Accenture Q1 FY26 Results: Workforce Climbs to 784,000
Accenture has reported a robust start to its 2026 fiscal year, delivering first-quarter results that hit the top of its guided range.
The global professional services giant recorded revenues of $18.74 billion, representing a 6% increase in U.S. dollars.
The results were primarily driven by a massive acceleration in “Advanced AI” demand and strong performance in the Financial Services and Communications sectors.
Accenture Financial Results: A Comparative Overview
Accenture’s financial performance in Q1 FY26 showed resilience compared to both the immediate previous quarter and the same period last year.
| Metric | Q1 FY26 | Q4 FY25 | Q1 FY25 |
| Total Revenue | $18.74 Billion | $16.41 Billion | $17.65 Billion |
| New Bookings | $20.90 Billion | $20.10 Billion | $18.40 Billion |
| Adjusted EPS | $3.94 | $2.79 | $3.27 |
| Operating Margin (Adj.) | 17.0% | 15.0% | 16.7% |
Export to Sheets
The company saw a notable 10% increase in adjusted EPS year-over-year.
While GAAP operating margins were pressured by business optimization costs, the adjusted margin expanded by 30 basis points compared to Q1 FY25, reflecting better contract profitability and a shift toward higher-value AI work.
Headcount and Attrition Trends
Accenture’s workforce continues to evolve as the company “rotates” its talent toward digital and AI-centric roles.
As of November 30, 2025, the total headcount stood at approximately 784,000 employees.
- Headcount Comparison: This represents an increase from the 774,000 reported at the end of Q4 FY25 and 742,000 in Q1 FY25. The company has added over 40,000 people to its global workforce over the last twelve months.
- Attrition: Voluntary attrition remained stable and low at 11%, matching the levels seen in Q4 FY25. The current figures represent a significant improvement over the 13% reported in Q1 FY25. This drop signals that a stabilizing tech job market is fostering higher employee retention.
New Partnerships and AI Momentum
The quarter was defined by a surge in “Advanced AI” bookings, which reached $2.2 billion—a 76% increase compared to the previous year.
To support this, Accenture announced several high-profile strategic moves:
- Expanded Alliances: New and deepened partnerships were solidified with OpenAI, Anthropic, Palantir, and Snowflake.
- Strategic Acquisitions: The company agreed to acquire a majority stake in DLB Associates to boost its footprint in the high-growth data center consulting market, essential for AI infrastructure.
- Ecosystem Power: More than 60% of Accenture’s revenue is now driven by its Top 10 ecosystem partners, a segment that is growing faster than the company average.
Accenture Hiring Plans and Outlook for 2026
Management’s comments during the earnings call suggested a strategic rather than “mass” approach to hiring.
CEO Julie Sweet highlighted that the company is approaching its goal of 80,000 AI and Data professionals.
While mass hiring for legacy roles has slowed, Accenture is actively recruiting for specialized talent in Generative AI, Cloud Security, and Industrial X.
The company noted that while “revenue per person” grew by 7% this quarter, this growth might moderate as they accelerate hiring for new skills in the U.S. and Europe to meet the $70 billion addressable AI market.
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