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Accenture plc – ‘10-K’ for 8/31/10 – ‘XML.R7’

On:  Monday, 10/25/10, at 7:06pm ET   ·   As of:  10/26/10   ·   For:  8/31/10   ·   Accession #:  1193125-10-235847   ·   File #:  1-34448

Previous ‘10-K’:  ‘10-K’ on 10/19/09 for 8/31/09   ·   Next:  ‘10-K’ on 10/21/11 for 8/31/11   ·   Latest:  ‘10-K’ on 10/12/23 for 8/31/23

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  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

10/26/10  Accenture plc                     10-K        8/31/10  112:14M                                    Donnelley … Solutions/FA

Annual Report   —   Form 10-K   —   Sect. 13 / 15(d) – SEA’34
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-K        Annual Report                                       HTML   1.51M 
 2: EX-21.1     Subsidiaries of the Registrant                      HTML     88K 
 3: EX-23.1     Consent of Kpmg LLP                                 HTML     34K 
 4: EX-23.2     Consent of Kpmg LLP Related to the Accenture Plc    HTML     33K 
                2010 Employee Share Purchase                                     
 9: EX-99.1     Accenture Plc 2010 Employee Share Purchase Plan     HTML     60K 
                Financial Statements                                             
 5: EX-31.1     Certification of the Chief Executive Officer        HTML     38K 
                Pursuant to Rules 13A-14(A)                                      
 6: EX-31.2     Certification of the Chief Financial Officer        HTML     38K 
                Pursuant to Rules 13A-14(A)                                      
 7: EX-32.1     Certification of the Chief Executive Officer        HTML     34K 
                Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350                               
 8: EX-32.2     Certification of the Chief Financial Officer        HTML     34K 
                Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350                               
85: XML         IDEA XML File -- Definitions and References          XML    326K 
101: XML         IDEA XML File -- Filing Summary                      XML    298K  
96: XML.R1      Document and Entity Information                      XML    237K 
97: XML.R2      Consolidated Balance Sheets                          XML    598K 
52: XML.R3      Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)          XML    159K 
61: XML.R4      Consolidated Income Statements                       XML    371K 
83: XML.R5      Consolidated Shareholders' Equity and                XML   2.01M 
                Comprehensive Income Statements                                  
78: XML.R6      Consolidated Cash Flows Statements                   XML    497K 
107: XML.R7      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies           XML     98K  
28: XML.R8      Earnings Per Share                                   XML     85K 
77: XML.R9      Restructuring and Reorganization Costs, Net          XML     99K 
24: XML.R10     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss                 XML     75K 
23: XML.R11     Property and Equipment                               XML     66K 
51: XML.R12     Business Combinations and Goodwill                   XML     88K 
90: XML.R13     Derivative Financial Instruments                     XML     88K 
53: XML.R14     Borrowings and Indebtedness                          XML     66K 
57: XML.R15     Income Taxes                                         XML    144K 
72: XML.R16     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans                  XML    278K 
112: XML.R17     Share-Based Compensation                             XML    105K  
45: XML.R18     Shareholders' Equity                                 XML     66K 
16: XML.R19     Material Transactions Affecting Shareholders'        XML     94K 
                Equity                                                           
60: XML.R20     Lease Commitments                                    XML     70K 
88: XML.R21     Commitments and Contingencies                        XML     60K 
35: XML.R22     Segment Reporting                                    XML    169K 
84: XML.R23     Quarterly Data                                       XML    145K 
58: XML.R24     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies           XML    222K 
                (Policy)                                                         
106: XML.R25     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies           XML     71K  
                (Tables)                                                         
92: XML.R26     Earnings Per Share (Tables)                          XML     91K 
64: XML.R27     Restructuring and Reorganization Costs, Net          XML     98K 
                (Tables)                                                         
73: XML.R28     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)        XML     79K 
22: XML.R29     Property and Equipment (Tables)                      XML     65K 
26: XML.R30     Business Combinations and Goodwill (Tables)          XML     83K 
38: XML.R31     Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)            XML    105K 
47: XML.R32     Borrowings and Indebtedness (Tables)                 XML     64K 
71: XML.R33     Income Taxes (Tables)                                XML    157K 
91: XML.R34     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Tables)         XML    329K 
20: XML.R35     Share-Based Compensation (Tables)                    XML    114K 
29: XML.R36     Material Transactions Affecting Shareholders'        XML     96K 
                Equity (Tables)                                                  
98: XML.R37     Lease Commitments (Tables)                           XML     75K 
105: XML.R38     Segment Reporting (Tables)                           XML    191K  
65: XML.R39     Quarterly Data (Tables)                              XML    140K 
109: XML.R40     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies           XML    109K  
                (Narrative) (Details)                                            
30: XML.R41     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies           XML    129K 
                (Property and Equipment) (Details)                               
111: XML.R42     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies           XML    109K  
                (Components of Operating Expenses) (Details)                     
40: XML.R43     Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)             XML     76K 
17: XML.R44     Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Basic Earnings per   XML    207K 
                Share) (Details)                                                 
39: XML.R45     Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Diluted Earnings     XML    165K 
                per Share) (Details)                                             
87: XML.R46     Restructuring and Reorganization Costs, Net          XML    306K 
                (Narrative) (Details)                                            
104: XML.R47     Restructuring and Reorganization Costs, Net          XML    234K  
                (Schedule of Restructuring Activity) (Details)                   
55: XML.R48     Restructuring and Reorganization Costs, Net          XML    150K 
                (Rollforward of Reorganization Liability)                        
                (Details)                                                        
42: XML.R49     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Schedule of    XML    127K 
                Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive                    
                (Loss) Income) (Details)                                         
70: XML.R50     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Schedule of    XML    128K 
                Changes in Net Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Cash                 
                Flow Hedges, Net of Tax) (Details)                               
21: XML.R51     Property and Equipment (Details)                     XML    116K 
75: XML.R52     Business Combinations and Goodwill (Narrative)       XML     87K 
                (Details)                                                        
43: XML.R53     Business Combinations and Goodwill (Schedule of      XML    348K 
                Goodwill by Reportable Segment) (Details)                        
27: XML.R54     Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative)         XML    117K 
                (Details)                                                        
103: XML.R55     Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of        XML    113K  
                Derivative Instruments) (Details)                                
100: XML.R56     Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of the    XML    173K  
                Fair Values of Derivative Instruments - Cash Flow                
                Hedges) (Details)                                                
50: XML.R57     Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of the    XML     97K 
                Fair Values of Derivative Instruments - Other                    
                Derivative Instruments) (Details)                                
34: XML.R58     Borrowings and Indebtedness (Narrative) (Details)    XML     72K 
94: XML.R59     Borrowings and Indebtedness (Amount of Borrowing     XML    107K 
                Facilities Table) (Details)                                      
25: XML.R60     Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)                   XML    378K 
79: XML.R61     Income Taxes (Components of Current and Deferred     XML    161K 
                Income Taxes by Period) (Details)                                
76: XML.R62     Income Taxes (Components of Income Before Income     XML    137K 
                Taxes) (Details)                                                 
99: XML.R63     Income Taxes (Reconciliation of the U.S. Federal     XML    140K 
                Statutory Income Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rate)                 
                (Details)                                                        
95: XML.R64     Income Taxes (Components of Deferred Tax Assets      XML    207K 
                and Liabilities) (Details)                                       
108: XML.R65     Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax     XML    125K  
                Benefits) (Details)                                              
32: XML.R66     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Narrative)      XML    102K 
                (Details)                                                        
49: XML.R67     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Schedule of     XML    121K 
                Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine the               
                Fiscal Year-End Pension Benefit) (Details)                       
68: XML.R68     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Schedule of     XML    517K 
                Changes in Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets and                   
                Funded Status) (Details)                                         
59: XML.R69     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Schedule of     XML    141K 
                Defined Benefit Plan in Accumulated Other                        
                Comprehensive (Loss) Income) (Details)                           
69: XML.R70     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Schedule of     XML    104K 
                Estimated Amounts to be Amortized from AOCI)                     
                (Details)                                                        
110: XML.R71     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Schedule of     XML    105K  
                Accumulated Benefit Obligation) (Details)                        
33: XML.R72     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Schedule of     XML    157K 
                Projected Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan                  
                Assets and for Plans with Accumulated Benefit                    
                Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets) (Details)                  
41: XML.R73     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Schedule of     XML    376K 
                Target Allocation for Fiscal 2011 and                            
                Weighted-Average Plan Assets Allocation) (Details)               
37: XML.R74     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Schedule of     XML   1.26M 
                Fair Value of Plan Assets) (Details)                             
66: XML.R75     Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans (Schedule of     XML    144K 
                Estimated Future Benefit Payments) (Details)                     
74: XML.R76     Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)       XML    394K 
63: XML.R77     Share-Based Compensation (Summary of Share-Based     XML     87K 
                Compensation) (Details)                                          
56: XML.R78     Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Restricted     XML    118K 
                Share Units) (Details)                                           
31: XML.R79     Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Stock          XML    244K 
                Options) (Details)                                               
19: XML.R80     Share-Based Compensation (Other Information          XML     97K 
                Pertaining to Stock Options) (Details)                           
67: XML.R81     Shareholders' Equity (Details)                       XML     73K 
48: XML.R82     Material Transactions Affecting Shareholders'        XML     99K 
                Equity (Narrative) (Details)                                     
62: XML.R83     Material Transactions Affecting Shareholders'        XML    212K 
                Equity (Share Purchase and Redemption Activity)                  
                (Details)                                                        
86: XML.R84     Material Transactions Affecting Shareholders'        XML    156K 
                Equity (Dividend Activity) (Details)                             
82: XML.R85     Lease Commitments (Schedule of Rental Expense)       XML     86K 
                (Details)                                                        
46: XML.R86     Lease Commitments (Schedule of Lease Commitments)    XML    142K 
                (Details)                                                        
89: XML.R87     Commitments and Contingencies (Details)              XML     82K 
80: XML.R88     Segment Reporting (Schedule of Reportable            XML    648K 
                Operating Segments) (Details)                                    
36: XML.R89     Segment Reporting (Revenues Attributed to            XML    636K 
                Geographic Areas) (Details)                                      
54: XML.R90     Segment Reporting (Concentration of Net Revenues     XML    119K 
                by Country) (Details)                                            
81: XML.R91     Segment Reporting (Concentration of Assets by        XML    143K 
                Country) (Details)                                               
44: XML.R92     Segment Reporting (Net Revenues by Type of Work)     XML    310K 
                (Details)                                                        
93: XML.R93     Quarterly Data (Details)                             XML    509K 
102: EXCEL       IDEA Workbook of Financial Reports (.xls)            XLS   1.87M  
10: EX-101.INS  XBRL Instance -- acn-20100831                        XML   2.91M 
12: EX-101.CAL  XBRL Calculations -- acn-20100831_cal                XML    319K 
13: EX-101.DEF  XBRL Definitions -- acn-20100831_def                 XML    715K 
14: EX-101.LAB  XBRL Labels -- acn-20100831_lab                      XML   1.51M 
15: EX-101.PRE  XBRL Presentations -- acn-20100831_pre               XML   1.21M 
11: EX-101.SCH  XBRL Schema -- acn-20100831                          XSD    267K 
18: ZIP         XBRL Zipped Folder -- 0001193125-10-235847-xbrl      Zip    235K 


‘XML.R7’   —   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies


This Financial Report is an XBRL XML File.


                                                                                                                                                                                
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<div> <div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></font> <div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>1.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES </b></font></p><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></font></font> <div> <p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 12pt; margin-right: 0in;"><font style="font-weight: normal;" class="_mt"><font style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;" class="_mt"><font style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;" class="_mt">Description of Business</font></font></font><font style="font-weight: normal;" class="_mt"><font style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;" class="_mt"> </font></font></p> <p style="text-indent: 24.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0in 0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><font style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;" class="_mt">Accenture plc is one of the world's leading management consulting, technology services and outsourcing organizations and operates globally with one common brand and business model designed to enable it to provide clients around the world with the same high level of service. Drawing on a combination of industry expertise, functional capabilities, alliances, global resources and technology, Accenture plc delivers competitively priced, high-value services that help clients measurably improve business performance. Accenture plc's global delivery model enables it to provide a complete end-to-end delivery capability by drawing on its global resources to deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions to clients under demanding timeframes. </font><font style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 8pt;" class="_mt"><font style="color: teal; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;" class="_mt"> </font></font></p></div><font style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 8pt;" class="_mt"> </font></div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><strong>Principles of Consolidation </strong></p></div> <div> <div> <div> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Accenture plc, an Irish company, and its controlled subsidiary companies (collectively, the "Company"). Accenture plc's only business is to hold Class I common shares in, and to act as the sole general partner of, its subsidiary, Accenture SCA, a Luxembourg partnership limited by shares. The Company operates its business through Accenture SCA and subsidiaries of Accenture SCA. Accenture plc controls Accenture SCA's management and operations and consolidates Accenture SCA's results in its Consolidated Financial Statements. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">The shares of Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. held by persons other than the Company are treated as a noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The noncontrolling interest percentages were <font class="_mt">11</font>% and <font class="_mt">15</font>% as of August 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Purchases and/or redemptions of Accenture SCA Class I common shares or Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares are accounted for at carryover basis. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">All references to years, unless otherwise noted, refer to the Company's fiscal year, which ends on August 31. For example, a reference to "fiscal 2010" means the 12-month period that ended on August 31, 2010. All references to quarters, unless otherwise noted, refer to the quarters of the Company's fiscal year. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Reincorporation in Ireland </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">On June 10, 2009, Accenture plc was incorporated in Ireland, as a public limited company, in order to effect moving the place of incorporation of the Company's parent holding company from Bermuda to Ireland (the "Transaction"). On August 5, 2009, the shareholders of Accenture Ltd, the Company's predecessor holding company, voted in favor of the Transaction. The Transaction was subsequently completed on September 1, 2009, following approval from the Supreme Court of Bermuda, at which time Accenture Ltd became a wholly owned subsidiary of Accenture plc and Accenture plc became the Company's parent holding company. In the Transaction, all of the outstanding Class A and Class X common shares of Accenture Ltd were cancelled and Accenture plc issued Class A and Class X ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis to the holders of the cancelled Accenture Ltd Class A and Class X common shares, as applicable. As a result of the Transaction, Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares, which were redeemable for, at the Company's election, cash or Accenture Ltd Class A common shares based on the market price of the Accenture Ltd Class A common shares at the time of the redemption, are now redeemable for, at the Company's election, cash or Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares based on the market price of the Accenture plc Class A ordinary share at the time of redemption. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 1px;"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">On September 1, 2009, also in connection with the Transaction, Accenture plc and Accenture Ltd entered into an Assumption and General Amendment Agreement pursuant to which Accenture Ltd assigned to Accenture plc, and Accenture plc assumed, the Accenture Ltd 2001 Share Incentive Plan (the "2001 SIP") and the Accenture Ltd 2001 Employee Share Purchase Plan (the "2001 ESPP"), including all award or grant documents or agreements thereunder. All awards or grants under the equity incentive plans continue to be exercisable, issuable, held, available or vest upon the same terms and conditions as under the awards or grants prior to their assumption by Accenture plc, except that upon the exercise, issuance, holding, availability or vesting of those awards or grants, Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares are now issuable or available, or benefits or other amounts determined, in lieu of Accenture Ltd Class A common shares. Accenture Ltd was dissolved on December 29, 2009. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Use of Estimates </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management's best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may be different from those estimates. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Reclassifications </b></font></p> <div> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Certain amounts reported in previous years have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2010 presentation. <font class="_mt">In addition, on September 1, 2009, the Company streamlined its approach to capturing time spent on business-development activities. This resulted in a greater amount of payroll costs for the Company's client-services personnel being recorded in Sales and marketing rather than Cost of services.</font> The Company has not reclassified fiscal 2009 or 2008 amounts to conform to the fiscal 2010 presentation, as it would be impractical to do so. </font></p></div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Revenue Recognition </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Revenues from contracts for technology integration consulting services where the Company designs/redesigns, builds and implements new or enhanced systems applications and related processes for its clients are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, which involves calculating the percentage of services provided during the reporting period compared to the total estimated services to be provided over the duration of the contract. Estimated revenues used in applying the percentage-of-completion method include estimated incentives for which achievement of defined goals is deemed probable. This method is followed where reasonably dependable estimates of revenues and costs can be made. Estimates of total contract revenues and costs are continuously monitored during the term of the contract, and recorded revenues and costs are subject to revision as the contract progresses. Such revisions may result in increases or decreases to revenues and income and are reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements in the periods in which they are first identified. If the Company's estimates indicate that a contract loss will occur, a loss provision is recorded in the period in which the loss first becomes probable and reasonably estimable. Contract losses are determined to be the amount by which the estimated direct and indirect costs of the contract exceed the estimated total revenues that will be generated by the contract and are included in Cost of services and classified in Other accrued liabilities. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 1px;"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Revenues from contracts for non-technology integration consulting services with fees based on time and materials or cost-plus are recognized as the services are performed and amounts are earned in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, <i>"Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements" </i>("SAB 101"), as amended by SAB No. 104, <i>"Revenue Recognition" </i>("SAB 104"). The Company considers amounts to be earned once evidence of an arrangement has been obtained, services are delivered, fees are fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. In such contracts, the Company's efforts, measured by time incurred, typically represent the contractual milestones or output measure, which is the contractual earnings pattern. For non-technology integration consulting contracts with fixed fees, the Company recognizes revenues as amounts become billable in accordance with contract terms, provided the billable amounts are not contingent, are consistent with the services delivered, and are earned. Contingent or incentive revenues relating to non-technology integration consulting contracts are recognized when the contingency is satisfied and the Company concludes the amounts are earned. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Outsourcing contracts typically span several years and involve complex delivery, often through multiple workforces in different countries. In a number of these arrangements, the Company hires client employees and becomes responsible for certain client obligations. Revenues are recognized on outsourcing contracts as amounts become billable in accordance with contract terms, unless the amounts are billed in advance of performance of services, in which case revenues are recognized when the services are performed and amounts are earned in accordance with SAB 101, as amended by SAB 104. Revenues from time-and-materials or cost-plus contracts are recognized as the services are performed. In such contracts, the Company's effort, measured by time incurred, represents the contractual milestones or output measure, which is the contractual earnings pattern. Revenues from unit-priced contracts are recognized as transactions are processed based on objective measures of output. Revenues from fixed-price contracts are recognized on a straight-line basis, unless revenues are earned and obligations are fulfilled in a different pattern. Outsourcing contracts can also include incentive payments for benefits delivered to clients. Revenues relating to such incentive payments are recorded when the contingency is satisfied and the Company concludes the amounts are earned. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Costs related to delivering outsourcing services are expensed as incurred with the exception of certain transition costs related to the set-up of processes, personnel and systems, which are deferred during the transition period and expensed evenly over the period outsourcing services are provided. The deferred costs are specific internal costs or incremental external costs directly related to transition or set-up activities necessary to enable the outsourced services. Generally, deferred amounts are protected in the event of early termination of the contract and are monitored regularly for impairment. Impairment losses are recorded when projected undiscounted operating cash flows of the related contract are not sufficient to recover the carrying amount of contract assets. Deferred transition costs were $<font class="_mt">508,829</font> and $<font class="_mt">521,776</font> as of August 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and are included in Deferred contract costs. Amounts billable to the client for transition or set-up activities are deferred and recognized as revenue evenly over the period outsourcing services are provided. Deferred transition revenues were $<font class="_mt">496,646</font> and $<font class="_mt">535,939</font> as of August 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and are included in non-current Deferred revenues relating to contract costs. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Revenues for contracts with multiple elements are allocated based on the lesser of the element's relative fair value or the amount that is not contingent on future delivery of another element. If the amount of non-contingent revenues allocated to a delivered element accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting is less than the costs to deliver such services, then such costs are deferred and recognized in future periods when the revenues become non-contingent. Fair value is determined based on the prices charged when each element is sold separately. Revenues are recognized in accordance with the Company's accounting policies for the separate elements, as described above. Elements qualify for separation when the services have value on a stand-alone basis, fair value of the separate elements exists and, in arrangements that include a general right of refund relative to the delivered element, performance of the undelivered element is considered probable and substantially in the Company's control. While determining fair value and identifying separate elements require judgment, generally fair value and the separate elements are readily identifiable as the Company also sells those elements unaccompanied by other elements. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Revenues recognized in excess of billings are recorded as Unbilled services. Billings in excess of revenues recognized are recorded as Deferred revenues until revenue recognition criteria are met. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Revenues before reimbursements ("net revenues") include the margin earned on computer hardware and software, as well as revenues from alliance agreements. Reimbursements include billings for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses and third-party costs, such as the cost of hardware and software resales. In addition, Reimbursements include allocations from gross billings to record an amount equivalent to reimbursable costs, where billings do not specifically identify reimbursable expenses. The Company reports revenues net of any revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transactions. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Employee Share-Based Compensation Arrangements </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period for awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant date fair value of those awards expected to ultimately vest. Forfeitures are estimated on the date of grant and revised if actual or expected forfeiture activity differs materially from original estimates. </font></p> <div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Income Taxes </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">The Company calculates and provides for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it operates. Deferred tax assets and liabilities, measured using enacted tax rates, are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax and financial statement bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance reduces the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company establishes liabilities or reduces assets for uncertain tax positions when the Company believes certain tax positions are not more likely than not of being sustained if challenged. Each fiscal quarter, the Company evaluates these uncertain tax positions and adjusts the related tax assets and liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances.</font></p></div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font> </p> <div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Translation of Non-U.S. Currency Amounts </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at fiscal year-end exchange rates. Revenue and expense items are translated at average foreign currency exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year. Translation adjustments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses arising from intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term investment nature are reported in the same manner as translation adjustments.</font></p></div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font> </p> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 1px;"> </p> <div> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Cash and Cash Equivalents </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Cash and cash equivalents consist of all cash balances and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, including money market funds of $<font class="_mt">425,000</font> and $<font class="_mt">732,167</font> as of August 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As a result of certain subsidiaries' cash management systems, checks issued but not presented to the banks for payment may create negative book cash payables. Such negative balances are classified as Short-term bank borrowings.</font></p></div> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font> </p> <div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Client Receivables, Unbilled Services and Allowances </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">The Company records its client receivables and unbilled services at their face amounts less allowances. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its receivables and unbilled services and establishes allowances based on historical experience and other currently available information. As of August 31, 2010 and 2009, total allowances recorded for client receivables and unbilled services were $<font class="_mt">104,753</font> and $<font class="_mt">101,517</font>, respectively. The allowance reflects the Company's best estimate of collectibility risks on outstanding receivables and unbilled services, particularly from clients in high-risk industries or with potential liquidity issues. In limited circumstances, the Company agrees to extend financing to certain clients. The terms vary by contract, but generally payment for services is contractually linked to the achievement of specified performance milestones.</font></p></div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font> </p> <div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Concentrations of Credit Risk </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">The Company's financial instruments, consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, foreign currency exchange rate instruments, client receivables and unbilled services, are exposed to concentrations of credit risk. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents and foreign exchange instruments with highly-rated financial institutions, limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution and conducts ongoing evaluation of the credit worthiness of the financial institutions with which it does business. Client receivables are dispersed across many different industries and countries; therefore, concentrations of credit risk are limited.</font></p></div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font> </p> <div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Investments </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">All liquid investments with an original maturity greater than 90 days but less than one year are considered to be short-term investments. Investments with an original maturity greater than one year are considered to be long-term investments. Marketable short-term and long-term investments are classified and accounted for as available-for-sale investments. Available-for-sale investments are reported at fair value with changes in unrealized gains and losses recorded as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income until realized. Quoted market prices are used to determine the fair values of common equity and debt securities that were issued by publicly traded entities. Interest and amortization of premiums and discounts for debt securities are included in Interest income. Realized gains and losses on securities are determined based on the First In, First Out method and are included in (Loss) gain on investments, net. The Company does not hold these investments for speculative or trading purposes.</font></p></div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font> </p> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 1px;"> </p> <div class="MetaData"> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Property and Equipment </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives: </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 12px;"> </p> <table class="MetaData" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" align="center"> <tr><td width="68%"> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="3%"> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> <p style="text-indent: -1em; margin-left: 1em;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Buildings</font></p></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">20 to 25 years</font></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> <p style="text-indent: -1em; margin-left: 1em;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Computers, related equipment and software</font></p></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">2 to 7 years</font></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> <p style="text-indent: -1em; margin-left: 1em;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Furniture and fixtures</font></p></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">5 to 10 years</font></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> <p style="text-indent: -1em; margin-left: 1em;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Leasehold improvements</font></p></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Lesser of lease term or 15 years</font></td></tr></table></div> <div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Long-Lived Assets </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets or groups of assets is assessed based on a comparison of the carrying amount to the estimated future net cash flows. If estimated future undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying amount, the asset is considered impaired and expense is recorded at an amount required to reduce the carrying amount to fair value.</font></p></div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font> </p> <div class="MetaData"> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Operating Expenses </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Selected components of operating expenses were as follows: </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 12px;"> </p> <div class="MetaData"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" align="center"> <tr><td width="67%"> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="4%"> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="4%"> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="4%"> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid;" valign="bottom" colspan="10" align="center"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="1"><b>Fiscal</b></font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1"> </font></td></tr> <tr><td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid;" valign="bottom" colspan="2" align="center"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="1"><b>2010</b></font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid;" valign="bottom" colspan="2" align="center"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="1"><b>2009</b></font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid;" valign="bottom" colspan="2" align="center"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="1"><b>2008</b></font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1"> </font></td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#cceeff"><td valign="top"> <p style="text-indent: -1em; margin-left: 1em;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Training costs</font></p></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">$</font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">591,229</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">$</font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">794,218</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">$</font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">985,929</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> <p style="text-indent: -1em; margin-left: 1em;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Research and development costs</font></p></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">383,700</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">434,937</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">390,168</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#cceeff"><td valign="top"> <p style="text-indent: -1em; margin-left: 1em;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Advertising costs</font></p></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">71,157</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">77,315</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">91,034</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> <p style="text-indent: -1em; margin-left: 1em;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Provision for doubtful accounts(1)</font></p></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">3,345</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">75,008</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font class="_mt" size="1">  </font></td> <td valign="bottom"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"> </font></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">1,772</font></td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">  </font></td></tr></table> <p style="border-bottom: #000000 0.5pt solid; line-height: 8px; margin-top: 0px; width: 10%; margin-bottom: 2px;"> </p> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" class="MetaData" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"> <tr><td valign="top" width="3%" align="left"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="1">(1)</font></td> <td class="MetaData" valign="top" align="left"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="1">For additional information, see "— Client Receivables, Unbilled Services and Allowances." </font></td></tr></table></div> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">Subcontractor costs are included in Cost of services as they are incurred. </font></p></div> <div class="MetaData"> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">On September 1, 2009, the Company adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") on business combinations. The guidance establishes principles and requirements for: recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; expensing acquisition-related costs as incurred; and determining what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The Company's adoption of the guidance on business combinations did not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">On September 1, 2009, the Company adopted guidance issued by the FASB on noncontrolling interests, which establishes accounting and reporting standards requiring the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, previously referred to as minority interest, to be presented as a separate component in the shareholders' equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As required, the guidance on noncontrolling interests was applied prospectively with the exception of presentation and disclosure requirements, which were applied retrospectively for all periods presented. </font></p></div> <div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2"><b>Subsequent Events </b></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6px; text-indent: 4%; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to the balance sheet date. Based on this evaluation, the Company is not aware of any events or transactions (other than those disclosed elsewhere) that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to filing that would require recognition or disclosure in its Consolidated Financial Statements. </font></p></div></div></div></div> </div>
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