Accenture has increased the pay of its most junior employees by up to 10 per cent and will give staff who work more than 41 hours a week time off in lieu, as the consulting giant takes advantage of employee disquiet caused by pay cuts at its big four rivals to "attract and retain top talent".

The pay increase, which is happening amid a wider downturn in the sector because of COVID-19, means that from this month associates who earn from $65,000 a year and analysts who earn from $67,000 will have their income increased by between 8 and 10 per cent.