REORGANIZATION (BENEFITS) COSTS, NET - Reorganization Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012
Reorganization Liability [Roll Forward]
Reorganization liability, beginning of period	$ 64,279	$ 287,913	$ 268,806	$ 307,286
Final determinations	(49,690)	0	(273,945)	0
Interest expense accrued	466	435	1,419	1,258
Other adjustments	787	0	3,532	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,942	(22,645)	17,972	(42,841)
Reorganization liability, end of period	$ 17,784	$ 265,703	$ 17,784	$ 265,703

In fiscal 2001, the Company accrued reorganization liabilities in connection with its transition to a corporate structure. These liabilities included certain non-income tax liabilities, such as stamp taxes, as well as liabilities for certain individual income tax exposures related to the transfer of interests in certain entities to the Company as part of the reorganization. These primarily represent unusual and disproportionate individual income tax exposures assumed by certain, but not all, of the Company's shareholders and partners in certain tax jurisdictions specifically related to the transfer of their partnership interests in certain entities to the Company as part of the reorganization.

No definition available.

Name:	acn_ReorganizationLiability
Namespace Prefix:	acn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant