Accenture plc 10-Q

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 24 Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased 9% in U.S. dollars and 8% in local currency compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024. During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, revenue growth in local currency was very strong in the Americas, strong in EMEA and solid in Asia Pacific. We experienced local currency revenue growth that was very strong in Health & Public Service and Products, strong in Communications, Media & Technology and Resources and solid in Financial Services. Revenue growth in local currency was very strong in managed services and strong in consulting. The business environment is competitive, and we continue to experience lower pricing across the business. We define pricing as contract profitability or margin on the work that we sell. In our consulting business, revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased 7% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currency compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Consulting revenue growth in local currency for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was driven by very strong growth in the Americas, solid growth in EMEA and modest growth in Asia Pacific. Our consulting revenue continues to be driven by helping our clients accelerate their reinvention, in particular technology, data, and AI led digital transformations. This includes moving to the cloud, embedding security and responsible AI across the enterprise and leveraging our change capabilities to help our clients build new skills and drive the successful adoption of new processes and technologies. In addition, clients continue to be focused on initiatives designed to deliver cost savings and supply chain and operational resilience, as well as projects to accelerate growth and improve customer experiences. While we continue to experience demand for these services, we are seeing a slower pace and level of client spending, particularly for smaller contracts with a shorter duration. In our managed services business, revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased 11% in both U.S. dollars and local currency compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Managed services revenue growth in local currency for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was driven by very strong growth in the Americas and EMEA, and solid growth in Asia Pacific. We continue to experience growing demand to assist clients with application modernization and maintenance, cloud enablement and cybersecurity-as-a-service. In addition, clients continue to be focused on transforming their operations through technology, data and AI, and leveraging our digital platforms and talent to drive productivity and operational cost savings. As we are a global company, our revenues are denominated in multiple currencies and may be significantly affected by currency exchange rate fluctuations. While a significant portion of our revenues are in U.S. dollars, the majority of our revenues are denominated in other currencies, including the Euro, Japanese yen and U.K. pound. There continues to be volatility in foreign currency exchange rates. Unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have had and could in the future have a material effect on our financial results. If the U.S. dollar weakens against other currencies, resulting in favorable currency translation, our revenues, revenue growth and results of operations in U.S. dollars may be higher. If the U.S. dollar strengthens against other currencies, resulting in unfavorable currency translation, our revenues, revenue growth and results of operations in U.S. dollars may be lower. The U.S. dollar weakened against various currencies during the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024, resulting in favorable currency translation and U.S. dollar revenue growth that was approximately 1% higher than our revenue growth in local currency. Assuming that exchange rates stay within recent ranges for the remainder of fiscal 2025, we estimate that our full fiscal 2025 revenue growth in U.S. dollars will be approximately 0.5% lower than our revenue growth in local currency. People Metrics Utilization Workforce Annualized Voluntary Attrition 91% 799,000 12% consistent with the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to approximately 743,000 as of November 30, 2023 compared to 11% in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 Utilization for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was 91%, consistent with the first quarter of fiscal 2024. We hire to meet current and projected future demand. We proactively plan and manage the size and composition of our workforce and take actions as needed to address changes in the anticipated demand for our services and solutions, given that compensation costs are the most significant portion of our operating expenses. Our workforce, the majority of which serves our clients, increased to approximately 799,000 as of November 30, 2024, compared to approximately 743,000 as of November 30, 2023. The year-over-year increase in our workforce reflects demand for our services and solutions, as well as people added in connection with acquisitions. For the first quarter of fiscal 2025, annualized attrition, excluding involuntary terminations, was 12%, up from 11% in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. We evaluate voluntary attrition, adjust levels of new hiring and use involuntary terminations as a means to keep our supply of skills and resources in balance with changes in client demand. Table of Contents ACCENTURE FORM 10-Q Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 25 In addition, we adjust compensation to provide market relevant pay based on the skills of our people and locations where we operate. We also consider a variety of factors, including the macroeconomic environment, in making our decisions around pay and benefits. We strive to adjust pricing as well as drive cost and delivery efficiencies, such as changing the mix of people and utilizing technology, to reduce the impact of compensation increases on our margin and contract profitability. Our ability to grow our revenues and maintain or increase our margin could be adversely affected if we are unable to: match people and skills with the types or amounts of services and solutions clients are demanding; recover or offset increases in compensation; deploy our employees globally on a timely basis; manage attrition; and/or effectively assimilate new employees. New Bookings Three Months Ended Percent Increase (Decrease) U.S. Dollars Percent Increase (Decrease) Local Currency (in billions of U.S. dollars) November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 Consulting $ 9.2 $ 8.6 7 % 6 % Managed Services 9.5 9.8 (4) (4) Total New Bookings $ 18.7 $ 18.4 1 % 1 % We provide information regarding our new bookings, which include new contracts, including those acquired through acquisitions, as well as renewals, extensions and changes to existing contracts, because we believe doing so provides useful trend information regarding changes in the volume of our new business over time. New bookings can vary significantly quarter to quarter depending in part on the timing of the signing of a small number of large managed services contracts. The types of services and solutions clients are demanding and the pace and level of their spending may impact the conversion of new bookings to revenues. For example, managed services bookings, which are typically for multi-year contracts, generally convert to revenue over a longer period of time compared to consulting bookings. Information regarding our new bookings is not comparable to, nor should it be substituted for, an analysis of our revenues over time. New bookings involve estimates and judgments. There are no third-party standards or requirements governing the calculation of bookings. We do not update our new bookings for material subsequent terminations or reductions related to bookings originally recorded in prior fiscal years. New bookings are recorded using then-existing foreign currency exchange rates and are not subsequently adjusted for foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The majority of our contracts are terminable by the client on short notice with little or no termination penalties, and some without notice. Only the non-cancelable portion of these contracts is included in our remaining performance obligations disclosed in Note 2 (Revenues) to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1, “Financial Statements.” Accordingly, a significant portion of what we consider contract bookings is not included in our remaining performance obligations. Table of Contents ACCENTURE FORM 10-Q Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 26 Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended November 30, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended November 30, 2023 Revenues Revenues by geographic market, industry group and type of work are as follows: Three Months Ended Percent Increase (Decrease) U.S. Dollars Percent Increase (Decrease) Local Currency (in millions of U.S. dollars) November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 Geographic Markets Americas (1) $ 8,733 $ 8,027 9 % 11 % EMEA 6,412 5,804 10 6 Asia Pacific (1) 2,544 2,394 6 4 Total $ 17,690 $ 16,224 9 % 8 % Industry Groups Communications, Media & Technology $ 2,858 $ 2,669 7 % 7 % Financial Services 3,169 3,034 4 4 Health & Public Service 3,813 3,377 13 12 Products 5,425 4,860 12 10 Resources 2,425 2,284 6 6 Total $ 17,690 $ 16,224 9 % 8 % Type of Work Consulting $ 9,045 $ 8,457 7 % 6 % Managed Services 8,644 7,768 11 11 Total $ 17,690 $ 16,224 9 % 8 % Amounts in table may not total due to rounding. (1) During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, our Latin America market unit moved from Growth Markets to North America. With this change, North America became the Americas market and Growth Markets became the Asia Pacific market. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. Geographic Markets The following revenues commentary discusses the primary drivers of local currency revenue changes by geographic market for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024: • Americas revenues increased 11% in local currency, led by growth in Industrial, Software & Platforms, Banking & Capital Markets and Consumer Goods, Retail & Travel Services. Revenue growth was driven by the United States, as well as Argentina, which continued to grow in local currency due primarily to hyperinflation. • EMEA revenues increased 6% in local currency, led by growth in Public Service, Life Sciences and Health, partially offset by a decline in Banking & Capital Markets. Revenue growth was driven by the United Kingdom and Italy, partially offset by a decline in France. • Asia Pacific revenues increased 4% in local currency, led by growth in Utilities, Industrial and Health, partially offset by a decline in Chemicals & Natural Resources. Revenue growth was driven by Japan, partially offset by declines in Singapore and Australia. Operating Expenses Operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased $1,082 million, or 8%, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024, and decreased as a percentage of revenues to 83.3% from 84.2% during this period. The primary categories of operating expenses include Cost of services, Sales and marketing and General and administrative costs. Cost of services is primarily driven by the cost of people serving our clients, which consists mainly of compensation, subcontractor and other payroll costs, and non-payroll costs such as facilities, technology and travel. Cost of services includes a variety of activities such as: contract delivery; recruiting and training; software development; and integration of acquisitions. Sales and marketing costs are driven primarily by compensation costs for business development activities; marketing- and advertising-related activities; and certain acquisition-related costs. General and administrative costs primarily include costs for people that are non-client-facing, information systems, office space and certain acquisition-related costs. Table of Contents ACCENTURE FORM 10-Q Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 27 Operating expenses by category are as follows: Three Months Ended (in millions of U.S. dollars) November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 Increase (Decrease) Operating Expenses $ 14,741 83.3 % $ 13,659 84.2 % $ 1,082 Cost of services 11,867 67.1 10,776 66.4 1,090 Sales and marketing 1,811 10.2 1,710 10.5 101 General and administrative costs 1,063 6.0 1,033 6.4 30 Business optimization costs — — 140 0.9 (140) Amounts in table may not total due to rounding. Cost of Services Cost of services for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased $1,090 million, or 10%, over the first quarter of fiscal 2024, and increased as a percentage of revenues to 67.1% compared to 66.4% during this period. Gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 decreased as a percentage of revenues to 32.9% from 33.6% during the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to higher subcontractor costs and the impact of our business optimization actions which reduced severance costs in gross margin during the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Sales and Marketing Sales and marketing expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased $101 million, or 6%, over the first quarter of fiscal 2024, and decreased as a percentage of revenues to 10.2% from 10.5% during this period primarily due to lower labor costs. General and Administrative Costs General and administrative costs for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased $30 million, or 3%, over the first quarter of fiscal 2024, and decreased as a percentage of revenues to 6.0% from 6.4% during this period primarily due to lower labor costs, partially offset by an increase in non-payroll costs. Business Optimization Costs During the second quarter of fiscal 2023, we initiated actions to streamline our operations, transform our non-billable corporate functions and consolidate our office space to reduce costs. We recorded a total of $1.5 billion related to these actions, primarily for employee severance, which have been completed as of August 31, 2024. Non-GAAP Financial Measures We have presented operating income, operating margin, effective tax rate and diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP or “ adjusted ” basis exclu ding the business optimization costs recorded in fiscal 2024 as we believe doing so facilitates understanding as to the impact of this item and our performance in comparison to the prior periods. While we believe that this non-GAAP financial information is useful in evaluating our operations, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Operating Income and Operating Margin Operating income and operating margin for each of the geographic markets are as follows: Three Months Ended November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 (in millions of U.S. dollars) Operating Income Operating Margin Operating Income Operating Margin Increase (Decrease) Americas (1) $ 1,377 16 % $ 1,293 16 % $ 84 EMEA 1,036 16 824 14 212 Asia Pacific (1) 535 21 448 19 87 Total $ 2,948 16.7 % $ 2,565 15.8 % $ 384 Amounts in table may not total due to rounding. (1) During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, our Latin America market unit moved from Growth Markets to North America. With this change, North America became the Americas market and Growth Markets became the Asia Pacific market. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. Operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased $384 million, or 15%, compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Operating margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was 16.7%, compared with 15.8% for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Table of Contents ACCENTURE FORM 10-Q Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 28 Geographic Markets We estimate that the aggregate percentage impact of foreign currency exchange rates on our operating income during the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was similar to that disclosed for revenue for each geographic market. Additionally, costs associated with our business optimization actions did not impact fiscal 2025 operating income as the actions were completed in fiscal 2024. The commentary below provides insight into other factors affecting geographic market performance and operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2024: • Americas operatin g income increased primarily due to revenue growth, partially offset by a decline in contract profitability. • EMEA operatin g income increased primarily due to revenue growth, partially offset by a decline in consulting contract profitability. • Asia Pacific opera ting income increased primarily due to revenue growth, partially offset by a decline in contract profitability. Operating Income and Operating Margin Excluding Fiscal 2024 Business Optimization Costs (Non-GAAP) The business optimization costs reduced operating margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 by 90 basis points . Operating margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 remained flat compared to adjusted operating margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 of 16.7%. Three Months Ended November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 (in millions of U.S. dollars) Operating Income (GAAP) Operating Margin (GAAP) Operating Income (GAAP) Business Optimization (1) Operating Income (Non-GAAP) Operating Margin (Non-GAAP) Increase (Decrease) Americas (2) $ 1,377 16 % $ 1,293 $ 50 $ 1,343 17 % $ 34 EMEA 1,036 16 824 71 894 15 142 Asia Pacific (2) 535 21 448 19 467 20 68 Total $ 2,948 16.7 % $ 2,565 $ 140 $ 2,705 16.7 % $ 244 Amounts in tables may not total due to rounding. (1) Costs recorded in connection with our business optimization initiatives, primarily for employee severance. (2) During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, our Latin America market unit moved from Growth Markets to North America. With this change, North America became the Americas market and Growth Markets became the Asia Pacific market. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. Interest Income Interest income for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $76 million, a decrease of $26 million, or 25%, from the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates and a lower average cash balance. Income Tax Expense The effective tax rates for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024 were 21.6% and 23.2%, respectively. The lower effective tax rate was primarily due to higher benefits from adjustments to prior year tax liabilities. Income Tax Expense Excluding Fiscal 2024 Business Optimization Costs (Non-GAAP) The business optimization costs of $140 million and related reduction in tax expense of $34 million had an immaterial impact on our adjusted effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 . Earnings Per Share Diluted earnings per share were $3.59 for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared with $3.10 for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. For information regarding our earnings per share calculations, see Note 3 (Earnings Per Share) to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1, “Financial Statements.” Table of Contents ACCENTURE FORM 10-Q Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 29 Earnings Per Share Excluding Fiscal 2024 Business Optimization Costs (Non-GAAP) The business optimization costs of $106 million, net of related taxes, decreased diluted earnings per share by $0.17 for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $3.27 for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Three Months Ended November 30, 2023 As Reported $ 3.10 Business optimization costs 0.22 Tax effect of business optimization costs (1) (0.05) November 30, 2023 As Adjusted $ 3.27 November 30, 2024 As Reported $ 3.59 (1) The income tax effect of business optimization costs includes both the current and deferred income tax impact and was calculated by using the relevant tax rate of the country where the adjustments were recorded. The increase in diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was due to the following factors: Three Months Ended November 30, 2023 As Adjusted $ 3.27 Higher revenue and operating results 0.29 Lower effective tax rate 0.07 Lower share count 0.01 Lower non-operating income (0.05) November 30, 2024 As Reported $ 3.59 Liquidity and Capital Resources As of November 30, 2024, Cash and cash equivalents was $8.3 billion, compared with $5.0 billion as of August 31, 2024. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in our Consolidated Cash Flows Statements, are summarized in the following table: Three Months Ended (in millions of U.S. dollars) November 30, 2024 November 30, 2023 Change Net cash provided by (used in): Operating activities $ 1,022 $ 499 $ 524 Investing activities (386) (855) 470 Financing activities 2,752 (1,552) 4,304 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (87) 5 (92) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $ 3,302 $ (1,904) $ 5,206 Amounts in table may not total due to rounding. Operating activities: The $524 million increase in operating cash flows was primarily due to higher net income and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Investing activities: The $470 million decrease in cash used was primarily due to lower spending on business acquisitions. For additional information, see Note 5 (Business Combinations) to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1, “Financial Statements.” Financing activities: The $4,304 million increase in financing cash flows was primarily due to net proceeds from borrowings. For additional information, see Note 9 (Borrowings and Indebtedness) to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1, “Financial Statements.” We believe that our current and longer-term working capital, investments and other general corporate funding requirements will be satisfied for the next twelve months and thereafter through cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, from our borrowing facilities and future financial market activities. Table of Contents ACCENTURE FORM 10-Q Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 30 Substantially all of our cash is held in jurisdictions where there are no regulatory restrictions or material tax effects on the free flow of funds. Domestic cash inflows for our Irish parent, principally dividend distributions from lower-tier subsidiaries, have been sufficient to meet our historic cash requirements, and we expect this to continue into the future. Borrowings and Indebtedness On September 30, 2024, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3, pursuant to which Accenture plc’s wholly owned finance subsidiaries Accenture Capital and Accenture Global Capital DAC may issue debt securities. As of November 30, 2024, we had outstanding long-term debt in the form of senior unsecured notes issued by Accenture Capital in an aggregate principal amount of $5 billion, which mature from 2027 through 2034. Accenture plc fully and unconditionally guarantees these notes, as well as all future debt securities that may be issued by these entities. For additional information regarding our outstanding borrowings, credit facilities and other debt, see Note 9 (Borrowings and Indebtedness) to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1, “Financial Statements.” Share Purchases and Redemptions The Board of Directors of Accenture plc has authorized funding for our publicly announced open-market share purchase program for acquiring Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares and for purchases and redemptions of Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares held by current and former members of Accenture Leadership and their permitted transferees. Our share purchase activity during the three months ended November 30, 2024 is as follows: Accenture plc Class A Ordinary Shares Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. Exchangeable Shares (in millions of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) Shares Amount Shares Amount Open-market share purchases (1) 2,174,686 $ 771 — $ — Other share purchase programs — — 2,375 1 Other purchases (2) 353,046 126 — — Total 2,527,732 $ 897 2,375 $ 1 (1) We conduct a publicly announced open-market share purchase program for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares. These shares are held as treasury shares by Accenture plc and may be utilized to provide for select employee benefits, such as equity awards to our employees. (2) During the three months ended November 30, 2024, as authorized under our various employee equity share plans, we acquired Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares primarily via share withholding for payroll tax obligations due from employees and former employees in connection with the delivery of Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares under those plans. These purchases of shares in connection with employee share plans do not affect our aggregate available authorization for our publicly announced open-market share purchase and the other share purchase programs. We intend to continue to use a significant portion of cash generated from operations for share repurchases during the remainder of fiscal 2025. The number of shares ultimately repurchased under our open-market share purchase program may vary depending on numerous factors, including, without limitation, share price and other market conditions, our ongoing capital allocation planning, the levels of cash and debt balances, other demands for cash, such as acquisition activity, general economic and/or business conditions, and board and management discretion. Additionally, as these factors may change over the course of the year, the amount of share repurchase activity during any particular period cannot be predicted and may fluctuate from time to time. Share repurchases may be made from time to time through open-market purchases, in respect of purchases and redemptions of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares, through the use of Rule 10b5-1 plans and/or by other means. The repurchase program may be accelerated, suspended, delayed or discontinued at any time, without notice. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements In the normal course of business and in conjunction with some client engagements, we have entered into contractual arrangements through which we may be obligated to indemnify clients with respect to certain matters. To date, we have not been required to make any significant payment under any of the arrangements described above. For further discussion of these transactions, see Note 11 (Commitments and Contingencies) to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1, “Financial Statements.” Significant Accounting Policies See Note 1 (Basis of Presentation) to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1, “Financial Statements.” Table of Contents ACCENTURE FORM 10-Q Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 31