Microsoft is saying goodbye to its chief beancounter, Chris Liddell, after four and a half years in the post.

CFO Liddell leaves at the end of the year and will be replaced by Peter Klein - currently CFO of Microsoft's business division. Klein worked in corporate finance before joining Microsoft.

Steve Ballmer said Liddell had achieved a lot, and, sounding even more gnomic than usual: "The team is deep and strong..."

Liddell joined the software giant in 2005 from Carter Holt Harvey Ltd - New Zealand's second largest listed company. He is looking for "opportunities that will expand his career beyond being a CFO".

Full statement here. ®

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