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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and include all information and footnotes required for consolidated financial statement presentation, and include all disclosures required under GAAP for annual financial statements.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries where it has a controlling financial interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Management estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the reporting date. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Management adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the allowance for credit losses; the valuation of deferred tax assets, valuation of acquired intangibles and goodwill, accrued expenses, and share based compensation; the allocation of goodwill and other assets across the reporting units (segments); and reserves for income tax uncertainties and other contingencies.
Revenues
Revenues
Revenues consist of fee revenues from advisory services and reimbursed costs incurred in fulfilling the contracts. Revenues reflect fees generated from our CF, FR, and FVA business segments. Revenues for all three business segments are recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation, which may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. The amount and timing of the fees paid vary by the type of engagement.
The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those promised services (i.e., the “transaction price”). In determining the transaction price, we consider multiple factors, including the effects of variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainties with respect to the amount are resolved. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, we consider the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of our past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties are expected to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of our influence, such as market volatility or the judgment and actions of third parties. The substantial majority of the Company’s advisory fees (i.e., the success-related Completion Fees) are considered variable and constrained as they are contingent upon a future event which includes factors outside of our control (e.g., completion of a transaction or third-party emergence from bankruptcy or approval by the court).
Revenues from CF engagements primarily consist of fees generated in connection with advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and other corporate finance transactions. Completion Fees from these engagements are recognized at a point in time when the related transaction has been effectively closed. At that time, the Company has transferred control of the promised service and the customer obtains control. CF contracts generally contain a variety of promised services that may be capable of being distinct, but they are not distinct within the context of the engagement as the various services are inputs to the combined output of successfully brokering a specific transaction. Completion Fees, Retainer Fees, and Progress Fees from these engagements are considered variable and constrained until the corresponding transaction has been effectively closed as they are contingent upon a future event, which includes factors outside of our control (e.g., completion of a transaction or regulatory approval).
Revenues from FR engagements primarily consist of fees generated in connection with advisory services to debtors, creditors and other parties-in-interest involving recapitalization or deleveraging transactions implemented both through bankruptcy proceedings and out-of-court exchanges, consent solicitations or other mechanisms, as well as in distressed mergers and acquisitions and capital markets activities. Retainer Fees and Progress Fees from FR engagements are recognized over time using a time elapsed measure of progress as our clients simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of those services as they are provided. Completion Fees from these engagements are recognized at a point in time when the related transaction has been effectively closed. At that time, the Company has transferred control of the promised service and the customer obtains control. Completion Fees from these engagements are considered variable and constrained until the related transaction has been effectively closed as they are contingent upon a future event, which includes factors outside of our control (e.g., completion of a transaction or third party emergence from bankruptcy or approval by the court).
Revenues from FVA engagements primarily consist of fees generated in connection with valuation, diligence, tax transaction accounting, and other financial advisory services and rendering fairness, solvency and other financial opinions. Revenues are recognized at a point in time as these engagements include a singular objective that does not transfer any notable value to the Company’s clients until the opinions or reports have been rendered and delivered to the client. However, certain engagements consist of advisory services where fees are usually based on the hourly rates of our financial professionals. Such revenues are recognized over time as the benefits of these advisory services are transferred to the Company’s clients throughout the course of the engagement, and, as a practical expedient, the Company has elected to use the ‘as-invoiced’ approach to recognize revenue.
Taxes, including value added taxes, collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis, and therefore, are excluded from revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Operating Expenses
Operating Expenses
The majority of the Company’s operating expenses are related to compensation for employees, which includes the amortization of the relevant portion of the Company’s share-based incentive plans (Note 14). Other types of operating expenses include: Travel, meals, and entertainment; Rent; Depreciation and amortization; Information technology and communications; Professional fees; and Revaluation of acquisition contingent consideration.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interests subject to redemption features outside the Company's control are presented outside of permanent equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Redeemable noncontrolling interests are initially recorded at fair value. At the end of each reporting period, the carrying amount is adjusted for the noncontrolling interest’s share of comprehensive income (loss), redemptions, and distributions, if applicable.
The Company subsequently measures the redeemable noncontrolling interest at the greater of its adjusted carrying amount or its current redemption value. The Company has elected to recognize the entire change in redemption value at each reporting period, such that the carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest equals the redemption amount at each reporting date (or its adjusted carrying amount, if greater). In accounting for these remeasurements, any excess of the redemption value over the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded to retained earnings, with the residual difference between the carrying value and the redemption value recorded to additional paid-in capital. The remeasurement adjustment recorded to retained earnings is treated as a reduction to net income available to the Company's common stockholders in the calculation of earnings per share.
Translation of Foreign Currency Transactions
Translation of Foreign Currency Transactions
The reporting currency for the consolidated financial statements of the Company is the U.S. Dollar. The assets and liabilities of subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. Dollar are included in the consolidation by translating the assets and liabilities at the reporting period-end exchange rates; however, revenues and expenses are translated using the applicable exchange rates determined on a monthly basis throughout the fiscal year. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of applicable taxes.
From time to time, we enter into transactions to hedge our exposure to certain foreign currency fluctuations through the use of derivative instruments or other methods. As of March 31, 2026, we had no open foreign currency forward contracts outstanding. As of March 31, 2025, we had one foreign currency forward contract between the U.S. Dollar and Pound Sterling, with an aggregate notional value of $75,000 and one foreign currency forward contract between the Swedish Krona and the Pound Sterling, with an aggregate notional value of SEK 79,000. The fair value of these foreign currency forward contracts represented a gain included in Other operating expenses of $0 and $237 during the year ended March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025, respectively.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements
The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. The Company determines fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement:
Level I Inputs: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date.
Level II Inputs: Other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level III Inputs: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at measurement date.
For Level III investments in which pricing inputs are unobservable and limited market activity exists, management's determination of fair value is based upon the best information available, and may incorporate management's own assumptions or involve a significant degree of judgment.
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair value disclosures:
Corporate debt securities: All fair value measurements are obtained from a third-party pricing service and are not adjusted by management.
U.S. treasury securities: Fair values for U.S. treasury securities are based on quoted prices from recent trading activity of identical or similar securities. All fair value measurements are obtained from a third-party pricing service and are not adjusted by management.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given investment is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the instrument.
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, unbilled work in progress, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and deferred income approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.
The carrying value of loans to employees included in Other assets approximates fair value due to the variable interest rate borne by those instruments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents include cash held at banks and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had cash balances with banks in excess of insured limits. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk with respect to Cash and cash equivalents.
Investment Securities
Investment Securities
Investment securities consist primarily of corporate debt and U.S. treasury securities with original maturities over 90 days. The Company classifies its corporate debt and U.S. treasury securities as trading and measures them at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unrealized holding gains and losses for trading securities are included in Other operating expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Allowance for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses on accounts receivable and unbilled work in progress reflects management’s best estimate of expected losses by applying the current expected credit losses model. This model analyzes expected losses based on relevant information about historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that could potentially affect the collectability of the reported amounts. This is recorded through provision for bad debts, which is included in Other operating expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Amounts deemed to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance for credit losses.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Repair and maintenance charges are expensed as incurred and costs of renewals or improvements are capitalized at cost. Depreciation on furniture and office equipment is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return, as well as consolidated and separate returns in state and local jurisdictions, and the Company reports income tax expense on this basis.
We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which requires the recognition of tax benefits or expenses on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of our assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities. The measurement of the deferred items is based on enacted tax laws and applicable tax rates. A valuation allowance related to a deferred tax asset is recorded if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company accounts for the tax impacts of the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income tax as a period cost (permanent item).
The Company utilized a comprehensive model to recognize, measure, present, and disclose in its financial statements any uncertain tax positions taken or that are expected to be taken on a tax return. The impact of an uncertain tax position that is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. No portion of an uncertain tax position will be recognized if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Interest expense and penalties related to income taxes are included in the provision for income taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.
Share-Based Incentive Plans
Share-Based Incentive Plans
We recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards, including restricted stock and RSU awards, based on the estimate of fair value of the award at the grant date. The fair value of each restricted stock and RSU award is measured based on the closing stock price of our common stock on the date of grant. We account for forfeitures as they occur. The compensation expense is recognized using a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards.
The share awards are generally classified as equity awards at the time of grant unless the number of shares granted is unknown. Awards that are settleable in shares based upon a future determinable stock price are classified as liabilities until the price is established and the resulting number of shares is known, at which time they are re-classified from liabilities to equity awards.
Leases
Leases
We assess whether an arrangement is or contains a lease at the inception of the agreement. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use underlying assets for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from leases. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of future lease payments over the lease terms utilizing the discount rate implicit in the leases. If the discount rate implicit in the leases is not readily determinable, the present value of future lease payments is calculated utilizing the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, which approximates the interest that the Company would have to pay on a secured loan. The Company elected to utilize a portfolio approach and applies the rates to a portfolio of leases with similar terms and economic environments. The terms of our leases include options to extend a lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise those options. ROU assets and lease liabilities are subject to adjustment in the event of modification to lease terms, changes in probability that an option to extend or terminate a lease would be exercised and other factors. In addition, ROU assets are periodically reviewed for impairment.
Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. Lease expense includes amortization of the ROU assets and accretion of the lease liabilities. Amortization of ROU assets is calculated as the periodic lease cost less accretion of the lease liability. The amortized period for ROU assets is limited to the expected lease term.
The Company has elected a practical expedient to combine the lease and non-lease components into a single lease component. The Company also elected the short-term lease measurement and recognition exemption and does not establish ROU assets or lease liabilities for operating leases with terms of 12 months or less.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents an acquired company’s acquisition cost over the fair value of acquired net tangible and intangible assets. Goodwill is the net asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Intangible assets identified and accounted for include tradenames and marks, backlog, developed technologies, and customer relationships. Those intangible assets with finite lives, including backlog and customer relationships, are amortized over their estimated useful lives.
Goodwill is reviewed annually during the fourth quarter for impairment and more frequently if potential impairment indicators exist. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, which permits management to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its corresponding carrying value. If management determines the reporting unit's fair value is more likely than not less than its carrying value, a quantitative analysis will be performed to compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its corresponding carrying value. If the conclusion of the quantitative analysis is that the fair value is in fact less than the carrying value, management will recognize a goodwill impairment charge for the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. Impairment testing of goodwill requires a significant amount of judgment in assessing both qualitative factors and if necessary, quantitative factors used to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. As of March 31, 2026, management concluded that it was not more likely than not that the Company’s reporting units’ fair value was less than their carrying amount and no further quantitative impairment testing was necessary.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment through performance of a qualitative assessment. If it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired, the amount that the carrying value exceeds the fair value is recorded as an impairment expense. As of March 31, 2026, management concluded that it was not more likely than not that the fair values were less than the carrying values.
Intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group (inclusive of other long-lived assets) be tested for possible impairment, management first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset or asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary. As of March 31, 2026, no events or changes in circumstances were identified that indicated that the carrying amount of the finite-lived intangible assets were not recoverable.
Business Combinations
Business Combinations
Accounting for business combinations requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. We allocate the purchase consideration to identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, with any consideration transferred in excess of these fair values recorded as goodwill. Contingent consideration obligations, typically associated with future revenue performance targets by the acquiree, are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date, generally as part of the purchase consideration. These arrangements are carried at fair value as of each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. During the measurement period, which does not exceed one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the provisional amounts recognized, with a corresponding offset to goodwill. The results of operations of businesses acquired by the Company are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income from their respective dates of acquisition.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2025, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2025-11, Interim Reporting (Topic 270): Narrow-Scope Improvements. This ASU clarifies existing interim reporting disclosure requirements by providing a comprehensive list of required interim disclosures and introducing a principle that requires entities to disclose events occurring since the end of the most recent annual reporting period that materially affect the entity. The guidance is effective for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-06, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software. This ASU modernizes the accounting for costs associated with internal-use software by replacing the project-stage approach with a principles-based model for capitalization. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company has early adopted this ASU as of September 30, 2025, and the adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This ASU requires disaggregated disclosure of certain income statement expenses within the footnotes of the financial statements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU enhances transparency in income tax reporting by expanding disclosure requirements for the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company has adopted ASU 2023-09 in the current year and applied such adoption on a prospective basis. See Note 12 for the expanded disclosures required under this accounting update.