Segment Information (Continuing Operations by Operating Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2009	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Apr. 30, 2009
Revenues							$ 3,774,296	$ 3,874,332	$ 4,083,577
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes (benefit)	(175,119)	(207,317)	1,110,410	97,451	(212,853)	(210,873)	677,025	784,135	839,370
Depreciation and amortization							121,633	126,901	123,631
Capital expenditures							62,959	90,515	97,880
Identifiable assets			5,234,318				5,207,961	5,234,318	5,359,722
Tax Services [Member]
Revenues							2,912,361	2,975,252	3,132,077
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes (benefit)							767,498	867,362	927,048
Depreciation and amortization							87,666	88,523	79,415
Capital expenditures							43,043	78,108	76,305
Identifiable assets			2,279,161				2,267,236	2,279,161	2,117,475
Business Services [Member]
Revenues							829,794	860,349	897,809
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes (benefit)							49,003	58,714	96,097
Depreciation and amortization							30,692	33,064	36,748
Capital expenditures							19,873	12,318	21,185
Identifiable assets			806,688				851,764	806,688	897,250
Corporate [Member]
Revenues							32,141	38,731	53,691
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes (benefit)							(139,476)	(141,941)	(183,775)
Depreciation and amortization							3,275	5,314	7,468
Capital expenditures							43	89	390
Identifiable assets			$ 2,148,469				$ 2,088,961	$ 2,148,469	$ 2,344,997