Software giant Microsoft has appointed Amy Hood, head of finance of its Office division, as its new chief financial officer.

Hood, 41, is Microsoft’s first woman CFO and takes over from Peter Klein, who announced his departure in April. She takes up the job immediately, while Klein will remain at the company through the end of June.

Hood joined Microsoft from Goldman Sachs in late 2002. While at the Office division she worked on the high-profile acquisitions of online chat service Skype and business networking company Yammer. 

Hood’s appointment is a surprise, given the seniority of Tami Reller, CFO of Microsoft's flagship Windows unit.