Accenture Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2026 Results
Accenture plc (ACN) filed an SEC Form 8-K — Results of Operations and Financial Condition. Accenture Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2026 Results Accenture delivers fourth-quarter revenue above the high end of the company’s guided range, with broad-based growth across all geographic markets, industry groups and types of work, and strong EPS, free cash flow
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The earnings beat and robust cash return signal strong operational performance, likely prompting buying interest.
Market read
Accenture's earnings are a primary catalyst for its stock and may affect the broader consulting sector.
What to watch
Potential headwinds from foreign‑exchange impacts and slower growth in Asia Pacific could temper upside.
Accenture reports fourth-quarter revenue above guidance, broad-based growth and higher full-year profitability, while guiding to 3% to 6% local-currency revenue growth in fiscal 2027.
Fourth-quarter revenue exceeded the guided range, all geographic markets, industry groups and types of work grew in U.S. dollars, GAAP operating margin expanded to 15.3%, and fiscal 2026 free cash flow reached $11.62 billion alongside $11.5 billion returned to shareholders.
Key metrics
shortened, hover for the filing’s print| Metric | Value | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 FY26 new bookingsother | $22.17B | – | 4% in U.S. dollars and 5% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 book-to-billother | 1.2 | – | – |
| Q4 FY26 Consulting new bookingsother | $9.4B | – | – |
| Q4 FY26 Managed Services new bookingsother | $12.77B | – | – |
| Q4 FY26 revenuesGAAP | $18.68B | – | 6% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 gross marginGAAP | 32.0% | – | – |
| Q4 FY26 GAAP operating incomeGAAP | $2.86B | – | 40% |
| Q4 FY26 GAAP operating marginGAAP | 15.3% | – | 370 basis points |
| Q4 FY26 SG&A expensesGAAP | $3.12 billion, or 16.7% of revenues | – | – |
| Q4 FY26 GAAP effective tax rateGAAP | 27.3% | – | – |
| Q4 FY26 GAAP net incomeGAAP | $2.03B | – | – |
| Q4 FY26 GAAP diluted EPSGAAP | $3.29 | – | 46% |
| Q4 FY26 operating cash flowGAAP | $3.1B | – | – |
| Q4 FY26 property & equipment additionsGAAP | −$250M | – | – |
| Q4 FY26 free cash flownon-GAAP | $2.85B | – | – |
| FY26 new bookingsother | $84.54B | – | 5% in U.S. dollars and 3% in local currency |
| FY26 book-to-billother | 1.1 | – | – |
| FY26 Consulting new bookingsother | $40.86B | – | – |
| FY26 Managed Services new bookingsother | $43.67B | – | – |
| FY26 revenuesGAAP | $74.18B | – | 6% in U.S. dollars and 5% in local currency |
| FY26 gross marginGAAP | 32.0% | – | – |
| FY26 GAAP operating incomeGAAP | $11.41B | – | 12% |
| FY26 adjusted operating incomenon-GAAP | $11.71B | – | 8% |
| FY26 GAAP operating marginGAAP | 15.4% | – | 70 basis points |
| FY26 adjusted operating marginnon-GAAP | 15.8% | – | 20 basis points |
| FY26 SG&A expensesGAAP | $12.06 billion or 16.3% of revenues | – | – |
| FY26 GAAP effective tax rateGAAP | 25.1% | – | – |
| FY26 adjusted effective tax ratenon-GAAP | 24.9% | – | – |
| FY26 GAAP net incomeGAAP | $8.52B | – | – |
| FY26 adjusted net incomenon-GAAP | $8.77B | – | – |
| FY26 GAAP diluted EPSGAAP | $13.56 | – | 12% |
| FY26 adjusted EPSnon-GAAP | $13.97 | – | 8% |
| FY26 operating cash flowGAAP | $12.36B | – | – |
| FY26 property & equipment additionsGAAP | −$740M | – | – |
| FY26 free cash flownon-GAAP | $11.62B | – | – |
| Days services outstanding at August 31, 2026other | 50 days | – | – |
Segments
| Segment | Revenue | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 FY26 ConsultingType of work | $9.28B | – | 6% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 Managed ServicesType of work | $9.4B | – | 7% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 AmericasGeographic market | $9.43B | – | 7% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 EMEAGeographic market | $6.58B | – | 6% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 Asia PacificGeographic market | $2.67B | – | 3% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 Communications, Media & TechnologyIndustry group | $3.26B | – | 10% in U.S. dollars and 11% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 Financial ServicesIndustry group | $3.47B | – | 5% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 Health & Public ServiceIndustry group | $3.86B | – | 8% in U.S. dollars and 9% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 ProductsIndustry group | $5.56B | – | 3% in U.S. dollars and 4% in local currency |
| Q4 FY26 ResourcesIndustry group | $2.52B | – | 6% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currency |
| FY26 ConsultingType of work | $36.88B | – | 5% in U.S. dollars and 3% in local currency |
| FY26 Managed ServicesType of work | $37.3B | – | 8% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currency |
| FY26 AmericasGeographic market | $36.55B | – | 4% in U.S. dollars and 4% in local currency |
| FY26 EMEAGeographic market | $26.96B | – | 9% in U.S. dollars and 4% in local currency |
| FY26 Asia PacificGeographic market | $10.68B | – | 7% in U.S. dollars and 8% in local currency |
| FY26 Communications, Media & TechnologyIndustry group | $12.67B | – | 11% in U.S. dollars and 10% in local currency |
| FY26 Financial ServicesIndustry group | $13.96B | – | 9% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency |
| FY26 Health & Public ServiceIndustry group | $15.17B | – | 3% in U.S. dollars and 2% in local currency |
| FY26 ProductsIndustry group | $22.45B | – | 6% in U.S. dollars and 4% in local currency |
| FY26 ResourcesIndustry group | $9.93B | – | 5% in U.S. dollars and 3% in local currency |
First quarter fiscal 2027 and full year fiscal 2027 outlook
- RevenueFirst quarter fiscal 2027 revenues of $18.95B – $19.60B; full year fiscal 2027 revenue growth of 3% – 6% in local currency
- Tax rate24.5% – 26.5%
- NoteFirst quarter fiscal 2027 revenue growth of 2% – 6% in local currency
- NoteFirst quarter fiscal 2027 foreign-exchange impact on results of approx. negative 1%
- NoteFull year fiscal 2027 foreign-exchange impact on results flat
- NoteFull year fiscal 2027 operating margin of 15.9% – 16.1%
- Note50 bps – 70 bps expansion over FY26 GAAP operating margin
- Note10 bps – 30 bps expansion over FY26 adjusted operating margin
- NoteFull year fiscal 2027 diluted earnings per share of $14.39 – $14.81
- Note6% – 9% increase over FY26 GAAP EPS
- Note3% – 6% increase over FY26 adjusted EPS
- NoteFull year fiscal 2027 operating cash flow of $11.9B – $12.7B
- NoteFull year fiscal 2027 property & equipment additions of $900M
- NoteFull year fiscal 2027 free cash flow of $11.0B – $11.8B
- NoteFull year fiscal 2027 capital return of at least $9.5B
Capital returns
- In fiscal 2026, the company returned $11.5 billion to shareholders, including $7.5 billion in share repurchases and $4.0 billion in cash dividends.
- During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, Accenture repurchased or redeemed 17.6 million shares for a total of $2.3 billion.
- Total share repurchases and redemptions for the full fiscal year were 39.9 million shares for a total of $7.5 billion, including 37.5 million shares repurchased in the open market.
- On August 14, 2026, a quarterly cash dividend of $1.63 per share was paid. These cash dividend payments totaled $974 million.
- Accenture declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.71 per share for shareholders of record at the close of business on October 13, 2026, payable on November 13, 2026.
- Accenture’s total outstanding authority is approximately $6.9 billion, which includes $6.0 billion in additional share repurchase authority approved in September 2026.
What drove it
- Fourth-quarter revenue was above the company’s guided range of $17.75 billion to $18.40 billion, or 1% to 5% growth in local currency.
- Fourth-quarter growth was broad based across all geographic markets, industry groups and types of work.
- Managed Services grew 7% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency in the fourth quarter, compared with Consulting growth of 6% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency.
- Fourth-quarter Communications, Media & Technology revenue rose 10% in U.S. dollars and 11% in local currency, the fastest reported industry-group growth.
- GAAP operating margin expansion reflected the absence of business optimization costs recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.
- Fiscal 2026 GAAP operating margin expanded 70 basis points and adjusted operating margin expanded 20 basis points.
Concerns
- Fourth-quarter operating cash flow was $3.10 billion, compared with $3.91 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, and free cash flow was $2.85 billion, compared with $3.81 billion.
- Days services outstanding increased to 50 days at August 31, 2026 from 47 days at August 31, 2025.
- Asia Pacific fourth-quarter operating income was $382,425, compared with $399,971, while operating margin was 14% compared with 15%.
- Asia Pacific fiscal 2026 operating income was $1,725,232, compared with $1,810,332, while operating margin was 16% compared with 18%.
- Full-year local-currency revenue growth guidance of 3% to 6% compares with 5% local-currency growth in fiscal 2026.
- The full-year GAAP effective tax rate increased to 25.1% from 23.7%, and the adjusted effective tax rate increased to 24.9% from 23.6%.
What to watch
- First-quarter fiscal 2027 revenue delivery against the $18.95B – $19.60B outlook and 2% – 6% local-currency growth range.
- Conversion of $22.17 billion in fourth-quarter bookings and $84.54 billion in fiscal 2026 bookings into revenue.
- Progress toward full-year fiscal 2027 operating margin of 15.9% – 16.1%.
- Full-year fiscal 2027 free cash flow delivery within the $11.0B – $11.8B range.
- Capital returns against the commitment to return at least $9.5 billion in fiscal year 2027.
- The effect of the expected approx. negative 1% foreign-exchange impact in the first quarter and flat impact for the full year.
Balance sheet and cash flow
- Total cash balance at August 31, 2026 was $12.8 billion, compared with $11.5 billion at August 31, 2025.
- Cash and cash equivalents were $12,831,471 at August 31, 2026, compared with $11,478,729 at August 31, 2025.
- Long-term debt was $9,998,689 at August 31, 2026, compared with $5,034,169 at August 31, 2025.
- Current portion of long-term debt and bank borrowings was $113,069 at August 31, 2026, compared with $114,484 at August 31, 2025.
- FY26 cash used for purchases of businesses and investments, net of cash acquired, was $(4,940,884), compared with $(1,471,255) in fiscal 2025.
- FY26 proceeds from issuances or repayments of debt, net, were $4,979,215, compared with $4,129,200 in fiscal 2025.
- FY26 net increase in cash and cash equivalents was $1,352,742, compared with $6,474,260 in fiscal 2025.
Analysis
Accenture ended fiscal 2026 with fourth-quarter revenue of $18.68 billion, up 6% in U.S. dollars and 7% in local currency, above its $17.75 billion to $18.40 billion guided range. Growth was broad based: Consulting generated $9.28 billion and Managed Services generated $9.40 billion, while each geographic market and industry group increased in U.S. dollars. Communications, Media & Technology led industry growth at 10% in U.S. dollars and 11% in local currency.
Bookings remained ahead of revenue. Fourth-quarter new bookings were $22.17 billion, producing a 1.2 book-to-bill ratio, while fiscal-year bookings were $84.54 billion with a 1.1 book-to-bill ratio. Managed Services accounted for $12.77 billion of quarterly bookings and $43.67 billion of annual bookings. The company also reported 141 quarterly client bookings of $100 million or more.
Profitability improved materially in the fourth quarter. GAAP operating income rose 40% to $2.86 billion and GAAP operating margin increased to 15.3% from 11.6%. The comparison includes $615,324 of business optimization costs in the prior-year quarter. Full-year GAAP operating margin increased to 15.4% from 14.7%, and adjusted operating margin increased to 15.8% from 15.6%. Fiscal 2026 GAAP diluted EPS was $13.56, up 12%, while adjusted EPS was $13.97, up 8%.
Cash generation was strong on a full-year basis, with operating cash flow of $12.36 billion and free cash flow of $11.62 billion, both above fiscal 2025. Fourth-quarter cash flow was lower year over year, with operating cash flow of $3.10 billion and free cash flow of $2.85 billion. DSOs increased to 50 days from 47 days. The company ended the year with $12.8 billion of total cash balance and reported $9,998,689 of long-term debt, compared with $5,034,169 a year earlier.
Capital allocation remained substantial. Accenture returned $11.5 billion to shareholders in fiscal 2026, comprising $7.5 billion of share repurchases and $4.0 billion of dividends, and committed to return at least $9.5 billion in fiscal 2027. Its outlook calls for 3% to 6% full-year local-currency revenue growth, operating margin of 15.9% to 16.1%, diluted EPS of $14.39 to $14.81, operating cash flow of $11.9B to $12.7B and free cash flow of $11.0B to $11.8B.
Management, verbatim
We exceeded our fourth-quarter revenue guidance range and capped off another year of broad-based growth across our business, grew adjusted EPS 8%, returned a record $11.5 billion to shareholders and reached a new high of 141 quarterly client bookings of $100 million or more. These results reflect the continued trust our clients place in us to help them reinvent and create value, the high level of innovation we bring every day and the extraordinary commitment of our Reinventors to our clients’ success.
Julie Sweet, Accenture Chair and CEO
Not in the filing
stated, not guessed- Prior-quarter comparisons were not reported for the operating metrics and segment revenue metrics.
- Q4 FY26 adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted effective tax rate and adjusted diluted EPS were not separately reported as current-quarter non-GAAP measures.
- Debt maturities, gross debt total and net debt were not reported.
- A prior outlook document was not provided; therefore, no metric-by-metric comparison with prior guidance is included.
AlphAI analysis generated from the company’s SEC earnings filing (Form 8-K Item 2.02, or Form 6-K for a foreign private issuer). Every figure was cross-checked against the filing text; consensus estimates, price targets and share-price reactions are not shown because they are not in the filing. AI-generated research, not investment advice.
Background
Accenture filed a Form 8‑K reporting its FY2026 earnings, providing detailed financial metrics and FY2027 outlook.
Ticker impact
Accenture disclosed Q4 and full-year FY2026 results, beating revenue guidance and reporting strong EPS, cash flow and a $11.5B shareholder return.
likely support as the market prices in the strong earnings beat and upbeat FY2027 outlook
The earnings beat and higher‑than‑expected cash returns provide fresh, material information for a large‑cap stock, prompting traders to consider buying or adding to positions.
Market effects
Strong results may lift the broader consulting and professional services sector, reinforcing demand for digital transformation services.
Positive impact on North American and EMEA markets where Accenture reported growth across all regions.
Accenture's global scale means its earnings can influence global tech and services sentiment.
Counterpoint
If the market has already priced in the beat, the stock could face short‑term profit‑taking.
Key entities
- companyAccenture plc
Global professional services firm reporting FY2026 results.