Accenture to Pay $25M Settlement Over Alleged Discriminatory Hiring and Promotion Practices
Management consulting firm Accenture has agreed to pay a $25 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations that it discriminated in hiring and promotions based on race and sex, violating the False Claims Act since 2017. The DOJ accused Accenture of using demographic goals tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to influence employment decisions, including favoring candidates who advanced these objectives during recruitment and promotion processes. The settlement is part of a broader crackdown by the DOJ under the second Trump administration on federal contractors' DEI practices. In late August 2026, Deloitte also reached a $21.5 million agreement for similar allegations. The False Claims Act allows penalties when companies submit false claims to the government; in this case, Accenture was accused of violating its obligation as a federal contractor to provide equal opportunity without regard to race or sex. Accenture stated it complies with applicable laws and that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability. The company had previously announced plans to end global DEI goals following President Trump’s executive orders in 2025.
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