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Basis of Presentation | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 28, 2025
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of joint ventures of which we are the primary beneficiary and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and expressed in U.S. dollars. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Fiscal Year. We operate on a 52 or 53-week year, ending on the Sunday nearest September 3 0. Fiscal years 2025, 2024 and 2023 are 52-week years. Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although such estimates and assumptions are based on management's best knowledge of current events and actions we may take in the future, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical facts and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable. Stock Split. On July 29, 2024, our Board of Directors approved a five-for-one stock split of our common stock. The stock split had a record date of September 5, 2024 and an effective date of September 6, 2024. The par value per share of our common stock remains unchanged at $0.01 per share after the stock split. All prior-period share or per share amounts presented herein have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split. Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Occasionally, we have bank overdrafts, which occur when a bank honors disbursements in excess of funds on deposit in our bank accounts. We classify bank overdrafts as short-term borrowings on our consolidated balance sheets, and report the change in overdrafts as a financing activity in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Insurance Matters, Litigation and Contingencies. In the normal course of business, we are subject to certain contractual guarantees and litigation. In addition, we maintain insurance coverage for various aspects of our business and operations. We record in our consolidated balance sheets amounts representing our estimated liability for these legal and insurance obligations. Any adjustments to these liabilities are recorded in our consolidated statements of income. Accounts Receivable - Net. Net accounts receivable consists of billed and unbilled accounts receivable, and allowances for doubtful accounts. Billed accounts receivable represent amounts billed to clients that have not been collected. Unbilled accounts receivable, which represent an unconditional right to payment subject only to the passage of time, include unbilled amounts typically resulting from revenue recognized but not yet billed pursuant to contract terms or billed after the period end date. Substantially all of our unbilled receivables at fiscal 2025 year-end are expected to be billed and collected within 12 months. Unbilled accounts receivable also include amounts related to requests for equitable adjustment to contracts that provide for price redetermination. These amounts are recorded only when they can be reliably estimated, and realization is probabl e. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents amounts that are expected to become uncollectible or unrealizable in the future. We determine an estimated allowance for uncollectible accounts based on management's consideration of trends in the actual and forecasted credit quality of our clients, including delinquency and payment history; type of client, such as a government agency or a commercial sector client; and general economic and industry conditions that may affect our clients' ability to pay. Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities. Contract assets represent revenue recognized in excess of the amounts for which we have the contractual right to bill our customers. Contract retentions, included in contract assets, represent amounts withheld by clients until certain conditions are met or the project is completed, which may extend beyond one year. Contract liabilities represent the amount of cash collected from clients and billings to clients on contracts in advance of work performed and revenue recognized. The majority of these amounts are expected be earned within 12 months and are classified as current liabilities. Prepaid and Other Current Assets. Prepaid assets consist primarily of payments for insurance and software costs and are amortized over the estimated period of benefit. Other current assets include primarily sales/services and use tax receivables from our U.S and foreign operations. Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are recorded at cost and d epreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from our consolidated balance sheets and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in our consolidated statements of income. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Generally, estimated useful lives range from three to seven years for equipment, furniture and fixtures. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease term. Assets held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount (i.e., net book value) and fair value less cost to sell, and are reported within "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" on our consolidated balance sheets. Once assets are classified as held for sale, they are no longer depreciated. Long-Lived Assets. We evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived assets when the facts and circumstances suggest that the assets may be impaired. This assessment is performed based on the estimated undiscounted cash flows compared to the carrying value of the assets. If the future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) are less than the carrying value, a write-down would be recorded to reduce the related asset to its estimated fair value. Leases. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets, and current and long-term operating lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Our finance leases are reported in "Other long-term assets", "Other current liabilities" and "Other long-term liabilities" on our consolidated balance sheet. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, incremental borrowing rates are used based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset at the commencement date also includes any lease payments made to the lessor at or before the commencement date and initial direct costs less lease incentives received. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We recognize a liability for contra ct termination costs associated with an exit activity for costs that will continue to be incurred under a lease for its remaining term without economic benefit to us, initially measured at its fair value at the cease-use date. The fair value is determined based on the remaining lease rentals, adjusted for the effects of any prepaid or deferred items recognized under the lease, and reduced by estimated sublease rentals. Business Combinations. The cost of an acquired company is assigned to the tangible and intangible assets purchased and the liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. The determination of fair values of these assets and liabilities requires us to make estimates and use valuation techniques when a market value is not readily available. Any excess of purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired is allocated to goodwill. Goodwill typically represents the value paid for the assembled workforce and enhancement of our service offerings. Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred. Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business acquisition. Following an acquisition, we perform an analysis to value the acquired company's tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities. With respect to identifiable intangible assets, we consider backlog, non-compete agreements, client relations, trade names, patents and other assets. We amortize our intangible assets based on the period over which the contractual or economic benefits of the intangible assets are expected to be realized. We assess the recoverability of the unamortized balance of our intangible assets when indicators of impairment are present based on expected future profitability and undiscounted expected cash flows and their contribution to our overall operations. Should the review indicate that the carrying value is not fully recoverable, the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of the intangible assets would be recognized as an impairment loss. We test our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, and more frequently when an event occurs, or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. We believe the methodology that we use to review impairment of goodwill, which includes a significant amount of judgment and estimates, provides us with a reasonable basis to determine whether impairment has occurred. However, many of the factors employed in determining whether our goodwill is impaired are outside of our control and it is reasonably likely that assumptions and estimates will change in future periods. These changes could result in future impairments. We perform our annual goodwill impairment review at the beginning of our fiscal fourth qu arter. Our last annual review was performed at June 30, 2025 (i.e., the first day of our fiscal fourth quarter). In addition, we regularly evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that may indicate a potential change in recoverability of goodwill. We perf orm interim goodwill impairment reviews between our annual reviews if certain events and circumstances have occurred, including a deterioration in general economic conditions, an increased competitive environment, a change in management, key personnel, strategy or customers, negative or declining cash flows or a decline in actual or planned revenue or earnings compared with actual and projected results of relevant prior periods. We assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. Our operating segments are the same as our reportable segments and our reporting units for goodwill impairment testing are the components one level below our reportable segments. These components constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and where segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. We aggregate components within an operating segment that have similar economic characteristics. The impairment test for goodwill involves the comparison of the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to the reporting unit's carrying value, including goodwill. We estimate the fair value of reporting units based on a comparison and weighting of the income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method and the market approach, which estimates the fair value of our reporting units based upon comparable market prices and recent transactions and also validates the reasonableness of the multiples from the income approach. The development of the present value of future cash flow projections includes assumptions and estimates derived from a review of our expected revenue growth rates, operating profit margins, discount rates and the terminal growth rate. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired. However, if its carrying value exceeds its fair value, our goodwill is impaired, and we are required to record a non-cash charge that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. An impairment loss recognized, if any, should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Contingent Consideration. Most of our acquisition agreements include contingent earn-out arrangements, which are generally based on the achievement of future operating income thresholds. The contingent earn-out arrangements are based upon our valuations of the acquired companies and reduce the risk of overpaying for acquisitions if the projected financial results are not achieved. The fair values of these earn-out arrangements are included as part of the purchase price of the acquired companies on their respective acquisition dates. For each transaction, we estimate the fair value of contingent earn-out payments as part of the initial purchase price and record the estimated fair value of contingent consideration as a liability in "Current contingent earn-out liabilities" and "Long-term contingent earn-out liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets. We consider several factors when determining that contingent earn-out liabilities are part of the purchase price, including the following: (1) the valuation of our acquisitions is not supported solely by the initial consideration paid, and the contingent earn-out formula is a critical and material component of the valuation approach to determining the purchase price; and (2) the former owners of acquired companies that remain as key employees receive compensation other than contingent earn-out payments at a reasonable level compared with the compensation of our other key employees. The contingent earn-out payments are not affected by employment termination. We measure our contingent earn-out liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We use a probability weighted discounted income approach as a valuation technique to convert future estimated cash flows to a single present value amount. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements are operating income projections over the earn-out period (generally three or five years) and the probability outcome percentages we assign to each scenario. Significant increases or decreases to either of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower liability, with a higher liability capped by the contractual maximum of the contingent earn-out obligation. Ultimately, the liability will be equivalent to the amount paid, and the difference between the fair value estimate and amount paid will be recorded in earnings. The amount paid that is less than or equal to the contingent earn-out liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Any amount paid in excess of the contingent earn-out liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in operating activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. We review and reassess the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could differ materially from the initial estimates. Changes in the estimated fair value of our contingent earn-out liabilities related to the time component of the present value calculation are reported in interest expense. Adjustments to the estimated fair value related to changes in all other unobservable inputs are reported in operating income. Other Current Liabilities. Other current liabilities consist primarily of accrued insurance, contingent liabilities, sales/services and use taxes due to our U.S. and foreign operations, other tax accruals and accrued professional fees. Fair Value of Financial Instruments. We determine the fair values of our financial instruments, including short-term investments, debt instruments, derivative instruments and pension plan assets bas ed on inputs or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. We categorize our instruments using a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. The classification of a financial asset or liability within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair values based on their short-term nature. The carrying amounts of our revolving credit facility approximates fair value because the interest rates are based upon variable reference rates. Certain other assets and liabilities, such as contingent earn-out liabilities and amounts related to cash-flow hedges, are required to be carried in our consolidated financial statements at fair value. Our fair value measurement methods may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Although we believe our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those used by other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. Derivative Financial Instruments. We account for our derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities and carry them at fair value. For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity and reclassified into income in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized in current income. To receive hedge accounting treatment, cash flow hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to expected future cash flows on hedged transactions. The net gain or loss on the effective portion of a derivative instrument that is designated as an economic hedge of the foreign currency translation exposure generated by the re-measurement of certain assets and liabilities denominated in a non-functional currency in a foreign operation is reported in the same manner as a foreign currency translation adjustment. Accordingly, any gains or losses related to these derivative instruments are recognized in current income. Derivatives that do not qualify as hedges are adjusted to fair value through current income. Deferred Compensation. We maintain a non-qualified defined contribution supplemental retirement plan for certain key employees and non-employee directors that is accounted for in accordance with applicable authoritative guidance on accounting for deferred compensation arrangements where amounts earned are held in a rabbi trust and invested. Employee deferrals are deposited into a rabbi trust, and the funds are generally invested in individual variable life insurance contracts that we own and are specifically designed to informally fund savings plans of this nature. Our consolidated balance sheets reflect our investment in variable life insurance contracts in "Other long-term assets." Our obligation to participating employees is reflected in "Other long-term liabilities." The net gains and losses related to the deferred compensation plan are reported as part of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our consolidated statements of income. Pension Plan. We assumed a defined benefit pension plan from an acquisition. We calculate the market-related value of assets, which is used to determine the return-on-assets component of annual pension expense and the cumulative net unrecognized gain or loss subject to amortization. This calculation reflects our anticipated long-term rate of return and amortization of the difference between the actual return (including capital, dividends, and interest) and the expected return. Cumulative net unrecognized gains or losses that exceed 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the fair market-related value of plan assets are subject to amortization. Income Taxes. We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. In addition, we file other returns that are required in the states, foreign jurisdictions and other jurisdictions in which we do business. We account for certain income and expense items differently for financial reporting and income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed for the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to reverse. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management reviews both positive and negative evidence, including current and historical results of operations, future income projections, scheduled reversals of deferred tax amounts, availability of carrybacks and potential tax planning strategies. Based on our assessment, we have concluded that a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. According to the authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. This guidance also addresses de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and disclosure requirements for uncertain tax positions. Assets and Liabilities Held-for-Sale. We classify assets as held-for-sale in the period when the following conditions are met: (i) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the disposal group; (ii) the disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such disposal group; (iii) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the disposal group have been initiated; (iv) the sale of the disposal group is probable, and transfer of the disposal group is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year, except if events or circumstances beyond our control extend the period of time required to sell the disposal group beyond one year; (v) the disposal group is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (vi) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. The disposal group that is classified as held-for-sale is initially measured at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell. The fair value of a disposal group less any costs to sell is assessed each reporting period it remains classified as held-for-sale and any subsequent change is reported as an adjustment to the carrying value of the disposal group, as long as the new carrying value does not exceed the carrying value of the asset at the time it was initially classified as held-for-sale. Upon determining that a disposal group meets the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale, we report the assets and liabilities of the disposal group as held-for-sale in our consolidated balance sheets. Once assets are classified as held for sale, they are no longer depreciated. Concentration of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that subject us to credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and net accounts receivable. In the event that we have surplus cash, we place our temporary cash investments with lower risk financial institutions and, by policy, limit the amount of investment exposure to any one financial institution. Approximately 27% of accounts receivable were due from various agencies of the U.S. federal government at fiscal 2025 year-end. The remaining accounts receivable are generally diversified due to the large number of organizations comprising our client base and their geographic dispersion. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and maintain an allowance for potential credit losses. Approximately 32%, 14%, 17% and 37% of our fiscal 2025 revenue was generated from our U.S. federal government, U.S. state and local government, U.S. commercial and international clients, respectively. Foreign Currency Translation. We determine the fu nctional currency of our foreign operating units based upon the primary currency in which they operate. These operating units maintain their accounting records in their local currency, primarily Australian and Canadian dollars, British pounds, and Euros. Where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, translation of assets and liabilities to U.S. dollars is based on exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Translation of revenue and expenses to U.S. dollars is based on the average rate during the period. Translation gains or losses are reported as a component of other comprehensive income. Gains or losses from foreign currency transactions are included in income from operations. Recently Issued Accounting Pro nouncements In September 2025, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2025-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software, which clarifies and modernizes the accounting for costs related to internal-use software guidance in subtopic 350-40. The guidance removes all references to project stages throughout Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350-40 and clarifies the threshold entities apply to begin capitalizing costs. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027 (fiscal 2029 for us). Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements; however, we do not plan to adopt it before fiscal 2029. In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-05, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Loss for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets, which provides a practical expedient (for all entities) and an accounting policy election (for all entities, other than public business entities, that elect the practical expedient) related to the estimation of expected credit losses for current accounts receivable and current contract assets that arise from transactions accounted for under ASC Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers". The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025 (fiscal 2027 for us). Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements; however, we do not plan to adopt it before fiscal 2027. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improve ments to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires that an entity report segment information in accordance with Topic 280, Segment Reporting. The amendments in the ASU are intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 (fiscal 2025 year-end for us), and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 (first quarter of fiscal 2026 for us). The related disclosures are included in Note 19, "Reportable Segments". In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires that an entity, on an annual basis, disclose additional income tax information, primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The amendments in the ASU are intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 (fiscal 2026 for us). Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement (Topic 220): Reporting Comprehensive Income. ASU 2024-03 does not change or remove current expense presentation requirements within the consolidated statements of income. However, the amendments require disclosure, on an annual and interim basis, of disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items within the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 (fiscal 2028 for us), and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027 (first quarter of fiscal 2029 for us). Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of t his ASU will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-04, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments, which clarifies the requirements related to accounting for the settlement of a debt instrument as an induced conversion. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, including interim periods within those fiscal years (first quarter of fiscal 2027 for us). Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements; however, we do not plan to adopt this ASU before fiscal 2027.

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