Kirsner is a former chief financial officer of Barra, a Berkeley, Calif.-based provider of investment risk management services for financial professionals.

Kirsner's appointment fills the board vacancy created by the recent departure of Andrew Cecere to assume the chief financial officer post at U.S. Bancorp.

"Jim Kirsner brings a valuable combination of financial expertise and relevant industry experience at a critical, transitional time for Fair Isaac," said A. George (Skip) Battle, Fair Isaac's chairman of the board. "In particular, we expect the company will benefit greatly from Jim's track record of excellence in finance leadership and oversight roles."

Kirsner currently serves on the boards of the Bank of Marin, Advent Software, Inc. and Cool Systems, Inc., and previously served for four years on the board of Ask Jeeves, Inc.

Prior to joining Barra in 1993, Kirsner spent 26 years with Arthur Andersen in San Francisco, where he served as a Partner and focused on financial services industry clients.

"As a Bay Area executive, I've had a front-row view of Fair Isaac's growth from a little-known financial services technology innovator in San Rafael to a major global player in decision technology," said Kirsner. "It's an honor to have the opportunity to contribute to the next chapter of the company's development."

Kirsner holds a master's degree in accounting and a bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.