Consulting giant Accenture has announced the elimination of more than 11,000 jobs worldwide over the past three months, part of a broader restructuring aimed at reorienting its workforce for an AI-driven future.
Driving Forces Behind the Layoffs
The company says the cuts are concentrated on roles that cannot be retrained for positions requiring skills in artificial intelligence and data. CEO Julie Sweet described this as “exiting … people where reskilling … is not a viable path for the skills we need.”
These changes come as Accenture shifts its focus toward higher-value offerings in AI consulting, data analytics, and digital transformation, while scaling back in areas with weaker demand.
Financial Impact & Restructuring Costs
For its latest quarterly cycle, Accenture recorded $615 million in restructuring charges, mostly in severance and related costs. The total cost of the restructuring program is expected to rise to $865 million over six months.
Despite the downsizing, the company reported a 7% increase in revenue year over year (reaching $69.7 billion) and a 6% rise in net income (to $7.83 billion).
Workforce Numbers & Expectations
By the end of August, Accenture’s global headcount had fallen to about 779,000, down from 791,000 just three months prior. The company says it expects headcount to grow again in the next fiscal year, driven by hiring in AI, cloud, and data-oriented roles.
Accenture also reports that 77,000 employees are now working in AI or data roles — nearly doubling from just two years ago.
Strategic Shift: Talent Rotation and Upskilling
A key element of Accenture’s plan is talent rotation — removing workers whose skill sets no longer match evolving business needs and directing resources toward retraining and upskilling “reinventors.” The company says its primary strategy now is investing in those employees who can shift into more in-demand roles.
Some analysts see the move as a sign of broader trends: businesses trimming legacy or lower-value operations while doubling down on digital, AI, and cloud capabilities.
