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What is a control account reconciliation?

Intermediate

Answer

A control account reconciliation compares the control account balance with the total of the list of balances from the subsidiary ledger. Differences are identified and split between errors in the control account (adjust the control account) and errors in the list of balances (adjust the list). After correction, the two should agree.
Control account 6,650 vs list 6,500:
  Adjust control for a 100 discount omitted;
  Adjust list for a 50 miscast -> both agree at 6,550.
Real-world example The bookkeeper reconciles the payables control account to the creditors list each month before reporting.

Common follow-ups: How do you split errors between the two sides? | What is the goal of the reconciliation?