Criticise credit record (5)
I believe the answer is:
slate
This clue might be a double definition.
'criticise' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'credit record' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for slate that I've seen before include "Roofing material or credit recorder" , "Grey stone; tab" , "list of candidates" , "Grey metamorphic rock" , "Scold; hard rock" .)