v3.20.4
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2021
Feb. 29, 2020
Feb. 28, 2021
Feb. 29, 2020
Aug. 31, 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 [1] 13,828 [1] 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) [2] 27,617 68,474 27,617 68,474  
Investments          
Beginning balance 0 728 (49) 728  
Unrealized gain (loss) 0 0 (49) 0  
Investments, net of tax 0 0 (49) 0  
Ending balance 0 728 0 728  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (1,410,438) $ (1,802,257) $ (1,410,438) $ (1,802,257) $ (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 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.