Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$ (2,769,000)	$ (2,054,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	599,000	639,000
Amortization of forgivable loans to brokers	143,000	228,000
Loss on disposition of unconsolidated joint venture	1,051,000
Amortization of note discount	198,000	198,000
Fair value of options	10,000	200,000
Provision bad debt	109,000	(14,000)
Net realized and unrealized loss/gain on securities	53,000	(71,000)
Non-controlling interest	(17,000)	(4,000)
Increase in fair value of derivative liabilities		1,603,000
Changes in assets and liabilities
Deposits with clearing organizations	50,000
Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and others	(807,000)	331,000
Other receivables	(99,000)	(45,000)
Advances to registered representatives	50,000	190,000
Securities owned: marketable, at market value	(479,000)	(784,000)
Securities owned: non-marketable, at fair value	(34,000)	36,000
Other assets	(139,000)	(112,000)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	4,923,000	1,272,000
Payable to broker dealers and clearing organizations	18,000	(1,000)
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at market	(2,000)	(1,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,858,000	1,611,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Redemption of note receivable		500,000
Capital contribution to unconsolidated joint venture	(550,000)
Purchase of fixed assets	(93,000)	(31,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(643,000)	469,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repayment of subordinated borrowings	(60,000)	(550,000)
Repayment of notes payable	(3,000,000)	(500,000)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible note payable	3,100,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		1,585,000
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock		1,334,000
Payment of financing costs		(169,000)
Net cash provided by financing activities	40,000	1,700,000
NET INCREASE IN CASH	2,255,000	3,780,000
CASH BALANCE
Beginning of the period	6,698,000	5,390,000
End of the period	8,953,000	9,170,000
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest	240,000	192,000
Income taxes
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Preferred stock dividends	715,000
Fair value of shares of common stock to satisfy liabilities	450,000
Reclassification of liability contracts to equity		6,464,000
Conversion of Preferred Stock to Common Stock [Member]
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Conversion of Stock	83,000
Embedded Conversion Features [Member]
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Conversion of Stock		$ 530,000