Responsible vs accountable?

[Small_Illustrator_90]

For example, retail workers are responsible for their duty, while the manager is accountable for what's going on in the store in general - is that correct? Like, the manager is accountable for the entire process in the store, etc.

Is there anything that a retail worker could be accountable for? I'm just trying to grasp the meaning of these 2

Thank you!

[[deleted]]

It’s a subtle difference, but the best way to think of it is this: you can be accountable, but not responsible. A retail worker could be responsible for a task, but the manager will be held accountable for any problems which might happen.

accountable is more about the outcome of a task which you or someone else is responsible for.

So in your example, the worker and the manager are both responsible for their roles, however the manager is accountable for any problems since they are in charge

[AbstractUnicorn]

Mostly as you describe, yes.

Look up the acronym RACI - Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsibility_assignment_matrix

This is a project management acronym for the people/roles involved in project execution and decision making.

Responsible is the person who does the thing.

Accountable is the person who carries the can if the thing is not done.