Accenture

Accenture plc is a leading global professional services firm headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. It offers a wide spectrum of services in management consulting, technology, and outsourcing. Originally part of Arthur Andersen in the United States, it became independent in 1989 and rebranded in 2001. Moreover, as a Fortune Global 500 company, Accenture reported revenues of approximately US $64.9 billion in 2024. Its operating income reached US $9.6 billion, and net income US $7.42 billion.

Historical evolution

Accenture traces its roots to the early computing era in the 1950s. At that time, the business and technology consulting arm of Arthur Andersen executed one of the first commercial computer implementations. Specifically, it installed a UNIVAC I at General Electric’s Appliance Park. In 1989, that consulting unit formally separated as Andersen Consulting. However, after a legal settlement in 2000, Andersen Consulting paid US $1.2 billion and became independent. On January 1, 2001, the company rebranded as Accenture. The new name encapsulated the idea of an “accent on the future.”

Service offerings and global reach

Today, Accenture serves clients across more than 120 countries. Furthermore, its workforce expanded from roughly 774,000 employees in 2024 to around 801,000 by mid-2025. The firm’s offerings span strategy & consulting, technology, operations, industry X, and Accenture Song. The latter is its creative and marketing arm, driven by purpose and innovation.

In addition, the company emphasizes delivering “360° value.” This means balancing outcomes for clients, communities, shareholders, and partners. It does so through a robust ecosystem of technology alliances and deep industry expertise.

Leadership and culture

Accenture regularly features on prestigious workplace rankings. For example, it appears in Fortune’s world’s most admired companies, Great Place to Work’s world’s best workplaces, and Forbes’ world’s best management consulting firms. Its corporate culture emphasizes inclusion, diversity, and shared success. These values are seen as key drivers of innovation and performance.

Furthermore, Julie Sweet has served as chair and CEO since 2019. She became chair in 2021. Sweet has been recognized among the most powerful women in business. She also championed gender parity, originally targeting equal staff representation by 2025. However, certain benchmarks were paused in early 2025.

Strategic growth and innovation priorities

Under Sweet’s leadership, Accenture has prioritized digital transformation. The main focus has been on cloud, data, AI, and generative AI. By 2025, over 500,000 employees had received AI training. The AI/data workforce grew from 40,000 to approximately 70,000. Consequently, the company generated significant AI-related revenue. It reported US $1.8 billion in the most recent fiscal quarter.

In addition, Accenture has pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy to bolster digital and regional capabilities. In 2025, it agreed to acquire CyberCX, an Australian cybersecurity leader. Meanwhile, additional investments have supported its creative arm, Accenture Song. That division has grown into a US $19 billion creative powerhouse. Its focus is on delivering human-centered brand experiences.

Acquisition of CyberCX — bolstering cybersecurity capabilities

In August 2025, Accenture agreed to acquire CyberCX, an Australian cybersecurity services provider. This has become its largest cybersecurity acquisition to date. CyberCX was founded in 2019 through the merger of 12 firms, backed by BGH Capital. Since then, it has grown to employ about 1,400 people. The company operates advanced security operations centers across Australia and New Zealand. It also maintains offices in London and New York.

Estimates of the deal value vary. Some sources cite more than A$1 billion (about US $650 million). Others reference figures exceeding US $1 billion. Regardless of the exact figure, the acquisition is strategically significant for Accenture. It enhances its cybersecurity portfolio in the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, it enables integration of Accenture’s AI capabilities with CyberCX’s strong market leadership. The company also brings innovative platform offerings and trusted relationships with C-suite and government entities.

In addition, CyberCX offers a comprehensive cybersecurity suite. This includes detection and response, sovereign secure cloud, and the CyberCX Academy for training. It also provides proprietary security testing tools and cyber intelligence capabilities. Importantly, the acquisition comes amid escalating cyber threats in Australia. For example, recent attacks on Optus, Medibank, and Qantas highlight the urgency. Data also shows that 97% of Australian organizations are underprepared for AI-driven cyber risks.

Since 2015, Accenture has completed around 20 cybersecurity-focused acquisitions. Therefore, CyberCX marks a pivotal expansion in its cyber defense strategy.

Competitors and market position

Accenture is among the top players in global consulting. It competes with the “big three” strategy firms: McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Bain & Company. However, its model is anchored in technology and operations. This gives Accenture a scalable delivery model and strong digital capabilities.

Conclusion

Accenture combines strategic consulting and technology-led transformation. Its heritage is rooted in innovation and independence. Consequently, the company’s broad service portfolio, global reach, and inclusive culture place it at the forefront of the professional services industry.

With forward-looking leadership from Julie Sweet, Accenture continues to evolve. Investments in AI and cloud, together with acquisitions such as CyberCX, reinforce its market strength. Therefore, the firm remains committed to delivering 360° value. This means reinventing clients, shaping industries, and preparing for the future.