Rspec, Rails: how to test private methods of controllers?

I use send method. Eg:

event.send(:private_method).should == 2

Because "send" can call private methods

Where is the current_account method being used? What purpose does it serve?

Generally, you don't test private methods but rather test the methods that call the private one.

Use #instance_eval

@controller = AccountController.new
@controller.instance_eval{ current_account }   # invoke the private method
@controller.instance_eval{ @current_account }.should eql ... # check the value of the instance variable