8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): January 14, 2010

CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Massachusetts	000-24049	04-2372210
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS employer
of incorporation)	file number)	identification no.)

200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts	02116
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 425-3000

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 14, 2010, we issued a press release reporting our financial results for our fourth quarter and fiscal year ended November 28, 2009.  A copy of the press release is set forth as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.  On January 14, 2010, we also posted on our website supplemental financial information, including prepared CFO remarks.  A copy of the supplemental financial information is set forth as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated by reference herein.

The information contained in Item 2.02 of this report and Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01               Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)  Exhibits

Number	Title
99.1	January 14, 2010 press release
99.2	Supplemental financial information

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

	CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Dated: January 14, 2010	By:	/s/ Wayne D. Mackie
		Wayne D. Mackie
		Executive Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer

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Exhibit Index

Number	Title
99.1	January 14, 2010 press release
99.2	Supplemental financial information

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Wayne D. Mackie	Jim Buckley
Executive Vice President, CFO	Executive Vice President
Charles River Associates	Sharon Merrill Associates, Inc.
617-425-3740	617-542-5300

CHARLES RIVER ASSOCIATES (CRA) ANNOUNCES FOURTH-QUARTER
AND FULL-YEAR FISCAL 2009 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Increase in Management Consulting and International Contribution
Drive Performance in Quarter

BOSTON, January 14, 2010 — Charles River Associates (NASDAQ: CRAI), a worldwide leader in providing management, economic, and financial consulting services, today announced financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter, the twelve weeks ended November 28, 2009.

Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $74.6 million, compared with $85.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended November 29, 2008.  GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $2.5 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared with GAAP net income of $1.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

Non-GAAP revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $72.8 million compared with $84.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended November 29, 2008.  Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $3.8 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $6.0 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

A complete reconciliation of revenue, net income and net income per share on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, for the fourth quarters and full years of fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 is provided at the end of this release.

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Comments on the Fourth Quarter

“We concluded fiscal 2009 with a solid fourth-quarter performance,” said Paul Maleh, CRA’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  “We experienced an uptick within Management Consulting as a number of practice areas rebounded from the levels we experienced in the first half of fiscal 2009.  In particular, our Global Industrial Consulting practice produced a strong quarter, generating business across the Middle East, including the recognition of revenue that was previously deferred in that region earlier in the year.    Consequently, our international business grew considerably, accounting for 31% of our fourth-quarter revenues — well above our historical levels.”

“Our results also were supported by a strong contribution from Marakon Associates, which we acquired in the third quarter and whose integration continues to progress smoothly,” Maleh said.  “Marakon performed on plan and is proving to be a great source of collaboration among our combined personnel.”

“We continued to take steps in the fourth quarter to further improve our efficiency and streamline our cost structure,” said Maleh. “We decreased our SG&A expenses by reducing or moving several office locations in the U.S. and overseas.  Due to the actions we have taken in the past two years, we lowered our annual non-GAAP SG&A costs by nearly 22% or $19 million in fiscal 2009.”

Fiscal 2009 Results

Revenue for fiscal 2009, the fifty-two weeks ended November 28, 2009, was $301.6 million, compared with $376.8 million for the fifty-three weeks ended November 29, 2008. Net income for fiscal 2009 was $7.8 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared with $8.0 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in fiscal 2008.

Non-GAAP revenue for fiscal 2009 was $292.8 million compared with $376.0 million for the fifty-three weeks ended November 29, 2008.  Non-GAAP net income for the full year

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fiscal 2009 was $12.6 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $17.8 million, or $1.63 per diluted share, for fiscal 2008.

Comments on Fiscal 2009

“Fiscal 2009 was a challenging year, but ended with some positive momentum in certain areas of our portfolio,” Maleh said. “We took aggressive actions throughout the year, divesting some of our smaller, underperforming assets, reducing headcount, moving and reducing office space, completing a key acquisition, and beginning a new client facing strategy.  CRA has created a scalable infrastructure and we have emerged from fiscal 2009 as a leaner, more efficient, and more focused competitor.  With these efficiencies in our organization, we are poised to realize accelerated earnings growth as revenue growth returns.”

“With regards to Litigation, Regulatory, and Financial Consulting, we continue to see a reasonable level of activity,” said Maleh.  “However, that activity has not translated into increased revenue as many of these large cases have yet to move forward.  Our Management Consulting services are showing signs of recovering from the global economic downturn as client activity has increased and translated into revenue-generating engagements, particularly overseas.”

“Across our practice areas, CRA’s reputation in the marketplace remains unmatched, and we are a preferred provider for many of the services we offer,” said Maleh.  “From a financial perspective, we continue to generate a healthy operating cash flow and maintain a strong balance sheet with considerable cash resources to support our growth initiatives. While overall visibility remains limited, our near-term outlook is cautiously optimistic, and we remain positive about the long-term value of our brand and enterprise.”

Conference Call Information and Prepared CFO Remarks

CRA will host a conference call this morning at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss its fourth-quarter and fiscal 2009 financial results.  To listen to a live webcast of the call, please visit the Company’s website at http://www.crai.com prior to the event’s broadcast.  To listen to the call via telephone, dial (201) 689-8881 or (877) 709-8155.  Interested parties unable to

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participate in the live call may access an archived version of the webcast on CRA’s website.

In combination with this press release, CRA is providing prepared remarksby its CFO Wayne Mackie under “Conference Call Materials” in the investor relations section on the Company’s website at http://www.crai.com. These remarks are offered to provide the investment community with additional background on CRA’s financial results prior to the start of the conference call.

About Charles River Associates (CRA)

Founded in 1965, Charles River Associates® is a leading global consulting firm that offers economic, financial, and business management expertise to major law firms, businesses, accounting firms, and governments. The Company’s consultants combine uncommon analytical rigor with practical experience and in-depth understanding of industries and markets. CRA is adept at handling critical, tough assignments with high-stakes outcomes. The Company’s analytical strength enables it to reach objective, factual conclusions that help clients make important business and policy decisions and resolve critical disputes. Headquartered in Boston, CRA has offices throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Detailed information about Charles River Associates, a registered trade name of CRA International, Inc., is available at http://www.crai.com.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to reporting its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the Company has also provided in this release non-GAAP revenue, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per share, and non-GAAP SG&A.  The Company believes the use of non-GAAP measures in addition to GAAP measures is an additional useful method of evaluating its results of operations.  The Company believes that presenting its financial results excluding these restructuring costs, foreign currency exchange gain/loss attributable to the liquidation of the Company’s Australia and New Zealand-based operations, gain from convertible bond repurchases, and NeuCo’s results is important to investors and management because it is more indicative of its ongoing

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operating results and financial condition.  These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in conjunction with, but not as a substitute for, the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, and the expected results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations to those expected results should be carefully evaluated.  The non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.  Specifically, for fiscal 2009, the Company has excluded certain restructuring costs, the foreign exchange effect attributable to the liquidation of the Company’s Australian-based operations, gain from convertible bond repurchases, and NeuCo’s results.  For fiscal 2008, the Company excluded certain restructuring costs, the foreign exchange effects attributable to the substantial liquidation of the Company’s New Zealand-based operations, gain from convertible bond repurchases, as well as NeuCo’s results.

Statements in this press release concerning the future business, operating results, estimated cost savings, and financial condition of the Company and statements using the terms “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “should,” or similar expressions, are “forward-looking” statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based upon management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties.  Information contained in these forward-looking statements is inherently uncertain and actual performance and results may differ materially due to many important factors.  Such factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made by the Company include, among others, the Company’s restructuring costs and attributable annual cost savings, changes in the Company’s effective tax rate, share dilution from the Company’s convertible debt offering and stock-based compensation, dependence on key personnel, attracting and retaining qualified consultants, dependence on outside experts, utilization rates, factors related to its acquisitions, including integration of personnel, clients, offices, and unanticipated expenses and liabilities, the risk of impairment write downs to the Company’s intangible assets, including goodwill, if the Company’s enterprise value declines below certain levels, risks associated with acquisitions it may make in the future,

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risks inherent in international operations, the performance of NeuCo, changes in accounting standards, rules and regulations, changes in the law that affect its practice areas, management of new offices, the potential loss of clients, the ability of customers to terminate the Company’s engagements on short notice, dependence on the growth of the Company’s business consulting practice, the unpredictable nature of litigation-related projects, the ability of the Company to integrate successfully new consultants into its practice, general economic conditions, intense competition, risks inherent in litigation, and professional liability.  Further information on these and other potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company cannot guarantee any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievement.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

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CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS INCLUDING A RECONCILIATION TO NON-GAAP RESULTS

(In thousands, except per share data)

	Twelve Weeks Ended November 28, 2009															Thirteen Weeks Ended November 29, 2008
				Adjustments to			Adjustments to			Adjustments to									Adjustments to			Adjustments to			Adjustments to
	GAAP			GAAP Results			GAAP Results			GAAP Results			Non-GAAP			GAAP			GAAP Results			GAAP Results			GAAP Results			Non-GAAP
	Results			(Restructuring) (1)			(Bond Buyback) (2)			(NeuCo) (3)			Results			Results			(Restructuring) (4)			(Bond Buyback) (6)			(NeuCo) (3)			Results
Revenues	$	74,582		$	—		$	—		$	1,785		$	72,797		$	85,623		$	—		$	—		$	790		$	84,833
Costs of services	49,966			24			—			493			49,449			56,015			2,309		(4)	—			204			53,502
Gross profit (loss)	24,616			(24		)	—			1,292			23,348			29,608			(2,309		)	—			586			31,331
Selling, general and administrative expenses	18,616			1,785			—			1,484			15,347			22,251			1,619		(4)	—			957			19,675
Depreciation and amortization	2,402			788			—			98			1,516			3,112			992		(4)	—			294			1,826
Income (loss) from operations	3,598			(2,597		)	—			(290		)	6,485			4,245			(4,920		)	—			(665		)	9,830
Interest and other income (expense), net	10			—			282			(37		)	(235		)	1,020			(207		)(5)	1,023			(208		)	412
Income (loss) before benefit (provision) for income taxes, minority interest, and equity method investment gain (loss)	3,608			(2,597		)	282			(327		)	6,250			5,265			(5,127		)	1,023			(873		)	10,242
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(1,111		)	1,239			(116		)	251			(2,485		)	(3,109		)	762		(4)	(423		)	802			(4,250		)
Income (loss) before minority interest and equity method investment gain (loss)	2,497			(1,358		)	166			(76		)	3,765			2,156			(4,365		)	600			(71		)	5,992
Minority interest	11			—			—			11			—			36			—			—			36			—
Equity method investment gain (loss), net of tax	—			—			—			—			—			(275		)	—			—			(275		)	—
Net income (loss)	$	2,508		$	(1,358	)	$	166		$	(65	)	$	3,765		$	1,917		$	(4,365	)	$	600		$	(310	)	$	5,992
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.24											$	0.35		$	0.18											$	0.57
Diluted	$	0.23											$	0.35		$	0.18											$	0.56
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	10,637												10,637			10,551												10,551
Diluted	10,768												10,768			10,681												10,681

(1) During the twelve weeks ended November 28, 2009, the Company incurred pre-tax expenses of $2.6 million and related income tax effect of $1.2 million associated with employee workforce reductions and office space reductions and moves.

(2) During the twelve weeks ended November 28, 2009, the Company repurchased $10.3 million of its convertible bonds at a discount, resulting in a $0.3 million gain on a pre-tax basis.

(3) These adjustments include all activity related to NeuCo in the Company’s GAAP results.

(4) During the thirteen weeks ended November 29, 2008, the Company incurred pre-tax expenses of $4.9 million associated with a series of initiatives designed to reduce the Company’s operating expenses and improve its utilization rate.  The initiatives include shutting down the Company’s Australian- based operations, divesting the Capital Projects practice, office space reductions, and employee workforce reductions.  The following is a breakdown of the $4.9 million (in thousands):

	Cost of services		Selling, general and administrative expenses		Depreciation and Amortization		Total
Employee Separation and Other Compensation	$	1,899	$	445	$	—	$	2,344
Office Space Reductions	—		388		992		1,380
Australia and Capital Projects Practice Divestiture	410		786		—		1,196
Total	$	2,309	$	1,619	$	992	$	4,920

(5) During the thirteen weeks ended November 29, 2008, the Company recognized $0.2 million in foreign currency exchange loss related to the liquidation of the Company’s New Zealand-based operations.

(6) During the thirteen weeks ended November 29, 2008, the Company repurchased $10.2 million of its convertible bonds at a discount, resulting in a $1.0 million gain on a pre-tax basis.

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CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS INCLUDING A RECONCILIATION TO NON-GAAP RESULTS

(In thousands, except per share data)

	Fifty-two Weeks Ended November 28, 2009															Fifty-three Weeks Ended November 29, 2008
				Adjustments to			Adjustments to			Adjustments to												Adjustments to			Adjustments to
	GAAP			GAAP Results			GAAP Results			GAAP Results			Non-GAAP			GAAP			Adjustments to			GAAP Results			GAAP Results			Non-GAAP
	Results			(Restructuring)			(Bond Buyback) (3)			(NeuCo) (4)			Results			Results			GAAP Results			(Bond Buyback) (7)			(NeuCo) (4)			Results
Revenues	$	301,639		$	—		$	—		$	8,861		$	292,778		$	376,751		$	—		$	—		$	790		$	375,961
Costs of services	199,861			1,968		(1)	—			3,980			193,913			251,263			5,219		(5)	—			204			245,840
Gross profit (loss)	101,778			(1,968		)	—			4,881			98,865			125,488			(5,219		)	—			586			130,121
Selling, general and administrative expenses	76,124			3,069		(1)	—			5,382			67,673			92,797			5,373		(5)	—			957			86,467
Depreciation and amortization	8,521			788		(1)	—			567			7,166			12,699			3,688		(5)	—			294			8,717
Income (loss) from operations	17,133			(5,825		)	—			(1,068		)	24,026			19,992			(14,280		)	—			(665		)	34,937
Interest and other income (expense), net	(1,843		)	(390		)(2)	580			(153		)	(1,880		)	2,121			465		(6)	1,023			(208		)	841
Income (loss) before benefit (provision) for income taxes, minority interest, and equity method investment gain (loss)	15,290			(6,215		)	580			(1,221		)	22,146			22,113			(13,815		)	1,023			(873		)	35,778
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(8,090		)	1,967		(1)	(238		)	(243		)	(9,576		)	(13,761		)	3,831		(5)	(423		)	802			(17,971		)
Income (loss) before minority interest and equity method investment gain (loss)	7,200			(4,248		)	342			(1,464		)	12,570			8,352			(9,984		)	600			(71		)	17,807
Minority interest	617			—			—			617			—			36			—			—			36			—
Equity method investment gain (loss), net of tax	—			—			—			—			—			(363		)	—			—			(363		)	—
Net income (loss)	$	7,817		$	(4,248	)	$	342		$	(847	)	$	12,570		$	8,025		$	(9,984	)	$	600		$	(398	)	$	17,807
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.74											$	1.18		$	0.76											$	1.68
Diluted	$	0.73											$	1.17		$	0.74											$	1.63
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	10,608												10,608			10,610												10,610
Diluted	10,718												10,718			10,904												10,904

(1) During the fifty-two weeks ended November 28, 2009, the Company incurred pre-tax expenses of $5.8 million and related income tax effect of $2.0 million associated principally with employee workforce reductions and office space reductions and moves designed to reduce the Company’s operating expenses and improve its utilization rate.

(2) During the fifty-two weeks ended November 28, 2009, the Company recognized $0.4 million in foreign currency exchange loss related to the liquidation of the Company’s Australian-based operations.

(3) During the fifty-two weeks ended November 28, 2009, the Company repurchased $17.3 million of its convertible bonds at a discount, resulting in a $0.6 million gain on a pre-tax basis.

(4) These adjustments include all activity related to NeuCo in the Company’s GAAP results.

(5) During the fifty-three weeks ended November 29, 2008, the Company incurred pre-tax expenses of $14.3 million associated with a series of initiatives designed to reduce the Company’s operating expenses and improve its utilization rate.  The initiatives included divesting or shutting down the majority of the Company’s Australian and New Zealand-based operations, divesting the Capital Projects practice, office space reductions, and employee workforce reductions.  The following is a breakdown of the $14.3 million (in thousands):

	Cost of services		Selling, general and administrative expenses		Depreciation and amortization		Total
Employee Separation and Other Compensation	$	4,320	$	801	$	—	$	5,121
Office Space Reductions	—		3,109		2,842		5,951
Australia/New Zealand and Capital Projects Practice Divestitures	899		1,463		846		3,208
Total	$	5,219	$	5,373	$	3,688	$	14,280

(6) During the fifty-three weeks ended November 29, 2008, the Company recognized $0.5 million in foreign currency exchange gain related to the substantial liquidation of the Company’s New Zealand-based operations.

(7) During the fifty-three weeks ended November 29, 2008, the Company repurchased $10.2 million of its convertible bonds at a discount, resulting in a $1.0 million gain on a pre-tax basis.

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CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

	November 28,		November 29,
	2009		2008
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	106,484	$	119,313
Accounts receivable and unbilled, net	88,222		101,247
Other current assets	35,076		32,555
Total current assets	229,782		253,115
Property and equipment, net	19,050		23,715
Goodwill and intangible assets, net	148,126		145,144
Other assets	25,172		22,691
Total assets	$	422,130	$	444,665
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities	$	79,092	$	110,018
Long-term liabilities	90,141		100,245
Total liabilities	169,233		210,263
Total shareholders’ equity	252,897		234,402
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	422,130	$	444,665

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EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

CHARLES RIVER ASSOCIATES (CRA)

FISCAL FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR 2009

EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENT

PREPARED CFO REMARKS

CRA is providing a copy of prepared remarks by CFO Wayne Mackie in combination with its press release. These remarks are offered to provide the investment community with additional information on CRA’s financial results prior to the start of the conference call. As previously announced, the conference call will begin today, January 14, 2010 at 9:00 am EST.  These prepared remarks will not be read on the call.

Revenue

In today’s press release, we reported Q4 GAAP revenue of $74.6 million, compared with $85.6 million for Q4 of fiscal 2008.  NeuCo contributed approximately $1.8 million to our Q4 of fiscal 2009 GAAP revenue.  Non-GAAP revenue for Q4 of fiscal 2009, which excludes NeuCo, was $72.8 million.  I also want to point out that Q4 of fiscal 2008 was a 13-week period compared to a more typical 12-week quarter in fiscal 2009.  Our GAAP revenue for Q4 of fiscal 2008 included $790,000 from NeuCo.

Looking at our business on a sequential basis — normalizing our performance in Q3, which is a 16-week period, into 12 weeks for an apples-to-apples comparison — our revenue grew sequentially by 12.4% in Q4 of fiscal 2009 on a non-GAAP basis.

Revenue for fiscal 2009, the fifty-two weeks ended November 28, 2009, was $301.6 million, compared with $376.8 million for the fifty-three weeks ended November 29, 2008.  After adjusting for NeuCo’s impact, non-GAAP revenue for fiscal 2009 was $292.8 million compared with $376.0 million for the fifty-three weeks ended November 29, 2008.

Gross Margin

Q4 of fiscal 2009 gross margin on a GAAP basis was 33.0%, compared with 34.6% in fiscal 2008.  Q4 gross margin on a non-GAAP basis was 32.1%, compared with 36.9% in Q4 of fiscal 2008. The decline was principally a result of lower revenue and an increase in reimbursable expenses in Q4 of fiscal 2009.  For the full year, our GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin was about equal at 33.7% in fiscal 2009.  In fiscal 2008, our gross margin was 33.3% on a GAAP basis and 34.6% on a non-GAAP basis for the full year.  Q4 of fiscal 2009 SG&A expenses were $18.6 million, or 25.0% of GAAP revenue.  On a non-GAAP basis, excluding the effects of NeuCo and restructuring costs, SG&A

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expenses were $15.3 million, or 21.1% of revenue in Q4, compared with $19.7 million, or 23.2% of revenue, in Q4 of fiscal 2008.  As mentioned in our press release, non-GAAP SG&A costs for fiscal 2009 decreased by $18.8 million, or nearly 22%, compared with fiscal 2008 due to our aggressive cost reduction efforts and productivity improvements.

Operating Income

GAAP operating income was $3.6 million for the quarter, or 4.8% of revenue, compared with Q4 of fiscal 2008 GAAP operating income of $4.2 million, or 5.0% of revenue.  Non-GAAP operating income in Q4 was $6.5 million, or 8.9% of revenue, compared with non-GAAP operating income of $9.8 million, or 11.6% of revenue in Q4 of fiscal 2008.  The underlying factor here is principally the year-over-year decline in revenue and gross margin.

Interest and Other Income (Expense), net

In Q4 of fiscal 2009, GAAP interest and other income was $10,000 compared to interest and other income of approximately $1 million in Q4 of fiscal 2008.  Both years were affected by our bond buybacks, as well as NeuCo and our restructuring activities; so if we look at it on a non-GAAP basis, this line item was a loss of $235K in Q4 of fiscal 2009 and a gain of $412K in Q4 of fiscal 2008.  The $647K decrease is attributable to a $425K decrease in foreign exchange gains, lower short-term interest rates, which produced less interest income this quarter as compared to a year ago, offset partially by lower interest expense attributable to less convertible bonds outstanding this year.

New Accounting Standard for Convertible Bonds

While we are on the topic of buying back our bonds, I would like to discuss a change in accounting that is going to affect us beginning in fiscal 2010.  Many of you may have seen this already with other companies that have issued convertible bonds.  In Q1 of fiscal 2010, we will be adopting FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 470-20, which was formerly referred to as FASB Staff Position APB 14-1.  The new accounting applies to the convertible bonds that we issued several years ago.  It will have the net effect of increasing our non-cash interest expense.  Going forward, adopting this rule will result in CRA experiencing an incremental non-cash interest expense in fiscal 2010 that we are currently estimating at $1.4 million.  In addition, we will be required to account for a cumulative catch-up for years past that we estimate will be an approximate $6.5 million non-cash decrease in retained earnings through the end of fiscal 2009.  Also, on the date of issuance, the carrying amount of the bonds will be retroactively adjusted to reflect a discount of $12.6 million and deferred financing costs will be reduced by $0.5 million, with offsetting increases in shareholders’ equity of $7.0 million and deferred tax liability of $5.1 million.

Income Taxes

Our GAAP tax provision for the quarter was $1.1 million, or a Q4 tax rate of 30.8% compared with $3.1 million or 59.1% in Q4 of fiscal 2008.  Our non-GAAP tax provision for the quarter was $2.5 million, or an effective tax rate of 39.8%, as compared to $4.3

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million or 41.5% we recorded in Q4 of fiscal 2008.  For fiscal 2009, our tax rate on a GAAP basis was 52.9% and 43.2% on a non-GAAP basis, compared with a fiscal 2008 GAAP tax rate of 62.2% and non-GAAP tax rate of 50.2%.  The lower tax rates for both the quarter and full year reflect improved profit performance in Europe and the Middle East region and the benefit of the tax net operating loss utilization.  The Q4 of fiscal 2009 GAAP tax rate is further reduced by a tax benefit recognized on NeuCo’s loss.

Q4 Net Income

Our Q4 of fiscal 2009 GAAP net income was $2.5 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared with GAAP net income of $1.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the same period of 2008.  GAAP net income in Q4 of fiscal 2009 included $2.6 million in pre-tax expenses and related income tax effect of $1.2 million associated with office space reductions and moves and employee workforce reductions.  Q4 of fiscal 2009 net income also included a pre-tax gain of $0.3 million and related tax provision of $0.1 million related to the repurchase of our convertible bonds at a discount, and a $0.1 million loss from NeuCo.  GAAP net income in Q4 of fiscal 2008 included $4.9 million in pre-tax expenses related to a series of initiatives designed to reduce our operating expenses and improve utilization, and a related tax effect of $0.8 million.  In addition, Q4 of fiscal 2008 GAAP net income included a foreign exchange currency loss of $0.2 million related to the previously reported liquidation of our New Zealand-based operations.  Q4 of fiscal 2008 GAAP net income also included a pre-tax gain of $1.0 million and related tax provision of $0.4 million related to the repurchase of our convertible bonds, and a $0.3 million loss from NeuCo.  Excluding these items from both periods, non-GAAP net income for Q4 of fiscal 2009 was $3.8 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared with Q4 of fiscal 2008 non-GAAP net income of $6.0 million, or $0.56 per diluted share.

Fiscal Year Net Income

Looking at our bottom-line for the year, GAAP net income was $7.8 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared with 2008 GAAP net income of $8.0 million, or $0.74 per diluted share.  And without going through all the individual items again, on a non-GAAP basis, our net income in 2009 was $12.6 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, compared with 2008 non-GAAP net income of $17.8 million, or $1.63 per diluted share.

Key Balance Sheet Metrics

Turning to the balance sheet, billed and unbilled receivables in Q4 were $88.2 million, compared with $79.0 million at the end of Q3.  Current liabilities at the end of Q4 were $79.1 million compared with $69.8 million at the end of Q3.

Total DSOs in Q4 was 97 days as our continued focus on collections proved effective.  This consists of 65 days of billed and 32 days of unbilled, which is consistent with the 96 days we reported in Q3, which included 64 days of billed and 32 days of unbilled.  Our goal is to continue to keep our DSOs below 100 days.

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Cash and Cash Flow

Cash flow was positive this quarter.  Cash and equivalents and short-term investments stood at $106.5 million at the end of Q4 of fiscal 2009, compared with $104.8 million at the end of Q3 of fiscal 2009.  This includes our purchase of $10.3 million of our convertible bonds at a discount.  Net cash flow from operating activities during the quarter was $12.5 million compared with $12.3 million for Q4 of fiscal 2008.

Other Expenses

Our capital expenditures totaled approximately $0.7 million for Q4 of fiscal 2009 and $2.2 million for fiscal 2009, compared to $1.3 million for Q4 of fiscal 2008 and $9.2 million for fiscal 2008.  Depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $2.4 million for Q4 of fiscal 2009, compared with $3.1 million for Q4 of fiscal 2008.  Share-based compensation expense was approximately $2.1 million for Q4 of fiscal 2009 compared with $1.3 million for Q4 of fiscal 2008.

This concludes the prepared CFO remarks.

CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
UNAUDITED OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
COMPARING THIRD QUARTER NORMALIZED NON-GAAP RESULTS TO FOURTH QUARTER NON-GAAP RESULTS
(In thousands)

	Fourth Quarter:
	Twelve Weeks Ended											Difference between
	November 28, 2009		Third Quarter: Sixteen Weeks Ended September 4, 2009									Third Quarter Normalized
					Adjustments to					Normalized		Non-GAAP Results
	Non-GAAP		GAAP		GAAP Results			Non-GAAP		Non-GAAP		and Fourth Quarter			Percentage
	Results (1)		Results		(NeuCo) (2)			Results		Results (3)		Non-GAAP Results			Change
Revenues	$	72,797	$	89,262	$	2,929		$	86,333	$	64,750	$	8,047		12.4	%
Costs of services	49,449		59,036		1,134			57,902		43,427		6,022			13.9	%
Gross profit	23,348		30,226		1,795			28,431		21,323		2,025			9.5	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	15,347		21,744		1,775			19,969		14,977		370			2.5	%
Depreciation and amortization	1,516		2,437		156			2,281		1,711		(195		)	-11.4	%
Income (loss) from operations	$	6,485	$	6,045	$	(136	)	$	6,181	$	4,635	$	1,850		39.9	%

(1)For a complete reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, please refer to CRA’s press release dated January 14, 2010.

(2)These adjustments include all activity related to NeuCo in the Company’s GAAP results.

(3)Normalized non-GAAP results reflect the 16-week quarter ended September 4, 2009 as if it were a 12-week quarter.

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to reporting its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the Company has also provided in these remarks non-GAAP revenue, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP SG&A, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP interest and other income, non-GAAP tax provision, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP net income per share.  The Company believes the use of non-GAAP measures in addition to GAAP measures is an additional useful method of evaluating its results of operations.  The Company believes that presenting its financial results excluding these restructuring costs, foreign currency exchange gain/loss attributable to the liquidation of the Company’s Australia and New Zealand-based operations, gain from convertible bond repurchases, and NeuCo’s results is important to investors and management because it is more indicative of its ongoing operating results and financial condition.  These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in conjunction with, but not as a substitute for, the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, and the expected results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations to those expected results should be carefully evaluated.  The non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.  Specifically, for fiscal 2009, the Company has excluded certain restructuring costs, the foreign exchange effect attributable to the liquidation of the Company’s Australian-based operations, gain from convertible bond repurchases, and NeuCo’s results.  For fiscal 2008, the Company excluded certain restructuring costs, the foreign exchange effects attributable to the substantial liquidation of the Company’s New Zealand-based operations, gain from convertible bond repurchases, as well as NeuCo’s results.  In addition, the Company has provided normalized non-GAAP revenue and operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 on a basis intended to convert the 16-week period to an “as if” 12-week period in order to provide an equivalent comparison to revenue and operating income for the 12-week fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Statements in these prepared CFO remarks concerning the future business, operating results, estimated cost savings, and financial condition of the Company and statements using the terms “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “should,” or similar expressions, are “forward-looking” statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based upon management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties.  Information contained in these forward-looking statements is inherently uncertain and actual performance and results may differ materially due to many important factors.  Such factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made by the Company include, among others, the Company’s restructuring costs and attributable annual cost savings,

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changes in the Company’s effective tax rate, share dilution from the Company’s convertible debt offering and stock-based compensation, dependence on key personnel, attracting and retaining qualified consultants, dependence on outside experts, utilization rates, factors related to its acquisitions, including integration of personnel, clients, offices, and unanticipated expenses and liabilities, the risk of impairment write downs to the Company’s intangible assets, including goodwill, if the Company’s enterprise value declines below certain levels, risks associated with acquisitions it may make in the future, risks inherent in international operations, the performance of NeuCo, changes in accounting standards, rules and regulations, changes in the law that affect its practice areas, management of new offices, the potential loss of clients, the ability of customers to terminate the Company’s engagements on short notice, dependence on the growth of the Company’s business consulting practice, the unpredictable nature of litigation-related projects, the ability of the Company to integrate successfully new consultants into its practice, general economic conditions, intense competition, risks inherent in litigation, and professional liability.  Further information on these and other potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company cannot guarantee any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievement.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements after the date of these remarks.

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