REORGANIZATION (BENEFITS) COSTS, NET - Reorganization Activity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Reorganization Liability [Roll Forward]
Reorganization liability, beginning of period	$ 268,806	$ 307,286	$ 271,907
Final determinations	(273,945)	0	0
Interest expense accrued	1,903	1,691	1,520
Other Adjustments	3,532	0	(3,873)
Foreign currency translation	18,165	(40,171)	37,732
Reorganization liability, end of period	$ 18,461	$ 268,806	$ 307,286

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