iTTi Gloss: Accountability

1. The ability to map a given activity or event back to the responsible party.

Source: CGEIT Review Manual 2013 pg 165. ISACA.

2. [Activist] accountability [goes beyond traditional notions of passive accountability. It] includes the concept of “ownership” — meaning active, continuous involvement in managing a program and, most importantly, clear ownership of each measurable outcome and the associated benefits.

Source: The Information Paradox. Pag. 167. Fujitsu Consulting/ John Thorn.

3. Accountability: The board should be able to justify its decisions and actions to shareholders and other stakeholders who require it to do so.

Source: King III Report. Institute of Directors in Southern Africa.  

Reporting and accountability are different, both in objective and in subjective terms. Reporting is about the successful or unsuccessful outcome of an action. Reporting is addressed to those interested in said outcome (the stakeholders). Accountability / liability refers to performing the action and the way it was carried out as judged by the individuals or institution entitled to such judgement.

1. Definition a) above, rather defines traceability, which certainly is a requisite of accountability;

2. Definition b) would be more correct, in our opinion if instead of reading “…and the associated benefits” would read “and the associated benefits or losses”.

3. Definition c) asks the BoD to be able to justify its decisions and actions to shareholders and other stakeholders. 

Related perspective(-s):

1.- iTTi Gloss: Corporate Governance of IT 

2.- Origen y evolución del concepto de "Gobierno Corporativo de TI"