Accenture layoffs, on the record
Every job cut, severance charge and restructuring Accenture reported in its annual reports, 2024 to 2026, quoted from the filings. Headcount went from approximately 774,000 to approximately 814,000.
Headcount, as reported
| Annual report | Employees | As of |
|---|---|---|
| 10-K for 2024 | approximately 774,000 | August 31, 2024 |
| 10-K for 2025 | approximately 779,000 | August 31, 2025 |
| 10-K for 2026 | approximately 814,000 | August 31, 2026 |
Job cuts, severance and restructuring
Our summaryBusiness optimization initiatives, primarily for employee severance, were recorded in fiscal 2024 and completed as of August 31, 2024.
Word for word“During fiscal 2024 and 2023, we recorded business optimization costs of $438 million and $1,063 million, respectively, primarily for employee severance.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryBusiness optimization actions to streamline operations, transform non-billable corporate functions and consolidate office space were initiated in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 and completed as of August 31, 2024.
Word for word“We recorded a total of $ 1.5 billion related to these actions, primarily for employee severance, which have been completed as of August 31, 2024.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryBusiness optimization costs for fiscal 2023 were recorded in North America, EMEA and Growth Markets, primarily for employee severance.
Word for word“Total b usiness optimization costs by reportable operating segment for fiscal 2024 and 2023 were as follows: Fiscal 2024 2023 North America $ 68,201 $ 464,879 EMEA (1) 248,724 438,093 Growth Markets (1) 121,515 160,174 Total business optimization costs $ 438,440 $ 1,063,146 (1) During the first quarter of fiscal 2024, we revised the reporting of our geographic markets for the movement of our Middle East and Africa market units from Growth Markets to Europe, and the Europe market became our EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) geographic market.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryAccenture initiated business optimization actions in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, with employee severance tied to headcount reductions made on a compressed timeline.
Word for word“During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, we initiated business optimization actions and recorded $615 million in related costs, which includes $344 million related to a talent rotation that we are making in a compressed timeline, as well as asset impairments of approximately $271 million primarily related to the divestiture of two acquisitions that are no longer aligned with our strategic priorities.” 10-K for 2025
Our summaryAccenture expects to record additional business optimization costs, primarily for employee severance, in the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
Word for word“We expect to record additional costs of approximately $ 250 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily for employee severance, for a total of approximately $ 865 million over the six-month period.” 10-K for 2025
Our summaryAccenture completed fiscal 2023 actions to streamline operations, transform non-billable corporate functions and consolidate office space, primarily involving employee severance.
Word for word“We recorded a total of $ 1.5 billion related to these actions, primarily for employee severance, which were completed as of August 31, 2024.” 10-K for 2025
Our summaryAccenture completed its six-month business optimization program in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and recorded costs in fiscal 2026 and 2025, mainly for employee severance.
Word for word“Business Optimization Costs During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, we completed our six-month business optimization program and recorded $308 million and $615 million during fiscal 2026 and 2025, respectively, primarily for employee severance.” 10-K for 2026
Our summaryThe company recorded a total of $923 million under the business optimization program begun in fiscal 2025, mostly for employee severance plus asset impairments tied to divesting two acquisitions.
Word for word“We recorded a total of $ 923 million under the program, including $ 628 million of employee severance and $ 295 million primarily for asset impairments related to the divestiture of two acquisitions in the Americas that are no longer aligned with our strategic priorities.” 10-K for 2026
Our summaryAn earlier business optimization effort, started in fiscal 2023 and finished in fiscal 2024, cost $1.5 billion, mainly for severance.
Word for word“Costs recorded in connection with business optimization actions initiated in fiscal 2023 and completed in fiscal 2024 totaled $ 1.5 billion, primarily for employee severance.” 10-K for 2026
| Fiscal year ended | Restructuring charges |
|---|---|
| 2021-08-31 | $0 |
| 2022-08-31 | $0 |
| 2023-08-31 | $1.06 billion |
| 2024-08-31 | $438.4 million |
Accenture has filed no restructuring notice (Form 8-K, Item 2.05) since 2016. Companies file one only for a cut they judge material, so many announced layoffs never appear as one. This page shows what the company reported to the SEC, not news reports or state layoff notices.
Read from Accenture’s annual reports (10-K for 2026, 10-K for 2025, 10-K for 2024) and the financial data it files with the SEC, as of 2026-10-16. Every quotation is word for word from the filing linked beside it; how these pages are built and checked. The full record is in its company data sheet.