EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS [Abstract]

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

(13)       EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

All equity–based awards to employees are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income at the fair value of the award on the grant date. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company recognized total compensation expense of $3.4 million and $10.3 million and $3.8 million and $11.5 million, respectively. Of the total compensation expense, $0.5 million and $1.5 million was recognized in Cost of services and $2.9 million and $8.8 million was recognized in Selling, general and administrative during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized total compensation expense of $3.8 million and $11.5 million, respectively, in Selling, general and administrative.

Stock Options

As of September 30, 2012, there was approximately $0.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost (including the impact of expected forfeitures) related to unvested option arrangements granted under the Company's equity plans. The Company recognizes compensation expense straight–line over the vesting term of the option grant. The Company recognized compensation expense related to stock options of approximately $132,000 and $2,600for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company recognized compensation expense related to stock options of approximately $397,000 and $21,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Restricted Stock Unit Grants

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company granted 519,262and 611,580restricted stock units (“RSUs”), respectively, to new and existing employees, which vest in equal installments over four or fiveyears. The Company recognized compensation expense related to RSUs of $3.3 million and $9.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The Company recognized compensation expense related to RSUs of $3.8 million and $11.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, there was approximately $28.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost (including the impact of expected forfeitures) related to RSUs granted under the Company's equity plans.

As of September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company had performance-based RSUs outstanding that vest based on the Company achieving specified revenue and operating income performance targets. The Company determined that it was not probable these performance targets would be met; therefore no expense was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 or 2011.