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The Ethics Coach on Accountability There's not always a clear-cut answer regarding the amount of responsibility you have to shoulder in every situation. This month our ethics coach tackles two tricky accountability issues.

By Gael O'Brien

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Do you have an ethical dilemma? Write to The Ethics Coach at ethics@entrepreneur.com.

Ignore accountability, and you'll be on the fast track to a derailed reputation. But there's not always a clear-cut answer regarding the amount of responsibility you have to shoulder in every situation. This month we tackle two tricky accountability issues.

Q: I am a self-employed graphic designer in North Carolina who was hired by a motivated, seemingly professional client to provide design services, including a website, for her new business. She agreed to a contract and made a 50 percent down payment. When the site launched, she paid only half the remaining balance and has made no payment on follow-up invoices. She also owes others in town. Further, she owns additional businesses in Georgia and has moved to a third state to start another. How can she be allowed to keep doing this?