Last updated: 27 October 2026
Accenture's big cuts came in late 2025, when it exited more than 11,000 people in one quarter and said staff who could not be reskilled for AI would leave. In 2026 the story turned: headcount grew again, and the company says it will hire more entry-level staff next year. Here is the full picture.
Accenture layoffs timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| Jun–Aug 2025 | 11,419 people exited in one quarter. Headcount fell from 801,099 (Feb 2025) to 779,273 (Aug 2025). |
| Sep 2025 | CEO Julie Sweet said people who could not be reskilled for AI were being exited. Q4 FY25 severance: $615 million. |
| Sep–Nov 2025 | Another $307.5 million in restructuring costs, mainly severance. |
| Feb 2026 | FT reported AI usage now affects promotions for senior staff. |
| 1 Oct 2026 | FY26 results: headcount about 814,000. Accenture plans to hire in every market in FY27, at a lower rate than FY26 and with more entry-level roles. |
What it means for India
Accenture has more than 300,000 people in India, about 40% of its workforce. It has not published India-specific layoff numbers. Given the size of the India base, a share of the 2025 exits was likely in India, but no figure has been reported.
Is Accenture still hiring?
Yes. Headcount grew in FY26, and Accenture says it will hire more entry-level staff in FY27. A planned campus in Visakhapatnam targets up to 12,000 jobs (Reuters). Freshers can start with our Accenture off campus drive 2026 guide and Accenture interview questions.
Severance: what has been reported
Accenture has spent about $2 billion on severance over three years. India-specific terms have not been reported.
Day, Weekday's free AI job agent, finds open roles in India that match your experience and applies when you say yes. All on WhatsApp.
Say hi to Day on WhatsAppHow Day works →If you are affected: what to do this week
- Read the separation letter carefully before signing. Check your last working day, severance, notice pay and leave encashment.
- Ask for your full and final settlement timeline in writing, plus your relieving and experience letters.
- Check your gratuity if you have close to 5 years of service. Our gratuity calculator shows what you are owed.
- Move or keep your PF; do not withdraw it in a hurry. You can transfer it to your next employer.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn the same week. Run your resume through a free ATS check.
- Tell your network. Referrals still move faster than cold applications.
We track every major round in our India layoffs tracker 2026. Numbers marked "reported" come from news outlets and have not been confirmed by the company.
FAQs
Is Accenture laying off employees in 2026?
No new large round has been reported in 2026. The major cuts were in 2025.
How many people did Accenture lay off?
Headcount fell by about 22,000 between February and August 2025, including 11,419 exits in one quarter.
Is Accenture hiring freshers in India?
Yes. Accenture says it will hire in every market in FY27, with more entry-level roles.
How many employees does Accenture have in India?
More than 300,000, about 40% of its global workforce.
Why did Accenture lay off staff?
As part of a restructuring around AI. The CEO said people who could not be reskilled would leave.
