noun

• The state of being accountable; liability to be called on to render an account or give an explanation; liability to be held responsible or answerable for something.
• An open determination of one's responsibility for something and imposition of consequences.
• Good-faith acceptance of one's responsibility for something and of its consequences.
• (military) The obligation imposed by law or regulation on an officer or other person for keeping accurate record of property, documents, or funds. The person having this obligation may or may not have actual possession of the property, documents, or funds. Accountability is concerned primarily with records, while responsibility is concerned primarily with custody, care, and safekeeping.