What the changes say
- Currency risk now emphasizes offshore delivery costs in Indian rupees and Philippine pesos, and limits of contracts, cost controls and hedges.
- AI is more explicitly tied to cost management and competition, while the AI risk focuses on meeting client and internal needs.
- Regulatory exposure adds boycotts; competitive threats now include ecosystem partners, clients and alternative end-to-end or commercial models.
What changed since the prior 10-K
Dropped
- DroppedFinancial Risks
Changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions we make in connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements could adversely affect our financial results
Reworded
- 42% rewrittenFinancial Risks
Our results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates
The focus shifts from translating foreign-currency revenues, expenses and balance-sheet items into dollars to offshore delivery costs, naming the Indian rupee and Philippine peso and noting hedges may fail.
- 42% rewrittenBusiness Risks
Risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI, including advanced AI, could harm our business, damage our reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action
The text no longer explicitly names generative AI, and emphasizes developing AI that meets client and internal needs, including advanced AI.
Was: Risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI could harm our business, damage our reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action
- 35% rewrittenFinancial Risks
Our profitability could suffer if our cost-management strategies are unsuccessful, and we may not be able to improve our profitability
Advanced AI is newly named as a cost-management tool; workforce actions now include developing and upskilling enough skilled employees.
- 34% rewrittenFinancial Risks
Pricing pressures have had and may continue to have a negative impact on our profitability
Competitors now explicitly include ecosystem partners and clients, and the technology example changes from generative AI to advanced AI.
- 29% rewrittenLegal and Regulatory Risks
Our global operations expose us to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements, and violation of these regulations could harm our business
Boycotts are newly listed among the changing legal regimes Accenture must navigate.
- 25% rewrittenBusiness Risks
The markets in which we operate are highly competitive, and we might not be able to compete effectively
The competitive landscape now explicitly includes end-to-end solutions and commercial models as alternatives that rivals may offer.
- 24% rewrittenFinancial Risks
Our profitability could suffer if we are not able to remain competitive
- 23% rewrittenBusiness Risks
Our business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for our solutions and services, including through the adaptation and expansion of our solutions and services in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect our results of operations
Was: Our business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for our services and solutions, including through the adaptation and expansion of our services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect our results of operations
- 23% rewrittenBusiness Risks
If we are unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, our business, the utilization rate of our professionals and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected
- 23% rewrittenBusiness Risks
If we do not successfully manage and develop our relationships with our ecosystem partners or if we fail to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, our results of operations could be adversely affected
Was: If we do not successfully manage and develop our relationships with key ecosystem partners or if we fail to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, our results of operations could be adversely affected
- 23% rewrittenBusiness Risks
Our results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions and the effects of these conditions on our clients’ businesses and levels of business activity
- 21% rewrittenLegal and Regulatory Risks
Our work with government clients exposes us to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment
- 21% rewrittenLegal and Regulatory Risks
Our business could be materially adversely affected if we incur legal liability
All 24 risk factors
Headings as the filing states them, in filing order.
Business Risks
- 01Our results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions and the effects of these conditions on our clients’ businesses and levels of business activity23% rewritten
- 02Our business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for our solutions and services, including through the adaptation and expansion of our solutions and services in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect our results of operations23% rewritten
- 03Risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI, including advanced AI, could harm our business, damage our reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action42% rewritten
- 04If we are unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, our business, the utilization rate of our professionals and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected23% rewritten
- 05We face legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or Accenture data from security incidents or cyberattacks
- 06The markets in which we operate are highly competitive, and we might not be able to compete effectively25% rewritten
- 07If we do not successfully manage and develop our relationships with our ecosystem partners or if we fail to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, our results of operations could be adversely affected23% rewritten
- 08Our ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on our reputation in the marketplace
Financial Risks
- 09Our profitability could materially suffer due to pricing pressure, if we are unable to remain competitive, if our cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if we experience delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels
- 10Pricing pressures have had and may continue to have a negative impact on our profitability34% rewritten
- 11Our profitability could suffer if we are not able to remain competitive24% rewritten
- 12Our profitability could suffer if our cost-management strategies are unsuccessful, and we may not be able to improve our profitability35% rewritten
- 13If we do not accurately anticipate the cost, risk and complexity of performing our work or if third parties upon whom we rely do not meet their commitments, then our contracts could have delivery inefficiencies and be less profitable than expected or unprofitable
- 14Changes in our level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on our effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition
- 15Our results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates42% rewritten
- 16Our debt obligations could adversely affect our business and financial condition
Operational Risks
- 17As a result of our geographically diverse operations and our strategy to continue to grow in our key markets around the world, we are more susceptible to certain risks
- 18If we are unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with our size, we might be unable to achieve our business objectives
- 19We might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses
Legal and Regulatory Risks
- 20Our business could be materially adversely affected if we incur legal liability21% rewritten
- 21Our work with government clients exposes us to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment21% rewritten
- 22Our global operations expose us to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements, and violation of these regulations could harm our business29% rewritten
- 23If we are unable to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights, or if our solutions or services infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or we lose our ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, our business could be adversely affected
- 24We are incorporated in Ireland and Irish law differs from the laws in effect in the United States and might afford less protection to our shareholders. We may also be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to our incorporation in Ireland
Other Accenture 10-Ks
- FY2026 10-K risk factors24 risks13 reworded
AI-related IP uncertainty is newly specified: Accenture says protection for AI models and outputs remains unclear in countries where it operates.
Filed Oct 16, 2026 - FY2024 10-K risk factors25 risks
AI is both an expanding service opportunity and a source of legal, regulatory and reputational exposure.
Filed Oct 10, 2024
About this page
The headings are the filing's own. The one-line readings and the overview are automated and can be wrong: read Item 1A of the 10-K for the exact wording.