Definitions for "Controlling account"
An account in the general ledger that summarizes the total balance of a group of related accounts in a subsidiary ledger. Also called control account.
a general ledger account that controls the accounts in a subsidiary ledger
Typically used in correlation to a subsidiary ledger, this account in a general ledger will summarize all the accounts in that subsidiary ledger (this would be for instance, the totals of any customer account balances, contained in that accounts receivable ledger).