Note 9 - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Notes Tables

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2020
Assets	Carrying Value		Level 1		Level 2		Total Estimated Fair Value
Cash	$	27,327,000	$	27,327,000	$	—	$	27,327,000
Cash deposits with clearing organizations		686,000		686,000		—		686,000
Receivables from broker-dealers and clearing organizations		3,367,000		—		3,367,000		3,367,000
Forgivable loans receivable		4,269,000		—		4,269,000		4,269,000
Other Receivables, Net		12,394,000		—		12,394,000		12,394,000
	$	48,043,000	$	28,013,000	$	20,030,000	$	48,043,000
Liabilities
Accrued commissions and payroll payable		15,445,000		—		15,445,000		15,445,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		9,656,000		—		9,656,000		9,656,000
	$	25,101,000	$	—	$	25,101,000	$	25,101,000

	September 30, 2019
Assets	Carrying Value		Level 1		Level 2		Total Estimated Fair Value
Cash	$	30,443,000	$	30,443,000	$	—	$	30,443,000
Cash deposits with clearing organizations		436,000		436,000		—		436,000
Receivables from broker-dealers and clearing organizations		3,490,000		—		3,490,000		3,490,000
Forgivable loans receivable		1,834,000		—		1,834,000		1,834,000
Other Receivables, Net		5,672,000		—		5,672,000		5,672,000
	$	41,875,000	$	30,879,000	$	10,996,000	$	41,875,000
Liabilities
Accrued commissions and payroll payable		18,590,000		—		18,590,000		18,590,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		8,643,000		—		8,643,000		8,643,000
	$	27,233,000	$	—	$	27,233,000	$	27,233,000

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2020
Assets	Carrying Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Estimated Fair Value
Securities owned
Corporate stocks	$	137,000	$	137,000	$	—	$	—	$	137,000
Municipal bonds		332,000		332,000		—		—		332,000
Restricted stock		529,000		—		529,000		—		529,000
Corporate Bonds		438,000		—		438,000		—		438,000
Warrants		3,303,000		—		2,228,000		1,075,000		3,303,000
	$	4,739,000	$	469,000	$	3,195,000	$	1,075,000	$	4,739,000
Liabilities
Contingent consideration		10,401,000		—		—		10,401,000		10,401,000
	$	10,401,000	$	—	$	—	$	10,401,000	$	10,401,000

	September 30, 2019
Assets	Carrying Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Estimated Fair Value
Securities owned
Corporate stocks	$	6,282,000	$	6,282,000	$	—	$	—	$	6,282,000
Municipal bonds		20,000		20,000		—		—		20,000
Restricted stock		725,000		—		725,000		—		725,000
Warrants		5,454,000		—		1,529,000		3,925,000		5,454,000
	$	12,481,000	$	6,302,000	$	2,254,000	$	3,925,000	$	12,481,000
Liabilities
Contingent consideration		1,620,000		—		—		1,620,000		1,620,000
	$	1,620,000	$	—	$	—	$	1,620,000	$	1,620,000

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	Beginning Balance as of September 30, 2019		Net Realized Gain or (losses)		Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)			Purchases		Sales		Transfer into Level 3 (a)		Transfer Out of Level 3 (b)			Ending Balance as of September 30, 2020
Assets
Warrants	$	3,925,000	$	—	$	(2,401,000	)	$	—	$	—	$	75,000	$	(524,000	)	$	1,075,000

	Beginning Balance as of September 30, 2018		Net realized Gain or (losses)		Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)			Purchases		Sales		Transfer into Level 3 (a)		Transfer Out of Level 3 (b)			Ending Balance as of September 30, 2019
Assets
Warrants	$	3,279,000	$	—	$	(73,000	)	$	—	$	—	$	883,000	$	(164,000	)	$	3,925,000

Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block]

Financial Instruments Owned	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Input(s)	Input/Range
Warrants	$	1,075,000	Market Approach	Discount for lack of marketability		25% - 46%
				Volatility		65% - 122%

Financial Instruments Owned	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Input(s)	Input/Range
Warrants	$	3,925,000	Market Approach	Discount for lack of marketability		21% - 44%
				Volatility		55% - 120%