Accenture Reports Record Revenues for the Third-Quarter

Revenues Increase 11% to $4.08 Billion; EPS Rises 38% to $0.51

NEW YORK; July 7, 2005 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) today reported that net revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2005, ended May 31, 2005, were $4.08 billion, the highest for any quarter in the company’s history and an 11 percent increase over the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.51.

The company reported its highest-ever net revenues from both consulting and outsourcing and achieved U.S. dollar growth across all three of its geographic regions and all five of its operating groups. Accenture’s balance sheet and cash position remain strong.

Financial Highlights

William D. Green, Accenture’s CEO, said, “Our strong third-quarter performance demonstrates that we are delivering value for both clients and shareholders. Top-line growth across all five operating groups contributed to the highest quarterly net revenues in our history. We significantly improved operating margins and achieved 13 percent operating margin year-to-date. Our pipeline continues to expand, and we are seeing solid momentum in all business metrics. Looking ahead, we are confident that we will achieve our financial objectives for the year.”

Financial Review

Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of net revenues) was 34.6 percent, compared with 35.4 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 and 30.8 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2005.

Selling, general and administrative costs were $804 million, or 19.7 percent of net revenues, compared with $732 million, or 19.8 percent of net revenues, for the third quarter last year.

Accenture recorded net reorganization benefits of $66 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005. This compares with net reorganization costs of $2 million in the third quarter last year.

Operating income was $672 million, or 16.5 percent of net revenues, for the third quarter of fiscal 2005, compared with $573 million, or 15.5 percent of net revenues, for the third quarter last year. Excluding reorganization benefits and restructuring costs, operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 was $606 million, or 14.9 percent of net revenues, compared with $575 million, or 15.6 percent of net revenues, for the third quarter of fiscal 2004.

Accenture accrued $14 million of variable compensation expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, bringing the total accrual for fiscal 2005 to $64 million.

The company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter was 29.4 percent, compared with 34.8 percent for the same period last year. The 29.4 percent effective tax rate includes the effect of the reduction in the year-to-date tax rate from 32.3 percent to 31.1 percent primarily due to the reduction in reorganization liabilities.

Income before minority interest for the third quarter was $486 million, compared with $369 million for the same period last year.

Accenture’s total cash balance at May 31, 2005 was $2.77 billion, compared with $2.55 billion at Aug. 31, 2004 and $3.06 billion at Feb. 28, 2005. Cash combined with $704 million of fixed-income securities classified as investments on the company’s balance sheet was $3.48 billion at May 31, 2005, compared with $3.15 billion at Aug. 31, 2004 and $3.76 billion at Feb. 28, 2005.

For the three months ended May 31, 2005, operating cash flow was $594 million, and property and equipment additions were $70 million. Free cash flow, defined as operating cash flow net of property and equipment additions, was $524 million. Total debt at May 31, 2005 was $72 million.

For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, operating cash flow was $1.32 billion, property and equipment additions were $187 million and free cash flow was $1.13 billion. For the nine months ended May 31, 2004, operating cash flow was $1.36 billion, property and equipment additions were $180 million and free cash flow was $1.18 billion.

Consulting and Outsourcing Net Revenues

Net Revenues by Operating Group

Net revenues for Accenture’s five operating groups were as follows:

Net Revenues by Geographic Region

Net revenues by geographic region were as follows:

Share Repurchase Activity

During the third quarter of fiscal 2005, Accenture repurchased $804 million of its shares. This comprised $283 million for purchases of 12.8 million Accenture Ltd Class A common shares and $521 million for 19.9 million Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares repurchased or redeemed from partners, retired partners and their permitted transferees. At May 31, 2005, Accenture had $2.2 billion of share repurchase authority remaining, of which $631 million remained for use in connection with the company’s open-market share purchase program. The balance was available for redemptions and purchases from Accenture’s partners, former partners, their permitted transferees and employees.

On June 7, 2005, Accenture closed a tender offer initiated during the third quarter of the fiscal year and purchased or redeemed 18.0 million Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares for $408 million. In addition, Accenture expects to purchase or redeem between $250 million and $350 million worth of its shares during the remainder of fiscal year 2005, through both open-market share purchases and its Share Management Plan transactions.

Business Outlook

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2005

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, Accenture expects net revenues to be in the range of $3.80 billion to $3.90 billion and GAAP diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $0.34 to $0.37.

Full Fiscal Year 2005

For the full fiscal year 2005, Accenture expects net revenue growth of approximately 13 percent in U.S. dollars and 9 percent in local currency, at the low end of its previously stated range. The company has revised its guidance for GAAP diluted earnings per share upward to the range of $1.52 to $1.55, which includes an expected benefit of $0.12 from reductions in reorganization liabilities.

Also for the full fiscal year 2005, Accenture now expects operating cash flow to be $1.80 billion to $2.00 billion; property and equipment additions to be $350 million; and free cash flow to be in the range of $1.45 billion to $1.65 billion. The company continues to expect the annual effective tax rate to be in the range of 31 percent to 33 percent. The company reiterated that it is targeting new bookings for fiscal year 2005 in the range of $18 billion to $20 billion, although given the uneven nature of bookings quarter-to-quarter, the company expects bookings to be at the low end of the range.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Accenture will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. EDT today to discuss its third-quarter fiscal 2005 financial results. To participate, please dial +1 (888) 276-0007 [+1 (612) 332-1025 outside the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada] approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the call. The conference call will also be accessible live on the Investor Relations section of the Accenture Web site at www.accenture.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available online at www.accenture.com and via telephone by dialing +1 (800) 475-6701 [+1 (320) 365-3844 outside the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada] and entering access code 786167 from 9:45 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 7 through 11:59 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 21.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With more than 115,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$13.67 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2004. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to our operations and results of operations, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in the Business section of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture’s expectations.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial information as defined by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation G. Pursuant to the requirements of this regulation, reconciliations of this non-GAAP financial information to Accenture’s financial statements as prepared under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are included in this press release. Accenture discloses free cash flow (defined as operating cash flow net of property and equipment additions) as well as operating income excluding reorganization benefits and costs and restructuring costs because Accenture’s management believes doing so provides investors with additional information regarding Accenture’s results of operations. While Accenture’s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating Accenture’s 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.

ACCENTURE LTD
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
2005
2004
% of Net
Revenues
% of Net
Revenues
REVENUES:
Revenues before reimbursements (Net revenues) $ 4,078,573 100% $ 3,686,662 100%
Reimbursements 419,037 10% 363,579 10%
Revenues 4,497,610 110% 4,050,241 110%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services:
Cost of services before reimbursable expenses 2,669,056 65% 2,379,787 65%
Reimbursable expenses 419,037 10% 363,579 10%
Cost of services 3,088,093 76% 2,743,366 74%
Sales and marketing 421,238 10% 391,233 11%
General and administrative costs 382,430 9% 340,549 9%
Reorganization (benefits) costs and restructuring costs (66,099) (2%) 1,936 0%
Total operating expenses 3,825,662 94% 3,477,084 94%
OPERATING INCOME 671,948 16% 573,157 16%
Gain on investments, net 4,672 0% 337 0%
Interest income 29,075 1% 16,436 0%
Interest expense (6,373) 0% (5,403) 0%
Other expense (10,919) 0% (18,705) (1%)
Equity in losses of affiliates - 0% (70) 0%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 688,403 17% 565,752 15%
Provision for taxes 202,392 5% 196,883 5%
INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST 486,011 12% 368,869 10%
Minority interest in Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc (178,677) (4%) (157,439) (4%)
Minority interest – other (1) (2,054) 0% (1,021) 0%
NET INCOME $ 305,280 7% $ 210,409 6%
CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Net income $ 305,280 $ 210,409
Minority interest in Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (2) 178,677 157,439
Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation $ 483,957 $ 367,848
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
- Basic $ 0.52 $ 0.38
- Diluted $ 0.51 $ 0.37
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES:
- Basic 587,277,097 558,330,780
- Diluted 951,945,669 1,000,536,090
(1) Minority interest – other is comprised primarily of minority interest attributable to the minority shareholders of Avanade, Inc.
(2) Diluted earnings per share assumes the redemption and exchange of all Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares, respectively, for Accenture Ltd Class A common shares, on a one-for-one basis.
ACCENTURE LTD
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
2005
2004
% of Net
Revenues
% of Net
Revenues
REVENUES:
Revenues before reimbursements (Net revenues) $ 11,622,450 100% $ 10,250,456 100%
Reimbursements 1,162,916 10% 1,056,577 10%
Revenues 12,785,366 110% 11,307,033 110%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services:
Cost of services before reimbursable expenses 7,823,445 67% 6,743,224 66%
Reimbursable expenses 1,162,916 10% 1,056,577 10%
Cost of services 8,986,361 77% 7,799,801 76%
Sales and marketing 1,157,100 10% 1,100,492 11%
General and administrative costs 1,134,723 10% 996,038 10%
Reorganization (benefits) costs and restructuring costs (94,868) (1%) 22,976 0%
Total operating expenses 11,183,316 96% 9,919,307 97%
OPERATING INCOME 1,602,050 14% 1,387,726 14%
Gain on investments, net 19,305 0% 4,167 0%
Interest income 77,259 1% 42,046 0%
Interest expense (18,989) 0% (16,970) 0%
Other (expense) income (16,092) 0% 586 0%
Equity in losses of affiliates - 0% (1,272) 0%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 1,663,533 14% 1,416,283 14%
Provision for income taxes 517,359 4% 492,867 5%
INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST 1,146,174 10% 923,416 9%
Minority interest in Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc (429,046) (4%) (414,584) (4%)
Minority interest – other (1) (5,789) 0% (994) 0%
NET INCOME $ 711,339 6% $ 507,838 5%
CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Net income $ 711,339 $ 507,838
Minority interest in Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (2) 429,046 414,584
Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation $ 1,140,385 $ 922,422
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
- Basic $ 1.21 $ 0.94
- Diluted $ 1.18 $ 0.92
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES:
- Basic 589,530,351 541,048,400
- Diluted 970,397,159 1,007,158,708
(1) Minority interest – other is comprised primarily of minority interest attributable to the minority shareholders of Avanade, Inc.
(2) Diluted earnings per share assumes the redemption and exchange of all Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares, respectively, for Accenture Ltd Class A common shares, on a one-for-one basis.
ACCENTURE LTD
SUMMARY OF REVENUES
For the Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
Percent
Increase
US$
Percent
Increase/
(Decrease)
Local
Currency
Percent of
Total 2005
Net
Revenues
May 31,
2005
May 31,
2004
OPERATING GROUPS
Communication & High Tech $ 1,036,972 $ 1,018,385 2% (1%) 26%
Financial Services 909,421 752,600 21% 16% 22%
Government 577,248 547,616 5% 2% 14%
Products 932,680 811,548 15% 11% 23%
Resources 620,564 554,620 12% 7% 15%
Other 1,688 1,893 n/m n/m -
TOTAL Net Revenues 4,078,573 3,686,662 11% 7% 100%
Reimbursements 419,037 363,579 15%
TOTAL REVENUES $ 4,497,610 $ 4,050,241 11%
GEOGRAPHY
Americas $ 1,722,388 $ 1,637,380 5% 4% 42%
EMEA 2,086,121 1,784,519 17% 10% 51%
Asia Pacific 270,064 264,763 2% - 7%
TOTAL Net Revenues 4,078,573 3,686,662 11% 7% 100%
Reimbursements 419,037 363,579 15%
TOTAL REVENUES $ 4,497,610 $ 4,050,241 11%
Nine Months Ended
Percent
Increase
US$
Percent
Increase/
(Decrease)
Local
Currency
Percent of
Total 2005
Net
Revenues
May 31,
2005
May 31,
2004
OPERATING GROUPS
Communication & High Tech $ 2,991,991 $ 2,828,207 6% 2% 26%
Financial Services 2,575,450 2,046,180 26% 19% 22%
Government 1,622,162 1,493,761 9% 5% 14%
Products 2,646,272 2,228,075 19% 14% 23%
Resources 1,781,449 1,647,515 8% 3% 15%
Other 5,126 6,718 n/m n/m -
TOTAL Net Revenues 11,622,450 10,250,456 13% 8% 100%
Reimbursements 1,162,916 1,056,577 10%
TOTAL REVENUES $ 12,785,366 $ 11,307,033 13%
GEOGRAPHY
Americas $ 4,806,624 $ 4,630,069 4% 3% 41%
EMEA 6,000,488 4,910,302 22% 13% 52%
Asia Pacific 815,338 710,085 15% 11% 7%
TOTAL Net Revenues 11,622,450 10,250,456 13% 8% 100%
Reimbursements 1,162,916 1,056,577 10%
TOTAL REVENUES $ 12,785,366 $ 11,307,033 13%
n/m = not meaningful
ACCENTURE LTD
OPERATING INCOME BY OPERATING GROUP (OG)
For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
Operating Income as Reported
May 31, 2005
May 31, 2004
Operating
Income
Percent of
OG Net
Revenues
Operating
Income
Percent of
OG Net
Revenues
Increase (Decrease)
US$
Percent
OPERATING GROUPS
Communications & High Tech $ 222,520 21% $ 145,241 14% $ 77,279 53%
Financial Services 163,218 18% 106,090 14% 57,128 54%
Government 69,181 12% 110,365 20% (41,184) (37%)
Products 117,381 13% 141,965 17% (24,584) (17%)
Resources 99,648 16% 69,496 13% 30,152 43%
TOTAL Operating Income $ 671,948 16% $ 573,157 16% $ 98,791 17%
Non-GAAP Operating Income
(Operating Income Excluding Reorganization) (1)
May 31, 2005
May 31, 2004
Non-GAAP
Operating
Income
Percent of
OG Net
Revenues
Non-GAAP
Operating
Income
Percent of
OG Net
Revenues
Increase (Decrease)
US$
Percent
OPERATING GROUPS
Communications & High Tech $ 207,027 20% $ 145,727 14% $ 61,300 42%
Financial Services 147,929 16% 106,510 14% 41,419 39%
Government 59,555 10% 110,637 20% (51,082) (46%)
Products 101,445 11% 142,402 18% (40,957) (29%)
Resources 89,893 14% 69,817 13% 20,076 29%
TOTAL Non- GAAP Operating Income $ 605,849 15% $ 575,093 16% $ 30,756 5%
(1) For the three months ended May 31, 2005, Accenture recorded net reorganization benefits of $66,099 primarily resulting from final determinations of certain reorganization liabilities established in connection with Accenture’s transition to a corporate structure in 2001, allocated to the operating groups in the following amounts: Communications & High Tech $15,493; Financial Services $15,289; Government $9,626; Products $15,936; and Resources $9,755. For the three months ended May 31, 2004, Accenture recorded reorganization costs of $1,936 related to certain reorganization liabilities established in connection with Accenture’s transition to a corporate structure in 2001, allocated to the operating groups in the following amounts: Communications & High Tech $486; Financial Services $420; Government $272; Products $437; and Resources $321. These amounts are excluded from the table.
ACCENTURE LTD
OPERATING INCOME BY OPERATING GROUP (OG)
For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2005 and May 31, 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
Operating Income as Reported
May 31, 2005
May 31, 2004
Operating
Income
Percent
of OG
Net
Revenues
Operating
Income
Percent
of OG
Net
Revenues
Increase (Decrease)
US$
Percent
Operating Groups
Communications & High Tech $ 510,345 17% $ 279,761 10% $ 230,584 82%
Financial Services 385,697 15% 271,909 13% 113,788 42%
Government 128,791 8% 247,539 17% (118,748) (48%)
Products 301,240 11% 371,817 17% (70,577) (19%)
Resources 275,977 15% 216,700 13% 59,277 27%
TOTAL Operating Income $ 1,602,050 14% $ 1,387,726 14% $ 214,324 15%
Non-GAAP Operating Income
(Operating Income Excluding Reorganization and Restructuring) (1)
May 31, 2005
May 31, 2004
Non-GAAP Operating
Income
Percent
of OG
Net
Revenues
Non-GAAP
Operating
Income
Percent
of OG
Net
Revenues
Increase (Decrease)
US$
Percent
OPERATING GROUPS
Communications & High Tech $ 487,696 16% $ 285,535 10% $ 202,161 71%
Financial Services 363,860 14% 276,997 14% 86,863 31%
Government 114,620 7% 250,903 17% (136,283) (54%)
Products 278,857 11% 376,851 17% (97,994) (26%)
Resources 262,149 15% 220,416 13% 41,733 19%
TOTAL Non-GAAP Operating Income $ 1,507,182 13% $ 1,410,702 14% $ 96,480 7%
(1) For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, Accenture recorded net reorganization benefits of $94,868 primarily resulting from final determinations of certain reorganization liabilities established in connection with Accenture’s transition to a corporate structure in 2001, allocated to the operating groups in the following amounts: Communications & High Tech $22,649; Financial Services $21,837; Government $14,171; Products $22,383; and Resources $13,828. For the nine months ended May 31, 2004, Accenture recorded restructuring costs of $107,256 related to the Company’s global consolidation of office space and net reorganization benefits of $84,280 primarily resulting from final determinations of certain reorganization liabilities established in connection with Accenture’s transition to a corporate structure in 2001. The net cost of $22,976 was allocated to the operating groups in the following amounts: Communications & High Tech $5,774; Financial Services $5,088; Government $3,364; Products $5,034; and Resources $3,716. These amounts are excluded from the table.
ACCENTURE LTD
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
May 31,
2005
August 31,
2004
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,773,031 $ 2,552,958
Short-term investments 422,397 285,288
Receivables from clients, net 1,884,160 1,662,211
Unbilled services 1,441,493 1,049,870
Other current assets 545,713 606,867
Total current assets 7,066,794 6,157,194
NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
Investments 310,174 340,121
Property and equipment, net 669,086 643,946
Other non-current assets 1,034,074 872,223
Total non-current assets 2,013,334 1,856,290
TOTAL ASSETS $ 9,080,128 $ 8,013,484
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Short-term debt $ 25,876 $ 36,715
Accounts payable 802,878 523,931
Deferred revenues 1,367,340 980,461
Accrued payroll and related benefits 1,444,242 1,508,126
Other accrued liabilities 1,378,253 1,389,556
Total current liabilities 5,018,589 4,438,789
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt 45,638 32,161
Other non-current liabilities 1,160,842 1,129,765
Total non-current liabilities 1,206,480 1,161,926
MINORITY INTEREST 1,083,923 940,963
EQUITY:
Shareholders’ equity 1,771,136 1,471,806
Total equity 1,771,136 1,471,806
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 9,080,128 $ 8,013,484

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Roxanne Taylor

+1 (917) 452 5106

roxanne.taylor@accenture.com