Leslie Miller, a spokeswoman for Google, declined to comment.
Facebook’s Ebersman, who oversaw the company’s initial public offering last year, ranked seventh by earning $17.5 million, while Intel’s Smith made $15.3 million and came in ninth. That was partly due to a retention bonus. Non-technology CFOs in the top 10 included executives from HCA Holdings Inc., Comcast Corp, General Electric Co., Fidelity National Information Services Inc. and Activision Blizzard Inc.
Stock Compensation
Ashley Zandy, spokeswoman for Facebook, declined to comment, as did Chuck Mulloy, a spokesman for Intel.
Technology has traditionally been among the most lucrative industries for executives. In fiscal 2012, technology industry executives accounted for six of the top-10 highest paid in the entire S&P 500.
Stock makes up the bulk of CFO compensation at technology companies. That is a tactic favored by many shareholders because it keeps the executives’ interests aligned with those of investors, said Steven Hall, a managing director at Steven Hall & Partners LLC, a compensation consulting firm.
“If I tie your pay to the stock going up, then I know the only way you’re going to make money is if I make money,” Hall said.
CFOs traditionally manage a company’s balance sheet and costs and earnings, in addition to investor relations, tax policy, capital and acquisitions. They also must navigate the ever-changing matrix of U.S. accounting regulations, Lippincott said.
‘Complex Area’
“This is a really complex area, and it’s one with a lot of regulatory oversight and legal requirements,” he said. “Given the complexity, I think it’s no surprise the CFOs are receiving solid” compensation, he said.