Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Note 10. Fair Value Measurements

The following table summarizes our assets and liabilities at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis subsequent to initial recognition and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by us to determine such fair value (in thousands):

	Level	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
Deferred compensation plan assets	1	$	93,310		$	85,589
Corporate and municipal bonds	1	$	52,388		$	51,101
Deferred compensation plan liabilities	1	$	(93,310	)	$	(85,589	)
Interest rate swaps	2	$	2,110		$	1,131
Contingent purchase price liabilities	3	$	(39,896	)	$	(37,574	)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, there were no transfers between the valuation hierarchy Levels 1, 2 and 3. The following table summarizes the change in Level 3 fair values of our contingent purchase price liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (pre-tax basis) (in thousands):

	2018			2017
Beginning balance – January 1	$	(37,574	)	$	(33,709	)
Additions from business acquisitions		(12,361	)		(17,526	)
Settlement of contingent purchase price liabilities		13,329			11,644
Change in fair value of contingencies		(2,574	)		651
Change in net present value of contingencies		(716	)		(430	)
Ending balance – September 30	$	(39,896	)	$	(39,370	)

Contingent Purchase Price Liabilities

Contingent purchase price liabilities result from our business acquisitions and are recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition in “Contingent purchase price liability — current” and “Contingent purchase price liability — non-current” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. We estimate the fair value of our contingent purchase price liabilities using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model. This fair value measure is based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. Fair value measurements characterized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are measured based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and reflect our own assumptions in measuring fair value.

We probability weight risk-adjusted estimates of future performance of acquired businesses, then calculate the contingent purchase price based on the estimates and discount them to present value representing management’s best estimate of fair value. The fair value of the contingent purchase price liabilities are reassessed on a quarterly basis based on assumptions provided by practice group leaders and business unit controllers together with our corporate finance department. Any change in the fair value estimate is recorded in the earnings of that period. Refer to Note 14, Acquisitions, for further discussion of our acquisitions and contingent purchase price liabilities.

The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments, and the carrying value of bank debt approximates fair value as the interest rate on the bank debt is variable and approximates current market rates. As a result, the fair value measurement of our bank debt is considered to be Level 2.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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