Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of significant accounting policies	1. Summary of significant accounting policies Basis of Presentation Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. (“OPY”) is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. On May 11, 2009, the jurisdiction of incorporation of OPY was changed from Canada to Delaware. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of OPY and its subsidiaries (together, the “Company”). The principal subsidiaries of OPY are Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”), a registered broker dealer in securities, Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. (“OAM”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Oppenheimer Investment Management Inc. (“OIM”), both registered investment advisors under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, Oppenheimer Trust Company, a limited purpose trust company chartered by the State of New Jersey to provide fiduciary services such as trust and estate administration and investment management, Oppenheimer Multifamily Housing and Healthcare Finance, Inc. (formerly Evanston Financial Corporation) (“OMHHF”), which is engaged in mortgage brokerage and servicing, and OPY Credit Corp., which offers syndication as well as trading of issued corporate loans. Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. (formerly Oppenheimer E.U. Ltd.), based in the United Kingdom, provides institutional equities and fixed income brokerage and corporate financial services and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited, based in Hong Kong, China, provides assistance in accessing the U.S. equities markets and limited mergers and acquisitions advisory services to Asia-based companies. Oppenheimer operates as Fahnestock & Co. Inc. in Latin America. Oppenheimer owns Freedom Investments, Inc. (“Freedom”), a registered broker dealer in securities, which also operates as the BUYandHOLD division of Freedom, offering on-line discount brokerage and dollar-based investing services, and Oppenheimer Israel (OPCO) Ltd., which is engaged in offering investment services in the State of Israel as a local broker dealer. Oppenheimer holds a trading permit on the New York Stock Exchange and is a member of several other regional exchanges in the United States. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for purpose of inclusion in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its annual report to stockholders. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Accounting standards require the Company to present non-controlling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owns 67.34% of OMHHF and the non-controlling interest recorded in the consolidated balance sheet was $5.3 million. The Company intends to purchase non-controlling interest shares of 16.33% in 2012 which will take its interest to 83.67%. Certain prior period amounts appearing in the notes to these consolidated financial statements pertaining to the fair value measurement of derivative contracts have been reclassified to conform with current presentation. Description of Business The Company engages in a broad range of activities in the financial services industry, including retail securities brokerage, institutional sales and trading, investment banking (both corporate and public finance), research, market-making, trust services, mortgage banking and investment advisory and asset management services. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. In presenting the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates regarding valuations of financial instruments, loans and allowances for credit losses, the outcome of legal and regulatory matters, the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets, valuation of stock-based compensation plans, and income taxes. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results could be materially different from these estimates. A discussion of certain areas in which estimates are a significant component of the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements follows. *Financial Instruments and Fair Value* Financial Instruments Securities owned and securities sold but not yet purchased, investments and derivative contracts are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period. The Company’s other financial instruments are generally short-term in nature or have variable interest rates and as such their carrying values approximate fair value, with the exception of notes receivable from employees which are carried at cost. Financial Instruments Used for Asset and Liability Management For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains or losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings. On September 29, 2006, the Company entered into interest rate swap transactions to hedge the interest payments associated with its floating rate Senior Secured Credit Note, which was subject to change due to changes in 3-Month LIBOR. See note 8 for further information. These swaps were designated as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of the swap hedges were expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the interest payments due to changes in 3-Month LIBOR. On January 20, 2009, the Company entered into an interest rate cap contract, incorporating a series of purchased caplets with fixed maturity dates ending December 31, 2012, to hedge the interest payments associated with its floating rate Subordinated Note, which was subject to change due to changes in 3-Month LIBOR. See note 8 for further information. Fair Value Measurements The Company adopted the accounting guidance for the fair value measurement of financial assets, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value measurement hierarchy, and expands fair value measurement disclosures. Fair value, as defined by the accounting guidance, is the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy established by this accounting guidance prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into the following three categories (highest to lowest priority): Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets; Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and Level 3: Unobservable inputs. The Company’s financial instruments are recorded at fair value and generally are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy using quoted market prices or quotes from market makers or broker-dealers. Financial instruments classified within Level 1 are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets and consist of U.S. government, federal agency, and sovereign government obligations, corporate equities, and certain money market instruments. Level 2 financial instruments primarily consist of investment grade and high-yield corporate debt, convertible bonds, mortgage and asset-backed securities, municipal obligations, and certain money market instruments. Financial instruments classified as Level 2 are valued based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active. Some financial instruments are classified within Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as observable pricing inputs are not available due to limited market activity for the asset or liability. Such financial instruments include investments in hedge funds and private equity funds where the Company, through its subsidiaries, is general partner, less-liquid private label mortgage and asset-backed securities, certain distressed municipal securities, and auction rate securities. A description of the valuation techniques applied and inputs used in measuring the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is located in note 5. Fair Value Option The Company has the option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period. The Company may make a fair value option election on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument. The Company has elected to apply the fair value option to its loan trading portfolio which resides in OPY Credit Corp. and is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Management has elected this treatment as it is consistent with the manner in which the business is managed as well as the way that financial instruments in other parts of the business are recorded. The Company also elected the fair value option for those securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”) and securities purchased under agreements to resell (“reverse repurchase agreements”) that do not settle overnight or have an open settlement date or that are not accounted for as purchase and sale agreements (such as repo-to-maturity transactions). The Company has elected the fair value option for these instruments to more accurately reflect market and economic events in its earnings and to mitigate a potential imbalance in earnings caused by using different measurement attributes (i.e. fair value versus carrying value) for certain assets and liabilities. Financing Receivables The Company’s financing receivables include customer margin loans, securities purchased under agreements to resell (“reverse repurchase agreements”), and securities borrowed transactions. The Company uses financing receivables to extend margin loans to customers, meet trade settlement requirements, and facilitate its matched-book arrangements and inventory requirements. Allowance for Credit Losses The Company’s financing receivables are secured by collateral received from clients and counterparties. In many cases, the Company is permitted to sell or repledge securities held as collateral. These securities may be used to collateralize repurchase agreements, to enter into securities lending agreements, to cover short positions or fulfill the obligation of fails to deliver. The Company monitors the market value of the collateral received on a daily basis and may require clients and counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged, when appropriate. Customer receivables, primarily consisting of customer margin loans collateralized by customer-owned securities, are stated net of allowance for credit losses. The Company reviews large customer accounts that do not comply with the Company’s margin requirements on a case-by-case basis to determine the likelihood of collection and records an allowance for credit loss following that process. For small customer accounts that do not comply with the Company’s margin requirements, the allowance for credit loss is generally recorded as the amount of unsecured or partially secured receivables. The Company also makes loans or pays advances to financial advisers as part of its hiring process. Reserves are established on these receivables if the financial advisor is no longer associated with the Company and the receivable has not been promptly repaid or if it is determined that it is probable the amount will not be collected. *Legal and Regulatory Reserves* The Company records reserves related to legal and regulatory proceedings in accounts payable and other liabilities. The determination of the amounts of these reserves requires significant judgment on the part of management. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes reserves for litigation and regulatory matters where available information indicates that it is probable a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss. When loss contingencies are not probable and cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company does not establish reserves. When determining whether to record a reserve, management considers many factors including, but not limited to, the amount of the claim; the stage and forum of the proceeding, the sophistication of the claimant, the amount of the loss, if any, in the client’s account and the possibility of wrongdoing, if any, on the part of an employee of the Company; the basis and validity of the claim; previous results in similar cases; and applicable legal precedents and case law. Each legal and regulatory proceeding is reviewed with counsel in each accounting period and the reserve is adjusted as deemed appropriate by management. Any change in the reserve amount is recorded in the results of that period. The assumptions of management in determining the estimates of reserves may be incorrect and the actual disposition of a legal or regulatory proceeding could be greater or less than the reserve amount. *Goodwill* Goodwill arose upon the acquisitions of Oppenheimer, Old Michigan Corp., Josephthal & Co. Inc., Grand Charter Group Incorporated and the Oppenheimer Divisions, as defined below. The Company defines a reporting unit as an operating segment. The Company’s goodwill resides in its Private Client Division (“PCD”). Goodwill of a reporting unit is subject to at least an annual test for impairment to determine if the fair value of goodwill of a reporting unit is less than its estimated carrying amount. Goodwill of a reporting unit is required to be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company derives the estimated carrying amount of its operating segments by estimating the amount of stockholders’ equity required to support the activities of each operating segment. Goodwill recorded as at December 31, 2011 has been tested for impairment and it has been determined that no impairment has occurred. See note 16 for further discussion. Excess of fair value of assets acquired over cost arose from the January 2008 acquisition of certain businesses from CIBC World Markets Corp. If the earn-out from this acquisition exceeds $5.0 million in any of the five years from 2008 through 2012, the excess will first reduce the excess of fair value of acquired assets over cost and second will create goodwill. *Intangible Assets* Intangible assets arose upon the acquisition, in January 2003, of the U.S. Private Client and Asset Management Divisions of CIBC World Markets Corp. (the “Oppenheimer Divisions”) and comprise customer relationships and trademarks and trade names. Customer relationships of $4.9 million were amortized on a straight-line basis over 80 months commencing in January 2003 (fully amortized and carried at $nil since December 31, 2010). Trademarks and trade names, carried at $31.7 million, which are not amortized, are subject to at least an annual test for impairment to determine if the fair value is less than their carrying amount. Trademarks and trade names recorded as at December 31, 2011 have been tested for impairment and it has been determined that no impairment has occurred. See note 16 for further discussion. Intangible assets also arose from the January 2008 acquisition of certain businesses from CIBC World Markets Corp. and are comprised of customer relationships and a below market lease. Customer relationships are carried at $690,000 (which is net of accumulated amortization of $251,000) as at December 31, 2011 and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 180 months commencing in January 2008. The below market lease is carried at $3.2 million (which is net of accumulated amortization of $18.1 million) at December 31, 2011. The below market lease was determined to amortize on a straight-line basis over 60 months commencing in January 2008. However, due to the plan to consolidate the Company’s headquarters, the Company notified its landlord of its intent to terminate the lease which resulted in a reevaluation of the remaining useful life of the below market lease intangible asset and amortized $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The Company will accelerate the amortization of the remaining $3.2 million during the first quarter of 2012. *Share-Based Compensation Plans* The Company estimates the fair value of share-based awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and applies to it a forfeiture rate based on historical experience. Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of share-based awards include the expected term and the expected volatility of the Company’s Class A Stock over the term of the award, the risk-free interest rate over the expected term, and the Company’s expected annual dividend yield. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by persons who receive share-based awards. See note 13 for further discussion. *Revenue Recognition* Brokerage Customers’ securities and commodities transactions are reported on a settlement date basis, which is generally three business days after trade date for securities transactions and one day for commodities transactions. Related commission income and expense is recorded on a trade date basis. Principal transactions Transactions in proprietary securities and related revenue and expenses are recorded on a trade date basis. Securities owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased, are reported at fair value generally based upon quoted prices. Realized and unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in principal transactions, net in the period in which the change occurs. Fees Underwriting revenues and advisory fees from mergers, acquisitions and restructuring transactions are recorded when services for the transactions are substantially completed and income is reasonably determinable, generally as set forth under the terms of the engagement. Transaction-related expenses, primarily consisting of legal, travel and other costs directly associated with the transaction, are deferred and recognized in the same period as the related investment banking transaction revenue. Underwriting revenues are presented net of related expenses. Non-reimbursed expenses associated with advisory transactions are recorded within other expenses. Asset Management Asset management fees are generally recognized over the period the related service is provided based on the account value at the valuation date per the respective asset management agreements. In certain circumstances, OAM is entitled to receive performance fees when the return on assets under management exceeds certain benchmark returns or other performance targets. Performance fees are generally based on investment performance over a 12-month period and are not subject to adjustment once the measurement period ends. Such fees are computed as at the fund’s year-end when the measurement period ends and generally are recorded as earned in the fourth quarter of the Company’s fiscal year. Asset management fees and performance fees are included in advisory fees in the consolidated statements of operations. Assets under management are not included as assets of the Company. *Balance Sheet Items* Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company defines cash equivalents as highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than 90 days that are not held for sale in the ordinary course of business. Receivables From / Payables To Brokers and Clearing Organizations Securities borrowed and securities loaned are carried at the amounts of cash collateral advanced or received. Securities borrowed transactions require the Company to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. The Company receives cash or collateral in an amount generally in excess of the market value of securities loaned. The Company monitors the market value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis and may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged, when appropriate. Securities failed to deliver and receive represent the contract value of securities which have not been received or delivered by settlement date. Notes Receivable The Company had notes receivable, net from employees of approximately $54.0 million at December 31, 2011. The notes are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at face value of approximately $117.5 million less accumulated amortization and reserves of $54.9 million and $8.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2011. These amounts represent recruiting and retention payments generally in the form of upfront loans to financial advisers and key revenue producers as part of the Company’s overall growth strategy. These loans are generally forgiven over a service period of 3 to 5 years from the initial date of the loan or based on productivity levels of employees and all such notes are contingent on the employees’ continued employment with the Company. The unforgiven portion of the notes becomes due on demand in the event the employee departs during the service period. Amortization of notes receivable is included in the consolidated statements of operations in compensation and related expenses. Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase Transactions involving purchases of securities under agreements to resell (“reverse repurchase agreements”) or sales of securities under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”) are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at their contractual amounts plus accrued interest. The resulting interest income and expense for these arrangements are included in interest income and interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company can present the reverse repurchase and repurchase transactions on a net-by-counterparty basis when the specific offsetting requirements are satisfied. See note 5 for further discussion. From time-to-time, the Company enters into securities financing transactions that mature on the same date as the underlying collateral (referred to as “repo-to-maturity” transactions). The Company accounts for these transactions in accordance with the accounting guidance for transfers and servicing. Such transactions are treated as a sale of financial assets and a forward repurchase commitment, or conversely as a purchase of financial assets and a forward resale commitment. The forward repurchase and resale commitments are accounted for as derivatives under the accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging. Office Facilities Office facilities are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of furniture, fixtures, and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis generally over 3-7 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. Leases with escalating rents are expensed on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Landlord incentives are recorded as deferred rent and amortized, as reductions to lease expense, on a straight-line basis over the life of the applicable lease. Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs, included in other assets, from the issuance of the Notes are reported in the consolidated balance sheet as deferred charges and amortized using the interest method. Debt issuance costs include underwriting and legal fees as well as other incremental expenses directly attributable to realizing the proceeds of the Notes. See note 8 for further discussion. Drafts Payable Drafts payable represent amounts drawn by the Company against a bank. Foreign Currency Translations Foreign currency balances have been translated into U.S. dollars as follows: monetary assets and liabilities at exchange rates prevailing at period end; revenue and expenses at average rates for the period; and non-monetary assets and stockholders’ equity at historical rates. Cumulative translation adjustments of $1.7 million are included in accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2011. The functional currency of the overseas operations is the local currency in each location except for Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. which has the U.S. dollar as its functional currency. Income Taxes Deferred income tax assets and liabilities arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax balances are determined by applying the enacted tax rates applicable to the periods in which items will reverse. The Company permanently reinvests eligible earnings of it foreign subsidiaries and, accordingly, does not accrue any U.S. income taxes that would arise if such earnings were repatriated. New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2010-28, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” which modified Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with a zero or negative carrying value, stating that under such circumstances an entity should perform Step 2 of the impairment analysis when it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. The Company adopted this requirement in the period ending March 31, 2011 with no impact on its financial statements. In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-10, “Consolidation – Amendments for Certain Investment Funds”, that will indefinitely defer the effective date of the updated Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) accounting guidance for certain investment funds. To qualify for the deferral, the investment fund needs to meet certain attributes of an investment company, does not have explicit or implicit obligations to fund losses of the entity and is not a securitization entity, an asset-backed financing entity, or an entity formerly considered a qualifying special-purpose entity (“QSPE”). The Company’s investment funds meet the conditions in ASU No. 2010-10 and qualify for the deferral adoption. Therefore, the Company is not required to consolidate any of its investment funds which are VIEs until further guidance is issued. In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurement”. ASU No. 2010-06 requires new disclosures regarding transfers of assets and liabilities measured at fair value in and out of Level 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy. A reporting entity should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfer. ASU No. 2010-06 also provides additional guidance on the level of disaggregation of fair value measurements and disclosures regarding inputs and valuation techniques. The Company adopted this disclosure requirement in the three months ended March 31, 2010. In addition, ASU No.2010-06 requires the reconciliation of beginning and ending balances for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (i.e., Level 3) to be presented on a gross basis. The Company adopted this requirement in the period ended March 31, 2011. See note 5 for further information. In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”, requiring entities to present items of net income and other comprehensive income either in one continuous statement (referred to as the statement of comprehensive income) or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. In addition, in December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12 “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassification of Items out of Accumulated other Comprehensive Income in ASU No. 2011-05’, which deferred certain provisions of ASU 2011-05. ASU No. 2011-12 indefinitely deferred the provision that requires the entity to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented. The Company adopted these requirements in the period ending December 31, 2011. Recently Issued In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03, “Transfers and Servicing: Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements,” which removes the requirement to consider whether sufficient collateral is held when determining whether to account for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate the transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity as sales or as secured financings. The guidance is effective prospectively for transactions beginning on January 1, 2012. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement: Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS,” which provides clarifying guidance on how to measure fair value and has additional disclosure requirements. The amendments prohibit the use of blockage factors at all levels of the fair value hierarchy and provide guidance on measuring financial instruments that are managed on a net portfolio basis. Additional disclosure requirements include transfers between Levels 1 and 2 and, for Level 3 fair value measurements, a description of the valuation processes and additional information about unobservable inputs impacting Level 3 measurements. The updates are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that these updates will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment”, which gives entities the option of performing a qualitative assessment before the quantitative analysis. If entities determine the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount based on the qualitative factors, the two-step quantitative test would be required. Otherwise, further testing would not be needed. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 and early adoption is permitted. The Company did not early adopt the ASU. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this standard will have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. On December 31, 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities”, which requires new disclosures about balance sheet offsetting and related arrangements. For derivatives and financial assets and liabilities, the ASU requires disclosure of gross asset and liability amounts, amounts offset on the balance sheet, and amounts subject to the offsetting requirements but not offset on the balance sheet. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that these updates will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of significant accounting policies

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of Presentation

Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. (“OPY”) is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. On May 11, 2009, the jurisdiction of incorporation of OPY was changed from Canada to Delaware. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of OPY and its subsidiaries (together, the “Company”). The principal subsidiaries of OPY are Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”), a registered broker dealer in securities, Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. (“OAM”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Oppenheimer Investment Management Inc. (“OIM”), both registered investment advisors under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, Oppenheimer Trust Company, a limited purpose trust company chartered by the State of New Jersey to provide fiduciary services such as trust and estate administration and investment management, Oppenheimer Multifamily Housing and Healthcare Finance, Inc. (formerly Evanston Financial Corporation) (“OMHHF”), which is engaged in mortgage brokerage and servicing, and OPY Credit Corp., which offers syndication as well as trading of issued corporate loans. Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. (formerly Oppenheimer E.U. Ltd.), based in the United Kingdom, provides institutional equities and fixed income brokerage and corporate financial services and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited, based in Hong Kong, China, provides assistance in accessing the U.S. equities markets and limited mergers and acquisitions advisory services to Asia-based companies. Oppenheimer operates as Fahnestock & Co. Inc. in Latin America. Oppenheimer owns Freedom Investments, Inc. (“Freedom”), a registered broker dealer in securities, which also operates as the BUYandHOLD division of Freedom, offering on-line discount brokerage and dollar-based investing services, and Oppenheimer Israel (OPCO) Ltd., which is engaged in offering investment services in the State of Israel as a local broker dealer. Oppenheimer holds a trading permit on the New York Stock Exchange and is a member of several other regional exchanges in the United States.

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for purpose of inclusion in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its annual report to stockholders. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting standards require the Company to present non-controlling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owns 67.34% of OMHHF and the non-controlling interest recorded in the consolidated balance sheet was $5.3 million. The Company intends to purchase non-controlling interest shares of 16.33% in 2012 which will take its interest to 83.67%.

Certain prior period amounts appearing in the notes to these consolidated financial statements pertaining to the fair value measurement of derivative contracts have been reclassified to conform with current presentation.

Description of Business

The Company engages in a broad range of activities in the financial services industry, including retail securities brokerage, institutional sales and trading, investment banking (both corporate and public finance), research, market-making, trust services, mortgage banking and investment advisory and asset management services.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods.

In presenting the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates regarding valuations of financial instruments, loans and allowances for credit losses, the outcome of legal and regulatory matters, the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets, valuation of stock-based compensation plans, and income taxes. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results could be materially different from these estimates. A discussion of certain areas in which estimates are a significant component of the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements follows.

Financial Instruments and Fair Value

Financial Instruments

Securities owned and securities sold but not yet purchased, investments and derivative contracts are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period. The Company’s other financial instruments are generally short-term in nature or have variable interest rates and as such their carrying values approximate fair value, with the exception of notes receivable from employees which are carried at cost.

Financial Instruments Used for Asset and Liability Management

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains or losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

On September 29, 2006, the Company entered into interest rate swap transactions to hedge the interest payments associated with its floating rate Senior Secured Credit Note, which was subject to change due to changes in 3-Month LIBOR. See note 8 for further information. These swaps were designated as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of the swap hedges were expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the interest payments due to changes in 3-Month LIBOR.

On January 20, 2009, the Company entered into an interest rate cap contract, incorporating a series of purchased caplets with fixed maturity dates ending December 31, 2012, to hedge the interest payments associated with its floating rate Subordinated Note, which was subject to change due to changes in 3-Month LIBOR. See note 8 for further information.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company adopted the accounting guidance for the fair value measurement of financial assets, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value measurement hierarchy, and expands fair value measurement disclosures. Fair value, as defined by the accounting guidance, is the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy established by this accounting guidance prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into the following three categories (highest to lowest priority):

Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3: Unobservable inputs.

The Company’s financial instruments are recorded at fair value and generally are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy using quoted market prices or quotes from market makers or broker-dealers. Financial instruments classified within Level 1 are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets and consist of U.S. government, federal agency, and sovereign government obligations, corporate equities, and certain money market instruments. Level 2 financial instruments primarily consist of investment grade and high-yield corporate debt, convertible bonds, mortgage and asset-backed securities, municipal obligations, and certain money market instruments. Financial instruments classified as Level 2 are valued based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active. Some financial instruments are classified within Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as observable pricing inputs are not available due to limited market activity for the asset or liability. Such financial instruments include investments in hedge funds and private equity funds where the Company, through its subsidiaries, is general partner, less-liquid private label mortgage and asset-backed securities, certain distressed municipal securities, and auction rate securities. A description of the valuation techniques applied and inputs used in measuring the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is located in note 5.

Fair Value Option

The Company has the option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period. The Company may make a fair value option election on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument. The Company has elected to apply the fair value option to its loan trading portfolio which resides in OPY Credit Corp. and is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Management has elected this treatment as it is consistent with the manner in which the business is managed as well as the way that financial instruments in other parts of the business are recorded.

The Company also elected the fair value option for those securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”) and securities purchased under agreements to resell (“reverse repurchase agreements”) that do not settle overnight or have an open settlement date or that are not accounted for as purchase and sale agreements (such as repo-to-maturity transactions). The Company has elected the fair value option for these instruments to more accurately reflect market and economic events in its earnings and to mitigate a potential imbalance in earnings caused by using different measurement attributes (i.e. fair value versus carrying value) for certain assets and liabilities.

Financing Receivables

The Company’s financing receivables include customer margin loans, securities purchased under agreements to resell (“reverse repurchase agreements”), and securities borrowed transactions. The Company uses financing receivables to extend margin loans to customers, meet trade settlement requirements, and facilitate its matched-book arrangements and inventory requirements.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company’s financing receivables are secured by collateral received from clients and counterparties. In many cases, the Company is permitted to sell or repledge securities held as collateral. These securities may be used to collateralize repurchase agreements, to enter into securities lending agreements, to cover short positions or fulfill the obligation of fails to deliver. The Company monitors the market value of the collateral received on a daily basis and may require clients and counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged, when appropriate.

Customer receivables, primarily consisting of customer margin loans collateralized by customer-owned securities, are stated net of allowance for credit losses. The Company reviews large customer accounts that do not comply with the Company’s margin requirements on a case-by-case basis to determine the likelihood of collection and records an allowance for credit loss following that process. For small customer accounts that do not comply with the Company’s margin requirements, the allowance for credit loss is generally recorded as the amount of unsecured or partially secured receivables.

The Company also makes loans or pays advances to financial advisers as part of its hiring process. Reserves are established on these receivables if the financial advisor is no longer associated with the Company and the receivable has not been promptly repaid or if it is determined that it is probable the amount will not be collected.

Legal and Regulatory Reserves

The Company records reserves related to legal and regulatory proceedings in accounts payable and other liabilities. The determination of the amounts of these reserves requires significant judgment on the part of management. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes reserves for litigation and regulatory matters where available information indicates that it is probable a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss. When loss contingencies are not probable and cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company does not establish reserves.

When determining whether to record a reserve, management considers many factors including, but not limited to, the amount of the claim; the stage and forum of the proceeding, the sophistication of the claimant, the amount of the loss, if any, in the client’s account and the possibility of wrongdoing, if any, on the part of an employee of the Company; the basis and validity of the claim; previous results in similar cases; and applicable legal precedents and case law. Each legal and regulatory proceeding is reviewed with counsel in each accounting period and the reserve is adjusted as deemed appropriate by management. Any change in the reserve amount is recorded in the results of that period. The assumptions of management in determining the estimates of reserves may be incorrect and the actual disposition of a legal or regulatory proceeding could be greater or less than the reserve amount.

Goodwill

Goodwill arose upon the acquisitions of Oppenheimer, Old Michigan Corp., Josephthal & Co. Inc., Grand Charter Group Incorporated and the Oppenheimer Divisions, as defined below. The Company defines a reporting unit as an operating segment. The Company’s goodwill resides in its Private Client Division (“PCD”). Goodwill of a reporting unit is subject to at least an annual test for impairment to determine if the fair value of goodwill of a reporting unit is less than its estimated carrying amount. Goodwill of a reporting unit is required to be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company derives the estimated carrying amount of its operating segments by estimating the amount of stockholders’ equity required to support the activities of each operating segment. Goodwill recorded as at December 31, 2011 has been tested for impairment and it has been determined that no impairment has occurred. See note 16 for further discussion.

Excess of fair value of assets acquired over cost arose from the January 2008 acquisition of certain businesses from CIBC World Markets Corp. If the earn-out from this acquisition exceeds $5.0 million in any of the five years from 2008 through 2012, the excess will first reduce the excess of fair value of acquired assets over cost and second will create goodwill.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets arose upon the acquisition, in January 2003, of the U.S. Private Client and Asset Management Divisions of CIBC World Markets Corp. (the “Oppenheimer Divisions”) and comprise customer relationships and trademarks and trade names. Customer relationships of $4.9 million were amortized on a straight-line basis over 80 months commencing in January 2003 (fully amortized and carried at $nil since December 31, 2010). Trademarks and trade names, carried at $31.7 million, which are not amortized, are subject to at least an annual test for impairment to determine if the fair value is less than their carrying amount. Trademarks and trade names recorded as at December 31, 2011 have been tested for impairment and it has been determined that no impairment has occurred. See note 16 for further discussion.

Intangible assets also arose from the January 2008 acquisition of certain businesses from CIBC World Markets Corp. and are comprised of customer relationships and a below market lease. Customer relationships are carried at $690,000 (which is net of accumulated amortization of $251,000) as at December 31, 2011 and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 180 months commencing in January 2008. The below market lease is carried at $3.2 million (which is net of accumulated amortization of $18.1 million) at December 31, 2011. The below market lease was determined to amortize on a straight-line basis over 60 months commencing in January 2008. However, due to the plan to consolidate the Company’s headquarters, the Company notified its landlord of its intent to terminate the lease which resulted in a reevaluation of the remaining useful life of the below market lease intangible asset and amortized $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The Company will accelerate the amortization of the remaining $3.2 million during the first quarter of 2012.

Share-Based Compensation Plans

The Company estimates the fair value of share-based awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and applies to it a forfeiture rate based on historical experience. Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of share-based awards include the expected term and the expected volatility of the Company’s Class A Stock over the term of the award, the risk-free interest rate over the expected term, and the Company’s expected annual dividend yield. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by persons who receive share-based awards. See note 13 for further discussion.

Revenue Recognition

Brokerage

Customers’ securities and commodities transactions are reported on a settlement date basis, which is generally three business days after trade date for securities transactions and one day for commodities transactions. Related commission income and expense is recorded on a trade date basis.

Principal transactions

Transactions in proprietary securities and related revenue and expenses are recorded on a trade date basis. Securities owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased, are reported at fair value generally based upon quoted prices. Realized and unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in principal transactions, net in the period in which the change occurs.

Fees

Underwriting revenues and advisory fees from mergers, acquisitions and restructuring transactions are recorded when services for the transactions are substantially completed and income is reasonably determinable, generally as set forth under the terms of the engagement. Transaction-related expenses, primarily consisting of legal, travel and other costs directly associated with the transaction, are deferred and recognized in the same period as the related investment banking transaction revenue. Underwriting revenues are presented net of related expenses. Non-reimbursed expenses associated with advisory transactions are recorded within other expenses.

Asset Management

Asset management fees are generally recognized over the period the related service is provided based on the account value at the valuation date per the respective asset management agreements. In certain circumstances, OAM is entitled to receive performance fees when the return on assets under management exceeds certain benchmark returns or other performance targets. Performance fees are generally based on investment performance over a 12-month period and are not subject to adjustment once the measurement period ends. Such fees are computed as at the fund’s year-end when the measurement period ends and generally are recorded as earned in the fourth quarter of the Company’s fiscal year. Asset management fees and performance fees are included in advisory fees in the consolidated statements of operations. Assets under management are not included as assets of the Company.

Balance Sheet Items

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company defines cash equivalents as highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than 90 days that are not held for sale in the ordinary course of business.

Receivables From / Payables To Brokers and Clearing Organizations

Securities borrowed and securities loaned are carried at the amounts of cash collateral advanced or received. Securities borrowed transactions require the Company to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. The Company receives cash or collateral in an amount generally in excess of the market value of securities loaned. The Company monitors the market value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis and may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged, when appropriate.

Securities failed to deliver and receive represent the contract value of securities which have not been received or delivered by settlement date.

Notes Receivable

The Company had notes receivable, net from employees of approximately $54.0 million at December 31, 2011. The notes are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at face value of approximately $117.5 million less accumulated amortization and reserves of $54.9 million and $8.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2011. These amounts represent recruiting and retention payments generally in the form of upfront loans to financial advisers and key revenue producers as part of the Company’s overall growth strategy. These loans are generally forgiven over a service period of 3 to 5 years from the initial date of the loan or based on productivity levels of employees and all such notes are contingent on the employees’ continued employment with the Company. The unforgiven portion of the notes becomes due on demand in the event the employee departs during the service period. Amortization of notes receivable is included in the consolidated statements of operations in compensation and related expenses.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Transactions involving purchases of securities under agreements to resell (“reverse repurchase agreements”) or sales of securities under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”) are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at their contractual amounts plus accrued interest. The resulting interest income and expense for these arrangements are included in interest income and interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company can present the reverse repurchase and repurchase transactions on a net-by-counterparty basis when the specific offsetting requirements are satisfied. See note 5 for further discussion.

From time-to-time, the Company enters into securities financing transactions that mature on the same date as the underlying collateral (referred to as “repo-to-maturity” transactions). The Company accounts for these transactions in accordance with the accounting guidance for transfers and servicing. Such transactions are treated as a sale of financial assets and a forward repurchase commitment, or conversely as a purchase of financial assets and a forward resale commitment. The forward repurchase and resale commitments are accounted for as derivatives under the accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging.

Office Facilities

Office facilities are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of furniture, fixtures, and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis generally over 3-7 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. Leases with escalating rents are expensed on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Landlord incentives are recorded as deferred rent and amortized, as reductions to lease expense, on a straight-line basis over the life of the applicable lease.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs, included in other assets, from the issuance of the Notes are reported in the consolidated balance sheet as deferred charges and amortized using the interest method. Debt issuance costs include underwriting and legal fees as well as other incremental expenses directly attributable to realizing the proceeds of the Notes. See note 8 for further discussion.

Drafts Payable

Drafts payable represent amounts drawn by the Company against a bank.

Foreign Currency Translations

Foreign currency balances have been translated into U.S. dollars as follows: monetary assets and liabilities at exchange rates prevailing at period end; revenue and expenses at average rates for the period; and non-monetary assets and stockholders’ equity at historical rates. Cumulative translation adjustments of $1.7 million are included in accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2011. The functional currency of the overseas operations is the local currency in each location except for Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. which has the U.S. dollar as its functional currency.

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax balances are determined by applying the enacted tax rates applicable to the periods in which items will reverse.

The Company permanently reinvests eligible earnings of it foreign subsidiaries and, accordingly, does not accrue any U.S. income taxes that would arise if such earnings were repatriated.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted

In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2010-28, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” which modified Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with a zero or negative carrying value, stating that under such circumstances an entity should perform Step 2 of the impairment analysis when it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. The Company adopted this requirement in the period ending March 31, 2011 with no impact on its financial statements.

In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-10, “Consolidation – Amendments for Certain Investment Funds”, that will indefinitely defer the effective date of the updated Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) accounting guidance for certain investment funds. To qualify for the deferral, the investment fund needs to meet certain attributes of an investment company, does not have explicit or implicit obligations to fund losses of the entity and is not a securitization entity, an asset-backed financing entity, or an entity formerly considered a qualifying special-purpose entity (“QSPE”). The Company’s investment funds meet the conditions in ASU No. 2010-10 and qualify for the deferral adoption. Therefore, the Company is not required to consolidate any of its investment funds which are VIEs until further guidance is issued.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurement”. ASU No. 2010-06 requires new disclosures regarding transfers of assets and liabilities measured at fair value in and out of Level 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy. A reporting entity should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfer. ASU No. 2010-06 also provides additional guidance on the level of disaggregation of fair value measurements and disclosures regarding inputs and valuation techniques. The Company adopted this disclosure requirement in the three months ended March 31, 2010. In addition, ASU No.2010-06 requires the reconciliation of beginning and ending balances for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (i.e., Level 3) to be presented on a gross basis. The Company adopted this requirement in the period ended March 31, 2011. See note 5 for further information.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”, requiring entities to present items of net income and other comprehensive income either in one continuous statement (referred to as the statement of comprehensive income) or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. In addition, in December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12 “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassification of Items out of Accumulated other Comprehensive Income in ASU No. 2011-05’, which deferred certain provisions of ASU 2011-05. ASU No. 2011-12 indefinitely deferred the provision that requires the entity to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented. The Company adopted these requirements in the period ending December 31, 2011.

Recently Issued

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03, “Transfers and Servicing: Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements,” which removes the requirement to consider whether sufficient collateral is held when determining whether to account for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate the transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity as sales or as secured financings. The guidance is effective prospectively for transactions beginning on January 1, 2012. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement: Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS,” which provides clarifying guidance on how to measure fair value and has additional disclosure requirements. The amendments prohibit the use of blockage factors at all levels of the fair value hierarchy and provide guidance on measuring financial instruments that are managed on a net portfolio basis. Additional disclosure requirements include transfers between Levels 1 and 2 and, for Level 3 fair value measurements, a description of the valuation processes and additional information about unobservable inputs impacting Level 3 measurements. The updates are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that these updates will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment”, which gives entities the option of performing a qualitative assessment before the quantitative analysis. If entities determine the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount based on the qualitative factors, the two-step quantitative test would be required. Otherwise, further testing would not be needed. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 and early adoption is permitted. The Company did not early adopt the ASU. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this standard will have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

On December 31, 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities”, which requires new disclosures about balance sheet offsetting and related arrangements. For derivatives and financial assets and liabilities, the ASU requires disclosure of gross asset and liability amounts, amounts offset on the balance sheet, and amounts subject to the offsetting requirements but not offset on the balance sheet. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that these updates will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity.

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