Accenture Defers Vacations, Accelerates Deals

Accenture is racing to lock in business before its fiscal year ends August 31, with CEO Julie Sweet asking employees to defer vacations and help close deals. The urgency comes after a weak Q3, when new bookings fell and Q4 guidance missed analyst expectations—sending the stock tumbling and pressuring leadership to prove the long-term story still holds. The stakes are clear: push hard now to reassure investors, but at what cost to morale and future growth?

But here’s the catch: while Accenture is squeezing every last deal, it’s also lifting the dividend by 10% and doubling down on acquisitions and AI. The board is betting that cash generation stays strong, even as bookings lag and the company juggles a $9 billion M&A agenda. Meanwhile, big bets like the possible acquisition of Volkswagen’s IAV unit and a push into sovereign AI in the Middle East could reshape the business, but they bring new integration and execution risks. If new bookings and mega-deals don’t land, rivals like Deloitte and IBM are ready to swoop in.

Based on reporting from Automotive News, BW People, Consultancy-me.com, and more.

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