Accenture weighs China business sale of up to $1.5 billion

Accenture is exploring a possible sale of its China business for up to $1.5 billion and has enlisted JPMorgan to assess its options, India Today reported on October 18, citing a Financial Times report based on people familiar with the matter.

The strategic review follows unsolicited approaches from potential buyers over the past year. A sale has not been confirmed, and the reported valuation is a potential deal value rather than an agreed price.

A possible sale with continued ownership

Private equity firms and a small pool of strategic buyers are expected to show interest, according to the FT account. Accenture could retain a significant minority holding if a transaction proceeds, leaving it with an ownership interest rather than making a complete exit.

Accenture’s website describes its Greater China operations as covering mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. That regional footprint provides context for the review, although the reporting does not establish the precise assets or markets that would be included in a final transaction.

Separately, the company expects revenue growth of 3–6% in its 2027 financial year, a forecast the report described as stronger than analysts had anticipated.

Separate controls on employee AI spending

The review also comes alongside reported changes to Accenture’s internal spending on artificial intelligence tools. In a separate account cited by the publication, 404 Media reported that the company introduced a $29 monthly allowance per employee for Claude Enterprise from October 1.

Employees seeking usage beyond that allowance must submit a Work Breakdown Structure identifying the project or team that will cover the additional expense. Approval and a licence do not guarantee continuing access: licences can be reassigned according to business needs.

The company has also expanded its AI and data workforce from 40,000 to nearly 110,000, according to the reporting. These spending controls and workforce changes are separate developments; the reporting does not establish that they prompted the China strategic review.