Microsoft's Kiwi CFO to leave tech giant 

Source: ReutersChris Liddell (centre) rings the opening Nasdaq bell in Microsoft campus in Redmond

Microsoft's chief financial officer, Kiwi Chris Liddell, will leave the software giant at the end of the year.

Liddell, 51, has been in the role since 2005 overseeing the company's acquisitions, corporate strategy, treasury activities and tax planning alongside other responsibilities.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says Liddell and his team accomplished a "great deal" during his tenure.

"The team is deep and strong, and has an excellent record of building value for our shareholders," Ballmer says.

Liddell told the New Zealand Herald that the finance team was the strongest it had ever been since he was appointed to the board.

Despite a US$44 million bid this year to acquire Yahoo! falling through, Liddell says Microsoft has carried out 78 acquisitions worth $US13 billion since he has been CFO.

Liddell told the Herald that he had achieved everything he wanted to achieve at Microsoft and his time with the company had come to a natural conclusion.

He did not say what he was going to do next, though Ballmer says Liddell is looking at a number of opportunities "that will expand his career beyond being a CFO".

Before heading finances at Microsoft, Liddell was CFO of International Paper Co., the world's largest forest products company. He also led one of New Zealand's largest listed companies, Carter Holt Harvey, as chief executive officer.

Liddell will be succeeded by 47-year-old Peter Klein, CFO of Microsoft's business division.

Watch an NZI Business interview with Liddell from September 2008