Accenture’s origins date back to 1951, when Joseph Glickauf, a manager in the
Administrative Services division of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen, unveiled his
“Glickiac” computer, convincing the partners to invest in the emerging technology
practice. In 1954, the Administrative Services division installed the first computer
system for commercial use at General Electric’s Appliance Park facility. In 1957, Joe
Glickauf took over as head of the Administrative Services division. In 1958,
Administrative Services designed and installed a system for Bank of America that
became the backbone for the BankAmericard (later renamed VISA). In 1967,
Administrative Services developed Base V, the widely used operating system for the
System/360 IBM computers. In 1980, Administrative Services was renamed
“Management Information Consulting Division”. In 1988, the Andersen Consulting name
was adopted. In 1989, Andersen Consulting became a fully independent organization
from Andersen Worldwide and Arthur Andersen. In 2000, Accenture
and Microsoft created Avanade, a joint venture helping clients optimize Microsoft
investments. Kim Petersen, a Norwegian employee, won the internal contest to come
up with a new name for Andersen Consulting – selecting Accenture for “accent on the
future”. In 2001, Andersen Consulting adopted its new name “Accenture”. The word
Accenture is derived from “Accent on the future”. In 2001, Accenture was also listed on
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In 2004, the procurement business process
outsourcing business was launched. In 2005, Accenture acquired Cap Gemini’s North
American health business. In 2007, Accenture acquired George Group, expanding its
consulting capabilities for Lean Six Sigma. In 2009, the digital businesses Accenture
Interactive and Accenture Mobility were launched. In 2010, Accenture acquired Ariba’s
sourcing services and business process outsourcing assets. In 2011, Accenture
acquired, CAS Computer Anwendungs-und Systemberatung, a leading company in
trade promotion software, Duck Creek, a provider of software solutions for P&C
insurance companies, and Zenta, a provider of mortgage processing services.
In 2013, Acquity, Fjord and avVenta were acquired, expanding the capabilities of
Accenture Interactive across creative design, digital content and eCommerce platforms
In 2013, Accenture also acquired Mortgage Cadence, a provider of SaaS-based
mortgage processing software, Procurian, a leading company in procurement business
process solutions, and ASM Research, expanding its U.S. defense business in the
military health market.
In 2014, Accenture Digital and Accenture Operations were formed. OMNETRIC joint
venture was also formed with Siemens to provide smart grid solutions.
In 2014, Accenture also acquired i4C Analytics, an advanced analytics software
platform provider, and partnered with Microsoft to launch the Accenture Hybrid Cloud
Solution for Microsoft Azure.
In 2015, Accenture and Amazon Web Services created a new business group to help
clients migrate to the cloud. That year, Accenture Consulting was also launched.
In 2015, Accenture also acquired Agilex Technologies, a provider of digital solutions
for the U.S. federal government, Javelin Group, expanding Accenture’s capabilities in
the retail industry, PacificLink Group, boosting its digital marketing and commerce
capabilities in China, FusionX, a cyber security services provider, Cloud Sherpas, a
cloud services provider, and Schlumberger Business Consulting, expanding Accenture’s
capabilities in upstream oil and gas.
In 2016, Accenture acquired Kurt Salmon, expanding the capability to deliver end-toend strategy consulting services for top retailers. It also continued to invest in digital,
cloud and security capabilities with new acquisitions: IMJ Corporation in Japan.
Karmarama, U.K. MOBGEN in the Netherlands, DayNine, U.S. Maglan in Israel, and
Redcore in Australia.
In 2016, Accenture joined forces with SAP to accelerate development of SAP
S/4HANA, fast-tracking customer journeys to digital businesses. Accenture also
announced a new Google alliance to help clients benefit from innovative and industryspecific cloud and mobile solutions.
In 2016, Accenture sold Navitaire to Amadeus, and the companies form a new
alliance to create digital services for airline passengers.
In 2017, Accenture acquires SinnerSchrader, OCTO Technology in digital, Phase One
in cloud, Arismore in security, and SolutionsIQ in New IT. That year, Accenture Applied
Intelligence was also launched, combining the company’s capabilities in advanced
analytics and artificial intelligence.
In 2017, Accenture partnered with Apple to help clients create innovative solutions for
iOS.
In 2018, the company made global acquisitions that further differentiate Accenture
Interactive—Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Mackevision, Altima, Rothco, Kolle Rebbe
and New Content
In 2019, Accenture launched SynOps, a human-machine operating “engine”.
In 2020, Accenture acquired N3, B2B sales company.
In 2021, Accenture acquired umlaut, an engineering consulting and services firm
based in Germany, and Infinity Works, expanding the cloud delivery and engineering
capabilities of Accenture Cloud First in the UK.
In 2021, Accenture Federal Services also acquired Novetta, strengthening its
advanced analytics capabilities for defense, intelligence and law enforcement
organizations. In 2022, Accenture launched the new Metaverse Continuum business
group as physical and virtual realities converge to reshape human experiences.