Accenture is a global professional services company that has become one of the world's largest and most successful firms. It was once part of Arthur Andersen, which was part of the Big Five until the Enron scandal. The Big Five are KPMG, Deloitte, Accenture, PwC and McKinsey & Company. Arthur Andersen fell out of the top 5 accounting firms ranking in 2002 after being found guilty of obstructing justice in the Enron scandal.
The conviction was later overturned, but the damage had already been done. Accenture began as the business and technology consulting division of accounting firm Arthur Andersen in the early 1950s. This division conducted a feasibility study for General Electric to install a computer in Appliance Park in Louisville (Kentucky). This study led GE to install a UNIVAC I computer and printer, which is believed to be the first commercial use of a computer in the United States. Today, Accenture is a leading global professional services company that provides services in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. It has offices in more than 120 countries and employs over 500,000 people.
Accenture is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and is included in the S&P 500 index. Accenture is no longer part of the Big Five, but it has become one of the world's largest and most successful professional services companies. It has been recognized as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies for 15 consecutive years and has been named one of Forbes' World's Most Innovative Companies for nine consecutive years. The relationship between Accenture and the Big Five is an interesting one. While Accenture was once part of the Big Five, it has since become an independent entity that stands on its own. Despite this separation, Accenture still maintains strong ties to its former parent company.
It continues to provide services to many of the same clients that Arthur Andersen did before its fall from grace. Accenture has also been able to capitalize on its former parent company's reputation by leveraging its brand recognition and expertise in areas such as consulting, digital transformation, technology and operations. This has allowed Accenture to become a leader in these areas and to continue to grow its business. The relationship between Accenture and the Big Five is an important one that will continue to evolve over time. As Accenture continues to grow and expand its services, it will remain closely tied to its former parent company while also forging new relationships with other companies.
