Harvey Schwartz will take the reins as CFO at the end of January 2013, said the firm in a statement.

"After a distinguished 32 year career at the firm, including 12 years as the CFO, David Viniar has decided to retire and will join the board of directors as a non-independent director at that time," said Goldman Sachs. The firm expects to appoint additional independent directors to its board in the near term.

Lloyd Blankfein, chairman and chief executive officer of the firm, praised Schwartz's "deep experience in credit, liquidity, market and operational risk.... and broad understanding of our business and our clients."

Blankfein credited Viniar with steering the bank through the financial crisis, during which it took a $10 billion bailout from the US government, which was less than many peers. Viniar joined the firm in 1980 in the investment banking division. He is the longest serving CFO of a major financial institution on Wall Street. Viniar was named partner in 1992.

"David represents the very best of Goldman Sachs and its culture. We look forward to continuing to benefit from his judgment and experience as a member of our board in the years ahead,” said Blankfein.

Schwartz will assume Viniar’s responsibilities, including oversight of operations, technology and finance and as co-head of the firm-wide risk committee. Schwartz joined Goldman Sachs as a vice president in 1997, became a managing director in 1999, and was named partner in 2002.