Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
REVENUE:
Commissions	$ 492,228	$ 537,730	$ 555,574
Principal transactions, net	47,660	78,384	106,141
Interest	56,779	45,871	35,960
Investment banking	119,202	134,906	90,960
Advisory fees	197,097	187,888	160,705
Other	46,026	51,494	41,140
Total revenue	958,992	1,036,273	990,480
EXPENSES:
Compensation and related expenses	626,767	676,041	668,784
Clearing and exchange fees	24,991	25,754	26,748
Communications and technology	62,673	64,700	62,873
Occupancy and equipment costs	76,509	74,389	74,372
Interest	38,026	25,750	21,429
Other	112,178	101,648	99,207
Total expenses	941,144	968,282	953,413
Profit before income taxes	17,848	67,991	37,067
Income tax provision	5,231	27,211	16,243
Net profit for the year	12,617	40,780	20,824
Less net profit attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax	2,301	2,248
Net profit attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	$ 10,316	$ 38,532	$ 20,824
Earnings per share attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.
Basic	$ 0.76	$ 2.89	$ 1.59
Diluted	$ 0.74	$ 2.77	$ 1.55
Weighted average shares
Basic	13,638,087	13,340,846	13,110,647
Diluted	13,936,733	13,897,261	13,441,279