Assets [Abstract] Assets Total assets Total assets Assets Other assets Other assets Other Assets Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Income taxes receivable Income Taxes Receivable Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total stockholders' equity Total stockholders' equity Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Preferred stock, par value $0.01, authorized shares, 2,000, issued and outstanding shares - 0 Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Total liabilities Liabilities Line of credit Long-term Line of Credit, Total Long-term Line of Credit Deferred tax liability Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Accrued payroll and bonuses Employee-related Liabilities, Total Employee-related Liabilities Accrued Liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Total Accrued expenses and other liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 14) Commitments and Contingencies Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Consolidated Income Statements [Abstract] Revenues: Revenues [Abstract] Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Net income per common share attributable to Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income Net income attributable to Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. Net income Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income from operations Operating Income (Loss), Total Operating Income (Loss) Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Total revenues Revenues Other Cost and Expense, Operating Other operating expenses Other operating expenses Outside fees and services Professional Fees Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total Earnings Per Share, Diluted Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Liabilities [Abstract] Accounts Payable Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Direct Operating Communications Costs Investment Income, Interest Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Deferred tax expense Deferred tax expense Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other assets Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Purchases of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired Business acquisition, net of cash acquired Business acquisition, net of cash acquired Business acquisition, net of cash acquired Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Proceeds from exercise of options Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Income tax benefit from share-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Principal payments on capital lease obligations Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Principal payments on capital lease obligations Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash paid for interest Interest Paid Cash paid for income taxes Income Taxes Paid Interest rate swap derivative, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income, Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation Income tax benefit from share-based compensation Income tax benefit from share-based compensation Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Line of Credit [Abstract] Line of Credit Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Text Block] Derivative Instrument [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Instrument Property and Equipment, net [Abstract] Property and Equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Share Based Compensation [Abstract] Share-based Compensation [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Recent Accounting Pronouncements Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Long-term Debt Long-term Debt [Text Block] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (actual number) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Long-term Debt [Abstract] Liabilities: Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Rent And Occupancy Rent and occupancy Rent and occupancy. Communications Interest income Accounts payable Total revenues Noncash investing and financing activities: Intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Long-term debt Other Long-term Debt, Total Other Long-term Debt Derivative instrument Derivative Liabilities Common Stock, Value, Outstanding Common stock, par value $0.01, authorized shares, 30,000, 17,061 issued and outstanding shares at September 30, 2010, and 15,596 issued and 15,514 outstanding shares at December 31, 2009 Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Compensation and employee services Labor and Related Expense, Total Labor and Related Expense Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Other income and (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest expense Interest Expense Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Amortization of share-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value Amortization of share-based compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based Compensation Depreciation and amortization Accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Other Accrued Liabilities Accrued payroll and bonuses Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Acquisition of finance receivables, net of buybacks Payments to Acquire Finance Receivables Collections applied to principal on finance receivables Proceeds from Sale and Collection of Finance Receivables Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit Proceeds from line of credit Repayments of Long-term Lines of Credit Principal payments on line of credit Principal payments on line of credit Proceeds from long-term debt Proceeds from Issuance of Other Long-term Debt Principal payments on long-term debt Repayments of Other Long-term Debt Net unrealized change in fair value of derivative instrument Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments Organization and Business [Abstract] Organization and Business [Abstract] Organization and Business Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Finance Receivables net Text Block Finance Receivables, net Finance Receivables, net. Finance Receivables, net (Abstract) Finance Receivables, net (Abstract) Accounts Receivable, net [Abstract] Accounts Receivable, net [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net. Fees and Commissions, Other Fee income Exercise of stock options and vesting of nonvested shares value Exercise of stock options and vesting of nonvested shares Exercise of stock options and vesting of nonvested shares, value. Common Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Taxes Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Common stock, shares issued Principal payments on long-term debt Principal payments on capital lease obligations Purchases of property and equipment Acquisition of finance receivables, net of buybacks Interest expense Long-term Debt [Abstract] Parent [Member] Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Total Accounts Receivable, Net Legal And Agency Fees And Costs Legal and agency fees and costs Legal and agency fees and costs. Increase Decrease In Income Taxes Income taxes Increase decrease in income taxes. Net unrealized change in [Abstract] Net unrealized change. Net unrealized change in: Accounts Receivable Text Block Accounts Receivable, net Accounts Receivable Text Block. Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information Abstract. Contingent Payment Made For Acquisition Contingent payments made for business acquisition Contingent payment made for acquisition Contingent payment made for acquisition Contingent payment made for acquisition. Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering Proceeds from stock offering, net of offering costs Proceeds From Public Offering Net Of Expenses Proceeds from stock offering, net of offering costs Proceeds from public offering, net of expenses. Beginning Balance Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending Balance Less net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income Net income Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Business Acquisitions Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield, Additions Income recognized on finance receivables, net Income recognized on finance receivables, net Acquisition Contingent Purchase Price Earned And Accrued Common stock issued for acquisition Acquisition contingent purchase price earned and accrued. Adjustment To Additional Paid In Capital Acquisition Contingent Purchase Price Earned And Accrued Issuance of common stock for acquisition Acquisition contingent purchase price earned and accrued Business Acquisitions [Abstract] Business Acquisitions. Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount Redeemable noncontrolling interest Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Text Block Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Payment of liability classified contingent consideration Payments of liability-classified contingent consideration Payment of liability-classified contingent consideration. Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Carrying Amount, Net Finance receivables, net