Canny controllers of costs? (5)
I believe the answer is:
scots
'canny controllers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'costs?' is the wordplay.
'costs' anagrams to 'SCOTS'.
Though, I'm not sure how the anagram is indicated.
'of' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scots that I've seen before include "eg Glaswegians" , "North British" , "A UK language" , "- Greys, - pine" , "Folk from Fife" .)