A statement and explanation or vindication of one's conduct with reference to judgment thereon.

A statement or detailed explanation covering debits and credits between parties. A record of a financial transaction.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.; "the explanation was very simple"; "I expected a brief account"

furnish a justifying analysis or explanation; "I can't account for the missing money"

an explanation as to why a dispreferred second part is given as a response in an adjacency pair

an explanation, or justification, of one's conduct

to justify or defend one's actions (or those of one's subordinates) based on the authority (or powers) and/or responsibilities bestowed by a superior authority. The account may encompass a statement of any necessary corrective action to be taken.