Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013 Comercia Global Payments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Commercia Global Payments Brazil [Member]	Aug. 31, 2014 Commercia Global Payments Brazil [Member]	Mar. 04, 2014 PayPros [Member]	Oct. 31, 2013 Contract-based and Customer-related Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Member] American Express Portfolio [Member]	Aug. 31, 2014 Contract-Based Intangible Assets [Member] American Express Portfolio [Member]	Mar. 04, 2014 Contract-Based Intangible Assets [Member] PayPros [Member]	Mar. 04, 2014 Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] PayPros [Member]	May 31, 2014 Interest and Other Income [Member] Commercia Global Payments Brazil [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners			49.00%	50.00%
Proceeds from divestiture of business	$ 10,528,000	$ 990,000		$ 2,100,000
Gain (loss) on deconsolidation											2,100,000
Investment made during period for funding commitment					3,900,000
Merchant portfolio acquired							1,900,000
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life								10 years	13 years	7 years
Percentage of controlling financial interest acquired						100.00%
Cash paid						420,000,000
Payments to acquire business, working capital						$ 6,500,000