Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (unaudited) (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, 2010			$ 51,901	$ 47,808	$ 404,414	$ 207	$ 3,032
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock		9,780
Tax benefit (shortfall) benefit from share-based awards				(12,662)
Share-based expense				(1,672)
Vested employee share plan awards				1,222
Net profit (loss) attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	5,086				5,086
Dividends paid ($0.11 per share)					(1,500)
Currency translation adjustment	239					239
Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax	72					72
Stockholders' Equity of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	504,895
Net profit attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax	675						675
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2011	508,602		61,681	34,696	408,000	518	3,707
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	513,403		62,726	36,832	408,720	(208)	5,333
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock		224
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation	(1,551)
Tax benefit (shortfall) benefit from share-based awards				41
Share-based expense				974
Vested employee share plan awards				(180)
Net profit (loss) attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	(4,657)				(4,657)
Dividends paid ($0.11 per share)					(1,495)
Currency translation adjustment	(366)					(366)
Stockholders' Equity of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	501,060
Net profit attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax	774						774
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 507,167		$ 61,399	$ 37,667	$ 402,568	$ (574)	$ 6,107