Note 12 - Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Detail) - Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses And Other Liabilities (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Commissions payable	$ 6,360,000	$ 7,151,000
Deferred clearing fee credits	223,000	251,000
Telecommunication vendors payable	60,000	75,000
Legal payable	757,000	418,000
Deferred rent payable	227,000	241,000
Accrued compensation	2,000	24,000
Capital lease liability	229,000	279,000
Other vendors	2,465,000	2,858,000
Short-term portion	10,323,000	11,297,000
Long-term portion	280,000	263,000
Total	$ 10,603,000	$ 11,560,000