Accenture’s competitors are the Big Four professional services firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), IT services firms such as IBM Consulting, Capgemini and Cognizant, India-based providers such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro, strategy firms such as McKinsey, BCG and Bain, and, in its own words, AI-native companies and clients’ in-house IT teams. Accenture, a business reinvention and technology company, reported revenues of $74.2 billion for fiscal 2026 (year to 31 August 2026), up 6% in US dollars, with about 814,000 people.
In fiscal 2026 Accenture's revenue split evenly: consulting $36.9 billion (up 5%) and managed services $37.3 billion (up 8%). Consultancies fight it for projects; IT service providers fight it for multi-year run contracts.
02
Five industry groups
Products was the largest industry group in fiscal 2026 at $22.5 billion, ahead of Health & Public Service ($15.2 billion), Financial Services ($14.0 billion), Communications, Media & Technology ($12.7 billion) and Resources ($9.9 billion).
03
Rivals name it back
IBM's 2025 annual report names Accenture first among its Consulting competitors, and Cognizant's 2025 annual report lists Accenture among its direct competitors.
04
Price pressure
Accenture says its market stayed competitive and it saw lower pricing in many areas of the business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, while pricing for the full year was relatively stable.
What changed in 2025-26
AI-native rivals in the filing
Accenture’s fiscal 2026 annual report lists technology start-ups, AI-native companies and software companies that can scale rapidly among its competitors, and warns that clients and ecosystem partners are building their own AI capabilities.
Clients build in-house
The same report names in-house IT departments, such as global capability centres (GCCs), as competitors. Cognizant’s 2025 annual report names clients’ GCCs too.
Buying capabilities
In fiscal 2026 Accenture invested $4.9 billion across 17 strategic acquisitions and $1.0 billion in research and development. It says an early decision in fiscal 2023 to invest $3.0 billion over three years in AI positioned it for client AI spending.
Accenture says many of its AI solutions rely on third-party AI models, platforms and infrastructure providers over which it has limited control, which makes those providers both partners and potential rivals.
Accenture's main competitors
Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG
TypeAccounting firms and consultancies
What the filings sayA competitor category in Accenture's fiscal 2026 annual report
IBM Consulting
TypeServices arm of a global technology provider
What the filings sayIBM's 2025 annual report names Accenture as a Consulting competitor
Cognizant
TypeIT services and consulting
What the filings say2025 revenue $21.1 billion, up 7.0%; lists Accenture as a direct competitor
What the filings sayListed with Accenture among Cognizant's direct competitors (2025)
Capgemini
TypeMultinational IT services
What the filings sayNamed next to Accenture in IBM's and Cognizant's 2025 competitor lists
What it means for you
For buyers: compare Accenture with a Big Four firm for advice and with an India-based provider for run contracts; the services are priced differently.
For investors: watch managed services against consulting; in fiscal 2026 managed services grew 8% and consulting 5%.
For operators: ask whether an in-house team or a global capability centre could do the work before hiring any outside firm.
For AI start-ups: Accenture now lists AI-native companies as competitors; selling through it and against it can both happen.
Check older rival lists: IBM's services business now reports as IBM Consulting, and figures for 2020-2022 are years out of date.
The Business Engineer lens
Consulting and IT services are priced on people’s time, and AI cuts the time many tasks take, so the contest moves from headcount to owned assets, models and outcomes. The Business Engineer view is to judge Accenture and its rivals on how much of their revenue still depends on hours and how much on platforms clients cannot easily build themselves.
Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG in consulting; IBM Consulting, Capgemini and Cognizant in IT services; and India-based firms such as TCS, Infosys and Wipro.
How big is Accenture?
Accenture reported revenues of $74.2 billion in fiscal 2026 (year to 31 August 2026) and employed about 814,000 people at that date.
Does AI threaten Accenture?
Accenture's own annual report lists AI-native companies among its competitors and says clients and partners are developing their own AI capabilities.
Is Accenture bigger than Cognizant?
Yes. Accenture reported $74.2 billion in fiscal 2026 revenues; Cognizant reported $21.1 billion for calendar 2025.
The complete explainer, cleaned up and reformatted for mobile.
STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
Accenture Competitors
Accenture's Competitors include global consulting firms like Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG and IT services companies such as IBM, Infosys, and Cognizant. Strategy consulting firms like McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company, and technology companies like Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP are also featured.
Key Figures
Key Metrics
Revenue Accenture generated…
compared to over
compared to over $50 billion…
Accenture Profits Accenture…
Strengths
โ
Limitations
✗Deloitte: A multinational professional services firm providing consulting and advisory services.
✗PwC: A multinational professional services network offering consulting, audit, and assurance services.
✗KPMG: A multinational professional services firm providing consulting, tax, and audit services.
✗McKinsey & Company: A global management consulting firm providing strategic advisory services.
✗Boston Consulting Group: A global management consulting firm specializing in strategy and advisory services.
✗Bain & Company: A global management consulting firm offering strategic advisory services.
Real-World Examples
IbmMicrosoftOracle
Quick Answers
What are the global consulting firms?
Deloitte: A multinational professional services firm providing consulting and advisory services.. PwC: A multinational professional services network offering consulting, audit, and assurance services.. KPMG: A multinational professional services firm providing consulting, tax, and audit services.
What are the it services companies?
IBM: A multinational technology company offering IT consulting and services.. Infosys: A global consulting and IT services company.. Cognizant: A multinational IT services company providing consulting and outsourcing services.
McKinsey & Company: A global management consulting firm providing strategic advisory services.. Boston Consulting Group: A global management consulting firm specializing in strategy and advisory services.. Bain & Company: A global management consulting firm offering strategic advisory services.
Key Insight
Accenture's Competitors include global consulting firms like Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG and IT services companies such as IBM, Infosys, and Cognizant. Strategy consulting firms like McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company, and technology companies like Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP are also featured.
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FourWeekMBA x Business Engineer | Updated 2026
Competitor
Description
Key Insights
Competitive Overlap
Differentiation
Deloitte
A multinational professional services firm providing a wide range of consulting, advisory, audit, and tax services. Deloitte competes with Accenture in the consulting and professional services market.
Deloitte offers consulting and advisory services across various industries, including technology, strategy, and digital transformation.
Both offer consulting and advisory services, competing in areas like digital transformation and technology strategy.
Deloitte’s strong presence in audit, tax, and financial advisory services.
IBM Global Business Services
A division of IBM that offers consulting, technology, and outsourcing services to clients, focusing on digital transformation, cloud computing, and AI. IBM GBS competes with Accenture in the consulting and technology services market.
IBM GBS provides consulting services, technology solutions, and business process outsourcing, emphasizing AI, cloud, and digital innovation.
Both offer consulting and technology services, with IBM GBS specializing in technology solutions, AI, and cloud services.
IBM GBS’s integration with IBM’s technology portfolio and expertise in AI and cloud.
PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
A multinational professional services network known for its consulting, advisory, audit, and tax services. PwC competes with Accenture in the consulting and professional services market.
PwC offers consulting and advisory services across various sectors, including strategy, technology, and digital transformation.
Both provide consulting and advisory services, competing in areas like digital transformation and technology strategy.
PwC’s strong presence in audit, tax, and financial advisory services.
Capgemini
A global consulting and technology services firm that offers services in areas such as digital transformation, technology consulting, and outsourcing. Capgemini competes with Accenture in the consulting and technology services market.
Capgemini provides consulting, technology, and outsourcing solutions, with a focus on digital innovation, cloud services, and data analytics.
Both offer consulting and technology services, competing in areas like digital transformation and cloud computing.
Capgemini’s global reach and expertise in digital innovation.
Cognizant
A multinational IT services and consulting company that provides services in technology consulting, digital transformation, and business process outsourcing. Cognizant competes with Accenture in the IT services and consulting market.
Cognizant offers a wide range of IT services, technology consulting, and digital solutions, with an emphasis on industry-specific expertise.
Both provide IT services and technology consulting, competing in areas like digital transformation and IT outsourcing.
Cognizant’s industry-specific expertise and focus on digital solutions.
EY (Ernst & Young)
A multinational professional services firm offering consulting, advisory, audit, and tax services, with a focus on financial services, technology, and strategy consulting. EY competes with Accenture in the consulting and professional services market.
EY provides consulting and advisory services across various sectors, including financial services, technology, and strategy.
Both offer consulting and advisory services, competing in areas like technology strategy and digital transformation.
EY’s strong presence in audit, tax, and financial advisory services.
KPMG
A multinational professional services firm providing consulting, audit, advisory, and tax services across various industries, including technology and digital transformation. KPMG competes with Accenture in the consulting and professional services market.
KPMG offers consulting and advisory services with a focus on technology, digital transformation, and cybersecurity.
Both provide consulting and advisory services, competing in areas like digital transformation and technology strategy.
KPMG’s expertise in audit, tax, and cybersecurity services.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
A global IT services and consulting company known for its technology solutions, digital services, and business consulting. TCS competes with Accenture in the IT services and consulting market.
TCS offers IT services, technology consulting, and digital solutions, with a focus on industry-specific expertise and digital transformation.
Both provide IT services and consulting, competing in areas like digital transformation and technology solutions.
TCS’s industry-specific expertise and global delivery model.
Infosys
A multinational IT services and consulting company providing technology solutions, digital services, and consulting across various industries. Infosys competes with Accenture in the IT services and consulting market.
Infosys offers IT services, technology consulting, and digital solutions, with a focus on digital transformation, AI, and automation.
Both offer IT services and consulting, competing in areas like digital transformation and technology solutions.
Infosys’s emphasis on AI, automation, and digital innovation.
Wipro
A global IT services company offering technology consulting, digital transformation, and IT outsourcing solutions to clients in various industries. Wipro competes with Accenture in the IT services and consulting market.
Wipro provides IT services, technology consulting, and digital solutions, with a focus on industry-specific expertise and digital transformation.
Both provide IT services and consulting, competing in areas like digital transformation and technology solutions.
Wipro’s industry-specific expertise and global delivery capabilities.
FourWeekMBABusiness EngineerAt a glance
Global Consulting Firms Competition: Accenture competes with renowned consulting firms like Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG, which provide a range of consulting and professional services to clients globally.
Strategy Consulting Firms Challengers: Strategy consulting firms like McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain & Company are competitors, providing strategic advisory services to businesses.
Technology Companies Alternatives: Technology giants like Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP also compete with Accenture, offering software, hardware, and enterprise solutions.
Layout refreshed 6 October 2026. The article text below is unchanged.
Why it mattersFrom the article
AI is fundamentally reshaping Accenture's competitive landscape โ as explored in the strategic map of AI market players โ, with rivals leveraging artificial intelligence to challenge traditional consulting models.
Both offer consulting and technology services, with IBM GBS specializing in technology solutions, AI, and cloud services.
Global Consulting Firms:
Deloitte: A multinational professional services firm providing consulting and advisory services.
PwC: A multinational professional services network offering consulting, audit, and assurance services.
KPMG: A multinational professional services firm providing consulting, tax, and audit services.
IT Services Companies:
IBM: A multinational technology company offering IT consulting and services.
Infosys: A global consulting and IT services company.
Cognizant: A multinational IT services company providing consulting and outsourcing services.
Strategy Consulting Firms:
McKinsey & Company: A global management consulting firm providing strategic advisory services.
Boston Consulting Group: A global management consulting firm specializing in strategy and advisory services.
Bain & Company: A global management consulting firm offering strategic advisory services.
Technology Companies:
Microsoft: A multinational technology company providing software, hardware, and services.
Oracle: A multinational technology company offering database and enterprise software solutions.
SAP: A German multinational software corporation specializing in enterprise software.
Key Highlights:
Global Consulting Firms Competition: Accenture competes with renowned consulting firms like Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG, which provide a range of consulting and professional services to clients globally.
IT Services Companies Rivals: Competitors in the IT services sector include IBM, Infosys, and Cognizant, offering technology solutions, consulting, and outsourcing services.
Strategy Consulting Firms Challengers: Strategy consulting firms like McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain & Company are competitors, providing strategic advisory services to businesses.
Technology Companies Alternatives: Technology giants like Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP also compete with Accenture, offering software, hardware, and enterprise solutions.
How AI Is Changing This
AI is fundamentally reshaping Accenture’s competitive landscape โ as explored in the strategic map of AI market players โ , with rivals leveraging artificial intelligence to challenge traditional consulting models. IBM, a key competitor, has transformed its business through Watson, its AI platform that now powers cognitive consulting services across industries. This AI-first approach allows IBM to deliver faster insights, predictive analytics, and automated solutions that complement human expertise. Similarly, other competitors like Deloitte and PwC are integrating AI tools into their service delivery, using machine learning for risk assessment, process automation, and strategic planning. This shift forces all consulting firms to evolve from purely human-driven advisory services to technology-augmented solutions, fundamentally changing how they compete for clients and deliver value in an increasingly digital marketplace.
In 2022, most of Accenture’s revenue came from Products, followed by communication media and technology, financial services, health and public service, and resources.
Accenture Communications, Media & Technology Business segment is comprised of three main lines of business: communications & Media, Software & Platforms, and High Tech. Among this business line, the most significant contributor is the communications & Media segment, comprising wireline, wireless, broadcast, entertainment, gaming, print, publishing, infrastructure providers, and cable and satellite communications service providers.
Accenture financial services business comprises two main segments: banking & capital markets and insurance. The largest contributor is banking and capital markets comprising retail and commercial banks, mortgage lenders, payment providers, corporate and investment banks, private equity firms, market infrastructure providers, wealth and asset management firms, broker/dealers, depositories, exchanges, clearing and settlement organizations, and other diversified financial enterprises.
The Accenture Products Business comprises three segments: Consumer Goods, Retail & Travel Services, and Industrial and Life Sciences. The largest revenue contribution comes from the consumer goods segment comprising food and beverage, household goods, personal care, tobacco, fashion/apparel, agribusiness, and consumer health companies; supermarkets, hardline retailers, mass-merchandise discounters, department stores and specialty retailers; aviation; and hospitality and travel services companies.
Accenture Resources Business comprises three segments: Chemicals & Natural Resources, Energy and Utilities. The largest contributor is the utilities business comprising power generators and developers, electric and gas transmission and distribution operators, energy and energy service retailers; water, waste and recycling service providers.
PWC has three main segments: assurance, advisory, and tax & legal services. In 2022, PWC generated most of its revenue from assurance and advisory, followed by tax and legal services.
Gennaro Cuofano is a CRO and tech executive who has worked in AI since late 2015, starting with bringing NLP, natural-language generation, voice and chatbot products to the marketing industry. His background is in law and finance: he holds a Master's degree in Law and an International MBA with an emphasis on corporate finance (LUISS Business School and the University of San Diego, 2012), and worked as a financial analyst at a real-estate investment firm in San Diego and as an assistant controller. His work focuses on business model strategy, business engineering and, more broadly, structural analysis: how companies make money, read from their own filings. He created FourWeekMBA and leads research there and at The Business Engineer, his newsletter on AI and business strategy, with over 95,000 subscribers and more than 1,000 published analyses. His writing has also appeared on Entrepreneur (for example, How to Digitize a Family Business in Europe) and HackerNoon. Find him on LinkedIn and Substack. See how we source.
