Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$ 454,000	$ (2,769,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	535,000	599,000
Amortization of forgivable loans to brokers	135,000	143,000
Loss on disposition of unconsolidated joint venture		1,051,000
Amortization of note discount		198,000
Fair value of options		10,000
Provision bad debt	(97,000)	109,000
Net realized and unrealized loss (gain) on securities	(18,000)	53,000
Non-controlling interest	(7,000)	(17,000)
Changes in assets and liabilities
Deposits with clearing organizations		50,000
Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and others	78,000	(807,000)
Other receivables	(503,000)	(99,000)
Advances to registered representatives	9,000	50,000
Securities owned: marketable, at market value	(1,358,000)	(479,000)
Securities owned: non-marketable, at fair value	(367,000)	(34,000)
Other assets	(81,000)	(139,000)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,092,000	4,923,000
Payable to broker-dealers and clearing organizations	(106,000)	18,000
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at market	212,000	(2,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(22,000)	2,858,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital contribution to unconsolidated joint venture		(550,000)
Purchase of fixed assets	(36,000)	(93,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(36,000)	(643,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repayment of subordinated borrowings		(60,000)
Repayment of notes payable	(2,800,000)	(3,000,000)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable		3,100,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	8,420,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	5,620,000	40,000
NET INCREASE IN CASH	5,562,000	2,255,000
CASH BALANCE
Beginning of the period	7,934,000	6,698,000
End of the period	13,496,000	8,953,000
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest	333,000	240,000
Income taxes
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Preferred stock dividends		715,000
Deemed distribution to noncontrolling interest	146,000
Conversion of Preferred Stock to shares of common stock	6,156,000	83,000
Common Stock to Liability [Member]
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Conversion of debt	125,000	450,000
Debt to Equity [Member]
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Conversion of debt	5,000,000
Warrants to Equity [Member]
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Conversion of debt	$ 259,000