Annual report pursuant to section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (policies)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (policies)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (policies)	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned, after elimination of all significant intercompany balances and transactions.
Use of Estimates, Policy	Use of Estimates The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassification, Policy	Reclassifications Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform with the current year financial statement presentation including an increase in cash and cash equivalents and a decrease in receivables from clearing brokers of $8,969, $6,096 and $1,984 at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, to conform to the classification shown on the consolidated statement of financial condition at December 31, 2012, in which cash in money market funds held by clearing brokers were reclassified as cash equivalents. The reclassification resulted in a reduction of cash used in operating activities of $2,873 and $4,112 with corresponding increases in the net increase in cash and cash equivalents from amounts previously reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy	Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid financial instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents at December 31, 2012 and 2011 consist of money market funds which are carried at fair value of $8,882 and $8,969, respectively, Fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets (Level 1).
Revenue Recognition Accounting Policy, Gross and Net Revenue Disclosure	Revenue Recognition Commissions revenue results from transactions in equity securities, mutual funds, variable annuities, and other financial products and services. Revenue from such transactions, executed as agent for clients, and related expenses are recorded on a trade-date basis. The Company also earns revenue in the form of 12b-1 fees which are recognized on an accrual basis. Advisory fee revenue represent fees charged by registered investment advisors to their clients based upon the value of advisory assets. Advisory fees are recorded as earned. Since advisory fees are based on assets under management, significant changes in the fair value of these assets will have an impact on the fees earned in future periods. The Company also earns incentive fees that are based upon the performance of investment funds and accounts. Investment banking revenue consists of underwriting revenue, strategic advisory revenue and private placement fees. Underwriting revenues arise from securities offerings in which Ladenburg acts as an underwriter and include management fees, selling concessions and underwriting fees, net of related syndicate expenses. Underwriting revenues are recorded at the time the underwriting is completed and the income is reasonably determined. Strategic advisory revenue primarily consists of success fees on completed mergers and acquisitions transactions, and retainer and periodic fees earned by advising buyers’ and sellers in transactions. Fees are also earned for related strategic advisory work and other services such as providing fairness opinions and valuation analyses. Strategic advisory revenues are recorded when the transactions or the services (or, if applicable, separate components thereof) to be performed are substantially complete, the fees are determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Private placement fees, net of expenses, are recorded on the closing date of the transaction. Principal transactions revenue includes realized and unrealized net gains and losses resulting from investments in equity securities and equity-linked warrants received from certain investment banking assignments. Interest is recorded on an accrual basis and dividends are recorded on an ex-dividend date basis. Service fees result from amounts collected from independent financial advisors for processing of securities trades and from amounts collected for administrative and compliance services provided to independent financial advisors.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy	Fixed Assets Fixed assets are carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, or their estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy	Share-Based Compensation The Company measures the cost of employee, officer and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments, including stock options, based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost is recognized as compensation expense over the service period, which would normally be the vesting period of the equity instruments. Compensation expense for share-based awards granted to independent contractors is measured at their vesting date fair value. The compensation expense recognized each period is based on the awards' estimated value at the most recent reporting date.
Intangible Assets Policy Text Block	Intangible Assets Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally on a straight-line basis. Intangible assets subject to amortization are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of its intangible assets by determining whether the unamortized balance can be recovered over the assets’ remaining life through undiscounted forecasted cash flows. If undiscounted forecasted cash flows indicate that the unamortized amounts will not be recovered, an adjustment will be made to reduce such amounts to fair value determined based on forecasted future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk associated with achieving such cash flows. Future cash flows are based on trends of historical performance and the Company’s estimate of future performance, giving consideration to existing and anticipated competitive and economic conditions. See Note 7.
Good Will Policy Text Block	Goodwill Goodwill, which was recorded in connection with acquisitions of subsidiaries (see Notes 3 and 8), is not subject to amortization and is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. Fair value is typically based upon forecasted future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved or market based comparables. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value then an analysis will be performed to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. An impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the implied fair value. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of goodwill is its new accounting basis.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance which amends fair value disclosures for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is prohibited). Such amendments include a consistent definition of fair value, enhanced disclosure requirements for Level 3 fair value adjustments and other changes to required disclosures. The Company adopted the disclosure enhancements of this amendment effective as of January 1, 2012. In September 2011, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which will allow entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment testing. Under these amendments, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The guidance, which changes how goodwill impairment testing is performed, does not change the timing or measurement of goodwill impairment. This guidance, which is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2012, did not have any impact on the Company’s 2012 financial statements. See Note 8. In July 2012, the FASB issued amendments to the indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment guidance which provides an option for companies to use a qualitative approach to test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment if certain conditions are met. The amendments are effective for annual and interim indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 (early adoption is permitted). The implementation of the amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.