Accenture CEO Julie Sweet has a vacation request for employees: Staff can skip using leave in August & carry it forward as company wants strong Q4 finish

Accenture CEO Julie Sweet has urged employees to help the company deliver a stronger fourth quarter, with the consulting giant making a one-time change to its vacation policy that allows staff to carry unused leave into the next financial year.

The move comes as Accenture seeks to strengthen sales and revenue in the final weeks of its financial year following weaker-than-expected quarterly results. According to Bloomberg, the temporary leave change is also expected to keep more employees available during the crucial August sales period.

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Julie Sweet asks employees to focus on Q4 growth

In a memo seen by Bloomberg, Sweet called on employees to find new ways to serve clients and generate additional revenue before the end of the quarter.

“Our shareholders are counting on us to deliver a strong quarter in Q4, everyone can contribute,” Sweet wrote.

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She added, “This means we all need to find more ways to serve clients that create more revenue in the quarter and to originate more sales (small, large, mega) to finish strong.”

The message comes as Accenture works to improve its performance ahead of the close of its financial year on August 31.

Accenture changes vacation policy for August

Under the company's usual policy, employees are expected to use their allotted vacation days before the financial year ends.

However, Accenture has introduced a one-time exception this year, allowing employees to carry unused vacation days into the next financial year, which begins on September 1, Bloomberg reported.

People familiar with the matter told the publication that the temporary change is partly intended to encourage employees to remain available during August rather than taking time off before their leave expires.

Another person familiar with the matter said the change would also provide employees with greater flexibility over when they use their holidays.

Why Accenture wants employees available during August

The policy change comes at a crucial time for Accenture, which is pushing to improve its fourth-quarter performance.

The company reported a 2% decline in new bookings for the quarter ended May 31. It also forecast fourth-quarter revenue of between $17.75 billion and $18.4 billion, below the analysts' average estimate of $18.47 billion.

The weaker outlook triggered a sharp reaction in the market. Accenture's shares fell by around 20% in a single day following the company's June earnings announcement, marking one of its biggest one-day declines.

AI concerns add pressure on Accenture

As quoted in a TOI report, Accenture's performance has also been closely watched amid growing concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on the consulting and professional services industry.

While Sweet has repeatedly positioned AI as a long-term opportunity and described it as a "tailwind" for Accenture, investors remain concerned about whether AI-driven changes could affect demand for traditional consulting services.

Bloomberg Intelligence highlighted the issue in a recent research note, stating: “AI remains the dominant concern for services and consulting. Though management positions Accenture as a long-term AI beneficiary, tangible evidence that AI is accelerating demand is limited.”


Inputs from agencies