CEO Julie Sweet says Accenture is hiring additional entry-level positions worldwide

Accenture is ramping up hiring for entry-level roles across global markets this year, pushing back against concerns that artificial intelligence will significantly reduce junior job opportunities. Chief executive Julie Sweet said the company plans to recruit more fresh graduates than it did last year, highlighting that early-career talent is increasingly well-equipped for an AI-driven workplace.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by Bob Safian, Sweet noted that recent college graduates are often more comfortable working with AI tools than employees who joined the workforce a few years ago. She said their everyday exposure to AI technologies gives them a natural advantage, making them highly relevant in the evolving job landscape.

Rather than eliminating roles, Accenture is restructuring them to align with automation. The company has been redesigning jobs by removing repetitive tasks that can be handled by AI, while emphasising human-centric skills such as problem-solving, communication and strategic thinking. Sweet stressed that entry-level roles remain critical, as they form the foundation for building future experienced talent within the organisation.

To support this transition, Accenture has revamped its training programmes for new hires, placing greater focus on combining AI fluency with core professional skills. The company is also working to ensure that leadership teams, not just technical staff, understand how AI can transform business processes. Sweet described leadership learning as a key factor in unlocking the full potential of an AI-first strategy.

She added that becoming an AI-first organisation requires a fundamental shift in mindset—encouraging teams to first evaluate whether a task can be performed by AI, rather than following traditional approaches. However, she cautioned that simply deploying advanced AI tools without rethinking existing workflows may deliver only limited benefits.

Accenture’s clients, she said, are increasingly focusing on streamlining fragmented processes and standardising operations before integrating AI solutions. This approach allows businesses to extract greater value, rather than merely layering AI onto inefficient systems.

The company’s strong push into AI is already reflected in its financial performance. In the first quarter of FY26, Accenture recorded $2.2 billion in advanced AI bookings, marking a sharp year-on-year increase of over 75%, while AI-driven revenues rose about 120% to $1.1 billion. For FY25 so far, the company has secured $11.5 billion worth of AI-related work across approximately 11,000 projects, generating around $4.8 billion in revenue.

Overall, Accenture reported quarterly revenue of $18.7 billion, up 5% year-on-year in constant currency terms, exceeding market expectations. The company maintained its FY26 revenue growth guidance of 2–5%, factoring in a modest impact from its US federal business and contributions from acquisitions.

Among its business segments, consulting revenue grew 3% year-on-year, while managed services expanded faster at 7%, reflecting sustained demand for outsourcing-led deals. Sector-wise, financial services emerged as a key growth driver, registering a 12% increase, indicating strong momentum in one of Accenture’s largest verticals.