IVCA Feature: EY Shares Insights Ahead of the 2026 IVCA CFO Summit on October 22
The 2026 IVCA CFO Summit takes place next Thursday, October 22, bringing together finance and operations professionals from Illinois' private equity and venture capital community.
Designed for CFOs, COOs, controllers, finance teams, and firm operations leaders, the Summit features expert-led discussions on economic trends, tax and regulatory developments, fund operations, valuations, fund formation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies shaping the investment management industry.
EY serves as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 IVCA CFO Summit. Northern Trust is the Hosting Sponsor, Kirkland & Ellis LLP is the Content Sponsor, and Alter Domus, NFP (an Aon company), and Valuation Research Corporation are Exhibiting Sponsors. Alter Domus also serves as a Content Sponsor.
As a preview of this year's program, IVCA spoke with Stephanie Backman, CPA, Tax Partner at EY, about the trends, challenges, and opportunities finance leaders should be watching as they prepare for 2027.
IVCA: The IVCA CFO Summit is coming up on October 22. What are the key themes attendees can expect this year, and who would benefit from attending beyond CFOs?
EY: This year's Summit will focus on how organizations can navigate an unprecedented pace of change. Artificial intelligence continues to create significant opportunities for growth, productivity, and operational efficiency, but it also introduces new considerations around cybersecurity, governance, compliance, and risk management.
The organizations that will lead in the coming years are those that successfully balance innovation with appropriate oversight. While CFOs remain a core audience, the discussions will be highly relevant for COOs, controllers, technology leaders, and other executives responsible for growth, operations, and risk management.
IVCA: What tax, accounting, or regulatory developments should fund managers and finance teams be paying particularly close attention to heading into 2027?
EY: The 2026 midterm elections are expected to play a significant role in shaping the policy and regulatory landscape heading into 2027 and beyond. Fund managers and finance leaders should closely monitor potential legislative, tax, and regulatory developments that may emerge following the elections. Summit attendees will hear perspectives directly from EY's Washington Council professionals, providing valuable insights into developments in Washington and the potential implications for the Private Equity and Venture Capital industry.
IVCA: AI is rapidly transforming finance functions. Where are you seeing the most practical applications of AI within PE and VC firms today, and where do you think the biggest opportunities still exist?
EY: Private Equity and Venture Capital firms are increasingly moving beyond AI experimentation and into scaled adoption. According to recent market observations, many asset management CFOs are accelerating AI investments after realizing measurable benefits from early initiatives, while others are building internal governance frameworks and specialized expertise to support long-term adoption.
One of the most important strategic decisions organizations face is determining where to buy proven solutions versus where to develop proprietary capabilities. Looking ahead, the greatest opportunity lies in moving beyond individual productivity gains toward AI-enabled operating models, where intelligent agents and automation are embedded throughout key business processes and decision-making workflows.
IVCA: Data, technology, and automation continue to reshape the finance function. What investments are firms making today that you believe will create the greatest long-term value?
EY: The most successful digital transformation initiatives begin with a strong data strategy. High-quality, well-governed data is the foundation for automation, advanced analytics, and AI adoption. Many firms are recognizing that achieving long-term value often requires more than incremental improvements. Instead, it involves rethinking processes from the ground up and designing future-state operating models that fully leverage technology, automation, and data-driven insights.
IVCA: Many CFOs are increasingly taking on broader strategic and operational responsibilities. How has the role evolved over the past five years, and what skills will be most important for the CFO of the future?
EY: The CFO role has expanded significantly in both scope and influence over the past five years. Today's CFOs are expected not only to oversee financial performance but also to help shape strategy, manage enterprise risk, drive technology investments, and support organizational transformation.
As the pace of change accelerates, successful CFOs will need a combination of financial expertise, technological fluency, and strategic leadership. In particular, understanding how to harness the power of AI while protecting intellectual property, managing risk, and maintaining strong governance will become a critical differentiator.
IVCA: For someone considering attending the CFO Summit, what are the key takeaways and opportunities that they can anticipate?
EY: What distinguishes the IVCA CFO Summit is the quality of engagement and collaboration among attendees. The CFO community has consistently fostered open and substantive dialogue, creating opportunities for participants to learn directly from peers who are facing similar challenges and opportunities.
Attendees gain practical insights into emerging trends, leading practices, and evolving risks, while the interactive format also gives industry leaders and presenters valuable perspective on the issues most impacting organizations today. It is a unique forum for networking, knowledge sharing, and actionable discussion.
Registration remains open for the 2026 IVCA CFO Summit, taking place October 22, 2026. Attendance is complimentary for IVCA members. Join your peers for a day of practical insights, candid discussion, and networking focused on the evolving role of finance leadership in private equity and venture capital.
Click here for event details and registration information.