History of Accenture in Timeline

Accenture plc is a multinational professional services company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, specializing in IT services and management consulting. Founded in the United States in 1989, Accenture is a Fortune Global 500 company, reporting revenues of $64.9 billion in 2024. The company provides a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations.

1989: Accenture Founded

In 1989, Accenture was founded in the United States, specializing in IT services and management consulting.

1989: Arthur Andersen and Andersen Consulting Become Separate Units

In 1989, Arthur Andersen and Andersen Consulting became separate units of Andersen Worldwide Société Coopérative (AWSC).

1998: Andersen Consulting Dispute Over Payments

In 1998, Andersen Consulting put its 15% transfer payment into escrow and claimed breach of contract against AWSC and Arthur Andersen due to tensions over Arthur Andersen's competing consulting service.

2000: Andersen Consulting Breaks Ties with Arthur Andersen

In 2000, as a result of arbitration, Andersen Consulting broke all contractual ties with AWSC and Arthur Andersen, paying $1.2 billion to Arthur Andersen as part of the settlement.

January 2001: Andersen Consulting Renamed Accenture

On January 1, 2001, Andersen Consulting adopted the name "Accenture", derived from "Accent on the future", suggested by Kim Petersen.

July 2001: Accenture's Initial Public Offering

In July 2001, Accenture's initial public offering (IPO) was priced at $14.50 per share, and the shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

2001: Accenture Goes Public

Accenture went public in 2001.

June 16, 2002: Accenture Avoids Prosecution in Enron Scandal

On June 16, 2002, Accenture avoided prosecution due to its split from Andersen, while Arthur Andersen was prosecuted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for obstructing justice and accounting fraud in the Enron scandal.

October 2002: Accenture Identified as Tax Haven Corporation

In October 2002, the Congressional General Accounting Office (GAO) identified Accenture as one of four publicly traded federal contractors incorporated in a tax haven.

2003: Accenture Engages in NHS IT Overhaul

In 2003, Accenture engaged in an IT overhaul project for the British National Health Service (NHS).

2006: Accenture Withdraws from NHS Contract

In 2006, Accenture withdrew from the British National Health Service (NHS) contract over disputes related to delays and cost overruns.

May 2009: Accenture Announces Move to Ireland

In May 2009, Accenture announced its board of directors unanimously approved changing the company's place of incorporation from Bermuda to Ireland.

2009: Accenture Incorporates in Ireland

In 2009, Accenture shifted its incorporation to Ireland.

2013: Accenture's Acquisition Spree Begins

Since 2013, Accenture has acquired over 200 companies, expanding its portfolio and capabilities.

2015: Accenture's total returns calculated since 2015

Between 2015 and 2024, Accenture generated total returns (including dividends) of approximately 370%, more than the S&P 500 index itself, Goldman Sachs, etc.

2017: Accenture Partners with The Alan Turing Institute

Since 2017, Accenture has been a strategic partner of The Alan Turing Institute.

June 2018: Accenture Contracted to Recruit U.S. Customs Officers

In June 2018, Accenture was contracted to recruit 7,500 U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers under a $297 million contract, charging nearly $40,000 per hire.

December 2018: DHS Report Criticizes Accenture's Recruitment Efforts

In December 2018, a DHS Office of Inspector General report indicated that Accenture had been paid $13.6M but had only hired two agents against a goal of 7,500, issuing a 'management alert'.

February 2019: Accenture Pays $200 Million to Swiss Authorities

In February 2019, Accenture paid $200 million to Swiss authorities over tax claims related to transfer pricing arrangements.

February 2019: Accenture Content Moderators Report Poor Working Conditions

In February 2019, contractors from Accenture's Austin, Texas, location who performed content moderation tasks for Facebook wrote an open letter describing poor working conditions and a "Big Brother environment".

2019: Accenture's CBP Recruitment Contract Terminated

In 2019, the contract between Accenture and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to recruit officers was terminated.

August 2021: Accenture Confirms Data Breach

In August 2021, Accenture confirmed a data breach resulting from a ransomware attack, reportedly leading to the theft of approximately six terabytes of data.

March 2023: Accenture Announces Job Cuts

In March 2023, Accenture announced plans to eliminate 19,000 jobs of the 738,000 employees over 18 months, citing reduced revenue forecasts.

2024: Accenture's Employee Count Reaches 774,000

As of 2024, Accenture reported having approximately 774,000 employees.

2024: Accenture's total returns calculated since 2015

Between 2015 and 2024, Accenture generated total returns (including dividends) of approximately 370%, more than the S&P 500 index itself, Goldman Sachs, etc.

2024: Accenture Reports $64.9 Billion in Revenues

In 2024, Accenture reported revenues of $64.9 billion, according to its Fortune Global 500 report.

February 2025: Accenture Changes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies

In February 2025, Accenture made significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, including discontinuing global employee representation goals and demographic-focused career development programs.

February 2025: Former Accenture Employee Alleges Child Abuse Content Issues

In February 2025, a former Accenture employee spoke to Vice News anonymously, alleging missed opportunities to protect children while working on Meta's WhatsApp team moderating child sexual abuse images.