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Impact of change in accounting policies Statement of operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue |  | $ 591,781 |  | $ 1,169,847 |  |
Reimbursable expenses |  | 160,758 |  | 306,870 |  |
Total Revenue | $ 641,610 | 431,023 | $ 1,261,735 | 862,977 |  |
Costs and expenses [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |
Direct costs |  |  |  |  |  |
Direct Costs, Reimbursable Expenses | 169,313 | 0 | 328,066 | 0 |  |
Direct Costs, Other | 279,913 | 250,044 | 551,752 | 500,503 |  |
Selling, general and administrative expense | 80,936 | 80,833 | 161,851 | 162,222 |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 17,046 | 14,395 | 33,944 | 28,843 |  |
Restructuring charges | 12,490 | 7,753 | 12,490 | 7,753 | $ 7,800 | $ 8,800
Total costs and expenses | 559,698 | 353,025 | 1,088,103 | 699,321 |  |
Income from operations | 81,912 | 77,998 | 173,632 | 163,656 |  |
Interest income | 1,017 | 579 | 1,840 | 1,134 |  |
Interest expense | (3,302) | (3,179) | (7,097) | (6,358) |  |
Income before provision for income taxes | 79,627 | 75,398 | 168,375 | 158,432 |  |
Provision for income taxes | (7,759) | (10,581) | (18,409) | (22,206) |  |
Net income | 71,868 | $ 64,817 | 149,966 | $ 136,226 |  |
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 |  |  |  |  |  |
Costs and expenses [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income |  |  | 2,334 |  |  |
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue | 1,614 |  | 2,845 |  |  |
Reimbursable expenses | 169,313 |  | (328,066) |  |  |
Total Revenue | (167,699) |  | (325,221) |  |  |
Costs and expenses [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |
Direct costs |  |  |  |  |  |
Direct Costs, Reimbursable Expenses | (169,313) |  | (328,066) |  |  |
Direct Costs, Other | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |
Selling, general and administrative expense | 62 |  | 222 |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |
Restructuring charges | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |
Total costs and expenses | (169,251) |  | (327,844) |  |  |
Income from operations | 1,552 |  | 2,623 |  |  |
Interest income | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |
Interest expense | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |
Income before provision for income taxes | 1,552 |  | 2,623 |  |  |
Provision for income taxes | (155) |  | 289 |  |  |
Net income | 1,397 |  | 2,334 |  |  |
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue | 643,224 |  | 1,264,580 |  |  |
Reimbursable expenses | 169,313 |  | 328,066 |  |  |
Total Revenue | 473,911 |  | 936,514 |  |  |
Costs and expenses [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |
Direct costs |  |  |  |  |  |
Direct Costs, Reimbursable Expenses | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |
Direct Costs, Other | 279,913 |  | 551,752 |  |  |
Selling, general and administrative expense | 80,998 |  | 162,073 |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 17,046 |  | 33,944 |  |  |
Restructuring charges | 12,490 |  | 12,490 |  |  |
Total costs and expenses | 390,447 |  | 760,259 |  |  |
Income from operations | 83,464 |  | 176,255 |  |  |
Interest income | 1,017 |  | 1,840 |  |  |
Interest expense | (3,302) |  | (7,097) |  |  |
Income before provision for income taxes | 81,179 |  | 170,998 |  |  |
Provision for income taxes | (7,914) |  | (18,698) |  |  |
Net income | $ 73,265 |  | $ 152,300 |  |  |

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