By Micah Maidenberg

Accenture PLC said it returned to pre-pandemic growth rates in its latest quarter, a sign that corporate activity continues to normalize as economic activity picks up.

The consulting firm on Thursday said it earned net income attributable to the company of $1.44 billion for its fiscal second quarter, up from $1.23 billion for the year-earlier period.

Profit rose to $2.23 from $1.91 on a per-share basis. Accenture's profit of $2.03 a share after stripping out investment-related gains surpassed forecast from analysts, according to FactSet.

Revenue rose to $12.09 billion for the quarter that ended Feb. 28, from $11.14 billion.

Analysts expected the company to generate about $11.8 billion in revenue for the latest period.

Chief Executive Julie Sweet said Thursday that the company got back to pre-pandemic growth in the latest quarter. That was ahead of expectations, she said, as the firm saw "broad-based demand for our services across geographic markets and industries."

Revenue was up 5% after currency adjustments.

All staff below the managing director level will receive a one-time bonus equal to a week of base pay, the company said. Many corporations have sought to use bonuses, or in some cases temporary increases in pay, as an acknowledgment of employee efforts amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This bonus recognizes the exceptional contributions and dedication of all Accenture people to its clients during this challenging year," Accenture said in a statement.

Write to Micah Maidenberg at micah.maidenberg@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-18-21 0725ET