The Finance & Accounting Technology Expo (FATE) has announced the launch of the Controller Tech Exchange, a new four-session content series set to debut at FATE 2026. The event will take place November 18–19 at the Javits Center in New York City.

The Controller Tech Exchange was created in response to the rapidly expanding role that controllers now play in finance technology decisions. As finance functions across industries face mounting pressure to digitize close processes, automate reconciliations, and adopt AI-assisted analytics, controllers have increasingly moved beyond traditional reporting and compliance responsibilities into evaluating and deploying the systems that underpin those operations. The series will feature collaborative discussions focused on AI adoption, technology evaluation, finance transformation, and building scalable accounting operations.

"Controllers have become key drivers of technology strategy inside the finance organization," said RD Whitney, FATE Director. "They're evaluating AI, leading ERP initiatives and modernizing workflows. The Controller Tech Exchange reflects this evolution with implementation-focused sessions built around their biggest tech challenges today."

The four-session series includes:

Scaling the Controller Function: Building the Right Technology Playbook — Attendees will learn how to recognize when finance operations have outgrown existing systems, evaluate readiness for new technology, and avoid common implementation mistakes that create long-term accounting tech debt.

A Move on AI: Controllers' Action Checklists — This session moves beyond AI theory, offering practical frameworks for launching AI initiatives, governing pilot programs, earning executive buy-in, and identifying high-impact use cases that finance teams can implement immediately.

The AI Acquisition Process: Selection, Evaluation, Decision — Participants will explore a finance-first framework for evaluating AI solutions, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring that technology investments drive measurable operational outcomes rather than merely successful implementations.

Controller's Role in Building a Finance Tech Stack and Token Modeling — This session covers how controllers can make smarter build-versus-buy decisions, govern an evolving finance technology stack, understand AI cost structures, and prepare their organizations for the next generation of finance automation.

Now entering its third year, FATE brings together CFOs, Controllers, VPs of Finance, finance operations leaders, accounting professionals, and solution providers to explore the technologies shaping modern finance. More information is available at