Document and Entity Information
Document and Entity Information - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Oct. 08, 2020 | Feb. 28, 2020 | |
Document Information [Line Items] | |||
Document Annual Report | true | ||
Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | ||
Entity Shell Company | false | ||
Security Exchange Name | NYSE | ||
Title of 12(b) Security | Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0000225 per share | ||
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | L2 | ||
Document Transition Report | false | ||
Document Type | 10-K | ||
Amendment Flag | false | ||
Document Period End Date | Aug. 31, 2020 | ||
Entity File Number | 001-34448 | ||
Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2020 | ||
Document Fiscal Period Focus | FY | ||
Trading Symbol | ACN | ||
Entity Registrant Name | Accenture plc | ||
Entity Address, Address Line One | 1 Grand Canal Square | ||
Entity Address, Address Line Two | Grand Canal Harbour | ||
Entity Central Index Key | 0001467373 | ||
Current Fiscal Year End Date | --08-31 | ||
Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer | ||
Entity Public Float | $ 115,077,476,776 | ||
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | Yes | ||
Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | ||
Entity Voluntary Filers | No | ||
Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes | ||
Entity Small Business | false | ||
Documents Incorporated by Reference [Text Block] | Portions of the definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities | ||
Entity Tax Identification Number | 98-0627530 | ||
Entity Address, City or Town | Dublin | ||
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 2 | ||
Entity Address, Country | IE | ||
Country Region | 353 | ||
City Area Code | 1 | ||
Local Phone Number | 646-2000 | ||
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag | true | ||
Class A Ordinary Shares | |||
Document Information [Line Items] | |||
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 658,883,029 | ||
Class X Ordinary Shares | |||
Document Information [Line Items] | |||
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 527,509 |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
CURRENT ASSETS: | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 8,415,330,000 | $ 6,126,853,000 |
Short-term investments | 94,309,000 | 3,313,000 |
Receivables and contract assets | 7,846,892,000 | 8,095,071,000 |
Other current assets | 1,393,225,000 | 1,225,364,000 |
Total current assets | 17,749,756,000 | 15,450,601,000 |
NON-CURRENT ASSETS: | ||
Contract assets | 43,257,000 | 71,002,000 |
Investments | 324,514,000 | 240,313,000 |
Property and equipment, net | 1,545,568,000 | 1,391,166,000 |
Lease assets | 3,183,346,000 | 0 |
Goodwill | 7,709,820,000 | 6,205,550,000 |
Deferred contract costs | 723,168,000 | 681,492,000 |
Deferred tax assets | 4,153,146,000 | 4,349,464,000 |
Other non-current assets | 1,646,018,000 | 1,400,292,000 |
Total non-current assets | 19,328,837,000 | 14,339,279,000 |
TOTAL ASSETS | 37,078,593,000 | 29,789,880,000 |
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||
Current portion of long-term debt and bank borrowings | 7,820,000 | 6,411,000 |
Accounts payable | 1,349,874,000 | 1,646,641,000 |
Deferred revenues | 3,636,741,000 | 3,188,835,000 |
Accrued payroll and related benefits | 5,083,950,000 | 4,890,542,000 |
Income taxes payable | 453,542,000 | 378,017,000 |
Lease liabilities | 756,057,000 | 0 |
Accrued consumption taxes | 662,409,000 | 446,699,000 |
Other accrued liabilities | 712,197,000 | 504,751,000 |
Total current liabilities | 12,662,590,000 | 11,061,896,000 |
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||
Long-term debt | 54,052,000 | 16,247,000 |
Deferred revenues | 690,931,000 | 565,224,000 |
Retirement obligation | 1,859,444,000 | 1,765,914,000 |
Deferred tax liabilities | 179,703,000 | 133,232,000 |
Income taxes payable | 930,695,000 | 892,688,000 |
Lease liabilities | 2,667,584,000 | 0 |
Other non-current liabilities | 534,421,000 | 526,988,000 |
Total non-current liabilities | 6,916,830,000 | 3,900,293,000 |
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ||
Restricted share units | 1,585,302,000 | 1,411,903,000 |
Additional paid-in capital | 7,167,227,000 | 5,804,448,000 |
Treasury shares, at cost: Ordinary, 40,000 shares as of August 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019; Class A ordinary, 24,383,369 and 18,964,863 shares as of August 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively | (2,565,761,000) | (1,388,376,000) |
Retained earnings | 12,375,533,000 | 10,421,538,000 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,561,837,000) | (1,840,577,000) |
Total Accenture plc shareholders’ equity | 17,000,536,000 | 14,409,008,000 |
Noncontrolling interests | 498,637,000 | 418,683,000 |
Total shareholders’ equity | 17,499,173,000 | 14,827,691,000 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 37,078,593,000 | 29,789,880,000 |
Ordinary Shares | ||
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ||
Ordinary shares, value | 57,000 | 57,000 |
Class A Ordinary Shares | ||
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ||
Ordinary shares, value | 15,000 | 15,000 |
Class X Ordinary Shares | ||
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ||
Ordinary shares, value | $ 0 | $ 0 |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) | Aug. 31, 2020$ / sharesshares | Aug. 31, 2020€ / sharesshares | Aug. 31, 2019$ / sharesshares | Aug. 31, 2019€ / sharesshares |
Ordinary Shares | ||||
Ordinary shares, par value | € / shares | € 1 | € 1 | ||
Ordinary shares, shares authorized | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 |
Ordinary shares, shares issued | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 |
Treasury shares, ordinary shares | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 |
Class A Ordinary Shares | ||||
Ordinary shares, par value | $ / shares | $ 0.0000225 | $ 0.0000225 | ||
Ordinary shares, shares authorized | 20,000,000,000 | 20,000,000,000 | 20,000,000,000 | 20,000,000,000 |
Ordinary shares, shares issued | 658,548,895 | 658,548,895 | 654,739,267 | 654,739,267 |
Treasury shares, ordinary shares | 24,383,369 | 24,383,369 | 18,964,863 | 18,964,863 |
Class X Ordinary Shares | ||||
Ordinary shares, par value | $ / shares | $ 0.0000225 | $ 0.0000225 | ||
Ordinary shares, shares authorized | 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 |
Ordinary shares, shares issued | 527,509 | 527,509 | 609,404 | 609,404 |
Ordinary shares, shares outstanding | 527,509 | 527,509 | 609,404 | 609,404 |
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | |||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | ||
REVENUES: | ||||
Revenues | $ 44,327,039,000 | $ 43,215,013,000 | $ 40,992,534,000 | |
OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||
Cost of services | 30,350,881,000 | 29,900,325,000 | 28,499,170,000 | |
Sales and marketing | 4,625,929,000 | 4,447,456,000 | 4,196,201,000 | |
General and administrative costs | 2,836,585,000 | 2,562,158,000 | 2,398,384,000 | |
Total operating expenses | 37,813,395,000 | 36,909,939,000 | 35,093,755,000 | |
OPERATING INCOME | 6,513,644,000 | 6,305,074,000 | 5,898,779,000 | |
Interest income | 69,331,000 | 87,508,000 | 56,337,000 | |
Interest expense | (33,071,000) | (22,963,000) | (19,539,000) | |
Other income (expense), net | 224,427,000 | (117,822,000) | (127,484,000) | |
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 6,774,331,000 | 6,251,797,000 | 5,808,093,000 | |
Income tax expense | 1,589,018,000 | 1,405,556,000 | 1,593,499,000 | |
Net Income | 5,185,313,000 | 4,846,241,000 | 4,214,594,000 | |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in Accenture Holdings plc and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. | [1] | (6,325,000) | (6,694,000) | (95,063,000) |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests – other | (71,149,000) | (60,435,000) | (59,624,000) | |
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCENTURE PLC | $ 5,107,839,000 | $ 4,779,112,000 | $ 4,059,907,000 | |
Weighted average Class A ordinary shares: | ||||
Basic (in shares) | 636,299,913 | 638,098,125 | 628,451,742 | |
Diluted (in shares) | 647,797,003 | 650,204,873 | 655,296,150 | |
Earnings per Class A ordinary share: | ||||
Basic (in dollars per share) | $ 8.03 | $ 7.49 | $ 6.46 | |
Diluted (in dollars per share) | 7.89 | 7.36 | 6.34 | |
Cash dividends per share (in dollars per share) | $ 3.20 | $ 2.92 | $ 2.66 | |
[1] | Diluted earnings per share assumes the exchange of all Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis and the redemption of all Accenture Holdings plc ordinary shares owned by holders of noncontrolling interests prior to March 13, 2018, when these were redeemed for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares. The income effect does not take into account “Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - other,” since those shares are not redeemable or exchangeable for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] | |||
Net Income | $ 5,185,313,000 | $ 4,846,241,000 | $ 4,214,594,000 |
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX: | |||
Foreign currency translation | 197,696,000 | (132,707,000) | (305,225,000) |
Defined benefit plans | 57,100,000 | (253,039,000) | 21,335,000 |
Cash flow hedges | 24,721,000 | 123,003,000 | (198,645,000) |
Investments | (777,000) | (1,663,000) | 1,148,000 |
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCENTURE PLC | 278,740,000 | (264,406,000) | (481,387,000) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 8,243,000 | (6,749,000) | (2,233,000) |
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | 5,472,296,000 | 4,575,086,000 | 3,730,974,000 |
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCENTURE PLC | 5,386,579,000 | 4,514,706,000 | 3,578,520,000 |
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 85,717,000 | 60,380,000 | 152,454,000 |
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | $ 5,472,296,000 | $ 4,575,086,000 | $ 3,730,974,000 |
CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS' EQUI
CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY STATEMENTS - USD ($) | Total | Retained Earnings | Ordinary Shares | Class A Ordinary Shares | Class X Ordinary Shares | Restricted Share Units | Additional Paid-in Capital | Treasury Shares | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Accenture plc Shareholder's Equity | Noncontrolling Interests | Treasury Stock, Value |
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2017 | $ 9,710,200,000 | $ 57,000 | $ 14,000 | $ 0 | $ 1,095,026,000 | $ 3,516,399,000 | $ (1,649,090,000) | $ 7,081,855,000 | $ (1,094,784,000) | $ 8,949,477,000 | $ 760,723,000 | ||
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2017 | 40,000 | 638,966,000 | 20,531,000 | ||||||||||
Beginning Balance Treasury (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2017 | (23,449,000) | ||||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | |||||||||||||
Net Income | 4,214,594,000 | 4,059,907,000 | 4,059,907,000 | 154,687,000 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (483,620,000) | (481,387,000) | (481,387,000) | (2,233,000) | |||||||||
Purchases of Class A ordinary shares | (2,554,084,000) | 49,766,000 | $ (2,554,084,000) | (2,504,318,000) | (49,766,000) | ||||||||
Purchases of Class A ordinary shares (in shares) | (16,706,000) | ||||||||||||
Cancellation of treasury shares | 0 | (206,782,000) | $ 1,582,067,000 | (1,375,285,000) | 0 | ||||||||
Cancellation of treasury shares (in shares) | (11,621,000) | 11,621,000 | |||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 976,908,000 | 913,801,000 | 63,107,000 | 976,908,000 | |||||||||
Purchases/redemptions of Accenture Holdings plc ordinary shares, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares and Class X ordinary shares | (85,010,000) | (80,169,000) | (80,169,000) | (4,841,000) | |||||||||
Purchases/redemptions of Accenture Holdings plc ordinary shares, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares and Class X ordinary shares (in shares) | (821,000) | ||||||||||||
Issuances of Class A ordinary shares: | |||||||||||||
Employee share programs | 753,146,000 | (829,085,000) | 1,132,024,000 | $ 504,159,000 | (68,656,000) | 738,442,000 | 14,704,000 | ||||||
Employee share programs (in shares) | 10,077,000 | 4,201,000 | |||||||||||
Upon redemption of Accenture Holdings plc ordinary shares (in shares) | 25,906,000 | ||||||||||||
Upon redemption of Accenture Holdings plc ordinary shares | 0 | $ 1,000 | $ (19,054,000) | 408,652,000 | 408,653,000 | (408,653,000) | |||||||
Dividends | (1,708,724,000) | 54,881,000 | (1,725,953,000) | (1,671,072,000) | (37,652,000) | ||||||||
Other, net | (98,822,000) | (12,233,000) | (19,455,000) | (31,688,000) | (67,134,000) | ||||||||
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2018 | 10,724,588,000 | $ 57,000 | $ 15,000 | $ 0 | 1,234,623,000 | 4,870,764,000 | $ (2,116,948,000) | 7,952,413,000 | (1,576,171,000) | 10,364,753,000 | 359,835,000 | ||
Ending Balance Treasury (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2018 | (24,333,000) | ||||||||||||
Ending Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2018 | 40,000 | 663,328,000 | 656,000 | ||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | |||||||||||||
Net Income | 4,846,241,000 | 4,779,112,000 | 4,779,112,000 | 67,129,000 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (271,155,000) | (264,406,000) | (264,406,000) | (6,749,000) | |||||||||
Purchases of Class A ordinary shares | (2,669,336,000) | 3,302,000 | $ (2,669,336,000) | (2,666,034,000) | (3,302,000) | ||||||||
Purchases of Class A ordinary shares (in shares) | (16,431,000) | ||||||||||||
Cancellation of treasury shares | 0 | (326,092,000) | $ 2,745,321,000 | (2,419,229,000) | 0 | ||||||||
Cancellation of treasury shares (in shares) | (17,599,000) | 17,599,000 | |||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 1,093,253,000 | 1,023,794,000 | 69,459,000 | 1,093,253,000 | |||||||||
Purchases/redemptions of Accenture Holdings plc ordinary shares, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares and Class X ordinary shares | (21,778,000) | (21,768,000) | (21,768,000) | (10,000) | |||||||||
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures | 9,010,000 | 4,160,000 | |||||||||||
Purchases/redemptions of Accenture Holdings plc ordinary shares, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares and Class X ordinary shares (in shares) | (47,000) | ||||||||||||
Issuances of Class A ordinary shares: | |||||||||||||
Employee share programs | 848,445,000 | (903,526,000) | 1,219,600,000 | (121,250,000) | 847,411,000 | 1,034,000 | $ 652,587,000 | ||||||
Dividends | (1,864,353,000) | 57,012,000 | (1,918,737,000) | (1,861,725,000) | (2,628,000) | ||||||||
Other, net | 3,810,000 | (10,817,000) | 14,411,000 | 3,594,000 | 216,000 | ||||||||
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2019 | 14,827,691,000 | $ 2,137,976,000 | $ 57,000 | $ 15,000 | $ 0 | 1,411,903,000 | 5,804,448,000 | $ (1,388,376,000) | 10,421,538,000 | (1,840,577,000) | 14,409,008,000 | 418,683,000 | |
Ending Balance Treasury (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2019 | (19,005,000) | ||||||||||||
Ending Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2019 | 40,000 | 654,739,000 | 609,000 | ||||||||||
Issuances of Class A ordinary shares: | |||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 418,683,000 | 3,158,000 | |||||||||||
Retained earnings | 10,421,538,000 | $ 2,134,818,000 | |||||||||||
Net Income | 5,185,313,000 | 5,107,839,000 | 5,107,839,000 | 77,474,000 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 286,983,000 | 278,740,000 | 278,740,000 | 8,243,000 | |||||||||
Purchases of Class A ordinary shares | $ (2,894,253,000) | 3,116,000 | $ (2,894,253,000) | (2,891,137,000) | (3,116,000) | ||||||||
Purchases of Class A ordinary shares (in shares) | (14,730,030) | (14,730,000) | |||||||||||
Cancellation of treasury shares | $ 0 | (108,670,000) | $ 1,056,145,000 | (947,475,000) | 0 | ||||||||
Cancellation of treasury shares (in shares) | 5,526,491,000 | (5,526,000) | 5,526,000 | ||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense | $ 1,197,806,000 | 1,118,284,000 | 79,522,000 | 1,197,806,000 | |||||||||
Purchases/redemptions of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares and Class X shares | 81,000 | ||||||||||||
Purchases/redemptions of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares and Class X shares | 21,594,000 | 21,594,000 | 21,594,000 | ||||||||||
Purchases/redemptions of Accenture Holdings plc ordinary shares, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares and Class X ordinary shares | (21,594,000) | ||||||||||||
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures | 9,336,000 | 3,786,000 | |||||||||||
Employee share programs | 955,308,000 | (1,022,144,000) | 1,409,627,000 | $ 660,723,000 | (93,912,000) | 954,294,000 | 1,014,000 | ||||||
Dividends | (2,037,733,000) | 77,259,000 | (2,112,457,000) | (2,035,198,000) | (2,535,000) | ||||||||
Other, net | (348,000) | 778,000 | 778,000 | (1,126,000) | |||||||||
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2020 | 17,499,173,000 | $ 57,000 | $ 15,000 | $ 0 | $ 1,585,302,000 | $ 7,167,227,000 | $ (2,565,761,000) | $ 12,375,533,000 | $ (1,561,837,000) | $ 17,000,536,000 | $ 498,637,000 | ||
Ending Balance Treasury (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2020 | (24,423,000) | ||||||||||||
Ending Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2020 | 40,000 | 658,549,000 | 528,000 | ||||||||||
Issuances of Class A ordinary shares: | |||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 498,637,000 | ||||||||||||
Retained earnings | $ 12,375,533,000 |
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS STATEME
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS STATEMENTS - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||
Net Income | $ 5,185,313,000 | $ 4,846,241,000 | $ 4,214,594,000 |
Adjustments to reconcile Net income to Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities— | |||
Depreciation, amortization and other | 1,773,124,000 | 892,760,000 | 926,776,000 |
Share-based compensation expense | 1,197,806,000 | 1,093,253,000 | 976,908,000 |
Deferred tax expense (benefit) | 170,951,000 | (96,360,000) | 94,000,000 |
Other, net | (243,867,000) | (87,522,000) | 7,609,000 |
Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions— | |||
Receivables and contract assets, current and non-current | 721,500,000 | (526,297,000) | (710,804,000) |
Other current and non-current assets | (503,482,000) | (489,817,000) | (510,102,000) |
Accounts payable | (359,682,000) | 177,186,000 | (167,971,000) |
Deferred revenues, current and non-current | 236,207,000 | 258,067,000 | 176,853,000 |
Accrued payroll and related benefits | (7,845,000) | 386,930,000 | 646,416,000 |
Income taxes payable, current and non-current | 55,198,000 | (162,916,000) | 183,933,000 |
Other current and non-current liabilities | (10,071,000) | 335,428,000 | 188,479,000 |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 8,215,152,000 | 6,626,953,000 | 6,026,691,000 |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||
Purchases of property and equipment | (599,132,000) | (599,009,000) | (619,187,000) |
Purchases of businesses and investments, net of cash acquired | (1,531,599,000) | (1,193,071,000) | (657,546,000) |
Proceeds from sales of businesses and investments | 230,393,000 | 27,951,000 | 20,197,000 |
Other investing, net | 5,819,000 | 8,553,000 | 6,932,000 |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (1,894,519,000) | (1,755,576,000) | (1,249,604,000) |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||
Proceeds from issuance of shares | 955,308,000 | 848,445,000 | 753,146,000 |
Purchases of shares | (2,915,847,000) | (2,691,114,000) | (2,639,094,000) |
Proceeds from (repayments of) long-term debt, net | (6,719,000) | (4,772,000) | (4,195,000) |
Cash dividends paid | (2,037,733,000) | (1,864,353,000) | (1,708,724,000) |
Other, net | (44,101,000) | (55,377,000) | (110,161,000) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (4,049,092,000) | (3,767,171,000) | (3,709,028,000) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 16,936,000 | (38,713,000) | (133,559,000) |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 2,288,477,000 | 1,065,493,000 | 934,500,000 |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period | 6,126,853,000 | 5,061,360,000 | 4,126,860,000 |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period | 8,415,330,000 | 6,126,853,000 | 5,061,360,000 |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | |||
Interest paid | 28,493,000 | 22,624,000 | 19,673,000 |
Income taxes paid, net | $ 1,360,030,000 | $ 1,587,273,000 | $ 1,373,244,000 |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Description of Business and Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business Accenture plc is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations. We serve clients in three geographic markets: North America, Europe and Growth Markets (Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East). Our geographic markets bring together capabilities from across the organization, with digital skills and industry and functional expertise throughout, to deliver tangible value to our clients. Basis of Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Accenture plc, an Irish company, and our controlled subsidiary companies. Accenture plc is an Irish public limited company, which operates its business through its subsidiaries. Prior to March 13, 2018, Accenture plc’s only business was to hold ordinary and deferred shares in, and to act as the controlling shareholder of, its subsidiary, Accenture Holdings plc, an Irish public limited company. We operated our business through Accenture Holdings plc and subsidiaries of Accenture Holdings plc. Accenture plc controlled Accenture Holdings plc’s management and operations and consolidated Accenture Holdings plc’s results in our Consolidated Financial Statements. On March 13, 2018, Accenture Holdings plc merged with and into Accenture plc, with Accenture plc as the surviving entity. As a result, all of the assets and liabilities of Accenture Holdings plc were acquired by Accenture plc, and Accenture Holdings plc ceased to exist. In connection with this internal merger, shareholders of Accenture Holdings plc (other than Accenture entities that held shares of Accenture Holdings plc), who primarily consisted of current and former members of Accenture Leadership and their permitted transferees, received one Class A ordinary share of Accenture plc for each share of Accenture Holdings plc that they owned, and Accenture plc redeemed all Class X ordinary shares of Accenture plc owned by such shareholders. The shares of Accenture Holdings plc (for applicable periods) and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. held by persons other than us are treated as a noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The noncontrolling interest percentage was less than 1% as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. All references to years, unless otherwise noted, refer to our fiscal year, which ends on August 31. For example, a reference to “fiscal 2020” means the 12-month period that ended on August 31, 2020. All references to quarters, unless otherwise noted, refer to the quarters of our fiscal year. The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that we may undertake in the future, actual results may be different from those estimates. Effective March 1, 2020, we began managing our business under a new growth model through our three geographic markets, North America, Europe and Growth Markets, which became our reportable segments in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Prior to this change, our reportable segments were our five industry groups, Communications, Media & Technology, Financial Services, Health & Public Service, Products and Resources. See Note 7 (Goodwill and Intangible Assets) and Note 16 (Segment Reporting) to these Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding the change in our reportable segments. Revenue Recognition We account for revenue in accordance with FASB ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which we adopted on September 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. Performance Obligations A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the client and is the unit of accounting in Topic 606. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price. The primary method used to estimate standalone selling price is the expected cost plus a margin approach, under which we forecast our expected costs of satisfying a performance obligation and then add an appropriate margin for that distinct good or service based on margins for similar services sold on a standalone basis. While determining relative standalone selling price and identifying separate performance obligations require judgment, generally relative standalone selling prices and the separate performance obligations are readily identifiable as we sell those performance obligations unaccompanied by other performance obligations. Contract modifications are routine in the performance of our contracts. Contracts are often modified to account for changes in the contract specifications, requirements or duration. If a contract modification results in the addition of performance obligations priced at a standalone selling price or if the post-modification services are distinct from the services provided prior to the modification, the modification is accounted for separately. If the modified services are not distinct, they are accounted for as part of the existing contract. Our revenues are derived from contracts for outsourcing services, technology integration consulting services and non-technology integration consulting services. These contracts have different terms based on the scope, performance obligations and complexity of the engagement, which frequently require us to make judgments and estimates in recognizing revenues. We have many types of contracts, including time-and-materials contracts, fixed-price contracts, fee-per-transaction contracts and contracts with multiple fee types. The nature of our contracts gives rise to several types of variable consideration, including incentive fees. Many contracts include incentives or penalties related to costs incurred, benefits produced or adherence to schedules that may increase the variability in revenues and margins earned on such contracts. These variable amounts generally are awarded or refunded upon achievement of or failure to achieve certain performance metrics, milestones or cost targets and can be based upon client discretion. We include these variable fees in the estimated transaction price when there is a basis to reasonably estimate the amount of the fee and it is not probable a significant reversal of revenue will occur. These estimates reflect the expected value of the variable fee and are based on an assessment of our anticipated performance, historical experience and other information available at the time. Our performance obligations are satisfied over time as work progresses or at a point in time. The majority of our revenues are recognized over time based on the extent of progress towards satisfying our performance obligations. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment and is based on the contract and the nature of the services to be provided. Outsourcing Contracts Our outsourcing contracts typically span several years. Revenues are generally recognized on outsourcing contracts over time because our clients benefit from the services as they are performed. Outsourcing contracts require us to provide a series of distinct services each period over the contract term. Revenues from unit-priced contracts are recognized as transactions are processed. When contractual billings represent an amount that corresponds directly with the value provided to the client (e.g., time-and-materials contracts), revenues are recognized as amounts become billable in accordance with contract terms. Technology Integration Consulting Services Revenues from contracts for technology integration consulting services where we design/redesign, build and implement new or enhanced systems and related processes for our clients are recognized over time as control of the system is transferred continuously to the client. Contracts for technology integration consulting services generally span six months to two years. Generally, revenue, including estimated fees, is recognized using costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying our performance obligations. Incurred cost represents work performed, which corresponds with, and thereby best depicts, the transfer of control to the client. Non-Technology Integration Consulting Services Our contracts for non-technology integration consulting services are typically less than a year in duration. Revenues are generally recognized over time as our clients benefit from the services as they are performed, or the contract, for which the related services lack an alternative use, includes termination provisions enabling payment for performance completed to date. When contractual billings represent an amount that corresponds directly with the value provided to the client (e.g. time-and-materials contracts), revenues are recognized as amounts become billable in accordance with contract terms. Revenues from fixed-price contracts are generally recognized using costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying our performance obligations. Incurred cost represents work performed, which corresponds with, and thereby best depicts, the transfer of control to the client. For non-technology integration consulting contracts which do not qualify to recognize revenue over time, we recognize revenues at a point in time when the client obtains control of the promised good or service. Contract Estimates Estimates of total contract revenues and costs are continuously monitored over the lives of our contracts, and recorded revenues and cost estimates are subject to revision as the contract progresses. If at any time the estimate of contract profitability indicates an anticipated loss on a technology integration consulting contract, we recognize the loss in the quarter it first becomes probable and reasonably estimable. Contract Balances The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in Receivables, Contract assets, and Deferred revenues (Contract liabilities) on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Amounts are billed as work progresses in accordance with agreed-upon contractual terms, either at periodic intervals (e.g., monthly or quarterly) or upon achievement of contractual milestones. Our receivables are rights to consideration that are conditional only upon the passage of time as compared to our contract assets, which are rights to consideration conditional upon additional factors. When we bill or receive payments from our clients before revenue is recognized, we record Contract liabilities. Contract assets and liabilities are reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheet on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. For some outsourcing contracts, we receive payments for transition or set-up activities, which are deferred and recognized as revenue as the services are provided. These advance payments are typically not a significant financing component because they are used to meet working capital demands in the early stages of a contract and to protect us from the other party failing to complete its obligations under the contract. We elected the practical expedient to report revenues net of any revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transactions. Employee Share-Based Compensation Arrangements Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period for awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant date fair value of those awards expected to ultimately vest. Forfeitures are estimated on the date of grant and revised if actual or expected forfeiture activity differs materially from original estimates. Income Taxes We calculate and provide for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which we operate. Deferred tax assets and liabilities, measured using enacted tax rates, are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax and financial statement bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance reduces the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We establish liabilities or reduce assets when we believe tax positions are not more likely than not of being sustained if challenged. Recognized tax positions are measured at the largest amount of benefit greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. Each fiscal quarter, we evaluate tax positions and adjust the related tax assets and liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances. We release stranded tax effects from Accumulated other comprehensive loss using the specific identification approach for our defined benefit plans and the portfolio approach for other items. Translation of Non-U.S. Currency Amounts Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at fiscal year-end exchange rates. Revenue and expense items are translated at average foreign currency exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year. Translation adjustments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses arising from intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term investment nature are reported in the same manner as translation adjustments. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of all cash balances and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, including certificates of deposit and time deposits. As a result of certain subsidiaries’ cash management systems, checks issued but not presented to the banks for payment may create negative book cash balances. Such negative balances are classified as Current portion of long term debt and bank borrowings. Allowances for Client Receivables We record our client receivables at their face amounts less allowances. On a periodic basis, we evaluate our receivables and establish allowances based on historical experience and other currently available information. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, total allowances recorded for client receivables were $40,277 and $45,538, respectively. The allowance reflects our best estimate of collectibility risks on outstanding receivables. In limited circumstances, we agree to extend financing to certain clients. The terms vary by contract, but generally payment for services is contractually linked to the achievement of specified performance milestones. Concentrations of Credit Risk Our financial instruments, consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, foreign currency exchange rate instruments and client receivables, are exposed to concentrations of credit risk. We place our cash and cash equivalents and foreign exchange instruments with highly-rated financial institutions, limit the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution and conduct ongoing evaluations of the credit worthiness of the financial institutions with which we do business. Client receivables are dispersed across many different industries and countries; therefore, concentrations of credit risk are limited. Investments All available-for-sale securities and liquid investments with an original maturity greater than three months but less than one year are considered to be Short-term investments. Non-current investments consist of equity securities in publicly-traded and privately-held companies and are accounted for using either the equity or fair value measurement alternative method of accounting (for investments without readily determinable fair values). Investments are periodically assessed for other-than-temporary impairment. If an investment is deemed to have experienced an other-than-temporary decline below its cost basis, we reduce the carrying amount of the investment to its estimated fair value. Our non-current investments are as follows: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Equity method investments $ 240,446 $ 108,342 Investments without readily determinable fair values 84,068 131,971 Total non-current investments $ 324,514 $ 240,313 For investments in which we can exercise significant influence but do not control, we use the equity method of accounting. Equity method investments are initially recorded at cost and our proportionate share of gains and losses of the investee are included as a component of other income (expense), net. Our equity method investments consist primarily of an investment in Duck Creek Technologies. As of August 31, 2020, the carrying amount of our investment was $230,219 and the estimated fair value of our approximately 22% ownership was $956,308. For equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, we use the fair value measurement alternative and measure the securities at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives: Computers, related equipment and software 2 to 7 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 10 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of lease term or 15 years Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired entity over the fair value of net assets acquired. We review the recoverability of goodwill by reportable operating segment annually, or more frequently when indicators of impairment exist. Based on the results of our annual impairment analysis, we determined that no impairment existed as of August 31, 2020 or 2019, as each reportable segment’s estimated fair value substantially exceeded its carrying value. Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, including deferred contract costs and identifiable intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets or groups of assets is assessed based on a comparison of the carrying amount to the estimated future net cash flows. If estimated future undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying amount, the asset is considered impaired and a loss is recorded equal to the amount required to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. Intangible assets with finite lives are generally amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated economic useful lives, ranging from one to sixteen years. Operating Expenses Selected components of operating expenses are as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Research and development costs $ 870,611 $ 799,734 $ 790,779 Advertising costs (1) 57,658 85,521 78,464 Provision for (release of) doubtful accounts (2) 147 974 (1,060) (1) Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. (2) For additional information, see “Allowances for Client Receivables.” Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 and related updates (“Topic 842”) On September 1, 2019, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, and related updates (“Topic 842”) using the effective date method. Prior period amounts were not adjusted. The primary impact of adoption is the requirement for lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by both operating and finance leases. Enhanced quantitative and qualitative disclosures about leasing arrangements are also required. We elected the package of practical expedients which does not require reassessment of prior conclusions related to identifying leases, lease classification or initial direct costs. We also elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components, accounting for the combined components as a single lease component, for our office real estate and automobile leases. The standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Income Statement. The impact of adopting Topic 842 on our Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows: Balance Sheet Balance as of August 31, 2019 Adjustments due to ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842) Balance as of September 1, 2019 CURRENT ASSETS Other current assets $ 1,225,364 $ (38,666) $ 1,186,698 NON-CURRENT ASSETS Lease assets — 3,169,608 3,169,608 Other non-current assets 1,400,292 (10,333) 1,389,959 CURRENT LIABILITIES Lease liabilities — 699,399 699,399 Other accrued liabilities 951,450 (703) 950,747 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Lease liabilities — 2,666,344 2,666,344 Other non-current liabilities 526,988 (244,431) 282,557 See Note 8 (Leases) to these Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. FASB ASU No. 2018-15 (“Subtopic 350-40”) On September 1, 2019, we prospectively adopted FASB ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 clarifies and aligns the accounting and capitalization of implementation costs in cloud computing arrangements that are service arrangements with the accounting for implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software under ASC No. 350-40. Implementation costs that are currently capitalized in software licensing arrangements (e.g. costs to configure the software) will be capitalized in cloud computing arrangements, and costs expensed in software license arrangements (e.g. data conversion, training, and business process re-engineering) will be expensed in cloud computing arrangements. The adoption did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. |
REVENUES
REVENUES | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Revenues [Abstract] | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer | Revenues Disaggregation of Revenue See Note 16 (Segment Reporting) to these Consolidated Financial Statements for our disaggregated revenues. Remaining Performance Obligations We had remaining performance obligations of approximately $20 billion as of each of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Our remaining performance obligations represent the amount of transaction price for which work has not been performed and revenue has not been recognized. The majority of our contracts are terminable by the client on short notice with little or no termination penalties, and some without notice. Only the non-cancelable portion of these contracts is included in our performance obligations. Additionally, our performance obligations only include variable consideration if we assess it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved. Based on the terms of our contracts, a significant portion of what we consider contract bookings is not included in our remaining performance obligations. We expect to recognize approximately 67% of our remaining performance obligations as of August 31, 2020 as revenue in fiscal 2021, an additional 15% in fiscal 2022, and the balance thereafter. Contract Estimates Adjustments in contract estimates related to performance obligations satisfied or partially satisfied in prior periods were immaterial for fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively. Contract Balances Deferred transition revenues were $690,931 and $563,245 as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and are included in Non-current deferred revenues. Costs related to these activities are also deferred and are expensed as the services are provided. Generally, deferred amounts are protected in the event of early termination of the contract and are monitored regularly for impairment. Impairment losses are recorded when projected remaining undiscounted operating cash flows of the related contract are not sufficient to recover the carrying amount of contract assets. Deferred transition costs were $723,168 and $681,492 as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and are included in Deferred contract costs. Deferred transition amortization expense for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $300,680, $274,814 and $333,118, respectively. The following table provides information about the balances of our Receivables, Contract assets and Contract liabilities (Deferred revenues): As of August 31, 2020 As of August 31, 2019 Receivables, net of allowance $ 7,192,110 $ 7,467,338 Contract assets (current) 654,782 627,733 Receivables and contract assets (current) 7,846,892 8,095,071 Contract assets (non-current) 43,257 71,002 Deferred revenues (current) 3,636,741 3,188,835 Deferred revenues (non-current) 690,931 565,224 Changes in the contract asset and liability balances during fiscal 2020, were a result of normal business activity and not materially impacted by any other factors. Revenues recognized during fiscal 2020 that were included in Deferred revenues as of August 31, 2019 were $2.8 billion. Revenues recognized during fiscal 2019 that were included in Deferred revenues as of September 1, 2018 were $2.9 billion. |
EARNINGS PER SHARE
EARNINGS PER SHARE | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |
EARNINGS PER SHARE | Earnings Per Share Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Basic Earnings per share Net income attributable to Accenture plc $ 5,107,839 $ 4,779,112 $ 4,059,907 Basic weighted average Class A ordinary shares 636,299,913 638,098,125 628,451,742 Basic earnings per share $ 8.03 $ 7.49 $ 6.46 Diluted Earnings per share Net income attributable to Accenture plc $ 5,107,839 $ 4,779,112 $ 4,059,907 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in Accenture Holdings plc and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (1) 6,325 6,694 95,063 Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation $ 5,114,164 $ 4,785,806 $ 4,154,970 Basic weighted average Class A ordinary shares 636,299,913 638,098,125 628,451,742 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon redemption/exchange of noncontrolling interests (1) 787,429 892,654 14,716,884 Diluted effect of employee compensation related to Class A ordinary shares 10,599,773 11,111,679 11,948,075 Diluted effect of share purchase plans related to Class A ordinary shares 109,888 102,415 179,449 Diluted weighted average Class A ordinary shares 647,797,003 650,204,873 655,296,150 Diluted earnings per share $ 7.89 $ 7.36 $ 6.34 |
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] | |
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to Accenture plc: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Foreign currency translation Beginning balance $ (1,207,975) $ (1,075,268) $ (770,043) Foreign currency translation 207,566 (138,680) (310,548) Income tax benefit (expense) (1,719) (607) 3,354 Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests (8,151) 6,580 1,969 Foreign currency translation, net of tax 197,696 (132,707) (305,225) Ending balance (1,010,279) (1,207,975) (1,075,268) Defined benefit plans Beginning balance (672,323) (419,284) (440,619) Actuarial gains (losses) 22,414 (379,090) 19,862 Pension settlement 3,757 793 3,030 Prior service costs arising during the period — (2,105) (28,696) Reclassifications into net periodic pension and 55,035 32,985 34,972 Income tax benefit (expense) (24,041) 94,052 (7,799) Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests (65) 326 (34) Defined benefit plans, net of tax 57,100 (253,039) 21,335 Ending balance (615,223) (672,323) (419,284) Cash flow hedges Beginning balance 38,993 (84,010) 114,635 Unrealized gain (loss) 72,437 209,017 (169,958) Reclassification adjustments into Cost of services (48,545) (48,333) (93,105) Income tax benefit (expense) 857 (37,522) 64,118 Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests (28) (159) 300 Cash flow hedges, net of tax 24,721 123,003 (198,645) Ending balance (2) 63,714 38,993 (84,010) Investments Beginning balance 728 2,391 1,243 Unrealized gain (loss) (778) (1,970) 1,455 Income tax benefit (expense) — 305 (305) Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests 1 2 (2) Investments, net of tax (777) (1,663) 1,148 Ending balance (49) 728 2,391 Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (1,561,837) $ (1,840,577) $ (1,576,171) (1) As of August 31, 2020, $54,285 of net losses is expected to be reclassified into net periodic pension and post-retirement expense recognized in cost of services, sales and marketing, general and administrative costs and non-operating expenses in the next twelve months. |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] | |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT | Property and Equipment The components of Property and equipment, net are as follows: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Buildings and land $ 61 $ 56 Computers, related equipment and software 1,978,380 1,723,623 Furniture and fixtures 456,136 394,671 Leasehold improvements 1,424,722 1,228,845 Property and equipment, gross 3,859,299 3,347,195 Total accumulated depreciation (2,313,731) (1,956,029) Property and equipment, net $ 1,545,568 $ 1,391,166 |
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Business Combination, Goodwill [Abstract] | |
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND DIVESTITURE | Business Combinations We completed a number of individually immaterial acquisitions during fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018. These acquisitions were completed primarily to expand our services and solutions offerings. The table below gives additional details related to these acquisitions: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Total consideration $ 1,513,910 $ 1,170,044 $ 596,148 Goodwill 1,352,839 920,696 431,087 Intangible assets 377,060 282,144 140,403 |
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] | Goodwill And Intangible Assets Goodwill The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable operating segment are as follows: August 31, Additions/ Foreign August 31, Additions/ Foreign August 31, GEOGRAPHIC MARKETS (1) North America $ 3,440,285 $ 534,269 $ (1,198) $ 3,973,356 $ 628,458 $ 2,627 $ 4,604,441 Europe 1,357,688 297,548 (86,013) 1,569,223 420,413 148,452 2,138,088 Growth Markets 585,039 92,925 (14,993) 662,971 289,598 14,722 967,291 Total $ 5,383,012 $ 924,742 $ (102,204) $ 6,205,550 $ 1,338,469 $ 165,801 $ 7,709,820 (1) Effective March 1, 2020, we began managing our business under a new growth model through our three geographic markets, which became our reportable segments in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Goodwill includes immaterial adjustments related to prior period acquisitions. Intangible Assets Our definite-lived intangible assets by major asset class are as follows: August 31, 2019 August 31, 2020 Intangible Asset Class Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Customer-related $ 1,013,976 $ (358,130) $ 655,846 $ 1,319,332 $ (495,367) $ 823,965 Technology 119,686 (45,851) 73,835 150,765 (55,543) 95,222 Patents 127,796 (66,167) 61,629 129,295 (66,954) 62,341 Other 78,344 (28,875) 49,469 82,676 (34,986) 47,690 Total $ 1,339,802 $ (499,023) $ 840,779 $ 1,682,068 $ (652,850) $ 1,029,218 Total amortization related to our intangible assets was $239,664, $177,150 and $170,187 for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Estimated future amortization related to intangible assets held as of August 31, 2020 is as follows: Fiscal Year Estimated Amortization 2021 $ 214,120 2022 172,641 2023 154,297 2024 127,673 2025 108,068 Thereafter 252,419 Total $ 1,029,218 |
LEASES
LEASES | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] | Leases We account for leases in accordance with Topic 842. See Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to these Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our adoption. As a lessee, substantially all of our lease obligation is for office real estate. Our significant judgments used in determining our lease obligation include whether a contract is or contains a lease and the determination of the discount rate used to calculate the lease liability. We elected the practical expedient not to separate lease and associated non-lease components, accounting for them as a single combined lease component, for our office real estate and automobile leases. Our leases may include the option to extend or terminate before the end of the contractual term and are often non-cancelable or cancelable only by the payment of penalties. Our lease assets and liabilities include these options in the lease term when it is reasonably certain that they will be exercised. In certain cases, we sublease excess office real estate to third-party tenants. Lease assets and liabilities recognized at the lease commencement date are determined predominantly as the present value of the payments due over the lease term. Since we cannot determine the implicit rate in our leases, we use our incremental borrowing rate on that date to calculate the present value. Our incremental borrowing rate approximates the rate at which we could borrow, on a secured basis for a similar term, an amount equal to our lease payments in a similar economic environment. Effective September 1, 2019, when we are the lessee, all leases are recognized as lease liabilities and associated lease assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Lease liabilities represent our obligation to make payments arising from the lease. Lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and may also include advance payments, initial direct costs or lease incentives. Payments that depend upon an index or rate, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), are included in the recognition of lease assets and liabilities at the commencement-date rate. Other variable payments, such as common area maintenance, property and other taxes, utilities and insurance that are based on the lessor’s cost, are recognized in the Consolidated Income Statement in the period incurred. As of August 31, 2020, we had no material finance leases. Operating lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease costs are as follows: Fiscal 2020 Operating lease cost $ 749,233 Variable lease cost 181,612 Sublease income (27,192) $ 903,653 Supplemental information related to operating lease transactions is as follows: Fiscal 2020 Lease liability payments $ 725,892 Lease assets obtained in exchange for liabilities $ 592,026 As of August 31, 2020, our operating leases had a weighted average remaining lease term of 7.3 years and a weighted average discount rate of 4.2%. The following maturity analysis presents future undiscounted cash outflows for operating leases as of August 31, 2020: Lease Payments Sublease Receipts 2021 $ 770,640 $ (19,415) 2022 652,652 (10,296) 2023 549,069 (9,888) 2024 456,020 (9,256) 2025 371,856 (7,341) Thereafter 1,148,600 (26,289) Total lease payments (receipts) 3,948,837 $ (82,485) Less interest (525,196) Total lease liabilities $ 3,423,641 As of August 31, 2020, we have entered into leases that have not yet commenced with future lease payments of $541 million that are not reflected in the table above. These leases are primarily related to office real estate and will commence in or before fiscal 2022 with lease terms of up to 16 years. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases as of August 31, 2019, which were accounted for in accordance with Topic 840, are as follows: Lease Payments Sublease Receipts 2020 $ 688,020 $ (24,884) 2021 597,307 (17,908) 2022 516,544 (8,535) 2023 428,481 (7,541) 2024 363,107 (7,184) Thereafter 1,246,097 (30,708) $ 3,839,556 $ (96,760) |
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] | |
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | Financial Instruments Derivatives In the normal course of business, we use derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rate risk. Derivative transactions are governed by a uniform set of policies and procedures covering areas such as authorization, counterparty exposure and hedging practices. Positions are monitored using techniques such as market value and sensitivity analyses. We do not enter into derivative transactions for trading purposes. We classify cash flows from our derivative programs as cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Cash Flows Statements. Certain derivatives give rise to credit risks from the possible non-performance by counterparties. Credit risk is generally limited to the fair value of those contracts that are favorable to us, and the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk, based on the gross fair value of our derivative financial instruments that are in an asset position, was $154,749 as of August 31, 2020. We utilize standard counterparty master agreements containing provisions for the netting of certain foreign currency transaction obligations and for set-off of certain obligations in the event of an insolvency of one of the parties to the transaction. These provisions may reduce our potential overall loss resulting from the insolvency of a counterparty and reduce a counterparty’s potential overall loss resulting from our insolvency. Additionally, these agreements contain early termination provisions triggered by adverse changes in a counterparty’s credit rating, thereby enabling us to accelerate settlement of a transaction prior to its contractual maturity and potentially decrease our realized loss on an open transaction. Similarly, a decrement in our credit rating could trigger a counterparty’s early termination rights, thereby enabling a counterparty to accelerate settlement of a transaction prior to its contractual maturity and potentially increase our realized loss on an open transaction. The aggregate fair value of our derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a liability position as of August 31, 2020 was $39,018. Our derivative financial instruments consist of deliverable and non-deliverable foreign currency forward contracts. Fair values for derivative financial instruments are based on prices computed using third-party valuation models and are classified as Level 2 in accordance with the three-level hierarchy of fair value measurements. All of the significant inputs to the third-party valuation models are observable in active markets. Inputs include current market-based parameters such as forward rates and yield curves. For additional information related to the three-level hierarchy of fair value measurements, see Note 12 (Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans) to these Consolidated Financial Statements. Cash Flow Hedges Certain of our subsidiaries are exposed to currency risk through their use of our global delivery resources. To mitigate this risk, we use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the foreign exchange risk of the forecasted intercompany expenses denominated in foreign currencies for up to three years in the future. We have designated these derivatives as cash flow hedges. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, we held no derivatives that were designated as fair value or net investment hedges. In order for a derivative to qualify for hedge accounting, the derivative must be formally designated as a fair value, cash flow or net investment hedge by documenting the relationship between the derivative and the hedged item. The documentation includes a description of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the risk being hedged, our risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the method for assessing the effectiveness of the hedge and the method for measuring hedge ineffectiveness. Additionally, the hedge relationship must be expected to be highly effective at offsetting changes in either the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item at both inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis. For a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in estimated fair value of a hedging instrument is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss as a separate component of Shareholders’ Equity and is reclassified into Cost of services in the Consolidated Income Statements during the period in which the hedged transaction is recognized. The amounts related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges that were reclassified into Cost of services were net gains of $48,545, $48,333 and $93,105 during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a cash flow hedge is recognized immediately in Other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Income Statements and for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, was not material. In addition, we did not discontinue any cash flow hedges during fiscal 2020, 2019 or 2018. Other Derivatives We also use foreign currency forward contracts, which have not been designated as hedges, to hedge balance sheet exposures, such as intercompany loans. These instruments are generally short-term in nature, with typical maturities of less than one year, and are subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Realized gains or losses and changes in the estimated fair value of these derivatives were a net gain of $111,623, for fiscal 2020 and net losses of $112,113 and $114,076 for fiscal 2019 and 2018, respectively. Gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in Other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Income Statements and are offset by gains and losses on the related hedged items. Fair Value of Derivative Instruments The notional and fair values of all derivative instruments are as follows: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Assets Cash Flow Hedges Other current assets $ 75,871 $ 53,033 Other non-current assets 50,914 49,525 Other Derivatives Other current assets 27,964 8,059 Total assets $ 154,749 $ 110,617 Liabilities Cash Flow Hedges Other accrued liabilities $ 13,614 $ 18,826 Other non-current liabilities 13,576 8,770 Other Derivatives Other accrued liabilities 11,828 32,195 Total liabilities $ 39,018 $ 59,791 Total fair value $ 115,731 $ 50,826 Total notional value $ 9,600,691 $ 8,709,917 We utilize standard counterparty master agreements containing provisions for the netting of certain foreign currency transaction obligations and for the set-off of certain obligations in the event of an insolvency of one of the parties to the transaction. In the Consolidated Balance Sheets, we record derivative assets and liabilities at gross fair value. The potential effect of netting derivative assets against liabilities under the counterparty master agreements is as follows: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Net derivative assets $ 129,520 $ 88,811 Net derivative liabilities 13,789 37,985 Total fair value $ 115,731 $ 50,826 |
BORROWINGS AND INDEBTEDNESS
BORROWINGS AND INDEBTEDNESS | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |
BORROWINGS AND INDEBTEDNESS | Borrowings and Indebtedness As of August 31, 2020, we had the following borrowing facilities, including the issuance of letters of credit, to support general working capital purposes: Facility Borrowings Syndicated loan facility (1) $ 1,000,000 $ — 364-day syndicated loan facility (2) 1,000,000 — Separate, uncommitted, unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facilities (3) 903,674 — Local guaranteed and non-guaranteed lines of credit (4) 245,762 — Total $ 3,149,436 $ — (1) On December 10, 2019, we replaced our $1,000,000 syndicated loan facility maturing on December 22, 2020 with a $1,000,000 syndicated loan facility maturing on December 10, 2024. This facility provides unsecured, revolving borrowing capacity for general working capital purposes, including the issuance of letters of credit. Financing is provided under this facility at the prime rate or at the London Interbank Offered Rate, plus a spread. We continue to be in compliance with relevant covenant terms. The facility is subject to annual commitment fees. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no borrowings under the facility. (2) On June 17, 2020, we entered into a $1,000,000 364-day syndicated loan facility, which matures on June 16, 2021. As of August 31, 2020 we had no borrowings under the facility. In the event of a loan drawn against this facility, the lenders have the option to require us to repay the loan by issuing public debt within 45 days of their request. (3) We maintain separate, uncommitted and unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facilities. These facilities provide local currency financing for the majority of our operations. Interest rate terms on the revolving facilities are at market rates prevailing in the relevant local markets. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no borrowings under these facilities. (4) We also maintain local guaranteed and non-guaranteed lines of credit for those locations that cannot access our global facilities. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, we had borrowings under these various facilities of $0 and $2,458, respectively. Under the borrowing facilities described above, we had an aggregate of $487,795 and $390,295 of letters of credit outstanding as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. In addition, we had total outstanding debt of $61,872 and $22,658 as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. |
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
INCOME TAXES | Income Taxes Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Current taxes U.S. federal $ 99,280 $ 159,578 $ 70,050 U.S. state and local 26,425 86,113 3,574 Non-U.S. 1,292,362 1,256,225 1,425,875 Total current tax expense 1,418,067 1,501,916 1,499,499 Deferred taxes U.S. federal 21,532 (143,217) 219,034 U.S. state and local 8,525 (39,588) 57,044 Non-U.S. 140,894 86,445 (182,078) Total deferred tax (benefit) expense 170,951 (96,360) 94,000 Total $ 1,589,018 $ 1,405,556 $ 1,593,499 The components of Income before income taxes are as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 U.S. sources $ 1,352,968 $ 853,173 $ 645,943 Non-U.S. sources 5,421,363 5,398,624 5,162,150 Total $ 6,774,331 $ 6,251,797 $ 5,808,093 On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which significantly changed U.S. tax law. The Tax Act lowered the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, resulting in a blended U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 25.7% for our fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 and a U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21.0% for our fiscal year ended August 31, 2019. During fiscal 2018, we recognized tax expense of $177,651 due primarily to the remeasurement of our net deferred tax assets at the new, lower rates. The reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to our effective income tax rate is as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 U.S. federal statutory income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 25.7 % U.S. state and local taxes, net 1.7 1.5 1.1 Non-U.S. operations taxed at other rates 0.7 1.1 (6.1) Final determinations (1) (1.9) (3.4) (1.9) Other net activity in unrecognized tax benefits 2.4 3.2 5.8 Excess tax benefits from share based payments (1.9) (1.2) (2.3) Changes in tax laws and rates (0.2) — 4.4 Other, net 1.7 0.3 0.7 Effective income tax rate 23.5 % 22.5 % 27.4 % (1) Final determinations include final agreements with tax authorities and expirations of statutes of limitations. As of August 31, 2020, we had not recognized a deferred tax liability on $798,654 of undistributed earnings for certain foreign subsidiaries, because these earnings are intended to be indefinitely reinvested. If such earnings were distributed, some countries may impose additional taxes. The unrecognized deferred tax liability (the amount payable if distributed) is approximately $40,000. Portions of our operations are subject to reduced tax rates or are free of tax under various tax holidays which expire between fiscal 2022 and 2025. The income tax benefits attributable to the tax status of these subsidiaries were estimated to be approximately $38,000, $95,000 and $103,000 in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to enacted changes in tax laws and tax rates did not have a material impact on our effective tax rate in fiscal 2020 or 2019. The components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities included the following: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 (1) Deferred tax assets Pensions $ 443,231 $ 446,920 Revenue recognition 115,287 115,529 Compensation and benefits 574,349 623,986 Share-based compensation 334,061 292,045 Tax credit carryforwards 659,835 527,748 Net operating loss carryforwards 159,506 175,196 Deferred amortization deductions 828,098 798,852 Indirect effects of unrecognized tax benefits 279,105 302,093 Licenses and other intangibles 1,752,612 1,958,738 Leases 729,787 27,857 Other 280,883 210,642 Total deferred tax assets 6,156,754 5,479,606 Valuation allowance (757,799) (606,765) Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance 5,398,955 4,872,841 Deferred tax liabilities Investments in subsidiaries (169,752) (182,186) Intangibles (298,181) (234,098) Leases (669,005) (17) Other (288,574) (240,308) Total deferred tax liabilities (1,425,512) (656,609) Net deferred tax assets $ 3,973,443 $ 4,216,232 (1) Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. We recorded valuation allowances of $757,799 and $606,765 as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, against deferred tax assets principally associated with certain tax credit and tax net operating loss carryforwards, as we believe it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized. For all other deferred tax assets, we believe it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize these deferred tax assets. During fiscal 2020, we recorded a net increase of $151,034 in the valuation allowance. The majority of this change related to valuation allowances on certain tax credit carryforwards, as we believe it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized. During fiscal 2019, we recorded a net increase of $154,990 in the valuation allowance. The majority of this change related to valuation allowances on certain tax credit carryforwards, as we believe it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized. We had tax credit carryforwards as of August 31, 2020 of $659,835, of which $24,933 will expire between 2021 and 2030, $470 will expire between 2031 and 2040, and $634,432 has an indefinite carryforward period. We had net operating loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2020 of $721,168. Of this amount, $124,845 expires between 2021 and 2030, $18,617 expires between 2031 and 2040, and $577,706 has an indefinite carryforward period. As of August 31, 2020, we had $1,238,945 of unrecognized tax benefits, of which $934,183, if recognized, would favorably affect our effective tax rate. As of August 31, 2019, we had $1,233,014 of unrecognized tax benefits, of which $908,522, if recognized, would favorably affect our effective tax rate. The remaining unrecognized tax benefits as of August 31, 2020 and 2019 of $304,762 and $324,492, respectively, represent items recorded as offsetting tax benefits associated with the correlative effects of potential transfer pricing adjustments, state income taxes and timing adjustments. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 Balance, beginning of year $ 1,233,014 $ 1,210,520 Additions for tax positions related to the current year 168,938 211,671 Additions for tax positions related to prior years 58,977 354,890 Reductions for tax positions related to prior years (177,812) (262,055) Statute of limitations expirations (51,477) (146,732) Settlements with tax authorities (11,602) (103,384) Foreign currency translation 18,907 (31,896) Balance, end of year $ 1,238,945 $ 1,233,014 For the year ended August 31, 2019, most of the additions for tax positions related to prior years are for items that had no net impact to the consolidated financial statements. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our Income tax expense. During fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, we recognized expense of $21,140, $8,645 and $37,230 in interest and penalties, respectively. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits of $129,597 ($118,533, net of tax benefits) and $114,566 ($105,852, net of tax benefits) were reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We have participated in the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Compliance Assurance Process (“CAP”) program since fiscal 2016. CAP tax years are examined by the IRS on a contemporaneous basis so that most issues are resolved prior to filing the tax return. We are currently under audit in numerous state and non-U.S. tax jurisdictions. However, with limited exceptions, we are no longer subject to income tax audits by those taxing authorities for years before 2013. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain and could result in significant cash tax payments, we do not believe the outcome of these audits will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. We believe that it is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $283,000 or increase by approximately $405,000 in the next 12 months as a result of settlements, lapses of statutes of limitations, tax audit activity and other adjustments. The majority of these amounts relate to transfer pricing matters in both U.S. and non-U.S. tax jurisdictions. |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING P
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Retirement Benefits [Abstract] | |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS | Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans In the United States and certain other countries, we maintain and administer defined benefit retirement plans and postretirement medical plans for certain current, retired and resigned employees. In addition, our U.S. defined benefit pension plans include a frozen plan for former pre-incorporation partners, which is unfunded. Benefits under the employee retirement plans are primarily based on years of service and compensation during the years immediately preceding retirement or termination of participation in the plan. The defined benefit pension disclosures include our U.S. and material non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans. Assumptions The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the defined benefit pension obligations as of August 31 and the net periodic pension expense are as follows: Pension Plans Postretirement Plans August 31, August 31, August 31, August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 August 31, 2018 U.S. Non-U.S. Plans U.S. Non-U.S. Plans U.S. Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans Discount rate for determining projected benefit obligation 2.50 % 2.27 % 3.00 % 2.24 % 4.00 % 3.29 % 2.51 % 3.00 % 3.98 % Discount rate for determining net periodic pension expense 3.00 % 2.24 % 4.00 % 3.29 % 3.75 % 2.83 % 3.00 % 3.98 % 3.73 % Long term rate of return on plan assets 4.25 % 2.81 % 4.25 % 3.02 % 4.25 % 3.56 % 3.45 % 3.18 % 3.64 % Rate of increase in future compensation for determining projected benefit obligation 2.21 % 4.04 % 2.23 % 4.02 % 2.23 % 3.67 % N/A N/A N/A Rate of increase in future compensation for determining net periodic pension expense 2.23 % 4.02 % 2.23 % 3.67 % 2.25 % 3.63 % N/A N/A N/A We utilize a full yield curve approach to estimate the service and interest cost components by applying specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. This approach provides a correlation between projected benefit cash flows and the corresponding yield curve spot rates and provides a precise measurement of service and interest costs. The discount rate assumptions are based on the expected duration of the benefit payments for each of our defined benefit pension and postretirement plans as of the annual measurement date and are subject to change each year. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets should, over time, approximate the actual long-term returns on defined benefit pension and postretirement plan assets and is based on historical returns and the future expectations for returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation of the asset portfolio. Assumed U.S. Health Care Cost Trend Our U.S. postretirement plan assumed annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of health care benefits is 6.4% for the plan year ending June 30, 2021. The rate is assumed to decrease on a straight-line basis to 4.5% for the plan year ending June 30, 2038 and remain at that level thereafter. A one percentage point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates would increase the benefit obligation by $119,602, while a one percentage point decrease would reduce the benefit obligation by $92,093. Pension and Postretirement Expense Pension expense for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $168,367, $137,030 and $125,320, respectively. Postretirement expense for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. The service cost component of pension and postretirement expense is included in operating expenses while the other components of net benefit cost are included in Other income (expense), net. Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets and Funded Status The changes in the benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of our pension and postretirement benefit plans for fiscal 2020 and 2019 are as follows: Pension Plans Postretirement Plans August 31, August 31, August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans Reconciliation of benefit obligation Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 383,557 $ 2,166,377 $ 331,916 $ 1,772,712 $ 576,596 $ 535,632 Service cost 3,080 108,871 3,100 88,913 22,142 18,056 Interest cost 9,771 44,395 12,364 52,466 15,647 20,498 Participant contributions — 12,521 — 11,989 — — Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers — 14 — 28,510 — — Amendments — — — 2,105 — — Curtailment — — — (6,477) — — Pension settlement — (188) — (9,343) — — Actuarial (gain) loss 26,495 (12,278) 50,002 379,173 46,630 16,880 Benefits paid (14,637) (94,136) (13,825) (85,624) (12,115) (13,637) Exchange rate impact — 131,829 — (68,047) 428 (833) Benefit obligation, end of year $ 408,266 $ 2,357,405 $ 383,557 $ 2,166,377 $ 649,328 $ 576,596 Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year $ 257,280 $ 1,214,062 $ 210,576 $ 1,127,376 $ 31,920 $ 28,713 Actual return on plan assets 27,911 46,815 50,397 97,845 2,079 4,924 Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers — — — 25,347 — — Employer contributions 10,635 88,068 10,131 81,531 9,942 11,920 Participant contributions — 12,521 — 11,989 — — Pension settlement — — — (8,801) — — Benefits paid (14,637) (94,136) (13,824) (85,624) (12,115) (13,637) Exchange rate impact — 89,049 — (35,601) — — Other — (672) — — — — Fair value of plan assets, end of year $ 281,189 $ 1,355,707 $ 257,280 $ 1,214,062 $ 31,826 $ 31,920 Funded status, end of year $ (127,077) $ (1,001,698) $ (126,277) $ (952,315) $ (617,502) $ (544,676) Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Non-current assets $ 3,232 $ 67,341 $ 6,707 $ 67,396 $ — $ — Current liabilities (10,213) (42,990) (10,473) (33,981) (1,169) (1,257) Non-current liabilities (120,096) (1,026,049) (122,511) (985,730) (616,333) (543,419) Funded status, end of year $ (127,077) $ (1,001,698) $ (126,277) $ (952,315) $ (617,502) $ (544,676) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The pre-tax accumulated net loss and prior service (credit) cost recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of August 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows: Pension Plans Postretirement Plans August 31, August 31, August 31, August 31, U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans Net loss $ 108,796 $ 605,635 $ 106,328 $ 633,619 $ 160,067 $ 121,798 Prior service (credit) cost — 20,056 — 21,954 15,114 19,427 Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax $ 108,796 $ 625,691 $ 106,328 $ 655,573 $ 175,181 $ 141,225 Funded Status for Defined Benefit Plans The accumulated benefit obligation for defined benefit pension plans as of August 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows: August 31, August 31, U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Accumulated benefit obligation $ 401,822 $ 2,135,566 $ 376,886 $ 1,964,148 The following information is provided for defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets and for defined benefit pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of August 31, 2020 and 2019: Pension Plans Postretirement Plans August 31, August 31, August 31, August 31, U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets Projected benefit obligation $ 130,309 $ 1,644,895 $ 132,984 $ 1,514,448 $ 649,328 $ 576,596 Fair value of plan assets — 575,857 — 494,065 31,826 31,920 August 31, August 31, U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets Accumulated benefit obligation $ 130,309 $ 1,438,234 $ 132,984 $ 1,300,082 Fair value of plan assets — 575,857 — 465,935 Investment Strategies U.S. Pension Plans The overall investment objective of the defined benefit pension plans is to match the duration of the plans’ assets to the plans’ liabilities while managing risk in order to meet current defined benefit pension obligations. The plans’ future prospects, their current financial conditions, our current funding levels and other relevant factors suggest that the plans can tolerate some interim fluctuations in market value and rates of return in order to achieve long-term objectives without undue risk to the plans’ ability to meet their current benefit obligations. We recognize that asset allocation of the defined benefit pension plans’ assets is an important factor in determining long-term performance. Actual asset allocations at any point in time may vary from the target asset allocations and will be dictated by current and anticipated market conditions, required cash flows and investment decisions of the investment committee and the pension plans’ investment funds and managers. Ranges are established to provide flexibility for the asset allocation to vary around the targets without the need for immediate rebalancing. Non-U.S. Pension Plans Plan assets in non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans conform to the investment policies and procedures of each plan and to relevant legislation. The pension committee or trustee of each plan regularly, but at least annually, reviews the investment policy and the performance of the investment managers. In certain countries, the trustee is also required to consult with us. Asset allocation decisions are made to provide risk adjusted returns that align with the overall investment strategy for each plan. Generally, the investment return objective of each plan is to achieve a total annualized rate of return that exceeds inflation over the long term by an amount based on the target asset allocation mix of that plan. In certain countries, plan assets are invested in funds that are required to hold a majority of assets in bonds, with a smaller proportion in equities. Also, certain plan assets are entirely invested in contracts held with the plan insurer, which determines the strategy. Defined benefit pension plans in certain countries are unfunded. Risk Management Plan investments are exposed to risks including market, interest rate and operating risk. In order to mitigate significant concentrations of these risks, the assets are invested in a diversified portfolio primarily consisting of fixed income instruments and equities. To minimize asset volatility relative to the liabilities, plan assets allocated to debt securities appropriately match the duration of individual plan liabilities. Equities are diversified between U.S. and non-U.S. index funds and are intended to achieve long term capital appreciation. Plan asset allocation and investment managers’ guidelines are reviewed on a regular basis. Plan Assets Our target allocation for fiscal 2020 and weighted-average plan assets allocations as of August 31, 2020 and 2019 by asset category for defined benefit pension plans are as follows: 2021 Target 2020 2019 U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. Asset Category Equity securities — % 26 % — % 19 % — % 19 % Debt securities 100 51 96 59 95 59 Cash and short-term investments — 2 4 2 5 2 Insurance contracts — 16 — 16 — 17 Other — 5 — 4 — 3 Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % Fair Value Measurements Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability. The fair value should be calculated based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, not on assumptions specific to the entity. The three-level hierarchy of fair value measurements is based on whether the inputs to those measurements are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. The fair-value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available and consists of the following levels: • Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; • Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets; and • Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable. The fair values of defined benefit pension and postretirement plan assets as of August 31, 2020 are as follows: Non-U.S. Plans Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity Mutual fund equity securities $ — $ 259,776 $ — $ 259,776 Fixed Income Non-U.S. government debt securities 163,602 — — 163,602 Non-U.S. corporate debt securities 20,639 — — 20,639 Mutual fund debt securities — 611,028 — 611,028 Cash and short-term investments 13,858 14,509 — 28,367 Insurance contracts — 79,575 140,305 219,880 Other — 52,415 — 52,415 Total $ 198,099 $ 1,017,303 $ 140,305 $ 1,355,707 The level 3 assets are primarily invested in an insurance buy-in contract in a Non-U.S. plan. The fair value of the assets is set to an actuarially calculated present value of the underlying liabilities. The U.S. Plans have $313,015 in Level 2 assets, primarily made up of U.S. corporate debt securities of $185,981 and U.S. government, state and local debt securities of $75,583. The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of Level 3 assets for fiscal 2020: Level 3 Assets Fiscal 2020 Beginning balance $ 133,421 Changes in fair value 6,884 Ending Balance $ 140,305 The fair values of defined benefit pension and postretirement plan assets as of August 31, 2019 are as follows: Non-U.S. Plans Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity Mutual fund equity securities $ — $ 226,386 $ — $ 226,386 Fixed Income Non-U.S. government debt securities 125,332 — — 125,332 Non-U.S. corporate debt securities 19,562 — — 19,562 Mutual fund debt securities — 569,712 — 569,712 Cash and short-term investments 9,799 9,426 — 19,225 Insurance contracts — 76,219 133,421 209,640 Other — 44,205 — 44,205 Total $ 154,693 $ 925,948 $ 133,421 $ 1,214,062 The level 3 assets are primarily invested in an insurance buy-in contract in a Non-U.S. plan. The fair value of the assets is set to an actuarially calculated present value of the underlying liabilities. The U.S. Plans have $289,200 in Level 2 assets, primarily made up of U.S. corporate debt securities of $166,756 and U.S. government, state and local debt securities of $71,745. The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of Level 3 assets for fiscal 2019: Level 3 Assets Fiscal 2019 Beginning balance $ 114,960 Purchases, sales and settlements 17,428 Changes in fair value 1,033 Ending Balance $ 133,421 Expected Contributions Generally, annual contributions are made at such times and in amounts as required by law and may, from time to time, exceed minimum funding requirements. We estimate we will pay approximately $106,001 in fiscal 2021 related to contributions to our U.S. and non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans and benefit payments related to the unfunded frozen plan for former pre-incorporation partners. We have not determined whether we will make additional voluntary contributions for our defined benefit pension plans. Our postretirement plan contributions in fiscal 2021 are not expected to be material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Estimated Future Benefit Payments Benefit payments for defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid as follows: Pension Plans Postretirement Plans U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans 2021 $ 14,678 $ 106,299 $ 12,335 2022 15,416 103,597 13,990 2023 16,195 116,624 15,737 2024 16,959 115,224 17,769 2025 17,743 126,526 19,826 2026-2030 98,570 643,025 134,072 Defined Contribution Plans |
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] | |
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION | Share-Based Compensation Share Incentive Plans The Amended and Restated Accenture plc 2010 Share Incentive Plan, as amended and approved by our shareholders in 2020 (the “Amended 2010 SIP”), is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Accenture and provides for the grant of nonqualified share options, incentive stock options, restricted share units and other share-based awards. A maximum of 114,000,000 Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares are currently authorized for awards under the Amended 2010 SIP. As of August 31, 2020, there were 25,216,854 shares available for future grants. Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares covered by awards that terminate, lapse or are cancelled may again be used to satisfy awards under the Amended 2010 SIP. We issue new Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares and shares from treasury for shares delivered under the Amended 2010 SIP. A summary of information with respect to share-based compensation is as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Total share-based compensation expense included in Net income $ 1,197,806 $ 1,093,253 $ 976,908 Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation included in Net income 430,290 356,062 404,124 Restricted Share Units Under the Amended 2010 SIP, participants may be, and previously under the predecessor 2001 Share Incentive Plan were, granted restricted share units, each of which represent an unfunded, unsecured right to receive an Accenture plc Class A ordinary share on the date specified in the participant’s award agreement. The fair value of the awards is based on our stock price on the date of grant. The restricted share units granted under these plans are subject to cliff or graded vesting, generally ranging from two to five years. For awards with graded vesting, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting term of each separately vesting portion. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis for awards with cliff vesting. Restricted share unit activity during fiscal 2020 is as follows: Number of Restricted Weighted Average Nonvested balance as of August 31, 2019 19,002,115 $ 136.66 Granted (1) 7,543,339 206.05 Vested (2) (7,698,685) 138.55 Forfeited (1,106,838) 148.29 Nonvested balance as of August 31, 2020 17,739,931 $ 164.62 (1) The weighted average grant-date fair value for restricted share units granted for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $206.05, $144.52 and $153.33, respectively. (2) The total grant-date fair value of restricted share units vested for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $1,066,622, $914,206 and $842,002, respectively. As of August 31, 2020, there was $1,083,367 of total unrecognized restricted share unit compensation expense related to nonvested awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 years. As of August 31, 2020, there were 553,907 restricted share units vested but not yet delivered as Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares. Employee Share Purchase Plan 2010 ESPP The Amended and Restated Accenture plc 2010 Employee Share Purchase Plan (the “2010 ESPP”) is a nonqualified plan that provides eligible employees of Accenture plc and its designated affiliates with an opportunity to purchase Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares through payroll deductions. Under the 2010 ESPP, eligible employees may purchase Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares through the Employee Share Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) or the Voluntary Equity Investment Program (the “VEIP”). Under the ESPP, eligible employees may elect to contribute 1% to 10% of their eligible compensation during each semi-annual offering period (up to $7.5 per offering period) to purchase Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares at a discount. Under the VEIP, eligible members of Accenture Leadership may elect to contribute up to 30% of their eligible compensation towards the monthly purchase of Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares at fair market value. At the end of the VEIP program year, Accenture Leadership participants who did not withdraw from the program will be granted restricted share units under the Amended 2010 SIP equal to 50% of the number of shares purchased during that year and held by the participant as of the grant date. |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | Shareholders’ Equity Accenture plc Ordinary Shares We have 40,000 authorized ordinary shares, par value €1 per share. Each ordinary share of Accenture plc entitles its holder to receive payments upon a liquidation of Accenture plc; however a holder of an ordinary share is not entitled to vote on matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of Accenture plc or to receive dividends. Class A Ordinary Shares An Accenture plc Class A ordinary share entitles its holder to one vote per share, and holders of those shares do not have cumulative voting rights. Each Class A ordinary share entitles its holder to a pro rata part of any dividend at the times and in the amounts, if any, which Accenture plc’s Board of Directors from time to time determines to declare, subject to any preferred dividend rights attaching to any preferred shares. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled on a winding-up of Accenture plc to be paid a pro rata part of the value of the assets of Accenture plc remaining after payment of its liabilities, subject to any preferred rights on liquidation attaching to any preferred shares. Class X Ordinary Shares Most of our pre-incorporation partners who received Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares in connection with our transition to a corporate structure received a corresponding number of Accenture plc Class X ordinary shares. An Accenture plc Class X ordinary share entitles its holder to one vote per share, and holders of those shares do not have cumulative voting rights. A Class X ordinary share does not entitle its holder to receive dividends, and holders of those shares are not entitled to be paid any amount upon a winding-up of Accenture plc. Accenture plc may redeem, at its option, any Class X ordinary share for a redemption price equal to the par value of the Class X ordinary share. Accenture plc has separately agreed with the original holders of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares not to redeem any Class X ordinary share of such holder if the redemption would reduce the number of Class X ordinary shares held by that holder to a number that is less than the number of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares owned by that holder, as the case may be. Accenture plc will redeem Class X ordinary shares upon the redemption or exchange of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares so that the aggregate number of Class X ordinary shares outstanding at any time does not exceed the aggregate number of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares outstanding. Class X ordinary shares are not transferable without the consent of Accenture plc. Equity of Subsidiaries Redeemable or Exchangeable for Accenture plc Class A Ordinary Shares Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. Exchangeable Shares Pre-incorporation partners resident in Canada and New Zealand received Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares in connection with our transition to a corporate structure. Holders of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares may exchange their shares for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares at any time on a one-for-one basis. We may, at our option, satisfy this exchange with cash at a price per share generally equal to the market price of an Accenture plc Class A ordinary share at the time of the exchange. Each exchangeable share of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. entitles its holder to receive distributions equal to any distributions to which an Accenture plc Class A ordinary share entitles its holder. Share Purchases and Redemptions The Board of Directors of Accenture plc has authorized funding for our publicly announced open-market share purchase program for acquiring Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares and for purchases and redemptions of Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares held by current and former members of Accenture Leadership and their permitted transferees. As of August 31, 2020, our aggregate available authorization was $1,314,762 for our publicly announced open-market share purchase and these other share purchase programs. Our share purchase activity during fiscal 2020 is as follows: Accenture plc Class A Accenture Canada Shares Amount Shares Amount Open-market share purchases (1) 11,983,661 $ 2,337,732 — $ — Other share purchase programs — — 100,795 21,594 Other purchases (2) 2,746,369 556,521 — — Total 14,730,030 $ 2,894,253 100,795 $ 21,594 (1) We conduct a publicly announced open-market share purchase program for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares. These shares are held as treasury shares by Accenture plc and may be utilized to provide for select employee benefits, such as equity awards to our employees. (2) During fiscal 2020, as authorized under our various employee equity share plans, we acquired Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares primarily via share withholding for payroll tax obligations due from employees and former employees in connection with the delivery of Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares under those plans. These purchases of shares in connection with employee share plans do not affect our aggregate available authorization for our publicly announced open-market share purchase and the other share purchase programs. Cancellation of Treasury Shares During fiscal 2020, we cancelled 5,526,491 Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares that were held as treasury shares and had an aggregate cost of $1,056,145. The effect of the cancellation of these treasury shares was recognized in Class A ordinary shares and Additional paid-in capital with the residual recorded in Retained earnings. There was no effect on total shareholders’ equity as a result of this cancellation. Dividends Our dividend activity during fiscal 2020 is as follows: Dividend Per Accenture plc Class A Accenture Canada Total Cash Dividend Payment Date Record Date Cash Outlay Record Date Cash Outlay November 15, 2019 $ 0.80 October 17, 2019 $ 507,725 October 15, 2019 $ 656 $ 508,381 February 14, 2020 0.80 January 16, 2020 510,604 January 14, 2020 634 511,238 May 15, 2020 0.80 April 16, 2020 508,283 April 14, 2020 630 508,913 August 14, 2020 0.80 July 16, 2020 508,586 July 14, 2020 615 509,201 Total Dividends $ 2,035,198 $ 2,535 $ 2,037,733 The payment of the cash dividends also resulted in the issuance of an immaterial number of additional restricted share units to holders of restricted share units. Subsequent Events On September 23, 2020, the Board of Directors of Accenture plc declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.88 per share on our Class A ordinary shares for shareholders of record at the close of business on October 13, 2020 payable on November 13, 2020. The payment of the cash dividend will result in the issuance of an immaterial number of additional restricted share units to holders of restricted share units. On September 20, 2020, the Board of Directors of Accenture plc approved $5,000,000 in additional share repurchase authority bringing Accenture’s total outstanding authority to $6,314,762. |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Commitments Contingencies and Guarantees [Text Block] | Commitments and Contingencies Indemnifications and Guarantees In the normal course of business and in conjunction with certain client engagements, we have entered into contractual arrangements through which we may be obligated to indemnify clients with respect to certain matters. These arrangements with clients can include provisions whereby we have joint and several liability in relation to the performance of certain contractual obligations along with third parties also providing services and products for a specific project. In addition, our consulting arrangements may include warranty provisions that our solutions will substantially operate in accordance with the applicable system requirements. Indemnification provisions are also included in arrangements under which we agree to hold the indemnified party harmless with respect to third-party claims related to such matters as title to assets sold or licensed or certain intellectual property rights. Typically, we have contractual recourse against third parties for certain payments we made in connection with arrangements where third-party nonperformance has given rise to the client’s claim. Payments we made under any of the arrangements described above are generally conditioned on the client making a claim, which may be disputed by us typically under dispute resolution procedures specified in the particular arrangement. The limitations of liability under these arrangements may be expressly limited or may not be expressly specified in terms of time and/or amount. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, our aggregate potential liability to our clients for expressly limited guarantees involving the performance of third parties was approximately $832,000 and $794,000, respectively, of which all but approximately $87,000 and $128,000, respectively, may be recovered from the other third parties if we are obligated to make payments to the indemnified parties as a consequence of a performance default by the other third parties. For arrangements with unspecified limitations, we cannot reasonably estimate the aggregate maximum potential liability, as it is inherently difficult to predict the maximum potential amount of such payments, due to the conditional nature and unique facts of each particular arrangement. To date, we have not been required to make any significant payment under any of the arrangements described above. We have assessed the current status of performance/payment risk related to arrangements with limited guarantees, warranty obligations, unspecified limitations and/or indemnification provisions and believe that any potential payments would be immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Legal Contingencies As of August 31, 2020, we or our present personnel had been named as a defendant in various litigation matters. We and/or our personnel also from time to time are involved in investigations by various regulatory or legal authorities concerning matters arising in the course of our business around the world. Based on the present status of these matters, including the putative class action lawsuit discussed below, management believes the range of reasonably possible losses in addition to amounts accrued, net of insurance recoveries, will not have a material effect on our results of operations or financial condition. On July 24, 2019, Accenture was named in a putative class action lawsuit filed by consumers of Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The complaint alleges negligence by us, and seeks monetary damages, costs and attorneys’ fees and other related relief, relating to a data security incident involving unauthorized access to the reservations database of Starwood Worldwide Resorts, Inc. (“Starwood”), which was acquired by Marriott on September 23, 2016. Since 2009, we have provided certain IT infrastructure outsourcing services to Starwood. We believe the lawsuit is without merit and we will vigorously defend it. We cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss, if any, at this time. |
SEGMENT REPORTING
SEGMENT REPORTING | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] | |
SEGMENT REPORTING | Segment Reporting Operating segments are components of an enterprise where separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision makers are our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Our operating segments are managed separately because each operating segment represents a strategic business unit providing consulting and outsourcing services to clients across different industries. Effective March 1, 2020, we began managing our business under a new growth model through our three geographic markets, North America, Europe and Growth Markets, which became our reportable segments in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The change is designed to help us better serve our clients and continue to scale our business. Prior to this change, our reportable segments were our five operating groups, Communications, Media & Technology, Financial Services, Health & Public Service, Products and Resources, which we now refer to as our industry groups. Amounts are attributed to geographic markets based on where clients are located. Information regarding our geographic markets is as follows: Fiscal 2020 North America Europe Growth Markets Total Revenues $ 20,982,253 $ 14,402,142 $ 8,942,644 $ 44,327,039 Depreciation and amortization (1) 348,761 341,245 332,393 1,022,399 Operating income 3,169,648 1,799,431 1,544,565 6,513,644 Net assets as of August 31 (2) 2,585,659 1,079,904 620,083 4,285,646 Property & equipment, net 499,976 389,968 655,624 1,545,568 Fiscal 2019 Revenues (3) $ 19,986,136 $ 14,695,749 $ 8,533,128 $ 43,215,013 Depreciation and amortization (1) 303,762 294,902 294,096 892,760 Operating income 3,107,437 2,013,245 1,184,392 6,305,074 Net assets as of August 31 (2) 2,923,320 1,355,827 814,358 5,093,505 Property & equipment, net 395,782 354,491 640,893 1,391,166 Fiscal 2018 Revenues (3) (4) $ 18,460,395 $ 14,650,637 $ 7,881,502 $ 40,992,534 Depreciation and amortization (1) 318,538 309,752 298,486 926,776 Operating income (4) 2,708,674 2,167,463 1,022,642 5,898,779 Net assets as of August 31 (2) 2,469,098 1,402,971 896,653 4,768,722 Property & equipment, net 375,237 319,737 569,046 1,264,020 (1) Amounts include depreciation on property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets controlled by each reportable segment, as well as an allocation for amounts they do not directly control. (2) We do not allocate total assets by reportable segment. Reportable segment assets directly attributable to a reportable segment and provided to the chief operating decision makers include receivables and current and non-current contract assets, deferred contract costs and current and non-current deferred revenues. (3) Effective September 1, 2019 we revised the reporting of our geographic markets for the movement of one country from Growth Markets to Europe. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. (4) Effective September 1, 2018, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and FASB ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. Prior period amounts have been revised to conform with the current period presentation. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to these Consolidated Financial Statements. Our business in the United States represented 45%, 44% and 43% of our consolidated revenues during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. No other country individually comprised 10% or more of our consolidated revenues during these periods. Business in Ireland, our country of domicile, represented approximately 1% of our consolidated revenues during each of fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018. We conduct business in Ireland and in the following countries that hold 10% or more of our total consolidated Property and equipment, net: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 August 31, 2018 United States 27 % 26 % 27 % India 18 18 19 Ireland 7 7 7 Revenues by industry group and type of work are as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 (1) INDUSTRY GROUPS Communications, Media & Technology $ 8,883,173 $ 8,757,250 $ 8,229,842 Financial Services 8,518,136 8,493,819 8,565,695 Health & Public Service 8,022,704 7,160,787 6,877,779 Products 12,272,036 12,004,934 11,337,863 Resources 6,611,544 6,771,976 5,942,012 Other 19,446 26,247 39,343 Total $ 44,327,039 $ 43,215,013 $ 40,992,534 TYPE OF WORK Consulting $ 24,227,024 $ 24,177,428 $ 22,978,798 Outsourcing 20,100,015 19,037,585 18,013,736 Total $ 44,327,039 $ 43,215,013 $ 40,992,534 |
QUARTERLY DATA
QUARTERLY DATA | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] | |
QUARTERLY DATA | Quarterly Data (unaudited) Fiscal 2020 First Second Third Fourth Annual Revenues $ 11,358,958 $ 11,141,505 $ 10,991,305 $ 10,835,271 $ 44,327,039 Cost of services 7,711,199 7,782,334 7,462,617 7,394,731 30,350,881 Operating income 1,767,263 1,488,945 1,712,733 1,544,703 6,513,644 Net income 1,375,168 1,252,082 1,252,639 1,305,424 5,185,313 Net income attributable to Accenture plc 1,356,968 1,234,740 1,228,202 1,287,929 5,107,839 Weighted average Class A ordinary shares: —Basic 635,722,309 637,485,626 636,146,240 635,887,742 636,299,913 —Diluted 649,389,444 648,833,880 645,607,914 647,867,307 647,797,003 Earnings per Class A ordinary share: —Basic $ 2.13 $ 1.94 $ 1.93 $ 2.03 $ 8.03 —Diluted $ 2.09 $ 1.91 $ 1.90 $ 1.99 $ 7.89 Fiscal 2019 First Second Third Fourth Annual Revenues $ 10,605,546 $ 10,454,129 $ 11,099,688 $ 11,055,650 $ 43,215,013 Cost of services 7,308,121 7,399,780 7,571,390 7,621,034 29,900,325 Operating income 1,629,012 1,386,626 1,717,943 1,571,493 6,305,074 Net income 1,291,324 1,140,720 1,268,649 1,145,548 4,846,241 Net income attributable to Accenture plc 1,274,720 1,124,449 1,249,516 1,130,427 4,779,112 Weighted average Class A ordinary shares: —Basic 638,877,445 638,639,729 637,831,341 637,049,388 638,098,125 —Diluted 652,151,450 649,170,699 649,297,717 650,523,417 650,204,873 Earnings per Class A ordinary share: —Basic $ 2.00 $ 1.76 $ 1.96 $ 1.77 $ 7.49 —Diluted $ 1.96 $ 1.73 $ 1.93 $ 1.74 $ 7.36 |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Accenture plc, an Irish company, and our controlled subsidiary companies. Accenture plc is an Irish public limited company, which operates its business through its subsidiaries. Prior to March 13, 2018, Accenture plc’s only business was to hold ordinary and deferred shares in, and to act as the controlling shareholder of, its subsidiary, Accenture Holdings plc, an Irish public limited company. We operated our business through Accenture Holdings plc and subsidiaries of Accenture Holdings plc. Accenture plc controlled Accenture Holdings plc’s management and operations and consolidated Accenture Holdings plc’s results in our Consolidated Financial Statements. On March 13, 2018, Accenture Holdings plc merged with and into Accenture plc, with Accenture plc as the surviving entity. As a result, all of the assets and liabilities of Accenture Holdings plc were acquired by Accenture plc, and Accenture Holdings plc ceased to exist. In connection with this internal merger, shareholders of Accenture Holdings plc (other than Accenture entities that held shares of Accenture Holdings plc), who primarily consisted of current and former members of Accenture Leadership and their permitted transferees, received one Class A ordinary share of Accenture plc for each share of Accenture Holdings plc that they owned, and Accenture plc redeemed all Class X ordinary shares of Accenture plc owned by such shareholders. The shares of Accenture Holdings plc (for applicable periods) and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. held by persons other than us are treated as a noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The noncontrolling interest percentage was less than 1% as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. |
Use of Estimates | The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that we may undertake in the future, actual results may be different from those estimates. |
Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition We account for revenue in accordance with FASB ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which we adopted on September 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. Performance Obligations A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the client and is the unit of accounting in Topic 606. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price. The primary method used to estimate standalone selling price is the expected cost plus a margin approach, under which we forecast our expected costs of satisfying a performance obligation and then add an appropriate margin for that distinct good or service based on margins for similar services sold on a standalone basis. While determining relative standalone selling price and identifying separate performance obligations require judgment, generally relative standalone selling prices and the separate performance obligations are readily identifiable as we sell those performance obligations unaccompanied by other performance obligations. Contract modifications are routine in the performance of our contracts. Contracts are often modified to account for changes in the contract specifications, requirements or duration. If a contract modification results in the addition of performance obligations priced at a standalone selling price or if the post-modification services are distinct from the services provided prior to the modification, the modification is accounted for separately. If the modified services are not distinct, they are accounted for as part of the existing contract. Our revenues are derived from contracts for outsourcing services, technology integration consulting services and non-technology integration consulting services. These contracts have different terms based on the scope, performance obligations and complexity of the engagement, which frequently require us to make judgments and estimates in recognizing revenues. We have many types of contracts, including time-and-materials contracts, fixed-price contracts, fee-per-transaction contracts and contracts with multiple fee types. The nature of our contracts gives rise to several types of variable consideration, including incentive fees. Many contracts include incentives or penalties related to costs incurred, benefits produced or adherence to schedules that may increase the variability in revenues and margins earned on such contracts. These variable amounts generally are awarded or refunded upon achievement of or failure to achieve certain performance metrics, milestones or cost targets and can be based upon client discretion. We include these variable fees in the estimated transaction price when there is a basis to reasonably estimate the amount of the fee and it is not probable a significant reversal of revenue will occur. These estimates reflect the expected value of the variable fee and are based on an assessment of our anticipated performance, historical experience and other information available at the time. Our performance obligations are satisfied over time as work progresses or at a point in time. The majority of our revenues are recognized over time based on the extent of progress towards satisfying our performance obligations. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment and is based on the contract and the nature of the services to be provided. Outsourcing Contracts Our outsourcing contracts typically span several years. Revenues are generally recognized on outsourcing contracts over time because our clients benefit from the services as they are performed. Outsourcing contracts require us to provide a series of distinct services each period over the contract term. Revenues from unit-priced contracts are recognized as transactions are processed. When contractual billings represent an amount that corresponds directly with the value provided to the client (e.g., time-and-materials contracts), revenues are recognized as amounts become billable in accordance with contract terms. Technology Integration Consulting Services Revenues from contracts for technology integration consulting services where we design/redesign, build and implement new or enhanced systems and related processes for our clients are recognized over time as control of the system is transferred continuously to the client. Contracts for technology integration consulting services generally span six months to two years. Generally, revenue, including estimated fees, is recognized using costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying our performance obligations. Incurred cost represents work performed, which corresponds with, and thereby best depicts, the transfer of control to the client. Non-Technology Integration Consulting Services Our contracts for non-technology integration consulting services are typically less than a year in duration. Revenues are generally recognized over time as our clients benefit from the services as they are performed, or the contract, for which the related services lack an alternative use, includes termination provisions enabling payment for performance completed to date. When contractual billings represent an amount that corresponds directly with the value provided to the client (e.g. time-and-materials contracts), revenues are recognized as amounts become billable in accordance with contract terms. Revenues from fixed-price contracts are generally recognized using costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying our performance obligations. Incurred cost represents work performed, which corresponds with, and thereby best depicts, the transfer of control to the client. For non-technology integration consulting contracts which do not qualify to recognize revenue over time, we recognize revenues at a point in time when the client obtains control of the promised good or service. Contract Estimates Estimates of total contract revenues and costs are continuously monitored over the lives of our contracts, and recorded revenues and cost estimates are subject to revision as the contract progresses. If at any time the estimate of contract profitability indicates an anticipated loss on a technology integration consulting contract, we recognize the loss in the quarter it first becomes probable and reasonably estimable. Contract Balances The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in Receivables, Contract assets, and Deferred revenues (Contract liabilities) on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Amounts are billed as work progresses in accordance with agreed-upon contractual terms, either at periodic intervals (e.g., monthly or quarterly) or upon achievement of contractual milestones. Our receivables are rights to consideration that are conditional only upon the passage of time as compared to our contract assets, which are rights to consideration conditional upon additional factors. When we bill or receive payments from our clients before revenue is recognized, we record Contract liabilities. Contract assets and liabilities are reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheet on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. For some outsourcing contracts, we receive payments for transition or set-up activities, which are deferred and recognized as revenue as the services are provided. These advance payments are typically not a significant financing component because they are used to meet working capital demands in the early stages of a contract and to protect us from the other party failing to complete its obligations under the contract. We elected the practical expedient to report revenues net of any revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transactions. |
Employee Share-Based Compensation Arrangements | Employee Share-Based Compensation Arrangements Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period for awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant date fair value of those awards expected to ultimately vest. Forfeitures are estimated on the date of grant and revised if actual or expected forfeiture activity differs materially from original estimates. |
Income Taxes | Income Taxes We calculate and provide for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which we operate. Deferred tax assets and liabilities, measured using enacted tax rates, are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax and financial statement bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance reduces the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We establish liabilities or reduce assets when we believe tax positions are not more likely than not of being sustained if challenged. Recognized tax positions are measured at the largest amount of benefit greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. Each fiscal quarter, we evaluate tax positions and adjust the related tax assets and liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances. We release stranded tax effects from Accumulated other comprehensive loss using the specific identification approach for our defined benefit plans and the portfolio approach for other items. |
Translation of Non-U.S. Currency Amounts | Translation of Non-U.S. Currency Amounts Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at fiscal year-end exchange rates. Revenue and expense items are translated at average foreign currency exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year. Translation adjustments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses arising from intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term investment nature are reported in the same manner as translation adjustments. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of all cash balances and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, including certificates of deposit and time deposits. As a result of certain subsidiaries’ cash management systems, checks issued but not presented to the banks for payment may create negative book cash balances. Such negative balances are classified as Current portion of long term debt and bank borrowings. |
Client Receivables, Unbilled Services and Allowances | Allowances for Client Receivables We record our client receivables at their face amounts less allowances. On a periodic basis, we evaluate our receivables and establish allowances based on historical experience and other currently available information. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, total allowances recorded for client receivables were $40,277 and $45,538, respectively. The allowance reflects our best estimate of collectibility risks on outstanding receivables. In limited circumstances, we agree to extend financing to certain clients. The terms vary by contract, but generally payment for services is contractually linked to the achievement of specified performance milestones. |
Concentrations of Credit Risk | Concentrations of Credit Risk Our financial instruments, consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, foreign currency exchange rate instruments and client receivables, are exposed to concentrations of credit risk. We place our cash and cash equivalents and foreign exchange instruments with highly-rated financial institutions, limit the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution and conduct ongoing evaluations of the credit worthiness of the financial institutions with which we do business. Client receivables are dispersed across many different industries and countries; therefore, concentrations of credit risk are limited. |
Investments | Investments All available-for-sale securities and liquid investments with an original maturity greater than three months but less than one year are considered to be Short-term investments. Non-current investments consist of equity securities in publicly-traded and privately-held companies and are accounted for using either the equity or fair value measurement alternative method of accounting (for investments without readily determinable fair values). Investments are periodically assessed for other-than-temporary impairment. If an investment is deemed to have experienced an other-than-temporary decline below its cost basis, we reduce the carrying amount of the investment to its estimated fair value. Our non-current investments are as follows: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Equity method investments $ 240,446 $ 108,342 Investments without readily determinable fair values 84,068 131,971 Total non-current investments $ 324,514 $ 240,313 For investments in which we can exercise significant influence but do not control, we use the equity method of accounting. Equity method investments are initially recorded at cost and our proportionate share of gains and losses of the investee are included as a component of other income (expense), net. Our equity method investments consist primarily of an investment in Duck Creek Technologies. As of August 31, 2020, the carrying amount of our investment was $230,219 and the estimated fair value of our approximately 22% ownership was $956,308. For equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, we use the fair value measurement alternative and measure the securities at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. |
Property and Equipment | Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives: Computers, related equipment and software 2 to 7 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 10 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of lease term or 15 years |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy | Goodwill |
Long-Lived Assets | Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, including deferred contract costs and identifiable intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets or groups of assets is assessed based on a comparison of the carrying amount to the estimated future net cash flows. If estimated future undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying amount, the asset is considered impaired and a loss is recorded equal to the amount required to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. Intangible assets with finite lives are generally amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated economic useful lives, ranging from one to sixteen years. |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_3
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Other Operating Cost and Expense, by Component [Table Text Block] | Selected components of operating expenses are as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Research and development costs $ 870,611 $ 799,734 $ 790,779 Advertising costs (1) 57,658 85,521 78,464 Provision for (release of) doubtful accounts (2) 147 974 (1,060) (1) Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. |
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block] | The impact of adopting Topic 842 on our Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows: Balance Sheet Balance as of August 31, 2019 Adjustments due to ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842) Balance as of September 1, 2019 CURRENT ASSETS Other current assets $ 1,225,364 $ (38,666) $ 1,186,698 NON-CURRENT ASSETS Lease assets — 3,169,608 3,169,608 Other non-current assets 1,400,292 (10,333) 1,389,959 CURRENT LIABILITIES Lease liabilities — 699,399 699,399 Other accrued liabilities 951,450 (703) 950,747 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Lease liabilities — 2,666,344 2,666,344 Other non-current liabilities 526,988 (244,431) 282,557 |
Investment | Our non-current investments are as follows: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Equity method investments $ 240,446 $ 108,342 Investments without readily determinable fair values 84,068 131,971 Total non-current investments $ 324,514 $ 240,313 |
REVENUES (Tables)
REVENUES (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Contract Balances [Abstract] | |
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block] | The following table provides information about the balances of our Receivables, Contract assets and Contract liabilities (Deferred revenues): As of August 31, 2020 As of August 31, 2019 Receivables, net of allowance $ 7,192,110 $ 7,467,338 Contract assets (current) 654,782 627,733 Receivables and contract assets (current) 7,846,892 8,095,071 Contract assets (non-current) 43,257 71,002 Deferred revenues (current) 3,636,741 3,188,835 Deferred revenues (non-current) 690,931 565,224 |
EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)
EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share | Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Basic Earnings per share Net income attributable to Accenture plc $ 5,107,839 $ 4,779,112 $ 4,059,907 Basic weighted average Class A ordinary shares 636,299,913 638,098,125 628,451,742 Basic earnings per share $ 8.03 $ 7.49 $ 6.46 Diluted Earnings per share Net income attributable to Accenture plc $ 5,107,839 $ 4,779,112 $ 4,059,907 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in Accenture Holdings plc and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (1) 6,325 6,694 95,063 Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation $ 5,114,164 $ 4,785,806 $ 4,154,970 Basic weighted average Class A ordinary shares 636,299,913 638,098,125 628,451,742 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon redemption/exchange of noncontrolling interests (1) 787,429 892,654 14,716,884 Diluted effect of employee compensation related to Class A ordinary shares 10,599,773 11,111,679 11,948,075 Diluted effect of share purchase plans related to Class A ordinary shares 109,888 102,415 179,449 Diluted weighted average Class A ordinary shares 647,797,003 650,204,873 655,296,150 Diluted earnings per share $ 7.89 $ 7.36 $ 6.34 |
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_2
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] | |
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to Accenture plc: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Foreign currency translation Beginning balance $ (1,207,975) $ (1,075,268) $ (770,043) Foreign currency translation 207,566 (138,680) (310,548) Income tax benefit (expense) (1,719) (607) 3,354 Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests (8,151) 6,580 1,969 Foreign currency translation, net of tax 197,696 (132,707) (305,225) Ending balance (1,010,279) (1,207,975) (1,075,268) Defined benefit plans Beginning balance (672,323) (419,284) (440,619) Actuarial gains (losses) 22,414 (379,090) 19,862 Pension settlement 3,757 793 3,030 Prior service costs arising during the period — (2,105) (28,696) Reclassifications into net periodic pension and 55,035 32,985 34,972 Income tax benefit (expense) (24,041) 94,052 (7,799) Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests (65) 326 (34) Defined benefit plans, net of tax 57,100 (253,039) 21,335 Ending balance (615,223) (672,323) (419,284) Cash flow hedges Beginning balance 38,993 (84,010) 114,635 Unrealized gain (loss) 72,437 209,017 (169,958) Reclassification adjustments into Cost of services (48,545) (48,333) (93,105) Income tax benefit (expense) 857 (37,522) 64,118 Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests (28) (159) 300 Cash flow hedges, net of tax 24,721 123,003 (198,645) Ending balance (2) 63,714 38,993 (84,010) Investments Beginning balance 728 2,391 1,243 Unrealized gain (loss) (778) (1,970) 1,455 Income tax benefit (expense) — 305 (305) Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests 1 2 (2) Investments, net of tax (777) (1,663) 1,148 Ending balance (49) 728 2,391 Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (1,561,837) $ (1,840,577) $ (1,576,171) (1) As of August 31, 2020, $54,285 of net losses is expected to be reclassified into net periodic pension and post-retirement expense recognized in cost of services, sales and marketing, general and administrative costs and non-operating expenses in the next twelve months. |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] | |
Components of Property and Equipment, Net | Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives: Computers, related equipment and software 2 to 7 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 10 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of lease term or 15 years The components of Property and equipment, net are as follows: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Buildings and land $ 61 $ 56 Computers, related equipment and software 1,978,380 1,723,623 Furniture and fixtures 456,136 394,671 Leasehold improvements 1,424,722 1,228,845 Property and equipment, gross 3,859,299 3,347,195 Total accumulated depreciation (2,313,731) (1,956,029) Property and equipment, net $ 1,545,568 $ 1,391,166 |
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] | The table below gives additional details related to these acquisitions: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Total consideration $ 1,513,910 $ 1,170,044 $ 596,148 Goodwill 1,352,839 920,696 431,087 Intangible assets 377,060 282,144 140,403 |
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] | The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable operating segment are as follows: August 31, Additions/ Foreign August 31, Additions/ Foreign August 31, GEOGRAPHIC MARKETS (1) North America $ 3,440,285 $ 534,269 $ (1,198) $ 3,973,356 $ 628,458 $ 2,627 $ 4,604,441 Europe 1,357,688 297,548 (86,013) 1,569,223 420,413 148,452 2,138,088 Growth Markets 585,039 92,925 (14,993) 662,971 289,598 14,722 967,291 Total $ 5,383,012 $ 924,742 $ (102,204) $ 6,205,550 $ 1,338,469 $ 165,801 $ 7,709,820 (1) Effective March 1, 2020, we began managing our business under a new growth model through our three geographic markets, which became our reportable segments in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. |
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] | Our definite-lived intangible assets by major asset class are as follows: August 31, 2019 August 31, 2020 Intangible Asset Class Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Customer-related $ 1,013,976 $ (358,130) $ 655,846 $ 1,319,332 $ (495,367) $ 823,965 Technology 119,686 (45,851) 73,835 150,765 (55,543) 95,222 Patents 127,796 (66,167) 61,629 129,295 (66,954) 62,341 Other 78,344 (28,875) 49,469 82,676 (34,986) 47,690 Total $ 1,339,802 $ (499,023) $ 840,779 $ 1,682,068 $ (652,850) $ 1,029,218 |
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] | Total amortization related to our intangible assets was $239,664, $177,150 and $170,187 for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Estimated future amortization related to intangible assets held as of August 31, 2020 is as follows: Fiscal Year Estimated Amortization 2021 $ 214,120 2022 172,641 2023 154,297 2024 127,673 2025 108,068 Thereafter 252,419 Total $ 1,029,218 |
LEASES (Tables)
LEASES (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Lease, Cost | As of August 31, 2020, we had no material finance leases. Operating lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease costs are as follows: Fiscal 2020 Operating lease cost $ 749,233 Variable lease cost 181,612 Sublease income (27,192) $ 903,653 |
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases | Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases as of August 31, 2019, which were accounted for in accordance with Topic 840, are as follows: Lease Payments Sublease Receipts 2020 $ 688,020 $ (24,884) 2021 597,307 (17,908) 2022 516,544 (8,535) 2023 428,481 (7,541) 2024 363,107 (7,184) Thereafter 1,246,097 (30,708) $ 3,839,556 $ (96,760) |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity | The following maturity analysis presents future undiscounted cash outflows for operating leases as of August 31, 2020: Lease Payments Sublease Receipts 2021 $ 770,640 $ (19,415) 2022 652,652 (10,296) 2023 549,069 (9,888) 2024 456,020 (9,256) 2025 371,856 (7,341) Thereafter 1,148,600 (26,289) Total lease payments (receipts) 3,948,837 $ (82,485) Less interest (525,196) Total lease liabilities $ 3,423,641 |
acn_Supplementalinformationrelatedtooperatingleasetransactions | Supplemental information related to operating lease transactions is as follows: Fiscal 2020 Lease liability payments $ 725,892 Lease assets obtained in exchange for liabilities $ 592,026 |
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Notional and Fair Values of All Derivative Instruments | The notional and fair values of all derivative instruments are as follows: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Assets Cash Flow Hedges Other current assets $ 75,871 $ 53,033 Other non-current assets 50,914 49,525 Other Derivatives Other current assets 27,964 8,059 Total assets $ 154,749 $ 110,617 Liabilities Cash Flow Hedges Other accrued liabilities $ 13,614 $ 18,826 Other non-current liabilities 13,576 8,770 Other Derivatives Other accrued liabilities 11,828 32,195 Total liabilities $ 39,018 $ 59,791 Total fair value $ 115,731 $ 50,826 Total notional value $ 9,600,691 $ 8,709,917 |
OffsettingDerivativeAssetsandLiabilities [Table Text Block] | We utilize standard counterparty master agreements containing provisions for the netting of certain foreign currency transaction obligations and for the set-off of certain obligations in the event of an insolvency of one of the parties to the transaction. In the Consolidated Balance Sheets, we record derivative assets and liabilities at gross fair value. The potential effect of netting derivative assets against liabilities under the counterparty master agreements is as follows: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Net derivative assets $ 129,520 $ 88,811 Net derivative liabilities 13,789 37,985 Total fair value $ 115,731 $ 50,826 |
BORROWINGS AND INDEBTEDNESS (Ta
BORROWINGS AND INDEBTEDNESS (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Amounts of Borrowing Facilities and Borrowings Under Facilities, Table | As of August 31, 2020, we had the following borrowing facilities, including the issuance of letters of credit, to support general working capital purposes: Facility Borrowings Syndicated loan facility (1) $ 1,000,000 $ — 364-day syndicated loan facility (2) 1,000,000 — Separate, uncommitted, unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facilities (3) 903,674 — Local guaranteed and non-guaranteed lines of credit (4) 245,762 — Total $ 3,149,436 $ — (1) On December 10, 2019, we replaced our $1,000,000 syndicated loan facility maturing on December 22, 2020 with a $1,000,000 syndicated loan facility maturing on December 10, 2024. This facility provides unsecured, revolving borrowing capacity for general working capital purposes, including the issuance of letters of credit. Financing is provided under this facility at the prime rate or at the London Interbank Offered Rate, plus a spread. We continue to be in compliance with relevant covenant terms. The facility is subject to annual commitment fees. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no borrowings under the facility. (2) On June 17, 2020, we entered into a $1,000,000 364-day syndicated loan facility, which matures on June 16, 2021. As of August 31, 2020 we had no borrowings under the facility. In the event of a loan drawn against this facility, the lenders have the option to require us to repay the loan by issuing public debt within 45 days of their request. (3) We maintain separate, uncommitted and unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facilities. These facilities provide local currency financing for the majority of our operations. Interest rate terms on the revolving facilities are at market rates prevailing in the relevant local markets. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no borrowings under these facilities. |
INCOME TAXES (Tables)
INCOME TAXES (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Current and Deferred Income Taxes by Period | Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Current taxes U.S. federal $ 99,280 $ 159,578 $ 70,050 U.S. state and local 26,425 86,113 3,574 Non-U.S. 1,292,362 1,256,225 1,425,875 Total current tax expense 1,418,067 1,501,916 1,499,499 Deferred taxes U.S. federal 21,532 (143,217) 219,034 U.S. state and local 8,525 (39,588) 57,044 Non-U.S. 140,894 86,445 (182,078) Total deferred tax (benefit) expense 170,951 (96,360) 94,000 Total $ 1,589,018 $ 1,405,556 $ 1,593,499 |
Components of Income Before Income Taxes | The components of Income before income taxes are as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 U.S. sources $ 1,352,968 $ 853,173 $ 645,943 Non-U.S. sources 5,421,363 5,398,624 5,162,150 Total $ 6,774,331 $ 6,251,797 $ 5,808,093 |
Reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to effective tax rate [Table Text Block] | The reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to our effective income tax rate is as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 U.S. federal statutory income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 25.7 % U.S. state and local taxes, net 1.7 1.5 1.1 Non-U.S. operations taxed at other rates 0.7 1.1 (6.1) Final determinations (1) (1.9) (3.4) (1.9) Other net activity in unrecognized tax benefits 2.4 3.2 5.8 Excess tax benefits from share based payments (1.9) (1.2) (2.3) Changes in tax laws and rates (0.2) — 4.4 Other, net 1.7 0.3 0.7 Effective income tax rate 23.5 % 22.5 % 27.4 % |
Components of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities | The components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities included the following: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 (1) Deferred tax assets Pensions $ 443,231 $ 446,920 Revenue recognition 115,287 115,529 Compensation and benefits 574,349 623,986 Share-based compensation 334,061 292,045 Tax credit carryforwards 659,835 527,748 Net operating loss carryforwards 159,506 175,196 Deferred amortization deductions 828,098 798,852 Indirect effects of unrecognized tax benefits 279,105 302,093 Licenses and other intangibles 1,752,612 1,958,738 Leases 729,787 27,857 Other 280,883 210,642 Total deferred tax assets 6,156,754 5,479,606 Valuation allowance (757,799) (606,765) Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance 5,398,955 4,872,841 Deferred tax liabilities Investments in subsidiaries (169,752) (182,186) Intangibles (298,181) (234,098) Leases (669,005) (17) Other (288,574) (240,308) Total deferred tax liabilities (1,425,512) (656,609) Net deferred tax assets $ 3,973,443 $ 4,216,232 |
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits | A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 Balance, beginning of year $ 1,233,014 $ 1,210,520 Additions for tax positions related to the current year 168,938 211,671 Additions for tax positions related to prior years 58,977 354,890 Reductions for tax positions related to prior years (177,812) (262,055) Statute of limitations expirations (51,477) (146,732) Settlements with tax authorities (11,602) (103,384) Foreign currency translation 18,907 (31,896) Balance, end of year $ 1,238,945 $ 1,233,014 |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING_2
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | |
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] | ||
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] | The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of Level 3 assets for fiscal 2020: Level 3 Assets Fiscal 2020 Beginning balance $ 133,421 Changes in fair value 6,884 Ending Balance $ 140,305 | The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of Level 3 assets for fiscal 2019: Level 3 Assets Fiscal 2019 Beginning balance $ 114,960 Purchases, sales and settlements 17,428 Changes in fair value 1,033 Ending Balance $ 133,421 |
Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine the Fiscal Year-End Pension Benefit | The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the defined benefit pension obligations as of August 31 and the net periodic pension expense are as follows: Pension Plans Postretirement Plans August 31, August 31, August 31, August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 August 31, 2018 U.S. Non-U.S. Plans U.S. Non-U.S. Plans U.S. Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans Discount rate for determining projected benefit obligation 2.50 % 2.27 % 3.00 % 2.24 % 4.00 % 3.29 % 2.51 % 3.00 % 3.98 % Discount rate for determining net periodic pension expense 3.00 % 2.24 % 4.00 % 3.29 % 3.75 % 2.83 % 3.00 % 3.98 % 3.73 % Long term rate of return on plan assets 4.25 % 2.81 % 4.25 % 3.02 % 4.25 % 3.56 % 3.45 % 3.18 % 3.64 % Rate of increase in future compensation for determining projected benefit obligation 2.21 % 4.04 % 2.23 % 4.02 % 2.23 % 3.67 % N/A N/A N/A Rate of increase in future compensation for determining net periodic pension expense 2.23 % 4.02 % 2.23 % 3.67 % 2.25 % 3.63 % N/A N/A N/A | |
Schedule of Changes in Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets and Funded Status | The changes in the benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of our pension and postretirement benefit plans for fiscal 2020 and 2019 are as follows: Pension Plans Postretirement Plans August 31, August 31, August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans Reconciliation of benefit obligation Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 383,557 $ 2,166,377 $ 331,916 $ 1,772,712 $ 576,596 $ 535,632 Service cost 3,080 108,871 3,100 88,913 22,142 18,056 Interest cost 9,771 44,395 12,364 52,466 15,647 20,498 Participant contributions — 12,521 — 11,989 — — Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers — 14 — 28,510 — — Amendments — — — 2,105 — — Curtailment — — — (6,477) — — Pension settlement — (188) — (9,343) — — Actuarial (gain) loss 26,495 (12,278) 50,002 379,173 46,630 16,880 Benefits paid (14,637) (94,136) (13,825) (85,624) (12,115) (13,637) Exchange rate impact — 131,829 — (68,047) 428 (833) Benefit obligation, end of year $ 408,266 $ 2,357,405 $ 383,557 $ 2,166,377 $ 649,328 $ 576,596 Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year $ 257,280 $ 1,214,062 $ 210,576 $ 1,127,376 $ 31,920 $ 28,713 Actual return on plan assets 27,911 46,815 50,397 97,845 2,079 4,924 Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers — — — 25,347 — — Employer contributions 10,635 88,068 10,131 81,531 9,942 11,920 Participant contributions — 12,521 — 11,989 — — Pension settlement — — — (8,801) — — Benefits paid (14,637) (94,136) (13,824) (85,624) (12,115) (13,637) Exchange rate impact — 89,049 — (35,601) — — Other — (672) — — — — Fair value of plan assets, end of year $ 281,189 $ 1,355,707 $ 257,280 $ 1,214,062 $ 31,826 $ 31,920 Funded status, end of year $ (127,077) $ (1,001,698) $ (126,277) $ (952,315) $ (617,502) $ (544,676) Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Non-current assets $ 3,232 $ 67,341 $ 6,707 $ 67,396 $ — $ — Current liabilities (10,213) (42,990) (10,473) (33,981) (1,169) (1,257) Non-current liabilities (120,096) (1,026,049) (122,511) (985,730) (616,333) (543,419) Funded status, end of year $ (127,077) $ (1,001,698) $ (126,277) $ (952,315) $ (617,502) $ (544,676) | |
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plan in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | The pre-tax accumulated net loss and prior service (credit) cost recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of August 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows: Pension Plans Postretirement Plans August 31, August 31, August 31, August 31, U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans Net loss $ 108,796 $ 605,635 $ 106,328 $ 633,619 $ 160,067 $ 121,798 Prior service (credit) cost — 20,056 — 21,954 15,114 19,427 Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax $ 108,796 $ 625,691 $ 106,328 $ 655,573 $ 175,181 $ 141,225 | |
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligation | The accumulated benefit obligation for defined benefit pension plans as of August 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows: August 31, August 31, U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Accumulated benefit obligation $ 401,822 $ 2,135,566 $ 376,886 $ 1,964,148 | |
Schedule of Projected Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets | The following information is provided for defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets and for defined benefit pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of August 31, 2020 and 2019: Pension Plans Postretirement Plans August 31, August 31, August 31, August 31, U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets Projected benefit obligation $ 130,309 $ 1,644,895 $ 132,984 $ 1,514,448 $ 649,328 $ 576,596 Fair value of plan assets — 575,857 — 494,065 31,826 31,920 | |
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets | August 31, August 31, U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets Accumulated benefit obligation $ 130,309 $ 1,438,234 $ 132,984 $ 1,300,082 Fair value of plan assets — 575,857 — 465,935 | |
Schedule of Weighted-Average Plan Assets Allocation | Our target allocation for fiscal 2020 and weighted-average plan assets allocations as of August 31, 2020 and 2019 by asset category for defined benefit pension plans are as follows: 2021 Target 2020 2019 U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. Asset Category Equity securities — % 26 % — % 19 % — % 19 % Debt securities 100 51 96 59 95 59 Cash and short-term investments — 2 4 2 5 2 Insurance contracts — 16 — 16 — 17 Other — 5 — 4 — 3 Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % | |
Schedule of Fair Value of Plan Assets | The fair values of defined benefit pension and postretirement plan assets as of August 31, 2020 are as follows: Non-U.S. Plans Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity Mutual fund equity securities $ — $ 259,776 $ — $ 259,776 Fixed Income Non-U.S. government debt securities 163,602 — — 163,602 Non-U.S. corporate debt securities 20,639 — — 20,639 Mutual fund debt securities — 611,028 — 611,028 Cash and short-term investments 13,858 14,509 — 28,367 Insurance contracts — 79,575 140,305 219,880 Other — 52,415 — 52,415 Total $ 198,099 $ 1,017,303 $ 140,305 $ 1,355,707 | The fair values of defined benefit pension and postretirement plan assets as of August 31, 2019 are as follows: Non-U.S. Plans Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity Mutual fund equity securities $ — $ 226,386 $ — $ 226,386 Fixed Income Non-U.S. government debt securities 125,332 — — 125,332 Non-U.S. corporate debt securities 19,562 — — 19,562 Mutual fund debt securities — 569,712 — 569,712 Cash and short-term investments 9,799 9,426 — 19,225 Insurance contracts — 76,219 133,421 209,640 Other — 44,205 — 44,205 Total $ 154,693 $ 925,948 $ 133,421 $ 1,214,062 |
Estimated Future Benefit Payments | Benefit payments for defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid as follows: Pension Plans Postretirement Plans U.S. Plans Non-U.S. U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans 2021 $ 14,678 $ 106,299 $ 12,335 2022 15,416 103,597 13,990 2023 16,195 116,624 15,737 2024 16,959 115,224 17,769 2025 17,743 126,526 19,826 2026-2030 98,570 643,025 134,072 |
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Table
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] | |
Summary of Share-Based Compensation | A summary of information with respect to share-based compensation is as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 Total share-based compensation expense included in Net income $ 1,197,806 $ 1,093,253 $ 976,908 Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation included in Net income 430,290 356,062 404,124 |
Restricted Share Units | Number of Restricted Weighted Average Nonvested balance as of August 31, 2019 19,002,115 $ 136.66 Granted (1) 7,543,339 206.05 Vested (2) (7,698,685) 138.55 Forfeited (1,106,838) 148.29 Nonvested balance as of August 31, 2020 17,739,931 $ 164.62 (1) The weighted average grant-date fair value for restricted share units granted for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $206.05, $144.52 and $153.33, respectively. |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
Share purchase and redemption activity | Our share purchase activity during fiscal 2020 is as follows: Accenture plc Class A Accenture Canada Shares Amount Shares Amount Open-market share purchases (1) 11,983,661 $ 2,337,732 — $ — Other share purchase programs — — 100,795 21,594 Other purchases (2) 2,746,369 556,521 — — Total 14,730,030 $ 2,894,253 100,795 $ 21,594 (1) We conduct a publicly announced open-market share purchase program for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares. These shares are held as treasury shares by Accenture plc and may be utilized to provide for select employee benefits, such as equity awards to our employees. |
Dividends Declared | Our dividend activity during fiscal 2020 is as follows: Dividend Per Accenture plc Class A Accenture Canada Total Cash Dividend Payment Date Record Date Cash Outlay Record Date Cash Outlay November 15, 2019 $ 0.80 October 17, 2019 $ 507,725 October 15, 2019 $ 656 $ 508,381 February 14, 2020 0.80 January 16, 2020 510,604 January 14, 2020 634 511,238 May 15, 2020 0.80 April 16, 2020 508,283 April 14, 2020 630 508,913 August 14, 2020 0.80 July 16, 2020 508,586 July 14, 2020 615 509,201 Total Dividends $ 2,035,198 $ 2,535 $ 2,037,733 |
SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)
SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] | |
Reportable Operating Segments | Amounts are attributed to geographic markets based on where clients are located. Information regarding our geographic markets is as follows: Fiscal 2020 North America Europe Growth Markets Total Revenues $ 20,982,253 $ 14,402,142 $ 8,942,644 $ 44,327,039 Depreciation and amortization (1) 348,761 341,245 332,393 1,022,399 Operating income 3,169,648 1,799,431 1,544,565 6,513,644 Net assets as of August 31 (2) 2,585,659 1,079,904 620,083 4,285,646 Property & equipment, net 499,976 389,968 655,624 1,545,568 Fiscal 2019 Revenues (3) $ 19,986,136 $ 14,695,749 $ 8,533,128 $ 43,215,013 Depreciation and amortization (1) 303,762 294,902 294,096 892,760 Operating income 3,107,437 2,013,245 1,184,392 6,305,074 Net assets as of August 31 (2) 2,923,320 1,355,827 814,358 5,093,505 Property & equipment, net 395,782 354,491 640,893 1,391,166 Fiscal 2018 Revenues (3) (4) $ 18,460,395 $ 14,650,637 $ 7,881,502 $ 40,992,534 Depreciation and amortization (1) 318,538 309,752 298,486 926,776 Operating income (4) 2,708,674 2,167,463 1,022,642 5,898,779 Net assets as of August 31 (2) 2,469,098 1,402,971 896,653 4,768,722 Property & equipment, net 375,237 319,737 569,046 1,264,020 (1) Amounts include depreciation on property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets controlled by each reportable segment, as well as an allocation for amounts they do not directly control. (2) We do not allocate total assets by reportable segment. Reportable segment assets directly attributable to a reportable segment and provided to the chief operating decision makers include receivables and current and non-current contract assets, deferred contract costs and current and non-current deferred revenues. (3) Effective September 1, 2019 we revised the reporting of our geographic markets for the movement of one country from Growth Markets to Europe. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. (4) Effective September 1, 2018, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and FASB ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. Prior period amounts have been revised to conform with the current period presentation. |
Concentration of Assets by Country | We conduct business in Ireland and in the following countries that hold 10% or more of our total consolidated Property and equipment, net: August 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 August 31, 2018 United States 27 % 26 % 27 % India 18 18 19 Ireland 7 7 7 |
RevenuesByTypeOfWork [Table Text Block] | Revenues by industry group and type of work are as follows: Fiscal 2020 2019 2018 (1) INDUSTRY GROUPS Communications, Media & Technology $ 8,883,173 $ 8,757,250 $ 8,229,842 Financial Services 8,518,136 8,493,819 8,565,695 Health & Public Service 8,022,704 7,160,787 6,877,779 Products 12,272,036 12,004,934 11,337,863 Resources 6,611,544 6,771,976 5,942,012 Other 19,446 26,247 39,343 Total $ 44,327,039 $ 43,215,013 $ 40,992,534 TYPE OF WORK Consulting $ 24,227,024 $ 24,177,428 $ 22,978,798 Outsourcing 20,100,015 19,037,585 18,013,736 Total $ 44,327,039 $ 43,215,013 $ 40,992,534 |
QUARTERLY DATA (Tables)
QUARTERLY DATA (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information | Fiscal 2020 First Second Third Fourth Annual Revenues $ 11,358,958 $ 11,141,505 $ 10,991,305 $ 10,835,271 $ 44,327,039 Cost of services 7,711,199 7,782,334 7,462,617 7,394,731 30,350,881 Operating income 1,767,263 1,488,945 1,712,733 1,544,703 6,513,644 Net income 1,375,168 1,252,082 1,252,639 1,305,424 5,185,313 Net income attributable to Accenture plc 1,356,968 1,234,740 1,228,202 1,287,929 5,107,839 Weighted average Class A ordinary shares: —Basic 635,722,309 637,485,626 636,146,240 635,887,742 636,299,913 —Diluted 649,389,444 648,833,880 645,607,914 647,867,307 647,797,003 Earnings per Class A ordinary share: —Basic $ 2.13 $ 1.94 $ 1.93 $ 2.03 $ 8.03 —Diluted $ 2.09 $ 1.91 $ 1.90 $ 1.99 $ 7.89 Fiscal 2019 First Second Third Fourth Annual Revenues $ 10,605,546 $ 10,454,129 $ 11,099,688 $ 11,055,650 $ 43,215,013 Cost of services 7,308,121 7,399,780 7,571,390 7,621,034 29,900,325 Operating income 1,629,012 1,386,626 1,717,943 1,571,493 6,305,074 Net income 1,291,324 1,140,720 1,268,649 1,145,548 4,846,241 Net income attributable to Accenture plc 1,274,720 1,124,449 1,249,516 1,130,427 4,779,112 Weighted average Class A ordinary shares: —Basic 638,877,445 638,639,729 637,831,341 637,049,388 638,098,125 —Diluted 652,151,450 649,170,699 649,297,717 650,523,417 650,204,873 Earnings per Class A ordinary share: —Basic $ 2.00 $ 1.76 $ 1.96 $ 1.77 $ 7.49 —Diluted $ 1.96 $ 1.73 $ 1.93 $ 1.74 $ 7.36 |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_4
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||
Aug. 31, 2020 | May 31, 2020 | Feb. 29, 2020 | Nov. 30, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2019 | May 31, 2019 | Feb. 28, 2019 | Nov. 30, 2018 | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | Sep. 01, 2018 | |
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) | $ 12,375,533,000 | $ 10,421,538,000 | $ 12,375,533,000 | $ 10,421,538,000 | ||||||||
Revenues | 10,835,271,000 | $ 10,991,305,000 | $ 11,141,505,000 | $ 11,358,958,000 | 11,055,650,000 | $ 11,099,688,000 | $ 10,454,129,000 | $ 10,605,546,000 | 44,327,039,000 | 43,215,013,000 | $ 40,992,534,000 | |
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net, Current | 654,782,000 | 654,782,000 | $ 627,733,000 | |||||||||
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current | 40,277,000 | 45,538,000 | 40,277,000 | 45,538,000 | ||||||||
Deferred contract costs | 723,168,000 | 681,492,000 | 723,168,000 | 681,492,000 | ||||||||
Deferred transition revenues | 690,931,000 | 563,245,000 | 690,931,000 | 563,245,000 | ||||||||
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Amount | 84,068,000 | 131,971,000 | 84,068,000 | 131,971,000 | ||||||||
Investments | 324,514,000 | 240,313,000 | 324,514,000 | 240,313,000 | ||||||||
Equity Method Investments | 240,446,000 | $ 108,342,000 | 240,446,000 | $ 108,342,000 | ||||||||
acn_DuckCreekEquityMethodInvestment [Member] | ||||||||||||
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Equity Method Investments | $ 230,219,000 | $ 230,219,000 | ||||||||||
Minimum | ||||||||||||
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life | 1 year | |||||||||||
Maximum | ||||||||||||
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life | 16 years | |||||||||||
Technology Integration Consulting Services | Minimum | ||||||||||||
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Contracts duration | 2 years | |||||||||||
Technology Integration Consulting Services | Maximum | ||||||||||||
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Contracts duration | 7 years | |||||||||||
Non-Technology Integration Consulting Services | Maximum | ||||||||||||
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Contracts duration | 10 years | |||||||||||
Subsidiaries [Member] | ||||||||||||
Basis of Presentation [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners | 1.00% | 1.00% |
SUMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTIN
SUMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment (Details) | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Computers, related equipment and software | Minimum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 2 |
Computers, related equipment and software | Maximum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 7 |
Furniture and fixtures | Minimum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 5 |
Furniture and fixtures | Maximum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | 10 |
Leasehold improvements | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives | Lesser of lease term or 15 years |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_5
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Selected Components of Operating Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||
Research and development costs | $ 870,611 | $ 799,734 | $ 790,779 |
Advertising costs (1) | 57,658 | 85,521 | 78,464 |
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease) | $ 147 | $ 974 | $ (1,060) |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_6
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES ASU Adoption - Balance Sheet Impacts (Details) - USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2020 | Sep. 01, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Sep. 01, 2018 |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Receivables from clients, net | $ 7,192,110,000 | $ 7,467,338,000 | ||
Contract assets (current) | 654,782,000 | 627,733,000 | ||
Receivables and contract assets | 7,846,892,000 | $ 8,095,071,000 | 8,095,071,000 | |
Contract assets | 43,257,000 | 71,002,000 | 71,002,000 | |
Deferred revenues | 3,636,741,000 | 3,188,835,000 | $ 3,188,835,000 | |
Retained earnings | 12,375,533,000 | 10,421,538,000 | ||
Other Assets, Current | 1,393,225,000 | $ 1,186,698,000 | 1,225,364,000 | |
Lease assets | 3,183,346,000 | 3,169,608,000 | 0 | |
Other non-current assets | 1,646,018,000 | 1,389,959,000 | 1,400,292,000 | |
Lease liabilities | 756,057,000 | 699,399,000 | 0 | |
acn_OtherLiabilitiesCurrentIncludingConsumptionTaxes | 950,747,000 | 951,450,000 | ||
Lease liabilities | 2,667,584,000 | 2,666,344,000 | 0 | |
Other non-current liabilities | $ 534,421,000 | 282,557,000 | $ 526,988,000 | |
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Other Assets, Current | (38,666,000) | |||
Lease assets | 3,169,608,000 | |||
Other non-current assets | (10,333,000) | |||
Lease liabilities | 699,399,000 | |||
acn_OtherLiabilitiesCurrentIncludingConsumptionTaxes | (703,000) | |||
Lease liabilities | 2,666,344,000 | |||
Other non-current liabilities | $ (244,431,000) |
INVESTMENTS - Debt and Equity S
INVESTMENTS - Debt and Equity Securities (Details) - USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Equity Method Investments | $ 240,446,000 | $ 108,342,000 |
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 956,308 | |
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Amount | 84,068,000 | 131,971,000 |
Investments | $ 324,514,000 | $ 240,313,000 |
acn_DuckCreekEquityMethodInvestment [Member] | ||
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage | 22.00% |
REVENUES Performance Obligation
REVENUES Performance Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions | Aug. 31, 2022 | Aug. 31, 2021 | Aug. 31, 2020 |
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount | $ 20 | ||
Forecast [Member] | |||
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Percentage | 15.00% | 67.00% |
REVENUES Contract Balances (Det
REVENUES Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | |||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | Sep. 01, 2018 | |
Contract Balances [Abstract] | ||||
Deferred Transition Revenues | $ 690,931,000 | $ 563,245,000 | ||
Deferred Transition Costs | 723,168,000 | 681,492,000 | ||
Deferred Transition Amortization Expense | 300,680,000 | 274,814,000 | $ 333,118,000 | |
Receivables, net of allowance | 7,192,110,000 | $ 7,467,338,000 | ||
Contract assets (current) | 654,782,000 | 627,733,000 | ||
Receivables and contract assets | 7,846,892,000 | 8,095,071,000 | 8,095,071,000 | |
Contract assets | 43,257,000 | 71,002,000 | 71,002,000 | |
Deferred revenues (current) | 3,636,741,000 | 3,188,835,000 | 3,188,835,000 | |
Deferred revenues (non-current) | 690,931,000 | 565,224,000 | $ 565,224,000 | |
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized | $ 2,800,000,000 | $ 2,900,000,000 |
EARNINGS PER SHARE - Basic and
EARNINGS PER SHARE - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||
Aug. 31, 2020 | May 31, 2020 | Feb. 29, 2020 | Nov. 30, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2019 | May 31, 2019 | Feb. 28, 2019 | Nov. 30, 2018 | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | ||
Basic Earnings per share | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to Accenture plc | $ 1,287,929 | $ 1,228,202 | $ 1,234,740 | $ 1,356,968 | $ 1,130,427 | $ 1,249,516 | $ 1,124,449 | $ 1,274,720 | $ 5,107,839 | $ 4,779,112 | $ 4,059,907 | |
Basic weighted average Class A ordinary shares (in shares) | 635,887,742 | 636,146,240 | 637,485,626 | 635,722,309 | 637,049,388 | 637,831,341 | 638,639,729 | 638,877,445 | 636,299,913 | 638,098,125 | 628,451,742 | |
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share) | $ 2.03 | $ 1.93 | $ 1.94 | $ 2.13 | $ 1.77 | $ 1.96 | $ 1.76 | $ 2 | $ 8.03 | $ 7.49 | $ 6.46 | |
Diluted Earnings per share | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to Accenture plc | $ 1,287,929 | $ 1,228,202 | $ 1,234,740 | $ 1,356,968 | $ 1,130,427 | $ 1,249,516 | $ 1,124,449 | $ 1,274,720 | $ 5,107,839 | $ 4,779,112 | $ 4,059,907 | |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in Accenture Holdings plc and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (1) | [1] | 6,325 | 6,694 | 95,063 | ||||||||
Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation | $ 5,114,164 | $ 4,785,806 | $ 4,154,970 | |||||||||
Basic weighted average Class A ordinary shares (in shares) | 635,887,742 | 636,146,240 | 637,485,626 | 635,722,309 | 637,049,388 | 637,831,341 | 638,639,729 | 638,877,445 | 636,299,913 | 638,098,125 | 628,451,742 | |
Class A ordinary shares issuable upon redemption/exchange of noncontrolling interests (1) | [1] | 787,429 | 892,654 | 14,716,884 | ||||||||
Diluted effect of employee compensation related to Class A ordinary shares | 10,599,773 | 11,111,679 | 11,948,075 | |||||||||
Diluted effect of share purchase plans related to Class A ordinary shares | 109,888 | 102,415 | 179,449 | |||||||||
Diluted weighted average Class A ordinary shares (in shares) | 647,867,307 | 645,607,914 | 648,833,880 | 649,389,444 | 650,523,417 | 649,297,717 | 649,170,699 | 652,151,450 | 647,797,003 | 650,204,873 | 655,296,150 | |
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share) | $ 1.99 | $ 1.90 | $ 1.91 | $ 2.09 | $ 1.74 | $ 1.93 | $ 1.73 | $ 1.96 | $ 7.89 | $ 7.36 | $ 6.34 | |
[1] | Diluted earnings per share assumes the exchange of all Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis and the redemption of all Accenture Holdings plc ordinary shares owned by holders of noncontrolling interests prior to March 13, 2018, when these were redeemed for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares. The income effect does not take into account “Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - other,” since those shares are not redeemable or exchangeable for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares. |
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_3
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |||||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | ||||
Foreign currency translation | ||||||
Beginning balance | $ (1,207,975) | $ (1,075,268) | $ (770,043) | |||
Foreign currency translation | 207,566 | (138,680) | (310,548) | |||
Income tax benefit (expense) | (1,719) | (607) | 3,354 | |||
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests | (8,151) | 6,580 | 1,969 | |||
Foreign currency translation, net of tax | 197,696 | (132,707) | (305,225) | |||
Ending balance | (1,010,279) | (1,207,975) | (1,075,268) | |||
Defined benefit plans | ||||||
Beginning balance | (672,323) | [1] | (419,284) | [1] | (440,619) | |
Actuarial (gains) losses | 22,414 | (379,090) | 19,862 | |||
Pension settlement | 3,757 | 793 | 3,030 | |||
Prior service costs arising during the period | 0 | (2,105) | (28,696) | |||
Reclassifications into net periodic pension and post-retirement expense (1) | 55,035 | 32,985 | 34,972 | |||
Income tax benefit (expense) | (24,041) | 94,052 | (7,799) | |||
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests | (65) | 326 | (34) | |||
Defined benefit plans, net of tax | 57,100 | (253,039) | 21,335 | |||
Ending balance | [1] | (615,223) | (672,323) | (419,284) | ||
Cash flow hedges | ||||||
Beginning balance | 38,993 | [2] | (84,010) | [2] | 114,635 | |
Unrealized gain (loss) | 72,437 | 209,017 | (169,958) | |||
Reclassification adjustments into Cost of services | (48,545) | (48,333) | (93,105) | |||
Income tax benefit (expense) | 857 | (37,522) | 64,118 | |||
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests | (28) | (159) | 300 | |||
Cash flow hedges, net of tax | 24,721 | 123,003 | (198,645) | |||
Ending balance (2) | [2] | 63,714 | 38,993 | (84,010) | ||
Investments | ||||||
Beginning balance | 728 | 2,391 | 1,243 | |||
Unrealized gain (loss) | (778) | (1,970) | 1,455 | |||
Income tax benefit (expense) | 0 | 305 | (305) | |||
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests | 1 | 2 | (2) | |||
Investments, net of tax | (777) | (1,663) | 1,148 | |||
Ending balance | (49) | 728 | 2,391 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,561,837) | $ (1,840,577) | $ (1,576,171) | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization, Next Fiscal Year | (54,285) | |||||
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months | $ 62,257 | |||||
[1] | As of August 31, 2020, $54,285 of net losses is expected to be reclassified into net periodic pension and post-retirement expense recognized in cost of services, sales and marketing, general and administrative costs and non-operating expenses in the next twelve months. | |||||
[2] | As of August 31, 2020, $62,257 of net unrealized gains related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges is expected to be reclassified into cost of services in the next twelve months. |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Compon
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Components of Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, gross | $ 3,859,299 | $ 3,347,195 | |
Total accumulated depreciation | (2,313,731) | (1,956,029) | |
Property and equipment, net | 1,545,568 | 1,391,166 | $ 1,264,020 |
Depreciation | 482,054 | 440,796 | $ 423,471 |
Buildings and land | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, gross | 61 | 56 | |
Computers, related equipment and software | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, gross | 1,978,380 | 1,723,623 | |
Furniture and fixtures | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, gross | 456,136 | 394,671 | |
Leasehold improvements | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, gross | $ 1,424,722 | $ 1,228,845 |
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Additiona
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired | $ 1,531,599 | $ 1,193,071 | $ 657,546 |
Goodwill | $ 7,709,820 | 6,205,550 | 5,383,012 |
Minimum | |||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life | 1 year | ||
Maximum | |||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life | 16 years | ||
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member] | |||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired | $ 1,513,910 | 1,170,044 | 596,148 |
Goodwill | 1,352,839 | 920,696 | 431,087 |
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles | $ 377,060 | $ 282,144 | $ 140,403 |
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member] | Minimum | |||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life | 1 year | ||
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member] | Maximum | |||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life | 12 years |
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_2
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Goodwill Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Goodwill [Line Items] | |||
Goodwill, Acquired During Period | $ 1,338,469 | $ 924,742 | |
Goodwill | 7,709,820 | 6,205,550 | $ 5,383,012 |
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments | 165,801 | (102,204) | |
Goodwill | 7,709,820 | 6,205,550 | 5,383,012 |
Growth Markets [Member] | |||
Goodwill [Line Items] | |||
Goodwill, Acquired During Period | 289,598 | 92,925 | |
Goodwill | 967,291 | 662,971 | 585,039 |
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments | 14,722 | (14,993) | |
Goodwill | 967,291 | 662,971 | 585,039 |
Europe [Member] | |||
Goodwill [Line Items] | |||
Goodwill, Acquired During Period | 420,413 | 297,548 | |
Goodwill | 2,138,088 | 1,569,223 | 1,357,688 |
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments | 148,452 | (86,013) | |
Goodwill | 2,138,088 | 1,569,223 | 1,357,688 |
North America [Member] | |||
Goodwill [Line Items] | |||
Goodwill, Acquired During Period | 628,458 | 534,269 | |
Goodwill | 4,604,441 | 3,973,356 | 3,440,285 |
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments | 2,627 | (1,198) | |
Goodwill | $ 4,604,441 | $ 3,973,356 | $ 3,440,285 |
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_3
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Intangible Table by Major Class (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | $ 1,682,068 | $ 1,339,802 |
Accumulated Amortization | (652,850) | (499,023) |
Net Carrying Amount | 1,029,218 | 840,779 |
Customer-related | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 1,319,332 | 1,013,976 |
Accumulated Amortization | (495,367) | (358,130) |
Net Carrying Amount | 823,965 | 655,846 |
Technology | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 150,765 | 119,686 |
Accumulated Amortization | (55,543) | (45,851) |
Net Carrying Amount | 95,222 | 73,835 |
Patents | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 129,295 | 127,796 |
Accumulated Amortization | (66,954) | (66,167) |
Net Carrying Amount | 62,341 | 61,629 |
Other | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 82,676 | 78,344 |
Accumulated Amortization | (34,986) | (28,875) |
Net Carrying Amount | $ 47,690 | $ 49,469 |
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_4
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] | |||
Amortization of Intangible Assets | $ 239,664 | $ 177,150 | $ 170,187 |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract] | |||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months | 214,120 | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two | 172,641 | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three | 154,297 | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four | 127,673 | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five | 108,068 | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five | 252,419 | ||
Net Carrying Amount | $ 1,029,218 | $ 840,779 |
LEASES (Detail)
LEASES (Detail) $ in Millions | Aug. 31, 2020USD ($) |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term | 7 years 3 months 18 days |
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent | 4.20% |
acn_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotyetCommencedAmount | $ 541 |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not yet Commenced, Term of Contract | 16 years |
Lease Cost (Detail)
Lease Cost (Detail) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020USD ($) | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Operating Lease, Cost | $ 749,233 |
Variable Lease, Cost | 181,612 |
Sublease Income | (27,192) |
Lease, Cost | $ 903,653 |
Supplemental information relate
Supplemental information related to operating lease transactions (Detail) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020USD ($) | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Operating Lease, Payments | $ 725,892 |
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability | $ 592,026 |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liabil
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity (Detail) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |
Aug. 31, 2020USD ($) | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year One | $ 770,640 |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year One | (19,415) |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two | 652,652 |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Two | (10,296) |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three | 549,069 |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Three | (9,888) |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four | 456,020 |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Four | (9,256) |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five | 371,856 |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Five | (7,341) |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five | 1,148,600 |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, after Year Five | (26,289) |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid | 3,948,837 |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received | (82,485) |
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount | (525,196) |
Operating Lease, Liability | $ 3,423,641 |
Document Period End Date | Aug. 31, 2020 |
LEASE COMMITMENTS - Future Mini
LEASE COMMITMENTS - Future Minimum Rental Commitments under Non-cancelable Operating Leases (Details) | Aug. 31, 2019USD ($) |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months | $ 688,020,000 |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years | 597,307,000 |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years | 516,544,000 |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years | 428,481,000 |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years | 363,107,000 |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter | 1,246,097,000 |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due | 3,839,556,000 |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Current | (24,884,000) |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Two Years | (17,908,000) |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Three Years | (8,535,000) |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Four Years | (7,541,000) |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Five Years | (7,184,000) |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Thereafter | (30,708,000) |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable | $ (96,760,000) |
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Notiona
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Notional and Fair Values of All Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
Assets | ||
Fair value of derivative assets | $ 154,749 | $ 110,617 |
Liabilities | ||
Fair value of derivative liabilities | 39,018 | 59,791 |
Total fair value | 115,731 | 50,826 |
Derivative, Notional Amount | 9,600,691 | 8,709,917 |
Cash Flow Hedging | Other current assets | ||
Assets | ||
Fair value of derivative assets | 75,871 | 53,033 |
Cash Flow Hedging | Other non-current assets | ||
Assets | ||
Fair value of derivative assets | 50,914 | 49,525 |
Cash Flow Hedging | Other non-current liabilities | ||
Liabilities | ||
Fair value of derivative liabilities | 13,576 | 8,770 |
Cash Flow Hedging | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | ||
Liabilities | ||
Fair value of derivative liabilities | 13,614 | 18,826 |
Other Derivatives | Other current assets | ||
Assets | ||
Fair value of derivative assets | 27,964 | 8,059 |
Other Derivatives | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | ||
Liabilities | ||
Fair value of derivative liabilities | $ 11,828 | $ 32,195 |
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Additio
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of derivative assets | $ 154,749 | $ 110,617 | |
Fair value of derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features in a liability position | 39,018 | ||
Reclassification adjustments into Cost of services | 48,545 | 48,333 | $ 93,105 |
(Loss) gain recognized in income on derivatives | (111,623) | (112,113) | $ 114,076 |
Offsetting Derivative Asset and Liabilities [Abstract] | |||
Net derivative assets | 129,520 | 88,811 | |
Net derivative liabilities | 13,789 | 37,985 | |
Total fair value | $ 115,731 | $ 50,826 |
BORROWINGS AND INDEBTEDNESS - B
BORROWINGS AND INDEBTEDNESS - Borrowing Facilities including Letters of Credit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Facility Amount | $ 3,149,436 | |||
Borrowing Under Facilities | $ 0 | |||
Amounts of Borrowing Facilities and Borrowings Under Facilities, Table | As of August 31, 2020, we had the following borrowing facilities, including the issuance of letters of credit, to support general working capital purposes: Facility Borrowings Syndicated loan facility (1) $ 1,000,000 $ — 364-day syndicated loan facility (2) 1,000,000 — Separate, uncommitted, unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facilities (3) 903,674 — Local guaranteed and non-guaranteed lines of credit (4) 245,762 — Total $ 3,149,436 $ — (1) On December 10, 2019, we replaced our $1,000,000 syndicated loan facility maturing on December 22, 2020 with a $1,000,000 syndicated loan facility maturing on December 10, 2024. This facility provides unsecured, revolving borrowing capacity for general working capital purposes, including the issuance of letters of credit. Financing is provided under this facility at the prime rate or at the London Interbank Offered Rate, plus a spread. We continue to be in compliance with relevant covenant terms. The facility is subject to annual commitment fees. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no borrowings under the facility. (2) On June 17, 2020, we entered into a $1,000,000 364-day syndicated loan facility, which matures on June 16, 2021. As of August 31, 2020 we had no borrowings under the facility. In the event of a loan drawn against this facility, the lenders have the option to require us to repay the loan by issuing public debt within 45 days of their request. (3) We maintain separate, uncommitted and unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facilities. These facilities provide local currency financing for the majority of our operations. Interest rate terms on the revolving facilities are at market rates prevailing in the relevant local markets. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no borrowings under these facilities. | |||
Syndicated Loan Facility Due December 22, 2020 [Member] | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Facility Amount | $ 1,000,000 | |||
Borrowing Under Facilities | 0 | |||
Separate, uncommitted, unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facilities | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Facility Amount | [1] | 903,674 | ||
Borrowing Under Facilities | [1] | 0 | ||
Local guaranteed and non-guaranteed lines of credit | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Facility Amount | [2] | 245,762 | ||
Borrowing Under Facilities | 0 | [2] | $ 2,458 | |
Syndicated Loan Facility Due June 16, 2021 | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Facility Amount | 1,000,000 | |||
Syndicated Loan Facility Due December 10, 2024 | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Facility Amount | $ 1,000,000 | |||
[1] | We maintain separate, uncommitted and unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facilities. These facilities provide local currency financing for the majority of our operations. Interest rate terms on the revolving facilities are at market rates prevailing in the relevant local markets. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no borrowings under these facilities. | |||
[2] | We also maintain local guaranteed and non-guaranteed lines of credit for those locations that cannot access our global facilities. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, we had borrowings under these various facilities of $0 and $2,458, respectively. |
BORROWINGS AND INDEBTEDNESS - A
BORROWINGS AND INDEBTEDNESS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | ||
Letters of credit outstanding under borrowing facilities | $ 487,795 | $ 390,295 |
Total outstanding debt | $ 61,872 | $ 22,658 |
INCOME TAXES - Components of In
INCOME TAXES - Components of Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Current taxes | |||
U.S. federal | $ 99,280 | $ 159,578 | $ 70,050 |
U.S. state and local | 26,425 | 86,113 | 3,574 |
Non-U.S. | 1,292,362 | 1,256,225 | 1,425,875 |
Total current tax expense | 1,418,067 | 1,501,916 | 1,499,499 |
Deferred taxes | |||
U.S. federal | 21,532 | (143,217) | 219,034 |
U.S. state and local | 8,525 | (39,588) | 57,044 |
Non-U.S. | 140,894 | 86,445 | (182,078) |
Total deferred tax (benefit) expense | 170,951 | (96,360) | 94,000 |
Total | $ 1,589,018 | $ 1,405,556 | $ 1,593,499 |
INCOME TAXES - Components of _2
INCOME TAXES - Components of Income before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |||
U.S. sources | $ 1,352,968 | $ 853,173 | $ 645,943 |
Non-U.S. sources | 5,421,363 | 5,398,624 | 5,162,150 |
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | $ 6,774,331 | $ 6,251,797 | $ 5,808,093 |
INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation o
INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Effective Income Tax Rate (Details) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |||
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate | 21.00% | 21.00% | 25.70% |
U.S. state and local taxes, net | 1.70% | 1.50% | 1.10% |
Non-U.S. operations taxed at other rates | 0.70% | 1.10% | (6.10%) |
Final determinations (1) | (1.90%) | (3.40%) | (1.90%) |
Other net activity in unrecognized tax benefits | 2.40% | 3.20% | 5.80% |
Excess tax benefits from share based payments | (1.90%) | (1.20%) | (2.30%) |
Effective income tax rate reconciliation Changes in tax laws and tax rates | (0.20%) | 0.00% | 4.40% |
Other, net | 1.70% | 0.30% | 0.70% |
Effective income tax rate | 23.50% | 22.50% | 27.40% |
INCOME TAXES - Components of De
INCOME TAXES - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | ||
Document Period End Date | Aug. 31, 2020 | |
Deferred tax assets | ||
Pensions | $ 443,231 | $ 446,920 |
Revenue recognition | 115,287 | 115,529 |
Compensation and benefits | 574,349 | 623,986 |
Share-based compensation | 334,061 | 292,045 |
Tax credit carryforwards | 659,835 | 527,748 |
Net operating loss carryforwards | 159,506 | 175,196 |
Deferred amortization deductions | 828,098 | 798,852 |
Indirect effects of unrecognized tax benefits | 279,105 | 302,093 |
Licenses and other intangibles | 1,752,612 | 1,958,738 |
Leases | 729,787 | 27,857 |
Other | 280,883 | 210,642 |
Total Deferred Tax Assets | 6,156,754 | 5,479,606 |
Valuation allowance | (757,799) | (606,765) |
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | 5,398,955 | 4,872,841 |
Deferred tax liabilities | ||
Investments in subsidiaries | (169,752) | (182,186) |
Intangibles | (298,181) | (234,098) |
Leases | (669,005) | (17) |
Other | (288,574) | (240,308) |
Total deferred tax liabilities | (1,425,512) | (656,609) |
Net deferred tax assets | $ 3,973,443 | $ 4,216,232 |
INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation_2
INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | |
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] | ||
Balance, beginning of year | $ 1,233,014 | $ 1,210,520 |
Additions for tax positions related to the current year | 168,938 | 211,671 |
Additions for tax positions related to prior years | 58,977 | 354,890 |
Reductions for tax positions related to prior years | (177,812) | (262,055) |
Statute of limitations expirations | (51,477) | (146,732) |
Settlements with tax authorities | (11,602) | (103,384) |
Foreign currency translation | (18,907) | (31,896) |
Balance, end of year | $ 1,238,945 | $ 1,233,014 |
INCOME TAXES - Additional Infor
INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Jan. 01, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 |
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
Deferred Tax Assets, Net | $ 3,973,443 | $ 4,216,232 | |||
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries | 798,654 | ||||
Unrecognized deferred tax liability from undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries | 40,000 | ||||
Tax holiday income tax benefits | 38,000 | 95,000 | $ 103,000 | ||
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance | 757,799 | 606,765 | |||
Increase in deferred tax valuation allowance | 151,034 | (154,990) | |||
Tax credit carryforwards | 659,835 | 527,748 | |||
Operating Loss Carryforwards | 721,168 | ||||
Unrecognized tax benefits | 1,238,945 | 1,233,014 | 1,210,520 | ||
Unrecognized tax benefits potential to favorably impact effective tax rate | 934,183 | 908,522 | |||
Unrecognized tax benefits from adjustments to equity | 304,762 | 324,492 | |||
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties expense | 21,140 | 8,645 | $ 37,230 | ||
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties accrued pre-tax | 129,597 | 114,566 | |||
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties Accrued Net Of Tax Benefits | 118,533 | $ 105,852 | |||
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible | 283,000 | ||||
Increase in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible | $ 405,000 | ||||
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent | 21.00% | 35.00% | |||
Document Period End Date | Aug. 31, 2020 | ||||
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate | 21.00% | 21.00% | 25.70% | ||
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | $ 177,651 | ||||
Tax Credit Carryforwards Expiring Between 2018 and 2027 | |||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
Tax credit carryforwards | $ 24,933 | ||||
Tax Credit Carryforwards Expiring Between 2028 and 2037 | |||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
Tax credit carryforwards | 470 | ||||
Tax Credit Carryforwards with Indefinite Carryforward Period | |||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
Tax credit carryforwards | 634,432 | ||||
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiring Between 2018 and 2027 | |||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
Operating Loss Carryforwards | 124,845 | ||||
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiring Between 2028 and 2037 | |||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
Operating Loss Carryforwards | 18,617 | ||||
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards with Indefinite Carryforward Period | |||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
Operating Loss Carryforwards | $ 577,706 |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING_3
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine the Fiscal Year-end Defined Benefit Pension Obligations (Details) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Discount rate for determining projected benefit obligation | 2.51% | 3.00% | 3.98% |
Discount rate for determining net periodic pension expense | 3.00% | 3.98% | 3.73% |
Long term rate of return on plan assets | 3.45% | 3.18% | 3.64% |
UNITED STATES | Pension Plan [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Discount rate for determining projected benefit obligation | 2.50% | 3.00% | 4.00% |
Discount rate for determining net periodic pension expense | 3.00% | 4.00% | 3.75% |
Long term rate of return on plan assets | 4.25% | 4.25% | 4.25% |
Rate of increase in future compensation for determining projected benefit obligation | 2.21% | 2.23% | 2.23% |
Rate of increase in future compensation for determining net periodic pension expense | 2.23% | 2.23% | 2.25% |
Non-U.S. Plans | Pension Plan [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Discount rate for determining projected benefit obligation | 2.27% | 2.24% | 3.29% |
Discount rate for determining net periodic pension expense | 2.24% | 3.29% | 2.83% |
Long term rate of return on plan assets | 2.81% | 3.02% | 3.56% |
Rate of increase in future compensation for determining projected benefit obligation | 4.04% | 4.02% | 3.67% |
Rate of increase in future compensation for determining net periodic pension expense | 4.02% | 3.67% | 3.63% |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING_4
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Changes in the Defined Benefit Pension Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status of Material Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | |
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets | ||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Other | $ (672) | |
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
Non-current liabilities | (1,859,444) | $ (1,765,914) |
U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans | ||
Reconciliation of benefit obligation | ||
Benefit obligation, beginning of year | 576,596 | 535,632 |
Service cost | 22,142 | 18,056 |
Interest cost | 15,647 | 20,498 |
Participant contributions | 0 | 0 |
Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers | 0 | 0 |
Amendments | 0 | 0 |
Curtailment | 0 | 0 |
Pension settlement | 0 | 0 |
Actuarial (gain) loss | 46,630 | 16,880 |
Benefits Paid | (12,115) | (13,637) |
Exchange rate impact | 428 | (833) |
Benefit obligation, end of year | 649,328 | 576,596 |
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets | ||
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year | 31,920 | 28,713 |
Actual return on plan assets | 2,079 | 4,924 |
Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers | 0 | 0 |
Employer contributions | 9,942 | 11,920 |
Participant contributions | 0 | 0 |
Pension settlement | 0 | 0 |
Benefits paid | (12,115) | (13,637) |
Exchange rate impact | 0 | 0 |
Fair value of plan assets, end of year | 31,826 | 31,920 |
Funded status, end of year | (617,502) | (544,676) |
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
Non-current assets | 0 | 0 |
Current liabilities | (1,169) | (1,257) |
Non-current liabilities | (616,333) | (543,419) |
Funded status, end of year | (617,502) | (544,676) |
UNITED STATES | Pension Plan [Member] | ||
Reconciliation of benefit obligation | ||
Benefit obligation, beginning of year | 383,557 | 331,916 |
Service cost | 3,080 | 3,100 |
Interest cost | 9,771 | 12,364 |
Participant contributions | 0 | 0 |
Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers | 0 | 0 |
Amendments | 0 | 0 |
Curtailment | 0 | 0 |
Pension settlement | 0 | 0 |
Actuarial (gain) loss | 26,495 | 50,002 |
Benefits Paid | (14,637) | (13,825) |
Exchange rate impact | 0 | 0 |
Benefit obligation, end of year | 408,266 | 383,557 |
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets | ||
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year | 257,280 | 210,576 |
Actual return on plan assets | 27,911 | 50,397 |
Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers | 0 | 0 |
Employer contributions | 10,635 | 10,131 |
Participant contributions | 0 | 0 |
Pension settlement | 0 | 0 |
Benefits paid | (14,637) | (13,824) |
Exchange rate impact | 0 | 0 |
Fair value of plan assets, end of year | 281,189 | 257,280 |
Funded status, end of year | (127,077) | (126,277) |
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
Non-current assets | 3,232 | 6,707 |
Current liabilities | (10,213) | (10,473) |
Non-current liabilities | (120,096) | (122,511) |
Funded status, end of year | (127,077) | (126,277) |
Non-U.S. Plans | ||
Reconciliation of benefit obligation | ||
Benefit obligation, beginning of year | 2,166,377 | 1,772,712 |
Service cost | 108,871 | 88,913 |
Interest cost | 44,395 | 52,466 |
Participant contributions | 12,521 | 11,989 |
Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers | 14 | 28,510 |
Amendments | 0 | 2,105 |
Curtailment | 0 | (6,477) |
Pension settlement | (188) | (9,343) |
Actuarial (gain) loss | (12,278) | 379,173 |
Benefits Paid | (94,136) | (85,624) |
Exchange rate impact | 131,829 | (68,047) |
Benefit obligation, end of year | 2,357,405 | 2,166,377 |
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets | ||
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year | 1,214,062 | 1,127,376 |
Actual return on plan assets | 46,815 | 97,845 |
Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers | 0 | 25,347 |
Employer contributions | 88,068 | 81,531 |
Participant contributions | 12,521 | 11,989 |
Pension settlement | 0 | (8,801) |
Benefits paid | (94,136) | (85,624) |
Exchange rate impact | 89,049 | (35,601) |
Fair value of plan assets, end of year | 1,355,707 | 1,214,062 |
Funded status, end of year | (1,001,698) | (952,315) |
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
Non-current assets | 67,341 | 67,396 |
Current liabilities | (42,990) | (33,981) |
Non-current liabilities | (1,026,049) | (985,730) |
Funded status, end of year | $ (1,001,698) | $ (952,315) |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING_5
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Pre-Tax Accumulated Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost (credit) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans | ||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||
Net loss | $ 160,067 | $ 121,798 |
Prior service (credit) cost | 15,114 | 19,427 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax | 175,181 | 141,225 |
UNITED STATES | ||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||
Net loss | 108,796 | 106,328 |
Prior service (credit) cost | 0 | 0 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax | 108,796 | 106,328 |
Non-U.S. Plans | Pension Plan [Member] | ||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||
Net loss | 605,635 | 633,619 |
Prior service (credit) cost | 20,056 | 21,954 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax | $ 625,691 | $ 655,573 |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING_6
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Accumulated Benefit Obligation for Material Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
UNITED STATES | ||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ 401,822 | $ 376,886 |
Non-U.S. Plans | ||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ 2,135,566 | $ 1,964,148 |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING_7
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Information for Material Defined Benefit Pension Plans with Projected Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans | ||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan with Projected Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Projected Benefit Obligation | $ 649,328 | $ 576,596 |
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan with Projected Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Plan Assets | 31,826 | 31,920 |
UNITED STATES | Pension Plan [Member] | ||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Projected Benefit Obligation | 130,309 | |
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan with Projected Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Projected Benefit Obligation | 132,984 | |
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan with Projected Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Plan Assets | 0 | 0 |
Non-U.S. Plans | Pension Plan [Member] | ||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan with Projected Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Projected Benefit Obligation | 1,644,895 | 1,514,448 |
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan with Projected Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Plan Assets | $ 575,857 | $ 494,065 |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING_8
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Information for Material Defined Benefit Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
UNITED STATES | ||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ 130,309 | $ 132,984 |
Fair value of plan assets | 0 | 0 |
Non-U.S. Plans | ||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ||
Accumulated benefit obligation | 1,438,234 | 1,300,082 |
Fair value of plan assets | $ 575,857 | $ 465,935 |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING_9
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Target Allocation for Fiscal 2018 and Weighted-Average Plan Assets Allocations by Asset Category, for Material Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Details) | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
UNITED STATES | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 100.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 100.00% | 100.00% |
UNITED STATES | Equity securities | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 0.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 0.00% | 0.00% |
UNITED STATES | Debt securities | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 100.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 96.00% | 95.00% |
UNITED STATES | Cash and short-term investments | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 0.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 4.00% | 5.00% |
UNITED STATES | Insurance contracts | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 0.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 0.00% | 0.00% |
UNITED STATES | Other | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 0.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Non-U.S. Plans | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 100.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Non-U.S. Plans | Equity securities | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 26.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 19.00% | 19.00% |
Non-U.S. Plans | Debt securities | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 51.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 59.00% | 59.00% |
Non-U.S. Plans | Cash and short-term investments | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 2.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 2.00% | 2.00% |
Non-U.S. Plans | Insurance contracts | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 16.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 16.00% | 17.00% |
Non-U.S. Plans | Other | ||
2018 Target Allocation | ||
2018 Target Allocation | 5.00% | |
Actual Plan Asset Allocation | 4.00% | 3.00% |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARIN_10
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Fair Values of the Material U.S. and Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 |
U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | $ 31,826 | $ 31,920 | $ 28,713 |
UNITED STATES | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 313,015 | 289,200 | |
UNITED STATES | Level 2 | U.S. Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 185,981 | 166,756 | |
UNITED STATES | Level 2 | U.S. Government State And Local Debt Securities [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 75,583 | 71,745 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 1,355,707 | 1,214,062 | $ 1,127,376 |
Non-U.S. Plans | Mutual fund equity securities | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 259,776 | 226,386 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 163,602 | 125,332 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Debt Security, Corporate, Non-US [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 20,639 | 19,562 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Mutual fund debt securities | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 611,028 | 569,712 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Cash and short-term investments | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 28,367 | 19,225 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Insurance contracts | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 219,880 | 209,640 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Other | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 52,415 | 44,205 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 1 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 198,099 | 154,693 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 1 | Mutual fund equity securities | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 1 | Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 163,602 | 125,332 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 1 | Debt Security, Corporate, Non-US [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 20,639 | 19,562 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 1 | Mutual fund debt securities | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 1 | Cash and short-term investments | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 13,858 | 9,799 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 1 | Insurance contracts | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 1 | Other | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 1,017,303 | 925,948 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | Mutual fund equity securities | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 259,776 | 226,386 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | Debt Security, Corporate, Non-US [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | Mutual fund debt securities | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 611,028 | 569,712 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | Cash and short-term investments | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 14,509 | 9,426 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | Insurance contracts | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 79,575 | 76,219 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | Other | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 52,415 | 44,205 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 3 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 140,305 | 133,421 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 3 | Mutual fund equity securities | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 3 | Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 3 | Debt Security, Corporate, Non-US [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 3 | Mutual fund debt securities | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 3 | Cash and short-term investments | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 3 | Insurance contracts | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | 140,305 | 133,421 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 3 | Other | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Total pension plan assets | $ 0 | $ 0 |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARIN_11
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Thousands | Aug. 31, 2020USD ($) |
U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
2017 | $ 12,335 |
2018 | 13,990 |
2019 | 15,737 |
2020 | 17,769 |
2021 | 19,826 |
2022-2026 | 134,072 |
Non-U.S. Plans | Pension Plan [Member] | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
2017 | 106,299 |
2018 | 103,597 |
2019 | 116,624 |
2020 | 115,224 |
2021 | 126,526 |
2022-2026 | 643,025 |
UNITED STATES | Pension Plan [Member] | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
2017 | 14,678 |
2018 | 15,416 |
2019 | 16,195 |
2020 | 16,959 |
2021 | 17,743 |
2022-2026 | $ 98,570 |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARIN_12
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Actuarial losses | $ 22,414,000 | $ (379,090,000) | $ 19,862,000 |
Pension expense | 168,367,000 | 137,030,000 | 125,320,000 |
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 | 106,001,000 | ||
Total expenses recorded for the United States and the United Kingdom defined contribution retirement plans | 557,888,000 | 530,501,000 | 485,736,000 |
U.S. and Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation | 119,602 | ||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation | 92,093 | ||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | $ 31,826,000 | 31,920,000 | 28,713,000 |
Defined Benefit Plan, Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed, Next Fiscal Year | 6.40% | ||
Defined Benefit Plan, Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate | 4.50% | ||
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Gain (Loss), before Tax | $ (160,067,000) | (121,798,000) | |
Employer contributions | 9,942,000 | 11,920,000 | |
Pension settlement | 0 | 0 | |
Reduction to PBO | 0 | 0 | |
UNITED STATES | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Gain (Loss), before Tax | (108,796,000) | (106,328,000) | |
UNITED STATES | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 313,015,000 | 289,200,000 | |
UNITED STATES | Pension Plan [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 281,189,000 | 257,280,000 | 210,576,000 |
Employer contributions | 10,635,000 | 10,131,000 | |
Pension settlement | 0 | 0 | |
Reduction to PBO | 0 | 0 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 1,355,707,000 | 1,214,062,000 | $ 1,127,376,000 |
Employer contributions | 88,068,000 | 81,531,000 | |
Pension settlement | 0 | 8,801,000 | |
Reduction to PBO | 188,000 | 9,343,000 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 198,099,000 | 154,693,000 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 1,017,303,000 | 925,948,000 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 140,305,000 | 133,421,000 | |
Non-U.S. Plans | Pension Plan [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Gain (Loss), before Tax | (605,635,000) | (633,619,000) | |
Equity Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 259,776,000 | 226,386,000 | |
Equity Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Equity Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 259,776,000 | 226,386,000 | |
Equity Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 163,602,000 | 125,332,000 | |
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 163,602,000 | 125,332,000 | |
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 611,028,000 | 569,712,000 | |
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 611,028,000 | 569,712,000 | |
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 28,367,000 | 19,225,000 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 13,858,000 | 9,799,000 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 14,509,000 | 9,426,000 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Insurance Contracts | Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 219,880,000 | 209,640,000 | |
Insurance Contracts | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Insurance Contracts | Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 79,575,000 | 76,219,000 | |
Insurance Contracts | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 140,305,000 | 133,421,000 | |
Other | Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 52,415,000 | 44,205,000 | |
Other | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Other | Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 52,415,000 | 44,205,000 | |
Other | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Debt Security, Corporate, Non-US [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 20,639,000 | 19,562,000 | |
Debt Security, Corporate, Non-US [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 20,639,000 | 19,562,000 | |
Debt Security, Corporate, Non-US [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | 0 | 0 | |
Debt Security, Corporate, Non-US [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate [Abstract] | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount | $ 0 | $ 0 |
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARIN_13
RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS Level 3 Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Level 3 Assets [Abstract] | |||
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases, (Sales), Issuances, (Settlements) | $ 17,428 | ||
Change in Fair Value of Level 3 Assets During the Period | $ 6,884 | 1,033 | |
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value | $ 140,305 | $ 133,421 | $ 114,960 |
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Summ
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of Information with Respect to Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | ||
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] | ||||
Total share-based compensation expense included in Net income | $ 1,197,806 | $ 1,093,253 | $ 976,908 | |
Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation included in Net income | [1] | 430,290 | 356,062 | 404,124 |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | $ 1,589,018 | $ 1,405,556 | $ 1,593,499 | |
[1] | Restricted Share Units |
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Rest
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Restricted Share Unit Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |||
Number of Restricted Share Units | |||||
Nonvested balance as of August 31, 2016 (in shares) | 19,002,115 | ||||
Granted (in shares) (1) | [1] | 7,543,339 | |||
Vested (in shares) (2) | [2] | (7,698,685) | |||
Forfeited (in shares) | (1,106,838) | ||||
Nonvested balance as of August 31, 2017 (in shares) | 17,739,931 | 19,002,115 | |||
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |||||
Nonvested balance as of August 31, 2016 (in dollars per share) | $ 136.66 | ||||
Granted (in dollars per share) (1) | 206.05 | [1] | $ 144.52 | $ 153.33 | |
Vested (in dollars per share) (2) | [2] | 138.55 | |||
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | 148.29 | ||||
Nonvested balance as of August 31, 2017 (in dollars per share) | $ 164.62 | $ 136.66 | |||
Vested, grant-date fair value | $ 1,066,622 | $ 914,206 | $ 842,002 | ||
[1] | The weighted average grant-date fair value for restricted share units granted for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $206.05, $144.52 and $153.33, respectively. | ||||
[2] | The total grant-date fair value of restricted share units vested for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $1,066,622, $914,206 and $842,002, respectively. |
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Addi
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Income tax expense | $ 1,589,018,000 | $ 1,405,556,000 | $ 1,593,499,000 |
Shares authorized under SIP plan | 114,000,000 | ||
Shares available for future grants under SIP plan | 25,216,854 | ||
Restricted Share Units | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Compensation expense related to nonvested awards not yet recognized | $ 1,083,367,000 | ||
Compensation expense related to nonvested awards not yet recognized, expected weighted average period of recognition | 1 year 2 months 12 days | ||
Restricted share units vested but not yet delivered | 553,907 | ||
Restricted Share Units | Minimum | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Share-based compensation arrangement vesting period | 2 years | ||
Restricted Share Units | Maximum | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Share-based compensation arrangement vesting period | 7 years | ||
ESPP 2010 | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Maximum employee deferral into share purchase plan per offering | $ 7,500 | ||
Percentage of senior executive compensation contributed into share purchase plan maximum | 30.00% | ||
Percentage of shares purchased granted as restricted share units granted under the V.E.I.P. | 50.00% | ||
Number of shares authorized employee share purchase plan | 90,000,000 | ||
Shares issued under employee share purchase plan total | 64,956,222 | ||
Shares issued, during period, under the employee share purchase plan | 5,410,497 | 5,433,817 | 5,428,356 |
ESPP 2010 | Minimum | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Percentage of employee compensation contributed into share purchase plan | 1.00% | ||
ESPP 2010 | Maximum | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Percentage of employee compensation contributed into share purchase plan | 10.00% |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Share Pu
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Share Purchase Activity (Detail) - USD ($) | Nov. 13, 2020 | Oct. 13, 2020 | Sep. 23, 2020 | Sep. 20, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 |
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired | 14,730,030 | ||||||
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method | $ 2,894,253,000 | $ 2,669,336,000 | $ 2,554,084,000 | ||||
Purchases Redemptions Of Noncontrolling Interests Shares | 100,795 | ||||||
Purchases Redemptions Of Noncontrolling Interests And Shares During Period, Value | $ 21,594,000 | 21,778,000 | 85,010,000 | ||||
Cancellation of treasury shares (in shares) | 5,526,491,000 | ||||||
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | ||||
Treasury Stock Acquired Repurchase Additional Approved Authorization Value | $ 5,000,000,000 | ||||||
Class A Ordinary Shares | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Ordinary shares, shares authorized (in shares) | 20,000,000,000 | 20,000,000,000 | |||||
Ordinary shares, par value (in euros per share) | $ 0.0000225 | $ 0.0000225 | |||||
Common Stock, Voting Rights | one | ||||||
Other Share Purchase Programs [Member] | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired | 0 | ||||||
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method | $ 0 | ||||||
Purchases Redemptions Of Noncontrolling Interests Shares | 100,795 | ||||||
Purchases Redemptions Of Noncontrolling Interests And Shares During Period, Value | $ 21,594,000 | ||||||
Open Market Share Purchases [Member] | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired | 11,983,661 | ||||||
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method | $ 2,337,732,000 | ||||||
Purchases Redemptions Of Noncontrolling Interests Shares | 0 | ||||||
Purchases Redemptions Of Noncontrolling Interests And Shares During Period, Value | $ 0 | ||||||
Other Purchases [Member] | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired | 2,746,369 | ||||||
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method | $ 556,521,000 | ||||||
Purchases Redemptions Of Noncontrolling Interests Shares | 0 | ||||||
Purchases Redemptions Of Noncontrolling Interests And Shares During Period, Value | $ 0 | ||||||
Subsequent Event [Member] | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share | $ 0.88 | ||||||
Dividends Payable, Date of Record | Oct. 13, 2020 | ||||||
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid | Nov. 13, 2020 | ||||||
Subsequent Event [Member] | Class A Ordinary Shares | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Dividends Payable, Date Declared | Sep. 23, 2020 |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Dividend
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Dividends (Details) - USD ($) | Nov. 15, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 |
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 2,037,733,000 | |||
Cash dividends per share (in dollars per share) | $ 3.20 | $ 2.92 | $ 2.66 | |
Accenture Holdings plc ordinary Shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc Exchangeable Shares [Member] | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 2,535,000 | |||
Class A Ordinary Shares | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | 2,035,198,000 | |||
DividendPaymentNovember2019 [Member] | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 508,381,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Day Month And Year | Nov. 15, 2019 | |||
Cash dividends per share (in dollars per share) | $ 0.80 | |||
DividendPaymentNovember2019 [Member] | Accenture Holdings plc ordinary Shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc Exchangeable Shares [Member] | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 656,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Of Record Day Month And Year | Oct. 15, 2019 | |||
DividendPaymentNovember2019 [Member] | Class A Ordinary Shares | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 507,725,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Of Record Day Month And Year | Oct. 17, 2019 | |||
DividendPaymentFebruary2020 [Member] | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 511,238,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Day Month And Year | Feb. 14, 2020 | |||
Cash dividends per share (in dollars per share) | $ 0.80 | |||
DividendPaymentFebruary2020 [Member] | Accenture Holdings plc ordinary Shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc Exchangeable Shares [Member] | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 634,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Of Record Day Month And Year | Jan. 14, 2020 | |||
DividendPaymentFebruary2020 [Member] | Class A Ordinary Shares | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 510,604,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Of Record Day Month And Year | Jan. 16, 2020 | |||
DividendPaymentMay2020 [Member] | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 508,913,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Day Month And Year | May 15, 2020 | |||
Cash dividends per share (in dollars per share) | $ 0.80 | |||
DividendPaymentMay2020 [Member] | Accenture Holdings plc ordinary Shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc Exchangeable Shares [Member] | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 630,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Of Record Day Month And Year | Apr. 14, 2020 | |||
DividendPaymentMay2020 [Member] | Class A Ordinary Shares | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 508,283,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Of Record Day Month And Year | Apr. 16, 2020 | |||
DividendPaymentAugust2020 [Member] | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 509,201,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Day Month And Year | Aug. 14, 2020 | |||
Cash dividends per share (in dollars per share) | $ 0.80 | |||
DividendPaymentAugust2020 [Member] | Accenture Holdings plc ordinary Shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc Exchangeable Shares [Member] | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 615,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Of Record Day Month And Year | Jul. 14, 2020 | |||
DividendPaymentAugust2020 [Member] | Class A Ordinary Shares | ||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
Payments of Ordinary Dividends | $ 508,586,000 | |||
Dividend Payment Date Of Record Day Month And Year | Jul. 16, 2020 |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - USD ($) | Nov. 13, 2020 | Oct. 13, 2020 | Sep. 23, 2020 | Sep. 20, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 |
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount | $ 1,314,762,000 | ||||||
Cancellation of treasury shares (in shares) | 5,526,491,000 | ||||||
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | ||||
Treasury Stock Acquired Repurchase Authorization Value | $ 6,314,762,000 | ||||||
Treasury Stock Acquired Repurchase Additional Approved Authorization Value | $ 5,000,000,000 | ||||||
Share Repurchase Authority Increase Approval Date | Sep. 20, 2020 | ||||||
Subsequent Event [Member] | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share | $ 0.88 | ||||||
Dividends Payable, Date of Record | Oct. 13, 2020 | ||||||
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid | Nov. 13, 2020 | ||||||
Treasury Shares | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Cancellation of treasury shares (in shares) | 5,526,000 | 17,599,000 | 11,621,000 | ||||
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount | $ 1,056,145,000 | $ 2,745,321,000 | $ 1,582,067,000 | ||||
Class X Ordinary Shares | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Common Stock, Voting Rights | one | ||||||
Class A Ordinary Shares | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Common Stock, Voting Rights | one | ||||||
Class A Ordinary Shares | Subsequent Event [Member] | |||||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||||
Dividends Payable, Date Declared | Sep. 23, 2020 |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | ||
Expressly limited performance guarantee | $ 832,000 | $ 794,000 |
Portion of guarantee not recoverable | $ 87,000 | $ 128,000 |
SEGMENT REPORTING - Company's R
SEGMENT REPORTING - Company's Reportable Operating Segments (Details) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||
Aug. 31, 2020USD ($) | May 31, 2020USD ($) | Feb. 29, 2020USD ($) | Nov. 30, 2019USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2019USD ($) | May 31, 2019USD ($) | Feb. 28, 2019USD ($) | Nov. 30, 2018USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2020USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2020USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2020USD ($)reportableSegments | Aug. 31, 2019USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2018USD ($) | |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Revenues | $ 10,835,271,000 | $ 10,991,305,000 | $ 11,141,505,000 | $ 11,358,958,000 | $ 11,055,650,000 | $ 11,099,688,000 | $ 10,454,129,000 | $ 10,605,546,000 | $ 44,327,039,000 | $ 43,215,013,000 | $ 40,992,534,000 | ||
Number of Reportable Segments | 5 | 3 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,022,399,000 | 892,760,000 | 926,776,000 | ||||||||||
Operating income | 1,544,703,000 | $ 1,712,733,000 | $ 1,488,945,000 | $ 1,767,263,000 | 1,571,493,000 | $ 1,717,943,000 | $ 1,386,626,000 | $ 1,629,012,000 | 6,513,644,000 | 6,305,074,000 | 5,898,779,000 | ||
Net Assets | 4,285,646,000 | 5,093,505,000 | $ 4,285,646,000 | 4,285,646,000 | $ 4,285,646,000 | 5,093,505,000 | 4,768,722,000 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 1,545,568,000 | 1,391,166,000 | 1,545,568,000 | 1,545,568,000 | 1,545,568,000 | 1,391,166,000 | 1,264,020,000 | ||||||
Growth Markets [Member] | |||||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Revenues | 8,942,644,000 | 8,533,128,000 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 332,393,000 | ||||||||||||
Operating income | 1,544,565,000 | ||||||||||||
Net Assets | 620,083,000 | 620,083,000 | 620,083,000 | 620,083,000 | |||||||||
Property and equipment, net | 655,624,000 | 655,624,000 | 655,624,000 | 655,624,000 | |||||||||
North America [Member] | |||||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Revenues | 20,982,253,000 | 18,460,395,000 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 348,761,000 | 303,762,000 | 318,538,000 | ||||||||||
Operating income | 3,169,648,000 | 3,107,437,000 | 2,708,674,000 | ||||||||||
Net Assets | 2,585,659,000 | 2,923,320,000 | 2,585,659,000 | 2,585,659,000 | 2,585,659,000 | 2,923,320,000 | 2,469,098,000 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 499,976,000 | 395,782,000 | 499,976,000 | 499,976,000 | 499,976,000 | 395,782,000 | 375,237,000 | ||||||
Europe [Member] | |||||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Revenues | 14,695,749,000 | 14,650,637,000 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 341,245,000 | 294,902,000 | 309,752,000 | ||||||||||
Operating income | 1,799,431,000 | 2,013,245,000 | 2,167,463,000 | ||||||||||
Net Assets | 1,079,904,000 | 1,355,827,000 | 1,079,904,000 | 1,079,904,000 | 1,079,904,000 | 1,355,827,000 | 1,402,971,000 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | $ 389,968,000 | 354,491,000 | $ 389,968,000 | $ 389,968,000 | $ 389,968,000 | 354,491,000 | 319,737,000 | ||||||
Growth Markets [Member] | |||||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Revenues | 7,881,502,000 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 294,096,000 | 298,486,000 | |||||||||||
Operating income | 1,184,392,000 | 1,022,642,000 | |||||||||||
Net Assets | 814,358,000 | 814,358,000 | 896,653,000 | ||||||||||
Property and equipment, net | $ 640,893,000 | $ 640,893,000 | $ 569,046,000 |
SEGMENT REPORTING - Information
SEGMENT REPORTING - Information Regarding Geography and Countries (Details) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Aug. 31, 2020 | May 31, 2020 | Feb. 29, 2020 | Nov. 30, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2019 | May 31, 2019 | Feb. 28, 2019 | Nov. 30, 2018 | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | $ 10,835,271,000 | $ 10,991,305,000 | $ 11,141,505,000 | $ 11,358,958,000 | $ 11,055,650,000 | $ 11,099,688,000 | $ 10,454,129,000 | $ 10,605,546,000 | $ 44,327,039,000 | $ 43,215,013,000 | $ 40,992,534,000 |
North America [Member] | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | 19,986,136,000 | ||||||||||
Europe [Member] | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | 14,402,142,000 | ||||||||||
Growth Markets [Member] | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | $ 8,942,644,000 | $ 8,533,128,000 |
SEGMENT REPORTING - Revenues by
SEGMENT REPORTING - Revenues by Country (Details) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
UNITED STATES | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Revenues, percentage by country | 45.00% | 44.00% | 43.00% |
IRELAND | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Revenues, percentage by country | 1.00% |
SEGMENT REPORTING - Consolidate
SEGMENT REPORTING - Consolidated Property and Equipment, Net by Country (Details) | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 |
INDIA | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and Equipment, net, percentage by country | 27.00% | 26.00% | 27.00% |
UNITED STATES | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and Equipment, net, percentage by country | 18.00% | 18.00% | 19.00% |
IRELAND | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and Equipment, net, percentage by country | 7.00% | 7.00% | 7.00% |
SEGMENT REPORTING - Revenues _2
SEGMENT REPORTING - Revenues by Industry Group and Type of Work (Details) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Aug. 31, 2020 | May 31, 2020 | Feb. 29, 2020 | Nov. 30, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2019 | May 31, 2019 | Feb. 28, 2019 | Nov. 30, 2018 | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | $ 10,835,271,000 | $ 10,991,305,000 | $ 11,141,505,000 | $ 11,358,958,000 | $ 11,055,650,000 | $ 11,099,688,000 | $ 10,454,129,000 | $ 10,605,546,000 | $ 44,327,039,000 | $ 43,215,013,000 | $ 40,992,534,000 |
North America | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | 8,883,173,000 | 8,757,250,000 | 8,229,842,000 | ||||||||
Europe | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | 8,518,136,000 | 8,493,819,000 | 8,565,695,000 | ||||||||
Health And Public Service Segment | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | 8,022,704,000 | 7,160,787,000 | 6,877,779,000 | ||||||||
Products Segment | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | 12,272,036,000 | 12,004,934,000 | 11,337,863,000 | ||||||||
Growth Markets | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | 6,611,544,000 | 6,771,976,000 | 5,942,012,000 | ||||||||
Other | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | 19,446,000 | 26,247,000 | 39,343,000 | ||||||||
Consulting | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | 24,227,024,000 | 24,177,428,000 | 22,978,798,000 | ||||||||
Outsourcing | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Revenues | $ 20,100,015,000 | $ 19,037,585,000 | $ 18,013,736,000 |
QUARTERLY DATA (Details)
QUARTERLY DATA (Details) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Aug. 31, 2020 | May 31, 2020 | Feb. 29, 2020 | Nov. 30, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2019 | May 31, 2019 | Feb. 28, 2019 | Nov. 30, 2018 | Aug. 31, 2020 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Aug. 31, 2018 | |
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||
Revenues | $ 10,835,271,000 | $ 10,991,305,000 | $ 11,141,505,000 | $ 11,358,958,000 | $ 11,055,650,000 | $ 11,099,688,000 | $ 10,454,129,000 | $ 10,605,546,000 | $ 44,327,039,000 | $ 43,215,013,000 | $ 40,992,534,000 |
Cost of services | 7,394,731,000 | 7,462,617,000 | 7,782,334,000 | 7,711,199,000 | 7,621,034,000 | 7,571,390,000 | 7,399,780,000 | 7,308,121,000 | 30,350,881,000 | 29,900,325,000 | 28,499,170,000 |
OPERATING INCOME | 1,544,703,000 | 1,712,733,000 | 1,488,945,000 | 1,767,263,000 | 1,571,493,000 | 1,717,943,000 | 1,386,626,000 | 1,629,012,000 | 6,513,644,000 | 6,305,074,000 | 5,898,779,000 |
Net Income | 1,305,424,000 | 1,252,639,000 | 1,252,082,000 | 1,375,168,000 | 1,145,548,000 | 1,268,649,000 | 1,140,720,000 | 1,291,324,000 | 5,185,313,000 | 4,846,241,000 | 4,214,594,000 |
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCENTURE PLC | $ 1,287,929,000 | $ 1,228,202,000 | $ 1,234,740,000 | $ 1,356,968,000 | $ 1,130,427,000 | $ 1,249,516,000 | $ 1,124,449,000 | $ 1,274,720,000 | $ 5,107,839,000 | $ 4,779,112,000 | $ 4,059,907,000 |
Weighted average Class A ordinary shares: | |||||||||||
-Basic (in shares) | 635,887,742 | 636,146,240 | 637,485,626 | 635,722,309 | 637,049,388 | 637,831,341 | 638,639,729 | 638,877,445 | 636,299,913 | 638,098,125 | 628,451,742 |
-Diluted (in shares) | 647,867,307 | 645,607,914 | 648,833,880 | 649,389,444 | 650,523,417 | 649,297,717 | 649,170,699 | 652,151,450 | 647,797,003 | 650,204,873 | 655,296,150 |
Earnings per Class A ordinary share: | |||||||||||
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share) | $ 2.03 | $ 1.93 | $ 1.94 | $ 2.13 | $ 1.77 | $ 1.96 | $ 1.76 | $ 2 | $ 8.03 | $ 7.49 | $ 6.46 |
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share) | $ 1.99 | $ 1.90 | $ 1.91 | $ 2.09 | $ 1.74 | $ 1.93 | $ 1.73 | $ 1.96 | $ 7.89 | $ 7.36 | $ 6.34 |