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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation

Forrester Research, Inc. (“Forrester” or “the Company”) is an independent research company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking advice to global leaders in business and technology. Forrester’s products and services are targeted to specific roles, including senior management in business strategy, marketing, and technology management principally at $1 billion-plus revenue companies who collaborate with Forrester to accelerate achievement of their business goals. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Forrester and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Forrester considers the more significant of these estimates to be revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, non-marketable investments, goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes, and valuation and impairment of marketable investments. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The Company has certain financial assets recorded at fair value which have been classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy as described in the accounting standards for fair value measurements.

Level 1 — Fair value based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Fair value based on inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 — Fair value based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and such inputs are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The carrying amounts reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Investments

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Investments

Forrester considers all short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities at the time of purchase of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. The Company’s investments at December 31, 2012 with an auction reset feature were classified as long-term investments at December 31, 2012.

The Company’s investments are composed of securities of U.S. government agencies, municipal notes, corporate notes and bonds, and money market funds. Forrester accounts for all marketable investments as available-for-sale securities and as such, the marketable investments are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses (not related to credit losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Realized gains and losses on securities are included in earnings and are determined using the specific identification method. The Company conducts periodic reviews to identify and evaluate each investment that has an unrealized loss, in accordance with the meaning of other-than-temporary impairment and its application to certain investments, as required under current accounting standards. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than its amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities that are determined to be temporary, and not related to credit loss, are recorded, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income. The determination of whether a loss is considered temporary is based in part on whether the Company intends to sell the security or whether the Company would more likely than not be required to sell the security before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not record any other-than-temporary impairment charges on its available-for-sale securities.
Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Forrester has no significant off-balance sheet or concentration of credit risk such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts, or other foreign hedging arrangements. Financial instruments that potentially subject Forrester to concentrations of credit risk are principally cash, cash equivalents, marketable investments, and accounts receivable. Forrester places its investments in highly rated securities. No single customer accounted for greater than 2% of revenues or accounts receivable in any of the periods presented.
Deferred Commissions

Deferred Commissions

Commissions incurred in acquiring new or renewing existing contracts, which are earned in the month that a contract is booked, are deferred and expensed to operations as the related revenue is recognized. Forrester evaluates the recoverability of deferred commissions at each balance sheet date.
Goodwill

Goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized; however, it is required to be tested for impairment annually. Furthermore, testing for impairment is required on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is more likely than not an impairment loss has been incurred. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Absent an event that indicates a specific impairment may exist, the Company has selected November 30 as the date for performing the annual goodwill impairment test. Goodwill impairment charges have not been required for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Impairment of Other Long-Lived Tangible and Intangible Assets

Impairment of Other Long-Lived Tangible and Intangible Assets

Forrester continually evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate that the estimated remaining useful life of long-lived assets and intangible assets may warrant revision or if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may be impaired. To compute whether assets have been impaired, the estimated undiscounted future cash flows for the estimated remaining useful life of the assets are compared to the carrying value. To the extent that the future cash flows are less than the carrying value, the assets are written down to the estimated fair value of the asset. Impairment charges have not been required for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Non-Current Liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities

The Company records certain liabilities that are expected to be settled over a period that exceeds one year as non-current liabilities. The Company also records as a non-current liability the portion of the deferred rent liability that is expected to be recognized over a period greater than one year. Non-current deferred rent liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $6.7 million and $6.9 million, respectively, and primarily results from the difference between cash payments and the straight-line recognition of rent expense under the Company’s facility leases.
Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of the majority of Forrester’s wholly-owned subsidiaries is their respective local currency. These subsidiary financial statements are translated to U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during the corresponding period for revenues and expenses, with translation gains and losses accumulated as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Gains and losses related to the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency are included in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Forrester recorded $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $1.3 million of foreign exchange losses, respectively, in other income, net.

In addition, Forrester’s German holding companies, for which the functional currency was the U.S. dollar, recognized $0.1 million of remeasurement gains on its deferred tax liability in income tax expense for both the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Effective July 7, 2012 the Company’s German holding companies were merged with the Company’s German operating company creating one German entity for which the functional currency is the euro.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Net Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Marketable
Investments		     Cumulative
Translation
Adjustment		     Total
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)		  

Balance at January 1, 2011

    $ (1,000 )    $ (4,472 )    $ (5,472 ) 

Foreign currency translation

      —        (1,335 )      (1,335 ) 

Unrealized loss on investments before reclassification, net of tax of $41

      (9 )      —        (9 ) 

Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income, net of tax of $8

      (12 )      —        (12 ) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

  

Balance at December 31, 2011

      (1,021 )      (5,807 )      (6,828 ) 

Foreign currency translation

      —        7,419        7,419   

Unrealized gain on investments before reclassification, net of tax of $7

      14        —        14   

Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income, net of tax of $12

      (17 )      —        (17 ) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

  

Balance at December 31, 2012

      (1,024 )      1,612        588   

Foreign currency translation

      —        826        826   

Unrealized loss on investments before reclassification, net of tax of $41

      (111 )      —        (111 ) 

Reclassification adjustment for net losses realized in net income, net of tax of $691

      1,151        —        1,151   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

  

Balance at December 31, 2013

    $ 16      $ 2,438      $ 2,454   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

  

Reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) are reported in gains (losses) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Effective January 1, 2011 the Company adopted Update No. 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements — a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (ASU 2009-13) for contracts entered into or materially modified after that date. ASU 2009-13 updates the previous multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance. The revised guidance primarily provides three significant changes: 1) it eliminates the need for objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered element in order for a delivered item to be treated as a separate unit of accounting; 2) it eliminates the residual method to allocate the arrangement consideration; and 3) it modifies the fair value requirements of EITF Issue 00-21 by providing “best estimate of selling price” in addition to vendor specific objective evidence and vendor objective evidence for determining the selling price of a deliverable. In addition, the guidance also expands the disclosure requirements for revenue recognition. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Forrester generates revenues from licensing research (including our data subscription products), performing advisory services and consulting projects and hosting events. Forrester executes contracts that govern the terms and conditions of each arrangement. Revenues are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, services have been provided to the customer, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue contracts may include either a single product or service or a combination of multiple products and services. Revenues from contracts that contain multiple products and services are allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their relative selling prices; however, the amount recognized is limited to the amount that is not contingent on future performance conditions. The Company obtains the selling prices of its products and services based on an analysis of standalone sales of these products and services during the year. Research services revenues are recognized ratably over the term of the contract. Advisory services revenues, such as workshops, speeches and advisory days, are recognized when the customer receives the agreed upon deliverable and consulting project revenues, which are short-term in nature and based upon fixed-fee agreements, are recognized as the services are provided. Reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as advisory services revenue. Event revenues are recognized upon completion of the event.

Annual subscriptions to our RoleView research include access to all or a designated portion of our research, and depending on the type of license, membership in one or more of our Forrester leadership boards, unlimited phone or email analyst inquiry, unlimited participation in Forrester Webinars, and the right to attend one event. Contracts for RoleView research entered into prior to the adoption of ASU 2009-13 on January 1, 2011 are accounted for as one unit of accounting and recognized ratably as research services revenue over the membership period. Contracts for RoleView research entered into or significantly modified after January 1, 2011 are accounted for as two units of accounting: 1) the event ticket and 2) the remaining research services that are delivered throughout the contract period, based on the new guidance that permits alternative methods of determining selling price as it relates to the components that we do not sell on a standalone basis, such as research services in this case. Arrangement consideration is allocated to each of these elements based upon their relative selling prices, which is based on standalone sales of event tickets and the estimated selling price of the remaining research services. Annual subscriptions to our data subscription products include access to designated survey data products and access to a data specialist, which are delivered throughout the year, and are accounted for as one unit of accounting and recognized ratably as research services revenue over the membership period. For all contracts entered into through January 2013, clients were offered a service guarantee, which gives them the right to cancel their contracts prior to the end of the contract term and receive a refund for unused products or services. As of February 1, 2013 the Company discontinued its policy of offering all clients a service guarantee.
Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period of the individual grantee, which generally equals the vesting period. Cash flows resulting from the tax benefits of tax deductions in excess of the compensation expense recognized for stock-based awards are classified as financing cash flows. The Company is required to estimate future forfeitures of stock-based awards for recognition of compensation expense. The Company will record additional expense if the actual forfeitures are lower than estimated and will record a recovery of prior recognized expense if the actual forfeitures are higher than estimated. The actual expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those awards that vest. In addition, for performance-vested restricted stock units, the Company makes estimates of the performance outcome at each period end in order to estimate the actual number of shares that will be earned. The actual expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those awards that vest. Stock-based compensation expense was recorded in the following expense categories (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2013      2012      2011  

Cost of services and fulfillment

    $ 3,585       $ 3,085       $ 1,644   

Selling and marketing

      1,136         894         751   

General and administrative

      1,330         1,418         1,247   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total

    $ 6,051       $ 5,397       $ 3,642   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

  

The options granted under the equity incentive plans and shares subject to the employee stock purchase plan were valued utilizing the Black Scholes model using the following assumptions and had the following fair values:

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2013     2012     2011  
    Equity Incentive
Plans		     Employee Stock
Purchase Plan		     Equity Incentive
Plans		     Employee Stock
Purchase Plan		     Equity Incentive
Plans		     Employee Stock
Purchase Plan		  

Average risk-free interest rate

     0.85 %      0.12 %      0.85 %      0.14 %      1.25 %      0.13 % 

Expected dividend yield

     2.1 %      1.9 %      1.7 %      1.7 %      None        None   

Expected life

     4.9 Years        0.5 Years        4.5 Years        0.5 Years        3.5 Years        0.5 Years   

Expected volatility

     36 %      22 %      40 %      31 %      40 %      28 % 

Weighted average fair value

   $ 9.21      $ 6.02      $ 9.64      $ 6.90      $ 10.47      $ 7.55   

The dividend yield of zero for 2011 is based on the fact that Forrester had never paid cash dividends until the board of directors approved a special dividend of $3.00 per common share in the fourth quarter of 2010. Dividend yields beginning in 2012 are based on the initiation of a regular quarterly dividend program approved by the board of directors in February 2012. Expected volatility is based, in part, on the historical volatility of Forrester’s common stock as well as management’s expectations of future volatility over the expected term of the awards granted. The risk-free interest rate used is based on the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rate with an equivalent remaining term. Where the expected term of a stock-based award does not correspond with a term for which the interest rates are quoted, Forrester uses the rate with the maturity closest to the award’s expected term. The expected term calculation is based upon Forrester’s historical experience of exercise patterns. The unamortized fair value of stock-based awards as of December 31, 2013 was $12.5 million, with a weighted average remaining recognition period of 2.2 years.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Forrester maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make contractually obligated payments. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company makes judgments regarding the collectability of accounts receivable by specifically analyzing historical bad debts, customer concentrations, current economic trends, and changes in the customer payment terms. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required and if the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to improve, the allowances may be reduced accordingly.
Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and Amortization

Forrester provides for depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, computed using the straight-line method, over estimated useful lives of assets as follows:

 

    

Estimated

Useful Life

Computers and equipment

    3 to 10 Years

Computer software

    3 to 5 Years

Furniture and fixtures

    7 Years

Leasehold improvements

    Shorter of asset life or lease term

Forrester provides for amortization of intangible assets, computed using an accelerated method according to the expected cash flows to be received from the underlying assets, over the respective lives as follows:

 

    

Estimated
Useful Life

Customer relationships

    5 to 11 Years

Research content

    1 to 2 Years

Technology

    7 Years

Trademarks

    1 Year
Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Forrester recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities as well as operating loss carryforwards.

Forrester’s provision for income taxes is composed of a current and a deferred provision for federal, state and foreign jurisdictions. The current provision is calculated as the estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current year. The deferred income tax provision is calculated as the net change during the year in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Valuation allowances are provided if based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Forrester accounts for uncertain tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for recognizing and resolving uncertain tax positions. The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity, and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position. The Company evaluates these tax positions on a quarterly basis. The Company also accrues for potential interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Net Income Per Common Share

Net Income Per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the diluted weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of common equivalent shares outstanding has been determined in accordance with the treasury-stock method. Common stock equivalents consist of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and restricted stock units.

 

Basic and diluted weighted average common shares are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2013      2012      2011  

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

      20,861         22,500         22,666   

Weighted average common equivalent shares

      492         429         498   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

  

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

      21,353         22,929         23,164   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

  

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, options to purchase approximately 0.7 million, 0.8 million and 0.3 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the diluted weighted average common share calculation as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income: Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This accounting standard requires companies to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, companies are required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. This ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. Other than requiring additional disclosures, adoption of this ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial results.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 addresses the balance sheet presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. ASU 2013-11 requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for the Company’s fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2014 and impacts balance sheet presentation only. The Company believes the balance sheet impact will not be material.