Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Schedule of Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 614,399	$ 586,004
Accumulated Amortization	(246,480)	(218,572)
Net	367,919	367,432
Tax Services [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	87,624	67,705
Accumulated Amortization	(41,076)	(33,096)
Net	46,548	34,609
Tax Services [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	23,456	23,062
Accumulated Amortization	(22,059)	(21,278)
Net	1,397	1,784
Tax Services [Member] | Reacquired Franchise Rights [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	214,330	223,773
Accumulated Amortization	(9,961)	(6,096)
Net	204,369	217,677
Tax Services [Member] | Franchise Agreements [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	19,201	19,201
Accumulated Amortization	(3,093)	(1,813)
Net	16,108	17,388
Tax Services [Member] | Purchased Technology [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	14,700	14,500
Accumulated Amortization	(8,505)	(6,266)
Net	6,195	8,234
Tax Services [Member] | Trade Name - Amortizing [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,325	1,325
Accumulated Amortization	(600)	(400)
Net	725	925
Business Services [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	152,079	145,149
Accumulated Amortization	(128,738)	(120,037)
Net	23,341	25,112
Business Services [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	35,818	33,052
Accumulated Amortization	(24,662)	(22,118)
Net	11,156	10,934
Business Services [Member] | Trade Name - Amortizing [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	2,600	2,600
Accumulated Amortization	(2,600)	(2,600)
Business Services [Member] | Trade Name - non-amortizing [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	55,637	55,637
Accumulated Amortization	(4,868)	(4,868)
Net	50,769	50,769
Attest Firm Affiliation [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	7,629
Accumulated Amortization	(318)
Net	$ 7,311