RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension expense	$ 91,771	$ 102,555	$ 110,332
Contributions to U.S. and non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans, cash funding for retiree medical plans and benefit payments related to the unfunded frozen plan for former pre-incorporation partners	66,644
Total expenses recorded for the United States and the United Kingdom defined contribution retirement plans	248,242	255,606	235,439
U.S. Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
DefinedBenefitPlanEmployerContributionsInFiscalYear	$ 500,000

The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph g

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant