The right to an accounting has its basis both in common law and in statute. 

The law related to common law “equitable accountings” has evolved and changed over the years, and this evolution affords courts much flexibility to achieve just results.  But, the law is still subject to conflicting opinions and inconsistent rules of law.  As New York Supreme Court Justice Judith J. Gische stated after analyzing the law relating to equitable accountings:

“The body of law on equitable accountings is conflicting and muddled.” - Evans v. Perl, 2009 N.Y. Slip. Op. 31413, 2009 WL 1905169 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. June 23, 2009).