Author

IIA-Australia

Date

Topics Explored

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Extract/Description

An accountable authority refers to the person or group of persons responsible for overseeing and controlling the operations of an organisation. Other terms used instead of accountable authority are governing body / governing authority.

Key Points

1. An organisation’s accountable authority is ultimately responsible for an organisation’s governance. In a company or government corporation, this will be the board of directors. In the public sector where there is not a board of directors, governance arrangements are implemented by the head of the organisation.
2. In the public sector, legislation and regulation usually refers to the ‘accountable authority’. In practical terms there is no distinction between a board / accountable authority / those charged with governance / governing body / governing authority

Relevant Industries

Level of Assumed Knowledge