Note 4 - Consumer Receivables Acquired for Liquidation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Face Value of Charged-off Consumer Receivables	$ 11.0	$ 97.7
Purchased Cost of Charged-off Consumer Receivables	$ 0.5	$ 4.4
Fee Charged on Portfolio Purchase	3.00%

Represents the purchased cost of charged-off consumer receivables.

No definition available.

Name:	asfi_PurchasedCostOfChargedoffConsumerReceivables
Namespace Prefix:	asfi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration