Automation, Trust, and the Future of Controllership

Controllers are no longer just guardians of compliance. They can be growth catalysts. In this episode of Incoming Statements, guest host Eli Geschwind sits down with Thomas Neel, Controller at Celigo, to explore how finance leaders can drive revenue through smart systems, data, and process ownership.

Thomas shares how controllers who take charge of core systems like NetSuite and CPQ can unlock hidden revenue opportunities. He walks through the power of cross-functional trust, why people must come before process, and how his team turned legacy pricing rules into new revenue streams. His journey shows how accounting can shift from cost center to strategy partner.

The conversation also looks ahead. Thomas explains why teams should act more like data scientists than bookkeepers, how automation and AI are reshaping the controllership function, and why true revenue impact starts with a disciplined, program-management mindset.