ABSTRACT
It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible but for what we do not
do.
(Molière, quoted by Gardner, 2007: 56)
As has been shown in earlier chapters, accounting is a method of planning and
controlling the activities of a PBE but it is clearly linked to accountability, too. The
first part of this chapter discusses the concept of accountability and makes a link with
the ethical standards expected of a public manager. There are various accountability
mechanisms for PBEs. In this chapter the focus is on one of them: the publishing of
financial reports. Chapter 8 will concentrate on another important accountability
mechanism, audit.
