accountability
being responsible and answerable
The state of having to explain your actions and accept good or bad results.
accountability for [something] / accountability to [someone]
- In this role, you have full accountability for the team’s performance.
- The manager took accountability for the delay and apologized to the client.
- Parents share accountability for their children’s behavior online.
- The report criticizes the company’s weak culture of accountability.
- He dodged accountability by blaming his coworkers for the error.
- She has accountability for the sales numbers this year.
- Good leaders show accountability when they make a mistake.
- The teacher said students must take accountability for their own learning.
- There is little accountability when rules are not clear.
- He refused to accept accountability for what happened.
systems ensuring responsibility
Systems or rules that make people or groups explain what they do and accept results, especially in government or big organizations.
accountability in [area] / accountability mechanisms for [something]
- The new law aims to improve accountability in the police force.
- Shareholders demanded stronger accountability from the company’s board of directors.
- Independent media are essential for democratic accountability.
- International donors are calling for clear accountability mechanisms for the aid money.
- The report highlights serious gaps in financial accountability within the ministry.
- Many people want more accountability in government.
- The project failed because there was no clear accountability system.
- Strong accountability can reduce corruption.
- They introduced new rules to increase financial accountability.
- Public accountability is important in a democracy.
- Base: accountability
- Plural: accountabilities, accountability
accountability partner
1person who helps you stay on track
A person who you choose to check on your progress and remind you to do what you said you would do, like exercising or studying.
- I asked my friend to be my accountability partner for going to the gym three times a week.
- Having an accountability partner makes it harder to skip your study sessions.
corporate accountability
5company responsibility to society
The idea that companies must explain what they do and face results for their actions, especially to the public and the government.
- New regulations aim to increase corporate accountability for environmental damage.
- Activists are calling for corporate accountability in global supply chains.
culture of accountability
6organizational norm of responsibility
A situation in a group or company where it is normal and expected that people accept responsibility and explain what they do.
- The new CEO is trying to build a culture of accountability across all departments.
- Schools need a culture of accountability so that teachers and administrators are responsible for student outcomes.
ensure accountability
7make responsibility certain
To make sure that people or groups really do have to explain their actions and accept the results.
- Independent audits help ensure accountability in large projects.
- Clear rules are needed to ensure accountability at every level of the company.
financial accountability
4responsibility for money decisions
Clear responsibility for how money is used, where people must explain spending and follow the rules.
- Charities must show strong financial accountability to their donors.
- Better financial accountability would have prevented the misuse of public funds.
lack of accountability
2absence of responsibility systems
A situation where people do not have to explain their actions or accept results, even when they do something wrong.
- Many citizens are angry about the lack of accountability after the scandal.
- Corruption grows when there is a lack of accountability in public offices.
promote accountability
8encourage responsibility and oversight
To support ideas, rules, or actions that help make people or groups explain what they do and accept the results.
- The NGO works to promote accountability and good governance worldwide.
- Citizen groups can help promote accountability by asking difficult questions.
public accountability
3responsibility to the general public
The duty of people in power, like politicians or public offices, to explain their actions to everyone and accept the results.
- Free media are vital for public accountability in a democracy.
- The committee was created to improve public accountability in city spending.
strengthen accountability
9increase strength of responsibility systems
To make rules or systems stronger so that people or groups are more clearly responsible and must explain what they do.
- The reform package seeks to strengthen accountability in the health-care system.
- International observers recommended measures to strengthen accountability after the election.
transparency and accountability
1openness plus responsibility
A common pair of ideas: information should be open, and people or groups should answer for what they do.
- The organization promotes transparency and accountability in public spending.
- The reform package focuses on transparency and accountability in public spending.
- Stronger transparency and accountability are needed to rebuild trust in the system.
- Nonprofits often highlight transparency and accountability in their mission statements.