Navigating Change Beyond Technology – the 21st Adriatic Controlling Conference, Slovenia

The 21st Adriatic Controlling Conference, under the motto »The modernizAtIon of Controlling« once again confirmed that the controlling profession is undergoing a period of significant transformation. The Adriatic Controlling Conference itself is also entering a new chapter. After 20 years of leading and organizing the event, Dragica Erčulj, the former Program Chair, has passed the organizational baton to Jan Markun, her successor at CRMT, while continuing to support him as a mentor.

The 21st ACC Conference successfully concluded at the end of May, bringing together more than 150 participants. This year, the conference was once again held in Ljubljana. Our guests came from Germany and Poland, but the majority were from Slovenia, representing a wide range of companies and industries.

Throughout the conference, several ideas emerged as particularly relevant for the future of controlling. Before introducing new tools, artificial intelligence, or advanced analytics, organizations need a shared vision that defines where they are heading. And before technology can create value, the fundamentals must be in place: robust processes, the right competencies, and, most importantly, reliable data. It became clear that modernizing controlling does not begin with technology.

Artificial intelligence was naturally a major topic throughout the conference. The consensus was clear: AI is not a chatbot that will replace controllers; it is an assistant. The controller’s role remains essential because controllers connect management, analytics, and IT. They see the bigger picture, understand the implications of business decisions, and help organizations navigate uncertainty. In many ways, the controller acts as a navigator—without whom the captain sails blindly.

Key Takeaways from the 21st Adriatic Controlling Conference

• Growth Mindset Drives Transformation: Keynote speaker Pia Burkarth, Finance Director at Veridos Mexico and ICV Board Member, together with Christian Brumm, highlighted that every successful transformation begins with people. A growth mindset turns the success of others into inspiration rather than competition.
• Honest Conversations Enable Better Decisions: Organizations need a culture where difficult truths can be voiced openly. Only in such an environment can leaders make responsible and informed decisions.
• Planning Must Reflect Reality: Planning processes should be tailored to the specific needs and culture of each department. While data quality remains essential, speed is increasingly becoming a critical success factor.
• People-Centered Process Design Creates Innovation: One inspiring example showed how a process was redesigned to be performed by a person with cerebral palsy, demonstrating that the best innovations emerge when processes are built around people.
• Involve Controlling Earlier: As one speaker noted, “If controlling had been involved earlier, we could have avoided many expensive experiments.” Early involvement of controllers leads to better decisions and fewer costly mistakes.
• Annual Planning Is No Longer Enough: In a rapidly changing environment, organizations need more than traditional planning cycles. Success depends on discipline, accountability, and the ability to act proactively rather than reactively.

The Future of Controlling in a Nutshell

• From Scorekeeper to Strategic Partner: Controllers must move beyond reporting and become trusted business partners who actively shape strategy and support decision-making at the highest level.
• From Looking Back to Looking Ahead: The greatest value of controlling lies in providing insights before decisions are made, helping organizations anticipate challenges and seize opportunities early.
• From Data to Business Value: As artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday business, controllers will play a key role in ensuring that technology serves business objectives and delivers measurable results.
• From Internal Focus to Customer Focus: The future of controlling requires a deeper understanding of customers, markets, and business ecosystems. Together with business analysts, controllers can bridge operational excellence and customer-centric growth.

At the end: Our heartfelt thanks go to all speakers, moderators, partners, supporters, and members of the organizing team who contributed to the success of this year’s conference. Most importantly, thank you to all participants whose openness, engagement, and willingness to share ideas and experiences continue to make the Adriatic Controlling Conference a unique platform for learning, networking, and professional growth.

Impressions and photos

We look forward to welcoming you again on May 27, 2027, at the 22nd Adriatic Controlling Conference, where we will continue exploring the future of controlling together.

Dragica Erčulj,
ICV Head of the Work Group Slovenia
Delegate ICV South East Europe