With its this week that Oracle President is taking the finance chief's chair as an additional responsibility -- after the unexplained resignation of three-year CFO veteran Jeff Epstein -- what was once among the most tenuous of American finance jobs returned to the spotlight once more.

"Ms. Catz's appointment is permanent and is effective immediately," the company said. And, explained CEO Larry Ellison, "Safra already has the long-standing confidence of our employees, our Board and our shareholders. There is no more logical choice for CFO."

But permanence has not always been a quality associated with the top finance job at Oracle -- at least not since Jeff Henley left that position to become chairman in 2004.

"The CFO function has reported to Safra for a number of years and she's acted as Oracle's CFO in the past. She has the full support of the Board," added Henley, in his role as chairman. "On behalf of the Board, I'd also like to thank Jeff Epstein for his many contributions to the company during the past few years and wish him all the best for the future."

Catz, who joined Oracle in April 1999, has been a board member since October 2001, and president since January 2004. From November 2005 to September 2008 she served as finance chief, giving way to Epstein at that time.