ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Aug. 31, 2017		Aug. 31, 2016		Aug. 31, 2015
Foreign currency translation
Beginning balance		$ (919,963)		$ (853,504)		$ (324,596)
Foreign currency translation		164,073		(67,884)		(524,729)
Income tax benefit (expense)		(988)		2,120		6,520
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests		(13,165)		(695)		(10,699)
Foreign currency translation, net of tax		149,920		(66,459)		(528,908)
Ending balance		(770,043)		(919,963)		(853,504)
Defined benefit plans
Beginning balance		(809,504)	[1]	(523,619)	[1]	(531,143)
Actuarial losses		49,565		(481,331)		(77,228)
Pension settlement		509,793		0		64,382
Prior service costs arising during the period		847		1,561		(79)
Reclassifications into net periodic pension and post-retirement expense		44,913		26,639		27,538
Income tax benefit (expense)		(219,817)		153,869		(6,725)
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests		(16,416)		13,377		(364)
Defined benefit plans, net of tax		368,885		(285,885)		7,524
Ending balance (1)	[1]	(440,619)		(809,504)		(523,619)
Cash flow hedges
Beginning balance		68,011	[2]	(33,288)	[2]	(16,209)
Unrealized gain (loss)		195,848		180,196		(17,207)
Reclassification adjustments into Cost of services		(118,840)		(23,004)		(15,207)
Income tax benefit (expense)		(28,309)		(51,153)		14,508
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests		(2,075)		(4,740)		827
Cash flow hedges, net of tax		46,624		101,299		(17,079)
Ending balance (2)	[2]	114,635		68,011		(33,288)
Marketable securities
Beginning balance		(264)		(1,561)		0
Unrealized gain (loss)		1,758		2,231		(2,693)
Income tax benefit (expense)		(183)		(873)		1,056
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests		(68)		(61)		76
Marketable securities, net of tax		1,507		1,297		(1,561)
Ending balance		1,243		(264)		(1,561)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,094,784)		$ (1,661,720)		$ (1,411,972)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization, Next Fiscal Year		(35,879)
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months		$ 112,303

[1] As of August 31, 2017, $35,879 of net losses is expected to be reclassified into net periodic pension expense recognized in cost of services, sales and marketing and general and administrative costs in the next twelve months.

[2] August 31, 2017, $112,303 of net unrealized gains related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges is expected to be reclassified into Cost of services in the next twelve months.