accountability
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to hold someone accountable
To demand an explanation or justification from someone for their actions and make them responsible for possible mistakes or offenses.
Nach dem Finanzskandal wurde der gesamte Vorstand zur Rechenschaft gezogen.
After the financial scandal, the entire board was held accountable.
'Rechenschaft' (accountability) is made up of 'rechnen' (to calculate) and the suffix '-schaft', which describes a state or a community. Literally, it means giving an 'account' or a report about one's own actions.
Der Verein verlangt vom Vorstand vollständige Rechenschaft.
The association demands full accountability from the board.
This word appears almost exclusively in two fixed expressions: 'Rechenschaft ablegen' (to give account / to report actively) and 'jemanden zur Rechenschaft ziehen' (to hold someone accountable). It is rarely used on its own.
Der Politiker weigerte sich, für seine Fehler Rechenschaft abzulegen.
The politician refused to give account for his mistakes.
The term 'Rechenschaft' (accountability) and the expressions connected with it belong to formal language. They are used in official, political, legal, or business contexts.
Im Geschäftsbericht muss das Unternehmen über die Verwendung der Gelder Rechenschaft ablegen.
In the annual report, the company must give account of how the funds were used.
When you use 'Rechenschaft ablegen' (to give account), you often use the preposition 'über' (+ accusative) for the topic and 'vor' (+ dative) for the person or institution you are reporting to.
Die Ministerin musste vor dem Parlament Rechenschaft über ihre Reisekosten ablegen.
The minister had to give account to parliament for her travel expenses.
report
'der Bericht' and 'die Rechenschaft' both have to do with informing someone about something. A report gives factual information about events, observations, or results. 'Rechenschaft' is used when someone has to explain why they did something and is responsible for it. That is why 'Rechenschaft ablegen' (to give account) sounds stronger and more serious than 'einen Bericht geben' or 'Bericht erstatten' (to give/report information). The words can be confused because in both cases someone explains something. The difference is: with 'Bericht', the focus is mainly on facts; with 'Rechenschaft', responsibility and justification are also involved.
Wir müssen der Leitung Rechenschaft über die Ausgaben ablegen.
We have to give account to management for the expenses.
In der Pause lasen die Gäste den Bericht über die neue Planung.
During the break, the guests read the report about the new planning.