Receivables (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Impaired non-accrual status term, days	60 days
Total Portfolio	$ 268,087,000	$ 277,423,000	$ 322,454,000
Loans to franchisees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	800,000	2,500,000	0
Emerald Advance lines of credit
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Non-accrual status loans	20,000,000	20,700,000	26,800,000
Term Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	99,700,000	109,100,000	124,200,000
Revolving Lines Of Credit
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	45,500,000	45,400,000	46,000,000
Receivables for tax preparation and related fees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Short-term	$ 1,100,000	$ 1,900,000	$ 800,000