v3.20.4
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2020
Nov. 30, 2019
Aug. 31, 2020
Foreign currency translation      
Beginning balance $ (1,010,279) $ (1,207,975)  
Foreign currency translation 67,443 40,145  
Income tax benefit (expense) 1,313 (1,264)  
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests (1,444) (1,151)  
Foreign currency translation, net of tax 67,312 37,730  
Ending balance (942,967) (1,170,245)  
Defined benefit plans      
Beginning balance (615,223) (672,323)  
Reclassifications into net periodic pension and post-retirement expense (1) [1] 13,595 12,784  
Income tax benefit (expense) (2,702) (4,021)  
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests (12) (11)  
Defined benefit plans, net of tax 10,881 8,752  
Ending balance (604,342) (663,571)  
Cash flow hedges      
Beginning balance 63,714 38,993  
Unrealized gain (loss) 25,364 38,408  
Reclassification adjustments into Cost of services (20,895) (20,019)  
Income tax benefit (expense) (71) (4,244)  
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests (5) (18)  
Cash flow hedges, net of tax 4,393 14,127  
Ending balance (2) [2] 68,107 53,120  
Investments      
Beginning balance (49) 728  
Unrealized gain (loss) (49) 0  
Income tax benefit (expense) 0 0  
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests 0 0  
Investments, net of tax (49) 0  
Ending balance 0 728  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (1,479,202) $ (1,779,968) $ (1,561,837)
[1] Reclassifications into net periodic pension and post-retirement expense are recognized in Cost of services, Sales and marketing, General and administrative costs and non-operating expenses.
[2] As of November 30, 2020, $66,522 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.