Crossword Genius

Lack of transparency — and compassion — when handling bill (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opacity

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'lack of transparency' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'compassion when handling bill' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'bill' could be 'ac' (short for account) and 'ac' is found in the answer.
'compassion' could be 'pity' (pity is a kind of compassion) and 'pity' is found in the remaining letters.
A single letter 'o' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for opacity that I've seen before include "Lack of transparency" , "The quality of being impervious to light" , "Not allowing passage through" , "Obscureness" , "incomprehensible" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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