Accenture, the global IT and consulting firm, has laid off more than 11,000 employees over the past three months as part of a sweeping restructuring initiative aimed at aligning its workforce with emerging demands in artificial intelligence (AI).
The company’s headcount dropped from 791,000 in May to 779,000 by the end of August 2025.
The layoffs are tied to a $865 million business optimization program, which includes severance costs and asset impairments.
Accenture has indicated that further job cuts may continue through November, depending on the pace of its talent rotation and market conditions.
Compressed Timeline for Talent Rotation
Accenture Chair and CEO Julie Sweet explained that the company is “exiting on a compressed timeline people where reskilling, based on our experience, is not a viable path for the skills we need.”
This approach reflects the company’s urgency in acquiring AI-related capabilities and its limited tolerance for gradual reskilling efforts.
The restructuring primarily affects roles that cannot be transitioned to support AI-driven services.
While the company continues to invest in upskilling, it acknowledges that it cannot retrain all employees quickly enough to meet evolving business needs.
AI Strategy Drives Talent Realignment
Accenture’s pivot toward AI is central to its long-term strategy.
The company has significantly expanded its AI and data talent pool, growing from 40,000 professionals two years ago to 77,000 in 2025.
The company has trained over 550,000 employees in generative AI fundamentals and is actively coaching staff in agentic AI technologies.
Generative AI projects contributed $5.9 billion in new bookings in fiscal year 2025, nearly doubling from the previous year.
This surge in demand underscores the company’s focus on building digital cores, preparing data, and reimagining processes for clients seeking AI-led transformation.
Accenture Financial Performance Remains Strong
Despite the layoffs, Accenture reported solid financial results.
Revenue for the June–August 2025 quarter rose 7% year-on-year to $17.6 billion, while full-year revenue reached $69.7 billion, also up 7%.
Net income for the year stood at $7.83 billion, reflecting a 6% increase.
The company expects revenue growth of 2–5% in fiscal year 2026 and aims to maintain its practice of expanding operating profit margins by at least 10 basis points annually.
CFO Angie Park noted that the company will generate over $1 billion in savings through restructuring and will reinvest it in workforce development and strategic priorities.
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