Receivables (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Tax returns prepared but not yet filed [Line Items]	$ 1,800,000
Document Fiscal Year Focus		2014
Impaired non-accrual status term, days		60 days
Total Portfolio	291,325,000	291,325,000	372,139,000	350,235,000
Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable		64,865,000	0
Loans to franchisees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	219,517,000	219,517,000	237,834,000	168,460,000
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	600,000	600,000	0	100,000
Emerald Advance lines of credit
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Non-accrual status loans	25,700,000	25,700,000	30,700,000	30,000,000
Receivables, net	450,145,000	450,145,000	473,041,000	33,037,000
Term Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	132,300,000	132,300,000	144,500,000	121,200,000
Revolving Lines Of Credit
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	87,200,000	87,200,000	93,300,000	47,300,000
Receivables for tax preparation and related fees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	10,099,000	10,099,000	13,052,000	47,658,000
Short-term	500,000	500,000	1,300,000	1,800,000
Royalties from franchisees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	16,988,000	16,988,000	20,265,000	23,271,000
McGladrey & Pullen LLP
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Note receivable, discontinued operation	$ 54,000,000	$ 54,000,000