Name: Desiree Cain | CFO Summit | New York
Start: 2026-05-07T04:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-05-07T04:00:00.000Z
Location: Convene 360 Madison Avenue

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Desiree

Cain

Controller

Astra Service Partners

Desiree Cain is an experienced Chief Financial Officer with a proven track record across distribution, manufacturing, installation, events, and accounting industries. She has a strong background in business process improvement, financial strategy, budgeting, cash flow management, and analytics, and is skilled in ERP systems including Sage and QuickBooks. She is currently a Controller at Astra Service Partners. Her prior role was as a CFO at Foos Fire, Inc., where Desiree oversaw all financial operations and drove efficiency across the business. She has held senior finance leadership roles at companies including New York Tent, McVeigh Global Meetings & Events, and Seating Solutions, where she led initiatives ranging from ERP implementation and cost optimization to strategic planning and business growth. A Bachelor of Science in Accounting from SUNY College at Old Westbury, Desiree combines technical expertise with a problem-solving mindset to create streamlined processes and actionable insights that help businesses thrive. She also provides consulting services to organisations seeking financial guidance, system implementation, and operational improvement.

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07 May 2026 14:15 - 14:45

AI reality check: Separating value from risk in controllership

Many finance teams feel growing pressure to “use AI,” yet few have clear guidance on where it truly adds value and where it creates risk. In controllership, mistakes are costly, data quality is non-negotiable, and blind experimentation can undermine trust fast. In this keynote, Desiree Cain draws on hands-on experience navigating AI adoption before and after acquisition to separate signal from hype. She explores why many AI tools are not yet fit for core accounting workflows, where finance leaders should proceed with caution, and how controllers can adopt AI without compromising accuracy, compliance, or professional judgment. Key takeaways: - Learn how to evaluate AI tools for finance without costly trial-and-error. - Understand where human judgment must remain central in accounting and controllership. - Gain a practical framework for introducing AI responsibly while protecting data integrity, controls, and credibility.