3. Stock-Based Compensation

The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the value of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Under this guidance, the Company recognizes share-based compensation ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the requisite service period, which is generally three years. In addition, pursuant to Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, the Company has continued to elect to estimate the amount of expected forfeitures when calculating share-based compensation, instead of accounting for forfeitures as they occur.

Stock Award Plans

The Company's Second Amended and Restated Perficient, Inc. 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the "Incentive Plan") allows for the granting of various types of stock awards to eligible individuals. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers the Incentive Plan and determines the terms of all stock awards made under the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan was increased by 2.0 million shares on June 14, 2017 after the Company's stockholders approved the increase at the Company's 2017 annual meeting of stockholders. Following the increase, the Company may issue stock awards of up to 7.0 million shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Incentive Plan. As of September 30, 2017, there were 3.3 million shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Incentive Plan.

Stock-based compensation cost recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $3.6 million and $11.0 million, respectively, which included $0.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively, of expense for retirement savings plan contributions. The associated current and future income tax benefits recognized were $1.1 million and $3.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Stock-based compensation cost recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was approximately $3.2 million and $10.6 million, respectively, which included $0.6 and $1.9 million, respectively, of expense for retirement savings plan contributions. The associated current and future income tax benefits recognized were $1.2 million and $3.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, there was $15.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of two years.

Restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2016		1,403		$	17.52
Awards granted		379			18.31
Awards vested		(334	)		19.78
Awards forfeited		(119	)		16.27
Restricted stock awards outstanding at September 30, 2017		1,329		$	17.30