Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Business and summary of significant accounting policies - Effect of Topic 606 to Statement of Operations (Details)

v3.19.3
Business and summary of significant accounting policies - Effect of Topic 606 to Statement of Operations (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Jun. 30, 2019
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Jun. 30, 2018
Mar. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2019
Sep. 30, 2018
Sep. 30, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]                      
Revenue $ 754,966 $ 730,710 $ 736,520 $ 664,619 $ 558,446 $ 597,855 $ 612,787 $ 623,148 $ 2,886,815 $ 2,392,236 $ 2,450,961
Income before income taxes                 317,320 299,209 314,235
Provision for income taxes                 76,825 78,393 102,053
Net income 60,041 62,965 61,766 55,723 45,516 60,242 55,106 59,952 240,495 220,816 212,182
(Loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests                 (329) 65 2,756
Net income attributable to MAXIMUS $ 60,089 $ 62,898 $ 61,924 $ 55,913 $ 46,307 $ 59,861 $ 55,492 $ 59,091 $ 240,824 $ 220,751 $ 209,426
Basic earnings per share attributable to MAXIMUS (in dollars per share) $ 0.93 $ 0.98 $ 0.96 $ 0.86 $ 0.71 $ 0.91 $ 0.84 $ 0.90 $ 3.73 $ 3.37 $ 3.19
Diluted earnings per share attributable to MAXIMUS (in dollars per share) $ 0.93 $ 0.97 $ 0.96 $ 0.86 $ 0.71 $ 0.91 $ 0.84 $ 0.89 $ 3.72 $ 3.35 $ 3.17
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Balance under previous accounting guidance                      
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]                      
Revenue                 $ 2,883,697    
Income before income taxes                 314,202    
Provision for income taxes                 75,539    
Net income                 238,663    
(Loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests                 (977)    
Net income attributable to MAXIMUS                 $ 239,640    
Basic earnings per share attributable to MAXIMUS (in dollars per share)                 $ 3.72    
Diluted earnings per share attributable to MAXIMUS (in dollars per share)                 $ 3.70    
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Adjustments due to adoption of new standard                      
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]                      
Revenue                 $ 3,118    
Income before income taxes                 3,118    
Provision for income taxes                 1,286    
Net income                 1,832    
(Loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests                 648    
Net income attributable to MAXIMUS                 $ 1,184    
Basic earnings per share attributable to MAXIMUS (in dollars per share)                 $ 0.01    
Diluted earnings per share attributable to MAXIMUS (in dollars per share)                 $ 0.02