CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 28, 2018
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 33,592	$ 46,980
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	76,430	66,316
Amortization of acquired unfavorable contract backlog	(34,808)	0
Stock-based compensation	10,007	13,338
Net (gain) loss on disposals of subsidiaries, assets and other	(1,202)	518
Deferred income taxes and other long-term taxes	11,705	(9,420)
Write-down of inventories	237	1,296
Provision for losses on (recovery of) receivables, net	(518)	2,048
Asset impairment	0	12,774
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(80,809)	4,937
Beneficial interest in securitized accounts receivable	(367,521)	(322,403)
Net cash flows used by operating activities	(352,887)	(183,616)
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(700,982)	(6,980)
Capital expenditures	(67,497)	(101,028)
Proceeds from insurance	3,905	25,000
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	2,042	631
Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations and other	1,893	7,406
Advances under accounts receivable programs	0	25,247
Repayments under accounts receivable programs	0	(115,247)
Beneficial interest in securitized accounts receivable	367,521	322,403
Net cash flows from (used by) investing activities:	(393,118)	157,432
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	180,000	0
Repayments of long-term debt	(14,605)	(10,106)
Proceeds from accounts receivable programs	140,070	0
Repayments under accounts receivable programs	(92,664)	0
Dividends	(28,181)	(27,995)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(2,856)	(7,394)
Increase in documentary letters of credit, net	0	10
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	10	13
Net cash flows from (used by) financing activities	181,774	(45,472)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(221)	249
Decrease in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents	(564,452)	(71,407)
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	68,163	214,474
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period	68,163	214,474
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for income taxes	1,771	7,668
Cash paid for interest	31,518	20,229
Noncash activities:
Liabilities related to additions of property, plant and equipment	$ 26,186	$ 30,374