Variable Interest Entity - Assets and Liabilities of Variable Interest Entity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 196,389	$ 126,213	$ 29,904	$ 17,510
Investment in receivable portfolios, net	1,904,030	1,590,249	801,525		873,119
Property and equipment, net	55,879	55,783
Other assets	181,697	154,783
Goodwill	844,567	504,213
Total assets(1)	3,434,696	2,685,274
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	124,803	137,272
Debt	2,612,133	1,850,431
Other liabilities	99,469	95,100
Total liabilities(1)	2,836,405	2,082,803
Janus Holdings [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	95,109	62,403
Investment in receivable portfolios, net	954,147	620,312
Deferred court costs, net	854	0
Property and equipment, net	15,034	13,755
Other assets	78,812	33,772
Goodwill	713,450	376,296
Total assets(1)	1,857,406	1,106,538
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	53,817	47,219
Debt	1,586,259	846,676
Other liabilities	7,081	1,897
Total liabilities(1)	$ 1,647,157	$ 895,792