The information technology (IT) consulting industry is highly competitive, with firms continuously innovating to stay at the forefront. Largest does not always mean best, but size and scale can provide advantages in terms of breadth of expertise and global reach.
The top 10 largest IT consulting firms worldwide have hundreds of thousands of employees across the globe and service clients in virtually every industry. Read on for an in-depth look at these consulting powerhouses.
1. Accenture – 738,000 Employees
Accenture is the largest IT consulting firm worldwide, with over 738,000 employees serving clients in 120 countries. The company, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, operates 200 offices in 50 countries.
Accenture offers strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations services focused on helping enterprises achieve their business objectives. The company has industry-specific groups for financial services, health, public services, communications, media and technology, resources, and consumer goods/services.
Key service areas include cloud, security, emerging technologies, intelligent platforms and services, interactive design, mobility, analytics, core industry processing platforms, and more. Accenture Labs incubates and prototypes new concepts through applied R&D projects across technologies like AI, extended reality, quantum computing, DLT/blockchain, and ambient experiences.
With $51 billion in 2022 revenues, Accenture serves 91 of the Fortune Global 100 companies and more than three-quarters of the Fortune Global 500. The company has 6,700+ active patents and patent applications.
Accenture has grown largely organically but has made some notable acquisitions like CloudSherpas (cloud services), Fjord (design), Kurt Salmon (management consulting) and Gapso (AI/emerging tech). The firm frequently tops rankings of the most valuable consulting brands.
2. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) – 516,971 Employees
Headquartered in Mumbai, India, TCS is a global IT services, consulting and business solutions company that operates in 149 locations across 46 countries. With over 516,000 consultants, TCS is the largest private sector employer in India.
TCS offers a comprehensive range of technology services spanning business intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud, IoT, blockchain, enterprise systems, and more. The firm has strong capabilities in key verticals like banking, financial services, insurance, life sciences and healthcare, manufacturing, retail and consumer packaged goods, telecom, utilities, and travel/hospitality.
Some of TCS’ leading products and platforms include TCS BaNCS (banking), TCS OmniStore (retail), TCS Connected Intelligence Platform (analytics/IoT), TCS TwinX (digital twin), and the TCS Payment Gateway.
With FY2022 revenues exceeding $25 billion, TCS serves over 60% of the Fortune 500 companies. The firm is among the top 3 in market share for banking application services. TCS has over 20 innovation labs across the world and 438 active patents.
Notable TCS acquisitions include ALTI (France), Prudential’s business process outsourcing unit (Poland), and e-Serve and FNS (Japan) which expanded TCS‘s footprint across Europe and Japan. TCS frequently ranks among the IT services industry leaders.
3. Deloitte – 415,000 Employees
Deloitte is a prominent global consulting firm that provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, and tax services across industries. Founded in London in 1845 and headquartered in New York City, Deloitte operates in 150 countries with over 415,000 professionals worldwide.
Deloitte’s technology consulting practice helps enterprises solve complex IT challenges in areas like cloud migration, IT transformation, application modernization, and establishing digital operations. Key focus areas include AI, blockchain, digital reality, quantum computing, and robotics process automation.
With FY2022 global revenues exceeding $59 billion, Deloitte serves 90% of the Fortune Global 500 companies. The firm has made over 45 strategic acquisitions since 2010, including At church (cybersecurity), SAP consulting teams at both BearingPoint and Slalom, and Brightman Almagor Zohar (Israel).
Deloitte frequently publishes respected thought leadership analyzing key technology trends and advises clients on how to leverage emerging technologies to achieve business objectives. The firm is perennially listed among the world’s top consulting brands.
4. Ernst & Young (EY) – 312,250 Employees
Ernst & Young, headquartered in London, is a global professional services firm focused on assurance, consulting, strategy, tax and transactions services. EY operates in over 150 countries with 312,250 employees worldwide.
EY‘s managed and professional technology services help clients transform their technology, cybersecurity, supply chain, data, and associated operating models. This includes creating technology strategies, building new tech capabilities, modernizing IT infrastructure and apps, leveraging emerging tech, and more.
Key offerings include cybersecurity services, IT advisory services, application development and modernization, IT managed services, AI and data analytics solutions, blockchain services, Internet of Things solutions, and other emerging tech.
EY’s FY2022 global revenues exceeded $45 billion. The firm serves 94% of the Fortune 1000 companies, advising them on leveraging technology to achieve growth and business objectives. EY makes strategic acquisitions to expand expertise, including睚步unkhaus (cybersecurity), C3 Group (Salesforce capabilities), and Servigistics (service parts planning).
5. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) – 328,000 Employees
Headquartered in London, PwC is a professional services firm engaged in assurance, advisory, tax, legal and consulting services. With 328,000 employees in over 157 countries, PwC is one of the Big Four accounting firms and the second largest professional services firm globally.
PwC’s technology consulting practice advises clients on strategy, architecture, new tech capabilities, transformation programs, and delivering tangible outcomes from technology investments. Focus areas are cloud transformation, cybersecurity, emerging tech, analytics, engineering services, and more.
PwC’s FY2022 global revenues exceeded $50 billion. The firm acquired over 45 companies since 2010 to expand capabilities, including Booz Allen Hamilton’s commercial systems integration business, the Salesforce practice of Fluid Inc, Teradata Applications consulting practice, and CloudEssence.
PwC frequently publishes cutting-edge research on trends like metaverse implications, quantum computing adoption, immersive technologies, decentralized autonomous organizations, and more. Their insights help clients capitalize on tech innovation.
6. IBM Global Services – 282,000 Employees
IBM Global Services, headquartered in Armonk, NY, offers management and technology consulting services spanning hybrid cloud, AI, supply chain, security, digital workplace, business applications, systems integration and more. With over 282,000 professionals serving clients in 170 countries, IBM Global Services is one of the largest technology services and consulting firms.
IBM operates a leading enterprise hybrid cloud platform and 43 data centers across 17 countries. Key focus areas are building robust cloud architectures, modernizing core business systems, driving intelligent workflows with AI, advancing security strategies, and leveraging quantum computing. IBM has made over 25 strategic cloud and AI acquisitions since 2010.
IBM Global Services generated over $16 billion in revenue in 2021. The group serves 17 of the top 20 aerospace companies, 10 of the top 10 automakers, 8 of the top 10 chemical companies, and all 10 of the world‘s largest banks. IBM has over 35,000 patents worldwide.
7. Infosys – 346,000 Employees
Headquartered in Bangalore, India and operating in 50 countries, Infosys is a leading global IT services and consulting company. Infosys enables enterprise cloud transformations and provides industry-specific solutions for banking, financial services, insurance, life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing and other verticals.
With over 346,000 employees worldwide, Infosys offers a range of technology services including business process management, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management, system integration, package implementation, product engineering, business consulting, and analytics.
Infosys works extensively with emerging tech like AI, automation, IoT, cloud, and big data/analytics to develop solutions tailored to client business objectives. The firm has over 2,000 active patents and patent applications.
In FY 2022, Infosys recorded revenues surpassing $16 billion. Notable acquisitions include Simplus (Salesforce), Kaleidoscope (product design), and GuideVision (ServiceNow capabilities). Infosys frequently ranks among the top global IT services brands.
8. NTT DATA Corporation – 307,300 Employees
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, NTT DATA provides IT services spanning consulting, system development, IT infrastructure, and business process outsourcing. The company operates in over 50 countries with over 307,000 employees worldwide.
NTT DATA helps clients modernize legacy IT environments, automate processes with AI and RPA, build cloud-based infrastructures, digitize customer engagement, leverage IoT data, and navigate changing cybersecurity challenges. Key geographical markets include North and Latin America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
Major NTT DATA subsidiaries and affiliates include former Dell Services, Everis, itelligence, Sierra Systems, and Cognizant‘s health insurance services business. NTT DATA partners with technology leaders like ServiceNow, Google Cloud, AWS, Pega, Snowflake, and Salesforce to deliver solutions tailored to client needs and industries.
NTT DATA services over 20% of Fortune Global 500 companies. With FY2021 revenues exceeding $23 billion, the firm is focused on guiding clients through the challenges of digital disruption and transformation.
9. Capgemini – 340,000 Employees
Capgemini, headquartered in Paris, France, is a leading provider of consulting, digital transformation, technology, and engineering services. With over 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries, Capgemini serves international companies across all major industries.
Capgemini has a strong focus on developing intelligent industry-specific solutions across cloud, data, AI, IoT, software engineering, platforms, and cybersecurity. Their rightshore® delivery model combines onsite, nearshore and offshore services for optimal flexibility.
With 2021 revenues of €18 billion, Capgemini works with 90% of the world’s largest companies. The group’s approach emphasizes understanding client needs and collaborating to achieve measurable results through technology-enabled transformation.
Major Capgemini acquisitions include VariQ, LiquidHub, Lyons Consulting Group, and Enov8. The firm partners with technology leaders such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAP, and Adobe to deliver cutting-edge solutions tailored to client objectives.
10. Fujitsu – 160,000 Employees
Tokyo-based Fujitsu provides information and communication technology services ranging from hardware infrastructure to software solutions and consulting. Fujitsu operates data centers, cloud services and offices in over 100 countries, with an estimated 160,000 employees.
Fujitsu offers AI-driven enterprise solutions for areas like data analytics, hybrid IT environments, digital workplaces, application modernization, blockchain, IoT, and cybersecurity. Industry verticals range from automotive and manufacturing to government, healthcare, financial services, education, and more.
With consolidated 2021 revenues of approximately $30 billion, Fujitsu serves over 2 million customers globally. To enhance capabilities and drive co-creation, Fujitsu forms strategic partnerships with companies like Microsoft, SAP, Google Cloud, VMware, and Salesforce.
Fujitsu frequently tops rankings of the most valuable IT services brands globally. The company holds over 20,000 patents, reflecting sustained technology innovation. Strategic acquisitions expand expertise in new technologies and geographic markets.
Key Takeaways on the Largest IT Consulting Firms
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The top 10 largest IT consulting firms employ hundreds of thousands of consultants globally and generate tens of billions in annual revenues. Their scale provides significant resourcing, expertise, and investment advantages.
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Leading IT consultancies offer services spanning strategy, emerging tech, cloud, analytics, engineering, security, supply chain, design, and industry-specific solutions. They aim to help clients successfully harness technology innovation.
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Most large firms have grown rapidly via acquisitions of smaller consulting firms and tech companies, expanding capabilities and geographic reach. However, organic growth remains substantial.
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India-based firms like TCS, Infosys, Wipro and HCL have significantly expanded in recent decades and now rival Western consultancies in size and market share. However, the US and Europe remain key markets.
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The consulting arms of large technology vendors such as IBM, Accenture and Fujitsu are considerable players, though they operate a bit differently than independent consulting firms.
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Navigating complex global operations, maintaining quality across engagements, and recruiting/retaining top talent are key challenges for large IT consultancies.
The IT consulting ecosystem remains dynamic. While the largest firms dominate, smaller specialists firms continue playing an important role in the universe of technology advisory services.