CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY STATEMENT (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Ordinary Shares	Class A ordinary shares	Class X Ordinary Shares	Restricted Share Units	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Shares	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total Accenture plc Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2012	$ 4,624,428	$ 57	$ 16	$ 1	$ 863,714	$ 1,341,576	$ (5,285,625)	$ 7,904,242	$ (678,148)	$ 4,145,833	$ 478,595
Beginning Balance Treasury (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2012							(112,410,000)
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2012		40,000	745,749,000	43,372,000
Comprehensive income:
Net income	2,827,192							2,610,878		2,610,878	216,314
Other comprehensive loss	(185,403)								(174,004)	(174,004)	(11,399)
Comprehensive income	2,641,789									2,436,874
Income tax benefit on share-based compensation plans	195,012					195,012				195,012
Purchases of Class A ordinary shares	(1,243,970)					71,860	(1,243,970)			(1,172,110)	(71,860)
Purchases of Class A ordinary shares (in shares)							(16,981,000)
Share-based compensation expense	473,317				440,708	32,609				473,317
Purchases/redemptions of Accenture SCA Class I common shares, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares and Class X ordinary shares	(203,568)					(189,960)				(189,960)	(13,608)
Purchases/redemptions of Accenture SCA Class I common shares, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares and Class X ordinary shares (in shares)				(12,483,000)
Issuances of Class A ordinary shares
Employee share programs	458,094		1		(430,199)	642,824	218,929			431,555	26,539
Employee share programs (in shares)			11,969,000				6,777,000
Upon redemption of Accenture SCA Class I common shares	0		10,836,000			49,413,000				49,413,000	(49,413,000)
Dividends	(1,121,738)				55,204			(1,098,121)		(1,042,917)	(78,821)
Other, net	(13,304)					10,572		(12,722)		(2,150)	(11,154)
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2013	$ 5,810,060	$ 57	$ 17	$ 1	$ 929,427	$ 2,153,906	$ (6,310,666)	$ 9,404,277	$ (852,152)	$ 5,324,867	$ 485,193
Ending Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2013		40,000	768,554,000	30,889,000
Ending Balance Treasury (in shares) at May. 31, 2013							(122,614,000)