SEGMENT REPORTING - Information Regarding Geography and Countries (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013		May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012		May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 7,086,667		$ 7,198,140	$ 7,058,042	$ 7,219,961	$ 6,835,893		$ 7,154,690	$ 6,797,250	$ 7,074,497	$ 28,562,810		$ 27,862,330		$ 25,507,036
Reimbursements	438,327		509,795	435,278	448,075	452,366		486,100	462,578	514,611	1,831,475		1,915,655		1,845,878
Revenues	7,524,994		7,707,935	7,493,320	7,668,036	7,288,259		7,640,790	7,259,828	7,589,108	30,394,285		29,777,985		27,352,914
Property and equipment, net as of August 31	779,675					779,494					779,675		779,494		785,231
Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues											13,518,623		12,522,673		11,270,668
Reimbursements											972,217		897,483		851,081
Revenues											14,490,840		13,420,156		12,121,749
Property and equipment, net as of August 31	317,759					256,697					317,759		256,697		235,900
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues											11,047,417	[1]	11,296,207	[1]	10,853,684	[1]
Reimbursements											576,178	[1]	697,622	[1]	699,631	[1]
Revenues											11,623,595	[1]	11,993,829	[1]	11,553,315	[1]
Property and equipment, net as of August 31	199,593	[1]				206,356	[1]				199,593	[1]	206,356	[1]	230,805	[1]
Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues											3,996,770		4,043,450		3,382,684
Reimbursements											283,080		320,550		295,166
Revenues											4,279,850		4,364,000		3,677,850
Property and equipment, net as of August 31	$ 262,323					$ 316,441					$ 262,323		$ 316,441		$ 318,526

[1] EMEA includes Europe, Middle East and Africa.