Note 12 - Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Detail) - Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses And Other Liabilities (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Commissions payable	$ 8,679,000	$ 7,151,000
Deferred clearing fee credits	112,000	112,000
Telecommunication vendors payable	114,000	75,000
Legal fees payable	656,000	418,000
Deferred rent payable	212,000	241,000
Accrued compensation	2,000	24,000
Capital lease liability	136,000	171,000
Other vendors	2,510,000	3,105,000
Short-term portion	12,421,000	11,297,000
Long-term portion	236,000	263,000
Total	$ 12,657,000	$ 11,560,000