Brianna ParkerAccenture is a professional services company based in Dublin, Ireland, specializing in IT services and consulting. The company was founded in 1989 by Clarence DeLanyand expanded its clientele to include three-quarters of Fortune Global 500 companies and 91 Fortune-100 firms.
Thousands of public and private corporations rely on Accenture to accelerate digital transformation. The firm hired additional staff in 2021, increasing its workforce from 624,000 to 699,000 people as of Mar 2022. In 2021, Accenture reported a 14% increase in revenue to $50.5 billion.[1]
Accenture offers its services under four business segments: Strategy and Consulting, Digital and Interactive, Technology, and Operations. The firm acquiredImaginea Tech, Cygni, and Trivadis AG in 2021 andAvieco and Akzente in 2022.
In Apr 2022, Accenture rebranded its Digital and Interactive division to Accenture Song to consolidate all five acquisitions under one brand. The company serves organizations in over 120 countries through its Advanced Tech and Intelligent Ops centers.
In 2021, Accenture was ranked No. 169 on the Forbes Global 2000, No. 258 on the Fortune Global 500 list, and No. 2 in the Top 50 Companies by DiversityInc. And in Apr 2022, it was recognized as a top 10 Great Place to Work in six countries, including the US, Argentina, Brazil, France, Japan, and the Philippines. But Accenture faces stiff competition from IBM, PwC, TCS, Capgemini, Deloitte, and Cognizant. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of top Accenture’scompetitors and alternatives:
1. IBM
Year founded: 1911
Headquarter: Armonk, New York
IBM is a leading computer and technology company with a global presence. The company offers IT solutions and consulting services ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology.
In 2021, IBM had around 350,000 employees. It generated $57.35 billion in revenues, with software and consulting segments accounting for 70% of its earnings. [3]
IBM and Accenture provide IT services and solutions. However, IBM has a more comprehensive product portfolio. Organizations rely on IBM to optimize applications, support mobile development functions, and streamline cloud integration and API management.
IBM serves 47 companies on the Fortune 50 list, while Accenture caters to 91 Fortune 100 firms.IBM is the top Accenture competitor and alternative in the IT services sector.
2. Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC)
Year founded: 1998
Headquarter: London, England, UK
PwC is one of the four largest accounting and audit firms globally. Its services include tax analysis, financial and risk advisory, and assurance. In 2021, PwC had 295,000 employees and generated $45.1 billion in revenue.
PwC’s advisory segment competes against Accenture’s consulting services. Since its founding, PwC has nurtured trust in the financial industry. The firm leverages its knowledgeable resources and central service lines in the sector to solve critical problems.
In 2021, PWC consultants were stationed in 743 locations across 158 countries. PwC is the best alternative to Accenture for tax, assurance, and financial advisory. [4]
3. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
Year founded: 1968
Headquarter: Mumbai, India
TCS is an Indian multinational company that offers IT services and consultation. The firm has 50 subsidiaries and operates in 149 locations across 46 countries. In 2021, TCS had around592,000 employees and generated $25.7 billion in revenue.
TCS partners with the world’s largest organizations in their transformation journeys. The company has been handling ever-increasing data volumes in multiple silos. This approach created several data management challenges for years.
In Jan 2022, TCS partnered with Qlik to build a self-service knowledge and insights discovery platform. This platform democratizes data, allowing 20,000 decision-makers across 70 departments globally to self-serve BI and intuitive visual analytics via the cloud. TCS is an innovative Accenture competitor. [5]
4. Capgemini
Year founded: 1967
Headquarter: Paris, France
Capgemini is an IT services and consulting company. The firm is a global leader in digital transformation and consulting in the technology and engineering sectors. In 2021, Capgemini had about 355,000 employees and generated 18.16 billion EUR in revenue.
Capgemini is at the forefront of innovation and emerging technologies. The firm has set up labs to develop quantum, 5G, and metaverse solutions for its clients. In 2021, Capgemini’s India division grew faster than its global growth.
More than half of its 355,000 employees are in India. So, India plays a critical role in the firm’s current and future plans. In 2022, Capgemini will hire 60,000 new employees in India to acquire top talent in 5G and quantum.
The firm already launched a 5G lab in India in 2021in partnership with Ericsson. Capgemini is the best alternative to Accenture in the emerging technology sector. [6]
5. Deloitte
Year founded: 1845
Headquarter: London, UK
Deloitte is one of the Big Four consulting firms, with PwC, Ernst & Young, and KPMG. The company offers financial and risk advisory, consulting, audit, and tax and legal services. In 2021, Deloitte had around 334,800 employees and generated$50.2 billion in revenue.
Deloitte and Accenture provide IT services to organizations globally. Both companies rely heavily on the North American market. Although Deloitte operates in over 150 countries worldwide, the firm generates half of its revenue in the Americas.
In 2021, Deloitte made $25.2 billion from its operations across North, Central, and South America. The firm has an impressive client list with about 250 innovative firms, including Microsoft, Boeing, Morgan Stanley, Berkshire Hathaway, and GM. Deloitte is one of the top alternatives to Accenture for financial advisory and audit. [7]
6. Cognizant
Year founded: 1944
Headquarter: Teaneck, New Jersey
Cognizant is an IT services and consulting company. The firm assigns professional consultants to each project to help the client business modernize technology, reimagine processes,or transform experiences.In 2021, Cognizant had 318,400 employees and generated $18.5 billion in revenue.
Cognizant expanded its data engineering, AI, cloud, and IoT portfolios by acquiring innovative startups and small-to-medium-sized firms. The company spent $2.5 billion on acquisitions since 2019.
In Dec 2021, Cognizant added Devbridge to its portfolio to expand its software engineering capabilities and global delivery footprint. Devbridge is Cognizant’s 20th acquisition since 2019. Cognizant is one of the fastest-growing Accenture competitors and alternatives. [8]
7. SAP
Year founded:1972
Headquarter: Walldorf, Germany
SAP is the leading German multinational software corporation with around 110,000 employees in 115 locations globally. It develops software solutions that help organizations manage business operations and customer relations. In 2020, SAP’s revenue increased by 2%to €27.8 billion.[9]
The main competitive advantage for SAP is its comprehensive product portfolio. SAP offers cloud-engineered systems, database solutions, and enterprise software, such as CRM, ERP, and HCM.
These products compete against Accenture across the business IT services sector. Organizations can use SAP application management solutions to organize data and run cloud-based apps. SAP is a formidable Accenture competitor.
8. DXC Technology
Year founded: 2017
Headquarter: Ashburn, Virginia
DXC Technology is an American multinational IT service and consulting company. It helps client businesses modernize IT assets, optimize data architectures, and run mission-critical systems and operations more efficiently. In 2021, DXC had 138,000 employees and made $17.7 billion in revenue. [10]
DXC Technology enables digital modification journeys for its clients in more than 71 countries. The world’s largest companies rely on DXC’s services across the Enterprise Technology Stack to improve customer experiences and boost performance and competitiveness.
Its solutions and IT consulting services help businesses ensure security and scalability across public, private, and hybrid clouds. DXC Technology is one of the best alternatives to Accenture for modernizing IT assets.
9. McKinsey & Co.
Year founded: 1926
Headquarter: New York City, New York
McKinsey is an American management consulting firm. Its services help client companies address organizational, operational, and technological issues. In 2021, McKinsey & Co had around 27,000 experienced consultants working in 150 offices across 70 countries globally. The firm makes about $10 billion in revenue annually.
McKinsey offers consulting services focused on technology, commodities, media, and natural resources. The firm undertakes qualitative and quantitative analysis to assess clients’ management decisions and provides solutions to address visualized issues.
Since its founding, McKinsey has served 90 of the top 100 global corporations. The company also advises decision-makers in government. On May 24, 2022, French police raided McKinsey’s Paris office to investigate suspected tax fraud. This allegation can undercut McKinsey’s competitive advantage over Accenture. [11]
10. Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
Year founded: 1963
Headquarter: Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is one of the three most prestigious management consulting firms, with McKinsey and Bain & Co. The company partners with decision-makers to tackle their challenges and exploit lucrative opportunities. In 2021, BCG had around 21,000 consultants and made $11 billion in revenue.
BCG was a pioneer in business strategy in 1963. The firm works closely with its clients to enable sustainable digital transformation that benefits all stakeholders. In Apr 2022, BCG opened a new business services center in Costa Rica called Nexus.
The Nexus will create about 400 jobs in the next two years and expand BCG’s global presence to over 90 offices. This expansion builds on BCG’s successes in cities such as Atlanta, Delhi, and Madrid. BCG is one of the best alternatives to Accenture for management consulting. [12]
11. Bain & Co.
Year founded: 1973
Headquarter: Boston, Massachusetts
Bain & Co. is the third-largest management consulting firm globally after McKinsey and BCG. Itcaters to 90% of the global economy, including public, private, and non-profit organizations. In 2021, Bain & Co had around 13,000 consultants and made $5.8 billion in revenue.
Bain & Co. serves the world’s top corporations, state-owned enterprises, and governments through its 59 offices in 37 countries. Since launching its Johannesburg office in 1997, Bain & Co. Africa has completed more than 350 projects throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
But its Africa division has been dubbed the “KGB of consulting” due to allegations of fueling corruption with its secretive modus operandi. Accenture cannot match Bain’s deep connections in business and politics. Bain & Co. is one of the top alternatives to Accenture for“relationship consulting.”[13]
12. Infosys Limited
Year founded: 1981
Headquarter: Bengaluru, India
Infosys is an Indian IT consulting company founded in Pune and led by CEO Salil Parekh. The firm offers IT solutions, outsourcing services, and business consulting to organizations globally. In 2021, Infosys had 276,319 employees and generated 1.005 trillion INR in revenue.
Infosys helps its clients attain digital transformation and business growth. The company operates in digital, cloud computing, AI, and data science sectors, where the demand for top talent surpasses the supply.
In May 2022, Infosys hiked employees’ raises, promotions, and bonuses to retain its skilled workforce. This move comes after the firm reported 27.7% attrition. Its employees will now get up to a 25% salary hike. Infosys is one of the top alternatives to Accenture for IT services.[14]
13. Genpact
Year founded: 1997
Headquarter: New York City, New York
Genpact is a professional services firm founded by Pramod Bhasin. It helps companies in over 30 countries imagine processes, reinvent operations, and improve business outcomes. In 2021, Genpact had about 109,600 employees and reported an 8% increase in revenue to $4 billion.
Genpact provides services that drive digital-led innovation and transformation at scale. The firm has reinvented thousands of processes for hundreds of organizations, including Global Fortune 500 companies.
Unlike Accenture, Genpact focuses on accelerating the digital transformation to create long-lasting results. Its AI-based platform Genpact Cora combines operational best practices with data and analytics to reinvent processes. Genpact is the best alternative to Accenture for business transformation. [15]
14. WNS Global Services
Year founded: 1996
Headquarter: Mumbai, India
WNS is a leading Business Process Management (BPM) company led by CEOKeshavMurugesh.The firm combines technology, analytics, and process expertise to providebusiness transformation solutions to over 400 clients.In 2021, WNS’srevenue increased by21.6% to $1.11 million.
WNS is one of the fastest-growing BPM companies globally. Its BPM solutions include industry-specific offerings, CX services, finance, accounting, HR, procurement, and analytics.
As of Mar 2022, WNS had 52,081 employees across 54 delivery centers. These facilities are strategically located to deliver solutions globally, from India to Turkey, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Costa Rica, and the US. WNS is the best alternative to Accenture for business process management. [16]
15. EXL Service
Year founded: 1999
Headquarter: New York City, New York
EXL Service is an analytics and digital solutions company founded by Vikram Talwar. The firm has 50 offices across six continents and serves several industries, including insurance, healthcare, financial, media, and retail. In 2021, EXL had 37,400 employees and generated $1.12 billion in revenue.
EXL partners with clients to improve business outcomes and maximize their growth potential. The company combines domain expertise with data, analytics, cloud, AI, and ML to create scalable solutions.
Organizations rely on EXL to execute complex business processes, improve decision-making, and transform operating models. In Apr 2022, EXL was named a top insurance service provider in HFS’ Top 10 Insurance Services report. EXL Service is one of the best alternatives to Accenture.[17]
References & more information
one of the best alternatives to Accenture for management consulting.
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