Peter Murphy is Professor of Public Policy and Management at Nottingham Business School, UK. He was a senior civil servant and the chief executive of a local authority.Laurence Ferry is Professor of Accounting at Durham University, UK. He is a well-recognised international expert in public financial management.Russ Glennon is a Senior Lecturer in management and leadership at Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, UK, and specialises in public policy and management.Kirsten Greenhalgh is Associate Professor of Accounting at Nottingham University Business School, UK, and has a professional background in management accounting in the NHS and local government.

• Chapter 1. But what is accountability?.- Chapter 2: Our evaluative model.- Chapter 3. Local government.- Chapter 4. Health and social care.- Chapter 5. Police.- Chapter 6. Fire and rescue.- Chapter 7. Public service accountability – some reflections.

Peter Murphy is Professor of Public Policy and Management at Nottingham Business School, UK. He was a senior civil servant and the chief executive of a local authority.Laurence Ferry is Professor of Accounting at Durham University, UK. He is a well-recognised international expert in public financial management.Russ Glennon is a Senior Lecturer in management and leadership at Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, UK, and specialises in public policy and management.Kirsten Greenhalgh is Associate Professor of Accounting at Nottingham University Business School, UK, and has a professional background in management accounting in the NHS and local government.

• Chapter 1. But what is accountability?.- Chapter 2: Our evaluative model.- Chapter 3. Local government.- Chapter 4. Health and social care.- Chapter 5. Police.- Chapter 6. Fire and rescue.- Chapter 7. Public service accountability – some reflections.