ABSTRACT
This chapter considers one of the core principles that underpin effective delivery of governance. It explores the significance of personal and corporate accountability in current governance codes and regulation. The chapter focuses on gaining assurance over the organisation's ability to run successful and sustainable businesses. Accountability is one of the core principles underpinning good governance. Quite simply, without accountability, getting things done will be laboured. It is required for delivering good governance and conversely, good governance demonstrates accountability. The chapter considers the features of personal accountability in governance. Personal accountability is implicit in being a leader, a role that is assumed by those in governance. Individuals with a personal sense of accountability can help make poor structures and processes work; in contrast, the best designed structures and processes are unlikely to function well when there is no personal sense of accountability.
