Business Combinations - Summary of Operating Performance (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 237,099	$ 235,558	$ 156,121	$ 144,586	$ 143,903	$ 145,218	$ 141,246	$ 126,410	$ 773,364	$ 556,777	$ 448,746
Total operating expenses	(168,466)	(174,429)	(126,238)	(105,872)	(103,872)	(103,621)	(102,809)	(91,394)	(575,005)	(401,696)	(328,566)
Income from operations									198,359	155,081	120,180
Interest expense-non-PEC									(73,269)	(25,564)	(21,116)
PEC interest (expense) income									15,906	10,460
(Loss) income before income taxes									120,868	130,325	98,669
Provision for income taxes									(45,388)	(51,754)	(38,076)
Net (loss) income	22,216	21,064	11,012	19,448					73,740	69,477	60,958
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,559
Net (loss) income attributable to Encore	22,953	21,886	11,012	19,448	20,167	21,308	16,596	11,406	75,299	69,477	60,958
Janus Holdings [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues									95,491
Total operating expenses									(48,890)
Income from operations									46,601
Other income									98
(Loss) income before income taxes									(1,182)
Provision for income taxes									(1,574)
Net (loss) income									(2,756)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									392
Net (loss) income attributable to Encore									(2,364)
Janus Holdings [Member] | Non Preferred Equity Certificate [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interest expense-non-PEC									(26,265)
Janus Holdings [Member] | Preferred Equity Certificate [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
PEC interest (expense) income									(21,616)
Encore Europe [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues
Total operating expenses
Income from operations
Other income
(Loss) income before income taxes									10,235
Provision for income taxes
Net (loss) income									10,235
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,167
Net (loss) income attributable to Encore									11,402
Encore Europe [Member] | Non Preferred Equity Certificate [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interest expense-non-PEC
Encore Europe [Member] | Preferred Equity Certificate [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
PEC interest (expense) income									10,235
Encore Europe Consolidated [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues									95,491
Total operating expenses									(48,890)
Income from operations									46,601
Other income									98
(Loss) income before income taxes									9,053
Provision for income taxes									(1,574)
Net (loss) income									7,479
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,559
Net (loss) income attributable to Encore									9,038
Encore Europe Consolidated [Member] | Non Preferred Equity Certificate [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interest expense-non-PEC									(26,265)
Encore Europe Consolidated [Member] | Preferred Equity Certificate [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
PEC interest (expense) income									$ (11,381)