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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2024
OR
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _________ to ___________
Commission File Number 001-14505
KORN FERRY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware95-2623879
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1500, Los Angeles, California 90067
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(310) 552-1834
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per shareKFYNew York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No ☑
The number of shares outstanding of our common stock as of December 3, 2024 was 51,583,011 shares.


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KORN FERRY
Table of Contents
Item #DescriptionPage


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Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
October 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents$694,850 $941,005 
Marketable securities40,658 42,742 
Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $43,862 and $44,192 at October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively
579,696 541,014 
Income taxes and other receivables55,033 40,696 
Unearned compensation64,265 59,247 
Prepaid expenses and other assets47,945 49,456 
Total current assets1,482,447 1,674,160 
Marketable securities, non-current231,956 211,681 
Property and equipment, net160,805 161,849 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net162,441 160,464 
Cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance policies, net of loans236,928 218,977 
Deferred income taxes122,344 133,564 
Goodwill908,662 908,376 
Intangible assets, net76,504 88,833 
Unearned compensation, non-current122,263 99,913 
Investments and other assets22,303 21,052 
Total assets$3,526,653 $3,678,869 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable$44,051 $50,112 
Income taxes payable14,652 24,076 
Compensation and benefits payable346,434 525,466 
Operating lease liability, current38,526 36,073 
Other accrued liabilities274,120 298,792 
Total current liabilities717,783 934,519 
Deferred compensation and other retirement plans458,089 440,396 
Operating lease liability, non-current142,415 143,507 
Long-term debt397,336 396,946 
Deferred tax liabilities5,542 4,540 
Other liabilities22,623 21,636 
Total liabilities1,743,788 1,941,544 
Stockholders' equity
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 78,232 and 77,460 shares issued and 51,748 and 51,983 shares outstanding at October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively
368,260 414,885 
Retained earnings1,509,986 1,425,844 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net(100,501)(107,671)
Total Korn Ferry stockholders' equity1,777,745 1,733,058 
Noncontrolling interest5,120 4,267 
Total stockholders' equity1,782,865 1,737,325 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$3,526,653 $3,678,869 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
1

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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands, except per share data)
Fee revenue$674,365 $704,003 $1,349,311 $1,403,192 
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses7,595 8,444 15,410 15,517 
Total revenue681,960 712,447 1,364,721 1,418,709 
Compensation and benefits437,427 453,859 889,202 933,740 
General and administrative expenses64,541 65,737 124,540 131,654 
Reimbursed expenses7,595 8,444 15,410 15,517 
Cost of services64,657 78,512 132,201 155,702 
Depreciation and amortization19,688 19,554 39,266 38,566 
Restructuring charges, net576 63,525 576 63,946 
Total operating expenses594,484 689,631 1,201,195 1,339,125 
Operating income87,476 22,816 163,526 79,584 
Other income (loss), net
5,391 (13,835)19,896 (258)
Interest expense, net(5,626)(6,596)(9,571)(11,336)
Income before provision for income taxes87,241 2,385 173,851 67,990 
Income tax provision24,898 2,341 47,252 20,761 
Net income62,343 44 126,599 47,229 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(1,543)(1,755)(3,195)(2,335)
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry
$60,800 $(1,711)$123,404 $44,894 
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Korn Ferry:
Basic$1.16 $(0.04)$2.34 $0.86 
Diluted$1.14 $(0.04)$2.30 $0.86 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic51,95751,32851,95351,131
Diluted52,75051,32852,86451,401
Cash dividends declared per share:$0.37 $0.18 $0.74 $0.36 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
2

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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Net income$62,343 $44 $126,599 $47,229 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
  
Foreign currency translation adjustments4,172 (25,684)6,451 (23,218)
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax(97)28 (147)55 
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax
30 37 94 172 
Comprehensive income (loss)
66,448 (25,575)132,997 24,238 
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest(1,289)(1,538)(2,423)(2,453)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry
$65,159 $(27,113)$130,574 $21,785 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3

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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(unaudited)
Common Stock Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss, Net
Total
Korn Ferry
Stockholders'
Equity
Noncontrolling
Interest
Total
Stockholder's
Equity
Shares Amount
(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2024
51,983$414,885 $1,425,844 $(107,671)$1,733,058 $4,267 $1,737,325 
Net income— 62,604 — 62,604 1,652 64,256 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
— — 2,811 2,811 (518)2,293 
Dividends paid to shareholders— (19,800)— (19,800)— (19,800)
Purchase of stock(604)(40,113)— — (40,113)— (40,113)
Issuance of stock7754,720 — — 4,720 — 4,720 
Stock-based compensation10,561 — — 10,561 — 10,561 
Balance as of July 31, 2024
52,154390,053 1,468,648 (104,860)1,753,841 5,401 1,759,242 
Net income
— 60,800 — 60,800 1,543 62,343 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
— — 4,359 4,359 (254)4,105 
Dividends paid to shareholders— (19,462)— (19,462)— (19,462)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest— — — — (1,570)(1,570)
Purchase of stock(461)(32,944)— — (32,944)— (32,944)
Issuance of stock55— — — — — — 
Stock-based compensation11,151 — — 11,151 — 11,151 
Balance as of October 31, 2024
51,748$368,260 $1,509,986 $(100,501)$1,777,745 $5,120 $1,782,865 
Common Stock Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss, Net
Total
Korn Ferry
Stockholders'
Equity
Noncontrolling
Interest
Total
Stockholder's
Equity
Shares Amount
(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2023
52,269$429,754 $1,311,081 $(92,764)$1,648,071 $4,934 $1,653,005 
Net income— 46,605 — 46,605 580 47,185 
Other comprehensive income
— — 2,293 2,293 335 2,628 
Dividends paid to shareholders— (9,627)— (9,627)— (9,627)
Purchase of stock(291)(14,358)— — (14,358)— (14,358)
Issuance of stock7275,217 — — 5,217 — 5,217 
Stock-based compensation8,480 — — 8,480 — 8,480 
Balance as of July 31, 2023
52,705429,093 1,348,059 (90,471)1,686,681 5,849 1,692,530 
Net (loss) income
— (1,711)— (1,711)1,755 44 
Other comprehensive loss
— — (25,402)(25,402)(217)(25,619)
Dividends paid to shareholders— (9,662)— (9,662)— (9,662)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest— — — — (3,040)(3,040)
Purchase of stock(100)(4,765)— — (4,765)— (4,765)
Issuance of stock51— — — — — — 
Stock-based compensation11,012 — — 11,012 — 11,012 
Balance as of October 31, 2023
52,656$435,340 $1,336,686 $(115,873)$1,656,153 $4,347 $1,660,500 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
Six Months Ended
October 31,
20242023
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$126,599 $47,229 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization39,266 38,566 
Stock-based compensation expense22,163 19,953 
Provision for doubtful accounts8,427 11,787 
(Gain) loss on marketable securities
(18,922)1,024 
Deferred income taxes15,273 1,225 
Gain on cash surrender value of life insurance policies(4,789)(3,947)
Impairment of right-of-use assets 1,629 
Impairment of fixed assets 1,575 
Change in other assets and liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(214,832)(216,582)
Receivables due from clients(47,109)(34,394)
Deferred compensation21,017 15,866 
Unearned compensation(27,368)(14,807)
Income taxes and other receivables(14,078)(7,791)
Income taxes payable(12,471)384 
Prepaid expenses and other assets1,511 (4,522)
Other126 909 
Net cash used in operating activities
(105,187)(141,896)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment(24,807)(31,538)
Proceeds from sales/maturities of marketable securities25,301 29,731 
Purchase of marketable securities(23,892)(29,580)
Premium on company-owned life insurance policies(13,514)(251)
Proceeds from life insurance policies612 9,332 
Dividends received from unconsolidated subsidiaries40  
Net cash used in investing activities
(36,260)(22,306)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchases of common stock(56,153)(9,527)
Dividends paid to shareholders(39,262)(19,289)
Payments of tax withholdings on restricted stock(16,984)(10,551)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with an employee stock purchase plan
4,248 4,696 
Dividends - noncontrolling interest(1,570)(3,040)
Principal payments on finance leases(815)(938)
Payments on life insurance policy loans(519) 
Net cash used in financing activities(111,055)(38,649)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents6,347 (20,337)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(246,155)(223,188)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period941,005 844,024 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period$694,850 $620,836 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Business
Korn Ferry, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a global organizational consulting firm. The Company helps clients synchronize strategy and talent to drive superior performance. The Company works with organizations to design their structures, roles, and responsibilities. The Company helps organizations hire the right people to bring their strategy to life and advise them on how to reward, develop, and motivate their people.
The Company is pursuing a strategy designed to help our colleagues focus on clients, by bringing all of our resources together to solve their human capital issues. This approach is intended to build on the best of the Company’s past and give the Company a clear path to the future with focused initiatives to increase its client and commercial impact. Korn Ferry is transforming how clients address their talent management needs. The Company has evolved from a mono-line to a diversified business, giving its consultants more frequent and expanded opportunities to engage with clients.
The Company services its clients with a core set of solutions that are anchored around talent and talent management – touching nearly every aspect of an employer’s engagement with their employees. Our five core solutions are as follows: Organizational Strategy, Assessment and Succession, Leadership and Professional Development, Total Rewards, and Talent Acquisition. Our colleagues engage with our clients through the delivery of one of our core solutions as a point solution sale or through combining component parts of our core solutions into an integrated solution. In either case, we are helping solve clients’ most challenging business and human capital issues.
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2024 for the Company and its wholly and majority owned/controlled domestic and international subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements conform with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and prevailing practice within the Company's different industries. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these periods. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year or any other period.
The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.
Use of Estimates and Uncertainties
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates, and changes in estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed or determinable.
Revenue Recognition
Substantially all fee revenue is derived from talent and organizational consulting services and digital sales, stand-alone or as part of a solution, fees for professional services related to executive and professional recruitment performed on a retained basis, interim services and Recruitment Process Outsourcing ("RPO"), either stand-alone or as part of a solution.
Revenue is recognized when control of the goods and services are transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. Revenue contracts with customers are evaluated based on the five-step model outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606 (“ASC 606”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers: 1) identify the contract with a customer; 2) identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract; 3) determine the transaction price; 4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligation(s); and 5) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied.
Consulting fee revenue is primarily recognized as services are rendered, measured by total hours incurred as a percentage of the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for consulting engagements may vary from initial estimates with such updates being recognized in the period of determination. Depending on the timing of billings and services rendered, the Company accrues or defers revenue as appropriate.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
Digital fee revenue is generated from intellectual property ("IP") based software products enabling large-scale talent programs for pay, talent development, engagement, and assessment and is consumed directly by an end user or indirectly through a consulting engagement. Revenue is recognized as services are delivered and the Company has a legally enforceable right to payment. Revenue also comes from the sale of the Company’s product subscriptions, which are considered symbolic IP due to the dynamic nature of the content. As a result, revenue is recognized over the term of the contract. Functional IP licenses grant customers the right to use IP content via the delivery of a flat file. Because the IP content license has significant stand-alone functionality, revenue is recognized upon delivery and when an enforceable right to payment exists. Revenue for tangible and digital products sold by the Company, such as books and digital files, is recognized when these products are shipped.
Fee revenue from executive and professional search activities is generally one-third of the estimated first-year cash compensation of the placed candidate, plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect engagement-related expenses. In addition to the search retainer, an uptick fee is billed when the actual compensation awarded by the client for a placement is higher than the estimated compensation. In the aggregate, upticks have been a relatively consistent percentage of the original estimated fee; therefore, the Company estimates upticks using the expected value method based on historical data on a portfolio basis. In a standard search engagement, there is one performance obligation, which is the promise to undertake a search. The Company generally recognizes such revenue over the course of a search and when it is legally entitled to payment as outlined in the billing terms of the contract. Any revenues associated with services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is resolved, as this is when control is transferred to the customer. These assumptions determine the timing of revenue recognition for the reported period. In addition to talent acquisition for permanent placement roles, the Professional Search & Interim segment also offers recruitment services for interim roles. Interim roles are short term in duration, generally less than 12 months. Generally, each interim role is a separate performance obligation. The Company recognizes fee revenue over the duration that the interim resources’ services are provided which also aligns to the contracted invoicing plan and enforceable right to payment.
RPO fee revenue is generated through two distinct phases: 1) the implementation phase and 2) the post-implementation recruitment phase. The fees associated with the implementation phase are recognized over the period that the related implementation services are provided. The post-implementation recruitment phase represents end-to-end recruiting services to clients for which there are both fixed and variable fees, which are recognized over the period that the related recruiting services are performed.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
An allowance is established for doubtful accounts by taking a charge to general and administrative expenses. The Company’s expected credit loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers’ trade accounts receivable. Due to the short-term nature of such receivables, the estimate of the amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected is primarily based on historical loss-rate experience. When required, the Company adjusts the loss-rate methodology to account for current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectations of future economic and market conditions. The Company generally assesses future economic condition for a period of sixty to ninety days, which corresponds with the contractual life of its accounts receivables. After the Company exhausts its collection efforts, the amount of the allowance is reduced for balances written off as uncollectible.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company's investments in cash equivalents consisted of money market funds, and as of April 30, 2024 also consisted of commercial paper with initial maturity of less than 90 days for which market prices are readily available. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank accounts that exceed federally insured FDIC limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Marketable Securities
The Company currently has investments in marketable securities and mutual funds that are classified as either equity securities or available-for-sale debt securities. The classification of the investments in these marketable securities and mutual funds is assessed upon purchase and reassessed at each reporting period. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The investments that the Company may sell within the next 12 months are recognized as current assets.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
The Company invests in mutual funds (for which market prices are readily available) that are held in trust to satisfy obligations under the Company’s deferred compensation plans. Such investments are classified as equity securities and mirror the employees’ investment elections in their deemed accounts in the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan and similar plans in Asia Pacific and Canada (“ECAP”) from a pre-determined set of securities. Realized gains (losses) on marketable securities are determined by specific identification. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis; dividends are recorded as earned on the ex-dividend date. Interest, dividend income and the changes in fair value in marketable securities are recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations in other income (loss), net.
The Company also invests cash in excess of its daily operating requirements and capital needs primarily in marketable fixed income (debt) securities in accordance with the Company’s investment policy, which restricts the type of investments that can be made. The Company’s investment portfolio includes commercial paper, corporate notes/bonds and U.S. Treasury and Agency securities. These marketable fixed income (debt) securities are classified as available-for-sale securities based on management’s decision, at the date such securities are acquired, not to hold these securities to maturity or actively trade them. The Company carries these marketable debt securities at fair value based on the market prices for these marketable debt securities or similar debt securities whose prices are readily available. The changes in fair values, net of applicable taxes, are recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of comprehensive income (loss) unless the change is due to credit loss. A credit loss is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in other income (loss), net; any amount in excess of the credit loss is recorded as unrealized losses as a component of comprehensive income (loss). Generally, the amount of the loss is the difference between the cost or amortized cost and its then current fair value; a credit loss is the difference between the discounted expected future cash flows to be collected from the debt security and the cost or amortized cost of the debt security. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, no amount was recognized as a credit loss for the Company’s available for sale debt securities.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is the price the Company would receive to sell an asset or transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. For those assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company determines the fair value based upon the quoted market price, if available. If a quoted market price is not available for identical assets, the fair value is based upon the quoted market price of similar assets. The fair values are assigned a level within the fair value hierarchy as defined below:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash equivalents, accounts receivable, marketable securities and foreign currency forward contracts. The carrying amount of cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as equity securities are obtained from quoted market prices, and the fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and foreign currency forward contracts are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets and financial instruments.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets include property, equipment, right-of-use ("ROU") assets and software developed or obtained for internal use. Management reviews the Company’s recorded long-lived assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a forecasted inability to achieve break-even operating results over an extended period. The Company determines the extent to which an asset may be impaired based upon its expectation of the asset’s future usability, as well as on a reasonable assurance that the future cash flows associated with the asset will be in excess of its carrying amount. If the total of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between fair value and the carrying value of the asset. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, there were no impairment charges recorded. During the six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company reduced its real estate footprint and as a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of ROU assets of $1.6 million and an impairment of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures of $0.1 million, both recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in general and administrative expenses. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company also recognized a $1.5 million software impairment charge in the Digital segment which was recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in general and administrative expenses.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. Results of the most recent quantitative impairment test performed as of February 1, 2024, indicated that the fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded its carrying amount. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, there were no indicators of potential impairment with respect to the Company’s goodwill that would require further testing for impairment.
Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases and IP. Intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized in a pattern in which the asset is consumed if that pattern can be reliably determined, or using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from one to 24 years. For intangible assets subject to amortization, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of the intangible assets is considered not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. The Company reviewed its intangible assets and did not identify any indicators of impairment as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024.
Restructuring Charges, Net
The Company accounts for its restructuring charges as a liability when the obligations are incurred and records such charges at fair value. Changes in the estimates of the restructuring charges are recorded in the period the change is determined.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The Company treats unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends prior to vesting as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings (loss) per share. The Company has granted and expects to continue to grant to certain employees under its restricted stock agreements, grants that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Such grants are considered participating securities. Therefore, the Company is required to apply the two-class method in calculating earnings (loss) per share. The two-class method of computing earnings (loss) per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings (loss) per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated using the more dilutive of the treasury method or the two-class method.
Basic earnings (loss) per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing basic net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common equivalent shares. Dilutive common equivalent shares include all in-the-money outstanding options or other contracts to issue common stock as if they were exercised or converted. Financial instruments that are not in the form of common stock, but when converted into common stock increase earnings per share or decrease loss per share, are anti-dilutive and are not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share.
Recent Accounting Standards - Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting update for all public entities that are required to report segment information in accordance with Topic 280, Segment Reporting. The amendment in this update improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expense. The amendment in this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company will adopt this guidance in fiscal 2025 and in interim periods beginning in fiscal 2026. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting update for income taxes disclosures. The new amendments provide improvements to income tax disclosures by requiring specific categories in the rate reconciliation and disaggregated information for income taxes paid. The amendments of this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting update that requires public companies to disclose, in the notes to financial statements, specified information about certain costs and expenses at each interim and annual reporting period. The amendment in this update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2027. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
2. Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to common stockholders:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry
$60,800 $(1,711)$123,404 $44,894 
Less: distributed and undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders766 169 1,770 843 
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders
60,034 (1,880)121,634 44,051 
Add: undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders518  1,174 459 
Less: reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders510  1,154 457 
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$60,042 $(1,880)$121,654 $44,053 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding51,957 51,328 51,953 51,131 
Effect of dilutive securities:    
Restricted stock790  909 262 
ESPP3  2 8 
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding52,750 51,328 52,864 51,401 
Net earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share
$1.16 $(0.04)$2.34 $0.86 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$1.14 $(0.04)$2.30 $0.86 
During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, restricted stock awards of 0.7 million shares and 0.7 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because they were anti-dilutive. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, restricted stock awards of 2.1 million shares and 1.2 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because they were anti-dilutive.
3. Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss) and all changes to stockholders’ equity, except those changes resulting from investments by stockholders (changes in paid in capital) and distributions to stockholders (dividends), and is reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, is recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net were as follows:
October 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
(in thousands)
Foreign currency translation adjustments$(108,781)$(116,004)
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax8,223 8,370 
Marketable securities unrealized gain (loss), net of tax
57 (37)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net$(100,501)$(107,671)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended October 31, 2024:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized Gains
on Marketable Securities
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of July 31, 2024
$(113,207)$8,320 $27 $(104,860)
Unrealized gains arising during the period
4,426  30 4,456 
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income
 (97) (97)
Balance as of October 31, 2024
$(108,781)$8,223 $57 $(100,501)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the six months ended October 31, 2024:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized (Losses) Gains
on Marketable Securities
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2024
$(116,004)$8,370 $(37)$(107,671)
Unrealized gains arising during the period
7,223  94 7,317 
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income
 (147) (147)
Balance as of October 31, 2024
$(108,781)$8,223 $57 $(100,501)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended October 31, 2023:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized Losses on
Marketable Securities
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of July 31, 2023
$(94,729)$4,408 $(150)$(90,471)
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period
(25,467) 37 (25,430)
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income 28  28 
Balance as of October 31, 2023
$(120,196)$4,436 $(113)$(115,873)
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the six months ended October 31, 2023:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized Losses on
Marketable Securities (1)
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2023
$(96,860)$4,381 $(285)$(92,764)
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period
(23,336) 172 (23,164)
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income 55  55 
Balance as of October 31, 2023
$(120,196)$4,436 $(113)$(115,873)
___________________
(1)
The tax effect on the unrealized gains was $0.1 million for the six months ended October 31, 2023.
4. Employee Stock Plans
Stock-Based Compensation
The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Restricted stock$11,151 $11,012 $21,712 $19,492 
ESPP229 213 451 461 
Total stock-based compensation expense$11,380 $11,225 $22,163 $19,953 
Stock Incentive Plan
At the Company's 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on September 25, 2024, the Company's stockholders approved the Korn Ferry Amended and Restated 2022 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), which, among other things, increased the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for stock-based awards by 1,900,000 shares and extended the term of the Plan to September 25, 2034.
Common Stock
During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, the Company repurchased (on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions) 456,250 shares and 807,500 shares of the Company’s common stock for $32.6 million and $56.1 million, respectively. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company repurchased (on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions) 92,500 shares and 182,500 shares of the Company's common stock for $4.4 million and $8.6 million, respectively.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
5. Financial Instruments
The following tables show the Company’s financial instruments and balance sheet classification as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024:
October 31, 2024
Fair Value MeasurementBalance Sheet Classification
CostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Marketable
Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities,
Non-
current
Other Accrued Liabilities
(in thousands)
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Other Comprehensive Income
Level 2:
Commercial paper$5,645 $1 $(4)$5,642 $ $5,642 $ $ 
Corporate notes/bonds27,879 92 (28)27,943  15,536 12,407  
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities6,166 15  6,181  4,931 1,250  
Total debt investments$39,690 $108 $(32)$39,766 $ $26,109 $13,657 $ 
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Net Income
Level 1:
Mutual funds (1)
$232,848 $ $14,549 $218,299 $ 
Total equity investments$232,848 $ $14,549 $218,299 $ 
Cash$519,083 $519,083 $ $ $ 
Money market funds175,767 175,767    
Level 2:
Foreign currency forward contracts(1,007)   (1,007)
Total$966,457 $694,850 $40,658 $231,956 $(1,007)
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
April 30, 2024
Fair Value Measurement Balance Sheet Classification
CostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Marketable
Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities,
Non-current
Other Accrued Liabilities
(in thousands)
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Other Comprehensive Loss
Level 2:
Commercial paper$16,873 $1 $(19)$16,855 $3,932 $12,923 $ $ 
Corporate notes/bonds17,322 3 (27)17,298  10,050 7,248  
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities
4,355  (9)4,346  2,441 1,905  
Total debt investments$38,550 $4 $(55)$38,499 $3,932 $25,414 $9,153 $ 
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Net Income
Level 1:
Mutual funds (1)
$219,856 $ $17,328 $202,528 $ 
Total equity investments$219,856 $ $17,328 $202,528 $ 
Cash$790,938 $790,938 $ $ $ 
Money market funds146,135 146,135    
Level 2:
Foreign currency forward contracts(427)   (427)
Total$1,195,001 $941,005 $42,742 $211,681 $(427)
___________________
(1)
These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations of $215.4 million and $198.6 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $19.6 million and $22.4 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $4.7 million and $18.9 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income (loss), net. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the fair value of the investments decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a loss of $13.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income (loss), net.
As of October 31, 2024, available-for-sale marketable securities had remaining maturities ranging from 1 month to 24 months. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, there were $9.9 million and $16.8 million in sales/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities, respectively. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, there were $9.0 million and $26.2 million in sales/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities, respectively. Investments in marketable securities that are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations under the ECAP are equity securities and are based upon the investment selections the employee elects from a pre-determined set of securities in the ECAP and the Company invests in equity securities to mirror these elections. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company’s investments in equity securities consisted of mutual funds for which market prices are readily available. Unrealized gains recorded for the period that relate to equity securities still held as of October 31, 2024 and 2023 were $14.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges
The fair value of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments are as follows:
October 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
(in thousands)
Derivative assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts$730 $979 
Derivative liabilities:  
Foreign currency forward contracts$1,737 $1,406 
As of October 31, 2024, the total notional amounts of the forward contracts purchased and sold were $90.3 million and $38.6 million, respectively. As of April 30, 2024, the total notional amounts of the forward contracts purchased and sold were $82.9 million and $34.0 million, respectively. The Company recognizes forward contracts as a net asset or net liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as such contracts are covered by master netting agreements. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, the Company incurred losses of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to forward contracts which are recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company incurred losses of $3.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, related to forward contracts which are recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. These foreign currency losses related to forward contracts offset foreign currency gains that result from transactions denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency. The cash flows related to foreign currency forward contracts are included in cash flows from operating activities.
6. Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
The Company has several deferred compensation and retirement plans for eligible consultants and vice presidents that provide defined benefits to participants based on the deferral of current compensation or contributions made by the Company subject to vesting and retirement or termination provisions. Among these plans is a defined benefit pension plan for certain employees in the U.S. The assets of this plan are held separately from the assets of the sponsor in self-administered funds. All other defined benefit obligations from other plans are unfunded.
The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Service cost$11,825 $11,346 $22,480 $21,179 
Interest cost4,513 3,436 8,964 6,793 
Amortization of actuarial loss32 183 64 367 
Expected return on plan assets (1)
(266)(272)(532)(544)
Net periodic service credit amortization(102)(102)(203)(203)
Net periodic benefit costs (2)
$16,002 $14,591 $30,773 $27,592 
___________________
(1)
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 6.00% for both October 31, 2024 and 2023.
(2)
The service cost, interest cost and the other components of net periodic benefit costs are included in compensation and benefits expense, interest expense, net and other income (loss), net, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
The Company purchased company-owned life insurance ("COLI") contracts insuring the lives of certain employees eligible to participate in the deferred compensation and pension plans as a means of setting aside funds to cover such plans. The gross cash surrender value ("CSV") of these contracts of $313.4 million and $295.9 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively, was offset by outstanding policy loans of $76.4 million and $77.0 million in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. The CSV value of the underlying COLI investments increased by $2.5 million and $4.8 million during the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, respectively, and was recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The CSV value of the underlying COLI investment increased by $2.0 million and $3.9 million during the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, respectively, and was recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company’s ECAP is intended to provide certain employees an opportunity to defer their salary and/or bonus on a pre-tax basis. In addition, the Company, as part of its compensation philosophy, makes discretionary contributions into the ECAP and such contributions may be granted to key employees annually based on the employee’s performance. Certain key members of management may also receive Company ECAP contributions upon commencement of employment. The Company amortizes these contributions on a straight-line basis over the service period, generally a five-year period. Participants have the ability to allocate their deferrals among a number of investment options and may receive their benefits at termination, retirement or ‘in service’ either in a lump sum or in quarterly installments over one-to-15 years. The ECAP amounts that are expected to be paid to employees over the next 12 months are classified as a current liability included in compensation and benefits payable on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The ECAP is accounted for whereby the changes in the fair value of the vested amounts owed to the participants are adjusted with a corresponding charge (or credit) to compensation and benefits costs. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, deferred compensation liability increased; therefore, the Company recognized an increase in compensation expense of $4.7 million and $18.2 million, respectively. Offsetting the increases in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities (held in trust to satisfy obligations of the ECAP liabilities) of $4.7 million and $18.9 million during the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, recorded in other income (loss), net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended October 31, 2023, deferred compensation liability decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a reduction in compensation expense of $12.3 million. Offsetting the decrease in compensation and benefits expense was a decrease in the fair value of marketable securities (held in trust to satisfy obligations of the ECAP liabilities) of $13.8 million during the three months ended October 31, 2023, recorded in other income (loss), net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations (see Note 5—Financial Instruments).
7. Fee Revenue
Contract Balances
A contract asset (unbilled receivables) is recorded when the Company transfers control of products or services before there is an unconditional right to payment. A contract liability (deferred revenue) is recorded when cash is received in advance of performance of the obligation. Deferred revenue represents the future performance obligations to transfer control of products or services for which we have already received consideration. Deferred revenue is presented in other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The following table outlines the Company’s contract asset and liability balances as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024:
October 31, 2024April 30, 2024
(in thousands)
Contract assets-unbilled receivables$124,759 $116,368 
Contract liabilities-deferred revenue$215,546 $240,958 
During the six months ended October 31, 2024, we recognized revenue of $137.0 million that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
Performance Obligations
The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to exclude the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with a duration of one year or less, which applies to all executive search, professional search and to most of the fee revenue from the interim business. As of October 31, 2024, the aggregate transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied for contracts with an expected duration of greater than one year at inception was $1,007.4 million. Of the $1,007.4 million of remaining performance obligations, the Company expects to recognize approximately $316.2 million in the remainder of fiscal 2025, $386.9 million in fiscal 2026, $200.8 million in fiscal 2027 and the remaining $103.5 million in fiscal 2028 and thereafter. However, this amount should not be considered an indication of the Company’s future revenue as contracts with an initial term of one year or less are not included. Further, our contract terms and conditions allow for clients to increase or decrease the scope of services and such changes do not increase or decrease a performance obligation until the Company has an enforceable right to payment.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company disaggregates its revenue by line of business and further by region for Executive Search. This information is presented in Note 10—Segments.
The following table provides further disaggregation of fee revenue by industry:
Three Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Dollars%Dollars%
(dollars in thousands)
Industrial$208,012 30.9 %$204,931 29.1 %
Financial Services
126,110 18.7 122,048 17.3 
Life Sciences/Healthcare
112,598 16.7 123,865 17.6 
Technology
96,017 14.2 98,129 13.9 
Consumer Goods
88,498 13.1 96,996 13.8 
Education/Non–Profit/General43,130 6.4 58,034 8.3 
Fee Revenue$674,365 100.0 %$704,003 100.0 %
Six Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Dollars%Dollars%
(dollars in thousands)
Industrial$406,784 30.1 %$406,849 29.0 %
Financial Services251,247 18.6 250,372 17.9 
Life Sciences/Healthcare231,588 17.2 243,219 17.3 
Technology193,937 14.4 213,902 15.2 
Consumer Goods173,645 12.9 193,423 13.8 
Education/Non–Profit/General92,110 6.8 95,427 6.8 
Fee Revenue$1,349,311 100.0 %$1,403,192 100.0 %
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
8. Credit Losses
The activity in the allowance for credit losses on the Company's trade receivables is as follows:
(in thousands)
Balance at April 30, 2024$44,192 
Provision for credit losses8,427 
Write-offs(9,333)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off801 
Foreign currency translation(225)
Balance at October 31, 2024$43,862 
The fair value and unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position, are as follows:
Less Than 12 Months12 Months or longerBalance Sheet Classification
Fair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized LossesCash and Cash
Equivalent
Marketable Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities, Non-
Current
(in thousands)
Balance at October 31, 2024
Commercial paper$3,460 $4 $ $ $ $3,460 $ 
Corporate notes/bonds$5,473 $28 $ $ $ $942 $4,531 
Balance at April 30, 2024       
Commercial paper$11,040 $19 $ $ $3,932 $7,108 $ 
Corporate notes/bonds$11,022 $26 $1,999 $1 $ $9,050 $3,971 
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities$4,346 $9 $ $ $ $2,441 $1,905 
The Company only purchases high grade bonds that have a maturity from the date of purchase of no more than two years. The Company monitors the credit worthiness of its investments on a quarterly basis. The Company does not intend to sell the investments and does not believe it will be required to sell the investments before the investments mature and therefore recover the amortized cost basis.
9. Income Taxes
The provision for income tax was $24.9 million and $47.3 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, with an effective tax rate of 28.5% and 27.2%, respectively, compared to $2.3 million and $20.8 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, with an effective tax rate of 98.2% and 30.5%, respectively. In addition to the impact of U.S. state income taxes and the jurisdictional mix of earnings, which generally create variability in our effective tax rate over time, the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended October 31, 2023 was elevated due to lower earnings resulting from restructuring charges recorded in the three and six months ended October 31, 2023.
10. Segments
The Company has eight reportable segments: Consulting, Digital, Executive Search North America, Executive Search Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"), Executive Search Asia Pacific, Executive Search Latin America, Professional Search & Interim and RPO.
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) review of 1) fee revenue and 2) adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). To the extent that such costs or charges occur, Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring charges, integration/acquisition costs, certain separation costs and certain non-cash charges (goodwill, intangible asset and other impairment charges). The CODM is not provided asset information by reportable segment.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
Financial highlights are as follows:
Three Months Ended October 31,Six Months Ended October 31,
2024202320242023
Consolidated
(in thousands)
Fee revenue$674,365 $704,003 $1,349,311 $1,403,192 
Total revenue$681,960 $712,447 $1,364,721 $1,418,709 
  
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry
$60,800 $(1,711)$123,404 $44,894 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest1,543 1,755 3,195 2,335 
Other (income) loss, net
(5,391)13,835 (19,896)258 
Interest expense, net5,626 6,596 9,571 11,336 
Income tax provision24,898 2,341 47,252 20,761 
Operating income87,476 22,816 163,526 79,584 
Depreciation and amortization19,688 19,554 39,266 38,566 
Other income (loss), net
5,391 (13,835)19,896 (258)
Integration/acquisition costs3,896 5,030 4,972 9,158 
Impairment of fixed assets 1,452  1,575 
Impairment of right-of-use assets   1,629 
Restructuring charges, net576 63,525 576 63,946 
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$117,027 $98,542 $228,236 $194,200 
___________________
(1)
Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and further excludes integration/acquisition costs, impairment of fixed assets, impairment of right-of-use assets, and restructuring charges, net when applicable.
Financial highlights by reportable segments are as follows:
Three Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
Consulting$166,771 $169,384 $29,106 $177,795 $180,953 $28,928 
Digital92,893 93,038 29,188 97,092 97,157 28,983 
Executive Search:      
North America129,891 131,419 36,907 132,512 133,933 29,436 
EMEA46,788 47,132 7,487 43,098 43,315 5,619 
Asia Pacific21,464 21,540 4,432 19,304 19,460 3,875 
Latin America7,856 7,859 2,552 8,079 8,085 805 
Professional Search & Interim121,107 121,988 27,203 138,384 139,455 25,622 
RPO87,595 89,600 12,899 87,739 90,089 8,855 
Corporate  (32,747)  (33,581)
Consolidated$674,365 $681,960 $117,027 $704,003 $712,447 $98,542 
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
Six Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDAFee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
Consulting$334,641 $340,151 $58,400 $345,883 $351,746 $54,108 
Digital181,073 181,249 55,811 185,078 185,169 53,308 
Executive Search:
North America264,643 267,506 72,005 260,010 263,346 58,192 
EMEA92,769 93,408 14,752 89,874 90,450 11,257 
Asia Pacific42,043 42,244 8,650 43,843 44,070 10,190 
Latin America15,179 15,185 5,350 14,500 14,507 2,546 
Professional Search & Interim242,848 244,718 52,909 280,563 282,524 49,951 
RPO176,115 180,260 25,393 183,441 186,897 19,326 
Corporate  (65,034)  (64,678)
Consolidated$1,349,311 $1,364,721 $228,236 $1,403,192 $1,418,709 $194,200 
11. Long-Term Debt
4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
Long-term debt, net at amortized cost, consisted of the following:
In thousandsOctober 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
Senior Unsecured Notes$400,000 $400,000 
Less: Unamortized discount and issuance costs(2,664)(3,054)
Long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs$397,336 $396,946 
Credit Facilities
On June 24, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to its December 16, 2019 Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”; as amended by the Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks and Bank of America, National Association as administrative agent. The Amended Credit Agreement provides for five-year senior secured credit facilities comprised of a $650.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”).
As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, there was no outstanding liability under the Revolver, and the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants. The Company had a total of $645.4 million and $645.5 million available under the Revolver after $4.6 million and $4.5 million of standby letters of credit were issued as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. The Company had a total of $12.8 million and $13.2 million of standby letters with other financial institutions as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. The standby letters of credit were generally issued in connection with the entry into certain office premise leases.
12. Leases
The Company’s lease portfolio is comprised of operating leases for office space and equipment and finance leases for equipment. Equipment leases are comprised of vehicles and office equipment. During the six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company reduced its real estate footprint and as a result recorded an impairment charge of the ROU assets of $1.6 million in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. No impairment charge of the ROU assets was recorded during the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and the three months ended October 31, 2023.
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Finance lease cost
Amortization of ROU assets$362 $448 $741 $850 
Interest on lease liabilities45 54 94 108 
407 502 835 958 
Operating lease cost12,096 11,389 24,091 23,086 
Short-term lease cost202 222 428 491 
Variable lease cost3,027 3,724 5,368 6,915 
Lease impairment cost   1,629 
Sublease income(1,206)(1,051)(2,359)(2,114)
Total lease cost$14,526 $14,786 $28,363 $30,965 
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Six Months Ended
October 31,
20242023
(in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases$24,597 $26,635 
Financing cash flows from finance leases$815 $938 
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases$18,565 $4,109 
Finance leases$217 $714 
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Year Ending April 30,OperatingFinancing
(in thousands)
2025 (excluding the six months ended October 31, 2024)
$23,277 $775 
202641,817 1,260 
202729,777 832 
202824,732 548 
202919,703 12 
Thereafter86,447  
Total lease payments225,753 3,427 
Less: imputed interest44,812 243 
Total$180,941 $3,184 
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KORN FERRY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2024 (continued)
13. Subsequent Events
Quarterly Dividend Declaration
On December 4, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.37 per share with a payment date of January 15, 2025 to holders of the Company’s common stock of record at the close of business on December 20, 2024. The declaration and payment of future dividends under the quarterly dividend policy will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, the terms of the Company’s indebtedness and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem to be relevant. The Board of Directors may amend, revoke, or suspend the dividend policy at any time and for any reason.
Business Acquisition
On November 1, 2024, Korn Ferry completed the acquisition of Trilogy International, a provider of digital interim talent across Europe and in the United States, which will be included in the Professional Search & Interim segment in the third quarter of fiscal 2025.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain certain statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, “forward-looking” statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “may,” “will,” “likely,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals, including the timing and anticipated impacts of our business strategy, expected demand for and relevance of our products and services, and expected results of our business diversification strategy, are also forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement. The principal risk factors that could cause actual performance and future actions to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those relating to global and local political and or economic developments in or affecting countries where we have operations, such as inflation, global slowdowns, or recessions, competition, geopolitical tensions, shifts in global trade patterns, changes in demand for our services as a result of automation, dependence on and costs of attracting and retaining qualified and experienced consultants, impact of inflationary pressures on our profitability, maintaining our relationships with customers and suppliers and retaining key employees, maintaining our brand name and professional reputation, potential legal liability and regulatory developments, portability of client relationships, consolidation of or within the industries we serve, changes and developments in governmental laws and regulations, evolving investor and customer expectations with regard to environmental, social and governance matters, currency fluctuations in our international operations, risks related to growth, alignment of our cost structure, including as a result of workforce, real estate, and other restructuring initiatives, restrictions imposed by off-limits agreements, reliance on information processing systems, cyber security vulnerabilities or events, changes to data security, data privacy, and data protection laws, dependence on third parties for the execution of critical functions, limited protection of our intellectual property (“IP”), our ability to enhance and develop new technology, including artificial intelligence ("AI"), our ability to successfully recover from a disaster or other business continuity problems, employment liability risk, an impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, treaties, or regulations on our business and our Company, deferred tax assets that we may not be able to use, our ability to develop new products and services, changes in our accounting estimates and assumptions, the utilization and billing rates of our consultants, seasonality, the expansion of social media platforms, the ability to effect acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses, including Trilogy International ("Trilogy"), resulting organizational changes, our indebtedness, the ultimate magnitude and duration of any future pandemics or similar outbreaks, and related restrictions and operational requirements that apply to our business and the businesses of our clients, and any related negative impacts on our business, employees, customers and our ability to provide services in affected regions, and the matters disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Exchange Act reports, including Item 1A included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 (the “Form 10-K”). Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
The following presentation of management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We also make available on the Investor Relations portion of our website earnings slides and other important information, which we encourage you to review.
Executive Summary
Korn Ferry (referred to herein as the “Company” or in the first-person notations “we,” “our” and “us”) is a leading global organizational consulting firm. We help clients synchronize strategy, operations and talent to drive superior business performance. We work with organizations to design their structures, roles and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people to bring their strategy to life. And we advise them on how to reward, develop and motivate their people.
We are pursuing a strategy designed to help our colleagues focus on clients, by bringing all of our resources together to solve their human capital issues. This approach is intended to build on the best of our past and give us a clear path to the future with focused initiatives to increase our client and commercial impact. Korn Ferry is transforming how clients address their talent management needs. We have evolved from a mono-line business to a multi-faceted consultancy business, giving our consultants more frequent and expanded opportunities to engage with clients.
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The Company services its clients with a core set of solutions that are anchored around talent and talent management – touching nearly every aspect of an employer’s engagement with their employees. Our five core solutions are as follows: Organizational Strategy, Assessment and Succession, Leadership and Professional Development, Total Rewards, and Talent Acquisition. Our colleagues engage with our clients through the delivery of one of our core solutions as a point solution sale or through combining component parts of our core solutions into an integrated solution. In either case, we are helping to solve our clients’ most challenging business and human capital issues.
Further differentiating our service offerings from our competitors is the unique combination of IP, content, and data sets that we have, which permeate throughout our solution areas. For many years, we have been accumulating data around assessments of executives and professionals, pay, success profiles, organizational engagement and design, job architecture, and candidates. Integrating this unique collection of data into our service offerings provides our colleagues with differentiated points of view and solutions, as well as the ability to demonstrate the efficacy of all of our offerings.
Our vision remains unchanged: to become the premier organizational consulting firm. We believe our household brand, unparalleled IP, and diversification strategy will continue to positively influence our performance and accelerate the trajectory of thousands of organizations. Indeed, Korn Ferry is uniquely positioned as a firm relentlessly focused on synchronizing strategy, operations and talent and a firm that offers increasingly relevant solutions in a rapidly changing world. The continual advancement of technologies like generative AI creates a constant demand for workers to be upskilled or reskilled. We expect these changes and disruptions will lead to opportunities for Korn Ferry and make us more relevant than at any time in our history.
Leveraging the strong connection between our various service offerings and our lines of business, we have an integrated go-to-market strategy. As we drive this strategy, a focal point for us is our Marquee and Regional account program which is comprised of more than 340 of our top clients. These accounts have Global Account Leaders assigned who help to orchestrate the delivery of core and integrated solutions that cut across multiple lines of business – effectively making all of the Firm’s resources available as our clients tackle their business and human capital issues. Despite near-term headwinds, such as economic uncertainty, we believe Korn Ferry is poised for continued growth. We are capitalizing on the current and growing relevance of our core and integrated solutions which, in combination with the strong connections amongst our service offerings and our acquisition activities, drives top-line synergies that have resulted in double digit fee revenue growth rates (CAGR) over the past twenty years.
Our eight reportable segments operate through the following five lines of business:
1.Consulting aligns organizational structure, culture, performance, development and people to drive sustainable growth by addressing four fundamental organizational and talent needs: Organizational Strategy, Assessment and Succession, Leadership and Professional Development, and Total Rewards. The Consulting teams work across our core capabilities, architecting integrated solutions and technology products to help clients execute their strategy in a digitally enabled world.
2.Digital develops IP and science-based talent technology products that empower our clients. Our talent products and talent platform support our clients in making critical talent decisions across the continuum from talent acquisition to talent development.
3.Executive Search helps organizations recruit board level, chief executive and other C-suite/senior executive and general management talent to deliver lasting impact. Our approach to placing talent brings together research-based IP, proprietary assessments, and behavioral interviewing with our practical experience to determine the ideal organizational fit. Salary benchmarking then helps us build appropriate frameworks for compensation and attraction. This business is managed and reported on a geographic basis and represents four of the Company’s reportable segments (Executive Search North America, Executive Search Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), Executive Search Asia Pacific (“APAC”), and Executive Search Latin America).
4.Professional Search & Interim delivers enterprise talent acquisition solutions for permanent placements at the professional level for middle and upper management, and, for interim, at those same levels plus senior executives. We help clients source high-quality candidates at speed and scale globally, covering single-hire to multi-hire permanent placements and interim contractors (that are focused on senior executive, information technology ("IT"), Finance & Accounting and human resources roles).
5.Recruitment Process Outsourcing (“RPO”) offers scalable recruitment outsourcing and project solutions leveraging a customized technology enabled service delivery platform and talent insights. Our scalable solutions, built on our IP, science, and data and powered by best-in-class technology and consulting expertise, enable us to act as a strategic partner in clients’ quest for superior recruitment outcomes and better candidate fit.
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Q2 FY'25 Performance Highlights

Fee revenue in Q2 FY'25 was $674.4 million, a year-over-year decrease of 4%.

Operating income was $87.5 million and Adjusted EBITDA was $117.0 million.

Operating margin increased 980bps year-over-year to 13.0%. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 17.4%, a 340bps increase compared to the year-ago quarter.

Net income attributable to Korn Ferry was $60.8 million, while diluted earnings per share was $1.14 in Q2 FY'25.

The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the chief operating decision maker’s review of (1) fee revenue and (2) adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). To the extent that such charges occur, Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring charges, integration/acquisition costs, certain separation costs and certain non-cash charges (goodwill, intangible asset and other impairments charges). For the three months ended October 31, 2024, Adjusted EBITDA excluded $0.6 million of restructuring charges, net, and $3.9 million of integration/acquisition costs. For the six months ended October 31, 2024, Adjusted EBITDA excluded $0.6 million of restructuring charges, net, and $5.0 million of integration/acquisition costs. For the three months ended October 31, 2023, Adjusted EBITDA excluded $63.5 million of restructuring charges, net, $5.0 million of integration/acquisition costs, and $1.5 million impairment of fixed assets. For the six months ended October 31, 2023, Adjusted EBITDA excluded $63.9 million of restructuring charges, net, $9.2 million of integration/acquisition costs, $1.6 million of impairment of right-of-use assets, and $1.6 million impairment of fixed assets.
Consolidated and the subtotals of Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures and have limitations as analytical tools. They should not be viewed as a substitute for financial information determined in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP. In addition, they may not necessarily be comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.
Management believes the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides meaningful supplemental information regarding Korn Ferry’s performance by excluding certain charges, items of income and other items that may not be indicative of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operating results. The use of these non-GAAP financial measures facilitates comparisons to Korn Ferry’s historical performance and the identification of operating trends that may otherwise be distorted by the factors discussed above. Korn Ferry includes these non-GAAP financial measures because management believes it is useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its evaluation of Korn Ferry’s ongoing operations and financial and operational decision-making. The accounting policies for the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, except that the above noted items are excluded to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA. Management further believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by investors and other interested parties to measure operating performance among companies with different capital structures, effective tax rates and tax attributes and capitalized asset values, all of which can vary substantially from company to company.

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Results of Operations
The following table summarizes the results of our operations as a percentage of fee revenue:
(Numbers may not total exactly due to rounding)
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
Fee revenue100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses1.1 1.2 1.1 1.1 
Total revenue101.1 101.2 101.1 101.1 
Compensation and benefits64.9 64.5 65.9 66.5 
General and administrative expenses9.6 9.3 9.2 9.4 
Reimbursed expenses1.1 1.2 1.1 1.1 
Cost of services9.6 11.2 9.8 11.1 
Depreciation and amortization2.9 2.8 2.9 2.7 
Restructuring charges, net0.1 9.0 — 4.6 
Operating income13.0 3.2 12.1 5.7 
Net income9.2 %— %9.4 %3.4 %
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry
9.0 %(0.2)%9.1 %3.2 %
The following tables summarize the results of our operations:
(Numbers may not total exactly due to rounding)
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
Dollars%Dollars%Dollars%Dollars%
(dollars in thousands)
Fee revenue
Consulting$166,771 24.7 %$177,795 25.3 %$334,641 24.8 %$345,883 24.6 %
Digital92,893 13.8 97,092 13.8 181,073 13.4 185,078 13.2 
Executive Search:
North America129,891 19.2 132,512 18.8 264,643 19.6 260,010 18.6 
EMEA46,788 6.9 43,098 6.1 92,769 6.9 89,874 6.4 
Asia Pacific21,464 3.2 19,304 2.7 42,043 3.1 43,843 3.1 
Latin America7,856 1.2 8,079 1.1 15,179 1.1 14,500 1.0 
Total Executive Search205,999 30.5 202,993 28.7 414,634 30.7 408,227 29.1 
Professional Search & Interim121,107 18.0 138,384 19.7 242,848 18.0 280,563 20.0 
RPO87,595 13.0 87,739 12.5 176,11513.1 183,44113.1 
Total fee revenue674,365 100.0 %704,003 100.0 %1,349,311 100.0 %1,403,192 100.0 %
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expense7,595 8,444 15,410 15,517 
Total revenue$681,960 $712,447 $1,364,721 $1,418,709 
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In the tables that follow, the Company presents a subtotal for Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA and a single percentage for Executive Search Adjusted EBITDA margin, which reflects the aggregate of all of the individual Executive Search Regions. These figures are non-GAAP financial measures and are presented as they are consistent with the Company’s lines of business and are financial metrics used by the Company’s investor base.
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
Consolidated
(in thousands)
Fee revenue$674,365 $704,003 $1,349,311 $1,403,192 
Total revenue$681,960 $712,447 $1,364,721 $1,418,709 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry
$60,800 $(1,711)$123,404 $44,894 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest1,543 1,755 3,195 2,335 
Other (income) loss, net
(5,391)13,835 (19,896)258 
Interest expense, net5,626 6,596 9,571 11,336 
Income tax provision24,898 2,341 47,252 20,761 
Operating income87,476 22,816 163,526 79,584 
Depreciation and amortization19,688 19,554 39,266 38,566 
Other income (loss), net
5,391 (13,835)19,896 (258)
Integration/acquisition costs3,896 5,030 4,972 9,158 
Restructuring charges, net576 63,525 576 63,946 
Impairment of fixed assets— 1,452 — 1,575 
Impairment of right-of-use assets— — — 1,629 
Adjusted EBITDA$117,027 $98,542 $228,236 $194,200 
Adjusted EBITDA margin17.4 %14.0 %16.9 %13.8 %
Three Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA margin Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA margin
(dollars in thousands)
Consulting$166,771 $169,384 $29,106 17.5 %$177,795 $180,953 $28,928 16.3 %
Digital92,893 93,038 29,188 31.4 %97,092 97,157 28,983 29.9 %
Executive Search:
North America129,891 131,419 36,907 28.4 %132,512 133,933 29,436 22.2 %
EMEA46,788 47,132 7,487 16.0 %43,098 43,315 5,619 13.0 %
Asia Pacific21,464 21,540 4,432 20.6 %19,304 19,460 3,875 20.1 %
Latin America7,856 7,859 2,552 32.5 %8,079 8,085 805 10.0 %
Total Executive Search205,999 207,950 51,378 24.9 %202,993 204,793 39,735 19.6 %
Professional Search & Interim121,107 121,988 27,203 22.5 %138,384 139,455 25,622 18.5 %
RPO87,595 89,600 12,899 14.7 %87,739 90,089 8,855 10.1 %
Corporate— — (32,747)— — (33,581)
Consolidated$674,365 $681,960 $117,027 17.4 %$704,003 $712,447 $98,542 14.0 %
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Six Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDAAdjusted EBITDA marginFee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDAAdjusted EBITDA margin
(dollars in thousands)
Consulting$334,641 $340,151 $58,400 17.5 %$345,883 $351,746 $54,108 15.6 %
Digital181,073 181,249 55,811 30.8 %185,078 185,169 53,308 28.8 %
Executive Search:
North America264,643 267,506 72,005 27.2 %260,010 263,346 58,192 22.4 %
EMEA92,769 93,408 14,752 15.9 %89,874 90,450 11,257 12.5 %
Asia Pacific42,043 42,244 8,650 20.6 %43,843 44,070 10,190 23.2 %
Latin America15,179 15,185 5,350 35.2 %14,500 14,507 2,546 17.6 %
Total Executive Search414,634 418,343 100,757 24.3 %408,227 412,373 82,185 20.1 %
Professional Search & Interim242,848 244,718 52,909 21.8 %280,563 282,524 49,951 17.8 %
RPO176,115 180,260 25,393 14.4 %183,441 186,897 19,326 10.5 %
Corporate— — (65,034)— — (64,678)
Consolidated$1,349,311 $1,364,721 $228,236 16.9 %$1,403,192 $1,418,709 $194,200 13.8 %
Three Months Ended October 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended October 31, 2023
Fee Revenue
Fee Revenue. Fee revenue was $674.4 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, a decrease of $29.6 million, or 4% compared to $704.0 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $6.2 million, or 1%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. The decrease in fee revenue was primarily due to lower fee revenues in Professional Search & Interim, Consulting and Digital driven by a decline in demand due to the current economic environment, partially offset by increases in fee revenue in Executive Search EMEA and Executive Search Asia Pacific.
Consulting. Consulting reported fee revenue of $166.8 million, a decrease of $11.0 million, or 6%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $177.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $2.1 million, or 1%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. The decrease in Consulting fee revenue was primarily driven by a decline in demand for our organizational strategy and leadership and professional development offerings.
Digital. Digital reported fee revenue of $92.9 million, a decrease of $4.2 million, or 4%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $97.1 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in fee revenue was primarily driven by a decrease in demand for our leadership and professional development offerings.
Executive Search North America. Executive Search North America reported fee revenue of $129.9 million, a decrease of $2.6 million, or 2%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $132.5 million in the year-ago quarter driven by a 7% decrease in the weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency), partially offset by a 5% increase in the number of engagements billed during the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
Executive Search EMEA. Executive Search EMEA reported fee revenue of $46.8 million, an increase of $3.7 million, or 9%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $43.1 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $1.7 million, or 4%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in fee revenue was due to a 6% increase in the weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency), partially offset by a 2% decrease in the number of engagements billed during the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
Executive Search Asia Pacific. Executive Search Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $21.5 million, an increase of $2.2 million, or 11%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $19.3 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in fee revenue was due to an 8% increase in the weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) and a 1% increase in the number of engagements billed during the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
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Executive Search Latin America. Executive Search Latin America reported fee revenue of $7.9 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, essentially flat compared to $8.1 million in the year-ago quarter.
Professional Search & Interim. Professional Search & Interim reported fee revenue of $121.1 million, a decrease of $17.3 million, or 13%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $138.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in fee revenue was primarily due to lower demand in the current economic environment.
RPO. RPO reported fee revenue of $87.6 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, essentially flat compared to $87.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $1.5 million, or 2%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and benefits expense decreased by $16.5 million, or 4%, to $437.4 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 from $453.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits by $4.8 million, or 1%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $26.3 million as a result of an 8% reduction in average headcount and a decrease in performance-related bonus expense of $7.7 million driven by the lower fee revenue, partially offset by an increase of $16.4 million in deferred compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of participants' accounts in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
Consulting compensation and benefits expense decreased by $8.7 million, or 7%, to $113.8 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 from $122.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits by $1.8 million, or 1%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in performance-related bonus expense of $7.3 million driven by the lower segment fee revenue and a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $7.0 million as a result of a 9% reduction in average headcount in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was partially offset by increases in severance related expenses of $3.3 million due to a reduction in workforce and $1.5 million in deferred compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of participants' accounts in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
Digital compensation and benefits expense decreased by $3.9 million, or 8%, to $45.6 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $49.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $2.8 million as a result of a 5% decrease in average headcount and a decrease in performance-related bonus expense of $2.5 million driven by the lower segment fee revenue in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was partially offset by increases in severance related expenses of $0.5 million due to a reduction in workforce and $0.6 million in deferred compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of participants' accounts in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
Executive Search North America compensation and benefits expense increased by $3.1 million, or 4%, to $86.8 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $83.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Compensation and benefits expense increased primarily due to increases of $12.6 million in deferred compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of participants' accounts and $1.8 million in severance related expenses due to a reduction in workforce, partially offset by a decrease in performance-related bonus expense of $8.1 million driven by the lower segment fee revenue and a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $2.0 million as a result of a 5% decrease in average headcount in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
Executive Search EMEA compensation and benefits expense increased by $1.8 million, or 5%, to $35.1 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $33.3 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits by $1.4 million, or 4%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to an increase in severance related expenses of $2.5 million due to a reduction in workforce, partially offset by a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $0.6 million as a result of a 4% decrease in average headcount in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
Executive Search Asia Pacific compensation and benefits expense increased by $2.4 million, or 18%, to $15.7 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $13.3 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to an increase in performance-related bonus expense of $1.3 million driven by higher segment fee revenue and an increase in severance related expenses of $1.1 million due to a reduction in workforce in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
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Executive Search Latin America compensation and benefits expense was $4.8 million in both three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023.
Professional Search & Interim compensation and benefits expense decreased by $7.3 million, or 13%, to $49.8 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 from $57.1 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $4.7 million as a result of an 18% decrease in average headcount in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. Also contributing to the decrease in compensation and benefits expense were decreases in commission expense and integration and acquisition cost of $3.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively, partially offset by an increase in performance-related bonus expense of $5.0 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
RPO compensation and benefits expense decreased by $4.7 million, or 6%, to $67.7 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 from $72.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted compensation and benefits by $1.3 million, or 2%, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $8.0 million as a result of an 8% decrease in average headcount in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter, partially offset by an increase in performance-related bonus expense of $3.1 million.
Corporate compensation and benefits expense increased by $0.9 million, or 5%, to $18.2 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 from $17.3 million in the year-ago quarter.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.2 million, or 2%, to $64.5 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 from $65.7 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to decreases in bad debt expense and impairment of fixed assets of $2.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter, partially offset by an increase in integration and acquisition cost of $2.2 million and marketing and business development expenses of $1.1 million.
Consulting general and administrative expenses increased by $0.8 million, or 6%, to $13.5 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $12.7 million in the year-ago quarter.
Digital general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.9 million, or 8%, to $10.4 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 from $11.3 million in the year-ago quarter.
Executive Search North America general and administrative expenses increased by $0.7 million, or 9%, to $8.3 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $7.6 million in the year-ago quarter.
Executive Search EMEA general and administrative expenses increased by $0.3 million, or 8%, to $4.2 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $3.9 million in the year-ago quarter.
Executive Search Asia Pacific general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.5 million, or 26%, to $1.4 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $1.9 million in the year-ago quarter.
Executive Search Latin America general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.6 million, or 70%, to $0.7 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $2.3 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange, incurring a foreign exchange gain of $0.3 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to a foreign exchange loss of $1.4 million in the year-ago quarter.
Professional Search & Interim general and administrative expenses decreased by $2.6 million, or 39%, to $4.1 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $6.7 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to decreases in bad debt expense and premise and office expense of $1.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
RPO general and administrative expenses increased by $1.0 million, or 29%, to $4.5 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $3.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a decrease in foreign exchange gain of $1.0 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
Corporate general and administrative expenses increased by $1.7 million, or 11%, to $17.4 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $15.7 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in integration/acquisition costs of $2.4 million, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency, with a foreign currency gain of $0.2 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to a foreign currency loss of $0.6 million in the year-ago quarter.
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Cost of Services Expense
Cost of services expense consists of contractor and product costs related to delivery of various services and products through Consulting, Digital, Professional Search & Interim and RPO. Cost of services expense decreased by $13.8 million, or 18%, to $64.7 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $78.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Professional Search & Interim accounts for $11.8 million of the decrease due to a decline in fee revenue in the segment as the Company's interim services have a higher cost of service expense as compared to the Company's other segments.
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
Depreciation and amortization expenses were $19.7 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, essentially flat compared to $19.6 million in the year-ago quarter.
Restructuring Charges, Net
During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we implemented a restructuring plan to eliminate excess capacity resulting from a challenging macroeconomic business environment impacting demand. As a result, we recorded restructuring charges, net of $63.5 million during the three months ended October 31, 2023. During the three months ended October 31, 2024, we recorded an adjustment to the previously recorded restructuring accruals of $0.6 million.
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Korn Ferry
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry was $60.8 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, as compared to a net loss attributable to Korn Ferry of $1.7 million in the year-ago quarter. The change in net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry was primarily due to a decrease in restructuring charges, net of $62.9 million recorded during the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. Net income attributable to Korn Ferry, as a percentage of fee revenue was 9% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to net loss attributable to Korn Ferry, as a percentage of fee revenue was less than 1% in the three months ended October 31, 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased by $18.5 million, or 19%, to $117.0 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to $98.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by decreases in salaries and related payroll taxes, performance-related bonus expense and cost of services expense, partially offset by a decrease in fee revenue. Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to 14% in the year-ago quarter.
Consulting Adjusted EBITDA was $29.1 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, essentially flat compared to $28.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Consulting Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% and 16% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Digital Adjusted EBITDA was $29.2 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, essentially flat compared to $29.0 million in the year-ago quarter. Digital Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 31% and 30% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Executive Search North America Adjusted EBITDA increased by $7.5 million, or 26%, to $36.9 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $29.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was mainly driven by decreases in performance-related bonus expense and salaries and related payroll taxes, partially offset by a decrease in fee revenue in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to year-ago quarter. Executive Search North America Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 28% and 22% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Executive Search EMEA Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.9 million, or 34%, to $7.5 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $5.6 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in fee revenue, partially offset by higher compensation and benefits expense. Executive Search EMEA Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 16% and 13% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Executive Search Asia Pacific Adjusted EBITDA increased by $0.5 million, or 13%, to $4.4 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $3.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Executive Search Asia Pacific Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 21% and 20% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Executive Search Latin America Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.8 million, or 225%, to $2.6 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $0.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a decrease in general and administrative expenses due to a favorable foreign exchange in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter. Executive Search Latin America Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 32% and 10% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
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Professional Search & Interim Adjusted EBITDA was $27.2 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, an increase of $1.6 million, or 6%, as compared to $25.6 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly driven by decreases in cost of services expense, compensation and benefits expense (excluding integration/acquisition costs), and general and administrative expenses (excluding integration/acquisition costs). The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was partially offset by lower fee revenue in the segment. Professional Search & Interim Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 22% and 19% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
RPO Adjusted EBITDA was $12.9 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, an increase of $4.0 million, or 45%, as compared to $8.9 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly driven by a decrease in compensation and benefits expense. RPO Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 15% and 10% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Other Income (Loss), Net
Other income, net was $5.4 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to other loss, net of $13.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The difference was primarily due to gains from the increase in the fair value of our marketable securities that are held in trust to for the settlement of the Company's obligation under the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan ("ECAP") during the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to losses in the year-ago quarter.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net primarily relates to the Company's 4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 ("Notes") issued in December 2019, borrowings under Company purchased company-owned life insurance ("COLI") policies and interest cost related to our deferred compensation plans, which are partially offset by interest earned on cash and cash equivalent balances. Interest expense, net was $5.6 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $6.6 million in the year-ago quarter. Interest expense, net decreased due to an increase in interest income earned on cash and cash equivalent balances as a result of higher average cash and cash equivalents balances in the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago quarter.
Income Tax Provision
The provision for income tax was $24.9 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024, with an effective tax rate of 28.5%, compared to $2.3 million in the three months ended October 31, 2023, with an effective rate of 98.2%. In addition to the impact of U.S. state income taxes and the jurisdictional mix of earnings, which generally create variability in our effective tax rate over time, the effective tax rate for the three months ended October 31, 2023 was elevated due to lower earnings resulting from restructuring charges recorded in the quarter.
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest represents the portion of a subsidiary’s net earnings that are attributable to shares of such subsidiary not held by Korn Ferry that are included in the condensed consolidated results of operations. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the three months ended October 31, 2024 was $1.5 million, as compared to $1.8 million in the three months ended October 31, 2023.
Six Months Ended October 31, 2024 Compared to Six Months Ended October 31, 2023
Fee Revenue
Fee Revenue. Fee revenue was $1,349.3 million, a decrease of $53.9 million, or 4%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $1,403.2 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in fee revenue was primarily due to lower fee revenues in Professional Search & Interim, Consulting, RPO and Digital driven by a decline in demand due to the current economic environment and other factors, partially offset by an increase in fee revenue in Executive Search North America and Executive Search EMEA.
Consulting. Consulting reported fee revenue of $334.6 million, a decrease of $11.3 million, or 3%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $345.9 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in fee revenue was primarily driven by a decline in demand for our assessment & succession and leadership and professional development offerings.
Digital. Digital reported fee revenue of $181.1 million, a decrease of $4.0 million, or 2%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $185.1 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $1.1 million, or 1%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period. The decrease in fee revenue was primarily driven by decreases in demand for leadership and development and assessment & succession offerings.
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Executive Search North America. Executive Search North America reported fee revenue of $264.6 million, an increase of $4.6 million, or 2%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $260.0 million in the year-ago period. North America’s fee revenue increased due to a 4% increase in the number of engagements billed, partially offset by a 2% decrease in the weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
Executive Search EMEA. Executive Search EMEA reported fee revenue of $92.8 million, an increase of $2.9 million, or 3%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $89.9 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates favorably impacted fee revenue by $1.3 million, or 1%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period. The increase in fee revenue was due to a 10% increase in the weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency), partially offset by an 8% decrease in the number of engagements billed during the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
Executive Search Asia Pacific. Executive Search Asia Pacific reported fee revenue of $42.0 million, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 4%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $43.8 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in fee revenue was due to a 4% decrease in the number of engagements billed, partially offset by a 1% increase in the weighted-average fee billed per engagement (calculated using local currency) during the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
Executive Search Latin America. Executive Search Latin America reported fee revenue of $15.2 million, an increase of $0.7 million, or 5%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $14.5 million in the year-ago period. Exchange rates unfavorably impacted fee revenue by $1.5 million, or 10%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
Professional Search & Interim. Professional Search & Interim reported fee revenue of $242.8 million, a decrease of $37.8 million, or 13%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $280.6 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in fee revenue was primarily due to a decrease in interim fee revenue of $28.0 million as well as a decrease in permanent placement fee revenue of $9.8 million, each of which resulted from lower demand in the current economic environment.
RPO. RPO reported fee revenue of $176.1 million, a decrease of $7.3 million, or 4%, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $183.4 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in fee revenue was due to moderation in the hiring volume in the existing base of clients due to the current economic environment.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and benefits expense decreased by $44.5 million to $889.2 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 from $933.7 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $61.9 million as a result of a 10% reduction in average headcount in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period and decreases in commission expense and integration/acquisition costs of $7.2 million and $6.2 million, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $17.3 million in deferred compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of participants' accounts, and $13.1 million in higher performance-related bonus expense in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
Consulting compensation and benefits expense decreased by $15.2 million, or 6%, to $228.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 from $243.6 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $14.0 million as a result of an 8% reduction in average headcount in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period and a decrease in performance-related bonus expense of $6.5 million. These decreases were partially offset by increases of $3.0 million in severance related cost due to a reduction in workforce and $1.8 million in deferred compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of participants' accounts.
Digital compensation and benefits expense decreased by $5.3 million, or 6%, to $90.9 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 from $96.2 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $7.5 million as a result of a 7% decrease in average headcount in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period, partially offset by increases in performance-related bonus expense, commission expense and deferred compensation of $0.6 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
Executive Search North America compensation and benefits expense increased by $5.7 million, or 3%, to $188.0 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $182.3 million in the year-ago period. Compensation and benefits expense increased primarily due to an increase of $14.1 million in deferred compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of participants' accounts, partially offset by a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $4.2 million due to a 6% decrease in average headcount and a decrease in performance-related bonus expense of $3.5 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
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Executive Search EMEA compensation and benefits expense decreased by $1.0 million, or 1%, to $69.7 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $70.7 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $2.7 million due to a 6% decrease in average headcount in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period and decreases in severance related expenses and stock based compensation of $2.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively. These decreases were offset by an increase in performance-related bonus expense of $5.4 million.
Executive Search Asia Pacific compensation and benefits expense increased by $0.6 million, or 2%, to $30.1 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $29.5 million in the year-ago period. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to an increase in severance related expenses of $1.0 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period due to a reduction in the workforce.
Executive Search Latin America compensation and benefits expense decreased by $0.5 million, or 5%, to $9.2 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $9.7 million in the year-ago period.
Professional Search & Interim compensation and benefits expense decreased by $17.5 million, or 15%, to $99.0 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 from $116.5 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $10.6 million as a result of a 20% reduction in average headcount as well as decreases in commission expense of $7.7 million driven by lower segment fee revenue and lower integration/acquisition cost of $6.2 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period. These decreases were offset by an increase in performance-related bonus expense of $8.0 million.
RPO compensation and benefits expense decreased by $13.7 million, or 9%, to $136.3 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 from $150.0 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and related payroll taxes of $20.3 million as a result of an 11% decrease in average headcount in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period, partially offset by an increase in performance-related bonus expense of $8.0 million.
Corporate compensation and benefits expense increased by $2.2 million, or 6%, to $37.6 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 from $35.4 million in the year-ago period. The increase in compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to increases in stock-based compensation expense and deferred compensation of $1.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses decreased by $7.2 million, or 5%, to $124.5 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 from $131.7 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to decreases in legal and other professional fees of $3.5 million and bad debt expense of $3.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period. Also contributing to the decrease were impairment of fixed assets and right-of-use asset of $1.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, incurred during the six months ended October 31, 2023, partially offset by increases in integration/acquisition costs of $2.0 million and marketing and business development expenses of $1.8 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
Consulting general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.9 million, or 3%, to $26.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $27.3 million in the year-ago period.
Digital general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.3 million, or 6%, to $19.5 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 from $20.8 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a $1.5 million fixed assets impairment charge incurred in the year-ago period.
Executive Search North America general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.7 million, or 4%, to $15.9 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $16.6 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a decrease in premise and office expense of $1.6 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024, primarily due to cost reduction efforts and a right-of-use assets impairment charge incurred in the year-ago period, partially offset by an increase in marketing and business development expenses of $0.7 million.
Executive Search EMEA general and administrative expenses increased by $0.3 million, or 4%, to $8.3 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 from $8.0 million in the year-ago period.
Executive Search Asia Pacific general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.7 million, or 16%, to $3.6 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $4.3 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a decrease in bad debt expense of $1.2 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange, incurring a foreign exchange loss of $0.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to a foreign exchange gain of $0.2 million in the year-ago period.
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Executive Search Latin America general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.3 million, or 62%, to $0.8 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $2.1 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange, incurring a foreign exchange gain of $1.0 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to a foreign exchange loss of $0.6 million in the year-ago period.
Professional Search & Interim general and administrative expenses decreased by $4.2 million, or 31%, to $9.3 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $13.5 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to decreases in premise and office expense of $1.7 million and bad debt expense of $1.5 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
RPO general and administrative expenses were $9.2 million in both the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023.
Corporate general and administrative expenses increased by $1.7 million, or 6%, to $31.5 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $29.8 million in the year-ago period. The increase was primarily due to increases in integration/acquisition costs of $2.2 million and $1.3 million in marketing and business development expenses in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period, partially offset by a decrease in legal and other professional fees of $2.6 million.
Cost of Services Expense
Cost of services expense consists of contractor and product costs related to delivery of various services and products through Consulting, Digital, Professional Search & Interim and RPO. Cost of services expense decreased by $23.5 million, or 15%, to $132.2 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $155.7 million in the year-ago period. Professional Search & Interim accounts for $25.0 million of the decrease due to a decline in fee revenue in the segment as the Company's interim services have a higher cost of service expense as compared to the Company's other segments. Cost of services expense, as a percentage of fee revenue, decreased to 10% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 from 11% in the six months ended October 31, 2023.
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
Depreciation and amortization expenses were $39.3 million, an increase of $0.7 million, or 2% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $38.6 million in the year-ago period.
Restructuring Charges, Net
During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we implemented a plan intended to eliminate excess capacity resulting from the challenging and uncertain macroeconomic business environment. As a result the Company recorded restructuring charges, net of $63.5 million and made adjustments to the previously recorded restructuring accruals of $0.4 million for total restructuring charges of $63.9 million during the six months ended October 31, 2023. During the six months ended October 31, 2024, we recorded an adjustment to the previously recorded restructuring accruals of $0.6 million.
Net Income Attributable to Korn Ferry
Net income attributable to Korn Ferry increased by $78.5 million, or 175%, to $123.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024, as compared to $44.9 million in the year-ago period. The increase in net income attributable to Korn Ferry was primarily due to decreases in restructuring charges, net, compensation and benefits expense and cost of services expense of $63.3 million, $44.5 million and $23.5 million, respectively, in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period, partially offset by lower fee revenues of $53.9 million. Net income attributable to Korn Ferry, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 9% and 3% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased $34.0 million, or 18%, to $228.2 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to $194.2 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by decreases in compensation and benefit expense (excluding integration/acquisition costs), cost of services expenses and general and administrative expenses (excluding integration/acquisition costs and impairment of fixed assets and right-of-use assets) in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period, partially offset by a decrease in fee revenue. Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% and 14% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Consulting Adjusted EBITDA was $58.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024, an increase of $4.3 million, or 8%, as compared to $54.1 million in the year-ago period. This increase in Adjusted EBITDA was driven by a decrease in compensation and benefits expense, partially offset by a decrease in fee revenue in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period. Consulting Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 17% and 16% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
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Digital Adjusted EBITDA was $55.8 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024, an increase of $2.5 million, or 5%, as compared to $53.3 million in the year-ago period. This increase in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly driven by a decrease in compensation and benefits expense, partially offset by a decrease in fee revenue in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period. Digital Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 31% and 29% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Executive Search North America Adjusted EBITDA increased by $13.8 million, or 24%, to $72.0 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $58.2 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by an increase in fee revenue and decreases in salaries and related payroll taxes and performance-related bonus expense in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period. Executive Search North America Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 27% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to 22% in the six months ended October 31, 2023.
Executive Search EMEA Adjusted EBITDA increased by $3.5 million, or 31%, to $14.8 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $11.3 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by higher fee revenue in the segment coupled with a decrease in compensation and benefits expense in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period, partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses (excluding impairment of right-of-use assets). Executive Search EMEA Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 16% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to 13% in the six months ended October 31, 2023.
Executive Search Asia Pacific Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $1.5 million, or 15%, to $8.7 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $10.2 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by lower fee revenue in the segment. Executive Search Asia Pacific Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 21% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to 23% in the six months ended October 31, 2023.
Executive Search Latin America Adjusted EBITDA increased by $2.9 million, or 116%, to $5.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $2.5 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by a decrease in general and administrative expenses and an increase in fee revenue in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period. Executive Search Latin America Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 35% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to 18% in the six months ended October 31, 2023.
Professional Search & Interim Adjusted EBITDA was $52.9 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024, an increase of $2.9 million, or 6%, as compared to $50.0 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly driven by decreases in cost of services expense, compensation and benefits expense (excluding integration/acquisition costs) and general and administrative expenses (excluding integration/acquisition costs). These decreases were partially offset by lower fee revenue in the segment. Professional Search & Interim Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 22% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to 18% in the year-ago period.
RPO Adjusted EBITDA was $25.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024, an increase of $6.1 million, or 32%, as compared to $19.3 million in the year-ago period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by a decrease in compensation and benefits expense, partially offset by lower fee revenue in the segment. RPO Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of fee revenue, was 14% in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to 11% in the year-ago period.
Other Income (Loss), Net
Other income, net was $19.9 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to other loss, net of $0.3 million in the year-ago period. The difference was primarily due to gains from the increase in the fair value of our marketable securities that are held in trust for the settlement of the Company's obligation under the ECAP during the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to losses in the year-ago period.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net primarily relates to the Notes issued in December 2019, borrowings under COLI policies and interest cost related to our deferred compensation plans, which are partially offset by interest earned on cash and cash equivalent balances. Interest expense, net was $9.6 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $11.3 million in the year-ago period. Interest expense, net decreased due to an increase in interest income earned on cash and cash equivalent balances as a result of higher average cash and cash equivalent balances in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
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Income Tax Provision
The provision for income tax was $47.3 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024, with an effective tax rate of 27.2%, compared to $20.8 million in the six months ended October 31, 2023, with an effective rate of 30.5%. In addition to the impact of U.S. state income taxes and the jurisdictional mix of earnings, which generally create variability in our effective tax rate over time, the effective tax rate for the six months ended October 31, 2023 was elevated due to lower earnings resulting from restructuring charges recorded in the six months ended October 31, 2023.
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest represents the portion of a subsidiary’s net earnings that are attributable to shares of such subsidiary not held by Korn Ferry that are included in the condensed consolidated results of operations. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the six months ended October 31, 2024 was $3.2 million, as compared to $2.3 million in the six months ended October 31, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company and its Board of Directors endorse a balanced approach to capital allocation. The Company’s long-term priority is to invest in growth initiatives, such as the hiring of consultants, the continued development of IP and derivative products and services and the investment in synergistic, accretive merger and acquisition transactions that are expected to earn a return that is superior to the Company's cost of capital. Next, the Company’s capital allocation approach contemplates the return of a portion of excess capital to stockholders, in the form of a regular quarterly dividend, subject to the factors discussed below and in the “Risk Factors” section of the Form 10-K. Additionally, the Company considers share repurchases on an opportunistic basis and subject to the terms of our Amended Credit Agreement (defined below) and Notes, as well as using excess cash to repay the Notes.
On November 1, 2024, we completed the acquisition of Trilogy, a provider of technology/digital interim talent across Europe and in the United States, for approximately $48 million, net of cash acquired. Trilogy will be part of our Interim business, which is a part of our Professional Search & Interim segment.
On December 16, 2019, we completed a private placement of the Notes with a $400.0 million principal amount pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Notes were issued with a $4.5 million discount and will mature December 15, 2027, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, that commenced on June 15, 2020. The Notes represent senior unsecured obligations that rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. We may redeem the Notes prior to maturity, subject to certain limitations and premiums defined in the indenture governing the Notes. The Notes are guaranteed by each of our existing and future wholly owned domestic subsidiaries to the extent such subsidiaries guarantee our obligations under the Credit Agreement (defined below). The indenture governing the Notes requires that, upon the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline (each as defined in the indenture), we shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes at 101% of their principal amount, and accrued and unpaid interest. We used the proceeds from the offering of the Notes to repay $276.9 million outstanding under our prior revolving credit facility and to pay expenses and fees in connection therewith. As of October 31, 2024, the fair value of the Notes was $390.0 million, which is based on borrowing rates currently required of notes with similar terms, maturity and credit risk.
On June 24, 2022, we entered into an amendment (the "Amendment") to our December 16, 2019 Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"; as amended by the Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”) with the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, National Association as administrative agent, to, among other things (i) extend the existing maturity date of the revolving facility to June 24, 2027, (ii) replace the London interbank offered rate with Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), and (iii) replace the existing financial covenants with financial covenants described below. The Amended Credit Agreement provides for five-year senior secured credit facilities comprised of a $650.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”). The Amended Credit Agreement also provides that, under certain circumstances, the Company may incur term loans or increase the aggregate principal amount of revolving commitments by an aggregate amount of up to $250 million plus an unlimited amount subject to a consolidated secured net leverage ratio of 3.25 to 1.00. See Note 11 —Long-Term Debt for a further description of the Amended Credit Agreement. The Company has a total of $645.4 million and $645.5 million available under the Revolver after $4.6 million and $4.5 million of standby letters of credit have been issued as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. The Company had a total of $12.8 million and $13.2 million of standby letters with other financial institutions as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. The standby letters of credit were generally issued in connection with the entry into certain office premise leases.
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On December 8, 2014, the Board of Directors adopted a dividend policy to distribute to our stockholders a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share. Every quarter since the adoption of the dividend policy, the Company has declared a quarterly dividend. On June 21, 2021 and 2022, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend to $0.12 per share and $0.15 per share, respectively. On June 26, 2023, the Board of Directors approved an increase of 20% in the quarterly dividend, which increased the quarterly dividend to $0.18 per share. On December 5, 2023, the Board of Directors approved an increase of 83% in the quarterly dividend, which increased the quarterly dividend to $0.33 per share. On June 12, 2024, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.37 per share. The Amended Credit Agreement permits us to pay dividends to our stockholders and make share repurchases so long as there is no default under the Amended Credit Agreement, our total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement, the “consolidated net leverage ratio”) is no greater than 5.00 to 1.00, and we are in pro forma compliance with our financial covenant. Furthermore, our Notes allow us to pay $25.0 million of dividends per fiscal year with no restrictions plus an unlimited amount of dividends so long as our consolidated total leverage ratio is not greater than 3.50 to 1.00, and there is no default under the indenture governing the Notes. The declaration and payment of future dividends under the quarterly dividend program will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including our earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions, the terms of our indebtedness and other factors our Board of Directors may deem to be relevant. Our Board of Directors may, however, amend, revoke or suspend our dividend policy at any time and for any reason.
On June 21, 2022, our Board of Directors approved an increase to the share repurchase program of approximately $300 million, which at the time brought our available capacity to repurchase shares in the open market or privately negotiated transactions to $318.0 million. The Company repurchased approximately $56.1 million and $8.6 million of the Company’s stock during the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of October 31, 2024, $126.7 million remained available for common stock repurchases under our share repurchase program. Any decision to continue to execute our currently outstanding share repurchase program will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors.
Our primary source of liquidity is the fee revenue generated from our operations, supplemented by our borrowing capacity under our Amended Credit Agreement. Our performance is subject to the general level of economic activity in the geographic regions and the industries we service. We believe, based on current economic conditions, that our cash on hand and funds from operations and the Amended Credit Agreement will be sufficient to meet anticipated working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate requirements, debt repayments, share repurchases and dividend payments under our dividend policy during the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. However, if the national or global economy, credit market conditions and/or labor markets were to deteriorate in the future, including as a result of ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty due to inflation and a potential recession, such changes have and could put further negative pressure on demand for our services and affect our operating cash flows. If these conditions were to persist over an extended period of time, we may incur negative cash flows and it might require us to access additional borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement to meet our capital needs and/or discontinue our share repurchases and dividend policy.
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were $967.5 million and $1,195.4 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. Net of amounts held in trust for deferred compensation plans and accrued bonuses, cash and marketable securities were $536.8 million and $606.4 million at October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, we held $364.5 million and $393.8 million, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents in foreign locations, net of amounts held in trust for deferred compensation plans and to pay accrued bonuses. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less. Marketable securities consist of mutual funds and investments in commercial paper, corporate notes/bonds and U.S. Treasury and Agency securities. The primary objectives of our investment in mutual funds are to meet the obligations under certain of our deferred compensation plans, while the commercial paper, corporate notes/bonds and U.S. Treasury and Agency securities are available for general corporate purposes.
As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, marketable securities of $272.6 million and $254.4 million, respectively, included equity securities of $232.8 million (net of gross unrealized gains of $41.2 million and gross unrealized losses of $0.8 million) and $219.9 million (net of gross unrealized gains of $27.0 million and gross unrealized losses of $1.2 million), respectively, and were held in trust for settlement of our obligations under certain deferred compensation plans, of which $218.3 million and $202.5 million, respectively, are classified as non-current. These marketable securities were held to satisfy vested obligations totaling $215.4 million and $198.6 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $19.6 million and $22.4 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively.
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The net increase in our working capital of $25.0 million as of October 31, 2024 compared to April 30, 2024 is primarily attributable to decreases in compensation and benefit payable, other accrued liabilities and income taxes payable and increases in accounts receivable, and income taxes and other receivables, partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents. The decrease in compensation and benefits payable and cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to payments of annual bonuses earned in fiscal 2024 and paid during the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Other accrued liabilities decreased due to a decrease in deferred revenue due to lower fee revenue in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the six months ended April 30, 2024. The increase in accounts receivable is due to an increase in days of sales outstanding, which went from 58 days to 65 days (which is consistent with historical experience). Income taxes and other receivables increased and income tax payable decreased due to tax payments made in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the six months ended April 30, 2024. Cash used in operating activities was $105.2 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $141.9 million in the six months ended October 31, 2023.
Cash used in investing activities was $36.3 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $22.3 million in the year-ago period. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to $13.3 million in premiums paid on COLI policies during the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $0.2 million in the year-ago period.
Cash used in financing activities was $111.1 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to $38.6 million in the six months ended October 31, 2023. The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to higher repurchases of the Company’s common stock of $46.6 million, as well as $20 million more in dividends paid to shareholders during the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period. Also contributing to the increase were higher payments of tax withholding on restricted stock of $6.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the year-ago period.
Cash Surrender Value of Company-Owned Life Insurance Policies, Net of Loans
We purchased COLI policies or contracts insuring the lives of certain employees eligible to participate in the deferred compensation and pension plans as a means of funding benefits under such plans. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, we held contracts with gross cash surrender value of $313.4 million and $295.9 million, respectively. Total outstanding borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts was $76.4 million and $77.0 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. Such borrowings do not require annual principal repayments, bear interest primarily at variable rates and are secured by the CSV of COLI contracts. At October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the net cash surrender value of these policies was $236.9 million and $219.0 million, respectively.
Other than the factors discussed in this section, we are not aware of any other trends, demands or commitments that would materially affect liquidity or those that relate to our resources as of October 31, 2024.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements and have not entered into any transactions involving unconsolidated, special purpose entities. We had no material changes in contractual obligations as of October 31, 2024, as compared to those disclosed in our table of contractual obligations included in our Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Policies
Preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions and changes in the estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed or determinable. In preparing our interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accounting for the underlying transactions and balances, we apply our accounting policies as disclosed in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements and in Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies since the end of fiscal 2024.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As a result of our global operating activities, we are exposed to certain market risks, including foreign currency exchange fluctuations and fluctuations in interest rates. We manage our exposure to these risks in the normal course of our business as described below.
Foreign Currency Risk
Substantially all our foreign subsidiaries’ operations are measured in their local currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of each reporting period and revenue and expenses are translated at daily rates of exchange during the reporting period. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
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Transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting entity’s functional currency may give rise to foreign currency gains or losses that impact our results of operations. Historically, we have not realized significant foreign currency gains or losses on such transactions. During the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, we recorded foreign currency losses of $1.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Our exposure to foreign currency exchange rates is driven by fluctuations involving most major global currencies. Based on the ten largest exposure balances as of October 31, 2024 by notional value, a 10% increase or decrease in the value of these currencies could result in a foreign exchange gain or loss of $15.4 million. We have a program that primarily utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures. These foreign currency forward contracts are neither used for trading purposes nor are they designated as hedging instruments pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk is limited to our Credit Facilities, borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts and to a lesser extent our fixed income debt securities. As of October 31, 2024, there were no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facilities. At our option, loans issued under the Amended Credit Agreement bear interest at either Term SOFR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus the applicable interest rate margin. The interest rate applicable to loans outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement may fluctuate between Term SOFR plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10%, plus 1.125% per annum to 2.00% per annum, in the case of Term SOFR borrowings (or between the alternate base rate plus 0.125% per annum and the alternate base rate plus 1.00% per annum, in the alternative), based upon our total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement, the “consolidated net leverage ratio”) at such time. In addition, we are required to pay the lenders a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.175% to 0.300% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the Revolver, based upon our consolidated net leverage ratio at such time, and fees relating to the issuance of letters of credit.
We had $76.4 million and $77.0 million of borrowings against the CSV of COLI contracts as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively, bearing interest primarily at variable rates. We have sought to minimize the risk of fluctuations in these variable rates by the fact that we receive a corresponding adjustment to our borrowed funds crediting rate, which has the effect of increasing the CSV on our COLI contracts.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures conducted as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) were effective as of October 31, 2024.
b)Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended October 31, 2024 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are involved in litigation both as a plaintiff and a defendant, relating to claims arising out of our operations. As of the date of this report, we are not engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In our Form 10-K, we described the material factors, events, and uncertainties that make an investment in our securities risky. Those risk factors should be considered carefully, together with all other information in that Form 10-K and our subsequent filings with the SEC. It does not address all of the risks that we face, and additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also arise and impair our business operations. As of the date of this report, there have been no material changes to the risk factors described in our Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table summarizes common stock repurchased by us during the quarter ended October 31, 2024:
Total Number of Shares
Purchased (1)
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly-
Announced
Programs
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
That May Yet be
Purchased Under
the Programs (2)
August 1, 2024 — August 31, 2024
137,500$69.71 137,500$149.7 million
September 1, 2024 — September 30, 2024
150,909$72.14 146,250$139.1 million
October 1, 2024 — October 31, 2024
172,732$72.21 172,500$126.7 million
Total461,141$71.44 456,250 
_________________________
(1)Represents withholding of 4,891 shares to cover taxes on vested restricted shares, in addition to shares purchased as part of a publicly announced program.
(2)On June 21, 2022, our Board of Directors approved an increase to the share repurchase program of $300 million. The shares can be repurchased in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion. The share repurchase program has no expiration date. We repurchased approximately $32.6 million of the Company’s common stock under the program during the second quarter of fiscal 2025.
The Amended Credit Agreement permits us to pay dividends to our stockholders and make share repurchases so long as there is no default under our Amended Credit Agreement, the Company's total funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement, the "consolidated net leverage ratio") is no greater than 5.00 to 1.00, and we are in pro forma compliance with our financial covenant. Furthermore, our Notes allow the Company to pay $25.0 million of dividends per fiscal year with no restrictions plus an unlimited amount of dividends so long as the Company’s consolidated total leverage ratio is not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and the Company is not in default under the indenture governing the Notes.
Item 5. Other Information
(a) None
(b) Not applicable
(c) Trading Plans
Our directors and Section 16 officers may from time to time enter into plans or other arrangements for the purchase or sale of our shares that are intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or may represent a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement under the Exchange Act. During the quarter ended October 31, 2024, no director or Section 16 officer adopted or terminated any Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (in each case, as defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K).
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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Description
3.1*
3.2*
10.1*+
31.1
31.2
32.1
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104
The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2024, has been formatted in Inline XBRL and included as Exhibit 101.
_________________________
*    Incorporated herein by reference.
+    Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Korn Ferry
Date: December 9, 2024
By:/s/ Robert P. Rozek
Robert P. Rozek
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Corporate Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
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EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Gary D. Burnison, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Korn Ferry;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 9, 2024
By:/s/ GARY D. BURNISON
Name:Gary D. Burnison
Title:Chief Executive Officer and President

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EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Robert P. Rozek, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Korn Ferry;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 9, 2024
By:
/s/ ROBERT P. ROZEK
Name:Robert P. Rozek
Title:Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Corporate Officer

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EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Korn Ferry, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby certify that, to the best of their knowledge:
(a)the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2024 (the “Report”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(b)information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: December 9, 2024
By:/s/ GARY D. BURNISON
Name:Gary D. Burnison
Title:Chief Executive Officer and President
By:/s/ ROBERT P. ROZEK
Name:Robert P. Rozek
Title:Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Corporate Officer

v3.24.3
Cover Page - shares
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Dec. 03, 2024
Cover [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Period End Date Oct. 31, 2024  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity File Number 001-14505  
Entity Registrant Name KORN FERRY  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Entity Tax Identification Number 95-2623879  
Entity Address, Address Line One 1900 Avenue of the Stars  
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 1500  
Entity Address, City or Town Los Angeles  
Entity Address, State or Province CA  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 90067  
City Area Code 310  
Local Phone Number 552-1834  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share  
Trading Symbol KFY  
Security Exchange Name NYSE  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   51,583,011
Entity Central Index Key 0000056679  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --04-30  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2025  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Amendment Flag false  
v3.24.3
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 31, 2024
Apr. 30, 2024
ASSETS    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 694,850 $ 941,005
Marketable securities 40,658 42,742
Receivables due from clients, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $43,862 and $44,192 at October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively 579,696 541,014
Income taxes and other receivables 55,033 40,696
Unearned compensation 64,265 59,247
Prepaid expenses and other assets 47,945 49,456
Total current assets 1,482,447 1,674,160
Marketable securities, non-current 231,956 211,681
Property and equipment, net 160,805 161,849
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 162,441 160,464
Cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance policies, net of loans 236,928 218,977
Deferred income taxes 122,344 133,564
Goodwill 908,662 908,376
Intangible assets, net 76,504 88,833
Unearned compensation, non-current 122,263 99,913
Investments and other assets 22,303 21,052
Total assets 3,526,653 3,678,869
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Accounts payable 44,051 50,112
Income taxes payable 14,652 24,076
Compensation and benefits payable 346,434 525,466
Operating lease liability, current 38,526 36,073
Other accrued liabilities 274,120 298,792
Total current liabilities 717,783 934,519
Deferred compensation and other retirement plans 458,089 440,396
Operating lease liability, non-current 142,415 143,507
Long-term debt 397,336 396,946
Deferred tax liabilities 5,542 4,540
Other liabilities 22,623 21,636
Total liabilities 1,743,788 1,941,544
Stockholders' equity    
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 78,232 and 77,460 shares issued and 51,748 and 51,983 shares outstanding at October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively 368,260 414,885
Retained earnings 1,509,986 1,425,844
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net (100,501) (107,671)
Total Korn Ferry stockholders' equity 1,777,745 1,733,058
Noncontrolling interest 5,120 4,267
Total stockholders' equity 1,782,865 1,737,325
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 3,526,653 $ 3,678,869
v3.24.3
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
Oct. 31, 2024
Apr. 30, 2024
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 43,862 $ 44,192
Common stock, par value (in usd per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 150,000 150,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) 78,232 77,460
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 51,748 51,983
v3.24.3
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Total revenue $ 681,960 $ 712,447 $ 1,364,721 $ 1,418,709
Compensation and benefits 437,427 453,859 889,202 933,740
General and administrative expenses 64,541 65,737 124,540 131,654
Depreciation and amortization 19,688 19,554 39,266 38,566
Restructuring charges, net 576 63,525 576 63,946
Total operating expenses 594,484 689,631 1,201,195 1,339,125
Operating income 87,476 22,816 163,526 79,584
Other income (loss), net 5,391 (13,835) 19,896 (258)
Interest expense, net (5,626) (6,596) (9,571) (11,336)
Income before provision for income taxes 87,241 2,385 173,851 67,990
Income tax provision 24,898 2,341 47,252 20,761
Net income 62,343 44 126,599 47,229
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest (1,543) (1,755) (3,195) (2,335)
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry $ 60,800 $ (1,711) $ 123,404 $ 44,894
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Korn Ferry:        
Basic (in usd per share) $ 1.16 $ (0.04) $ 2.34 $ 0.86
Diluted (in usd per share) $ 1.14 $ (0.04) $ 2.30 $ 0.86
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:        
Basic (in shares) 51,957 51,328 51,953 51,131
Diluted (in shares) 52,750 51,328 52,864 51,401
Cash dividends declared per share (in usd per share) $ 0.37 $ 0.18 $ 0.74 $ 0.36
Fee revenue        
Total revenue $ 674,365 $ 704,003 $ 1,349,311 $ 1,403,192
Cost of services 64,657 78,512 132,201 155,702
Reimbursed out-of-pocket engagement expenses        
Total revenue 7,595 8,444 15,410 15,517
Reimbursed expenses        
Cost of services $ 7,595 $ 8,444 $ 15,410 $ 15,517
v3.24.3
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]        
Net income $ 62,343 $ 44 $ 126,599 $ 47,229
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Foreign currency translation adjustments 4,172 (25,684) 6,451 (23,218)
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax (97) 28 (147) 55
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax 30 37 94 172
Comprehensive income (loss) 66,448 (25,575) 132,997 24,238
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest (1,289) (1,538) (2,423) (2,453)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry $ 65,159 $ (27,113) $ 130,574 $ 21,785
v3.24.3
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (unaudited) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
Total
Total Korn Ferry Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net
Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2023     52,269      
Beginning balance at Apr. 30, 2023 $ 1,653,005 $ 1,648,071 $ 429,754 $ 1,311,081 $ (92,764) $ 4,934
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]            
Net (loss) income 47,185 46,605   46,605   580
Other comprehensive income (loss) 2,628 2,293     2,293 335
Dividends paid to shareholders (9,627) (9,627)   (9,627)    
Purchase of stock (in shares)     (291)      
Purchase of stock (14,358) (14,358) $ (14,358)      
Issuance of stock (in shares)     727      
Issuance of stock 5,217 5,217 $ 5,217      
Stock-based compensation 8,480 8,480 $ 8,480      
Ending balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2023     52,705      
Ending balance at Jul. 31, 2023 1,692,530 1,686,681 $ 429,093 1,348,059 (90,471) 5,849
Beginning balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2023     52,269      
Beginning balance at Apr. 30, 2023 1,653,005 1,648,071 $ 429,754 1,311,081 (92,764) 4,934
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]            
Net (loss) income 47,229          
Ending balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2023     52,656      
Ending balance at Oct. 31, 2023 1,660,500 1,656,153 $ 435,340 1,336,686 (115,873) 4,347
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2023     52,705      
Beginning balance at Jul. 31, 2023 1,692,530 1,686,681 $ 429,093 1,348,059 (90,471) 5,849
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]            
Net (loss) income 44 (1,711)   (1,711)   1,755
Other comprehensive income (loss) (25,619) (25,402)     (25,402) (217)
Dividends paid to shareholders (9,662) (9,662)   (9,662)    
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest (3,040)         (3,040)
Purchase of stock (in shares)     (100)      
Purchase of stock (4,765) (4,765) $ (4,765)      
Issuance of stock (in shares)     51      
Stock-based compensation 11,012 11,012 $ 11,012      
Ending balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2023     52,656      
Ending balance at Oct. 31, 2023 $ 1,660,500 1,656,153 $ 435,340 1,336,686 (115,873) 4,347
Beginning balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2024 51,983   51,983      
Beginning balance at Apr. 30, 2024 $ 1,737,325 1,733,058 $ 414,885 1,425,844 (107,671) 4,267
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]            
Net (loss) income 64,256 62,604   62,604   1,652
Other comprehensive income (loss) 2,293 2,811     2,811 (518)
Dividends paid to shareholders (19,800) (19,800)   (19,800)    
Purchase of stock (in shares)     (604)      
Purchase of stock (40,113) (40,113) $ (40,113)      
Issuance of stock (in shares)     775      
Issuance of stock 4,720 4,720 $ 4,720      
Stock-based compensation 10,561 10,561 $ 10,561      
Ending balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2024     52,154      
Ending balance at Jul. 31, 2024 $ 1,759,242 1,753,841 $ 390,053 1,468,648 (104,860) 5,401
Beginning balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2024 51,983   51,983      
Beginning balance at Apr. 30, 2024 $ 1,737,325 1,733,058 $ 414,885 1,425,844 (107,671) 4,267
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]            
Net (loss) income $ 126,599          
Ending balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2024 51,748   51,748      
Ending balance at Oct. 31, 2024 $ 1,782,865 1,777,745 $ 368,260 1,509,986 (100,501) 5,120
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2024     52,154      
Beginning balance at Jul. 31, 2024 1,759,242 1,753,841 $ 390,053 1,468,648 (104,860) 5,401
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]            
Net (loss) income 62,343 60,800   60,800   1,543
Other comprehensive income (loss) 4,105 4,359     4,359 (254)
Dividends paid to shareholders (19,462) (19,462)   (19,462)    
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest (1,570)         (1,570)
Purchase of stock (in shares)     (461)      
Purchase of stock (32,944) (32,944) $ (32,944)      
Issuance of stock (in shares)     55      
Stock-based compensation $ 11,151 11,151 $ 11,151      
Ending balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2024 51,748   51,748      
Ending balance at Oct. 31, 2024 $ 1,782,865 $ 1,777,745 $ 368,260 $ 1,509,986 $ (100,501) $ 5,120
v3.24.3
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) - USD ($)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net income $ 126,599,000 $ 47,229,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 39,266,000 38,566,000
Stock-based compensation expense 22,163,000 19,953,000
Provision for doubtful accounts 8,427,000 11,787,000
(Gain) loss on marketable securities (18,922,000) 1,024,000
Deferred income taxes 15,273,000 1,225,000
Gain on cash surrender value of life insurance policies (4,789,000) (3,947,000)
Impairment of right-of-use assets 0 1,629,000
Impairment of fixed assets 0 1,575,000
Change in other assets and liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (214,832,000) (216,582,000)
Receivables due from clients (47,109,000) (34,394,000)
Deferred compensation 21,017,000 15,866,000
Unearned compensation (27,368,000) (14,807,000)
Income taxes and other receivables (14,078,000) (7,791,000)
Income taxes payable (12,471,000) 384,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,511,000 (4,522,000)
Other 126,000 909,000
Net cash used in operating activities (105,187,000) (141,896,000)
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Purchase of property and equipment (24,807,000) (31,538,000)
Proceeds from sales/maturities of marketable securities 25,301,000 29,731,000
Purchase of marketable securities (23,892,000) (29,580,000)
Premium on company-owned life insurance policies (13,514,000) (251,000)
Proceeds from life insurance policies 612,000 9,332,000
Dividends received from unconsolidated subsidiaries 40,000 0
Net cash used in investing activities (36,260,000) (22,306,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Repurchases of common stock (56,153,000) (9,527,000)
Dividends paid to shareholders (39,262,000) (19,289,000)
Payments of tax withholdings on restricted stock (16,984,000) (10,551,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with an employee stock purchase plan 4,248,000 4,696,000
Dividends - noncontrolling interest (1,570,000) (3,040,000)
Principal payments on finance leases (815,000) (938,000)
Payments on life insurance policy loans (519,000) 0
Net cash used in financing activities (111,055,000) (38,649,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 6,347,000 (20,337,000)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (246,155,000) (223,188,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 941,005,000 844,024,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period $ 694,850,000 $ 620,836,000
v3.24.3
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Business
Korn Ferry, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a global organizational consulting firm. The Company helps clients synchronize strategy and talent to drive superior performance. The Company works with organizations to design their structures, roles, and responsibilities. The Company helps organizations hire the right people to bring their strategy to life and advise them on how to reward, develop, and motivate their people.
The Company is pursuing a strategy designed to help our colleagues focus on clients, by bringing all of our resources together to solve their human capital issues. This approach is intended to build on the best of the Company’s past and give the Company a clear path to the future with focused initiatives to increase its client and commercial impact. Korn Ferry is transforming how clients address their talent management needs. The Company has evolved from a mono-line to a diversified business, giving its consultants more frequent and expanded opportunities to engage with clients.
The Company services its clients with a core set of solutions that are anchored around talent and talent management – touching nearly every aspect of an employer’s engagement with their employees. Our five core solutions are as follows: Organizational Strategy, Assessment and Succession, Leadership and Professional Development, Total Rewards, and Talent Acquisition. Our colleagues engage with our clients through the delivery of one of our core solutions as a point solution sale or through combining component parts of our core solutions into an integrated solution. In either case, we are helping solve clients’ most challenging business and human capital issues.
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2024 for the Company and its wholly and majority owned/controlled domestic and international subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements conform with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and prevailing practice within the Company's different industries. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these periods. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year or any other period.
The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.
Use of Estimates and Uncertainties
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates, and changes in estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed or determinable.
Revenue Recognition
Substantially all fee revenue is derived from talent and organizational consulting services and digital sales, stand-alone or as part of a solution, fees for professional services related to executive and professional recruitment performed on a retained basis, interim services and Recruitment Process Outsourcing ("RPO"), either stand-alone or as part of a solution.
Revenue is recognized when control of the goods and services are transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. Revenue contracts with customers are evaluated based on the five-step model outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606 (“ASC 606”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers: 1) identify the contract with a customer; 2) identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract; 3) determine the transaction price; 4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligation(s); and 5) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied.
Consulting fee revenue is primarily recognized as services are rendered, measured by total hours incurred as a percentage of the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for consulting engagements may vary from initial estimates with such updates being recognized in the period of determination. Depending on the timing of billings and services rendered, the Company accrues or defers revenue as appropriate.
Digital fee revenue is generated from intellectual property ("IP") based software products enabling large-scale talent programs for pay, talent development, engagement, and assessment and is consumed directly by an end user or indirectly through a consulting engagement. Revenue is recognized as services are delivered and the Company has a legally enforceable right to payment. Revenue also comes from the sale of the Company’s product subscriptions, which are considered symbolic IP due to the dynamic nature of the content. As a result, revenue is recognized over the term of the contract. Functional IP licenses grant customers the right to use IP content via the delivery of a flat file. Because the IP content license has significant stand-alone functionality, revenue is recognized upon delivery and when an enforceable right to payment exists. Revenue for tangible and digital products sold by the Company, such as books and digital files, is recognized when these products are shipped.
Fee revenue from executive and professional search activities is generally one-third of the estimated first-year cash compensation of the placed candidate, plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect engagement-related expenses. In addition to the search retainer, an uptick fee is billed when the actual compensation awarded by the client for a placement is higher than the estimated compensation. In the aggregate, upticks have been a relatively consistent percentage of the original estimated fee; therefore, the Company estimates upticks using the expected value method based on historical data on a portfolio basis. In a standard search engagement, there is one performance obligation, which is the promise to undertake a search. The Company generally recognizes such revenue over the course of a search and when it is legally entitled to payment as outlined in the billing terms of the contract. Any revenues associated with services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is resolved, as this is when control is transferred to the customer. These assumptions determine the timing of revenue recognition for the reported period. In addition to talent acquisition for permanent placement roles, the Professional Search & Interim segment also offers recruitment services for interim roles. Interim roles are short term in duration, generally less than 12 months. Generally, each interim role is a separate performance obligation. The Company recognizes fee revenue over the duration that the interim resources’ services are provided which also aligns to the contracted invoicing plan and enforceable right to payment.
RPO fee revenue is generated through two distinct phases: 1) the implementation phase and 2) the post-implementation recruitment phase. The fees associated with the implementation phase are recognized over the period that the related implementation services are provided. The post-implementation recruitment phase represents end-to-end recruiting services to clients for which there are both fixed and variable fees, which are recognized over the period that the related recruiting services are performed.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
An allowance is established for doubtful accounts by taking a charge to general and administrative expenses. The Company’s expected credit loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers’ trade accounts receivable. Due to the short-term nature of such receivables, the estimate of the amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected is primarily based on historical loss-rate experience. When required, the Company adjusts the loss-rate methodology to account for current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectations of future economic and market conditions. The Company generally assesses future economic condition for a period of sixty to ninety days, which corresponds with the contractual life of its accounts receivables. After the Company exhausts its collection efforts, the amount of the allowance is reduced for balances written off as uncollectible.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company's investments in cash equivalents consisted of money market funds, and as of April 30, 2024 also consisted of commercial paper with initial maturity of less than 90 days for which market prices are readily available. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank accounts that exceed federally insured FDIC limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Marketable Securities
The Company currently has investments in marketable securities and mutual funds that are classified as either equity securities or available-for-sale debt securities. The classification of the investments in these marketable securities and mutual funds is assessed upon purchase and reassessed at each reporting period. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The investments that the Company may sell within the next 12 months are recognized as current assets.
The Company invests in mutual funds (for which market prices are readily available) that are held in trust to satisfy obligations under the Company’s deferred compensation plans. Such investments are classified as equity securities and mirror the employees’ investment elections in their deemed accounts in the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan and similar plans in Asia Pacific and Canada (“ECAP”) from a pre-determined set of securities. Realized gains (losses) on marketable securities are determined by specific identification. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis; dividends are recorded as earned on the ex-dividend date. Interest, dividend income and the changes in fair value in marketable securities are recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations in other income (loss), net.
The Company also invests cash in excess of its daily operating requirements and capital needs primarily in marketable fixed income (debt) securities in accordance with the Company’s investment policy, which restricts the type of investments that can be made. The Company’s investment portfolio includes commercial paper, corporate notes/bonds and U.S. Treasury and Agency securities. These marketable fixed income (debt) securities are classified as available-for-sale securities based on management’s decision, at the date such securities are acquired, not to hold these securities to maturity or actively trade them. The Company carries these marketable debt securities at fair value based on the market prices for these marketable debt securities or similar debt securities whose prices are readily available. The changes in fair values, net of applicable taxes, are recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of comprehensive income (loss) unless the change is due to credit loss. A credit loss is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in other income (loss), net; any amount in excess of the credit loss is recorded as unrealized losses as a component of comprehensive income (loss). Generally, the amount of the loss is the difference between the cost or amortized cost and its then current fair value; a credit loss is the difference between the discounted expected future cash flows to be collected from the debt security and the cost or amortized cost of the debt security. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, no amount was recognized as a credit loss for the Company’s available for sale debt securities.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is the price the Company would receive to sell an asset or transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. For those assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company determines the fair value based upon the quoted market price, if available. If a quoted market price is not available for identical assets, the fair value is based upon the quoted market price of similar assets. The fair values are assigned a level within the fair value hierarchy as defined below:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash equivalents, accounts receivable, marketable securities and foreign currency forward contracts. The carrying amount of cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as equity securities are obtained from quoted market prices, and the fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and foreign currency forward contracts are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets and financial instruments.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets include property, equipment, right-of-use ("ROU") assets and software developed or obtained for internal use. Management reviews the Company’s recorded long-lived assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a forecasted inability to achieve break-even operating results over an extended period. The Company determines the extent to which an asset may be impaired based upon its expectation of the asset’s future usability, as well as on a reasonable assurance that the future cash flows associated with the asset will be in excess of its carrying amount. If the total of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between fair value and the carrying value of the asset. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, there were no impairment charges recorded. During the six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company reduced its real estate footprint and as a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of ROU assets of $1.6 million and an impairment of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures of $0.1 million, both recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in general and administrative expenses. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company also recognized a $1.5 million software impairment charge in the Digital segment which was recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in general and administrative expenses.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. Results of the most recent quantitative impairment test performed as of February 1, 2024, indicated that the fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded its carrying amount. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, there were no indicators of potential impairment with respect to the Company’s goodwill that would require further testing for impairment.
Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases and IP. Intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized in a pattern in which the asset is consumed if that pattern can be reliably determined, or using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from one to 24 years. For intangible assets subject to amortization, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of the intangible assets is considered not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. The Company reviewed its intangible assets and did not identify any indicators of impairment as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024.
Restructuring Charges, Net
The Company accounts for its restructuring charges as a liability when the obligations are incurred and records such charges at fair value. Changes in the estimates of the restructuring charges are recorded in the period the change is determined.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The Company treats unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends prior to vesting as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings (loss) per share. The Company has granted and expects to continue to grant to certain employees under its restricted stock agreements, grants that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Such grants are considered participating securities. Therefore, the Company is required to apply the two-class method in calculating earnings (loss) per share. The two-class method of computing earnings (loss) per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings (loss) per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated using the more dilutive of the treasury method or the two-class method.
Basic earnings (loss) per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing basic net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common equivalent shares. Dilutive common equivalent shares include all in-the-money outstanding options or other contracts to issue common stock as if they were exercised or converted. Financial instruments that are not in the form of common stock, but when converted into common stock increase earnings per share or decrease loss per share, are anti-dilutive and are not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share.
Recent Accounting Standards - Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting update for all public entities that are required to report segment information in accordance with Topic 280, Segment Reporting. The amendment in this update improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expense. The amendment in this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company will adopt this guidance in fiscal 2025 and in interim periods beginning in fiscal 2026. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting update for income taxes disclosures. The new amendments provide improvements to income tax disclosures by requiring specific categories in the rate reconciliation and disaggregated information for income taxes paid. The amendments of this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting update that requires public companies to disclose, in the notes to financial statements, specified information about certain costs and expenses at each interim and annual reporting period. The amendment in this update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2027. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
v3.24.3
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to common stockholders:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry
$60,800 $(1,711)$123,404 $44,894 
Less: distributed and undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders766 169 1,770 843 
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders
60,034 (1,880)121,634 44,051 
Add: undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders518 — 1,174 459 
Less: reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders510 — 1,154 457 
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$60,042 $(1,880)$121,654 $44,053 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding51,957 51,328 51,953 51,131 
Effect of dilutive securities:    
Restricted stock790 — 909 262 
ESPP— 
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding52,750 51,328 52,864 51,401 
Net earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share
$1.16 $(0.04)$2.34 $0.86 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$1.14 $(0.04)$2.30 $0.86 
During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, restricted stock awards of 0.7 million shares and 0.7 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because they were anti-dilutive. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, restricted stock awards of 2.1 million shares and 1.2 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because they were anti-dilutive.
v3.24.3
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Equity [Abstract]  
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss) and all changes to stockholders’ equity, except those changes resulting from investments by stockholders (changes in paid in capital) and distributions to stockholders (dividends), and is reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, is recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity.
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net were as follows:
October 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
(in thousands)
Foreign currency translation adjustments$(108,781)$(116,004)
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax8,223 8,370 
Marketable securities unrealized gain (loss), net of tax
57 (37)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net$(100,501)$(107,671)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended October 31, 2024:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized Gains
on Marketable Securities
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of July 31, 2024
$(113,207)$8,320 $27 $(104,860)
Unrealized gains arising during the period
4,426 — 30 4,456 
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income
— (97)— (97)
Balance as of October 31, 2024
$(108,781)$8,223 $57 $(100,501)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the six months ended October 31, 2024:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized (Losses) Gains
on Marketable Securities
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2024
$(116,004)$8,370 $(37)$(107,671)
Unrealized gains arising during the period
7,223 — 94 7,317 
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income
— (147)— (147)
Balance as of October 31, 2024
$(108,781)$8,223 $57 $(100,501)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended October 31, 2023:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized Losses on
Marketable Securities
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of July 31, 2023
$(94,729)$4,408 $(150)$(90,471)
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period
(25,467)— 37 (25,430)
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income— 28 — 28 
Balance as of October 31, 2023
$(120,196)$4,436 $(113)$(115,873)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the six months ended October 31, 2023:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized Losses on
Marketable Securities (1)
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2023
$(96,860)$4,381 $(285)$(92,764)
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period
(23,336)— 172 (23,164)
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income— 55 — 55 
Balance as of October 31, 2023
$(120,196)$4,436 $(113)$(115,873)
___________________
(1)
The tax effect on the unrealized gains was $0.1 million for the six months ended October 31, 2023.
v3.24.3
Employee Stock Plans
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Employee Stock Plans Employee Stock Plans
Stock-Based Compensation
The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Restricted stock$11,151 $11,012 $21,712 $19,492 
ESPP229 213 451 461 
Total stock-based compensation expense$11,380 $11,225 $22,163 $19,953 
Stock Incentive Plan
At the Company's 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on September 25, 2024, the Company's stockholders approved the Korn Ferry Amended and Restated 2022 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), which, among other things, increased the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for stock-based awards by 1,900,000 shares and extended the term of the Plan to September 25, 2034.
Common Stock
During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, the Company repurchased (on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions) 456,250 shares and 807,500 shares of the Company’s common stock for $32.6 million and $56.1 million, respectively. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company repurchased (on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions) 92,500 shares and 182,500 shares of the Company's common stock for $4.4 million and $8.6 million, respectively.
v3.24.3
Financial Instruments
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Financial Instruments Financial Instruments
The following tables show the Company’s financial instruments and balance sheet classification as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024:
October 31, 2024
Fair Value MeasurementBalance Sheet Classification
CostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Marketable
Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities,
Non-
current
Other Accrued Liabilities
(in thousands)
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Other Comprehensive Income
Level 2:
Commercial paper$5,645 $$(4)$5,642 $— $5,642 $— $— 
Corporate notes/bonds27,879 92 (28)27,943 — 15,536 12,407 — 
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities6,166 15 — 6,181 — 4,931 1,250 — 
Total debt investments$39,690 $108 $(32)$39,766 $— $26,109 $13,657 $— 
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Net Income
Level 1:
Mutual funds (1)
$232,848 $— $14,549 $218,299 $— 
Total equity investments$232,848 $— $14,549 $218,299 $— 
Cash$519,083 $519,083 $— $— $— 
Money market funds175,767 175,767 — — — 
Level 2:
Foreign currency forward contracts(1,007)— — — (1,007)
Total$966,457 $694,850 $40,658 $231,956 $(1,007)
April 30, 2024
Fair Value Measurement Balance Sheet Classification
CostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Marketable
Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities,
Non-current
Other Accrued Liabilities
(in thousands)
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Other Comprehensive Loss
Level 2:
Commercial paper$16,873 $$(19)$16,855 $3,932 $12,923 $— $— 
Corporate notes/bonds17,322 (27)17,298 — 10,050 7,248 — 
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities
4,355 — (9)4,346 — 2,441 1,905 — 
Total debt investments$38,550 $$(55)$38,499 $3,932 $25,414 $9,153 $— 
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Net Income
Level 1:
Mutual funds (1)
$219,856 $— $17,328 $202,528 $— 
Total equity investments$219,856 $— $17,328 $202,528 $— 
Cash$790,938 $790,938 $— $— $— 
Money market funds146,135 146,135 — — — 
Level 2:
Foreign currency forward contracts(427)— — — (427)
Total$1,195,001 $941,005 $42,742 $211,681 $(427)
___________________
(1)
These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations of $215.4 million and $198.6 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $19.6 million and $22.4 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $4.7 million and $18.9 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income (loss), net. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the fair value of the investments decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a loss of $13.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income (loss), net.
As of October 31, 2024, available-for-sale marketable securities had remaining maturities ranging from 1 month to 24 months. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, there were $9.9 million and $16.8 million in sales/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities, respectively. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, there were $9.0 million and $26.2 million in sales/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities, respectively. Investments in marketable securities that are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations under the ECAP are equity securities and are based upon the investment selections the employee elects from a pre-determined set of securities in the ECAP and the Company invests in equity securities to mirror these elections. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company’s investments in equity securities consisted of mutual funds for which market prices are readily available. Unrealized gains recorded for the period that relate to equity securities still held as of October 31, 2024 and 2023 were $14.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges
The fair value of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments are as follows:
October 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
(in thousands)
Derivative assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts$730 $979 
Derivative liabilities:  
Foreign currency forward contracts$1,737 $1,406 
As of October 31, 2024, the total notional amounts of the forward contracts purchased and sold were $90.3 million and $38.6 million, respectively. As of April 30, 2024, the total notional amounts of the forward contracts purchased and sold were $82.9 million and $34.0 million, respectively. The Company recognizes forward contracts as a net asset or net liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as such contracts are covered by master netting agreements. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, the Company incurred losses of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to forward contracts which are recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company incurred losses of $3.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, related to forward contracts which are recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. These foreign currency losses related to forward contracts offset foreign currency gains that result from transactions denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency. The cash flows related to foreign currency forward contracts are included in cash flows from operating activities.
v3.24.3
Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
The Company has several deferred compensation and retirement plans for eligible consultants and vice presidents that provide defined benefits to participants based on the deferral of current compensation or contributions made by the Company subject to vesting and retirement or termination provisions. Among these plans is a defined benefit pension plan for certain employees in the U.S. The assets of this plan are held separately from the assets of the sponsor in self-administered funds. All other defined benefit obligations from other plans are unfunded.
The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Service cost$11,825 $11,346 $22,480 $21,179 
Interest cost4,513 3,436 8,964 6,793 
Amortization of actuarial loss32 183 64 367 
Expected return on plan assets (1)
(266)(272)(532)(544)
Net periodic service credit amortization(102)(102)(203)(203)
Net periodic benefit costs (2)
$16,002 $14,591 $30,773 $27,592 
___________________
(1)
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 6.00% for both October 31, 2024 and 2023.
(2)
The service cost, interest cost and the other components of net periodic benefit costs are included in compensation and benefits expense, interest expense, net and other income (loss), net, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company purchased company-owned life insurance ("COLI") contracts insuring the lives of certain employees eligible to participate in the deferred compensation and pension plans as a means of setting aside funds to cover such plans. The gross cash surrender value ("CSV") of these contracts of $313.4 million and $295.9 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively, was offset by outstanding policy loans of $76.4 million and $77.0 million in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. The CSV value of the underlying COLI investments increased by $2.5 million and $4.8 million during the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, respectively, and was recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The CSV value of the underlying COLI investment increased by $2.0 million and $3.9 million during the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, respectively, and was recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company’s ECAP is intended to provide certain employees an opportunity to defer their salary and/or bonus on a pre-tax basis. In addition, the Company, as part of its compensation philosophy, makes discretionary contributions into the ECAP and such contributions may be granted to key employees annually based on the employee’s performance. Certain key members of management may also receive Company ECAP contributions upon commencement of employment. The Company amortizes these contributions on a straight-line basis over the service period, generally a five-year period. Participants have the ability to allocate their deferrals among a number of investment options and may receive their benefits at termination, retirement or ‘in service’ either in a lump sum or in quarterly installments over one-to-15 years. The ECAP amounts that are expected to be paid to employees over the next 12 months are classified as a current liability included in compensation and benefits payable on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The ECAP is accounted for whereby the changes in the fair value of the vested amounts owed to the participants are adjusted with a corresponding charge (or credit) to compensation and benefits costs. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, deferred compensation liability increased; therefore, the Company recognized an increase in compensation expense of $4.7 million and $18.2 million, respectively. Offsetting the increases in compensation and benefits expense was an increase in the fair value of marketable securities (held in trust to satisfy obligations of the ECAP liabilities) of $4.7 million and $18.9 million during the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, recorded in other income (loss), net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended October 31, 2023, deferred compensation liability decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a reduction in compensation expense of $12.3 million. Offsetting the decrease in compensation and benefits expense was a decrease in the fair value of marketable securities (held in trust to satisfy obligations of the ECAP liabilities) of $13.8 million during the three months ended October 31, 2023, recorded in other income (loss), net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations (see Note 5—Financial Instruments).
v3.24.3
Fee Revenue
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Fee Revenue Fee Revenue
Contract Balances
A contract asset (unbilled receivables) is recorded when the Company transfers control of products or services before there is an unconditional right to payment. A contract liability (deferred revenue) is recorded when cash is received in advance of performance of the obligation. Deferred revenue represents the future performance obligations to transfer control of products or services for which we have already received consideration. Deferred revenue is presented in other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The following table outlines the Company’s contract asset and liability balances as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024:
October 31, 2024April 30, 2024
(in thousands)
Contract assets-unbilled receivables$124,759 $116,368 
Contract liabilities-deferred revenue$215,546 $240,958 
During the six months ended October 31, 2024, we recognized revenue of $137.0 million that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period.
Performance Obligations
The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to exclude the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with a duration of one year or less, which applies to all executive search, professional search and to most of the fee revenue from the interim business. As of October 31, 2024, the aggregate transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied for contracts with an expected duration of greater than one year at inception was $1,007.4 million. Of the $1,007.4 million of remaining performance obligations, the Company expects to recognize approximately $316.2 million in the remainder of fiscal 2025, $386.9 million in fiscal 2026, $200.8 million in fiscal 2027 and the remaining $103.5 million in fiscal 2028 and thereafter. However, this amount should not be considered an indication of the Company’s future revenue as contracts with an initial term of one year or less are not included. Further, our contract terms and conditions allow for clients to increase or decrease the scope of services and such changes do not increase or decrease a performance obligation until the Company has an enforceable right to payment.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company disaggregates its revenue by line of business and further by region for Executive Search. This information is presented in Note 10—Segments.
The following table provides further disaggregation of fee revenue by industry:
Three Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Dollars%Dollars%
(dollars in thousands)
Industrial$208,012 30.9 %$204,931 29.1 %
Financial Services
126,110 18.7 122,048 17.3 
Life Sciences/Healthcare
112,598 16.7 123,865 17.6 
Technology
96,017 14.2 98,129 13.9 
Consumer Goods
88,498 13.1 96,996 13.8 
Education/Non–Profit/General43,130 6.4 58,034 8.3 
Fee Revenue$674,365 100.0 %$704,003 100.0 %
Six Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Dollars%Dollars%
(dollars in thousands)
Industrial$406,784 30.1 %$406,849 29.0 %
Financial Services251,247 18.6 250,372 17.9 
Life Sciences/Healthcare231,588 17.2 243,219 17.3 
Technology193,937 14.4 213,902 15.2 
Consumer Goods173,645 12.9 193,423 13.8 
Education/Non–Profit/General92,110 6.8 95,427 6.8 
Fee Revenue$1,349,311 100.0 %$1,403,192 100.0 %
v3.24.3
Credit Losses
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Credit Loss [Abstract]  
Credit Losses Credit Losses
The activity in the allowance for credit losses on the Company's trade receivables is as follows:
(in thousands)
Balance at April 30, 2024$44,192 
Provision for credit losses8,427 
Write-offs(9,333)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off801 
Foreign currency translation(225)
Balance at October 31, 2024$43,862 
The fair value and unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position, are as follows:
Less Than 12 Months12 Months or longerBalance Sheet Classification
Fair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized LossesCash and Cash
Equivalent
Marketable Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities, Non-
Current
(in thousands)
Balance at October 31, 2024
Commercial paper$3,460 $$— $— $— $3,460 $— 
Corporate notes/bonds$5,473 $28 $— $— $— $942 $4,531 
Balance at April 30, 2024       
Commercial paper$11,040 $19 $— $— $3,932 $7,108 $— 
Corporate notes/bonds$11,022 $26 $1,999 $$— $9,050 $3,971 
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities$4,346 $$— $— $— $2,441 $1,905 
The Company only purchases high grade bonds that have a maturity from the date of purchase of no more than two years. The Company monitors the credit worthiness of its investments on a quarterly basis. The Company does not intend to sell the investments and does not believe it will be required to sell the investments before the investments mature and therefore recover the amortized cost basis.
v3.24.3
Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
The provision for income tax was $24.9 million and $47.3 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, with an effective tax rate of 28.5% and 27.2%, respectively, compared to $2.3 million and $20.8 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, with an effective tax rate of 98.2% and 30.5%, respectively. In addition to the impact of U.S. state income taxes and the jurisdictional mix of earnings, which generally create variability in our effective tax rate over time, the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended October 31, 2023 was elevated due to lower earnings resulting from restructuring charges recorded in the three and six months ended October 31, 2023.
v3.24.3
Segments
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Segments Segments
The Company has eight reportable segments: Consulting, Digital, Executive Search North America, Executive Search Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"), Executive Search Asia Pacific, Executive Search Latin America, Professional Search & Interim and RPO.
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) review of 1) fee revenue and 2) adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). To the extent that such costs or charges occur, Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring charges, integration/acquisition costs, certain separation costs and certain non-cash charges (goodwill, intangible asset and other impairment charges). The CODM is not provided asset information by reportable segment.
Financial highlights are as follows:
Three Months Ended October 31,Six Months Ended October 31,
2024202320242023
Consolidated
(in thousands)
Fee revenue$674,365 $704,003 $1,349,311 $1,403,192 
Total revenue$681,960 $712,447 $1,364,721 $1,418,709 
  
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry
$60,800 $(1,711)$123,404 $44,894 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest1,543 1,755 3,195 2,335 
Other (income) loss, net
(5,391)13,835 (19,896)258 
Interest expense, net5,626 6,596 9,571 11,336 
Income tax provision24,898 2,341 47,252 20,761 
Operating income87,476 22,816 163,526 79,584 
Depreciation and amortization19,688 19,554 39,266 38,566 
Other income (loss), net
5,391 (13,835)19,896 (258)
Integration/acquisition costs3,896 5,030 4,972 9,158 
Impairment of fixed assets— 1,452 — 1,575 
Impairment of right-of-use assets— — — 1,629 
Restructuring charges, net576 63,525 576 63,946 
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$117,027 $98,542 $228,236 $194,200 
___________________
(1)
Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and further excludes integration/acquisition costs, impairment of fixed assets, impairment of right-of-use assets, and restructuring charges, net when applicable.
Financial highlights by reportable segments are as follows:
Three Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
Consulting$166,771 $169,384 $29,106 $177,795 $180,953 $28,928 
Digital92,893 93,038 29,188 97,092 97,157 28,983 
Executive Search:      
North America129,891 131,419 36,907 132,512 133,933 29,436 
EMEA46,788 47,132 7,487 43,098 43,315 5,619 
Asia Pacific21,464 21,540 4,432 19,304 19,460 3,875 
Latin America7,856 7,859 2,552 8,079 8,085 805 
Professional Search & Interim121,107 121,988 27,203 138,384 139,455 25,622 
RPO87,595 89,600 12,899 87,739 90,089 8,855 
Corporate— — (32,747)— — (33,581)
Consolidated$674,365 $681,960 $117,027 $704,003 $712,447 $98,542 
Six Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDAFee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
Consulting$334,641 $340,151 $58,400 $345,883 $351,746 $54,108 
Digital181,073 181,249 55,811 185,078 185,169 53,308 
Executive Search:
North America264,643 267,506 72,005 260,010 263,346 58,192 
EMEA92,769 93,408 14,752 89,874 90,450 11,257 
Asia Pacific42,043 42,244 8,650 43,843 44,070 10,190 
Latin America15,179 15,185 5,350 14,500 14,507 2,546 
Professional Search & Interim242,848 244,718 52,909 280,563 282,524 49,951 
RPO176,115 180,260 25,393 183,441 186,897 19,326 
Corporate— — (65,034)— — (64,678)
Consolidated$1,349,311 $1,364,721 $228,236 $1,403,192 $1,418,709 $194,200 
v3.24.3
Long-Term Debt
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt
4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027
Long-term debt, net at amortized cost, consisted of the following:
In thousandsOctober 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
Senior Unsecured Notes$400,000 $400,000 
Less: Unamortized discount and issuance costs(2,664)(3,054)
Long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs$397,336 $396,946 
Credit Facilities
On June 24, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to its December 16, 2019 Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”; as amended by the Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks and Bank of America, National Association as administrative agent. The Amended Credit Agreement provides for five-year senior secured credit facilities comprised of a $650.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”).
As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, there was no outstanding liability under the Revolver, and the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants. The Company had a total of $645.4 million and $645.5 million available under the Revolver after $4.6 million and $4.5 million of standby letters of credit were issued as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. The Company had a total of $12.8 million and $13.2 million of standby letters with other financial institutions as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. The standby letters of credit were generally issued in connection with the entry into certain office premise leases.
v3.24.3
Leases
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Leases [Abstract]  
Leases Leases
The Company’s lease portfolio is comprised of operating leases for office space and equipment and finance leases for equipment. Equipment leases are comprised of vehicles and office equipment. During the six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company reduced its real estate footprint and as a result recorded an impairment charge of the ROU assets of $1.6 million in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. No impairment charge of the ROU assets was recorded during the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and the three months ended October 31, 2023.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Finance lease cost
Amortization of ROU assets$362 $448 $741 $850 
Interest on lease liabilities45 54 94 108 
407 502 835 958 
Operating lease cost12,096 11,389 24,091 23,086 
Short-term lease cost202 222 428 491 
Variable lease cost3,027 3,724 5,368 6,915 
Lease impairment cost— — — 1,629 
Sublease income(1,206)(1,051)(2,359)(2,114)
Total lease cost$14,526 $14,786 $28,363 $30,965 
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Six Months Ended
October 31,
20242023
(in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases$24,597 $26,635 
Financing cash flows from finance leases$815 $938 
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases$18,565 $4,109 
Finance leases$217 $714 
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Year Ending April 30,OperatingFinancing
(in thousands)
2025 (excluding the six months ended October 31, 2024)
$23,277 $775 
202641,817 1,260 
202729,777 832 
202824,732 548 
202919,703 12 
Thereafter86,447 — 
Total lease payments225,753 3,427 
Less: imputed interest44,812 243 
Total$180,941 $3,184 
Leases Leases
The Company’s lease portfolio is comprised of operating leases for office space and equipment and finance leases for equipment. Equipment leases are comprised of vehicles and office equipment. During the six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company reduced its real estate footprint and as a result recorded an impairment charge of the ROU assets of $1.6 million in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. No impairment charge of the ROU assets was recorded during the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and the three months ended October 31, 2023.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Finance lease cost
Amortization of ROU assets$362 $448 $741 $850 
Interest on lease liabilities45 54 94 108 
407 502 835 958 
Operating lease cost12,096 11,389 24,091 23,086 
Short-term lease cost202 222 428 491 
Variable lease cost3,027 3,724 5,368 6,915 
Lease impairment cost— — — 1,629 
Sublease income(1,206)(1,051)(2,359)(2,114)
Total lease cost$14,526 $14,786 $28,363 $30,965 
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Six Months Ended
October 31,
20242023
(in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases$24,597 $26,635 
Financing cash flows from finance leases$815 $938 
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases$18,565 $4,109 
Finance leases$217 $714 
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Year Ending April 30,OperatingFinancing
(in thousands)
2025 (excluding the six months ended October 31, 2024)
$23,277 $775 
202641,817 1,260 
202729,777 832 
202824,732 548 
202919,703 12 
Thereafter86,447 — 
Total lease payments225,753 3,427 
Less: imputed interest44,812 243 
Total$180,941 $3,184 
v3.24.3
Subsequent Events
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Subsequent Events [Abstract]  
Subsequent Events Subsequent Events
Quarterly Dividend Declaration
On December 4, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.37 per share with a payment date of January 15, 2025 to holders of the Company’s common stock of record at the close of business on December 20, 2024. The declaration and payment of future dividends under the quarterly dividend policy will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, the terms of the Company’s indebtedness and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem to be relevant. The Board of Directors may amend, revoke, or suspend the dividend policy at any time and for any reason.
Business Acquisition
On November 1, 2024, Korn Ferry completed the acquisition of Trilogy International, a provider of digital interim talent across Europe and in the United States, which will be included in the Professional Search & Interim segment in the third quarter of fiscal 2025.
v3.24.3
Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Pay vs Performance Disclosure        
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry $ 60,800 $ (1,711) $ 123,404 $ 44,894
v3.24.3
Insider Trading Arrangements
3 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Trading Arrangements, by Individual  
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated false
v3.24.3
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2024 for the Company and its wholly and majority owned/controlled domestic and international subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements conform with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and prevailing practice within the Company's different industries. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these periods. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year or any other period.
The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.
Use of Estimates and Uncertainties
Use of Estimates and Uncertainties
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates, and changes in estimates are reported in current operations as new information is learned or upon the amounts becoming fixed or determinable.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
Substantially all fee revenue is derived from talent and organizational consulting services and digital sales, stand-alone or as part of a solution, fees for professional services related to executive and professional recruitment performed on a retained basis, interim services and Recruitment Process Outsourcing ("RPO"), either stand-alone or as part of a solution.
Revenue is recognized when control of the goods and services are transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. Revenue contracts with customers are evaluated based on the five-step model outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606 (“ASC 606”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers: 1) identify the contract with a customer; 2) identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract; 3) determine the transaction price; 4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligation(s); and 5) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied.
Consulting fee revenue is primarily recognized as services are rendered, measured by total hours incurred as a percentage of the total estimated hours at completion. It is possible that updated estimates for consulting engagements may vary from initial estimates with such updates being recognized in the period of determination. Depending on the timing of billings and services rendered, the Company accrues or defers revenue as appropriate.
Digital fee revenue is generated from intellectual property ("IP") based software products enabling large-scale talent programs for pay, talent development, engagement, and assessment and is consumed directly by an end user or indirectly through a consulting engagement. Revenue is recognized as services are delivered and the Company has a legally enforceable right to payment. Revenue also comes from the sale of the Company’s product subscriptions, which are considered symbolic IP due to the dynamic nature of the content. As a result, revenue is recognized over the term of the contract. Functional IP licenses grant customers the right to use IP content via the delivery of a flat file. Because the IP content license has significant stand-alone functionality, revenue is recognized upon delivery and when an enforceable right to payment exists. Revenue for tangible and digital products sold by the Company, such as books and digital files, is recognized when these products are shipped.
Fee revenue from executive and professional search activities is generally one-third of the estimated first-year cash compensation of the placed candidate, plus a percentage of the fee to cover indirect engagement-related expenses. In addition to the search retainer, an uptick fee is billed when the actual compensation awarded by the client for a placement is higher than the estimated compensation. In the aggregate, upticks have been a relatively consistent percentage of the original estimated fee; therefore, the Company estimates upticks using the expected value method based on historical data on a portfolio basis. In a standard search engagement, there is one performance obligation, which is the promise to undertake a search. The Company generally recognizes such revenue over the course of a search and when it is legally entitled to payment as outlined in the billing terms of the contract. Any revenues associated with services that are provided on a contingent basis are recognized once the contingency is resolved, as this is when control is transferred to the customer. These assumptions determine the timing of revenue recognition for the reported period. In addition to talent acquisition for permanent placement roles, the Professional Search & Interim segment also offers recruitment services for interim roles. Interim roles are short term in duration, generally less than 12 months. Generally, each interim role is a separate performance obligation. The Company recognizes fee revenue over the duration that the interim resources’ services are provided which also aligns to the contracted invoicing plan and enforceable right to payment.
RPO fee revenue is generated through two distinct phases: 1) the implementation phase and 2) the post-implementation recruitment phase. The fees associated with the implementation phase are recognized over the period that the related implementation services are provided. The post-implementation recruitment phase represents end-to-end recruiting services to clients for which there are both fixed and variable fees, which are recognized over the period that the related recruiting services are performed.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
An allowance is established for doubtful accounts by taking a charge to general and administrative expenses. The Company’s expected credit loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers’ trade accounts receivable. Due to the short-term nature of such receivables, the estimate of the amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected is primarily based on historical loss-rate experience. When required, the Company adjusts the loss-rate methodology to account for current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectations of future economic and market conditions. The Company generally assesses future economic condition for a period of sixty to ninety days, which corresponds with the contractual life of its accounts receivables. After the Company exhausts its collection efforts, the amount of the allowance is reduced for balances written off as uncollectible.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company's investments in cash equivalents consisted of money market funds, and as of April 30, 2024 also consisted of commercial paper with initial maturity of less than 90 days for which market prices are readily available. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank accounts that exceed federally insured FDIC limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Marketable Securities
Marketable Securities
The Company currently has investments in marketable securities and mutual funds that are classified as either equity securities or available-for-sale debt securities. The classification of the investments in these marketable securities and mutual funds is assessed upon purchase and reassessed at each reporting period. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as marketable securities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The investments that the Company may sell within the next 12 months are recognized as current assets.
The Company invests in mutual funds (for which market prices are readily available) that are held in trust to satisfy obligations under the Company’s deferred compensation plans. Such investments are classified as equity securities and mirror the employees’ investment elections in their deemed accounts in the Executive Capital Accumulation Plan and similar plans in Asia Pacific and Canada (“ECAP”) from a pre-determined set of securities. Realized gains (losses) on marketable securities are determined by specific identification. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis; dividends are recorded as earned on the ex-dividend date. Interest, dividend income and the changes in fair value in marketable securities are recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations in other income (loss), net.
The Company also invests cash in excess of its daily operating requirements and capital needs primarily in marketable fixed income (debt) securities in accordance with the Company’s investment policy, which restricts the type of investments that can be made. The Company’s investment portfolio includes commercial paper, corporate notes/bonds and U.S. Treasury and Agency securities. These marketable fixed income (debt) securities are classified as available-for-sale securities based on management’s decision, at the date such securities are acquired, not to hold these securities to maturity or actively trade them. The Company carries these marketable debt securities at fair value based on the market prices for these marketable debt securities or similar debt securities whose prices are readily available. The changes in fair values, net of applicable taxes, are recorded as unrealized gains or losses as a component of comprehensive income (loss) unless the change is due to credit loss. A credit loss is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in other income (loss), net; any amount in excess of the credit loss is recorded as unrealized losses as a component of comprehensive income (loss). Generally, the amount of the loss is the difference between the cost or amortized cost and its then current fair value; a credit loss is the difference between the discounted expected future cash flows to be collected from the debt security and the cost or amortized cost of the debt security. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, no amount was recognized as a credit loss for the Company’s available for sale debt securities.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is the price the Company would receive to sell an asset or transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. For those assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company determines the fair value based upon the quoted market price, if available. If a quoted market price is not available for identical assets, the fair value is based upon the quoted market price of similar assets. The fair values are assigned a level within the fair value hierarchy as defined below:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash equivalents, accounts receivable, marketable securities and foreign currency forward contracts. The carrying amount of cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair values of marketable securities classified as equity securities are obtained from quoted market prices, and the fair values of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and foreign currency forward contracts are obtained from a third party, which are based on quoted prices or market prices for similar assets and financial instruments.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets include property, equipment, right-of-use ("ROU") assets and software developed or obtained for internal use. Management reviews the Company’s recorded long-lived assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a forecasted inability to achieve break-even operating results over an extended period. The Company determines the extent to which an asset may be impaired based upon its expectation of the asset’s future usability, as well as on a reasonable assurance that the future cash flows associated with the asset will be in excess of its carrying amount. If the total of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between fair value and the carrying value of the asset. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, there were no impairment charges recorded. During the six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company reduced its real estate footprint and as a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of ROU assets of $1.6 million and an impairment of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures of $0.1 million, both recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in general and administrative expenses. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company also recognized a $1.5 million software impairment charge in the Digital segment which was recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in general and administrative expenses.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. Results of the most recent quantitative impairment test performed as of February 1, 2024, indicated that the fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded its carrying amount. As a result, no impairment charge was recognized. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, there were no indicators of potential impairment with respect to the Company’s goodwill that would require further testing for impairment.
Intangible assets primarily consist of customer lists, non-compete agreements, proprietary databases and IP. Intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized in a pattern in which the asset is consumed if that pattern can be reliably determined, or using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from one to 24 years. For intangible assets subject to amortization, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of the intangible assets is considered not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. The Company reviewed its intangible assets and did not identify any indicators of impairment as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024.
Restructuring Charges, Net
Restructuring Charges, Net
The Company accounts for its restructuring charges as a liability when the obligations are incurred and records such charges at fair value. Changes in the estimates of the restructuring charges are recorded in the period the change is determined.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The Company treats unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends prior to vesting as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings (loss) per share. The Company has granted and expects to continue to grant to certain employees under its restricted stock agreements, grants that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Such grants are considered participating securities. Therefore, the Company is required to apply the two-class method in calculating earnings (loss) per share. The two-class method of computing earnings (loss) per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings (loss) per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated using the more dilutive of the treasury method or the two-class method.
Basic earnings (loss) per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing basic net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share was computed using the two-class method by dividing diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common equivalent shares. Dilutive common equivalent shares include all in-the-money outstanding options or other contracts to issue common stock as if they were exercised or converted. Financial instruments that are not in the form of common stock, but when converted into common stock increase earnings per share or decrease loss per share, are anti-dilutive and are not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share.
Recent Accounting Standards - Not Yet Adopted
Recent Accounting Standards - Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting update for all public entities that are required to report segment information in accordance with Topic 280, Segment Reporting. The amendment in this update improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expense. The amendment in this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company will adopt this guidance in fiscal 2025 and in interim periods beginning in fiscal 2026. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting update for income taxes disclosures. The new amendments provide improvements to income tax disclosures by requiring specific categories in the rate reconciliation and disaggregated information for income taxes paid. The amendments of this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting update that requires public companies to disclose, in the notes to financial statements, specified information about certain costs and expenses at each interim and annual reporting period. The amendment in this update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company will adopt this guidance in its fiscal year beginning May 1, 2027. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
v3.24.3
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)
The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to common stockholders:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry
$60,800 $(1,711)$123,404 $44,894 
Less: distributed and undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders766 169 1,770 843 
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders
60,034 (1,880)121,634 44,051 
Add: undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders518 — 1,174 459 
Less: reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders510 — 1,154 457 
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$60,042 $(1,880)$121,654 $44,053 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding51,957 51,328 51,953 51,131 
Effect of dilutive securities:    
Restricted stock790 — 909 262 
ESPP— 
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding52,750 51,328 52,864 51,401 
Net earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share
$1.16 $(0.04)$2.34 $0.86 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$1.14 $(0.04)$2.30 $0.86 
v3.24.3
Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Equity [Abstract]  
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net were as follows:
October 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
(in thousands)
Foreign currency translation adjustments$(108,781)$(116,004)
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax8,223 8,370 
Marketable securities unrealized gain (loss), net of tax
57 (37)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net$(100,501)$(107,671)
Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended October 31, 2024:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized Gains
on Marketable Securities
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of July 31, 2024
$(113,207)$8,320 $27 $(104,860)
Unrealized gains arising during the period
4,426 — 30 4,456 
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income
— (97)— (97)
Balance as of October 31, 2024
$(108,781)$8,223 $57 $(100,501)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the six months ended October 31, 2024:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized (Losses) Gains
on Marketable Securities
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2024
$(116,004)$8,370 $(37)$(107,671)
Unrealized gains arising during the period
7,223 — 94 7,317 
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income
— (147)— (147)
Balance as of October 31, 2024
$(108,781)$8,223 $57 $(100,501)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended October 31, 2023:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized Losses on
Marketable Securities
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of July 31, 2023
$(94,729)$4,408 $(150)$(90,471)
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period
(25,467)— 37 (25,430)
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income— 28 — 28 
Balance as of October 31, 2023
$(120,196)$4,436 $(113)$(115,873)
The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the six months ended October 31, 2023:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Deferred
Compensation
and Pension
Plan
Unrealized Losses on
Marketable Securities (1)
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2023
$(96,860)$4,381 $(285)$(92,764)
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period
(23,336)— 172 (23,164)
Reclassification of realized net losses to net income— 55 — 55 
Balance as of October 31, 2023
$(120,196)$4,436 $(113)$(115,873)
___________________
(1)
The tax effect on the unrealized gains was $0.1 million for the six months ended October 31, 2023.
v3.24.3
Employee Stock Plans (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized
The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Restricted stock$11,151 $11,012 $21,712 $19,492 
ESPP229 213 451 461 
Total stock-based compensation expense$11,380 $11,225 $22,163 $19,953 
v3.24.3
Financial Instruments (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Financial Instruments and Balance Sheet Classification
The following tables show the Company’s financial instruments and balance sheet classification as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024:
October 31, 2024
Fair Value MeasurementBalance Sheet Classification
CostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Marketable
Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities,
Non-
current
Other Accrued Liabilities
(in thousands)
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Other Comprehensive Income
Level 2:
Commercial paper$5,645 $$(4)$5,642 $— $5,642 $— $— 
Corporate notes/bonds27,879 92 (28)27,943 — 15,536 12,407 — 
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities6,166 15 — 6,181 — 4,931 1,250 — 
Total debt investments$39,690 $108 $(32)$39,766 $— $26,109 $13,657 $— 
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Net Income
Level 1:
Mutual funds (1)
$232,848 $— $14,549 $218,299 $— 
Total equity investments$232,848 $— $14,549 $218,299 $— 
Cash$519,083 $519,083 $— $— $— 
Money market funds175,767 175,767 — — — 
Level 2:
Foreign currency forward contracts(1,007)— — — (1,007)
Total$966,457 $694,850 $40,658 $231,956 $(1,007)
April 30, 2024
Fair Value Measurement Balance Sheet Classification
CostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Marketable
Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities,
Non-current
Other Accrued Liabilities
(in thousands)
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Other Comprehensive Loss
Level 2:
Commercial paper$16,873 $$(19)$16,855 $3,932 $12,923 $— $— 
Corporate notes/bonds17,322 (27)17,298 — 10,050 7,248 — 
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities
4,355 — (9)4,346 — 2,441 1,905 — 
Total debt investments$38,550 $$(55)$38,499 $3,932 $25,414 $9,153 $— 
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Net Income
Level 1:
Mutual funds (1)
$219,856 $— $17,328 $202,528 $— 
Total equity investments$219,856 $— $17,328 $202,528 $— 
Cash$790,938 $790,938 $— $— $— 
Money market funds146,135 146,135 — — — 
Level 2:
Foreign currency forward contracts(427)— — — (427)
Total$1,195,001 $941,005 $42,742 $211,681 $(427)
___________________
(1)
These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations of $215.4 million and $198.6 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $19.6 million and $22.4 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $4.7 million and $18.9 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income (loss), net. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the fair value of the investments decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a loss of $13.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income (loss), net.
Financial Instruments and Balance Sheet Classification
The following tables show the Company’s financial instruments and balance sheet classification as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024:
October 31, 2024
Fair Value MeasurementBalance Sheet Classification
CostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Marketable
Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities,
Non-
current
Other Accrued Liabilities
(in thousands)
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Other Comprehensive Income
Level 2:
Commercial paper$5,645 $$(4)$5,642 $— $5,642 $— $— 
Corporate notes/bonds27,879 92 (28)27,943 — 15,536 12,407 — 
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities6,166 15 — 6,181 — 4,931 1,250 — 
Total debt investments$39,690 $108 $(32)$39,766 $— $26,109 $13,657 $— 
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Net Income
Level 1:
Mutual funds (1)
$232,848 $— $14,549 $218,299 $— 
Total equity investments$232,848 $— $14,549 $218,299 $— 
Cash$519,083 $519,083 $— $— $— 
Money market funds175,767 175,767 — — — 
Level 2:
Foreign currency forward contracts(1,007)— — — (1,007)
Total$966,457 $694,850 $40,658 $231,956 $(1,007)
April 30, 2024
Fair Value Measurement Balance Sheet Classification
CostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Marketable
Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities,
Non-current
Other Accrued Liabilities
(in thousands)
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Other Comprehensive Loss
Level 2:
Commercial paper$16,873 $$(19)$16,855 $3,932 $12,923 $— $— 
Corporate notes/bonds17,322 (27)17,298 — 10,050 7,248 — 
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities
4,355 — (9)4,346 — 2,441 1,905 — 
Total debt investments$38,550 $$(55)$38,499 $3,932 $25,414 $9,153 $— 
Changes in Fair Value Recorded in
Net Income
Level 1:
Mutual funds (1)
$219,856 $— $17,328 $202,528 $— 
Total equity investments$219,856 $— $17,328 $202,528 $— 
Cash$790,938 $790,938 $— $— $— 
Money market funds146,135 146,135 — — — 
Level 2:
Foreign currency forward contracts(427)— — — (427)
Total$1,195,001 $941,005 $42,742 $211,681 $(427)
___________________
(1)
These investments are held in trust for settlement of the Company’s vested obligations of $215.4 million and $198.6 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively, under the ECAP (see Note 6 — Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans). Unvested obligations under the deferred compensation plans totaled $19.6 million and $22.4 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, the fair value of the investments increased; therefore, the Company recognized a gain of $4.7 million and $18.9 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income (loss), net. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, the fair value of the investments decreased; therefore, the Company recognized a loss of $13.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively, which was recorded in other income (loss), net.
Fair Value of Assets Derivatives
The fair value of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments are as follows:
October 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
(in thousands)
Derivative assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts$730 $979 
Derivative liabilities:  
Foreign currency forward contracts$1,737 $1,406 
Fair Value of Liabilities Derivatives
The fair value of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments are as follows:
October 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
(in thousands)
Derivative assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts$730 $979 
Derivative liabilities:  
Foreign currency forward contracts$1,737 $1,406 
v3.24.3
Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Costs
The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Service cost$11,825 $11,346 $22,480 $21,179 
Interest cost4,513 3,436 8,964 6,793 
Amortization of actuarial loss32 183 64 367 
Expected return on plan assets (1)
(266)(272)(532)(544)
Net periodic service credit amortization(102)(102)(203)(203)
Net periodic benefit costs (2)
$16,002 $14,591 $30,773 $27,592 
___________________
(1)
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 6.00% for both October 31, 2024 and 2023.
(2)
The service cost, interest cost and the other components of net periodic benefit costs are included in compensation and benefits expense, interest expense, net and other income (loss), net, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
v3.24.3
Fee Revenue (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Schedule of Contract Asset and Liability
The following table outlines the Company’s contract asset and liability balances as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024:
October 31, 2024April 30, 2024
(in thousands)
Contract assets-unbilled receivables$124,759 $116,368 
Contract liabilities-deferred revenue$215,546 $240,958 
Schedule of Disaggregation of Fee Revenue by Industry
The following table provides further disaggregation of fee revenue by industry:
Three Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Dollars%Dollars%
(dollars in thousands)
Industrial$208,012 30.9 %$204,931 29.1 %
Financial Services
126,110 18.7 122,048 17.3 
Life Sciences/Healthcare
112,598 16.7 123,865 17.6 
Technology
96,017 14.2 98,129 13.9 
Consumer Goods
88,498 13.1 96,996 13.8 
Education/Non–Profit/General43,130 6.4 58,034 8.3 
Fee Revenue$674,365 100.0 %$704,003 100.0 %
Six Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Dollars%Dollars%
(dollars in thousands)
Industrial$406,784 30.1 %$406,849 29.0 %
Financial Services251,247 18.6 250,372 17.9 
Life Sciences/Healthcare231,588 17.2 243,219 17.3 
Technology193,937 14.4 213,902 15.2 
Consumer Goods173,645 12.9 193,423 13.8 
Education/Non–Profit/General92,110 6.8 95,427 6.8 
Fee Revenue$1,349,311 100.0 %$1,403,192 100.0 %
v3.24.3
Credit Losses (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Credit Loss [Abstract]  
Summary of Activity in Allowance for Credit Losses on Trade Receivables
The activity in the allowance for credit losses on the Company's trade receivables is as follows:
(in thousands)
Balance at April 30, 2024$44,192 
Provision for credit losses8,427 
Write-offs(9,333)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off801 
Foreign currency translation(225)
Balance at October 31, 2024$43,862 
Schedule of Fair Value and Unrealized Losses on Available for Sale Debt Securities
The fair value and unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position, are as follows:
Less Than 12 Months12 Months or longerBalance Sheet Classification
Fair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized LossesCash and Cash
Equivalent
Marketable Securities,
Current
Marketable
Securities, Non-
Current
(in thousands)
Balance at October 31, 2024
Commercial paper$3,460 $$— $— $— $3,460 $— 
Corporate notes/bonds$5,473 $28 $— $— $— $942 $4,531 
Balance at April 30, 2024       
Commercial paper$11,040 $19 $— $— $3,932 $7,108 $— 
Corporate notes/bonds$11,022 $26 $1,999 $$— $9,050 $3,971 
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities$4,346 $$— $— $— $2,441 $1,905 
v3.24.3
Segments (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Financial Highlights
Financial highlights are as follows:
Three Months Ended October 31,Six Months Ended October 31,
2024202320242023
Consolidated
(in thousands)
Fee revenue$674,365 $704,003 $1,349,311 $1,403,192 
Total revenue$681,960 $712,447 $1,364,721 $1,418,709 
  
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry
$60,800 $(1,711)$123,404 $44,894 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest1,543 1,755 3,195 2,335 
Other (income) loss, net
(5,391)13,835 (19,896)258 
Interest expense, net5,626 6,596 9,571 11,336 
Income tax provision24,898 2,341 47,252 20,761 
Operating income87,476 22,816 163,526 79,584 
Depreciation and amortization19,688 19,554 39,266 38,566 
Other income (loss), net
5,391 (13,835)19,896 (258)
Integration/acquisition costs3,896 5,030 4,972 9,158 
Impairment of fixed assets— 1,452 — 1,575 
Impairment of right-of-use assets— — — 1,629 
Restructuring charges, net576 63,525 576 63,946 
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$117,027 $98,542 $228,236 $194,200 
___________________
(1)
Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and further excludes integration/acquisition costs, impairment of fixed assets, impairment of right-of-use assets, and restructuring charges, net when applicable.
Financial Highlights by Operating Segment
Financial highlights by reportable segments are as follows:
Three Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
Consulting$166,771 $169,384 $29,106 $177,795 $180,953 $28,928 
Digital92,893 93,038 29,188 97,092 97,157 28,983 
Executive Search:      
North America129,891 131,419 36,907 132,512 133,933 29,436 
EMEA46,788 47,132 7,487 43,098 43,315 5,619 
Asia Pacific21,464 21,540 4,432 19,304 19,460 3,875 
Latin America7,856 7,859 2,552 8,079 8,085 805 
Professional Search & Interim121,107 121,988 27,203 138,384 139,455 25,622 
RPO87,595 89,600 12,899 87,739 90,089 8,855 
Corporate— — (32,747)— — (33,581)
Consolidated$674,365 $681,960 $117,027 $704,003 $712,447 $98,542 
Six Months Ended October 31,
20242023
Fee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDAFee revenueTotal revenueAdjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
Consulting$334,641 $340,151 $58,400 $345,883 $351,746 $54,108 
Digital181,073 181,249 55,811 185,078 185,169 53,308 
Executive Search:
North America264,643 267,506 72,005 260,010 263,346 58,192 
EMEA92,769 93,408 14,752 89,874 90,450 11,257 
Asia Pacific42,043 42,244 8,650 43,843 44,070 10,190 
Latin America15,179 15,185 5,350 14,500 14,507 2,546 
Professional Search & Interim242,848 244,718 52,909 280,563 282,524 49,951 
RPO176,115 180,260 25,393 183,441 186,897 19,326 
Corporate— — (65,034)— — (64,678)
Consolidated$1,349,311 $1,364,721 $228,236 $1,403,192 $1,418,709 $194,200 
v3.24.3
Long-Term Debt (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Long-term Debt, at Amortized Cost
Long-term debt, net at amortized cost, consisted of the following:
In thousandsOctober 31,
2024
April 30,
2024
Senior Unsecured Notes$400,000 $400,000 
Less: Unamortized discount and issuance costs(2,664)(3,054)
Long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs$397,336 $396,946 
v3.24.3
Leases (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Leases [Abstract]  
Components of Lease Expense
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Three Months Ended
October 31,
Six Months Ended
October 31,
2024202320242023
(in thousands)
Finance lease cost
Amortization of ROU assets$362 $448 $741 $850 
Interest on lease liabilities45 54 94 108 
407 502 835 958 
Operating lease cost12,096 11,389 24,091 23,086 
Short-term lease cost202 222 428 491 
Variable lease cost3,027 3,724 5,368 6,915 
Lease impairment cost— — — 1,629 
Sublease income(1,206)(1,051)(2,359)(2,114)
Total lease cost$14,526 $14,786 $28,363 $30,965 
Summary of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Six Months Ended
October 31,
20242023
(in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases$24,597 $26,635 
Financing cash flows from finance leases$815 $938 
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases$18,565 $4,109 
Finance leases$217 $714 
Summary of Maturities of Lease Liabilities
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Year Ending April 30,OperatingFinancing
(in thousands)
2025 (excluding the six months ended October 31, 2024)
$23,277 $775 
202641,817 1,260 
202729,777 832 
202824,732 548 
202919,703 12 
Thereafter86,447 — 
Total lease payments225,753 3,427 
Less: imputed interest44,812 243 
Total$180,941 $3,184 
v3.24.3
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 01, 2024
USD ($)
Oct. 31, 2024
USD ($)
phase
performance_obligation
solution
Oct. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Oct. 31, 2024
USD ($)
phase
performance_obligation
solution
Oct. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2024
USD ($)
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]            
Number of core solutions | solution   5   5    
Number of performance obligations | performance_obligation   1   1    
Number of revenue recognition phases | phase   2   2    
Credit loss for available for sales debt securities   $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0  
Impairment of right-of-use assets   0 0 0 1,629,000  
Impairment of fixed assets   $ 0 1,452,000 0 1,575,000  
Impairment of goodwill $ 0     0   $ 0
Impairment of intangible assets       $ 0   $ 0
Executive And Professional Search            
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]            
Cash compensation, percentage   0.33   0.33    
Minimum            
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]            
Intangible assets estimated useful lives   1 year   1 year    
Maximum            
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]            
Intangible assets estimated useful lives   24 years   24 years    
Right-Of-Use Assets            
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]            
Impairment of right-of-use assets         1,600,000  
Leasehold Improvements And Furniture And Fixtures            
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]            
Impairment of fixed assets         100,000  
Software            
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]            
Impairment of fixed assets     $ 1,500,000   $ 1,500,000  
v3.24.3
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share Attributable to Common Stockholders (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]        
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry $ 60,800 $ (1,711) $ 123,404 $ 44,894
Less: distributed and undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders 766 169 1,770 843
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders 60,034 (1,880) 121,634 44,051
Add: undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders 518 0 1,174 459
Less: reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders 510 0 1,154 457
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 60,042 $ (1,880) $ 121,654 $ 44,053
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:        
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares) 51,957 51,328 51,953 51,131
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares) 52,750 51,328 52,864 51,401
Net earnings (loss) per common share:        
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in usd per share) $ 1.16 $ (0.04) $ 2.34 $ 0.86
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in usd per share) $ 1.14 $ (0.04) $ 2.30 $ 0.86
ESPP        
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:        
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares) 3 0 2 8
Restricted Stock Awards        
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:        
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares) 790 0 909 262
v3.24.3
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares
shares in Millions
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Restricted Stock Awards        
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]        
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares) 0.7 2.1 0.7 1.2
v3.24.3
Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 31, 2024
Apr. 30, 2024
Equity [Abstract]    
Foreign currency translation adjustments $ (108,781) $ (116,004)
Deferred compensation and pension plan adjustments, net of tax 8,223 8,370
Marketable securities unrealized gain (loss), net of tax 57 (37)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net $ (100,501) $ (107,671)
v3.24.3
Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance $ 1,759,242 $ 1,692,530 $ 1,737,325 $ 1,653,005
Ending balance 1,782,865 1,660,500 1,782,865 1,660,500
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net        
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance (104,860) (90,471) (107,671) (92,764)
Unrealized gains arising during the period 4,456 (25,430) 7,317 (23,164)
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income (97) 28 (147) 55
Ending balance (100,501) (115,873) (100,501) (115,873)
Foreign Currency Translation        
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance (113,207) (94,729) (116,004) (96,860)
Unrealized gains arising during the period 4,426 (25,467) 7,223 (23,336)
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income 0 0 0 0
Ending balance (108,781) (120,196) (108,781) (120,196)
Deferred Compensation and Pension Plan        
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance 8,320 4,408 8,370 4,381
Unrealized gains arising during the period 0 0 0 0
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income (97) 28 (147) 55
Ending balance 8,223 4,436 8,223 4,436
Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Marketable Securities        
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance 27 (150) (37) (285)
Unrealized gains arising during the period 30 37 94 172
Reclassification of realized net gains to net income 0 0 0 0
Ending balance $ 57 $ (113) $ 57 (113)
Tax effect on unrealized gains (losses), securities, tax expense (benefit)       $ 100
v3.24.3
Employee Stock Plans - Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]        
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 11,380 $ 11,225 $ 22,163 $ 19,953
ESPP        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]        
Total stock-based compensation expense 229 213 451 461
Restricted Stock Awards        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]        
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 11,151 $ 11,012 $ 21,712 $ 19,492
v3.24.3
Employee Stock Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Jul. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Jul. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Sep. 25, 2024
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]              
Shares repurchased during the period, value $ 32,944 $ 40,113 $ 4,765 $ 14,358      
Stock Incentive Plan              
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]              
Common stock available for stock based awards (in shares)             1,900,000
Treasury Stock, Common              
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]              
Shares repurchased during the period (in shares) 456,250   92,500   807,500 182,500  
Shares repurchased during the period, value $ 32,600   $ 4,400   $ 56,100 $ 8,600  
v3.24.3
Financial Instruments - Financial Instruments and Balance Sheet Classification (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Apr. 30, 2024
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Value Measurement [Abstract]          
Assets, fair value $ 966,457   $ 966,457   $ 1,195,001
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Cash and Cash Equivalents 694,850   694,850   941,005
Marketable Securities, Current 40,658   40,658   42,742
Marketable Securities, Non- current 231,956   231,956   211,681
Other Accrued Liabilities (1,007)   (1,007)   (427)
Mutual funds          
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Obligations for which assets are held in trust 215,400   215,400   198,600
Unvested obligations under deferred compensation plans 19,600   19,600   22,400
Increase (decrease) in the fair value of marketable securities 4,700 $ (13,800) 18,900 $ (1,000)  
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2          
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Value Measurement [Abstract]          
Cost 39,690   39,690   38,550
Unrealized Gains 108   108   4
Unrealized Losses (32)   (32)   (55)
Debt securities AFS, fair value 39,766   39,766   38,499
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Cash and Cash Equivalents 0   0   3,932
Marketable Securities, Current 26,109   26,109   25,414
Marketable Securities, Non- current 13,657   13,657   9,153
Other Accrued Liabilities 0   0   0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Foreign currency forward contracts          
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Value Measurement [Abstract]          
Foreign currency forward contracts, fair value (1,007)   (1,007)   (427)
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Cash and Cash Equivalents 0   0   0
Marketable Securities, Current 0   0   0
Marketable Securities, Non- current 0   0   0
Other Accrued Liabilities (1,007)   (1,007)   (427)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Commercial paper          
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Value Measurement [Abstract]          
Cost 5,645   5,645   16,873
Unrealized Gains 1   1   1
Unrealized Losses (4)   (4)   (19)
Debt securities AFS, fair value 5,642   5,642   16,855
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Cash and Cash Equivalents 0   0   3,932
Marketable Securities, Current 5,642   5,642   12,923
Marketable Securities, Non- current 0   0   0
Other Accrued Liabilities 0   0   0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate notes/bonds          
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Value Measurement [Abstract]          
Cost 27,879   27,879   17,322
Unrealized Gains 92   92   3
Unrealized Losses (28)   (28)   (27)
Debt securities AFS, fair value 27,943   27,943   17,298
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Cash and Cash Equivalents 0   0   0
Marketable Securities, Current 15,536   15,536   10,050
Marketable Securities, Non- current 12,407   12,407   7,248
Other Accrued Liabilities 0   0   0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities          
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Value Measurement [Abstract]          
Cost 6,166   6,166   4,355
Unrealized Gains 15   15   0
Unrealized Losses 0   0   (9)
Debt securities AFS, fair value 6,181   6,181   4,346
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Cash and Cash Equivalents 0   0   0
Marketable Securities, Current 4,931   4,931   2,441
Marketable Securities, Non- current 1,250   1,250   1,905
Other Accrued Liabilities 0   0   0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Mutual funds          
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Value Measurement [Abstract]          
Equity securities, fair value 232,848   232,848   219,856
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Cash and Cash Equivalents 0   0   0
Marketable Securities, Current 14,549   14,549   17,328
Marketable Securities, Non- current 218,299   218,299   202,528
Other Accrued Liabilities 0   0   0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity investments          
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Value Measurement [Abstract]          
Equity securities, fair value 232,848   232,848   219,856
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Cash and Cash Equivalents 0   0   0
Marketable Securities, Current 14,549   14,549   17,328
Marketable Securities, Non- current 218,299   218,299   202,528
Other Accrued Liabilities 0   0   0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Cash          
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Value Measurement [Abstract]          
Cash and cash equivalents, fair value 519,083   519,083   790,938
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Cash and Cash Equivalents 519,083   519,083   790,938
Marketable Securities, Current 0   0   0
Marketable Securities, Non- current 0   0   0
Other Accrued Liabilities 0   0   0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Money market funds          
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Value Measurement [Abstract]          
Cash and cash equivalents, fair value 175,767   175,767   146,135
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]          
Cash and Cash Equivalents 175,767   175,767   146,135
Marketable Securities, Current 0   0   0
Marketable Securities, Non- current 0   0   0
Other Accrued Liabilities $ 0   $ 0   $ 0
v3.24.3
Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Apr. 30, 2024
Financial Instrument [Line Items]          
Sale/maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities $ 9.9 $ 9.0 $ 16.8 $ 26.2  
Unrealized gains relates to equity securities     14.6 0.4  
Not Designated as Hedge Instrument | Foreign currency forward contracts          
Financial Instrument [Line Items]          
Foreign currency gains (losses) (0.2) $ (3.2) (0.3) $ (1.5)  
Not Designated as Hedge Instrument | Foreign currency forward contracts | Derivatives Purchased          
Financial Instrument [Line Items]          
Derivative notional amount 90.3   90.3   $ 82.9
Not Designated as Hedge Instrument | Foreign currency forward contracts | Derivatives Sold          
Financial Instrument [Line Items]          
Derivative notional amount $ 38.6   $ 38.6   $ 34.0
Minimum          
Financial Instrument [Line Items]          
Marketable securities remaining maturity     1 month    
Maximum          
Financial Instrument [Line Items]          
Marketable securities remaining maturity     24 months    
v3.24.3
Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedge Instruments (Detail) - Not Designated as Hedge Instrument - Foreign currency forward contracts - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 31, 2024
Apr. 30, 2024
Derivative assets:    
Fair value of derivative assets $ 730 $ 979
Derivative liabilities:    
Fair value of derivative liabilities $ 1,737 $ 1,406
v3.24.3
Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefits Costs (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets     6.00% 6.00%
Deferred Compensation Plan        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]        
Service cost $ 11,825 $ 11,346 $ 22,480 $ 21,179
Interest cost 4,513 3,436 8,964 6,793
Amortization of actuarial loss 32 183 64 367
Expected return on plan assets (266) (272) (532) (544)
Net periodic service credit amortization (102) (102) (203) (203)
Net periodic benefit costs $ 16,002 $ 14,591 $ 30,773 $ 27,592
v3.24.3
Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Apr. 30, 2024
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Increase in market value of the underlying COLI investments     $ 4,789 $ 3,947  
CSV of COLI Contracts          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Increase in market value of the underlying COLI investments $ 2,500 $ 2,000 4,800 $ 3,900  
Deferred Compensation Plan | CSV of COLI Contracts          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Gross CSV 313,400   313,400   $ 295,900
Outstanding policy loans 76,400   $ 76,400   $ 77,000
Executive Capital Accumulation Plan          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Deferred compensation arrangement vesting period     5 years    
Compensation expense (reduction) 4,700 (12,300) $ 18,200    
Increase (decrease) in the fair value of marketable securities $ 4,700 $ (13,800) $ 18,900    
Executive Capital Accumulation Plan | Minimum          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Option to receive employee benefits by quarterly installments periods     1 year    
Executive Capital Accumulation Plan | Maximum          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Option to receive employee benefits by quarterly installments periods     15 years    
v3.24.3
Fee Revenue - Schedule of Contract Asset and Liability (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 31, 2024
Apr. 30, 2024
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]    
Contract assets-unbilled receivables $ 124,759 $ 116,368
Contract liabilities-deferred revenue $ 215,546 $ 240,958
v3.24.3
Fee Revenue - Additional Information (Details)
$ in Millions
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
USD ($)
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Contract liabilities, revenue recognized $ 137.0
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation 1,007.4
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2024-11-01  
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation $ 316.2
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period 6 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2025-05-01  
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation $ 386.9
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period 1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2026-05-01  
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation $ 200.8
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period 1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2027-05-01  
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Revenue recognized, remaining performance obligation $ 103.5
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period
v3.24.3
Fee Revenue - Schedule of Disaggregation of Fee Revenue by Industry (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]        
Fee revenue $ 681,960 $ 712,447 $ 1,364,721 $ 1,418,709
Industrial        
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]        
Fee revenue $ 208,012 $ 204,931 $ 406,784 $ 406,849
Fee revenue, percentage 30.90% 29.10% 30.10% 29.00%
Financial Services        
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]        
Fee revenue $ 126,110 $ 122,048 $ 251,247 $ 250,372
Fee revenue, percentage 18.70% 17.30% 18.60% 17.90%
Life Sciences/Healthcare        
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]        
Fee revenue $ 112,598 $ 123,865 $ 231,588 $ 243,219
Fee revenue, percentage 16.70% 17.60% 17.20% 17.30%
Technology        
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]        
Fee revenue $ 96,017 $ 98,129 $ 193,937 $ 213,902
Fee revenue, percentage 14.20% 13.90% 14.40% 15.20%
Consumer Goods        
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]        
Fee revenue $ 88,498 $ 96,996 $ 173,645 $ 193,423
Fee revenue, percentage 13.10% 13.80% 12.90% 13.80%
Education/Non–Profit/General        
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]        
Fee revenue $ 43,130 $ 58,034 $ 92,110 $ 95,427
Fee revenue, percentage 6.40% 8.30% 6.80% 6.80%
Fee revenue        
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]        
Fee revenue $ 674,365 $ 704,003 $ 1,349,311 $ 1,403,192
Fee revenue, percentage 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
v3.24.3
Credit Losses - Summary of Activity in Allowance for Credit Losses on Trade Receivables (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]    
Beginning balance $ 44,192  
Provision for credit losses 8,427 $ 11,787
Write-offs (9,333)  
Recoveries of amounts previously written off 801  
Foreign currency translation (225)  
Ending balance $ 43,862  
v3.24.3
Credit Losses - Schedule of Fair Value and Unrealized Losses on Available for Sale Debt Securities (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 31, 2024
Apr. 30, 2024
Commercial paper    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Less than 12 months, fair value $ 3,460 $ 11,040
Less than 12 months, unrealized losses 4 19
12 months or longer, fair value 0 0
12 months or longer, unrealized losses 0 0
Commercial paper | Cash and Cash Equivalent    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Debt securities AFS, fair value 0 3,932
Commercial paper | Marketable Securities, Current    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Debt securities, current 3,460 7,108
Commercial paper | Marketable Securities, Non- Current    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Debt securities, non-current 0 0
Corporate notes/bonds    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Less than 12 months, fair value 5,473 11,022
Less than 12 months, unrealized losses 28 26
12 months or longer, fair value 0 1,999
12 months or longer, unrealized losses 0 1
Corporate notes/bonds | Cash and Cash Equivalent    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Debt securities AFS, fair value 0 0
Corporate notes/bonds | Marketable Securities, Current    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Debt securities, current 942 9,050
Corporate notes/bonds | Marketable Securities, Non- Current    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Debt securities, non-current $ 4,531 3,971
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Less than 12 months, fair value   4,346
Less than 12 months, unrealized losses   9
12 months or longer, fair value   0
12 months or longer, unrealized losses   0
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities | Cash and Cash Equivalent    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Debt securities AFS, fair value   0
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities | Marketable Securities, Current    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Debt securities, current   2,441
U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities | Marketable Securities, Non- Current    
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]    
Debt securities, non-current   $ 1,905
v3.24.3
Credit Losses - Additional Information (Details)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Maximum  
Fair Value And Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Debt Securities [Line Items]  
Debt instrument term 2 years
v3.24.3
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]        
Income tax provision $ 24,898 $ 2,341 $ 47,252 $ 20,761
Income tax provision tax rate 28.50% 98.20% 27.20% 30.50%
v3.24.3
Segments - Additional Information (Detail)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Number of business segments 8
v3.24.3
Segments - Financial Highlights (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue $ 681,960,000 $ 712,447,000 $ 1,364,721,000 $ 1,418,709,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn Ferry 60,800,000 (1,711,000) 123,404,000 44,894,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,543,000 1,755,000 3,195,000 2,335,000
Other (income) loss, net (5,391,000) 13,835,000 (19,896,000) 258,000
Interest expense, net 5,626,000 6,596,000 9,571,000 11,336,000
Income tax provision 24,898,000 2,341,000 47,252,000 20,761,000
Operating income 87,476,000 22,816,000 163,526,000 79,584,000
Depreciation and amortization 19,688,000 19,554,000 39,266,000 38,566,000
Other income (loss), net 5,391,000 (13,835,000) 19,896,000 (258,000)
Integration/acquisition costs 3,896,000 5,030,000 4,972,000 9,158,000
Impairment of fixed assets 0 1,452,000 0 1,575,000
Impairment of right-of-use assets 0 0 0 1,629,000
Restructuring charges, net 576,000 63,525,000 576,000 63,946,000
Adjusted EBITDA 117,027,000 98,542,000 228,236,000 194,200,000
Fee revenue        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue $ 674,365,000 $ 704,003,000 $ 1,349,311,000 $ 1,403,192,000
v3.24.3
Segments - Financial Highlights by Operating Segment (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue $ 681,960 $ 712,447 $ 1,364,721 $ 1,418,709
Adjusted EBITDA 117,027 98,542 228,236 194,200
Operating Segments | Consulting        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 169,384 180,953 340,151 351,746
Adjusted EBITDA 29,106 28,928 58,400 54,108
Operating Segments | Digital        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 93,038 97,157 181,249 185,169
Adjusted EBITDA 29,188 28,983 55,811 53,308
Operating Segments | North America        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 131,419 133,933 267,506 263,346
Adjusted EBITDA 36,907 29,436 72,005 58,192
Operating Segments | EMEA        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 47,132 43,315 93,408 90,450
Adjusted EBITDA 7,487 5,619 14,752 11,257
Operating Segments | Asia Pacific        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 21,540 19,460 42,244 44,070
Adjusted EBITDA 4,432 3,875 8,650 10,190
Operating Segments | Latin America        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 7,859 8,085 15,185 14,507
Adjusted EBITDA 2,552 805 5,350 2,546
Operating Segments | Professional Search & Interim        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 121,988 139,455 244,718 282,524
Adjusted EBITDA 27,203 25,622 52,909 49,951
Operating Segments | RPO        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 89,600 90,089 180,260 186,897
Adjusted EBITDA 12,899 8,855 25,393 19,326
Corporate        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 0 0 0 0
Adjusted EBITDA (32,747) (33,581) (65,034) (64,678)
Fee revenue        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 674,365 704,003 1,349,311 1,403,192
Fee revenue | Operating Segments | Consulting        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 166,771 177,795 334,641 345,883
Fee revenue | Operating Segments | Digital        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 92,893 97,092 181,073 185,078
Fee revenue | Operating Segments | North America        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 129,891 132,512 264,643 260,010
Fee revenue | Operating Segments | EMEA        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 46,788 43,098 92,769 89,874
Fee revenue | Operating Segments | Asia Pacific        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 21,464 19,304 42,043 43,843
Fee revenue | Operating Segments | Latin America        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 7,856 8,079 15,179 14,500
Fee revenue | Operating Segments | Professional Search & Interim        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 121,107 138,384 242,848 280,563
Fee revenue | Operating Segments | RPO        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue $ 87,595 $ 87,739 $ 176,115 $ 183,441
v3.24.3
Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
Jun. 24, 2022
Oct. 31, 2024
Apr. 30, 2024
Credit Facilities      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity   $ 645,400,000 $ 645,500,000
Standby Letters of Credit      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Long-term debt arrangement   4,600,000 4,500,000
Standby Letters of Credit | Other Financial Institutions      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Long-term debt arrangement   $ 12,800,000 13,200,000
4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Debt instrument, interest rate   4.625%  
Amended Credit Agreement      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Debt instrument term 5 years    
Amended Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity $ 650,000,000.0    
Amended Credit Agreement | Credit Facilities      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Long-term debt   $ 0  
Credit Agreement | Prior Credit Facility      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Long-term debt     $ 0
v3.24.3
Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-term Debt, at Amortized Cost (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 31, 2024
Apr. 30, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs $ 397,336 $ 396,946
4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Less: Unamortized discount and issuance costs (2,664) (3,054)
Long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs 397,336 396,946
4.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 | Senior Unsecured Notes    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Unsecured Notes $ 400,000 $ 400,000
v3.24.3
Leases - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]        
Impairment of right-of-use assets $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 1,629,000
v3.24.3
Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Detail) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Finance lease cost        
Amortization of ROU assets $ 362,000 $ 448,000 $ 741,000 $ 850,000
Interest on lease liabilities 45,000 54,000 94,000 108,000
Finance lease cost 407,000 502,000 835,000 958,000
Operating lease cost 12,096,000 11,389,000 24,091,000 23,086,000
Short-term lease cost 202,000 222,000 428,000 491,000
Variable lease cost 3,027,000 3,724,000 5,368,000 6,915,000
Lease impairment cost 0 0 0 1,629,000
Sublease income (1,206,000) (1,051,000) (2,359,000) (2,114,000)
Total lease cost $ 14,526,000 $ 14,786,000 $ 28,363,000 $ 30,965,000
v3.24.3
Leases - Summary of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:    
Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 24,597 $ 26,635
Financing cash flows from finance leases 815 938
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:    
Operating leases 18,565 4,109
Finance leases $ 217 $ 714
v3.24.3
Leases - Summary of Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Detail)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 31, 2024
USD ($)
Operating  
2025 (excluding the six months ended October 31, 2024) $ 23,277
2026 41,817
2027 29,777
2028 24,732
2029 19,703
Thereafter 86,447
Total lease payments 225,753
Less: imputed interest 44,812
Total 180,941
Financing  
2025 (excluding the six months ended October 31, 2024) 775
2026 1,260
2027 832
2028 548
2029 12
Thereafter 0
Total lease payments 3,427
Less: imputed interest 243
Total $ 3,184
v3.24.3
Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Dec. 04, 2024
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Oct. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Subsequent Event [Line Items]          
Cash dividends declared per share (in usd per share)   $ 0.37 $ 0.18 $ 0.74 $ 0.36
Subsequent Event          
Subsequent Event [Line Items]          
Cash dividends declared per share (in usd per share) $ 0.37        

Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY)
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