Congress of Controllers 2026

With around 530 participants from Germany and abroad, the 50th Congress of Controllers in Munich was a special anniversary for the controlling community. Under the motto “Prepared for Uncertainty”, the event focused on a question that is currently preoccupying companies across all sectors: How can controlling provide guidance in a world full of uncertainty?

ICV Chairman of the Board Matthias von Daacke already made it clear at the opening how much the job description has changed. Today, controllers no longer just provide figures – they are increasingly becoming strategic thinkers who guide companies through complex changes.

Different industries, similar challenges

Just how topical this change is was already evident in the first keynote speeches. At first glance, companies such as Krones, DHL Group and Dr. Beckmann could hardly be more different – mechanical engineering, logistics and consumer goods. On stage, however, it quickly became clear that they face the same challenges.

Uta Anders, CFO of Krones, then spoke about capital market communication in times of growing uncertainty. Dr. Dirk Baukmann from the DHL Group presented the “21st Century CFO Model” and showed how closely the finance function and operating business will have to be interlinked in the future. Jan Zimpelmann, CFO of the Dr. Beckmann Group, presented the paper “AI & Machine Learning in Controlling: First application trials in medium-sized manufacturing companies”, providing practical insights into the use of AI in the day-to-day controlling of medium-sized industrial companies. Guido Kleinhietpaß from the CA controller akademie also gave a clear impulse: the ability to change is becoming a decisive future competence in the finance sector. His message was clear: for Finance & Controlling, waiting is no longer an option. Prof. Dr. Lisa Perkhofer, Professor of Controlling & Business Intelligence at MCI – The Entrepreneurial School Innsbruck, rounded off the program with her presentation “Closing the Knowledge Gap – how specifically developed GenAI coaches support knowledge development in the reporting process” and showed how generative AI can be used in a targeted manner to sustainably improve knowledge transfer and quality in reporting.

Three topic clusters with a view to the future

In the afternoon, three topic clusters delved deeper into the central future topics of the Congress.

In the topic cluster “AI implementation in controlling”, Dr. Ansgar Heidemann, Jan Zimpelmann, Dr. Marina Hein, Prof. Dr. Karsten Oehler and Steffen Wittenauer showed how artificial intelligence is already being used in analysis, planning and decision support.

In the “Early crisis detection and dealing with uncertainty” session, Prof. Dr. Heimo Losbichler, Prof. Dr. Werner Gleißner, Matthias von Daacke and Carsten Thürnau spoke about how companies can identify risks earlier and manage them more resiliently.

In the topic cluster “Finance & Controlling as Performance Drivers”, Danny Szajnowicz, Dr. Thomas Biasi, Helene Eder, Florian Bliefert and Jens Ropers shed light on how controller organizations can position themselves even more strongly as strategic partners in the future.

Between the presentations, intensive discussions took place throughout the hotel. The 18 exhibitors presented practical solutions for modern control systems, and the numerous encounters once again showed that the congress is far more than just a traditional specialist event.

Awards for special achievements
An emotional highlight of the first day was the presentation of the Albrecht Deyhle Award for Controlling Excellence 2026. The Award went to BASF for a particularly practical controlling project. The companies BÖRLIND and Kärcher shared second place.

The second day also set a strong tone. Dr. Andreas Aschenbrücker, CFO of TRUMPF Machine Tools, provided insights into ten years of finance transformation and global management models. The Sartorius Group was also awarded the ICV – Péter Horváth Green Controlling Award 2026. Peer Brauer, Head of Finance & Controlling, presented the company’s ESG performance management.

Other keynote speakers included Oliver Knapp from Roland Berger with his view of China’s speed and cost structures, Frank Ahlrichs with approaches to operational excellence through AI, Michael Kappes on the future of corporate planning and Simone Baade-Doerfner, who spoke about AI-supported decision-making in online marketing.

Prof. Dr. Markus Hengstschläger from the Medical University of Vienna provided an equally inspiring and entertaining conclusion. With a great deal of humor, personal anecdotes and vivid examples from everyday life, he spoke about “problem-solving skills” as a crucial competence for the future. Again and again, he made the audience laugh – and at the same time provided thought-provoking moments. His central message remained in the minds of many: despite all technological developments, the human ability to find creative solutions remains irreplaceable. Or, as some participants noted with a grin afterwards: A talent for finding solutions is perhaps particularly part of the DNA of good controllers.

An anniversary with a view to the future

The 50th Congress of Controllers was therefore not only a look back at five decades of controlling excellence, but above all an outlook on the future of a function that continues to gain in importance in companies.

Special thanks go to all the speakers, the moderators, the dedicated team at the Westin Grand Munich, the ICV Board, the organization team, the working and professional groups represented and the young finance professionals who made this anniversary an exceptional event with their contributions, energy and commitment.

After two intensive days full of inspiration, encounters and new perspectives, we are already looking ahead to next year, when the controlling community will meet again in Munich on April 26 and 27, 2027 for the 51st Congress of Controllers.