Acquisitions, Goodwill and Intangible Assets 1 (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011
Oct. 31, 2010
Oct. 31, 2009
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Line Items]      
Increase in goodwill due to payment of contingent purchase price liability (TABS) $ 6,516,000    
Parametric Risk Advisors [Member]
     
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Line Items]      
Minority interest ownership percentage purchased by parent 9.00% 11.00%  
Purchase of non-controlling interests 2,300,000 2,200,000  
Company's capital ownership interest, end of period 60.00% 51.00% 40.00%
Parametric Portfolio Associates [Member]
     
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Line Items]      
Minority interest ownership percentage purchased by parent 0.50% 1.90%  
Company's increase in profit interest percentage, during the period 0.90% 3.10%  
Purchase of non-controlling interests 4,300,000 9,000,000  
Non-controlling interest holders capital ownership percentage, end of period 5.20% 5.70% 7.60%
Non-controlling interest holders profits interest, end of period 11.40% 11.10% 12.50%
Profits interest granted to non-controlling interest holders 1.20% 1.20%  
Non-controlling interest holders capital interest percentage that may be sold to the Company 3.30%    
Non-controlling interest holders right to profits, expressed as a percentage 5.40%    
Remaining non-controlling interest holders capital interest percentage that may be sold to the Company 1.90%    
Remaining non-controlling interest holders right to profits, expressed as a percentage 3.10%    
Atlanta Capital [Member]
     
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Line Items]      
Non-controlling interest holders profits interest, end of period 16.90% 15.20%  
Profits interest granted to non-controlling interest holders 1.70%    
Remaining non-controlling interest holders capital interest percentage that may be sold to the Company 10.30%    
Fox Asset Management [Member]
     
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Line Items]      
Minority interest ownership percentage purchased by parent 16.00%    
Company's capital ownership interest, end of period 100.00% 84.00%  
Tax Advantaged Bond Strategies [Member]
     
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Line Items]      
Contingent payment made during the period $ 11,600,000 $ 8,800,000