Information Regarding Geography and Countries (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands
3 Months Ended12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2011
May 31, 2011
Feb. 28, 2011
Nov. 30, 2010
Aug. 31, 2010
May 31, 2010
Feb. 28, 2010
Nov. 30, 2009
Aug. 31, 2011
Aug. 31, 2010
Aug. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]           
Net revenues$ 6,687,650$ 6,720,115$ 6,053,621$ 6,045,650$ 5,420,581$ 5,571,017$ 5,176,438$ 5,382,532$ 25,507,036$ 21,550,568$ 21,576,850
Reimbursements486,423484,240442,672432,543412,492404,478361,385365,1551,845,8781,543,5101,594,118
Revenues7,174,0737,204,3556,496,2936,478,1935,833,0735,975,4955,537,8235,747,68727,352,91423,094,07823,170,968
Property and equipment, net as of August 31785,231   659,569   785,231659,569701,144
Americas
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]           
Net revenues        11,270,6689,465,3579,403,420
Reimbursements        851,081808,951853,035
Revenues        12,121,74910,274,30810,256,455
Property and equipment, net as of August 31235,900   240,228   235,900240,228254,922
EMEA
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]           
Net revenues        10,853,684[1]9,583,268[1]9,903,536[1]
Reimbursements        699,631[1]534,566[1]564,886[1]
Revenues        11,553,315[1]10,117,834[1]10,468,422[1]
Property and equipment, net as of August 31230,805[1]   204,948[1]   230,805[1]204,948[1]237,845[1]
Asia Pacific
           
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]           
Net revenues        3,382,6842,501,9432,269,894
Reimbursements        295,166199,993176,197
Revenues        3,677,8502,701,9362,446,091
Property and equipment, net as of August 31$ 318,526   $ 214,393   $ 318,526$ 214,393$ 208,377
[1]EMEA includes Europe, Middle East and Africa.