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.

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?