The glass ceiling sprouted a few more cracks, as one of the Big Four accounting and consulting firms placed a woman in the corner office for the first time.

Cathy Engelbert was named Monday as the new chief executive of Deloitte LLP, effective March 11. The 50-year-old becomes one of the most senior women in the financial-services industry, which in some areas trails behind other sectors in promoting women to high-level positions.

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