2025 CFO/Controller Outlook & Sentiment Study Available
Financial Performance Index (FPI) Trending
Chicago, IL—February 17, 2025— The results of a national study on CFO and Controller Sentiment for 2025 is now available in a published report by the Controllers Council. The research identifies a CFO/Controller Financial Performance Index™ (FPI), and a CFO/Controller Spending-Budget Index™ (SBI) that serve as important benchmarks.
The 2025 CFO/Controller Sentiment Study was conducted in November 2024 thru January 2025 via a national survey of CFOs, Controllers and related corporate finance executives. The study identified growing confidence in outlooks for financial performance, metrics, and technology investment; along with “bullish” spending and budget priorities.
A CFO/Controller Financial Performance Index (FPI) of 143% reinforces growing confidence in comparison to prior years. While the CFO/Controller Spending-Budget Index (SBI) of 110% represents a significant increase in spending plans compared to the 2024 SBI of 84%.
“The 2025 CFO/Controller Outlook & Sentiment study identified steady growth in financial performance, along with surprisingly ‘bullish’ spending increases despite political and geo-political uncertainties,” states Neil Brown, Controllers Council Executive Director. “The research study report provides extraordinary insight into how corporate finance peers are navigating 2025 and beyond.”
The study results also sheds light on plans for AI implementation, hybrid work environments, hiring priorities, along with the “greatest concerns, what keeps you up at night” question, and more.
To view or download the complimentary 2025 CFO/Controller Sentiment Study Report, click here.
To view the 2025 CFO/Controller Sentiment Study – Webcast Panel Video Archive, click here.
ABOUT Controllers Council
Controllers Council™ is a national member association, community and platform of more than 100,000 Controllers, CFOs, and corporate accounting and finance professionals focused on career development and training, best practice resources, networking, recognition and more. Programs include continuing professional education (CPE), a national Career Center, strategic research studies, webcasts with expert panelists on trending topics, articles and whitepapers. Controllers Council publishes the annual CFO/Controller Sentiment™ Study, the Corporate Finance & Accounting Talent Study, the CFO/Controller Financial Performance Index™ (FPI); and produces the annual Controller of the Year™ Awards, Meet the Controller™ Interview Series, the Controllers for a Cause™ Scholarship Fund, and the upcoming Controllership 2030™ – Predictions Panel and study.
For more information, visit www.ControllersCouncil.org, email or call Executive Director Neil Brown at neil@controllerscouncil.org or 630-710-4710.
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Controllership 2030: Predictions Study
Webcast Panel and Survey Announced
Chicago, IL—July 22, 2026—Controllers Council, a member association and community platform focused on corporate accounting and finance, announces the Controllership 2030™ Predictions Study and webcast panel focused on how the roles and responsibilities of corporate financial controllers and related executives will evolve over the next 5 years with AI and technology, talent and skill shortages, along with rapidly changing macroeconomic and political environments.
Controllers, CFOs, CAOs and related corporate accounting and finance executives can participate in this important study by taking a brief, anonymous and strictly confidential survey. Respondents will receive a complimentary copy of the Controllership 2030: Study Report after completing the survey here.
The Controllership 2030: Predictions Study results will be previewed at a complimentary webcast roundtable panel discussion scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 1 PM CST. CPE credit will be available.
“Controllership 2030: Predictions Panel is a timely study as controller roles are rapidly and significantly evolving,” states Neil Brown, Controllers Council Executive Director. “Controllers and related corporate finance executives will gain unique insights by participating in the survey, roundtable panel, and the study report."
The panel will include CFO Joy Mbanugo, and Bilal Aziz, AI & Platform Leader @ Lineos, and other panelists to be announced. Moderated by Neil Brown, Executive Director.
The study and webcast panel are produced by the Controllers Council, a member association and community platform focused on corporate accounting and finance training and resources, career development, networking and recognition.
Take the brief and confidential survey, the Controllership 2030: Predictions Study, LINK HERE.
To register for the complimentary webcast, Controllership 2030: Predictions Study Results – Webcast Panel (CPE), LINK HERE.
ABOUT Controllers Council
Controllers Council™ is a national member association, community and platform of more than 100,000 Controllers, CFOs, and corporate accounting and finance professionals focused on career development and training, best practice resources, networking, recognition and more. Programs include NASBA-certified continuing professional education (CPE), a national Career Center, strategic research studies, webcasts with expert panelists on trending topics, articles and whitepapers. Controllers Council publishes the annual CFO/Controller Sentiment™ Study, the Corporate Finance & Accounting Talent Study, the CFO/Controller Financial Performance Index™ (FPI); and produces the annual Controller of the Year™ Awards, Meet the Controller™ Interview Series, the Controllers for a Cause™ AICPA Scholarship Fund, and the upcoming Controllership 2030™ - Predictions Panel and study.
For more information, visit www.ControllersCouncil.org, or call Executive Director Neil Brown at 630-710-4710.
