Microsoft's Liddell is GM's new chief financial officer

CHICAGO: General Motors announced on Monday that Microsoft's outgoing chief financial officer Chris Liddell will take charge of the automaker's books.

Liddell, who announced his departure from the software giant last month, will start work as GM's vice chairman and chief financial officer in the new year.

"Chris brings a depth and experience to this job that were unmatched in our search for a new financial leader," said Ed Whitacre, GM chairman and newly-appointed chief executive officer.

"Chris will lead our financial and accounting operations on a global basis and will report directly to me," Whitacre said in a statement.

"We're also looking to his experience and insights in corporate strategy as a member of the senior leadership team in helping our restructuring efforts."

Liddell, 51, joined Microsoft in May 2005 after serving as CFO of International Paper Co. and chief executive of New Zealand's Carter Holt Harvey Ltd.