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 the Company has already received consideration. Deferred revenue is presented in other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
The following table outlines the Company’s contract asset and liability balances as of April 30, 2025 and 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| April 30, |
| 2025 | | 2024 |
| | | |
| (in thousands) |
| Contract assets-unbilled receivables | $ | 113,743 | | | $ | 116,368 | |
| Contract liabilities-deferred revenue | $ | 245,379 | | | $ | 240,958 | |
During fiscal 2025, 2024, and 2023 the Company recognized revenue of $184.9 million, $195.2 million and $181.7 million, respectively, that were 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 April 30, 2025, 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 $1,156.5 million. Of the $1,156.5 million of remaining performance obligations, the Company expects to recognize approximately $565.5 million in fiscal 2026, $363.2 million in fiscal 2027, $169.2 million in fiscal 2028 and the remaining $58.6 million in fiscal 2029 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 solution area and further by region for Executive Search. This information is presented in Note 12—Segments.
The following table provides further disaggregation of fee revenue by industry:
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| Year Ended April 30, |
| 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| Dollars | | % | | Dollars | | % | | Dollars | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (dollars in thousands) |
| Industrial | $ | 814,619 | | | 29.9 | % | | $ | 813,919 | | | 29.5 | % | | $ | 805,241 | | | 28.4 | % |
| Financial Services | 516,742 | | | 18.9 | | | 491,761 | | | 17.8 | | | 494,299 | | | 17.4 | |
| Life Sciences/Healthcare | 475,779 | | | 17.4 | | | 485,321 | | | 17.6 | | | 522,372 | | | 18.4 | |
Technology | 396,027 | | | 14.5 | | | 404,569 | | | 14.6 | | | 483,787 | | | 17.1 | |
Consumer Goods | 349,196 | | | 12.8 | | | 382,175 | | | 13.8 | | | 386,409 | | | 13.6 | |
| Education/Non–Profit/General | 177,725 | | | 6.5 | | | 184,926 | | | 6.7 | | | 143,300 | | | 5.1 | |
| Fee Revenue | $ | 2,730,088 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 2,762,671 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 2,835,408 | | | 100.0 | % |
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.