Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Share capital	Contributed capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Non-controlling interest	Class A non-voting common stock
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2009		$ 47,824	$ 41,978	$ 369,697	$ (543)
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock							3,897
Vested employee share plan awards			(1,710)
Tax shortfall from share-based awards			(101)
Share-based compensation expense			5,919
Net profit for the period attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	20,369			20,369
Dividends ($0.33 per share in 2011 and 2010)				(4,401)
Currency translation adjustment	1,059				1,059
Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax	(963)				(963)
Stockholders' Equity	483,025
Grant of non-controlling interest						731
Net profit attributable to non-controlling interest for the period, net of tax	1,505					1,505
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	485,261	51,721	46,086	385,665	(447)	2,236
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	505,256	51,901	47,808	402,308	207	3,032
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock							10,783
Vested employee share plan awards			(13,348)
Tax shortfall from share-based awards			(1,621)
Share-based compensation expense			3,112
Net profit for the period attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	6,883			6,883
Dividends ($0.33 per share in 2011 and 2010)				(4,506)
Currency translation adjustment	(1,394)				(1,394)
Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax	1,322				1,322
Stockholders' Equity	503,455
Net profit attributable to non-controlling interest for the period, net of tax	1,775					1,775
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 508,262	$ 62,684	$ 35,951	$ 404,685	$ 135	$ 4,807