Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total		Share Capital	Share Capital Class A Stock	Contributed Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Parent	Non-Controlling Interest
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2011			$ 62,726		$ 36,832	$ 408,720	$ (208)		$ 5,333
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock				1,321
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation				(1,866)
Tax benefit (deficiency) from share-based awards					(720)
Share-based expense					3,601
Vested employee share plan awards					(1,316)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest					834				(3,834)
Net income (loss)	(851)					(3,613)		(3,613)	2,762
Dividends paid ($0.44 per share for the years 2012, 2013 & 2014)						(5,986)
Currency translation adjustment	415	[1]					415
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2012	505,001		62,181		39,231	399,121	207	500,740	4,261
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock				1,642
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation				(3,625)
Tax benefit (deficiency) from share-based awards					(78)
Share-based expense					5,145
Vested employee share plan awards					(1,891)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest					0				0
Net income (loss)	26,153					25,061		25,061	1,092
Dividends paid ($0.44 per share for the years 2012, 2013 & 2014)						(5,978)
Currency translation adjustment	1,502	[1]					1,502
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	527,871		60,198		42,407	418,204	1,709	522,518	5,353
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock				2,199
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation				0
Tax benefit (deficiency) from share-based awards					1,194
Share-based expense					5,694
Vested employee share plan awards					(4,177)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest					0				0
Net income (loss)	9,561					8,826		8,826	735
Dividends paid ($0.44 per share for the years 2012, 2013 & 2014)						(5,983)
Currency translation adjustment	(2,627)	[1]					(2,627)
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 533,732		$ 62,397		$ 45,118	$ 421,047	$ (918)	$ 527,644	$ 6,088

[1] Total other comprehensive (loss) income is attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. No other comprehensive income (loss) is attributable to non-controlling interests.