Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 192,165		$ 356,533
Short-term investments	36,774	[1]	90,284	[1]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $6,369 and $5,367 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	201,636		179,621
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	45,846		48,312
Deferred income taxes, net	19,780		6,677
Total current assets	496,201		681,427
Property and equipment, net	94,602		70,854
Long-term investments	24,832	[1]	45,466	[1]
Intangible assets, net	150,386		62,785
Goodwill	858,444		706,224
Deferred income taxes, net	17,559		46,985
Other assets	55,627		21,843
Total assets	1,697,651		1,635,584
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	11,723		5,512
Accrued compensation	56,148		55,185
Other accrued expenses	42,845		32,600
Loans payable	91,597		521
Deferred revenue	388,788		324,121
Total current liabilities	591,101		417,939
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred revenue	111,050		100,264
Income taxes payable	51,276		41,385
Loans payable	32,133		32,730
Other long-term liabilities	9,942		11,000
Total long-term liabilities	204,401		185,379
Total liabilities	795,502		603,318
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 2 and 17)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	22,000
Quest Software, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000 shares authorized; 83,148 and 92,893 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	83		93
Additional paid-in-capital	521,653		729,640
Retained earnings	345,672		301,697
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(208)		836
Total Quest Software Inc. stockholders' equity	867,200		1,032,266
Noncontrolling interest	12,949
Total equity	880,149		1,032,266
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,697,651		$ 1,635,584

[1] Please refer to Note 16 - Fair Value Measurements for details regarding fair value measurements.