Which statement best defines accountability in a supervisory context?

• A. The ability to delegate tasks to subordinates.
• B. The process of planning and organizing resources.
• C. A non-assignable liability for the manner in which a supervisor's responsibility is carried out.
• D. The responsibility to set organizational culture.

Answer: (C)

Accountability means being answerable for both the results and how the work is carried out under a supervisor’s charge. Even when tasks are delegated, the supervisor remains responsible for ensuring standards, safety, and policies are met, and for accepting the consequences if performance or conduct falls short. That’s why the notion of accountability is described as a non-assignable liability for how the supervisor’s responsibilities are carried out. Delegation concerns distributing tasks, planning and organizing relate to management activities, and setting organizational culture is leadership influence—none of which fully capture the obligation to answer for outcomes and methods like accountability does.