Smarter Cost Control in 2026: How controllers are tackling the year ahead

Controllers are under constant pressure to cut costs, but few get a clear blueprint. Many face untouchable expenses, shifting priorities, and systems that weren’t built for strategic pivots.

To understand how they’re adapting, we surveyed 100 controllers across industries and company sizes. Here’s what stood out:

• Workflows reworked – Nearly half updated AP, payroll, billing, or reporting to scale without adding headcount.
  
• Decisions under pressure – Only 7% use structured frameworks, while more than half regret past cuts, especially in headcount and systems.
  
• Headcount reshaped – 59% added new roles in accounting, reporting, or ERP/data to absorb demand.
  
• Investments redirected – ERP consolidation, automation and AI are the top investment priorities going into 2026.

This infographic is a preview. For full benchmarks, sector breakdowns and peer strategies, download the complete Controller’s Report.