CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. 10-K

Item 9A —Controls and Procedures (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. This is done in order to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("the Exchange Act"), as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of January 1, 2022. (b) Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report based on the framework in "Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013)" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that assessment, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles as of January 1, 2022. Our independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP, has issued an audit report on their assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. The audit report is included herein. (c) Evaluation of Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting Our evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting discussed in Section (b) did not identify any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Item 9B —Other Information None. Item 9C —Disclosures Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections Not Applicable. 32 Table of Contents Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Board of Directors and Shareholders CRA International, Inc. Opinion on internal control over financial reporting We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of CRA International, Inc. (a Massachusetts corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 1, 2022, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2022, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended January 1, 2022, and our report dated March 3, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. Basis for opinion 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 Controls over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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. Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting 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. /s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP Boston, Massachusetts March 3, 2022 33 Table of Contents PART III We have omitted the information required in Part III of this annual report because we intend to include that information in our definitive proxy statement for the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders, which we expect to file within 120 days (or such greater number as permitted by SEC rules) after the end of fiscal 2021. We incorporate that information in this annual report by reference to the proxy statement to be filed in connection with the 2022 annual meeting of our shareholders, which we will refer to herein as our "2022 annual proxy statement." Item 10 —Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance We incorporate the information required by this item by reference to the sections captioned "Corporate Governance" (specifically, its subsections captioned "Overview," "Executive officers and directors" and "Audit committee") and "Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports" in our 2022 annual proxy statement. Item 11 —Executive Compensation We incorporate the information required by this item by reference to the section captioned "Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers" in our 2022 annual proxy statement. Item 12 —Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters We incorporate the information required by this item by reference to the sections captioned "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and "Equity Compensation Plans" in our 2022 annual proxy statement. Item 13 —Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence We incorporate the information required by this item by reference to the sections captioned "Transactions with Related Parties" and "Corporate Governance" (specifically, its subsection captioned "Overview") in our 2022 annual proxy statement. Item 14 —Principal Accountant Fees and Services We incorporate the information required by this item by reference to the section captioned "Principal Accountant Fees and Services" in our 2022 annual proxy statement. 34 Table of Contents PART IV Item 15 —Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (a) Financial Statements, Schedules, and Exhibits. We have listed our consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report in the index to consolidated financial statements on page FS-1. We have listed the exhibits filed as part of this annual report in the accompanying exhibit index, which follows the signature page to this annual report. (b) Exhibits. We have listed the exhibits filed as part of this annual report in the accompanying exhibit index, which follows the signature page to this annual report. (c) Financial Statement Schedules. We have omitted all financial statement schedules because they are not applicable or not required or because we have included the necessary information in our consolidated financial statements or related notes. 35 Table of Contents EXHIBIT INDEX Incorporated by Reference Exhibit No. Description Filed with this Form 10-K Form Filing Date Exhibit No. 3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Organization, as amended by the Articles of Amendment to our Articles of Organization filed on May 6,2005. 10-K February 27, 2020 3.1 3.2 Amended and Restated By-Laws, as amended. 8-K January 31, 2011 3.2 4.1 Specimen certificate for common stock. S-8 April 21, 2006 4.4 4.2 Description of Capital Stock 10-K February 27, 2020 4.2 10.1* 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. S-1/A April 3, 1998 10.2 10.2* Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. DEF 14A April 27, 2018 Annex A 10.3* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award Pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. 8-K April 27, 2006 10.2 10.4* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award Pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Company Right of First Refusal . 10-K February 12, 2009 10.9 10.5* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award Pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. 10-K March 2, 2012 10.11 10.6* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award Pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. 10-K March 15, 2017 10.9 10.7* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award Pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. 10-K March 12, 2018 10.7 10.8* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Director Award Pursuant to Section 6.9 of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. 10-Q August 2, 2018 10.3 10.9* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee or Independent Contractor Awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. 8-K April 27, 2006 10.3 10.10* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee or Independent Contractor Awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Company Right of First Refusal. 10-K February 12, 2009 10.11 10.11* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee or Independent Contractor Awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Company, as amended. 10-K March 2, 2012 10.14 10.12* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employee or Independent Contractor Award under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. 10-Q August 2, 2018 10.4 10.13* Form of Nonqualified Stock Option under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. 10-K February 8, 2007 10.10 10.14* Form of Nonqualified Stock Option under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Stock Ownership Guidelines. 10-K March 2, 2012 10.16 10.15* Form of Nonqualified Stock Option under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines. 10-K March 15, 2017 10.12 10.16* Form of Nonqualified Stock Option under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines. 10-K March 12, 2018 10.14 10.17* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. 10-K January 29, 2010 10.14 10.18* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Stock Ownership Guidelines. 10-K March 2, 2012 10.18 10.19* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines. 10-K March 15, 2017 10.15 10.20* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines. 10-K March 12, 2018 10.18 10.21* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Performance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. 10-K January 29, 2010 10.15 10.22* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Performance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Stock Ownership Guidelines. 10-K March 2, 2012 10.20 36 Table of Contents Incorporated by Reference Exhibit No. Description Filed with this Form 10-K Form Filing Date Exhibit No. 10.23* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Performance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines. 10-K March 15, 2017 10.18 10.24* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Performance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines. 10-K March 12, 2018 10.22 10.25* CRA International, Inc. Cash Incentive Plan, as amended. DEF 14A April 28, 2017 Annex B 10.26* Form of Service Cash Awards Agreement under the Cash Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines. 8-K December 12, 2016 10.2 10.27* Form of Performance Cash Awards Agreement under the Cash Incentive Plan with Ownership Guidelines. 8-K December 12, 2016 10.3 10.28* Summary of Director Compensation. 10-K February 27, 2020 10.28 10.29 Lease dated February 24, 2014 by and between CRA International, Inc. and BP Hancock LLC 8-K February 27, 2014 10.1 10.30 First Amendment to Lease dated as of February 24, 2015 by and between CRA International, Inc. and BP Hancock LLC 8-K March 2, 2015 10.1 10.31 Second Amendment to Lease dated as of August 16, 2017 by and between CRA International, Inc. and BP Hancock LLC. 10-Q August 2, 2018 10.1 10.32 Third Amendment to Lease dated as of June 27, 2018 by and between CRA International, Inc. and BP Hancock LLC. 10-Q August 2, 2018 10.2 10.33 Office Lease dated as of November 29, 1999 between CRA and 1201 F Street, L.L.C., as amended. 10-K February 23, 2001 10.9 10.34 Addenda Nos. 3 and 4 to Office Lease dated as of November 29, 1999 between CRA and 1201 F Street, L.L.C. (or its successor in interest, 1201 F Street, L.P.), as amended. 10-K March 17, 2015 10.35 10.35 Addendum No. 5 to Office Lease dated as of November 29, 1999 between CRA and 1201 F Street, L.P., as amended. 8-K December 30, 2014 10.1 10.36 Amended and Restated Addendum No. 5 to Office Lease dated as of November 29, 1999 between CRA and 1201 F Street L.P., as amended. 10-K March 4, 2016 10.28 10.37 Addendum No. 6 to Lease dated July 11, 2016 by and between CRA International, Inc. and 1201 F Street, L.P. 10-Q October 31, 2017 10.3 10.38 Agreement for Leases dated May 20, 2016 by and among Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 8-K May 25, 2016 10.1 10.39 Lease relating to Unit 2, Part Ground Floor, 8 Finsbury Circus, London EC2 dated May 20, 2016 by and among Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 8-K May 25, 2016 10.2 10.40 Lease relating to Fourth Floor, 8 Finsbury Circus, London EC2 dated May 20, 2016 by and among Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 8-K May 25, 2016 10.3 10.41 Licence to Carry Out Works relating to Unit 2, Part Ground Floor, 8 Finsbury Circus, London EC2 dated May 20, 2016 by and among Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 8-K May 25, 2016 10.4 10.42 Licence to Carry Out Works relating to Fourth Floor, 8 Finsbury Circus, London EC2 dated May 20, 2016 by and among Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 8-K May 25, 2016 10.5 10.43 Side Deed dated May 20, 2016 by and among Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 8-K May 25, 2016 10.6 10.44 Agreement for Lease dated November 21, 2017 by and among Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 8-K November 27, 2017 10.1 10.45 Lease dated February 12, 2018 by and among Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 10-Q May 8, 2018 10.2 37 Table of Contents Incorporated by Reference Exhibit No. Description Filed with this Form 10-K Form Filing Date Exhibit No. 10.46 Deed of Variation of a Lease of Fourth Floor, 8 Finsbury Circus, London EC2 dated October 17, 2018 between Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 10-K February 28, 2019 10.46 10.47 Deed of Variation of a Lease of Part Third Floor, 8 Finsbury Circus, London EC2 dated October 17, 2018 between Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 10-K February 28, 2019 10.47 10.48 Licence to Carry Out Works relating to Part Third Floor and Fourth Floor, 8 Finsbury Circus, London EC2 dated October 17, 2018 between Mitsubishi Estate London Limited, CRA International (UK) Limited and CRA International, Inc. 10-K February 28, 2019 10.48 10.49 Lease dated July 15, 2015 by and between CRA International, Inc. and 1411 IC-SIC Property LLC. 8-K July 21, 2015 10.1 10.50 First Amendment to Lease dated April 21, 2017 by and between CRA International, Inc. and 1411 IC-SIC Property LLC 8-K May 5, 2017 10.1 10.51 Second Amendment to Lease dated July 28, 2017 by and between CRA International, Inc. and 1411 IC-SIC Property LLC. 10-Q May 8, 2018 10.1 10.52 Lease dated as of February 14, 2008 by and between Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, as landlord, and CRA International, Inc., as tenant, and the First Amendment to Lease dated as of May 8, 2017 by and among John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), as landlord and successor-in-interest to Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, and CRA International, Inc., as tenant. 10-Q May 11, 2017 10.2 10.53 Office Lease dated April 2, 2013 by and between C1 Consulting Limited Liability Company and 221 Main Property Owner LLC, as amended by First Amendment to Lease dated July 21, 2017 by and between CRA International, Inc. (as successor to C1 Consulting Limited Liability Company) and Columbia REIT—221 Main, LLC (as successor to 221 Main Property Owner LLC) 10-Q October 31, 2017 10.2 10.54 Form of consulting agreement with outside experts. S-1/A April 3, 1998 10.8 10.55 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2017, by and among CRA International, Inc., CRA International (UK) Limited, CRA International (Netherlands) B.V., and CRA International Limited, as the Borrowers, Citizens Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, a Lender and an Issuing Bank, Bank of America, N.A., as a Lender and an Issuing Bank, and Santander Bank, N.A., as a Lender 8-K October 26, 2017 10.1 10.56 Amended and Restated Securities Pledge Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2017, by and between CRA International, Inc., as Pledgor, and Citizens Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent 8-K October 26, 2017 10.2 10.57 Transaction Agreement dated November 20, 2017 by and among IMSWorld Publications Ltd., IMS Health Technology Solutions Norway AS, IMS Health GmbH & Co. OHG, IQVIA Inc., CRA International, Inc., CRA International (UK) Limited and the Former Employees 8-K November 27, 2017 10.2 10.58 Office Lease dated June 18, 2019 between 601 City Center LLC and CRA International, LLC 8-K June 24, 2019 10.1 10.59 Third Amendment to Lease dated September 9, 2019 by and between CRA International, Inc. and 1411 IC-SIC Property LLC 10-Q October 31, 2019 10.1 10.60* Offer Letter between CRA International, Inc. and Daniel Mahoney effective March 17, 2020. 8-K March 20, 2020 10.1 10.61* Severance Agreement between CRA International, Inc. and Paul A. Maleh dated March 17, 2020. 8-K March 20, 2020 10.2 10.62* Severance Agreement between CRA International, Inc. and Chad M. Holmes dated March 17, 2020. 8-K March 20, 2020 10.3 10.63* Severance Agreement between CRA International, Inc. and Jonathan Yellin dated March 17, 2020. 8-K March 20, 2020 10.4 10.64* Severance Agreement between CRA International, Inc. and Daniel Mahoney dated March 17, 2020. 8-K March 20, 2020 10.5 38 Table of Contents Incorporated by Reference Exhibit No. Description Filed with this Form 10-K Form Filing Date Exhibit No. 10.65 Incremental Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2021, by and among CRA International, Inc., CRA International (UK) Limited, CRA International (Netherlands) B.V., and CRA International Limited, as the Borrowers, Citizens Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and a 2021 Incremental Revolving Lender, and Bank of America, N.A., as a 2021 Incremental Revolving Lender 8-K January 14, 2021 10.1 10.66 Third Amendment to Lease dated August 11, 2021 by and between CRA International, Inc., 601W South Wacker LLC and 601 Sunset Wacker LLC. 10-Q November 4, 2021 10.1 10.67 Suspension of Rights Agreement dated November 19, 2021 , by and among Citizens Bank, N.A., CRA International, Inc., CRA International (UK) Limited, CRA International Limited and CRA International (Netherlands) B.V. X 21.1 Subsidiaries. X 23.1 Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. X 23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm X 31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of principal executive officer. X 31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of principal financial officer. X 32.1 Section 1350 certification of principal executive officer. X 32.2 Section 1350 certification of principal financial officer. X 101 The following financial statements from CRA International, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language), as follows: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019, (v) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019 and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. X 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). * Management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement. Item 16 —Form 10-K Summary None. 39 Table of Contents SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. By: /s/ PAUL A. MALEH Paul A. Maleh President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Date: March 3, 2022 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/ PAUL A. MALEH President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board (principal executive officer) March 3, 2022 Paul A. Maleh /s/ DANIEL K. MAHONEY Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, and Treasurer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) March 3, 2022 Daniel K. Mahoney /s/ RICHARD D. BOOTH Director March 3, 2022 Richard D. Booth /s/ THOMAS A. AVERY Director March 3, 2022 Thomas A. Avery /s/ WILLIAM F. CONCANNON Director March 3, 2022 William F. Concannon /s/ NANCY HAWTHORNE Director March 3, 2022 Nancy Hawthorne /s/ ROBERT W. HOLTHAUSEN Director March 3, 2022 Robert W. Holthausen /s/ CHRISTINE R. DETRICK Director March 3, 2022 Christine R. Detrick 40 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms FS- 2 Consolidated Statements of Operations FS- 5 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income FS- 6 Consolidated Balance Sheets FS- 7 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows FS- 8 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity FS- 9 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements FS- 10 FS-1 Table of Contents Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Board of Directors and Shareholders CRA International, Inc. Opinion on the financial statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CRA International, Inc. (a Massachusetts corporation) and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended January 1, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended January 1, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2022, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated March 3, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion. Basis for opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical audit matters The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate. Fixed-Price Revenue Recognition – Estimates of total costs to complete a performance obligation As described further in Notes 1 and 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recognizes revenue from fixed-price arrangements using the ratio of costs incurred to total estimated costs for completing a performance obligation. We identified the Company’s estimates of total costs to complete a performance obligation in a fixed-price contract as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination that the Company’s estimates of total costs to complete a performance obligation in a fixed-price arrangement is a critical audit matter are the significant management judgement in estimating forecasted direct labor, subcontract labor and other direct costs remaining to complete a performance obligation and to determine the related revenue recognized. Significant management estimates are subject to estimation uncertainty and require significant auditor subjectivity in evaluating the results of our procedures and the reasonableness of those estimates. FS-2 Table of Contents Our audit procedures related to the estimates of total costs to complete a performance obligation included the following, among others. • We tested the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls relating to management’s estimates of total costs to complete a performance obligation in a fixed-price arrangement. • We evaluated management’s historical ability to estimate total costs to complete a performance obligation in a fixed-price arrangement. • For a sample of fixed-price arrangements, we obtained subsequent actual costs incurred and subsequent estimates of total costs to complete and compared to the Company's estimate. Deferred Compensation – Performance-Based Awards As described further in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company provides performance-based awards where the amount to be paid depends upon achievement of minimum required financial targets over the award’s measurement period. These financial targets may include a measure of revenue generation, profitability, or both. We identified the estimation uncertainty related to the achievement of the financial targets used in the calculation of the performance-based awards deferred compensation liability as a critical audit matter. The principal consideration for our determination that the estimation uncertainty related to the achievement of the financial targets is a critical audit matter is that it requires management judgement in estimating forecasted future revenues for the remaining measurement period. This requires management to evaluate historical results and expectations of future performance based on available information, including each recipient’s specific performance. Significant management estimates are subject to estimation uncertainty and require significant auditor subjectivity in evaluating the results of our procedures and the reasonableness of those estimates. Our audit procedures related to the estimation uncertainty related to the achievement of the financial targets included the following, among others. • We tested the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls over management’s estimates related to forecasted future revenues for the remaining measurement period. • We evaluated management’s historical ability to estimate revenues. • We obtained and tested the Company’s key inputs and assumptions used to estimate the forecasted future revenues for the remaining measurement period. Our testing included evaluating key inputs and assumptions by comparing them to historical results and performing sensitivity analysis. /s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP We have served as the Company's auditor since 2020. Boston, Massachusetts March 3, 2022 FS-3 Table of Contents Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of CRA International, Inc. Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of CRA International, Inc. (the Company) for the year ended December 28, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 28, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method for accounting for leases in fiscal year 2019 due to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, Leases , and associated amendments (Topic 842), using the modified retrospective method. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP We served as the Company's auditor from 2014 to 2020. Boston, Massachusetts February 27, 2020 FS-4 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) (in thousands, except per share data) Revenues $ 565,933 $ 508,373 $ 451,370 Costs of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 400,054 370,709 317,761 Selling, general and administrative expenses 97,372 90,028 93,613 Depreciation and amortization 12,768 12,840 10,648 Income from operations 55,739 34,796 29,348 Interest expense, net ( 970 ) ( 1,216 ) ( 1,254 ) Foreign currency gains (losses), net ( 494 ) 42 ( 1,297 ) Income before provision for income taxes 54,275 33,622 26,797 Provision for income taxes 12,596 9,115 6,050 Net income $ 41,679 $ 24,507 $ 20,747 Net income per share: Basic $ 5.59 $ 3.14 $ 2.63 Diluted $ 5.45 $ 3.07 $ 2.53 Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Basic 7,423 7,768 7,866 Diluted 7,621 7,948 8,167 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. FS-5 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) (in thousands) Net income $ 41,679 $ 24,507 $ 20,747 Other comprehensive income (loss) Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax ( 1,467 ) 3,280 831 Comprehensive income $ 40,212 $ 27,787 $ 21,578 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. FS-6 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 (in thousands, except share data) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 66,130 $ 45,677 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $ 3,256 at January 1, 2022 and $ 3,595 at January 2, 2021 116,962 111,595 Unbilled services, net of allowances of $ 1,364 at January 1, 2022 and $ 1,000 at January 2, 2021 45,095 40,881 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 10,589 7,068 Forgivable loans 10,571 14,749 Total current assets 249,347 219,970 Property and equipment, net 53,612 62,878 Goodwill 88,936 89,187 Intangible assets, net 4,181 5,108 Right-of-use assets 110,475 122,144 Deferred income taxes 9,319 9,667 Forgivable loans, net of current portion 38,020 46,864 Other assets 1,470 2,692 Total assets $ 555,360 $ 558,510 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 23,511 $ 19,430 Accrued expenses 156,314 136,376 Deferred revenue and other liabilities 12,821 9,866 Current portion of lease liabilities 14,337 13,557 Current portion of deferred compensation 6,103 20,902 Total current liabilities 213,086 200,131 Non-current liabilities: Deferred compensation and other non-current liabilities 10,947 9,188 Non-current portion of lease liabilities 124,464 139,447 Deferred income taxes 1,029 725 Total non-current liabilities 136,440 149,360 Commitments and contingencies (Note 16) Shareholders’ equity: Preferred stock, no par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding — — Common stock, no par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 7,362,703 and 7,693,497 shares issued and outstanding at January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, respectively — 503 Retained earnings 215,784 216,999 Accumulated other comprehensive loss ( 9,950 ) ( 8,483 ) Total shareholders’ equity 205,834 209,019 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 555,360 $ 558,510 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. FS-7 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) (in thousands) OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 41,679 $ 24,507 $ 20,747 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 12,768 12,840 10,648 Right-of-use asset amortization 13,011 12,037 10,662 Deferred income taxes 446 1,114 ( 1,159 ) Share-based compensation expenses 4,086 3,235 3,461 Accounts receivable allowances ( 337 ) ( 479 ) 47 Unrealized foreign currency remeasurement (gains) losses, net ( 294 ) 247 — Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable ( 5,689 ) ( 1,948 ) ( 12,759 ) Unbilled services, net ( 4,399 ) ( 3,940 ) ( 352 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and other assets ( 2,399 ) 1,377 ( 2,120 ) Forgivable loans 10,742 ( 15,868 ) ( 16,331 ) Incentive cash awards 6,724 6,602 4,839 Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities 14,875 25,478 16,311 Lease liabilities ( 15,515 ) ( 10,539 ) ( 6,162 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 75,698 54,663 27,832 INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property and equipment ( 2,623 ) ( 17,094 ) ( 16,693 ) Net cash used in investing activities ( 2,623 ) ( 17,094 ) ( 16,693 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Issuance of common stock, principally stock options exercises 5,157 2,236 3,211 Borrowings under revolving line of credit 74,000 77,000 54,000 Repayments under revolving line of credit ( 74,000 ) ( 77,000 ) ( 54,000 ) Tax withholding payments reimbursed by shares ( 1,528 ) ( 862 ) ( 2,176 ) Cash paid for contingent consideration ( 2,357 ) — — Cash dividends paid ( 8,289 ) ( 7,503 ) ( 6,785 ) Repurchase of common stock ( 44,976 ) ( 13,371 ) ( 18,068 ) Net cash used in financing activities ( 51,993 ) ( 19,500 ) ( 23,818 ) Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents ( 629 ) 1,969 290 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 20,453 20,038 ( 12,389 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 45,677 25,639 38,028 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 66,130 $ 45,677 $ 25,639 Noncash investing and financing activities: Purchases of property and equipment not yet paid for $ ( 8 ) $ 4,749 $ 4,914 Purchases of property and equipment paid by a third party $ — $ — $ 156 Asset retirement obligations $ — $ 155 $ 428 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations $ 1,751 $ 2,640 $ 57,827 Right-of-use assets related to the adoption of ASC 842 $ — $ — $ 82,329 Lease liabilities related to the adoption of ASC 842 $ — $ — $ 106,765 Restricted common stock issued for contingent consideration $ 2,250 $ — $ — Supplemental cash flow information: Cash paid for taxes $ 14,953 $ 6,535 $ 7,590 Cash paid for interest $ 727 $ 1,162 $ 1,157 Cash paid for amounts included in operating lease liabilities $ 20,823 $ 20,436 $ 14,620 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. FS-8 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (in thousands, except share data) Common Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Shareholders' Equity Shares Issued Amount BALANCE AT DECEMBER 29, 2018 8,010,480 $ 22,837 $ 186,229 $ ( 12,594 ) $ 196,472 Net income — — 20,747 — 20,747 Foreign currency translation adjustment — — — 831 831 Exercise of stock options 140,513 3,211 — — 3,211 Share-based compensation expense — 3,461 — — 3,461 Restricted shares vesting 128,089 — — — — Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding ( 43,173 ) ( 2,176 ) — — ( 2,176 ) Shares repurchased ( 421,112 ) ( 18,068 ) — — ( 18,068 ) Accrued dividends on unvested shares — — 58 — 58 Cash dividends paid ($ 0.83 per share) — — ( 6,785 ) — ( 6,785 ) BALANCE AT DECEMBER 28, 2019 7,814,797 $ 9,265 $ 200,249 $ ( 11,763 ) $ 197,751 Balance at December 29, 2019, as previously reported 7,814,797 9,265 200,249 ( 11,763 ) 197,751 Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle related to ASC 326 — — ( 203 ) — ( 203 ) Balance at December 29, 2019, as adjusted 7,814,797 $ 9,265 $ 200,046 $ ( 11,763 ) $ 197,548 Net income — — 24,507 — 24,507 Foreign currency translation adjustment — — — 3,280 3,280 Exercise of stock options 118,841 2,236 — — 2,236 Share-based compensation expense — 3,235 — — 3,235 Restricted shares vesting 61,396 — — — — Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding ( 17,695 ) ( 862 ) — — ( 862 ) Shares repurchased ( 283,842 ) ( 13,371 ) — — ( 13,371 ) Accrued dividends on unvested shares — — ( 51 ) — ( 51 ) Cash dividends paid ($ 0.95 per share) — — ( 7,503 ) — ( 7,503 ) BALANCE AT JANUARY 2, 2021 7,693,497 $ 503 $ 216,999 $ ( 8,483 ) $ 209,019 Net income — — 41,679 — 41,679 Foreign currency translation adjustment — — — ( 1,467 ) ( 1,467 ) Issuance of restricted common stock for contingent consideration 40,039 2,250 — — 2,250 Exercise of stock options 192,803 5,157 — — 5,157 Share-based compensation expense — 4,086 — — 4,086 Restricted shares vesting 65,242 — — — — Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding ( 20,133 ) ( 1,528 ) — — ( 1,528 ) Shares repurchased ( 608,745 ) ( 10,468 ) ( 34,508 ) — ( 44,976 ) Accrued dividends on unvested shares — — ( 97 ) — ( 97 ) Cash dividends paid ($ 1.09 per share) — — ( 8,289 ) — ( 8,289 ) BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2022 7,362,703 $ — $ 215,784 $ ( 9,950 ) $ 205,834 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements FS-9 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business CRA International, Inc. ("CRA or the "Company") is a worldwide leading consulting services firm that applies advanced analytic techniques and in-depth industry knowledge to complex engagements for a broad range of clients. CRA offers services in two broad areas: litigation, regulatory, and financial consulting and management consulting. CRA operates in one business segment. CRA operates its business under its registered trade name, Charles River Associates. Fiscal Year and Quarters CRA's fiscal year end is the Saturday nearest December 31 of each year. CRA's fiscal years periodically contain 53 weeks rather than 52 weeks. Fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2019 were 52 -week years. Fiscal 2020 was a 53 -week year. CRA's fiscal quarter ends are determined as the last Saturday nearest the respective calendar quarter end. Basis of Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of CRA International, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively the 'Company') which require consolidation, after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of consolidated revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, allowances for accounts receivable and unbilled services, revenue recognition on fixed-price contracts, variable consideration to be included in the transaction price of revenue contracts, the useful life of long-lived assets, measurement of operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and liabilities, share-based compensation, valuation of contingent consideration liabilities, valuation of acquired intangible assets, goodwill, accrued and deferred income taxes, valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, accrued incentive compensation, and certain other accrued expenses. These items are monitored and analyzed by CRA for changes in facts and circumstances, and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. CRA bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that CRA believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates if CRA's assumptions based on past experience or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate. Cash and Cash Equivalents CRA considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist principally of money market funds with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. Concentrations of Credit Risk CRA holds cash in accounts at various third-party financial institutions. At times, these deposits may exceed federally insured limits. As of January 1, 2022, CRA's cash accounts were concentrated at two financial institutions, which potentially exposes CRA to credit risks. The financial institutions both have short-term credit ratings of A-1 by Standard & Poor's ratings services. CRA has not experienced any losses related to such accounts. CRA does not believe that there is significant risk of non-performance by the financial institutions, and its cash on deposit is fully liquid. CRA continually monitors the credit ratings of the institutions. FS-10 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) Foreign Currency Translation Asset and liability accounts of CRA's foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at reporting period-end exchange rates and operating accounts are translated at average exchange rates for each fiscal month. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in shareholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transactions are remeasured at current exchanges rates, with adjustments recorded as foreign currency gains (losses), net, on the consolidated statements of operations. These foreign currency transactions may be realized or unrealized based upon whether the transaction has settled as of the reporting period-end. The effect of transaction gains and losses recorded in income before provision for income taxes amounted to losses of $ 0.5 million for fiscal 2021, gains of $ 0.04 million for fiscal 2020, and losses of $ 1.3 million for fiscal 2019. Revenue Recognition and Allowances for Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services Revenue is recognized when CRA satisfies a performance obligation by transferring services promised in a contract to a client in an amount that reflects the consideration that CRA expects to receive in exchange for those services. Performance obligations in CRA's contracts represent distinct or separate service streams that CRA provides to clients. If, at the outset of an arrangement, CRA determines that an enforceable contract does not exist, revenues are deferred until all criteria for an enforceable contract are met. CRA derives substantially all of its revenues from the performance of professional services for its clients. The contracts that CRA enters into and operates under specify whether the engagement will be billed on a time-and-materials basis or a fixed-price basis. These engagements generally last three to six months , although some engagements can be much longer in duration. • Time-and-materials arrangements require the client to pay based on the number of hours worked at contractually agreed-upon hourly rates. Revenues are recognized from these arrangements based on hours incurred and contracted rates based on a right-to-payment for services completed to date. When a time-and-materials arrangement has a "cap" or "limit" amount, revenue is recognized up to the cap or limit amount specified by the client, based on the efforts or hours incurred and expenses incurred. Thereafter, revenue is reserved pending an amendment of the cap or limit. • Fixed-price arrangements require the client to pay a contractually agreed-upon fee in exchange for a pre-established set of professional services. Fees are based on estimates of the costs and timing for completing a performance obligation. Under fixed-price arrangements, revenues are generally recognized using a proportional performance method, which is based on the ratio of costs incurred to the total estimated costs for completing a performance obligation. CRA's fixed-price arrangements generally have a single performance obligation. For arrangements that contain multiple performance obligations, the fixed price is allocated based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised services underlying each performance obligation. CRA has elected as a practical expedient to not disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations as of January 1, 2022, as CRA's contracts have an original expected duration of one year or less or revenue has been recognized at the amount for which CRA has the right to invoice for consulting services performed. Reimbursable expenses, including those relating to travel, out-of-pocket expenses, outside consultants and other third-party vendor expenses, are generally included in revenues, and an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses is included in costs of services in the period in which the expense is incurred. Sales, value-added, and other taxes collected on behalf of third parties are excluded from revenue. Commissions to non-employee experts are expensed when incurred if the related contract term is expected to be one year or less. Differences between the timing of billing and the recognition of revenue are recognized as either unbilled services or deferred revenues in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Revenues recognized for services performed but not yet billed to clients are recorded as unbilled services. Client prepayments and retainers are classified as deferred revenues and recognized over future periods as earned in accordance with the applicable retention agreement. CRA usually issues invoices to its customers on a monthly basis, and payment is due upon receipt of the invoice. When determining the transaction price of a contract, an adjustment is made if payment from a customer occurs either significantly before or significantly after performance, resulting in a significant financing component. CRA does not assess whether a significant financing component exists if the period between when it performs its obligations under the contract and when the customer pays is one year or less. None of CRA's contracts contained a significant financing component as of January 1, 2022 or January 2, 2021. FS-11 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) Contract Balances from Contracts with Customers The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections results in accounts receivables, unbilled services, and contract liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Revenues recognized for services performed but not yet billed to clients are recorded as unbilled services. CRA defines contract assets as assets for which it has recorded revenue because it determines that it is probable that it will earn a performance-based or contingent fee, but is not yet entitled to receive a fee because certain events, such as completion of the measurement period or client approval, must occur. CRA defines contract liabilities as advance payments from or billings to its clients for services that have not yet been performed or earned. When consideration is received, or such consideration is unconditionally due from a customer prior to transferring consulting services to the customer under the terms of a contract, a contract liability is recorded. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue after performance obligations have been satisfied and all revenue recognition criteria have been met. Contract liabilities are included in deferred revenue and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Variable Consideration Variable consideration to be included in the transaction price is estimated using either the expected value method or the most likely method based on facts and circumstances. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur. Revenues from CRA's consulting services are recorded at the net transaction price, which includes estimates of variable consideration for which reserves are established. Variable consideration reserves are based on specific price concessions and those expected to be extended to CRA clients estimated by CRA's historical realization rates. Reserves for variable consideration are recorded as a component of the allowances for accounts receivable and unbilled services on the consolidated balance sheets. Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ from CRA's estimates. If actual results in the future vary from its estimates, CRA adjusts these estimates in the period such variances become known. Adjustments to the reserves for variable consideration are included in revenues on the consolidated statement of operations. Reserves for Credit Risk CRA's accounts receivable and unbilled services consist of receivables from a broad range of clients in a variety of industries located throughout the U.S. and in other countries. CRA performs a credit evaluation of its clients to minimize its collectability risk. Periodically, CRA will require advance payment from certain clients. However, CRA does not require collateral or other security. CRA adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Loss (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASC 326") on the first day of fiscal 2020, which changed the method CRA utilizes to estimate reserves related to credit risk. As a result of the adoption, CRA recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment of $ 0.2 million to retained earnings and allowances for accounts receivable. Comparative periods and their respective disclosures prior to the adoption of ASC 326 have not been adjusted. CRA maintains allowances for accounts receivable and unbilled services for estimated losses resulting from clients’ failure to make required payments. CRA estimates these allowances based on historical charge-off rates, adjusted for days of sales outstanding and expected changes to clients’ financial conditions during the anticipated collection period. CRA writes off allowances when management determines the balance is uncollectible and all efforts of collection have been exhausted. Bad debt expense, net of recoveries of previously written off allowances, is recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. Prior to adopting ASC 326, CRA determined allowances for accounts receivable and unbilled services for specific customer accounts based on the financial condition of the customer and related facts and circumstances. Expenses associated with these allowances were recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. Costs of Services Costs of services include the salaries, bonuses, share-based compensation expense, forgivable loan amortization, and benefits of our employee consultants. Costs of services also include out-of-pocket and other third-party vendor expenses, and FS-12 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) the salaries of support staff whose time is billed directly to clients, such as librarians, editors, and programmers, as well as the amounts billed to us by our outside consultants for services rendered while completing a project. Costs of services does not include depreciation and amortization. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, bonuses, share-based compensation expense, and benefits of our administrative and support staff, fees to non-employee experts for generating new business, office rent, marketing, and other costs. Deferred Compensation CRA accounts for performance-based and service-based cash awards using an accrual method where changes in estimates are accounted for prospectively over the remaining service period. To the extent the terms of an award attribute all or a portion of the expected future benefits to a period of service greater than one year, the cost of those benefits is accrued over the employee's or non-employee's requisite service period in a systematic and rational manner, usually on a straight-line basis. The requisite service period typically ranges from two to seven years starting with the employee's employment date or non-employee's affiliation date. For an employee or non-employee consultant currently affiliated with CRA, the requisite service period generally begins at the start of the award's measurement period. A recipient of such an award is expected to be employed by or affiliated with CRA for the entire measurement period. If the recipient's employment or affiliation with CRA terminates during the measurement period, the amount paid will be determined in accordance with the recipient's specific contract provisions. The terms of award agreements may include the achievement of minimum required financial targets over the award's measurement period. These financial targets may include a measure of revenue generation, profitability, or both. The amount of the liability of the award agreements is estimated based on internally generated financial projections. The process of projecting these financial targets over the measurement period is highly subjective and requires significant judgment and estimates. There can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions used in preparing these projections will prove to be accurate. Leases CRA is a lessee under certain operating leases for office space and equipment. CRA adopted ASC Topic 842, Leases ("ASC 842") on the first day of fiscal 2019 using the modified retrospective transition method. The cumulative effect of the transition adjustments was recognized as of the date of adoption. As a result of adopting the new standard, CRA recognized ROU assets of $ 82.3 million and lease liabilities of $ 106.8 million. The difference between the amount of ROU assets and lease liabilities recognized was an adjustment to deferred rent. There was no change to net deferred tax assets as a result of CRA's adoption of ASC 842. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on CRA's results of operations or cash flows, nor did it have an impact on any of CRA's existing debt covenants. CRA determines whether a contract is a lease at the inception of the contract, based on whether the contract provides CRA the right to control the use of a physically distinct asset or substantially all of the capacity of an asset. At the commencement date, operating lease liabilities and ROU assets are recognized on the balance sheet. Lease liabilities are based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term, discounted using an incremental borrowing rate specific to the underlying asset. ROU assets are equal to the lease liability, adjusted for payments made to the lessor prior to the lease commencement date and lease incentives received, such as tenant improvement allowances. CRA estimates its incremental borrowing rate for each leased asset based on the interest rate CRA would incur to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term in a similar economic environment. CRA recognizes rent expense for its operating leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. CRA classifies as short-term leases any leases with an initial noncancellable term of twelve months or less that do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that CRA is reasonably certain to exercise. ROU assets and lease liabilities related to short-term leases are excluded from the consolidated balance sheets. CRA leases office space and equipment. CRA's equipment leases are generally short-term. CRA's office space leases have remaining lease terms between one and approximately ten years , many of which include one or more options to extend the term for periods of up to five years for each option. Certain office space leases contain options to terminate the lease early, which may include a penalty for exercising the option. Many of the termination options require notice within a specified period, FS-13 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) after which the option is no longer available to CRA if not exercised. The extension options and termination options may be exercised at CRA's sole discretion. CRA does not consider in the measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities an option to extend or terminate a lease if CRA is not reasonably certain to exercise the option. As of January 1, 2022, CRA has not included any options to extend or terminate in its measurement of ROU assets or lease liabilities. Certain of CRA's office space leases impose asset retirement obligations due to office modifications or include covenants that oblige CRA, at its sole expense, to repair and maintain the leased asset periodically during the lease term. These obligations are included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and are recorded at a value based on their estimated discounted cash flows. Many of CRA's office space leases include fixed and variable payments. Variable payments relate to real estate taxes, sales or use taxes, insurance, operating expenses, and common area maintenance, which are usually billed at actual amounts incurred proportionate to CRA's rented square feet of the building. Variable payments that do not depend on an index or rate are expensed by CRA as they are incurred and are not included in the measurement of the lease liability. Many of CRA's leases contain both lease and non-lease components. For office space leases, lease and non-lease components are accounted for as a single component. For equipment leases, fixed and variable payments are allocated to each component relative to observable or estimated standalone prices. CRA measures its variable lease costs as the portion of variable payments that are allocated to lease components. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment as of October 15th and if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the estimated fair values of the identifiable assets acquired. CRA assesses goodwill at the reporting unit level. For CRA's fiscal 2021 goodwill impairment analysis, it operated as one reporting unit, which is its consulting services. The annual goodwill impairment test may use a qualitative or quantitative assessment. In performing the qualitative assessment, CRA considers various factors, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, a sustained decrease in share price, and factors specific to the reporting unit. In performing the quantitative assessment, CRA compares the estimated value of its reporting unit to its net book value to identify potential impairment. CRA estimates the fair value of its consulting business reporting unit utilizing its market capitalization plus an appropriate control premium. Market capitalization is determined by multiplying CRA's shares outstanding by the market price of its common stock. CRA determines the control premium utilizing data from publicly available premium studies for the trailing four quarters for public company transactions in its industry group. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its net book value, goodwill is impaired. Intangible Assets Intangible assets are comprised of non-competition agreements and customer relationship intangibles, which are separable from goodwill and have determinable useful lives. CRA's intangible assets are valued separately and amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of approximately three years for computer equipment, three to ten years for computer software, and ten years for furniture and fixtures. Amortization of leasehold improvements is calculated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the leasehold improvements. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets CRA reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets (primarily property and equipment, finite-lived intangible assets, and ROU assets) to assess the recoverability of these assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Factors CRA considers important that could trigger an impairment review include, among others, the following: • a significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; FS-14 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) • a significant change in the manner of CRA's use of the acquired asset or the strategy for CRA's overall business; and • a significant negative industry or economic trend. If CRA determines that an impairment review is required, CRA would review the expected future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the assets or asset groups. If CRA determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets or asset groups may not be recoverable, CRA would measure any impairment based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by CRA to be commensurate with the risk inherent in CRA's current business model. If impairment is indicated through this review, the carrying amount of the assets would be reduced to their estimated fair value. Fair Value of Financial Instruments ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement), then priority to quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market (Level 2 measurement), then the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). CRA's financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments or because their stated interest rates are indicative of market interest rates. The contingent consideration liability, which was paid in February 2021, pertained to estimated future contingent consideration payments related to the acquisition of C1 Consulting, LLC, an independent consulting firm, and its wholly-owned subsidiary C1 Associates (collectively, "C1"), and was included in deferred compensation on our consolidated balance sheets. The fair value measurement of the liability was based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represented a Level 3 measurement. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration liability were CRA's estimate of the payout based on internally generated revenue projections, expected volatility of the revenue projections, and discount rates. The fair value of the contingent consideration had been determined using a Monte Carlo simulation, and was reassessed on a quarterly basis by CRA using additional information as it became available. Changes in the fair value estimate were recorded in costs of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) on the consolidated statements of operations. Income Taxes CRA records income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases. CRA includes in the estimate of deferred tax assets and liabilities an estimate of the realizable benefits from operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. CRA is required to establish a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets to reflect the likelihood of realization. Significant management judgment is required in determining deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against its net deferred tax assets. The weight of all available evidence is evaluated to determine whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The decision to record a valuation allowance requires varying degrees of judgment based upon the nature of the item giving rise to the deferred tax asset. If, after a valuation allowance is recorded, it is determined that CRA would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, CRA would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. CRA's effective tax rate may vary from period to period based on changes in estimated taxable income or loss; changes to the valuation allowance; changes to federal, state, or foreign tax laws; future expansion into areas with varying country, state, and local income tax rates; deductibility of certain costs; uncertain tax positions; expenses by jurisdiction; and results of acquisitions or dispositions. FS-15 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) The calculation of CRA's tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in several different tax jurisdictions. CRA is periodically reviewed by domestic and foreign tax authorities. These reviews include questions regarding the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. CRA accounts for uncertainties in income tax positions in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740"). The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. The Company has elected to recognize the tax on global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") as a period expense in the period the tax is incurred. As such, CRA has included its GILTI provision associated with current-year operations solely within the estimated annual effective tax rate ("EAETR") and has not provided additional GILTI on deferred items. Share-Based Compensation CRA accounts for equity-based compensation using a fair value based recognition method. Under the fair value recognition requirements of ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation ("ASC Topic 718"), share-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period of the award. For those awards that are deemed probable of vesting, CRA recognizes the estimated fair value as expense over the requisite service period of the award. The amount of share-based compensation expense recognized at any date must at least equal the portion of grant date value of the award that is vested at that date. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, for time-vesting restricted stock units awarded to employees, CRA estimates share-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the restricted stock units and awards and recognizes the cost for awards that are probable of vesting over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis. Performance-vesting restricted stock units are expensed using the graded attribution method. Common Stock and Equity Equity transactions consist primarily of the repurchase by CRA of its common stock under its share repurchase program and the recognition of compensation expense and issuance of common stock under CRA’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company repurchases its common stock under its share repurchase program in open market purchases (including through any Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted by CRA) or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable insider trading and other securities laws and regulations. During the second fiscal quarter of fiscal 2021, CRA repurchased shares of its common stock through a modified "Dutch auction" self-tender offer, as further described in Note 11. The purchase price of common stock is first charged against available paid-in capital (“PIC”) until PIC is exhausted, after which the purchase price is charged to retained earnings. As of January 1, 2022, PIC was exhausted. CRA’s common stock has no par value. All shares repurchased have been retired. Net Income (Loss) Per Share CRA computes basic net income or loss per share utilizing the two-class method, whereby net earnings are allocated to each class of common stock and participating security as if all the net earnings for the period had been distributed. Under the two-class method, basic net income or loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss allocated to common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. CRA's participating securities consist of unvested share-based payment awards that contain a nonforfeitable right to receive dividends. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the basic net income or loss per share calculation. CRA computes diluted net income or loss per share utilizing the more dilutive of either the two-class method or the treasury stock method. Under the two-class method, diluted net income or loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares determined from the basic earnings per share computation and the number of common stock equivalents that would have a dilutive effect. Under the treasury stock method, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding is increased by the potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive shares are related to our restricted stock, stock options, time-vesting RSUs, and performance-vesting RSUs. To the extent that there is a net loss, CRA assumes all common stock equivalents to be anti-dilutive, and they are excluded from diluted weighted-average shares outstanding. FS-16 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) Recent Accounting Standards Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes CRA adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”) on the first day of fiscal 2021. ASU 2019-12 simplifies or clarifies accounting for income taxes by changing prior guidance related to accounting for year-to-date losses in interim periods, accounting for tax law changes in interim periods, determining when a deferred tax liability is recognized for foreign subsidiaries that transition to or from being accounted for as equity method investments, application of income tax guidance to franchise taxes that are partially based on income, and making an intra-period allocation in situations where there is a loss in continuing operations and income or gain from other items. ASU 2019-12 also introduces new guidance to evaluate whether a step up in the tax basis of goodwill relates to a business combination or a separate transaction and provides a policy election to not allocate consolidated income taxes when a member of a consolidated tax return is not subject to income tax. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on CRA's financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures on the date of transition. Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2021-08") . The ASU requires that an acquirer recognize and measure contract assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers at the acquisition date as if the acquirer had originated the contracts rather than adjust them to fair value. ASU 2021-08 is effective for CRA for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The ASU requires application of the guidance prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of ASU 2021-08. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Adoption in an interim period, however, requires application of the guidance retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period of early adoption. CRA is in the process of determining the timing of adopting ASU 2021-08 as well as the effects, if any, the adoption may have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures. 2. Revenues and Allowances The contracts CRA enters into and operates under specify whether the projects are billed on a time-and-materials or a fixed-price basis. Time-and-materials contracts are typically used for litigation, regulatory, and financial consulting projects while fixed-price contracts are principally used for management consulting projects. In general, project costs are classified in costs of services and are based on the direct salary of CRA's employee consultants on the engagement, plus all direct expenses incurred to complete the project, including any amounts billed to CRA by its non-employee experts. Disaggregation of Revenue The following tables disaggregate CRA's revenue by type of contract and geographic location (in thousands). Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Type of Contract January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) Consulting services revenues: Fixed-price $ 136,276 $ 124,383 $ 107,344 Time-and-materials 429,657 383,990 344,026 Total $ 565,933 $ 508,373 $ 451,370 FS-17 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Geographic Breakdown January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) Consulting services revenues: United States $ 451,436 $ 405,808 $ 357,156 United Kingdom 86,191 79,922 72,169 Other 28,306 22,643 22,045 Total $ 565,933 $ 508,373 $ 451,370 Reserves for Variable Consideration and Credit Risk Revenues from CRA's consulting services are recorded at the net transaction price, which includes estimates of variable consideration for which reserves are established. Variable consideration reserves are based on specific price concessions and those expected to be extended to CRA customers estimated by CRA's historical realization rates. Reserves for variable consideration are recorded as a component of the allowances for accounts receivable and unbilled services on the consolidated balance sheets. Adjustments to the reserves for variable consideration are included in revenues on the consolidated statements of operations. CRA also maintains allowances for accounts receivable and unbilled services for estimated losses resulting from clients’ failure to make required payments. CRA adopted ASC 326 on the first day of fiscal 2020, which changed the method CRA utilizes to estimate reserves related to credit risk. Under ASC 326, CRA estimates allowances based on historical charge-off rates, adjusted for days of sales outstanding and expected changes to clients’ financial conditions during the anticipated collection period. Bad debt expense, net of recoveries of previously written off allowances, is recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. A rollforward of the variable consideration and doubtful accounts reserves for accounts receivable, which includes allowances for doubtful accounts of $ 0.5 million and $ 0.7 million as of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, respectively, is as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2021 2020 Balance at beginning of fiscal year $ 3,595 $ 3,838 Increases to reserves, net of recoveries (1) 2,612 2,092 Amounts written off and foreign currency translation ( 2,951 ) ( 2,335 ) Balance at end of fiscal year $ 3,256 $ 3,595 _______________________________ (1) Fiscal 2020 includes the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle related to ASC 326 in the amount of $ 0.2 million. A rollforward of the variable consideration and doubtful accounts reserves for unbilled services is as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2021 2020 Balance at beginning of fiscal year $ 1,000 $ 1,503 Increases to reserves, net of recoveries 7,574 6,847 Amounts written off and foreign currency translation ( 7,210 ) ( 7,350 ) Balance at end of fiscal year $ 1,364 $ 1,000 FS-18 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) The following table presents CRA's bad debt expense, net of recoveries of previously written off allowances (in thousands): Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) Bad debt expense, net $ 27 $ 227 $ 173 Reimbursable Expenses Revenues also include reimbursements for costs incurred by CRA in fulfilling its performance obligations, including travel and other out-of-pocket expenses, fees for outside consultants and other reimbursable expenses. CRA recovers substantially all of these costs. The following expenses are subject to reimbursement (in thousands): Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) Reimbursable expenses $ 64,532 $ 61,661 $ 54,871 Contract Balances from Contracts with Customers CRA defines contract assets as assets for which it has recorded revenue because it determines that it is probable that it will earn a performance-based or contingent fee, but is not yet entitled to receive a fee because certain events, such as completion of the measurement period or client approval, must occur. The contract assets balance was immaterial as of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021. When consideration is received, or such consideration is unconditionally due from a customer prior to transferring consulting services to the customer under the terms of a contract, a contract liability is recorded. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue after performance obligations have been satisfied and all revenue recognition criteria have been met. The following table presents the closing balances of CRA's contract liabilities (in thousands): January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Contract liabilities $ 8,811 $ 5,527 $ 4,007 CRA recognized the following revenue that was included in the contract liabilities balance as of the opening of the respective period or for performance obligations satisfied in previous periods (in thousands): Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) Amounts included in contract liabilities at the beginning of the fiscal year $ 5,185 $ 3,533 $ 5,155 Performance obligations satisfied in previous fiscal years $ 2,827 $ 4,503 $ 3,603 3. Forgivable Loans In order to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, CRA may issue forgivable loans to employees and non-employee experts, certain of which may be denominated in local currencies. A portion of these loans is collateralized. The forgivable loans have terms that are generally between two and six years with interest rates currently ranging up to 2.83 %. The principal amount of forgivable loans and accrued interest is forgiven by CRA over the term of the loans, so long as the employee or non-employee expert continues employment or affiliation with CRA and complies with certain contractual requirements. During fiscal years 2021, 2020 and 2019 there were no balances due under these loans for which the full principal and interest were not forgiven or not collected upon termination of employment or affiliation with CRA. The expense associated with the forgiveness of the principal amount of the loans is recorded as compensation expense over the service period, which is consistent with the term of the loans. FS-19 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) The following table presents forgivable loan activity for the respective periods (in thousands): Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2021 2020 Beginning balance $ 61,613 $ 55,141 Advances 14,528 42,418 Repayments ( 69 ) — Reclassifications from accrued expenses or to other assets (1) ( 2,229 ) ( 9,713 ) Amortization ( 25,187 ) ( 26,628 ) Effects of foreign currency translation ( 65 ) 395 Ending balance $ 48,591 $ 61,613 Current portion of forgivable loans $ 10,571 $ 14,749 Non-current portion of forgivable loans $ 38,020 $ 46,864 _______________________________ (1) Relates to the reclassification of performance awards previously recorded as accrued expenses or forgivable loans that have been reclassified to other receivables. 4. Leases The components of CRA's lease expenses, which are included in the consolidated statements of operations, are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) Operating lease cost $ 18,293 $ 17,803 $ 15,731 Short-term lease cost 442 908 511 Variable lease cost 5,273 6,155 4,461 Total lease cost $ 24,008 $ 24,866 $ 20,703 The following table presents summary information for CRA's lease terms and discount rates for its operating leases: January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Weighted average remaining lease term—operating leases 7.7 years 8.6 years 9.6 years Weighted average discount rate—operating leases 3.6 % 3.6 % 3.7 % At January 1, 2022, CRA had the following maturities of lease liabilities related to office space, all of which are under non-cancellable operating leases (in thousands): Fiscal Year Operating Lease Commitments 2022 $ 18,699 2023 21,485 2024 21,540 2025 21,304 2026 20,139 Thereafter 57,177 Total lease payments 160,344 Less: imputed interest ( 21,543 ) Total $ 138,801 FS-20 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) Certain of our operating leases have terms that impose asset retirement obligations due to office modifications or the periodic redecoration of the premises, which are included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. As of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, these redecoration and asset retirement obligations were approximately $ 2.0 million and $ 2.1 million, respectively. As of January 1, 2022, CRA had no additional operating leases that had not yet commenced. 5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 are as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2021 2020 Goodwill $ 161,080 $ 164,921 Accumulated goodwill impairment ( 71,893 ) ( 76,417 ) Goodwill, net at beginning of fiscal year 89,187 88,504 Foreign currency translation adjustment and other (1) ( 251 ) 683 Goodwill, net at end of fiscal year $ 88,936 $ 89,187 Goodwill, net at January 1, 2022, is comprised of goodwill of $ 160.8 million and accumulated impairment of $ 71.9 million. There were no impairment losses related to goodwill during fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, or fiscal 2019. Intangible assets that are separable from goodwill and have determinable useful lives are valued separately and amortized using the straight-line method over their expected useful lives. The components of acquired identifiable intangible assets are as follows (in thousands): January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Useful Life (in years) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Non-competition agreements 5 $ 280 $ ( 275 ) $ 5 $ 280 $ ( 219 ) $ 61 Customer relationships 8 to 10 8,220 ( 4,044 ) 4,176 12,120 ( 7,073 ) 5,047 Total $ 8,500 $ ( 4,319 ) $ 4,181 $ 12,400 $ ( 7,292 ) $ 5,108 There were no impairment losses related to intangible assets during fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, or fiscal 2019. Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $ 0.9 million, $ 1.4 million, and $ 1.4 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets held at January 1, 2022 for the next five fiscal years and thereafter is expected to be as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Amortization Expense 2022 $ 827 2023 822 2024 822 2025 822 2026 822 Thereafter 66 $ 4,181 6. Property and Equipment Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands): FS-21 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Computer, office equipment, and software $ 28,778 $ 29,432 Leasehold improvements 62,070 62,180 Furniture 15,984 15,967 Total cost 106,832 107,579 Accumulated depreciation and amortization ( 53,220 ) ( 44,701 ) Total property and equipment, net $ 53,612 $ 62,878 Depreciation expense was $ 11.8 million, $ 11.4 million, and $ 9.2 million in fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively. Long-lived assets by geographic location are as follows (in thousands): Geographic Breakdown January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Long-lived assets (property and equipment, net): United States $ 44,340 $ 52,040 United Kingdom 6,491 7,534 Other 2,781 3,304 Total long-lived assets (property and equipment, net) $ 53,612 $ 62,878 7. Accrued Expenses Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands): January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Compensation and related expenses $ 143,199 $ 123,540 Performance awards 4,603 2,176 Direct project accruals 2,833 3,988 Other 5,679 6,672 Total accrued expenses $ 156,314 $ 136,376 As of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, approximately $ 118.9 million and $ 102.6 million, respectively, of accrued bonuses for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 were included above in "Compensation and related expenses". 8. Income Taxes The components of income before provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) Income before provision for income taxes: U.S. $ 43,511 $ 26,054 $ 20,778 Foreign 10,764 7,568 6,019 Total $ 54,275 $ 33,622 $ 26,797 FS-22 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands): Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) Currently payable: Federal $ 7,072 $ 4,039 $ 4,252 Foreign 2,517 1,335 1,119 State 2,561 2,627 1,838 Total current expense 12,150 8,001 7,209 Deferred: Federal ( 92 ) 1,170 ( 869 ) Foreign 230 309 331 State 308 ( 365 ) ( 621 ) Total deferred expense (benefit) 446 1,114 ( 1,159 ) Total tax expense $ 12,596 $ 9,115 $ 6,050 A reconciliation of CRA's tax rates with the federal statutory rate is as follows: Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2021 2020 2019 Federal statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 5.3 5.8 5.5 Tax law changes 0.4 0.2 — Share-based compensation ( 5.0 ) ( 1.8 ) ( 5.0 ) Meals & Entertainment Expense 0.1 0.2 1.7 Executive Compensation 1.3 1.6 1.6 Uncertain tax positions ( 0.3 ) ( 0.1 ) ( 2.5 ) Other 0.4 0.2 0.3 Annual effective tax rate 23.2 % 27.1 % 22.6 % FS-23 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) The components of CRA's deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows (in thousands): January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 Deferred tax assets: Accrued compensation and related expense $ 15,047 $ 15,453 Allowance for doubtful accounts 1,375 1,535 Net operating loss carryforwards 281 194 Lease liabilities 34,523 38,146 Foreign exchange and other 76 79 Total gross deferred tax assets 51,302 55,407 Less: valuation allowance ( 308 ) — Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance 50,994 55,407 Deferred tax liabilities: Goodwill and other intangible asset amortization 4,262 3,523 Right-of-Use assets 27,710 30,761 Property and equipment 9,788 11,595 Prepaids and other 944 586 Total deferred tax liabilities 42,704 46,465 Net deferred tax assets $ 8,290 $ 8,942 At January 1, 2022, CRA had U.S. local and foreign net operating losses of $ 1.5 million with lives ranging from 20 years to indefinite. The aggregate changes in the balances of gross unrecognized tax benefits were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2021 2020 Balance at beginning of period $ 203 $ 242 Additions for tax positions taken during prior years — 43 Reductions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statutes of limitations ( 162 ) ( 82 ) Balance at end of the period $ 41 $ 203 CRA files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position, for which CRA has unrecognized tax benefits, is audited and finally resolved. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular uncertain tax position, CRA believes that its unrecognized tax benefits reflect the most likely outcome. CRA adjusts these unrecognized tax benefits, and the associated interest, in light of changing facts and circumstances. At the end of fiscal 2021, accrued interest for uncertain tax positions and total unrecognized tax benefit were immaterial. The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. CRA's major taxing jurisdiction is the United States where CRA is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by the Internal Revenue Service for years before fiscal 2018. Within the significant states where CRA is subject to income tax, CRA is no longer subject to examinations by state taxing authorities before fiscal 2017. CRA's United Kingdom ("U.K.") subsidiary's corporate tax returns are no longer subject to examination by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs for years before fiscal 2020. During fiscal 2019, an examination by the German Tax Authority for fiscal years 2014-2016 commenced. CRA believes its reserves for uncertain tax positions are adequate. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, CRA considered the operating needs of the U.K. subsidiary, as well as the tax implications of no longer asserting indefinite reinvestment with respect to the U.K. operations. As a result of both a qualitative and quantitative analysis, previously taxed and untaxed post fiscal 2018 U.K. earnings were no longer considered permanently reinvested. Deferred taxes that are a consequence of foreign exchange translation resulting from earnings that are no longer FS-24 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) considered permanently reinvested are recorded as a component of foreign currency translation adjustments on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. In fiscal 2021, CRA's U.S. parent entity received approximately $ 16.3 million in cash dividends from CRA's U.K. subsidiary. These dividends were distributed out of both previously taxed and untaxed earnings. The foreign exchange translation was previously accounted for through deferred taxes during fiscal 2020. Incremental foreign exchange translation on the actual distribution was immaterial. Deferred income taxes or foreign withholding taxes, estimated to be $ 0.3 million, have not been recorded for other jurisdictions as those earnings are considered to be permanently reinvested. Effects of the CARES Act On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) was signed into law, which included a retroactive, technical correction that allows 100% bonus depreciation for qualified improvement property (“QIP”). This technical correction became effective as of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) and effected a $ 2.2 million tax receivable stemming from 2018 and 2019 leasehold improvements that previously had a thirty-nine year life. Additionally, the CARES Act allows for employers to defer the payment of the employer share of the Social Security taxes to be paid in two installments: the first by December 31, 2021, and the remainder by December 31, 2022. Accordingly, CRA had deferred $ 1.3 million and $ 2.7 million of tax at the end of fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively, which created book-to-tax temporary differences until paid. 9. Share-Based Compensation CRA recorded approximately $ 4.1 million, $ 3.2 million, and $ 3.5 million of compensation expense for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively, for share-based awards consisting of stock options, shares of restricted stock, time-vesting restricted stock units, and performance-vesting restricted stock units issued to employees and directors, based on their respective estimated grant date fair values. Performance-vesting restricted stock units are expensed using the graded attribution method. Share-based Compensation Plans. As of January 1, 2022, CRA's active equity-based compensation plans consist of its Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the "2006 Equity Plan"), and its 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "1998 ESPP"), a tax-qualified plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. During fiscal 2009, CRA implemented a long-term incentive program, or "LTIP," as a framework for grants made under the 2006 Equity Plan to its senior corporate leaders, practice leaders and key revenue generators. Under the LTIP, participants have received a mixture of stock options, time-vesting restricted stock units, and performance-vesting restricted stock units. In December 2016, CRA's Board of Directors amended CRA's Cash Incentive Plan to facilitate the grant to LTIP participants of service-based and performance-based cash awards as a component of the LTIP. The LTIP is designed to reward CRA's senior corporate leaders, practice leaders and key revenue generators and provide them with the opportunity to share in the long-term growth of CRA. 2006 Equity Plan: Maximum and Available Shares. The 2006 Equity Plan authorizes the grant of a variety of incentive and performance awards to CRA's directors, employees and non-employee experts, including stock options, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other equity awards. The shares available for grant under the 2006 Equity Plan as of January 1, 2022 was 339,796 . FS-25 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) Stock Options. A summary of option activity during fiscal 2021 from the 2006 Equity Plan is as follows: Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Outstanding at January 2, 2021 325,648 $ 29.05 $ 7,126 Fiscal 2021: Granted — — Exercised ( 192,803 ) 26.75 $ 11,233 Expired — — Forfeited — — $ — Outstanding at January 1, 2022 132,845 $ 32.38 2.99 $ 8,100 Option exercisable at January 1, 2022 127,232 $ 31.72 2.81 $ 7,843 Vested or expected to vest at January 1, 2022 132,826 $ 32.38 2.99 $ 8,100 There were no stock options granted in fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019 . CRA determines the weighted average fair market value for stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Generally, the risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury interest rates with corresponding terms consistent with the expected life of the stock options. Expected volatility and expected life are based on CRA's historical experience. Expected dividend yield is determined based on CRA's annualized dividend rate per share, as a percentage of average market price of the common stock, on each dividend payment date. The forfeiture rate is based upon historical experience. CRA believes its historical experience is an appropriate indicator of future forfeitures. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised in fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019 was approximately $ 11.2 million, $ 2.8 million, and $ 3.7 million, respectively. The following table provides a roll-forward of the outstanding non-vested stock options over fiscal 2021: Options Number of Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 2, 2021 16,913 $ 17.13 Granted — — Vested ( 11,300 ) 15.72 Forfeited — — Non-vested at January 1, 2022 5,613 $ 19.96 The total fair value of stock options that vested during fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019 was $ 0.2 million, $ 0.2 million, and $ 0.7 million, respectively. As of January 1, 2022, there was $ 0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of expected forfeitures, related to non-vested stock options granted. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.9 years. Options granted during or prior to fiscal 2016 expire on the seventh anniversary of the date of grant. Options granted during or after fiscal 2017 expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. Restricted Stock. CRA grants shares of restricted stock, which are subject to the execution of a restricted stock agreement, under its 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Generally, shares of restricted stock vest in four equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Total unrecognized compensation cost, net of expected forfeitures, related to shares of restricted stock as of January 1, 2022 was $ 1.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years. The forfeiture rate of 0.9 % used for shares of restricted stock was based upon historical experience. CRA believes its historical experience is an appropriate indicator of future forfeitures. FS-26 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) The following table provides a roll-forward of the shares of restricted stock under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan over fiscal 2021: Shares of Restricted Stock Number of Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 2, 2021 33,540 $ 38.73 Granted 10,491 85.78 Vested ( 13,248 ) 39.16 Forfeited — — Non-vested at January 1, 2022 30,783 $ 54.58 The total fair value of shares of restricted stock that vested during fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019 was $ 0.5 million, $ 0.5 million, and $ 0.5 million, respectively. Time-Vesting RSUs. CRA grants time-vesting restricted stock units, which are subject to the execution of a restricted stock unit agreement, under its 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Generally, time-vesting restricted stock units vest in four or five equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Total unrecognized compensation cost, net of expected forfeitures, related to time-vesting restricted stock units as of January 1, 2022 was $ 3.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.9 years. The forfeiture rate of 0.9 % used for time-vesting restricted stock units was based upon historical experience. CRA believes its historical experience is an appropriate indicator of future forfeitures. The following table provides a roll-forward of the time-vesting restricted stock units under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan over fiscal 2021: Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Units Number of Units Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 2, 2021 84,989 $ 45.93 Granted 26,563 61.90 Vested ( 29,171 ) 44.79 Forfeited — — Non-vested at January 1, 2022 82,381 $ 51.48 The total fair value of time-vesting restricted stock units that vested during fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019 was $ 1.3 million, $ 1.0 million, and $ 1.3 million, respectively. Performance-Vesting RSUs. CRA grants performance-vesting restricted stock units ("PRSUs"), which are subject to the execution of a restricted stock unit agreement, under its 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Generally, achievement of performance measures for PRSUs are based on a two-year performance period, after which the units determined based on this achievement will vest three-fourths in the first year following the performance period and one-fourth on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. The number of units determined based on the achievement of a PRSUs performance measures generally ranges from 50 % to 125 % of the PRSUs' target number of units. For PRSUs awarded to employees, CRA estimates share-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes the cost over the requisite service period using the graded attribution method. The following table provides a roll-forward of the performance-vesting restricted stock units under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan over fiscal 2021. For purposes of this table, granted PRSUs are counted based on the maximum number of units that could vest upon achievement of the PRSUs' performance conditions which, for all periods presented, equaled 125 % of the PRSUs' target number of units. FS-27 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) Performance-Vesting Restricted Stock Units Number of Units Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 2, 2021 90,580 $ 50.06 Granted 25,924 68.71 Vested ( 22,823 ) 44.72 Forfeited ( 300 ) 47.45 Non-vested at January 1, 2022 93,381 $ 56.55 1998 ESPP. In fiscal 1998, CRA adopted the 1998 ESPP, a tax-qualified plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. The 1998 ESPP authorizes the issuance of up to an aggregate of 243,000 shares of common stock to participating employees at a purchase price equal to 85 % of fair market value on either the first or the last day of the one-year offering period under the plan. In fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, there were no offering periods under this plan and no shares were issued. As of January 1, 2022, there were 211,777 shares available for grant under the 1998 ESPP. 10. Net Income Per Share CRA calculates basic earnings per share using the two-class method. CRA calculates diluted earnings per share using the more dilutive of either the two-class method or treasury stock method. The two-class method was more dilutive for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019. Under the two-class method, net earnings are allocated to each class of common stock and participating security as if all the net earnings for the period had been distributed. CRA's participating securities consist of unvested share-based payment awards that contain a nonforfeitable right to receive dividends and therefore are considered to participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders Net earnings allocable to these participating securities were not material for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019. The following table presents a reconciliation from net income to the net income available to common shareholders (in thousands): Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 (52 weeks) January 2, 2021 (53 weeks) December 28, 2019 (52 weeks) Net income, as reported $ 41,679 $ 24,507 $ 20,747 Less: net income attributable to participating shares 175 93 55 Net income available to common shareholders $ 41,504 $ 24,414 $ 20,692 The following table presents a reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (in thousands): Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 7,423 7,768 7,866 Common stock equivalents: Stock options and restricted stock units 198 180 301 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 7,621 7,948 8,167 Certain share-based awards were anti-dilutive because their exercise price exceeded the average market price over the respective period. The following table presents the anti-dilutive share-based awards that were excluded from the calculation of common stock equivalents for purposes of computing diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands): FS-28 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended January 1, 2022 January 2, 2021 December 28, 2019 Anti-dilutive share-based awards excluded 3 80 62 11. Self-Tender Offer On March 8, 2021, CRA commenced a modified "Dutch auction" self-tender offer to purchase up to $ 25.0 million in value of shares of its common stock at a price of not less than $ 66.25 per share nor greater than $ 76.00 per share. The self-tender offer expired on April 5, 2021. On April 8, 2021, CRA paid $ 25.3 million, including transaction costs, to repurchase 337,837 shares at a purchase price of $ 74.00 per share. The purchase price and transaction costs were funded from the revolving credit facility and cash on hand. The repurchased shares were retired. 12. Fair Value of Financial Instruments As of January 1, 2022, CRA did not have any financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The following table shows CRA's financial instruments recorded in the consolidated financial statements as of January 2, 2021, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands): January 2, 2021 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market mutual funds $ 150 $ — $ — Total Assets $ 150 $ — $ — Liabilities : Contingent consideration liability $ — $ — $ 14,620 Total Liabilities $ — $ — $ 14,620 As of January 2, 2021, the fair value of CRA's money market mutual fund share holdings was $ 1.00 per share. The contingent consideration liability pertained to estimated future contingent consideration payments related to the acquisition of C1. The following table summarizes the changes in the contingent consideration liabilities (in thousands): Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2021 2020 Beginning balance $ 14,620 $ 11,579 Remeasurement of acquisition-related contingent consideration — 1,156 Accretion 380 1,885 Payments of contingent consideration ( 15,000 ) — Ending balance $ — $ 14,620 13. Credit Agreement CRA is party to an amended and restated credit agreement that provides the Company with a $ 175.0 million revolving credit facility, which reflects an increase to the capacity by $ 50.0 million per an amendment to the credit agreement on January 12, 2021, and includes a $ 15.0 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit. CRA may use the proceeds of the revolving credit facility to provide working capital and for other general corporate purposes. CRA may repay any borrowings under the revolving credit facility at any time, but any borrowings must be repaid no later than October 24, 2022. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility as of January 1, 2022 or January 2, 2021. As of January 1, 2022, the amount available under this revolving credit facility was reduced by certain letters of credit outstanding, which amounted to $ 4.2 million. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum, at CRA's election, of either (i) the Base Rate, as defined in the credit agreement, plus an applicable margin, which varies between 0.25 % and 1.25 % depending on CRA's total leverage ratio as determined under the credit agreement, or (ii) the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate, as defined in the credit agreement, plus an applicable margin, which varies between 1.25 % and 2.25 % FS-29 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) depending on CRA's total leverage ratio. CRA is required to pay a fee on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility at a rate per annum that varies between 0.20 % and 0.35 % depending on CRA's total leverage ratio. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are secured by 100 % of the stock of certain of CRA's U.S. subsidiaries and 65 % of the stock of certain of its foreign subsidiaries, which represent approximately $ 33.8 million and $ 39.4 million in net assets as of January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, respectively. Under the credit agreement, CRA must comply with various financial and non-financial covenants. Compliance with these financial covenants is tested on a fiscal quarterly basis. Any indebtedness outstanding under the revolving credit facility may become immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of stated events of default, including CRA's failure to pay principal, interest or fees or a violation of any financial covenant. The financial covenants require CRA to maintain an Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the credit agreement, to consolidated interest expense ratio of more than 2.5 :1.0 and to comply with a consolidated debt to Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA ratio of not more than 3.0 :1.0. The non-financial covenant restrictions of the senior credit agreement include, but are not limited to, CRA's ability to incur additional indebtedness, engage in acquisitions or dispositions, and enter into business combinations. As of January 1, 2022, CRA was in compliance with the covenants of its credit agreement. 14. Employee Benefit Plans CRA maintains a qualified defined-contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, covering all regular U.S. employees who meet specified age, hour, and service requirements. Company contributions are made at the discretion of CRA, and cannot exceed the maximum amount deductible under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. CRA also has defined-contribution plans covering employees in Canada (the "Canada plan") and the United Kingdom (the "United Kingdom plan"). Company contributions to the Canada plan are made at the discretion of CRA, while company contributions to the United Kingdom plan are made in accordance with the minimum required contributions per the United Kingdom auto-enrolment legislation. CRA also provides a pension plan contribution for its Belgium employees. Company contributions to the Belgium pension fund are made in accordance with the minimum required contributions based on statutory requirements. CRA also provides a private pension plan for its Brazil employees (the “Brazil plan”). Company contributions to the Brazil plan are made in accordance with statutory requirements. Company contributions under these plans amounted to approximately $ 5.0 million, $ 4.5 million, and $ 3.9 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively. 15. Related-Party Transactions CRA made payments to shareholders of CRA who performed consulting services exclusively for CRA in the amounts of $ 8.0 million, $ 9.8 million, and $ 9.3 million in fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively. These payments were to exclusive non-employee experts for consulting services performed for CRA's clients in the ordinary course of business. 16. Commitments and Contingencies As described in Note 13, CRA is party to standby letters of credit with its bank in support of the minimum future lease payments under certain operating leases for office space. CRA is subject to legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In management's opinion, based on current knowledge, CRA believes it has adequate legal defenses or insurance coverage, or both, with respect to the eventuality of such actions. CRA does not believe any settlement or judgment relating to any pending legal action would materially affect its financial position or results of operations. However, the outcome of such legal actions is inherently unpredictable and subject to inherent uncertainties. 17. Subsequent Events On February 28, 2022, CRA acquired substantially all of the business assets and assumed certain liabilities of Welch Consulting, Ltd. (“Welch Consulting”), a Texas limited partnership. The acquisition was paid for with cash to Welch Consulting. In addition, CRA will provide deferred compensation to key employees, which will be treated as post-transaction compensation expense. Welch Consulting provides economic, business, and strategic consulting services principally involving labor and employment issues. The acquisition expands CRA’s business opportunities, expertise, and market presence with the addition of 45 colleagues and offices in Bryan, Texas; Los Angeles, California; and Washington, D.C. A non-employee expert of CRA served as an agent and attorney-in-fact on behalf of Welch Consulting. The non-employee expert did not and will not receive compensation or a portion of the purchase price as part of the transaction. The acquisition will be accounted for as a business combination, and the results of operations will be included in CRA’s consolidated financial statements from the date FS-30 Table of Contents CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) of the acquisition. As the transaction recently closed, information necessary to complete the purchase accounting is not yet available. On February 7, 2022, CRA's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $ 20.0 million of shares of CRA's common stock under its existing share repurchase program. On March 3, 2022, CRA announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $ 0.31 per common share, payable on March 25, 2022 to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2022. FS-31