v3.20.4

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables) | 6 Months Ended
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Feb. 28, 2021
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] |
Schedule 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:
| Three Months Ended |  | Six Months Ended
| February 28, 2021 |  | February 29, 2020 |  | February 28, 2021 |  | February 29, 2020
Foreign currency translation |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning balance | $ | (942,967) |  |  | $ | (1,170,245) |  |  | $ | (1,010,279) |  |  | $ | (1,207,975) |
Foreign currency translation | 102,008 |  |  | (48,678) |  |  | 169,451 |  |  | (8,533) |
Income tax benefit (expense) | (2,464) |  |  | 43 |  |  | (1,151) |  |  | (1,221) |
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests | (545) |  |  | 1,187 |  |  | (1,989) |  |  | 36 |
Foreign currency translation, net of tax | 98,999 |  |  | (47,448) |  |  | 166,311 |  |  | (9,718) |
Ending balance | (843,968) |  |  | (1,217,693) |  |  | (843,968) |  |  | (1,217,693) |
Defined benefit plans |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning balance | (604,342) |  |  | (663,571) |  |  | (615,223) |  |  | (672,323) |
Reclassifications into net periodic pension and post-retirement expense (1) | 13,742 |  |  | 13,828 |  |  | 27,337 |  |  | 26,612 |
Income tax benefit (expense) | (3,476) |  |  | (4,011) |  |  | (6,178) |  |  | (8,032) |
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests | (11) |  |  | (12) |  |  | (23) |  |  | (23) |
Defined benefit plans, net of tax | 10,255 |  |  | 9,805 |  |  | 21,136 |  |  | 18,557 |
Ending balance | (594,087) |  |  | (653,766) |  |  | (594,087) |  |  | (653,766) |
Cash flow hedges |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning balance | 68,107 |  |  | 53,120 |  |  | 63,714 |  |  | 38,993 |
Unrealized gain (loss) | (35,026) |  |  | 38,155 |  |  | (9,662) |  |  | 76,563 |
Reclassification adjustments into Cost of services | (14,391) |  |  | (18,796) |  |  | (35,286) |  |  | (38,815) |
Income tax benefit (expense) | 8,882 |  |  | (3,987) |  |  | 8,811 |  |  | (8,231) |
Portion attributable to noncontrolling interests | 45 |  |  | (18) |  |  | 40 |  |  | (36) |
Cash flow hedges, net of tax | (40,490) |  |  | 15,354 |  |  | (36,097) |  |  | 29,481 |
Ending balance (2) | 27,617 |  |  | 68,474 |  |  | 27,617 |  |  | 68,474 |
Investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning balance | — |  |  | 728 |  |  | (49) |  |  | 728 |
Unrealized gain (loss) | — |  |  | — |  |  | 49 |  |  | — |
Investments, net of tax | — |  |  | — |  |  | 49 |  |  | — |
Ending balance | — |  |  | 728 |  |  | — |  |  | 728 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | $ | (1,410,438) |  |  | $ | (1,802,257) |  |  | $ | (1,410,438) |  |  | $ | (1,802,257) |
(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 February 28, 2021, $51,087 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.

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