All 2026 Finance Conference Sessions

Gartner Finance Symposium/Xpo 2026 dives deep into key topics for finance leaders around cost optimization, growth, AI and more to help you address your organization’s mission-critical challenges.

2026 Conference Theme

Autonomous Finance: Building Resilient, AI-Driven and Value-Centric Enterprises

CFOs are under pressure to deliver a more autonomous finance function, but that future won’t arrive on its own. This year’s agenda focuses on what it really takes to build that kind of finance organization where insights lead to faster decisions, automation supports more of the close and forecast, and finance teams engage with the business without becoming a bottleneck.

Autonomous finance is not a destination. It is a discipline. And CFOs must lead the way. Explore our sessions below, all developed with this theme in mind. 

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There are hundreds of sessions happening each day. Filter to see sessions that align with your role and interests. After registering for the conference, craft your agenda and book priority sessions — all through Conference Navigator.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2026

09:30 AM - 10:15 AM EDT

Gartner Opening Keynote: Finance at the Forefront: Winning When AI Is Changing (and Breaking) Everything

Clement Christensen, VP Analyst, Gartner
Tamara Shipley, VP Analyst, Gartner
As organizations adapt to AI, many early efforts fall short. Yet, some companies unlock extraordinary value from their AI investments. In this keynote at Gartner’s 2026 Finance Symposium, discover the strategies and mindsets that set such leaders apart. Learn how CFOs become architects of AI-driven transformation, driving innovation, efficiency and competitive advantage in an AI-first enterprise. Join us to explore actionable insights and the pivotal role finance will play in shaping the future of business. (CPE Credit: 0.8; Field of Study: Business Management and Organization; Delivery Method: Group Live; Program Knowledge Level: Basic; Prerequisites: None; Advanced Preparation: None) ... Show More Show Less

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EDT

Leadership Greatest Hits: A Playlist of Actions for CFOs to Lead Better in the AI Era

Rob O'Donohue, VP Analyst, Gartner
CFOs face pressure to lead through extreme change at a time when norms are being shattered. In this session, CFOs will discover a set of leadership tactics shaping executive success in 2025. These targeted actions will help CFOs adapt their leadership approach, helping them lead better up to the CEO and board, across the C-suite, outside and down into their organization, and, most crucially, help them lead better from within. Ideal for CFOs aiming to stay ahead, this session offers practical tools to elevate your leadership game. (CPE Credit: 0.6; Field of Study: Business Management and Organization; Delivery Method: Group Live; Program Knowledge Level: Basic; Prerequisites: None; Advanced Preparation: None) ... Show More Show Less

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM EDT

Roundtable: AI Inside the Close: How Intelligent Systems Reshape Finance and Tax, moderated by Avalara

Sai Avula, Principal, Indirect Tax Operations, PwC
Jamie Kimball, Senior Director, Enterprise Solutions, Avalara
Chris Walleman, Senior Director Global System Implementation, Avalara
CFOs face growing volatility from macroeconomic uncertainty, regulatory shifts, and AI-driven change. In this executive roundtable moderated by Avalara and PwC, leaders will explore how AI is transforming forecasts, tax, controls, and compliance, while embedding modern compliance architecture into finance workflows. Attendees will gain practical insights on scaling adoption, maintaining trust, and reshaping finance and decision-making. ... Show More Show Less

12:30 PM - 01:15 PM EDT

Ask the Analyst: How Executives Are Using AI to Enhance Their Professional Effectiveness

Jennifer Carter, Sr Principal Analyst, Gartner
Most conversations are focused on scaling AI adoption across the enterprise. Today, it's about how you can use the technology to enhance your own professional effectiveness as a C-suite leader. We will cover how global executives are personally using AI, as well as discuss strategies for you to encourage intentional AI adoption across your C-suite. ... Show More Show Less

12:30 PM - 01:00 PM EDT

Succeeding as a New-to-Role CFO

Dennis Gannon, VP Analyst, Gartner
Taking on a CFO role is an exciting and rewarding career milestone, but the skills that help you succeed as a CFO aren't always the same ones that helped you achieve the role. This session will look at success factors that accelerate a new CFO's time to impact and best practices in ensuring a successful first few years as a CFO. (CPE Credit: 0.6; Field of Study: Business Management and Organization; Delivery Method: Group Live; Program Knowledge Level: Basic; Prerequisites: None; Advanced Preparation: None) ... Show More Show Less

02:30 PM - 03:15 PM EDT

CFO Circle Ask the Analyst: Liquidity Under Pressure: Rethinking Working Capital Management for Strategic Advantage

Paul Quinn, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
This interactive Q&A session examines how in today’s volatile environment, CFOs are challenged to unlock liquidity, but the most forward-thinking leaders are moving beyond blanket cash conversion cycle (CCC) reduction. This session explores how selective optimization or even extension of CCC components can drive agility, supplier resilience and customer loyalty, while enhancing return on capital. ... Show More Show Less

03:15 PM - 03:45 PM EDT

Avalara: Designing a Finance Operating Model Built for Volatility

Christine Martin, Sr Solutions Consultant, Avalara
Blake Eaches, Vice President, Financial Operations, Avalara
Macroeconomic uncertainty, regulatory complexity, and AI are reshaping the CFO agenda, yet many finance teams still rely on fragmented compliance processes. In this executive roundtable, leaders will explore how AI is transforming forecasts, tax, controls, and global compliance, while sharing strategies to scale adoption, maintain trust, and embed resilience into finance operations. ... Show More Show Less

03:15 PM - 04:00 PM EDT

Roundtable: How CFOs Break the Growth vs. Efficiency Tradeoff, moderated by TP

Brad Rhoderick, Vice President Gbs Solutions, Teleperformance
CFOs are often forced to choose between cost efficiency and growth investment, and a small group of finance leaders consistently deliver both. During this roundtable, CFOs will discuss how high‑performing organizations reallocate savings from automation and legacy simplification into growth initiatives. We will explore practical approaches to capital discipline, investment prioritization, and sustaining efficiency without constraining innovation ... Show More Show Less

04:00 PM - 04:30 PM EDT

Building a Better Relationship With Your CIO

Mallory Bulman, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
CFOs are increasingly collaborating with CIOs, but the relationship has not always been as productive as possible. We will discuss tactics and strategies for a more productive relationship with your CIO that drives cost-efficient digitization. (CPE Credit: 0.6; Field of Study: Business Management and Organization; Delivery Method: Group Live; Program Knowledge Level: Basic; Prerequisites: None; Advanced Preparation: None) ... Show More Show Less

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“This conference is a great opportunity to gain insights into the industry trends that will be key to your finance organization’s health and success in the near and long term.”

Matt Mozdziez
Senior Finance Director, Chemours

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