Authority vs. Accountability — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 17, 2024
Authority involves the power to make decisions and command, while accountability means being answerable for those decisions.
Difference Between Authority and Accountability
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Authority refers to the power or right delegated to an individual or organization to make decisions, give orders, and enforce obedience. On the other hand, accountability is the obligation to explain, justify, and take responsibility for one’s actions, particularly in the context of those decisions made under one's authority.
Authority usually comes with a designated position within an organizational hierarchy, such as a manager or director, who has the power to influence or control others' work. Whereas accountability extends to anyone within the organization, requiring them to answer for their actions and the outcomes thereof, regardless of their level of authority.
In terms of scope, authority can be limited to specific roles or tasks, giving individuals the autonomy to perform certain actions without needing constant oversight. In contrast, accountability often spans the entirety of one's role, encompassing all tasks and responsibilities assigned, ensuring that all actions align with organizational goals.
While authority is often formally granted through organizational structures and can be seen in positions of leadership, accountability is inherently expected in all roles. Accountability ensures that individuals or groups are held responsible for their performance or lack thereof.
Authority can be observed in the ability to delegate tasks, allocate resources, and make strategic decisions. Accountability, on the other hand, involves evaluating how those decisions were made and the effectiveness of their outcomes, often requiring reporting or review by superiors or stakeholders.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Power to make decisions and enforce obedience
Obligation to report, explain, and justify actions
Basis of Assignment
Typically associated with a specific role or position
Applies universally to all roles within an organization
Scope
Can be limited to specific functions
Covers all aspects of one's assigned duties
Visibility
Manifested in leadership and decision-making roles
Reflected in performance evaluations and responsibilities
Function
Allows delegation and control
Ensures transparency and responsibility for outcomes
Compare with Definitions
Authority
Command Over Others.
With authority, a team leader can assign tasks to team members.
Accountability
Transparency.
Accountability promotes transparency in the handling of company affairs.
Authority
Resource Allocation.
Authority enables a project manager to distribute resources among tasks.
Accountability
Performance Evaluation.
Accountability is reflected during performance reviews where employees discuss their achievements and challenges.
Authority
Decision-Making Power.
Authority allows a manager to implement new policies within a department.
Accountability
Ethical Obligations.
Accountability binds employees to adhere to ethical standards in their work.
Authority
Formal Power.
Authority is often formalized through organizational charts and job descriptions.
Accountability
Answerability.
Accountability requires that staff report the outcomes of tasks to supervisors.
Authority
Delegation.
Authority involves delegating responsibilities to subordinates.
Accountability
Responsibility for Actions.
Accountability ensures an employee must justify the decisions made during a project.
Authority
In the fields of sociology and political science, authority is the legitimate power that a person or a group of persons possess and practice over other people. In a civil state, authority is made formal by way of a judicial branch and an executive branch of government.In the exercise of governance, the terms authority and power are inaccurate synonyms.
Accountability
Accountability, in terms of ethics and governance, is equated with answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and the expectation of account-giving. As in an aspect of governance, it has been central to discussions related to problems in the public sector, nonprofit and private (corporate) and individual contexts.
Authority
The power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge.
Accountability
The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility
Lack of accountability has corroded public respect for business and political leaders
Authority
One that is invested with this power, especially a government or body of government officials
Land titles issued by the civil authority.
Accountability
Expected or required to account for one's actions; answerable.
Authority
Power assigned to another; authorization
Deputies were given authority to make arrests.
Accountability
Capable of being explained
An accountable phenomenon.
Authority
A public agency or corporation with administrative powers in a specified field
A city transit authority.
Accountability
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.
Authority
An accepted source of expert information or advice
A noted authority on birds.
A reference book often cited as an authority.
Accountability
An open determination of one's responsibility for something and imposition of consequences.
Authority
A quotation or citation from such a source
Biblical authorities for a moral argument.
Accountability
Good-faith acceptance of one's responsibility for something and of its consequences.
Authority
Justification; grounds
On what authority do you make such a claim?.
Accountability
(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.
Authority
A conclusive statement or decision that may be taken as a guide or precedent.
Accountability
The state of being accountable; liability to be called on to render an account; the obligation to bear the consequences for failure to perform as expected; accountableness.
Authority
Power to influence or persuade resulting from knowledge or experience
Political observers who acquire authority with age.
Accountability
Responsibility to someone or for some activity
Authority
Confidence derived from experience or practice; firm self-assurance
Played the sonata with authority.
Authority
(uncountable) Power or right to make or enforce rules or give orders; or a position having such power or right.
I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them.
Vigilantes may have the power to nab criminals, but they lack the authority.
She lost all respect and authority after turning up drunk at the meeting.
Respect my authority!
Authority
(plural) Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power; police or law enforcement.
Authorities say the suspect fled on foot.
Authority
(countable) A reliable, definitive source of information on a subject.
The world's foremost authority on orangutans
My cheap dictionary is not the authority on word derivations.
Authority
(uncountable) Status as a trustworthy source of information, reputation for mastery or expertise; or claim to such status or reputation.
Some thinkers regard appealing to authority as a logical fallacy; others regard it as a legitimate form of argument.
Authority
Official permission; authorisation to act in some capacity on behalf of a ruling entity.
Authority
(countable) A government-owned agency that runs a revenue-generating activity for public benefit.
New York Port Authority
Chicago Transit Authority
Authority
Legal or rightful power; a right to command or to act; power exercised buy a person in virtue of his office or trust; dominion; jurisdiction; authorization; as, the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children; the authority of a court.
Thus can the demigod, Authority,Make us pay down for our offense.
By what authority doest thou these things ?
Authority
Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as, the local authorities of the States; the military authorities.
Authority
The power derived from opinion, respect, or esteem; influence of character, office, or station, or mental or moral superiority, and the like; claim to be believed or obeyed; as, an historian of no authority; a magistrate of great authority.
Authority
That which, or one who, is claimed or appealed to in support of opinions, actions, measures, etc.
Wilt thou be glass wherein it shall discernAuthority for sin, warrant for blame.
Authority
The power or right to give orders or make decisions;
He has the authority to issue warrants
Deputies are given authorization to make arrests
Authority
(usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others;
The authorities have issued a curfew
Authority
An expert whose views are taken as definitive;
He is an authority on corporate law
Authority
Freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities;
His assurance in his superiority did not make him popular
After that failure he lost his confidence
She spoke with authority
Authority
An administrative unit of government;
The Central Intelligence Agency
The Census Bureau
Office of Management and Budget
Tennessee Valley Authority
Authority
Official permission or approval;
Authority for the program was renewed several times
Authority
An authoritative written work;
This book is the final authority on the life of Milton
Common Curiosities
How does accountability relate to authority?
Accountability is the obligation to justify and take responsibility for actions taken under one's authority.
What role does accountability play in leadership?
Accountability in leadership ensures leaders are answerable for their decisions and the organizational impact.
Can a person have authority without accountability?
While possible, effective management practices require both authority and accountability to ensure responsible governance.
Is authority always linked to a higher position?
Typically, authority correlates with higher positions, but it can be designated at various levels within an organization.
Why is accountability important in business?
Accountability ensures that business decisions align with the company’s goals and ethical standards.
What does accountability entail in day-to-day work?
Daily accountability involves consistent reporting, justification of decisions, and adherence to standards.
What happens if there is accountability but no authority?
This scenario can lead to frustration and inefficiency, as individuals may be held responsible for outcomes they cannot control.
What is authority in a workplace?
Authority is the right to make decisions and direct others in an organization.
How is authority formally granted?
Authority is often granted through formal job titles and specific roles defined by an organization.
Can lower-level employees have authority?
Yes, lower-level employees can have authority over specific tasks or decisions within their roles.
How do authority and accountability impact organizational performance?
Proper balance of authority and accountability can lead to improved decision-making, efficiency, and ethical practices.
What are the consequences of lack of accountability?
Lack of accountability can lead to poor job performance, ethical breaches, and diminished trust.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
