Chicago – September 29, 2026 -- Controllers Council projects that AI and automation adoption among corporate financial controllers will reach 98% by 2030, up from 86% today, according to its new Controllership 2030 Predictions Study.
Survey of controllers and CFOs maps a five-year shift in job duties
The study draws on a national survey of controllers, CFOs and related finance executives conducted between July and September 2026 across multiple industries and company sizes. It tracks how AI, automation, talent shortages and shifting business conditions will reshape the controllership function through 2030.
Transactional accounting work shifts toward technology oversight
Researchers found that many transactional accounting and finance tasks will be automated over the next five years, pushing controllers toward a hybrid role combining AI and data management with technical accounting review. The report frames this as a structural change in required skill sets across corporate finance organizations, not just an incremental tooling upgrade.
Executive director calls the shift a roadmap for skill planning
Neil Brown, Executive Director of Controllers Council, said the study identifies current AI and automation metrics alongside a roadmap for how the controllership role and broader finance organization will evolve, giving controllers, CFOs and staff insight for managing changing skill and organizational requirements.
Panel discussion features CFO and AI platform executives
Controllers Council released the findings alongside a roundtable panel video archive, Controllership 2030: Roundtable Panel Discussion, featuring CFO Joy Mbanugo and Bilal Aziz, AI Platform Leader at Lineos. The full report and panel discussion are available through Controllers Council's Controllership 2030 Predictions Panel Study Report.