Data, Decisions, and Competitive Advantage: Key Insights from the 20th ICV Poland Congress
Data, Decisions, and Competitive Advantage
The 20th ICV Poland Congress is now 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 June 16, 2026, 250 participants gathered in Poznań—controllers, CFOs, finance directors, analysts, BI and data science experts, managers, as well as representatives from the business world 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 a 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 analyzing results and reporting on the past. Controllers are increasingly becoming architects of decision-making processes, bridging finance, data, technology, and business.
The program combined inspiring presentations with practical case studies demonstrating solutions already being implemented in organizations. Participants learned, among other things, how to integrate data science with management accounting, how to build scalable analytical environments, how management accounting 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 titled “DATA, DECISIONS, ADVANTAGE: Compromise or a Clash of Worlds?”, during which representatives from various 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 skills people will need in an increasingly automated world, and ways to build a competitive advantage in an environment of growing uncertainty.
The afternoon sessions provided another solid dose of practical knowledge. Across two thematic tracks, participants explored solutions that support controlling and finance—ranging 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 key takeaways from the 20th Congress was the need for increasingly close cooperation between finance, management accounting, IT, data analytics, and business functions. Technology offers organizations enormous possibilities, but technology alone does not create a competitive advantage. Competitive 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 just presentations and the conference stage. Above all, it is about the ICV community. Networking breaks, lunch, and the closing networking session once again demonstrated just how valuable the opportunity to exchange experiences among controlling and finance professionals truly is. Many important conversations began outside the conference room—through direct meetings between participants, experts, and Congress partners.
The anniversary edition also held special significance. During the Congress, the CONTROLLING EXCELLENCE Awards were presented to recognize individuals and organizations 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 heart of the transformation in how organizations are managed. Data, AI, and advanced analytics are changing the tools available to us, but the objective remains the same: to make faster, better, and more informed business decisions.
We would like to thank all participants, speakers, partners, patrons, and everyone involved in organizing 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 is now part of our history. And we’re already looking ahead. See you at the next ICV Poland Congress!
Dr. Tomasz M. Zieliński
