Accenture is set to promote about 50,000 employees worldwide, by the end of June 2025. Around 15,000 of these promotions will take place in India, while others will be spread across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region and the Americas. The move aims to boost employee morale after a delay in promotions caused by a slowdown in consulting demand.
Originally planned for December, these promotions were postponed as the company adjusted to weakening client spending and increased scrutiny on US government contracts. Now, with market conditions stabilising slightly, Accenture is pushing forward with its plans. The company has informed employees about the promotions through internal communications.
The promotions will affect roughly six per cent of Accenture’s global workforce, which totals about 8,01,000 people. The initiative comes after a challenging period for the consulting industry, marked by reduced client budgets and rising geopolitical and economic uncertainties. Like many consulting firms, Accenture expanded rapidly during the pandemic to meet increased demand, but a slowdown in growth led to job cuts. In 2023 alone, the company laid off around 19,000 employees.
Some employees in strategically-important roles will also receive increases in their base salaries. However, decisions regarding bonuses and performance-linked equity awards are expected later this year, likely in December.
The promotions reflect Accenture’s effort to retain talent and maintain operational stability despite global headwinds. The company is working to strike a balance between financial performance and workforce motivation during a period of economic caution and shifting priorities.