Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues
Commissions	$ 20,769,000	$ 20,484,000	$ 36,809,000	$ 33,687,000
Net dealer inventory gains	4,310,000	3,686,000	6,912,000	6,762,000
Investment banking	2,334,000	4,232,000	4,389,000	8,987,000
Interest and dividends	1,004,000	663,000	2,050,000	1,366,000
Transfer fees and clearing services	2,033,000	2,141,000	4,040,000	3,971,000
Investment advisory fees and other income	2,499,000	2,003,000	5,193,000	3,835,000
Total Revenues	32,949,000	33,209,000	59,393,000	58,608,000
Operating Expenses
Commissions, compensation and fees	28,329,000	29,682,000	51,164,000	52,412,000
Clearing fees	575,000	374,000	997,000	834,000
Communications	1,149,000	1,162,000	2,267,000	2,362,000
Occupancy, equipment and other administrative costs	981,000	1,345,000	1,754,000	2,206,000
Professional fees	764,000	643,000	1,535,000	1,174,000
Interest	66,000	276,000	230,000	552,000
Taxes, licenses, registration	369,000	440,000	777,000	803,000
Total Operating Expenses	32,233,000	33,922,000	58,724,000	60,343,000
Net Income (Loss) from Operations	716,000	(713,000)	669,000	(1,735,000)
Other Expenses
Loss on disposition of unconsolidated joint venture		(1,051,000)		(1,051,000)
Loss on investment in unaffiliated entity	(162,000)		(162,000)
Income tax expense - Current	(60,000)		(60,000)
Total Other Expenses	(222,000)	(1,051,000)	(222,000)	(1,051,000)
Net income (loss) before non-controlling interest	494,000	(1,764,000)	447,000	(2,786,000)
Non-controlling interest		4,000	7,000	17,000
Net income (loss)	494,000	(1,760,000)	454,000	(2,769,000)
Preferred stock dividends				(93,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 494,000	$ (1,760,000)	$ 454,000	$ (2,862,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ (0.07)	$ 0.01	$ (0.12)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders: Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ (0.07)	$ 0.01	$ (0.12)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Basic (in Shares)	72,232,218	26,088,530	49,289,601	23,855,581
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Diluted (in Shares)	74,743,336	26,088,530	55,324,608	23,855,581