Auditing and notions of accountability - Lecture 12

Question 1

What is accountability?

Answer 1

An obligation to:
.Give an account of economic and other resources
.Account checked for its veracity: Truthfulness

Question 2

Conceptions of accountability are…..

Answer 2

.Typically aligned vertically with reporting systems
.Subordinate to a surveillance framing of control
.Designed to enhance willingness and ability to explain and justify ones acts to self and others

Question 3

How is mutual reinforcement of control technologies important for social control and legitimation?

Answer 3

.Accountability linked to a number of structural forms
.Hierarchical forms of accountability
.Organisational and societal structures

Question 4

Why are accountability relations and requirements contextually embedded?

Answer 4

.Stated in terms of contemporary values and expectations
.Communities and organisations institutionalise different forms of accountability
.Different categories of agents and principles

Question 5

How is trust and checking linked?

Answer 5

.Trust would release one from the need of checking
.Auditing is defined by methods of checking and verification which are varied
.Trust associated with professional, legal and managerial codes of accountability

Question 6

Auditing is closely associated with…..

Answer 6

.Control and surveillance
.Preventing and detecting fraud
.Giving an opinion in terms of truth and fairness

Question 7

How are accountability relations defined by the corporate governance structures in place?

Answer 7

.Governance responsibilities of the board of directors
.Shareholders role in the appointment of directors and auditors
.Auditors role in strengthening corporate governance

Question 8

Accountability emphasises multiple social, economic and political relations, including…..

Answer 8

.Performance measures
.Compliance
.Monitoring and control

Question 9

How is Auditing and Accountability linked?

Answer 9

.Formalised style of accountability
.Technical practice as well as an idea
.Never pure neutral
.Evolves in changing legal, economic and political environments