Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Class A non-voting common stock	Share capital	Contributed capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Non-controlling interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2008			$ 43,653	$ 34,924	$ 356,705	$ (1,328)
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock		4,730
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation			(559)
Tax (shortfall) benefit from share-based awards				230
Share-based expense				7,001
Vested employee share plan awards				(177)
Net profit for the year attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	20,824				20,824
Dividends paid ($0.44 per share)					(5,776)
Currency translation adjustment	(99)					(99)
Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax	884					884
Total Stockholders' Equity	461,012
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	461,012		47,824	41,978	371,753	(543)
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock		4,077
Tax (shortfall) benefit from share-based awards				(71)
Share-based expense				7,611
Vested employee share plan awards				(1,710)
Net profit for the year attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	38,532				38,532
Dividends paid ($0.44 per share)					(5,871)
Currency translation adjustment	1,597					1,597
Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax	(847)					(847)
Total Stockholders' Equity	504,330
Grant of non-controlling interest							784
Net profit attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax	2,248						2,248
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	507,362		51,901	47,808	404,414	207	3,032
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock		10,825
Tax (shortfall) benefit from share-based awards				(1,629)
Share-based expense				4,039
Vested employee share plan awards				(13,386)
Net profit for the year attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	10,316				10,316
Dividends paid ($0.44 per share)					(6,010)
Currency translation adjustment	(1,737)					(1,737)
Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax	1,322					1,322
Total Stockholders' Equity	508,070
Net profit attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax	2,301						2,301
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 513,403		$ 62,726	$ 36,832	$ 408,720	$ (208)	$ 5,333