Receivables (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 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	$ 258,728,000	$ 277,423,000	$ 306,103,000
Loans to franchisees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	2,400,000	100,000	0
Emerald Advance lines of credit
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Non-accrual status loans	20,000,000	20,700,000	26,200,000
Term Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	100,600,000	109,100,000	126,300,000
Revolving Lines Of Credit
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	46,400,000	45,400,000	53,000,000
Receivables for tax preparation and related fees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Short-term	$ 0	$ 1,900,000	$ 100,000