Segment Reporting - Net Revenues, Expenses and Total Assets by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013 Successor [Member]	May 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Capital Markets [Member]	May 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Asset Management [Member]	Feb. 28, 2013 Predecessor [Member]	May 31, 2012 Predecessor [Member]	May 31, 2012 Predecessor [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member]	Feb. 28, 2013 Predecessor [Member] Capital Markets [Member]	May 31, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Capital Markets [Member]	May 31, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Capital Markets [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Capital Markets [Member]	Feb. 28, 2013 Predecessor [Member] Asset Management [Member]	May 31, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Asset Management [Member]	May 31, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Asset Management [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Asset Management [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 646,462	$ 636,000	$ 10,500	$ 803,387	$ 711,031	$ 1,490,997		$ 792,500	$ 709,100	$ 1,483,500		$ 10,900	$ 1,900	$ 7,500
Expenses	573,906	566,300	7,600	652,939	599,993	1,209,246		645,400	587,400	1,190,500		7,500	12,600	18,700
Segment Assets	$ 38,928,266	$ 38,855,400	$ 72,900				$ 36,293,541				$ 36,277,700				$ 15,800