Data, Decisions and Competitive Advantage: Key Insights from the 20th ICV Poland Congress

The 20th ICV Poland Congress is behind us – 250 participants, knowledge, inspiration and exceptional energy! Exceptional energy, top-level presentations and countless valuable discussions behind the scenes – the 20th Anniversary ICV Poland Congress (Controlling Intelligence Adventure) is now behind us, but the knowledge, inspiration and emotions will stay with us for much longer!

On 16 June 2026, 250 participants gathered in Poznań – controllers, CFOs, finance directors, analysts, BI and Data Science experts, managers, as well as representatives of business and academia. The anniversary edition of the ICV Poland Congress was held under the theme “DATA. DECISIONS. ADVANTAGE. – How Controlling Shapes the Decisions of Tomorrow.”

This year’s Congress focused on one of the most important challenges in modern management: how to effectively transform the growing volume of available data into better business decisions and real competitive advantage. Discussions covered artificial intelligence, Data Science, Business Intelligence, automation, Data Governance, Self-Service BI, modern management reporting, and the increasingly important role of controlling as a business partner supporting management decision-making.

From the very first presentations, one message was clear: modern controlling goes far beyond analysing results and reporting on the past. Controllers are increasingly becoming architects of decision-making processes, connecting finance, data, technology and business.

The programme combined inspiring presentations with practical case studies demonstrating solutions already being implemented in organisations. Participants could see, among other things, how to integrate Data Science with controlling, how to build scalable analytical environments, how controlling can support investment decisions, and how modern technologies are transforming planning, budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.

Another important part of the event was the panel discussion “DATA, DECISIONS, ADVANTAGE: Compromise or a Clash of Worlds?”, during which representatives of different professional backgrounds explored the future of management from the perspectives of technology, people, experience and the growing use of AI. The discussion addressed, among other topics, the relationship between algorithms and managerial intuition, the competencies people will need in an increasingly automated world, and ways of building competitive advantage in an environment of growing uncertainty.

The afternoon sessions delivered another strong dose of practical knowledge. Across two thematic tracks, participants explored solutions supporting controlling and finance – from modern planning and reporting platforms, through cost allocation automation and FP&A, to the application of AI agents and autonomous finance. We also discussed where technological hype ends and genuine business value begins.

One of the strongest conclusions of the 20th Congress was the need for increasingly close cooperation between finance, controlling, IT, data analytics and business functions. Technology offers organisations enormous possibilities, but technology alone does not create competitive advantage. Advantage is created by people who can interpret information correctly, ask the right questions and translate data into concrete actions.

The CIA Congress, however, is much more than presentations and the conference stage. Above all, it is about the ICV community. Networking breaks, lunch and the closing networking session once again demonstrated how valuable the opportunity to exchange experiences among controlling and finance practitioners truly is. Many important conversations began outside the conference room – through direct meetings between participants, experts and Congress partners.

The anniversary edition also had a special significance. During the Congress, the CONTROLLING EXCELLENCE Awards were presented, recognising individuals and organisations whose knowledge, professionalism and commitment contribute to the development of controlling and the ICV community in Poland.

250 participants. Dozens of experts and practitioners. A full day of inspiration, knowledge sharing and discussions about the future of controlling.

The 20th ICV Poland Congress confirmed that controlling is now at the very centre of the transformation of how organisations are managed. Data, AI and advanced analytics are changing the tools available to us, but the objective remains unchanged: to make faster, better and more informed business decisions.

We would like to thank all Participants, Speakers, Partners, Patrons and everyone involved in organising the 20th ICV Poland Congress. It is your presence, knowledge, openness and energy that make the Controlling Intelligence Adventure what it is.

The 20th edition has now become part of our history. And we are already looking ahead. See you at the next ICV Poland Congress!

Dr. Tomasz M. Zieliński