a decrease of $26.9 million, or 28%, in fiscal 2010 compared to $94.9 million in fiscal 2009. The decline in Futurestep’s fee revenue is due to an 18% decrease in the number of engagements billed in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009 and an 11% decrease in average fees billed per engagement during the same period. Of the total decrease in fee revenue in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009, North America experienced the largest dollar decline, with a decrease in fee revenue of $13.6 million, or 36%, to $24.2 million; Europe fee revenue decreased by $9.8 million, or 33%, to $19.9 million and Asia fee revenue decreased $3.5 million, or 13%, to $23.9 million. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue for Futurestep by $1.7 million in fiscal 2010.
 
Compensation and Benefits
 
Compensation and benefits expense decreased $29.3 million, or 7%, to $413.3 million in fiscal 2010 from $442.6 million in fiscal 2009. The decrease in compensation and benefits expenses is primarily due to 1) a decrease in the weighted-average compensation in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009, primarily driven by a 8% decrease in the average consultant headcount during the same period, 2) a reduction in the bonus provision due to a decrease in our revenue and profitability and 3) a $3.6 million decrease of the bonus provision due to a change in the estimate of bonus payouts. As discussed below in Restructuring Charges, due to our acquisition of Whitehead Mann and the reorganization of our go-to-market and operating structure in EMEA, we implemented a restructuring in fiscal 2010 which further reduced our workforce. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits expenses by $0.4 million during fiscal 2010.
 
Executive recruitment compensation and benefits costs decreased $18.2 million, or 5%, to $338.0 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $356.2 million in fiscal 2009 primarily due to a reduction in the bonus provision due to a decrease in revenue and profitability and a decrease in the weighted-average compensation in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009, driven by a 5% decrease in the average consultant headcount in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009. Exchange rates impacted executive recruitment compensation and benefits expense favorably by $0.7 million. Executive recruitment compensation and benefits expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 67% in fiscal 2010 compared to 66% in fiscal 2009. Compensation and benefits from the acquisition of Whitehead Mann are included in EMEA’s results from June 11, 2009, the effective date of the acquisition.
 
Futurestep compensation and benefits expense decreased $18.3 million, or 26%, to $52.7 million in fiscal 2010 from $71.0 million in fiscal 2009 primarily due to a decline in Futurestep average consultant headcount of approximately 17% and to a lesser extent a decline in the weighted-average compensation in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted Futurestep compensation and benefits expense by


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$1.1 million. Futurestep compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, increased to 78% in fiscal 2010 from 75% in fiscal 2009.
 
Corporate compensation and benefits expense increased $7.2 million, or 47%, to $22.6 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $15.4 million in fiscal 2009 primarily due to a $14.1 million increase in certain deferred compensation liabilities during fiscal 2010. We hold marketable securities in a trust for settlement of these deferred compensation obligations. The change in marketable securities is included in other income (loss), net, which offsets the increase in compensation and benefits expense created by the change in these deferred compensation liabilities. We have other deferred compensation retirement plan liabilities, which decreased compensation and benefits expense by $9.9 million in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009, due to an increase in CSV of COLI and a reduction in salaries.
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
General and administrative expenses decreased $11.6 million, or 9%, to $115.3 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $126.9 million in fiscal 2009. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted general and administrative expenses by $0.3 million in fiscal 2010.
 
Executive recruitment general and administrative expenses decreased $8.5 million, or 9%, to $83.4 million in fiscal 2010 from $91.9 million in fiscal 2009. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was driven by decreases in bad debt expense of $5.3 million, business development and marketing expenses of $2.1 million and premises and office expense of $1.3 million. The decrease in bad debt expense was due to a higher than normal provision in fiscal 2009 due to the challenging macroeconomic conditions experienced that fiscal year followed by an improvement of economic conditions in fiscal 2010. As a result, our collection efforts and the aging of accounts receivable improved thereby reducing bad debt expense. General expenses decreased primarily due to the decline in our overall business activities as a result of the global economic crisis, including lower premises and office expense due to the closure of offices in the second half of fiscal 2009. Executive recruitment general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% in both fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009.
 
Futurestep general and administrative expenses decreased $6.1 million, or 30%, to $14.4 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $20.5 million in fiscal 2009 primarily due to decreases of $2.7 million in premises and office expense, $2.0 million in miscellaneous expenses including professional services and travel and meeting expenses, $0.9 million in business development expense and $0.4 million in bad debt expense. Premises and office expense decreased due to the closure of offices in the second half of fiscal 2009 and miscellaneous expenses decreased primarily due to the decline in Futurestep’s overall business activities. Bad debt expense decreased due to an overall lower accounts receivable balance contributing to fewer bad debt write-offs during fiscal 2010 as compared to the year-ago period. Futurestep general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 21% in fiscal 2010 compared to 22% in fiscal 2009.
 
Corporate general and administrative expenses increased $3.0 million, or 21%, to $17.5 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $14.5 million in fiscal 2009 primarily due to an increase in legal and professional fees primarily incurred in connection with the acquisition of Whitehead Mann and an increase in business development expense incurred during the last half of fiscal 2010.
 
Out-of-Pocket Engagement Expenses
 
Out-of-pocket engagement expenses consist of expenses incurred by candidates and our consultants that are generally billed to clients. Out-of-pocket engagement expenses decreased $7.8 million, or 16%, to $41.6 million in fiscal 2010, compared to $49.4 million in fiscal 2009. Out-of-pocket engagement expenses as a percentage of fee revenue, was 7% in fiscal 2010 compared to 8% in fiscal 2009.
 
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
 
Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $0.1 million, or 1%, to $11.5 million in fiscal 2010, compared to $11.6 million in fiscal 2009. This expense relates mainly to computer equipment, software, furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements.


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Restructuring Charges
 
We reorganized our go-to-market and operating structure in EMEA and in an effort to reduce redundancy attributed to the acquisition of Whitehead Mann we incurred restructuring charges in fiscal 2010 of $25.8 million to reduce the combined work force and to consolidate premises. This restructuring expense was partially offset by $5.1 million of reductions from previously estimated restructuring charges ($2.3 million in severance costs and $2.8 million in premise and facilities costs) resulting in net restructuring costs of $20.7 million in fiscal 2010. During fiscal 2009, we incurred $41.9 million in restructuring charges with $26.9 million of severance costs related to a reduction in our work force and $15.0 million relating to the consolidation of premises.
 
Operating (Loss) Income
 
Operating income decreased $6.4 million, to an operating loss of $2.7 million in fiscal 2010 compared to operating income of $3.7 million in fiscal 2009. This decrease in operating income resulted from a decrease in revenue during fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009, which was partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses during the same period. The decrease in operating expenses is primarily attributable to a decrease in compensation and benefits, net restructuring charges and general and administrative expenses.
 
Executive recruitment operating income decreased $9.2 million to $38.2 million in fiscal 2010 compared to operating income of $47.4 million in fiscal 2009. The decline in executive recruitment operating income is attributable to a decrease in revenues offset by a reduction in compensation expenses relating to a decrease in average consultant headcount and weighted-average compensation, and to a decrease in general and administrative and net restructuring charges. Executive recruitment operating income, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 8% during fiscal 2010 compared to 9% in fiscal 2009.
 
Futurestep operating income increased by $13.3 million to $1.3 million in fiscal 2010 as compared to an operating loss of $12.0 million in fiscal 2009. The change in Futurestep operating income is primarily due to a decrease in compensation and benefits, general and administrative expenses and $2.8 million reductions of previously recorded restructuring expenses during fiscal 2010 relating to lower facility lease costs than originally recorded compared to $11.4 million of restructuring expenses recorded in fiscal 2009. The decrease in operating expenses was offset by a decrease in fee revenue of $26.9 million as a result of a decline in the number of engagements billed during fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. Futurestep operating income, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 2% in fiscal 2010, compared to operating loss, as a percentage of fee revenue of 13% in fiscal 2009.
 
Other Income (Loss), Net
 
Other income (loss), net increased by $24.8 million, to income of $10.1 million in fiscal 2010 compared to a loss of $14.7 million in fiscal 2009. Other income (loss), net is primarily due to $11.1 million of net trading gains on marketable securities in fiscal 2010 as compared to non-cash asset impairment of $15.9 million related to marketable securities, offset by $5.9 million unrealized gains recorded in other income (loss), net upon transfer of marketable securities from available-for-sale to trading during fiscal 2009. There was no such impairment or transfer of marketable securities in fiscal 2010.
 
Interest (Expense) Income, Net
 
Interest (expense) income, net primarily relates to borrowings under our COLI policies, which was partially offset by interest earned on cash and cash equivalent balances and marketable securities. Interest expense, net was $2.6 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $1.1 million in fiscal 2009. Interest expense, net increased primarily due to lower interest income earned as a result of lower average United States cash balances in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009.
 
Income Tax (Benefit) Provision
 
The benefit for income taxes was $0.5 million in fiscal 2010 compared to a provision for income taxes of $0.4 million in fiscal 2009. The income taxes in fiscal 2010 reflects a 10% tax benefit compared to a 3% effective income tax rate for fiscal 2009. The effective income tax rate in fiscal 2010 is lower when compared to the effective


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income tax rate in fiscal 2009, primarily due to a $10.3 million reversal of a liability related to a tax position taken in fiscal 2004, offset by an additional provision of $7.5 million for the tax impact of future repatriations of cash dividends and additional valuation allowances on the Company’s current inventory of foreign tax credit carryforwards recorded during fiscal 2010.
 
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiary
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary is comprised of our less than 50% interest in our Mexican subsidiary. We report our interest in earnings or loss of our Mexican subsidiary on the equity basis as a one-line adjustment to net income (loss), net of taxes. Equity in earnings was $0.1 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $2.4 million in fiscal 2009.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our performance is subject to the general level of economic activity in the geographic regions and industries in which we operate. The economic activity in those regions and industries has shown improvement in 2011 but further recovery may be gradual. If the national or global economy or credit market conditions in general were to deteriorate further in the future, it is possible that such changes could put additional negative pressure on demand for our services and affect our cash flows.
 
Although global economic conditions and demand for our services continued to show signs of improvement during fiscal 2011, the demand for executive searches remains slightly below its peak level of 2008. In response to the uncertain economic environment and labor markets, and in an effort to retain positive cash flows, we took steps to align our cost structure with anticipated revenue levels in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2010. Future adverse changes in our revenue, could require us to institute cost cutting measures. To the extent our efforts are insufficient, we may incur negative cash flows, and if such conditions were to persist over an extended period of time, it might require us to obtain financing to meet our capital needs. We believe that our cash on hand and funds from operations will be sufficient to meet anticipated working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate requirements during the next twelve months.
 
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were $369.1 million and $296.5 million as of April 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash and highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less. Marketable securities consist of mutual funds and investments in corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury and agency securities and commercial paper. The primary objectives of the mutual funds are to meet the obligations under certain of our deferred compensation plans, while the other securities are available for general corporate purposes.
 
As of April 30, 2011 and 2010, our marketable securities of $122.2 million and $77.2 million, respectively, included $71.4 million (net of gross unrealized gains and losses of $6.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively) and $69.0 million (net of gross unrealized gains and losses of $3.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively), respectively, held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans, of which $66.3 million and $64.9 million, respectively, are classified as non-current. Our obligations for which these assets were held in trust totaled $72.1 million and $69.0 million as of April 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As of April 30, 2011, we had marketable securities classified as available-for-sale with a balance of $50.9 million. These securities represent excess cash invested, under our investment policy, with a professional money manager and are available for general corporate purposes.
 
The net increase in our working capital of $24.9 million as of April 30, 2011 compared to April 30, 2010 is primarily attributable to an increase in cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits payable. Cash provided by operating activities was $95.6 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $126.4 million, from cash used in operating activities of $30.8 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in cash provided by operating activities is primarily due to an increase in net income of $53.6 million, increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $40.9 million, which is net of bonuses earned in 2009 and paid in fiscal 2011 of $18.4 million, a decrease in deferred income taxes in fiscal 2011 versus an increase in fiscal 2010 resulting in a net positive change of $26.8 million and an increase in receivables of $5.4 million. The increase in net income, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and receivables are due to an increase in fee revenue and engagements billed during fiscal 2011, as compared to fiscal 2010.


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In fiscal 2011, the Company accrued bonus expense of $126.3 million which the Company expects to pay in cash during fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2010, the Company accrued bonus expense of $73.3 million, which includes amounts that were fully earned by recipients during that fiscal year, but for which the payment of $5.4 million was delayed due to economic conditions. These delayed payments were recorded to bonus liability and accrued because the underlying bonuses had been fully earned in such periods. The delayed payment of $5.4 million in fiscal 2010 bonuses will result in an increase to cash used in operations when made. Compensation and benefits payable on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2011 includes this $5.4 million of bonuses. These bonuses will be paid in December 2011, regardless of whether the recipients continue to be employed by the Company on the relevant payment date and notwithstanding any earlier communications to the recipients to the contrary. In addition, $8.1 million in bonuses earned in fiscal 2009, the payment of which was deferred due to economic conditions, were paid during fiscal 2011, resulting in a corresponding decrease to cash provided by operating activities during fiscal 2011.
 
Cash used in investing activities was $81.1 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $57.7 million, from cash used in investing activities of $23.4 million in fiscal 2010. This increase in cash used in investing activities is attributable to a $46.6 million increase in net purchases of marketable securities, a $20.6 million increase in the purchase of property and equipment and an increase in restricted cash of $10.0 million. These increases were partially offset by a reduction of $18.7 million in cash used for acquisitions.
 
Cash provided by financing activities was $5.9 million in fiscal 2011, a decrease of $2.2 million from cash provided by financing activities of $8.1 million in fiscal 2010. Cash used to repurchase shares of common stock increased by $10.7 million in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. This cash used was partially offset by $3.6 million in proceeds from issuances of common stock related to employee stock options and our stock purchase plan, $3.0 million proceeds from exercise of warrants and a $1.9 million increase in tax benefit from exercise of stock options in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010. As of April 30, 2011, $24.4 million remained available for repurchase under our repurchase program, approved by the Board of Directors on November 2, 2007.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements and have not entered into any transactions involving unconsolidated, limited purpose entities.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Contractual obligations represent future cash commitments and liabilities under agreements with third parties, and exclude contingent liabilities for which we cannot reasonably predict future payment. The following table represents our contractual obligations as of April 30, 2011:
 
                                             
        Payments Due in:  
              Less Than
                More Than
 
    Note   Total     1 Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
    (In thousands)  
 
Operating lease commitments
  15   $ 219,998     $ 35,902     $ 60,000     $ 44,686     $ 79,410  
Accrued restructuring charges(1)
  6     4,747       2,313       1,530       433       471  
Interest payments on COLI loans(2)
  11     57,414       4,405       8,809       8,804       35,396  
                                             
Total
      $ 282,159     $ 42,620     $ 70,339     $ 53,923     $ 115,277  
                                             
 
 
(1) Represents rent payments, net of sublease income on an undiscounted basis.
 
(2) Assumes COLI loans remain outstanding until receipt of death benefits on COLI policies and applies current interest rates on COLI loans, ranging from 5.45% to 8.00%.
 
In addition to the contractual obligations above, we have liabilities related to certain employee benefit plans. These liabilities are recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The obligations related to these employee benefit plans are described in Note 7 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Lastly, we have contingent commitments under certain employment agreements that are payable upon termination of employment, described in Note 15 — Commitments and Contingencies, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Cash Surrender Value of Company Owned Life Insurance Policies, Net of Loans
 
As of April 30, 2011 and 2010, we held contracts with gross CSV of $143.9 million and $136.0 million, respectively. Generally, we borrow under our COLI contracts to pay related premiums. Such borrowings do not require annual principal repayments, bear interest primarily at variable rates and are secured by the CSV of COLI contracts. Total outstanding borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts were $72.9 million and $66.9 million as of April 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At April 30, 2011, the net cash value of these policies was $71.0 million of which $57.6 million was held in trust.
 
Long-Term Debt
 
During March 2011, we replaced our existing credit facility, which expired on March 14, 2011, with a new Senior Secured Revolving Facility (the “Facility”) which provides an aggregate availability up to $50 million with a $10 million sub-limit for letters of credit, subject to satisfaction of borrowing base requirements based on eligible domestic and foreign accounts receivable. The new facility matures on March 14, 2014 and prior to each anniversary date, we can request one year extensions, subject to lender consent. Borrowings under the Facility bear interest, at our election, at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus applicable margin or the base rate plus applicable margin. The base rate is the highest of (i) the published prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or (iii) one month LIBOR plus 2.0%. The applicable margin is based on a percentage per annum determined in accordance with a specified pricing grid based on (a) the total funded debt ratio of the Company and (b) with respect to LIBOR loans, whether such LIBOR loans are cash collateralized. For cash collateralized LIBOR loans, the applicable margin will range from 0.65% to 3.15% per annum. For LIBOR loans that are not cash collateralized and for base rate loans, the applicable margin will range from 1.50% to 4.50% per annum (if using LIBOR) and from 1.50% to 4.75% per annum (if using base rate). We pay quarterly commitment fees of 0.25% to 0.50% on the Facility’s unused commitments based on our leverage ratio. The Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of our domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the equity interest in all the first tier foreign subsidiaries. The financial covenants include a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio and a minimum $30 million in unrestricted cash and/or marketable securities after taking into account the accrual for employee compensation and benefits.
 
As of April 30, 2011, we had no borrowings under the Facility; however, we are required to maintain $10.0 million on account with the lender, and provides collateral for the standby letters of credit and potential future borrowings. At April 30, 2011, there were $2.9 million standby letters of credit issued under this Facility.
 
As of April 30, 2010, we had no borrowings under the previous credit facility; however, there were $8.2 million of standby letters of credit issued under the previous credit facility, for which we pledged cash of $9.0 million.
 
We are not aware of any other trends, demand or commitments that would materially affect liquidity or those that relate to our resources.
 
Accounting Developments
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures: Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which amends the disclosure guidance with respect to fair value measurements. Specifically, the new guidance requires disclosure of amounts transferred in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements, a reconciliation presented on a gross basis rather than a net basis of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, greater disaggregation of the assets and liabilities for which fair value measurements are presented and more robust disclosure of the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure Level 2 and 3 fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, with the exception of the new guidance around the Level 3


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activity reconciliation, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company adopted the new guidance on February 1, 2010. The adoption did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
As a result of our global operating activities, we are exposed to certain market risks, including foreign currency exchange fluctuations and fluctuations in interest rates. We manage our exposure to these risks in the normal course of our business as described below. We have not utilized financial instruments for trading, hedging or other speculative purposes nor do we trade in derivative financial instruments.
 
Foreign Currency Risk
 
Substantially all our foreign subsidiaries’ operations are measured in their local currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of each reporting period and revenue and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the reporting period. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income on our consolidated balance sheets.
 
Transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting entity’s functional currency may give rise to transaction gains and losses that impact our results of operations. Historically, we have not realized significant foreign currency gains or losses on such transactions. During fiscal 2011, we recognized foreign currency gains, on an after tax basis, of $0.1 million as compared to fiscal 2010 and 2009, in which we recognized foreign currency losses, on an after tax basis, of $2.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
 
Our primary exposure to exchange losses is based on outstanding intercompany loan balances denominated in U.S. dollars. If the U.S. dollar strengthened 15%, 25% and 35% against the Pound Sterling, the Euro, the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar and the Yen, our exchange loss would have been $1.1 million, $1.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively, based on outstanding balances at April 30, 2011. If the U.S. dollar weakened by the same increments against the Pound Sterling, the Euro, the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar and the Yen, correspondingly, our exchange gain would have been $1.1 million, $1.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively, based on outstanding balances at April 30, 2011.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
We primarily manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through our regular financing activities, which generally are short term and provide for variable market rates. As of April 30, 2011 and 2010, we had no outstanding borrowings under our Facility. We had $72.9 million and $66.9 million of borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts as of April 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, bearing interest primarily at variable rates. The risk of fluctuations in these variable rates is minimized by the fact that we receive a corresponding adjustment to our borrowed funds crediting rate on the CSV on our COLI contracts.
 
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
See Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Supplemental Financial Information regarding quarterly results is contained in Note 16 — Quarterly Results, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
No changes or disagreements were noted in the current fiscal year.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
 
Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures conducted as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have


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concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) are effective.
 
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. See Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting on pages F-2 and F-3, respectively.
 
Item 9B.   Other Information
 
None
 
PART III.
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information required by this Item will be included under the captions “The Board of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and elsewhere in our 2011 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference. The information under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is also incorporated by reference in this section.
 
We have adopted a “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” which is applicable to our directors, chief executive officer and senior financial officers, including our principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.kornferry.com. We intend to post amendments to or waivers to this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on our website when adopted. Upon written request, we will provide a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics free of charge. Requests should be directed to Korn/Ferry International, 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2600, Los Angeles, California 90067, Attention: Peter Dunn.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
The information required by this Item will be included in our 2011 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by this reference.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The information required by this Item will be included under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and elsewhere in our 2011 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
The information required by this Item will be included under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and elsewhere in our 2011 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The information required by this Item will be included under the captions “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” and elsewhere in our 2011 Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.


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PART IV.
 
Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
Financial Statements.
                 
        Page
 
 
1.
    Index to Financial Statements:        
        See Consolidated Financial Statements included as part of this Form 10-K and Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts. Pursuant to Rule 7-05 of Regulation S-X, the other schedules have been omitted as the information to be set forth therein is included in the notes of the audited consolidated financial statements     F-1  
 
Exhibits:
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number   Description
 
  3 .1+   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 15, 1999.
  3 .2+   Certificate of Designations of 7.5% Convertible Preferred Stock, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 18, 2002.
  3 .3+   Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 29, 2009.
  4 .1+   Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Company, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-49286), filed November 3, 2000.
  4 .2+   Form of Stock Purchase Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 18, 2002.
  10 .1*+   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and some of its executive officers and Directors, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10 .2*+   Form of U.S. and International Worldwide Executive Benefit Retirement Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement of Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10 .3*+   Form of U.S. and International Worldwide Executive Benefit Life Insurance Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10 .4*+   Worldwide Executive Benefit Disability Plan (in the form of Long-Term Disability Insurance Policy), filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10 .5*+   Form of U.S. and International Enhanced Executive Benefit and Wealth Accumulation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10 .6*+   Form of U.S. and International Senior Executive Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10 .7*+   Executive Salary Continuation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10 .8*+   Form of Amended and Restated Stock Repurchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10 .9*+   Form of Standard Employment Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10 .10*+   Form of U.S. and Foreign Executive Participation Program, filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-61697), effective February 10, 1999.
  10 .11*+   Korn/Ferry International Special Severance Pay Policy, dated January 1, 2000, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 19, 2001.
  10 .12*+   Korn/Ferry International Second Amended and Restated Performance Award Plan, filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed August 12, 2004.


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Exhibit
   
Number   Description
 
  10 .13*+   Letter from Korn/Ferry International Futurestep, Inc. to Robert H. McNabb, dated December 3, 2001, filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, filed August 12, 2002.
  10 .14*+   Letter from the Company to Robert H. McNabb, dated November 29, 2001, filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, filed August 12, 2002.
  10 .15*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert H. McNabb, dated October 1, 2003, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 12, 2003.
  10 .16*+   Employee Stock Purchase Plan filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed July 22, 2003.
  10 .17*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Gary D. Burnison, dated October 1, 2003, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 12, 2004.
  10 .18+   Letter Agreement, dated December 31, 2003, among the Company, Friedman Fleischer & Lowe Capital Partners, L.P. and FFL Executive Partners, L.P., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 12, 2004.
  10 .19*+   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and some of its executive officers and directors, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 12, 2004.
  10 .20+   Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 12, 2006.
  10 .21*+   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement to Employees Under the Performance Award Plan filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 29, 2006.
  10 .22*+   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement to Non-Employee Directors Under the Performance Award Plan filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 29, 2006.
  10 .23*+   Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of August 8, 2006 by and among Lominger Limited, Inc., Lominger Consulting, Inc., Michael M. Lombardo, Robert W. Eichinger, and the Company filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed September 8, 2006.
  10 .24*+   Letter Agreement between the Company and Robert H. McNabb dated as of September 29, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 11, 2006.
  10 .25*+   Letter from the Company to Gary Burnison, dated March 30, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed June 29, 2007.
  10 .26*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Gary Burnison, dated April 24, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed June 29, 2007.
  10 .27*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Stephen J. Giusto, dated October 10, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 10, 2007.
  10 .28*+   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to Directors Under the Performance Award Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 10, 2007.
  10 .29*+   Letter from the Company to Ana Dutra, dated January 16, 2008, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 11, 2008.
  10 .30*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael A. DiGregorio dated April 30, 2009.
  10 .31*+   Korn/Ferry Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-161844), filed September 10, 2009.
  10 .32*+   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement to Employees and Non-Employee Directors Under the Korn/Ferry International 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 12, 2009.
  10 .33*+   Form of Stock Option Agreement to Employees and Non-Employee Directors Under the Korn/Ferry International 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 12, 2009.
  10 .34*+   Korn/Ferry International Executive Capital Accumulation Plan, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-111038), filed December 10, 2003.
  10 .35*+   Letter Agreement dated June 25, 2009, by and among the Company and Robert McNabb, modifying the terms of Mr. McNabb’s Employment Agreement, dated October 1, 2003, as renewed and amended on September on September 29, 2006.

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Exhibit
   
Number   Description
 
  10 .36*+   Letter Agreement between the Company and Gary D. Burnison dated June 25, 2009.
  10 .37*+   Employment Agreement between the Company and Byrne Mulrooney dated March 5, 2010.
  21 .1   Subsidiaries of Korn/Ferry International.
  23 .1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  24 .1   Power of Attorney (contained on signature page).
  31 .1   Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act.
  31 .2   Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act.
  32 .1   Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
  101 .INS   XBRL Instance Document.
  101 .SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
  101 .CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
  101 .LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
  101 .PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
* Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
+ Incorporated herein by reference.

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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Korn/Ferry International
 
  By: 
/s/  Michael A. DiGregorio
Michael A. DiGregorio
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: June 29, 2011
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and directors of the registrant hereby constitutes and appoints Peter L. Dunn and Gary D. Burnison, and each of them, as lawful attorney-in-fact and agent for each of the undersigned (with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name, place and stead of each of the undersigned officers and directors), to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, any and all amendments, supplements and exhibits to this report and any and all other documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or any of their substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature   Title   Date
 
         
/s/  Kenneth Whipple

Kenneth Whipple
  Chairman of the Board and Director   June 29, 2011
         
/s/  Gary D. Burnison

Gary D. Burnison
  President & Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director   June 29, 2011
         
/s/  Michael A. DiGregorio

Michael A. DiGregorio
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   June 29, 2011
         
/s/  Mark Neal

Mark Neal
  Senior Vice President, Finance (Principal Accounting Officer)   June 29, 2011
         
/s/  Denise Kingsmill

Denise Kingsmill
  Director   June 29, 2011
         
/s/  Edward D. Miller

Edward D. Miller
  Director   June 29, 2011


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Signature   Title   Date
 
         
/s/  Debra Perry

Debra Perry
  Director   June 29, 2011
         
/s/  Gerhard Schulmeyer

Gerhard Schulmeyer
  Director   June 29, 2011
         
/s/  George T. Shaheen

George T. Shaheen
  Director   June 29, 2011
         
/s/  Harry L. You

Harry L. You
  Director   June 29, 2011


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
APRIL 30, 2011
 
         
    Page
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
    F-2  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
    F-3  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
    F-4  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2011 and 2010
    F-5  
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended April 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
    F-6  
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended April 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
    F-7  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended April 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
    F-8  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    F-9  
Financial Statements Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
    F-37  


F-1


Table of Contents

 
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
Management of Korn/Ferry International (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. As defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or supervised by, the issuer’s principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by the issuer’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is supported by written policies and procedures, that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In connection with the preparation of the Company’s annual financial statements, management of the Company has undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2011 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“the COSO Framework”). Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Based on this assessment, management did not identify any material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of April 30, 2011.
 
Ernst & Young, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s financial statements for the year ended April 30, 2011 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2011, a copy of which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
June 29, 2011


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Korn/Ferry International
 
We have audited Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2011 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2011, based on the COSO criteria.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries as of April 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2011 and our report dated June 29, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
/s/  Ernst & Young LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
June 29, 2011


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Korn/Ferry International
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of April 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Korn/Ferry International and subsidiaries at April 30, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for business acquisitions effective May 1, 2009.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated June 29, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
/s/  Ernst & Young LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
June 29, 2011


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    April 30,  
    2011     2010  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 246,856     $ 219,233  
Marketable securities
    20,868       4,114  
Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,977 and $5,983, respectively
    128,859       107,215  
Income taxes and other receivables
    5,138       6,292  
Deferred income taxes
    10,214       20,844  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    29,662       23,166  
                 
Total current assets
    441,597       380,864  
                 
Marketable securities, non-current
    101,363       73,105  
Property and equipment, net
    43,142       24,963  
Cash surrender value of company owned life insurance policies, net of loans
    70,987       69,069  
Deferred income taxes
    64,418       59,742  
Goodwill
    183,952       172,273  
Intangible assets, net
    22,289       25,425  
Investments and other assets
    43,932       21,657  
                 
Total assets
  $ 971,680     $ 827,098  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable
  $ 12,504     $ 11,148  
Income taxes payable
    4,674       6,323  
Compensation and benefits payable
    173,097       131,550  
Other accrued liabilities
    43,591       49,062  
                 
Total current liabilities
    233,866       198,083  
Deferred compensation and other retirement plans
    139,558       123,794  
Other liabilities
    19,919       13,879  
                 
Total liabilities
    393,343       335,756  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 59,101 and 57,614 shares issued and 47,003 and 45,979 shares outstanding, respectively
    404,703       388,717  
Retained earnings
    148,494       90,220  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
    25,660       12,934  
                 
Stockholders’ equity
    578,857       491,871  
Less: notes receivable from stockholders
    (520 )     (529 )
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    578,337       491,342  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 971,680     $ 827,098  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Fee revenue
  $ 744,249     $ 572,380     $ 638,223  
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses
    32,002       27,269       37,905  
                         
Total revenue
    776,251       599,649       676,128  
                         
Compensation and benefits
    507,405       413,340       442,632  
General and administrative expenses
    116,494       115,280       126,882  
Out-of-pocket engagement expenses
    51,766       41,585       49,388  
Depreciation and amortization
    12,671       11,493       11,583  
Restructuring charges, net
    2,130       20,673       41,915  
                         
Total operating expenses
    690,466       602,371       672,400  
                         
Operating income (loss)
    85,785       (2,722 )     3,728  
Other income (loss), net
    6,454       10,066       (14,738 )
Interest expense, net
    (2,535 )     (2,622 )     (1,063 )
                         
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries
    89,704       4,722       (12,073 )
Income tax provision (benefit)
    32,692       (485 )     384  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net
    1,862       91       2,365  
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 58,874     $ 5,298     $ (10,092 )
                         
Earnings (loss) per common share:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.30     $ 0.12     $ (0.23 )
                         
Diluted
  $ 1.27     $ 0.12     $ (0.23 )
                         
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
                       
Basic
    45,205       44,413       43,522  
                         
Diluted
    46,280       45,457       43,522  
                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
                                         
                      Accumulated
       
                      Other
       
    Common Stock     Retained
    Comprehensive
       
    Shares     Amount     Earnings     Income, Net     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance at May 1, 2008
    44,593     $ 358,568     $ 95,014     $ 43,097     $ 496,679  
Comprehensive loss:
                                       
Net loss
                (10,092 )           (10,092 )
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
                                       
Unrealized loss on marketable securities
                      (3,624 )     (3,624 )
Reclassification of unrealized losses on marketable securities, net of taxes to other-than-temporary impairment and upon transfer of securities from available-for-sale to trading
                      5,514       5,514  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                      (40,685 )     (40,685 )
Defined benefit pension plan
                      1,983       1,983  
                                         
Total comprehensive loss
                                    (46,904 )
                                         
Purchase of stock
    (709 )     (9,588 )                 (9,588 )
Issuance of stock
    845       3,609                   3,609  
Stock-based compensation
          16,495                   16,495  
Tax expense from exercise of stock options
          (654 )                 (654 )
                                         
Balance at April 30, 2009
    44,729       368,430       84,922       6,285       459,637  
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                5,298             5,298  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                       
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                      15,377       15,377  
Defined benefit pension plan
                      (8,728 )     (8,728 )
                                         
Total comprehensive income
                                    11,947  
                                         
Purchase of stock
    (226 )     (3,136 )                 (3,136 )
Issuance of stock
    1,476       6,526                   6,526  
Stock-based compensation
          17,508                   17,508  
Tax expense from exercise of stock options
          (611 )                 (611 )
                                         
Balance at April 30, 2010
    45,979       388,717       90,220       12,934       491,871  
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                58,874             58,874  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                       
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                      16,739       16,739  
Defined benefit pension plan
                      (4,048 )     (4,048 )
Unrealized gains on marketable securities
                      35       35  
                                         
Total comprehensive income
                                    71,600  
                                         
Exercise of warrants
    274       2,983                   2,983  
Purchase of stock
    (934 )     (13,844 )                 (13,844 )
Issuance of stock
    1,684       10,084                   10,084  
Stock-based compensation
          15,476                   15,476  
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
          1,287                   1,287  
Payment of dividends by majority owned consolidated subsidiaries
                (600 )           (600 )
                                         
Balance at April 30, 2011
    47,003     $ 404,703     $ 148,494     $ 25,660     $ 578,857  
                                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 58,874     $ 5,298     $ (10,092 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    12,671       11,493       11,583  
Stock-based compensation expense
    15,547       17,729       16,301  
Impairment of intangible assets
    880              
Loss on disposition of property and equipment
    80       323       3,740  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    7,650       3,340       9,127  
(Gain) loss on cash surrender value of life insurance policies
    (6,246 )     (9,558 )     3,578  
Gain on marketable securities classified as trading
    (7,599 )     (11,137 )      
Change in fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration
    (4,919 )            
Realized loss on available-for-sale marketable securities
                5,040  
Other-than-temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities, net of unrealized gains reclassified to other income upon the transfer of available-for-sale securities to trading
                9,967  
Deferred income taxes
    5,954       (20,862 )     (4,354 )
Change in other assets and liabilities:
                       
Deferred compensation
    11,716       15,828       (3,085 )
Receivables
    (28,140 )     (33,516 )     44,639  
Prepaid expenses
    (6,496 )     (4,198 )     (1,340 )
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries
    (1,862 )     (91 )     (2,365 )
Income taxes payable
    (1,686 )     2,844       (18,909 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    40,109       (783 )     (82,236 )
Other
    (899 )     (7,556 )     21,577  
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    95,634       (30,846 )     3,171  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Purchase of property and equipment
    (27,889 )     (7,282 )     (11,947 )
Purchase of intangible assets
          (3,481 )      
Purchase of marketable securities
    (65,964 )     (4,163 )     (23,449 )
Proceeds from sales/maturities of marketable securities
    28,618       13,374       19,345  
Change in restricted cash
    (10,007 )            
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired and contingent consideration
          (18,734 )     (12,900 )
Payment of contingent consideration from acquisitions
    (5,795 )     (2,405 )      
Premiums on life insurance policies
    (1,702 )     (1,711 )     (1,781 )
Dividends received from unconsolidated subsidiaries
    1,608       958       2,952  
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (81,131 )     (23,444 )     (27,780 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Payments on life insurance policy loans
          (183 )     (770 )
Borrowings under life insurance policies
    6,039       5,500       1,721  
Purchase of common stock
    (13,844 )     (3,136 )     (9,588 )
Proceeds from exercise of warrants
    2,983              
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of employee stock options and in connection with an employee stock purchase plan
    10,084       6,526       3,609  
Tax benefit (expense) from exercise of stock options
    1,287       (611 )     (654 )
Payment of dividends by majority owned consolidated subsidiaries
    (600 )            
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    5,949       8,096       (5,682 )
                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    7,171       10,427       (20,005 )
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    27,623       (35,767 )     (50,296 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    219,233       255,000       305,296  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 246,856     $ 219,233     $ 255,000  
                         
Supplemental cash flow information:
                       
Cash used to pay interest
  $ 4,834     $ 3,992     $ 5,969  
                         
Cash used to pay income taxes
  $ 25,329     $ 8,111     $ 24,369  
                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
April 30, 2011
 
1.   Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Nature of Business
 
Korn/Ferry International, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its subsidiaries are engaged in the business of providing executive recruitment, outsourced recruiting and leadership and talent consulting on a retained basis. The Company’s worldwide network of 76 offices in 35 countries enables it to meet the needs of its clients in all industries.
 
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly and majority owned/controlled domestic and international subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements conform with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and prevailing practice within the industry. The consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these periods.
 
Investments in affiliated companies which are 50% or less owned and where the Company exercises significant influence over operations are accounted for using the equity method. Dividends received from our unconsolidated subsidiary in Mexico were approximately $1.6 million, $1.0 million and $3.0 million during fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.
 
Use of Estimates and Uncertainties
 
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in estimates are reported in current operations. The most significant areas that require management judgment are revenue recognition, deferred compensation, annual performance related compensation, evaluation of the carrying value of receivables, marketable securities, goodwill and other intangible assets, fair value of contingent consideration and the recoverability of deferred income taxes.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Substantially all professional fee revenue is derived from fees for professional services related to executive recruitment performed on a retained basis, middle-management recruitment and leadership and talent consulting services. Fee revenue from recruitment activities is generally one-third of the estimated first year compensation plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect expenses. The Company generally bills clients in three monthly installments commencing the month of client acceptance. Fees earned in excess of the initial contract amount are billed upon completion of the engagement, which reflects the final actual compensation of the placed executive. Any services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is fulfilled. Fee revenue from leadership and talent consulting services is recognized as earned.


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Reimbursements
 
The Company incurs certain out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by its clients, which are accounted for as revenue in its consolidated statements of operations.
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
A provision is established for doubtful accounts through a charge to general and administrative expenses based on historical loss experience, assessment of the collectability of specific accounts, as well as expectations of future collections based upon trends and the type of work for which services are rendered. After all collection efforts have been exhausted, the Company reduces the allowance for doubtful accounts for balances identified as uncollectible.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
Restricted Cash
 
The Company had $10.0 million of restricted cash at April 30, 2011, related to its existing credit facility (see Note 11), which is included in investments and other assets in the accompanying 2011 balance sheet.
 
Marketable Securities
 
The Company classifies its marketable securities as either trading securities or available-for-sale. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Certain investments, which the Company intends to sell within the next twelve months, are carried as current assets. Realized capital gains (losses) on investments are determined by specific identification. Investments are made based on the Company’s investment policy which restricts the types of investments that can be made.
 
Trading securities consist of the Company’s investments which are held in trust to satisfy obligations under the Company’s deferred compensation plans (see Note 5). The changes in fair values on trading securities are recorded in the statement of operations in other income (loss), net.
 
Considering the increase in investment activity, on April 30, 2009, the Company transferred certain securities previously classified as available-for-sale to trading. The securities were transferred at fair value on April 30, 2009, which became the new cost basis of the securities. Unrealized gains of $5.9 million at the date of the transfer were reversed from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in the statement of operations. The transfer did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position.
 
Available-for-sale securities consist of corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury and agency securities and commercial paper. The changes in fair values, net of applicable taxes, are recorded as unrealized gains as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the fair value of an investment below its cost or amortized cost is considered to be “other-than-temporary,” the investment’s cost or amortized cost is written-down to its fair value and the amount written-down is recorded in the statement of operations in other income (loss), net. The determination of other-than-temporary decline includes, in addition to other relevant factors, a presumption that if the market value is below cost by a significant amount for a period of time, a write-down may be necessary. The amount of any write-down is determined by the difference between cost or amortized cost of the investment and its fair value at the time the other-than-temporary decline is identified. During fiscal 2011 and 2010, no other-than-temporary impairment was recognized, compared to a write-down of $15.9 million during fiscal 2009 (see Note 5).


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Business Acquisitions
 
Business acquisitions are accounted for under the purchase method by assigning the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of each respective acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill. Adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the purchase price allocation period (generally not longer than twelve months). Purchased intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Effective May 1, 2009, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Acquisitions, which requires that acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs be charged to expense as incurred, and changes the recognition and measurement criteria for certain assets and liabilities including those arising from contingencies, contingent consideration and bargain purchases for acquisitions completed after the adoption date. The Company applied this new guidance to its acquisition of Whitehead Mann and SENSA Solution, Inc., which were acquired in fiscal 2010. During fiscal 2011, the Company recorded a $4.9 million reduction in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration relating to a prior acquisition, as a component of general and administrative expenses.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset, or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Software development costs for internal use are capitalized and, once placed in service, amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life, generally three to seven years. All other property and equipment is depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of three to ten years.
 
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.
 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. The goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill of the reporting unit would be considered impaired. To measure the amount of the impairment loss, the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. For each of these tests, the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units was determined using a combination of valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow methodology. Results of the annual impairment test performed as of January 31, 2011, indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. There was also no indication of impairment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.
 
Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases, intellectual property and trademarks and are recorded at the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of five to 24 years. For intangible assets subject to amortization, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of the intangible assets is considered not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. During fiscal 2011, the Company wrote-off a trademark no longer in use with a net book value of $0.9 million. As of April 30, 2011 and 2010, there were no indicators of impairment with respect to the Company’s intangible assets.


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Compensation and Benefits Expense
 
Compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying statements of operations consist of compensation and benefits paid to consultants, executive officers and administrative and support personnel. The most significant portions of this expense are salaries and the annual performance related bonus paid to consultants. Compensation and benefits are recognized when incurred. Management estimates annual performance related bonuses on a quarterly basis based on projected individual performance, analysis of Company performance and additional considerations such as competitive information and material economic developments. At the end of each fiscal year, the Company then determines annual bonuses based upon final Company and individual performance and other factors, such as attainment of strategic objectives and individual performance appraisals. Management reevaluates the estimates up to the payment date, and any changes in the estimate are reported in current operations. The performance related bonus expense was $126.3 million, $73.3 million and $89.3 million for the years ended April 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The change in the previous years estimate recorded in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 was a decrease of $2.0 million, $3.6 million and $4.0 million, respectively. These annual performance related bonuses are generally paid within twelve months following the fiscal year end though the Company deferred certain bonuses earned in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2010. The bonuses deferred in fiscal 2009 were paid in December 2010 and the bonuses deferred in fiscal 2010 will be paid in December 2011. Other expenses included in compensation and benefits expense are due to changes in the deferred compensation liabilities and cash surrender value (“CSV”) of company owned life insurance (“COLI”) contracts, amortization of stock compensation awards, payroll taxes and employee insurance benefits.
 
Deferred Compensation and Pension Plans
 
For financial accounting purposes, the Company estimates the present value of the future benefits payable under the deferred compensation and pension plans as of the estimated payment commencement date. The Company also estimates the remaining number of years a participant will be employed by the Company. Then, each year during the period of estimated employment, the Company accrues a liability and recognizes expense for a portion of the future benefit using the “benefit/years of service” attribution method for Senior Executive Incentive Plan (“SEIP”), Wealth Accumulation Plan (“WAP”) and Enhanced Wealth Accumulation Plan (“EWAP”) and the “projected unit credit” method for the Worldwide Executive Benefit Plan (“WEB”).
 
In calculating the accrual for future benefit payments, management has made assumptions regarding employee turnover, participant vesting, violation of non-competition provisions and the discount rate. Management periodically reevaluates all assumptions. If assumptions change in future reporting periods, the changes may impact the measurement and recognition of benefit liabilities and related compensation expense.
 
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance
 
The change in the CSV of COLI contracts, net of insurance premiums paid and gains realized, is reported in compensation and benefits expense. As of April 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company held contracts with gross CSV of $143.9 million and $136.0 million, offset by outstanding policy loans of $72.9 million and $66.9 million, respectively. If these insurance companies were to become insolvent, the Company would be considered a general creditor for $31.0 million and $32.3 million of net CSV as of April 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively; therefore, these assets are subject to risk. Management, together with its outside advisors, routinely monitors the claims paying abilities of these insurance companies.
 
Restructuring Charges
 
The Company accounts for its restructuring charges as a liability when the costs are incurred and are recorded at fair value. Changes in the estimates of the restructuring charges are recorded in the period the change is determined.


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company has employee compensation plans under which various types of stock-based instruments are granted. These instruments, principally include stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock and SARs and the estimated fair value of stock options and stock purchases under the ESPP.
 
Translation of Foreign Currencies
 
Generally, financial results of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured in their local currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates, while revenue and expenses are translated at weighted-average exchange rates during the fiscal year. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated comprehensive income. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions of these subsidiaries and the translation of the financial results of subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies are included in general and administrative expense in the period incurred. Foreign currency gains, on an after tax basis, included in net income (loss), were $0.1 million during fiscal 2011. Foreign currency losses, on an after tax basis, included in net income (loss), were $2.0 million and $0.4 million during fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Income Taxes
 
There are two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense approximates taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period. Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. These gross deferred tax assets and liabilities represent decreases or increases in taxes expected to be paid in the future because of future reversals of temporary differences in the basis of assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws and their basis as reported in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for tax attributes such as net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are then recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts management concludes are more-likely-than-not to be realized.
 
Income tax benefits are recognized and measured based upon a two-step model: (1) a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits in order to be recognized and (2) the benefit is measured as the largest dollar amount of that position that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon settlement. The difference between the benefit recognized for a position and the tax benefit claimed on a tax return is referred to as an unrecognized tax benefit. The Company records income tax related interest and penalties within income tax expense.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The Company measures the fair values of its financial instruments in accordance with accounting guidance that defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. The guidance also discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow) and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:
 
  •  Level 1:  Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
 
  •  Level 2:  Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
 
  •  Level 3:  Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
As of April 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash equivalents and marketable securities. The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as trading, are obtained from quoted market prices and the fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale, are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets. As of April 30, 2010, the Company also held auction rate securities (“ARS”) and a related put option. The fair value for these instruments are determined by the use of pricing models (see Note 5). The ARS were redeemed at full value during fiscal 2011.
 
Concentration of Credit Risk
 
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, investments, receivables due from clients and net cash surrender value due from insurance companies, which is discussed above. Cash equivalents include investments in commercial paper of companies with high credit ratings, investments in money market securities and securities backed by the U.S. government. Investments are diversified throughout many industries and geographic regions. The Company is consolidating cash balances with a small number of high quality global financial institutions to increase operational efficiencies and to improve risk management. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited due to the Company’s large number of clients and their dispersion across many different industries and countries worldwide. At April 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had no other significant credit concentrations.
 
Accounting Adjustment
 
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, an adjustment was made to correct compensation and benefits expenses that had been recorded twice by the Company during the periods covering fiscal 2002 through fiscal 2009 for expenses relating to employee contributions to flexible spending health benefit accounts. In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, the Company recorded a cumulative accounting adjustment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the effect of which resulted in a $3.7 million pre-tax decrease in compensation and benefits expense, a $4.0 million increase in cash and cash equivalents and a $0.3 million increase in accrued compensation and benefits liability. These adjustments increased operating profit by $3.7 million and decreased net loss by $2.3 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share for the three months and year ended April 30, 2009. The correction of the error was not material to any individual prior period or the current period and, accordingly, the prior period results have not been adjusted.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures: Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which amends the disclosure guidance with respect to fair value measurements. Specifically, the new guidance requires disclosure of amounts transferred in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements, a reconciliation presented on a gross basis rather than a net basis of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, greater disaggregation of the assets and liabilities for which fair value measurements are presented and more robust disclosure of the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure Level 2 and 3 fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, with the exception of the new guidance around the Level 3 activity reconciliation, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
adopted the new guidance on February 1, 2010. The adoption did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
 
2.   Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share was computed by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if all in-the-money outstanding options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted and was computed by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common equivalent shares. During fiscal 2011 and 2010, SARs and options to purchase 0.39 million shares and 1.48 million shares were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. Due to the loss attributable to common stockholders during fiscal 2009, no potentially dilutive shares are included in the loss per share calculation as including such shares in the calculation would be anti-dilutive.
 
The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share calculations:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders
  $ 58,874     $ 5,298     $ (10,092 )
                         
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
                       
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
    45,205       44,413       43,522  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Restricted stock
    646       587        
Stock options
    425       401        
ESPP
    4       3        
Warrants
          53        
                         
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
    46,280       45,457       43,522  
                         
Net earnings (loss) per common share:
                       
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ 1.30     $ 0.12     $ (0.23 )
                         
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ 1.27     $ 0.12     $ (0.23 )
                         
 
3.   Comprehensive Income
 
Comprehensive income is comprised of net income (loss) and all changes to stockholders’ equity, except those changes resulting from investments by stockholders (changes in paid in capital) and distributions to stockholders (dividends), and is reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows:
 
                 
    April 30,  
    2011     2010  
    (In thousands)  
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
  $ 35,639     $ 18,900  
Defined benefit pension adjustments, net of taxes
    (10,014 )     (5,966 )
Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of taxes
    35        
                 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 25,660     $ 12,934  
                 
 
4.   Employee Stock Plans
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
Restricted stock
  $ 14,090     $ 16,470     $ 15,633  
Stock options and SARs
    1,028       853       210  
ESPP
    429       406       458  
                         
Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax
    15,547       17,729       16,301  
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense
    (5,675 )     (6,471 )     (5,950 )
                         
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax
  $ 9,872     $ 11,258     $ 10,351  
                         
 
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the grant date fair value of employee stock options. The expected volatility reflects consideration of the historical volatility in the Company’s publicly traded instruments during the period the option is granted. The Company believes historical volatility in these instruments is more indicative of expected future volatility than the implied volatility in the price of the Company’s common stock. The expected life of each option is estimated using historical data. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issue with a remaining term approximating the expected term of the option. The Company uses historical data to estimate forfeiture rates applied to the gross amount of expense determined using the option valuation model.
 
The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each employee stock option and SARs were as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,
    2011   2010   2009
 
Expected volatility
    47.67 %     48.91 %     44.11 %
Risk-free interest rate
    1.83 %     2.53 %     3.27 %
Expected option life (in years)
    5.00       5.00       4.25  
Expected dividend yield
    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
 
The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options. The assumptions used in option valuation models are highly subjective, particularly the expected stock price volatility of the underlying stock.


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Stock Incentive Plans
 
The Korn/Ferry International 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2008 Plan”) made available an additional 2,360,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for stock-based compensation awards. The 2008 Plan, provides for the grant of awards to eligible participants, designated as either nonqualified or incentive stock options, SARs, restricted stock and restricted stock units, any of which may be performance-based, and incentive bonuses, which may be paid in cash or a combination thereof. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for stock option issuance under the 2008 plan is 3,980,000 shares, subject to adjustment for certain changes in the Company’s capital structure and other extraordinary events.
 
Options granted to officers, non-employee directors and other key employees generally vest over a three to four year period and generally expire seven to ten years from the date of grant. Stock options are granted at a price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Key employees are eligible to receive a grant of stock options annually with the number of options determined by the employee’s performance level. In addition, certain key management members typically receive stock option grants upon commencement of employment.
 
Stock Option and SARs
 
Stock options and SAR transactions under the Company’s stock incentive plans were as follows:
 
                                                 
    April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
          Weighted-
          Weighted-
          Weighted-
 
          Average
          Average
          Average
 
          Exercise
          Exercise
          Exercise
 
    Options     Price     Options     Price     Options     Price  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Outstanding, beginning of year
    2,723     $ 14.72       3,113     $ 14.83       3,564     $ 14.79  
Granted
    211     $ 13.97       621     $ 11.26       6     $ 14.54  
Exercised
    (625 )   $ 12.81       (531 )   $ 8.21       (127 )   $ 8.91  
Forfeited/expired
    (476 )   $ 20.55       (480 )   $ 18.14       (330 )   $ 16.61  
                                                 
Outstanding, end of year
    1,833     $ 13.78       2,723     $ 14.72       3,113     $ 14.83  
                                                 
Exercisable, end of year
    1,219     $ 14.64       2,142     $ 15.68       3,042     $ 14.74  
                                                 
 
As of April 30, 2011, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable were $12.7 million and $7.4 million, respectively.
 
Included in the table above are 17,303 SARs outstanding and exercisable as of April 30, 2011 with a weighted-average exercise price of $9.46. As of April 30, 2011, there was $2.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards of stock options and SARs. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years. For stock option awards subject to graded vesting, the Company recognizes the total compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award.


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Outstanding stock options and SARs are summarized below:
 
                                                 
    April 30, 2011  
    Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
          Weighted-
                Weighted-
       
          Average
                Average
       
          Remaining
    Weighted-
          Remaining
    Weighted-
 
          Contractual
    Average
          Contractual
    Average
 
          Life
    Exercise
          Life
    Exercise
 
Range of Exercise Prices   Shares     (In years)     Price     Shares     (In years)     Price  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
$ 6.26 - $ 9.55
    365       1.8     $ 7.87       365       1.8     $ 7.87  
$ 9.56 - $13.82
    455       5.0     $ 10.32       108       4.4     $ 10.61  
$13.83 - $17.97
    607       4.6     $ 16.06       352       3.5     $ 17.35  
$17.98 - $24.08
    406       3.6     $ 19.55       394       3.5     $ 19.59  
                                                 
      1,833       3.9     $ 13.78       1,219       3.1     $ 14.64  
                                                 
 
Additional information pertaining to stock options and SARs:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,
    2011   2010   2009
    (In thousands, except per share data)
 
Weighted-average fair value per share of stock options granted
  $ 6.07     $ 5.07     $ 5.77  
Total fair value of stock options and SARs vested
  $ 747     $ 612     $ 1,986  
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised
  $ 5,164     $ 2,631     $ 640  
Total intrinsic value of SARs paid
  $ 178     $ 75     $  
 
Restricted Stock
 
The Company grants time-based restricted stock to executive officers and other senior employees generally vesting over a three to four year period. Time-based restricted stock is granted at a price equal to fair value, which is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company also grants performance-based restricted stock to executive officers and other senior employees, which vest after three years if the Company meets a specific target relative to other companies in its selected peer group. The fair value of these performance-based restricted stock awards was determined by a third-party valuation using extensive market data. Employees may receive restricted stock annually in conjunction with the Company’s performance review as well as upon commencement of employment.
 
Restricted stock activity is summarized below:
 
                                                 
    April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
          Weighted-
          Weighted-
          Weighted-
 
          Average
          Average
          Average
 
          Grant Date
          Grant Date
          Grant Date
 
    Shares     Fair Value     Shares     Fair Value     Shares     Fair Value  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Non-vested, beginning of year
    2,480     $ 9.93       2,387     $ 15.50       1,952     $ 22.01  
Granted
    562     $ 15.12       1,017     $ 10.57       1,288     $ 17.57  
Vested
    (920 )   $ 15.32       (754 )   $ 20.43       (602 )   $ 21.25  
Forfeited/expired
    (115 )   $ 14.83       (170 )   $ 17.91       (251 )   $ 19.67  
                                                 
Non-vested, end of year
    2,007     $ 8.64       2,480     $ 9.93       2,387     $ 15.50  
                                                 


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
As of April 30, 2011, there was $17.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards of restricted stock, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.9 years. For restricted stock awards subject to graded vesting, the Company recognizes the total compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award. During fiscal 2011 and 2010, 211,315 shares and 151,864 shares of restricted stock totaling $3.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively, were repurchased by the Company, at the option of the employee, to pay for taxes related to vesting of restricted stock.
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
The Company has an ESPP that, in accordance with Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, allows eligible employees to authorize payroll deductions of up to 15% of their salary, or $25,000 annually, to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at 85% of the fair market price of the common stock on the last day of the enrollment period. The maximum number of shares of common stock reserved for ESPP issuance is 1.5 million shares, subject to adjustment for certain changes in the Company’s capital structure and other extraordinary events. During fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, employees purchased 153,913 shares at $14.13 per share, 209,840 shares at $10.66 per share and 209,510 shares at $11.78 per share, respectively. At April 30, 2011, the ESPP had approximately 0.2 million shares available for future issuance.
 
5.   Marketable Securities
 
As of April 30, 2011 marketable securities consisted of the following:
 
                         
          Available-for-
       
    Trading     Sale(2)     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Mutual funds(1)
  $ 71,363     $     $ 71,363  
Corporate bonds
          40,444       40,444  
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
          9,424       9,424  
Commercial paper
          1,000       1,000  
                         
Total
    71,363       50,868       122,231  
Less: current portion of marketable securities
    (5,081 )     (15,787 )     (20,868 )
                         
Non-current marketable securities
  $ 66,282     $ 35,081     $ 101,363  
                         
 
As of April 30, 2010 marketable securities consisted of the following:
 
                         
          Available-for-
       
    Trading     Sale     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Mutual funds(1)
  $ 69,019     $     $ 69,019  
Auction rate securities
    7,455             7,455  
Auction rate securities put option
    745             745  
                         
Total
    77,219             77,219  
Less: current portion of marketable securities
    (4,114 )           (4,114 )
                         
Non-current marketable securities
  $ 73,105     $     $ 73,105  
                         
 
 
(1) These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s obligations under certain of its deferred compensation plans with $5.1 million and $4.1 million classified as current assets as of April 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively (see Note 7).


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
(2) These securities represent excess cash invested, under our investment policy, with a professional money manager.
 
As of April 30, 2011, amortized cost and fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale investments were as follows:
 
                                 
    April 30, 2011  
          Gross
    Gross
       
    Amortized
    Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Estimated
 
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Fair Value  
    (In thousands)  
 
Corporate bonds
  $ 40,369     $ 107     $ (32 )   $ 40,444  
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
    9,427       10       (13 )     9,424  
Commercial paper
    1,000                   1,000  
                                 
Total
  $ 50,796     $ 117     $ (45 )   $ 50,868  
                                 
 
Investments in marketable securities are made based on the Company’s investment policy, which restricts the types of investments that can be made. As of April 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s investments associated with cash equivalents, including restricted cash consist of money market funds for which market prices are readily available. As of April 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s investments in marketable securities, consisting of mutual funds, were classified as trading, for which market prices are readily available. As of April 30, 2011, marketable securities classified as available-for-sale consist of corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury and agency securities and commercial paper, with maturities ranging from one month to three years, for which market prices for similar assets are readily available. Also classified as trading were ARS, reflected at fair value, as of April 30, 2010, which were redeemed at full value during fiscal 2011.
 
As of April 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s marketable securities included $71.4 million (net of gross unrealized gains and losses of $6.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively) and $69.0 million (net of gross unrealized gains and losses of $3.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively), respectively, held in trust for settlement of the Company’s obligations under certain of its deferred compensation plans, of which $66.3 million and $64.9 million, respectively, are classified as non-current. The Company’s obligations for which these assets were held in trust totaled $72.1 million and $69.0 million as of April 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
The following table represents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
                                 
    April 30, 2011  
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
    (In thousands)  
 
Cash equivalents, including restricted cash
  $ 120,840     $ 120,840     $     $  
Mutual funds
    71,363       71,363              
Corporate bonds
    40,444             40,444        
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
    9,424             9,424        
Commercial paper
    1,000             1,000        
                                 
Total
  $ 243,071     $ 192,203     $ 50,868     $  
                                 
 


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
                                 
    April 30, 2010  
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
    (In thousands)  
 
Cash equivalents
  $ 148,238     $ 148,238     $     $  
Mutual funds
    69,019       69,019              
Auction rate securities
    7,455                   7,455  
Auction rate securities put option
    745                   745  
                                 
Total
  $ 225,457     $ 217,257     $     $ 8,200  
                                 
 
The following table presents the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the periods indicated:
 
                 
    April 30,  
Auction Rate Securities   2011     2010  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 8,200     $ 12,425  
Auction rate securities put option
    (745 )     (351 )
Realized gain included in operations
    745        
Unrealized gain included in operations
          351  
Sale of securities
    (8,200 )     (4,225 )
                 
Balance, end of year
  $     $ 8,200  
                 
 
6.   Restructuring Charges, Net
 
During fiscal 2010, the Company implemented a restructuring plan to eliminate redundancies as a result of the acquisition of Whitehead Mann Limited and Whitehead Mann SAS, together referred to as Whitehead Mann (“WHM”) and reorganized its go-to-market and operating structure in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) region. These initiatives resulted in restructuring charges of $25.8 million against operations during fiscal 2010, of which $16.0 million and $9.8 million related to severance costs and the consolidation of premises, respectively. These restructuring charges were partially offset by $5.1 million of reductions from previous restructuring charges resulting in net restructuring costs of $20.7 million during fiscal 2010. The Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2010 would have decreased by $0.07 per share had reductions of previously recorded restructuring charges of $5.1 million (or $3.2 million, net of taxes) not been recorded.
 
During fiscal 2011, the Company increased previously recorded restructuring charges resulting in net restructuring costs of $2.1 million. The increase in restructuring expenses primarily relates to higher facility costs than originally recorded. The Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2011 would have increased by $0.03 per share had increases of previously recorded restructuring charges of $2.1 million (or $1.3 million, net of taxes) not been recorded.

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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Changes in the restructuring liability are as follows:
 
                         
    Severance     Facilities     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Liability as of April 30, 2009
  $ 10,554     $ 12,807     $ 23,361  
Additions charged to expense
    15,940       9,835       25,775  
Other reductions, net
    (2,331 )     (2,771 )     (5,102 )
Reductions for cash payments
    (21,849 )     (8,691 )     (30,540 )
Non-cash items
    (370 )     (452 )     (822 )
Exchange rate fluctuations
    770       367       1,137  
                         
Liability as of April 30, 2010
    2,714       11,095       13,809  
Other (reductions) increases, net
    (299 )     2,429       2,130  
Reductions for cash payments
    (1,518 )     (9,979 )     (11,497 )
Exchange rate fluctuations
    81       398       479  
                         
Liability as of April 30, 2011
  $ 978     $ 3,943     $ 4,921  
                         
 
As of April 30, 2011 and 2010, the restructuring liability is included in current portion of other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet, except for $2.1 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of facilities costs which primarily relate to commitments under operating leases, net of sublease income, which are included in other long-term liabilities and will be paid over the next seven years.
 
The restructuring liability by segment is summarized below:
 
                         
    April 30, 2011  
    Severance     Facilities     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Executive Recruitment
                       
North America
  $     $ 91     $ 91  
Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”)
    857       2,312       3,169  
Asia Pacific
          328       328  
South America
    114             114  
                         
Total Executive Recruitment
    971       2,731       3,702  
Futurestep
    7       1,212       1,219  
                         
Liability as of April 30, 2011
  $ 978     $ 3,943     $ 4,921  
                         
 
                         
    April 30, 2010  
    Severance     Facilities     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Executive Recruitment
                       
North America
  $ 5     $ 845     $ 850  
EMEA
    2,429       7,816       10,245  
Asia Pacific
          773       773  
South America
    115             115  
                         
Total Executive Recruitment
    2,549       9,434       11,983  
Futurestep
    165       1,661       1,826  
                         
Liability as of April 30, 2010
  $ 2,714     $ 11,095     $ 13,809  
                         


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
7.   Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
 
The Company has several deferred compensation and retirement plans for vice-presidents that provide defined benefits to participants based on the deferral of current compensation or contributions made by the Company subject to vesting and retirement or termination provisions.
 
The total long-term benefit obligations for these plans were as follows:
 
                 
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010  
    (In thousands)  
 
Deferred compensation plans
  $ 66,637     $ 60,890  
Pension plan
    3,815       3,483  
Retirement plans
    3,153       2,611  
Executive Capital Accumulation Plan
    65,953       56,810  
                 
Total long-term benefit obligations
  $ 139,558     $ 123,794  
                 
 
Deferred Compensation Plans
 
The EWAP was established in fiscal 1994, which replaced the WAP. Certain vice presidents elected to participate in a “deferral unit” that required the participant to contribute a portion of their compensation for an eight year period, or in some cases, make an after tax contribution, in return for defined benefit payments from the Company over a fifteen year period generally at retirement age of 65 or later. Participants were able to acquire additional “deferral units” every five years. Vice presidents who did not choose to roll over their WAP units into the EWAP continue to be covered under the earlier version in which participants generally vest and commence receipt of benefit payments at retirement age of 65. In June 2003, the Company amended the EWAP and WAP plans, so as not to allow new participants or the purchase of additional deferral units by existing participants.
 
The Company also maintains a SEIP for participants approved by the Board. Generally, to be eligible, the vice president must be participating in the EWAP. Participation in the SEIP required the participant to contribute a portion of their compensation during a four-year period, or in some cases make an after tax contribution, in return for a defined benefit paid by the Company generally over a fifteen year period after ten years of participation in the plan or such later date as elected by the participant. In June 2003, the Company amended the SEIP plan, so as not to allow new participants or the purchase of additional deferral units by existing participants.
 
Pension Plan
 
The Company has a defined benefit pension plan, referred to as the WEB, covering certain executives in the U.S. and foreign countries. The WEB is designed to integrate with government sponsored and local benefits and provide a monthly benefit to vice presidents upon retirement from the Company. Each year a plan participant accrued and was fully vested in one-twentieth of the targeted benefits expressed as a percentage set by the Company for that year. Upon retirement, a participant receives a monthly benefit payment equal to the sum of the percentages accrued over such participant’s term of employment, up to a maximum of 20 years, multiplied by the participant’s highest average monthly salary during the 36 consecutive months in the final 72 months of active full-time employment through June 2003. In June 2003, the Company froze the WEB, so as to not allow new participants, future accruals and future salary increases.
 
Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Pension Plans
 
During fiscal 2011, the Company recorded an increase in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities of $6.7 million, a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of $4.1 million and a net decrease of $2.6 million in deferred income taxes.


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
During fiscal 2010, the Company recorded an increase in deferred compensation and pension plan liabilities of $13.4 million, a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of $8.7 million and a net decrease of $4.7 million in deferred income taxes.
 
Deferred Compensation Plan
 
The following tables reconcile the benefit obligation for the deferred compensation plans:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
Change in benefit obligation:
                       
Benefit obligation, beginning of year
  $ 64,890     $ 52,149     $ 54,749  
Service cost
    137       339       696  
Interest cost
    3,495       3,557       3,432  
Plan participants’ contributions with interest
    65       194       367  
Actuarial loss (gain)
    6,764       12,848       (3,263 )
Benefits paid
    (5,032 )     (4,197 )     (3,832 )
                         
Benefit obligation, end of year
    70,319       64,890       52,149  
Less: current portion of benefit obligation
    (3,682 )     (4,000 )     (3,782 )
                         
Non-current benefit obligation
  $ 66,637     $ 60,890     $ 48,367  
                         
 
The components of net periodic benefits costs are as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
Service cost
  $ 137     $ 339     $ 696  
Interest cost
    3,495       3,557       3,432  
Amortization of actuarial loss
    422              
Amortization of net transition obligation
                212  
                         
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 4,054     $ 3,896     $ 4,340  
                         
 
The weighted-average assumptions used in calculating the benefit obligations were as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,
    2011   2010   2009
 
Discount rate, beginning of year
    5.61 %     7.10 %     6.50 %
Discount rate, end of year
    4.94 %     5.61 %     7.10 %
Rate of compensation increase
    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %


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Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Pension Plan
 
The following tables reconcile the benefit obligation for the pension plan:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
Change in benefit obligation:
                       
Benefit obligation, beginning of year
  $ 3,630     $ 3,125     $ 3,119  
Interest cost
    197       214       196  
Actuarial loss (gain)
    307       503       (4 )
Benefits paid
    (182 )     (212 )     (186 )
                         
Benefit obligation, end of year
    3,952       3,630       3,125  
Less: current portion of benefit obligation
    (137 )     (147 )     (151 )
                         
Non-current benefit obligation
  $ 3,815     $ 3,483     $ 2,974  
                         
 
The components of net periodic benefits costs are as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
Interest cost
  $ 197     $ 214     $ 196  
Amortization of actuarial gain
    (2 )     (78 )     (84 )
                         
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 195     $ 136     $ 112  
                         
 
The weighted-average assumptions used in calculating the benefit obligations were as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,
    2011   2010   2009
 
Discount rate, beginning of year
    5.61 %     7.10 %     6.50 %
Discount rate, end of year
    4.94 %     5.61 %     7.10 %
Rate of compensation increase
    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
 
Benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid over the next ten years as follows:
 
                 
    Deferred
   
    Compensation
  Pension
Year Ending April 30,   Plans   Benefits
    (In thousands)
 
2012
  $ 5,182     $ 252  
2013
    5,431       273  
2014
    5,881       294  
2015
    5,763       304  
2016
    5,762       299  
2017-2021
    26,919       1,333  
 
International Retirement Plans
 
The Company also maintains various retirement plans and other miscellaneous deferred compensation arrangements in six foreign jurisdictions. The aggregate of the long-term benefit obligation accrued at April 30,


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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
2011 and 2010 is $3.2 million for 155 participants and $2.6 million for 120 participants, respectively. The Company’s contribution to these plans was $0.9 million and $0.4 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Executive Capital Accumulation Plan (“ECAP”)
 
The Company has an ECAP, which is intended to provide certain employees an opportunity to defer salary and/or bonus on a pre-tax basis, or make an after-tax contribution. In addition, the Company, under its incentive plans, makes discretionary contributions into the ECAP and such contributions are granted to key employees annually based on the employee’s performance. In addition, certain key management may receive Company ECAP contributions upon commencement of employment. Participants generally vest in Company contributions over a four year period. Participants have the ability to allocate their deferrals among a number of investment options and may receive their benefits at termination, retirement or “in service” either in a lump sum or in quarterly installments over five, ten or fifteen years. The Company operates two similar plans in Asia Pacific and Canada.
 
The Company made contributions to the ECAP during fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, of $0.4 million, $1.9 million and $15.1 million, respectively. The Company expects to make an ECAP contribution of approximately $15 million in fiscal year 2012. In addition, the Company may make additional ECAP contributions in fiscal 2012 if key employees are hired.
 
The ECAP is accounted for whereby the changes in the fair value of the vested amounts owed to the participants are adjusted with a corresponding charge (or credit) to compensation and benefits costs. During fiscal 2011 and 2010, deferred compensation liability increased; therefore the Company recognized compensation expenses of $6.7 million and $8.9 million, respectively. During fiscal 2009, deferred compensation liability decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a reduction in compensation expenses of $10.5 million.
 
Changes in the ECAP liability were as follows:
 
                 
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 57,871     $ 45,102  
Employee contributions
    2,403       2,493  
Amortization of employer contributions
    6,525       8,456  
Gain on investment
    6,667       8,875  
Employee distributions
    (6,567 )     (7,627 )
Exchange rate translations
    315       572  
                 
Balance, end of year
    67,214       57,871  
Less: current portion
    (1,261 )     (1,061 )
                 
Non-current portion, end of year
  $ 65,953     $ 56,810  
                 
 
Defined Contribution Plan
 
The Company has a defined contribution plan (“401(k) plan”) for eligible employees. Participants may contribute up to 50% of their base compensation, as defined in the plan agreement. In addition, the Company has the option to make matching contributions. The Company expects to make a $1.2 million matching contribution for the year ended April 30, 2011. The Company did not make a matching contribution during the years ended April 30, 2010 or 2009.


F-26


Table of Contents

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Company Owned Life Insurance
 
The Company purchased COLI contracts insuring employees eligible to participate in the deferred compensation and pension plans. The gross CSV of these contracts of $143.9 million and $136.0 million is offset by outstanding policy loans of $72.9 million and $66.9 million in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of April 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Total death benefits payable, net of loans under COLI contracts, were $195.7 million and $197.4 million at April 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Management intends to use the future death benefits from these insurance contracts to fund the deferred compensation and pension arrangements; however, there may not be a direct correlation between the timing of the future cash receipts and disbursements under these arrangements. In addition, certain policies are held in trusts to provide additional benefit security for the deferred compensation and pension plans, excluding the WEB. As of April 30, 2011, COLI contracts with a net CSV of $57.6 million and death benefits payable, net of loans, of $113.6 million were held in trust for these purposes.
 
8.   Income Taxes
 
The provision (benefit) for income taxes is based on reported income (loss) before income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amounts recognized for tax purposes, as measured by applying the currently enacted tax laws.
 
The provision (benefit) for domestic and foreign income taxes were as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
Current income taxes:
                       
Federal
  $ 7,606     $ 862     $ 3,378