v3.20.4
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables)
6 Months Ended
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 EndedSix Months Ended
February 28, 2021February 29, 2020February 28, 2021February 29, 2020
Foreign currency translation
    Beginning balance$(942,967)$(1,170,245)$(1,010,279)$(1,207,975)
             Foreign currency translation102,008 (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 tax98,999 (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 tax10,255 9,805 21,136 18,557 
    Ending balance(594,087)(653,766)(594,087)(653,766)
Cash flow hedges
    Beginning balance68,107 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 interests45 (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.