COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Fair value of Avanade redeemable common stock and options	$ 52,996	$ 54,221
Expressly limited performance guarantee	697,000	749,000
Portion of guarantee not recoverable	$ 149,000	$ 113,000

Fair value of outstanding Avanade common stock, and intrinsic value of options to purchase Avanade common stock, which have put rights that under certain circumstances and conditions would require Avanade to redeem these shares at fair value.

No definition available.

Name:	acn_RedeemableCommonStockAndOptionsOfSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	acn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant