Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 475,157	$ 433,948	$ 265,932
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	115,604	92,407	103,576
Provision for bad debt and loan losses	80,007	90,685	97,365
Provision (benefit) for deferred taxes	20,958	(21,846)	13,227
Stock-based compensation	20,058	15,293	14,968
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	277	3,581	113,951
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Cash and cash equivalents — restricted	2,522	(69,737)	(2,917)
Receivables	(30,376)	(72,662)	49,755
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,355	(3,465)	538
Other noncurrent assets	(40,922)	78,778	25,552
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	34,510	(37,017)	(45,114)
Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes	33,362	(28,861)	(58,210)
Accrued income taxes	121,038	88,459	(92,843)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(7,779)	(71,998)	(88,870)
Other, net	(17,190)	(457)	(34,861)
Net cash provided by operating activities	809,581	497,108	362,049
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(45,158)	(227,177)	(256,173)
Sales, maturities and payments received on available-for-sale securities	107,101	118,411	66,382
Principal payments on mortgage loans held for investment, net	46,664	44,031	49,142
Capital expenditures	(147,011)	(113,239)	(82,457)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(68,428)	(20,742)	(15,258)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net	942	3,785	560,499
Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable	64,865	0	0
Franchise loans:
Franchise loans funded	(63,960)	(70,807)	(46,246)
Payments received on franchise loans	87,220	83,445	56,591
Surrender of company-owned life insurance policies	0	81,125	0
Other, net	28,455	(9,769)	19,387
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	10,690	(110,937)	351,867
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of commercial paper and other short-term borrowings	(316,000)	(1,214,238)	(664,167)
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper and other short-term borrowings	316,000	1,214,238	664,167
Repayments of Long-term Debt	0	(636,621)	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	0	497,185	0
Repayments of long-term debt	0	0	(25,000)
Customer banking deposits, net	(163,952)	103,608	(26,091)
Dividends paid	(218,980)	(217,201)	(208,801)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered	(6,106)	(340,413)	(180,592)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	28,246	25,139	12,275
Other, net	(4,138)	(16,238)	(16,853)
Net cash used in financing activities	(364,930)	(584,541)	(445,062)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash	(17,618)	1,620	(2,364)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	437,723	(196,750)	266,490
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	1,747,584	1,944,334	1,677,844
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	2,185,307	1,747,584	1,944,334
SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW DATA:
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	155,735	155,617	218,444
Interest paid on borrowings	55,221	73,559	69,681
Interest paid on deposits	2,162	5,665	6,843
Transfers of foreclosed loans to other assets	7,644	10,357	10,308
Transfer of Portfolio Loans and Leases to Held-for-sale	7,608	0	0
Accrued additions to property and equipment	5,257	4,261	801
Accrued purchase of common stock	$ 0	$ 0	$ 22,484