Accenture vs. Automatic Data Processing: Comparing Quarterly Revenue Trends
Key Points
Accenture currently maintains a significantly higher absolute revenue level than Automatic Data Processing.
Both companies display relatively stable quarter-over-quarter revenue patterns over the last two years, experiencing only minor seasonal fluctuations.
Investors should watch whether the sizable revenue gap between the two companies remains consistent or begins to shift in upcoming quarters.
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Accenture (NYSE:ACN) and Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP) have been consistent performers for many years. Both companies’ annual revenue continues to grow, although at single-digit rates.
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an opportunity for these companies to expand their revenue potential through new services, investors should monitor how this technology affects their revenue growth going forward.
Accenture: Steady Revenue in Professional Services
Accenture primarily generates revenue by delivering a wide array of strategy, consulting, technology, and operations services worldwide.
While expanding its cybersecurity portfolio through multiple acquisitions and forming new joint partnerships, it reported an approximately 13% net income margin for the quarter ended May 31, 2026.
Automatic Data Processing: Consistent Human Capital Management Revenue
Automatic Data Processing primarily earns revenue by providing cloud-based human capital management and payroll outsourcing solutions.
As it launched a new Canadian wage tracking tool and experienced no major adverse events, it generated an approximately 18% net income margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
Why Revenue Matters for Retail Investors
Revenue is the most fundamental measure of a company’s performance. Changes over time can reveal how easily a company can expand, reach new customers, and defend its competitive position in the industry.
Quarterly Revenue for Accenture and Automatic Data Processing
| Quarter (Period End) | Accenture Revenue | Automatic Data Processing Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 2024 | $16.4 billion (period ended Aug. 2024) | $4.8 billion (period ended Sept. 2024) |
| Q4 2024 | $17.7 billion (period ended Nov. 2024) | $5.0 billion (period ended Dec. 2024) |
| Q1 2025 | $16.7 billion (period ended Feb. 2025) | $5.6 billion (period ended March 2025) |
| Q2 2025 | $17.7 billion (period ended May 2025) | $5.1 billion (period ended June 2025) |
| Q3 2025 | $17.6 billion (period ended Aug. 2025) | $5.2 billion (period ended Sept. 2025) |
| Q4 2025 | $18.7 billion (period ended Nov. 2025) | $5.4 billion (period ended Dec. 2025) |
| Q1 2026 | $18.0 billion (period ended Feb. 2026) | $5.9 billion (period ended March 2026) |
| Q2 2026 | $18.7 billion (period ended May 2026) | $5.5 billion (period ended June 2026) |
Data source: Company filings. Data as of July 30, 2026.
Foolish Take
Accenture is experiencing significant traction for AI services. It is targeting a more than $240 billion addressable market with the launch of Accenture Edge, which offers cybersecurity solutions to mid-sized organizations. Cybersecurity is growing faster than the rest of the business, and management plans to keep investing to support that growth.
Automatic Data Processing is also seeing strong demand for The Zone, its AI-powered service platform that works alongside ADP Assist, the company’s AI-powered workflow platform. ADP Assist has over 3 million unique active users, underscoring how the company continues to find growth opportunities even as AI reshapes the corporate workplace.
Still, as both companies see traction in AI-related services, they are growing at similar revenue growth rates as before. AI appears to be an extension of their continued growth and not an accelerant yet. This may not allow either company to outpace the other, keeping their relative revenue gaps roughly even for the foreseeable future.
Investors will want to continue to monitor how AI-related services influence their growth trajectory for signs of competitive strength or weakness amid rapid change in the corporate landscape.
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John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Accenture Plc. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $260 calls on Accenture Plc and short January 2028 $280 calls on Accenture Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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