Accountability
Patrick Barefoot
BUSI 625
Dr. Duncan
November 29, 2011
Accountability
In today’s competitive business world, all decisions and their consequences are essential to an organization’s success. They reflect the character of the decision maker, and the image of the organization. In order to bring about the most positive impacts on ourselves, co-workers, and the community much effort must go into making these tough decisions. Equally important is being accountable for the consequences of these actions. Whether good or bad, all decisions correspond with an appropriate outcome. It is one’s obligation to fully accept the rewards or punishment that comes with their actions. In the accounting field much responsibly has been given to its employees, such as keeping accurate reports of all financial transactions. With this bestowed trust much is expected from their performance. This directly relates to a biblical teaching in the book of Luke.
The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke, 12:47-48)
In this passage the servant or employee that had knowledge of what his master demanded of him and did not execute accordingly was punished severely. On the other hand, the servant who had no knowledge was only punished lightly. This shows the relationship between ability and expectations. If the ability to achieve great things is present then greatness will be the only acceptable outcome. In any instance where the outcome is unacceptable, someone must be held accountable. This is depicted through the punishment of blows in the passage above.
In production and service organizations the accounting department is responsible for communicating
BUSI 625
Dr. Duncan
November 29, 2011
Accountability
In today’s competitive business world, all decisions and their consequences are essential to an organization’s success. They reflect the character of the decision maker, and the image of the organization. In order to bring about the most positive impacts on ourselves, co-workers, and the community much effort must go into making these tough decisions. Equally important is being accountable for the consequences of these actions. Whether good or bad, all decisions correspond with an appropriate outcome. It is one’s obligation to fully accept the rewards or punishment that comes with their actions. In the accounting field much responsibly has been given to its employees, such as keeping accurate reports of all financial transactions. With this bestowed trust much is expected from their performance. This directly relates to a biblical teaching in the book of Luke.
The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke, 12:47-48)
In this passage the servant or employee that had knowledge of what his master demanded of him and did not execute accordingly was punished severely. On the other hand, the servant who had no knowledge was only punished lightly. This shows the relationship between ability and expectations. If the ability to achieve great things is present then greatness will be the only acceptable outcome. In any instance where the outcome is unacceptable, someone must be held accountable. This is depicted through the punishment of blows in the passage above.
In production and service organizations the accounting department is responsible for communicating
Cited: 3:23-24, Colossians. Bible: New International Version. n.d. 4:9-10, Ecclesiastes. Bible: New International Version. n.d. Boxx, Rick. How to Prosper In Business Without Sacrificing Integrity . Cross Training Publishing, 2003. Chewning, Richard C., John W. Eby and Shirley J. Roels. "Accountability: Stimulus For Self-Control." Business Through the Eyes of Faith. San Francisco: Harper Collins, n.d. 155-164. Fraud, Association of Certified. "ACFE Report Provides Insights on Occupational Fraud in the U.S." 24 June 2010. ACFE.com. 12 November 2011 <http://www.acfe.com>. Luke 12:47-48, Book of. Bible: New International Version. n.d. Prio, Jim. Portland General Electric Code of Business Ethics and Conduct. Portland, February 2010.