Accenture Cuts 11,000 Jobs, Pushes AI Reskilling

Accenture has slashed over 11,000 jobs globally in just three months, citing weak demand for consulting work and the accelerating push toward artificial intelligence. The company disclosed the workforce reduction as part of an $865 million restructuring program.

At the end of August, Accenture’s headcount stood at roughly 779,000, down from 791,000 at the start of the quarter. Executives warned that many roles could be at risk if employees are unable or unwilling to be retrained to work with AI technologies. “We are exiting on a compressed timeline people where reskilling, based on our experience, is not a viable path for the skills we need,” CEO Julie Sweet said.

Despite the cuts, Accenture reported a 7% rise in revenue for the year to August, reaching $69.7 billion, with net income up by 6% to $7.83 billion. The company said it expects slower growth in the year ahead, projecting a revenue increase of 2–5%, in part due to reduced U.S. federal spending.

As part of its strategy, Accenture plans to double down on AI and data capabilities. The firm noted that its bookings linked to generative AI jumped to $5.1 billion, up from $3 billion previously, and said around 77,000 employees have now been trained in AI or data disciplines.

The restructuring moves reflect a broader shift in the consulting and tech sectors: to stay competitive, firms are pushing staff toward high-value, future-oriented skills — and distancing from roles that don’t adapt.