Evolving Roles and Strategic Influence of CFOs within Modern Management Control Systems: A Systematic Literature Review

Edoardo Borlatto, Elisa Ballesio, Elisa Truant and Laura Broccardo

MANAGEMENT CONTROL, 2026, vol. 2026/1, issue 1, 17-40

Abstract: Management control systems (MCSs) are of paramount importance as they enable managers to achieve organizational objectives, and comprehensively oversee performance. Within the domain of MCSs, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) assumes a pivotal role, acting as a bridge between decision-makers who rely on MCSs for resource oversight and its traditional responsibilities as both an accountant and the leader of the financial and strategic divisions of the firm. Although there has been quite a scientific debate about the CFO?s role and MCSs in the last decade, the discourse at the intersection of these two research fields is still scarce and fragmented. Therefore, the present manuscript aims to review the current literature on the interplay between MCSs and CFOs, as well as the evolution of their roles. Drawing on a systematic literature review of 53 peer-reviewed articles, retrieved from the Scopus database and assessed through content analysis, this manuscript underscores how modern MCSs have transformed the CFO?s position from a primarily accounting-focused role into that of a strategic partner. Additionally, it emphasizes the CFO?s dual role as both a user and shaper of MCSs, illustrating how the reciprocal influence between these two elements facilitates organizational adaptability to today?s changing environment. Furthermore, the present manuscript provides a theoretical framework and a research agenda that could offer valuable insights to both academics and practitioners.

Date: 2026
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