Receivables (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																								3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013 Loans to franchisees	Apr. 30, 2013 Loans to franchisees	Jul. 31, 2012 Loans to franchisees	Jul. 31, 2013 Emerald Advance lines of credit	Apr. 30, 2013 Emerald Advance lines of credit	Jul. 31, 2012 Emerald Advance lines of credit	Jul. 31, 2013 Term Loans	Apr. 30, 2013 Term Loans	Jul. 31, 2012 Term Loans	Jul. 31, 2013 Revolving Lines Of Credit	Apr. 30, 2013 Revolving Lines Of Credit	Jul. 31, 2012 Revolving Lines Of Credit	Jul. 31, 2013 Receivables for tax preparation and related fees	Apr. 30, 2013 Receivables for tax preparation and related fees	Jul. 31, 2012 Receivables for tax preparation and related fees	Jul. 31, 2013 Royalties from franchisees	Apr. 30, 2013 Royalties from franchisees	Jul. 31, 2012 Royalties from franchisees	Jul. 31, 2013 McGladrey & Pullen LLP	Apr. 30, 2013 McGladrey & Pullen LLP	Jul. 31, 2012 McGladrey & Pullen LLP	Jul. 31, 2013 Consumer Credit Card Financing Receivable [Member]	Apr. 30, 2013 Consumer Credit Card Financing Receivable [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Non-accrual status loans							$ 26,800,000	$ 30,000,000	$ 30,300,000
Impaired non-accrual status term, days	60 days
Receivables, net				170,160,000	168,460,000	173,269,000	29,555,000	33,037,000	35,904,000	124,200,000	121,200,000	129,300,000	46,000,000	47,300,000	44,000,000	2,412,000	47,658,000	6,601,000	22,755,000	23,271,000	0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due				2,500,000	100,000	500,000
Short-term																800,000	1,800,000	2,600,000
Unamortized Deferred Fees, Capitalized																									1,100,000	2,100,000
Note receivable, discontinued operation																						54,000,000
Long-term note, interest rate																						8.00%
Total Portfolio	$ 322,454,000	$ 350,235,000	$ 405,670,000																			$ 61,561,000	$ 60,352,000	$ 56,900,000