SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Dividend Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012
Dividends [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.81	$ 0.675	$ 1.62	$ 1.35
Cash Outlay			$ 1,121,738
Accenture SCA Class I Common Shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc Exchangeable Shares
Dividends [Line Items]
Cash Outlay			78,821
Class A ordinary shares
Dividends [Line Items]
Cash Outlay			1,042,917
Dividend Payment November 2012
Dividends [Line Items]
Dividend Payment Date			Nov. 15, 2012
Dividend Per Share			$ 0.81
Cash Outlay			560,135
Dividend Payment November 2012 | Accenture SCA Class I Common Shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc Exchangeable Shares
Dividends [Line Items]
Record Date			Oct. 09, 2012
Cash Outlay			43,965
Dividend Payment November 2012 | Class A ordinary shares
Dividends [Line Items]
Record Date			Oct. 12, 2012
Cash Outlay			516,170
Dividend Payment May 2013
Dividends [Line Items]
Dividend Payment Date			May 15, 2013
Dividend Per Share			$ 0.81
Cash Outlay			561,603
Dividend Payment May 2013 | Accenture SCA Class I Common Shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc Exchangeable Shares
Dividends [Line Items]
Record Date			Apr. 09, 2013
Cash Outlay			34,856
Dividend Payment May 2013 | Class A ordinary shares
Dividends [Line Items]
Record Date			Apr. 12, 2013
Cash Outlay			$ 526,747