Accenture reported a rise in its employee base during the second quarter of fiscal 2026, pointing to a gradual shift in hiring sentiment after months of cautious workforce management across the technology sector.
The company added 2,741 employees sequentially, taking its total headcount to 7,86,432. This follows an increase in the previous quarter as well, bringing total additions in the first half of the fiscal year to over 7,000 employees. The trend suggests a measured return to hiring as demand visibility improves.
Leadership indicated that recruitment activity is expected to pick up further in the coming months. The outlook reflects growing confidence in business demand, even as macroeconomic conditions remain mixed. Accenture’s hiring trajectory is particularly significant for India, where it has a large talent base and strong delivery presence. Its workforce decisions are often seen as an early indicator of trends across the broader IT services industry.
Attrition during the quarter stood at 13 per cent, remaining unchanged. This stability suggests that employee retention has held firm even as hiring resumes, helping the company maintain operational continuity.
On the financial front, the company reported quarterly revenue of $18 billion. While this marked an 8 per cent increase compared to the previous year, it fell short of market expectations. New bookings grew moderately to $22.11 billion, with contributions coming from both consulting and managed services segments.
In a notable shift, Accenture did not break out artificial intelligence-related bookings separately this quarter, aligning with its earlier communication on reporting changes.
The company also revised its full-year revenue growth outlook upward to a range of 3 per cent to 5 per cent. The update reflects cautious optimism. The steady rise in headcount indicates that large IT firms may be preparing for a slow but steady recovery, particularly in areas such as digital transformation and AI-led services.
