Legal Definitions - account for

In a legal context, to account for something means to provide a clear, satisfactory explanation, justification, or detailed report regarding actions taken, decisions made, or resources managed. It signifies a duty to explain and often implies taking responsibility for the outcome.

• Example 1: Explaining Actions or Decisions

  Imagine a city council member who voted in favor of a controversial new zoning law. After public outcry, the council member is asked by constituents and the press to account for their vote.

  This means the council member must publicly explain the reasons behind their decision, detailing the information they considered, the benefits they foresaw, and why they believed it was the right course of action, thereby justifying their conduct.

• Example 2: Reporting on Managed Funds or Resources

  A treasurer for a non-profit organization is responsible for managing all donations and expenditures. At the end of the fiscal year, the board of directors requires the treasurer to account for all the funds.

  Here, "account for" means the treasurer must provide a comprehensive financial report, including detailed records of every dollar received and spent, demonstrating that the money was managed appropriately and in line with the organization's mission and legal obligations.

• Example 3: Justifying an Outcome or Discrepancy

  A project manager overseeing a large construction project discovers a significant delay in completion and a budget overrun. The project owner demands that the project manager account for these issues.

  In this scenario, the project manager must explain the causes of the delay and cost increase, detailing what went wrong, what steps were taken, and what measures are being implemented to mitigate further problems. This involves providing a clear explanation and taking responsibility for the project's performance.