Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Organization and Basis of Presentation - Results had former accounting policies been utilized (Details)

v3.19.1
Organization and Basis of Presentation - Results had former accounting policies been utilized (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Mar. 31, 2018
Mar. 31, 2019
Mar. 31, 2018
Oct. 01, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]            
Accounts receivable — unbilled $ 131,250   $ 131,250   $ 66,950 $ 31,536
Deferred income taxes 209   209   209 6,834
Deferred revenue 39,215   39,215   39,415 51,182
Deferred income taxes 51,060   51,060   33,451 26,377
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (39,136)   (39,136)     (36,953)
Retained earnings 705,824   705,824   666,210 633,281
Noncontrolling interests 2,624   2,624   3,105 $ 2,552
Revenue 736,520 $ 612,787 1,401,139 $ 1,235,935    
Net income attributable to MAXIMUS 61,924 $ 55,492 117,837 $ 114,583    
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09            
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]            
Accounts receivable — unbilled 35,454   35,454   35,414  
Deferred income taxes (6,649)   (6,649)   (6,625)  
Deferred revenue (12,748)   (12,748)   (11,767)  
Deferred income taxes 7,103   7,103   7,074  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (519)   (519)      
Retained earnings 33,927   33,927   32,929  
Noncontrolling interests 1,043   1,043   $ 553  
Revenue 1,033   1,767      
Net income attributable to MAXIMUS 578   998      
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09            
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]            
Accounts receivable — unbilled 95,796   95,796      
Deferred income taxes 6,858   6,858      
Deferred revenue 51,963   51,963      
Deferred income taxes 43,957   43,957      
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (38,617)   (38,617)      
Retained earnings 671,897   671,897      
Noncontrolling interests 1,581   1,581      
Revenue 735,487   1,399,372      
Net income attributable to MAXIMUS $ 61,346   $ 116,839