controlante

Controlante is a Spanish term used primarily in corporate law and finance to denote the person or entity that has effective control over a company or group. It refers to the controlling shareholder, the parent company, or another actor that can steer strategic decisions and appoint the majority of governing bodies through voting rights, contracts, or other arrangements. The term can apply to both individuals and corporate entities.

Etymologically, controlante comes from controlar plus the agentive suffix -ante, highlighting the power to direct operations and outcomes rather than mere ownership. In practice, it contrasts with terms such as controlado (the controlled party) and is used to describe the party that exercises control within a corporate structure.

In accounting and regulation, control is defined by the ability to govern financial and operating policies to obtain benefits. Under standards like IFRS 10, a parent company consolidates the financial statements of its subsidiaries when it has control, typically demonstrated by a majority of voting rights or other arrangements that grant power over relevant activities. The existence of a controlante does not always require a majority stake; governance rights, board representation, and contractual agreements can create de facto control.

Usage varies across Spanish-speaking jurisdictions. The term is common in phrases such as empresa controlante or grupo controlador to designate the controlling entity, and accionista controlador for a controlling shareholder. Depending on the country, related terms like empresa matriz may be used to refer to the parent company.