MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS AFFECTING SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Dividend Activity (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2016
Nov. 30, 2015
Dividends [Line Items]    
Dividend Per Share $ 1.21 $ 1.10
Dividend Payment November 2016 [Member]    
Dividends [Line Items]    
Dividend Payment Date Nov. 15, 2016  
Dividend Per Share $ 1.21  
Cash Outlay $ 785,127  
Dividend Payment November 2016 [Member] | Accenture Holdings plc ordinary Shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc Exchangeable Shares [Member]    
Dividends [Line Items]    
Record Date Oct. 18, 2016  
Cash Outlay $ 34,990  
Dividend Payment November 2016 [Member] | Class A ordinary shares    
Dividends [Line Items]    
Record Date Oct. 21, 2016  
Cash Outlay $ 750,137