The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is a US legislative office that investigates, monitors, and evaluates public funds and economic efficiency within the US government. It provides recommendations to improve spending and investigates signs of illegal spending or misuse of taxpayer dollars. The GAO is managed by the Comptroller General, appointed by the president and approved by the Senate. It was established in 1921 in response to chaotic spending during World War II and has regional offices across the country.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is a US legislative office that operates under the US Congress. Its primary functions are to investigate, monitor, and evaluate any dealings with public funds and economic efficiency within the United States government. The Government Accountability Office basically holds the US government accountable to protect the use of taxpayer dollars. It also provides recommendations to government agencies and congressional leaders on how to change or improve spending to make it more efficient.
Much of the work done by the Government Accountability Office is requested by members of the United States Congress. Congressional leaders can request performance reviews, spending studies, or audits of specific areas. For example, the bureau usually reviews the performance of specific government programs to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately.
In addition to audits and spending review, the office also has an investigative function. If there are signs of illegal spending or misuse of taxpayer dollars in any area of government, including programs, offices, services and other agencies, the Government Accountability Office is responsible for the investigation and submission of the final report and recommendation. Typically, reports are presented to Congress and sometimes to the President of the United States. Historically, such investigations uncovered unnecessary or illegal spending and ultimately saved a great deal of taxpayer money, earning the office the nickname “Congressional Watchdog.
The Government Accountability Office is managed by the Comptroller General of the United States, a position appointed by the president and approved by the Senate. Interestingly, the president cannot remove a person from this position after appointment; only the comptroller can be removed from office through a joint congressional resolution or impeachment. A person appointed to this position remains in office for 15 years and cannot be appointed a second time.
The Budget and Accountancy Act 1921 established the Government Accountability Office, initially called the General Accounting Office; the agency’s name was later changed to better reflect its function within the United States government. The creation of the office was a response to the chaotic spending that occurred during World War II. Although wartime spending essentially ended the Great Depression, the nation’s debt increased to such an extent that government leaders realized that greater control and centralized financial information would be needed for future financial stability. The original office location is in Washington DC, but there are now regional offices in many major cities across the country, including Seattle, Boston, Denver and San Francisco.
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