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From the Government Manual Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Page 47-50]
GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20548
Phone, 202-512-3000. Internet, http://www.gao.gov/.
Comptroller General of the United States David M. Walker
Deputy Comptroller General of the (vacancy)
United States
Principal Assistant Comptroller James F. Hinchman
General
Assistant Comptroller General for (vacancy)
Planning and Reporting
Assistant Comptroller General for Joan M. Dodaro
Operations
Assistant Comptroller General for Thomas J. Brew, Acting
Policy
Assistant Comptroller General, Nancy Kingsbury,
General Government Division Acting
Assistant Comptroller General, Richard L. Hembra
Health, Education, and Human
Services Division
Assistant Comptroller General, John Harman
Office of Information
Management and
Communications
Assistant Comptroller General, Henry L. Hinton, Jr.
National Security and
International Affairs
Division
Assistant Comptroller General, Keith O. Fultz
Resources, Community, and
Economic Development
Division
Assistant Comptroller General, Gene L. Dodaro
Accounting and Information
Management Division
General Counsel Robert P. Murphy
Chief Accountant Philip Calder
Assistant Comptroller General for Robert H. Hast, Acting
Special Investigations
Support Functions:
Chief Economist Loren Yager, Acting
Director, Civil Rights Office Nilda I. Aponte
Director, Office of Congressional Helen H. Hsing
Relations
Director, Office of Counseling and Howard N. Johnson
Career Development
Inspector General Frances Garcia
Director, Office of International Linda L. Weeks
Liaison
Director, Personnel Patricia M. Rodgers
Director, Office of Public Affairs Cleve E. Corlett
Director, Office of Recruitment Paul Jones
Director, Training Institute Anne K. Klein
Chair, Personnel Appeals Board Michael Wolf
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The General Accounting Office is the investigative arm of the Congress
and is charged with examining all matters relating to the receipt and
disbursement of public funds.
The General Accounting Office (GAO) was established by the Budget and
Accounting Act of 1921 (31 U.S.C. 702), to independently audit
Government agencies. Over the years, the Congress has expanded GAO's
audit authority, added new responsibilities and duties, and strengthened
GAO's ability to perform independently.
The Office is under the control and direction of the Comptroller
General of the United States, who is appointed by the President with the
advice and consent of the Senate for a term of 15 years.
Activities
Audits and Evaluations Supporting the Congress is GAO's fundamental
responsibility. In meeting this objective, GAO performs a variety of
services, the most prominent of which are audits and evaluations of
Government programs and activities. The majority of these reviews are
made in response to specific congressional requests. The Office is
required to perform work requested by committee chairpersons and, as a
matter of policy, assigns equal status to requests from Ranking Minority
Members. The Office also responds to individual Member requests, as
possible. Other assignments are initiated pursuant to standing
commitments to congressional committees, and some reviews are
specifically required by law. Finally, some assignments are
independently undertaken in accordance with GAO's basic legislative
responsibilities.
The ability to review practically any Government function requires a
multidisciplined staff able to conduct assignments wherever needed. The
Office's staff has expertise in a variety of disciplines, including
accounting, law, public and business administration, economics, the
social and physical sciences, and others.
The Office is organized so that staff members concentrate on
specific subject areas, enabling them to develop a detailed level of
knowledge. When an assignment requires specialized experience not
available within GAO, outside experts assist the permanent staff. Staff
members go wherever necessary on assignments, working onsite to gather
data and observe firsthand how Government programs and activities are
carried out.
Legal Services The Office provides various legal services to the
Congress. In response to inquiries from committees and Members, the
Comptroller General provides advice on legal issues involving Government
programs and activities. The Office is also available to assist in
drafting legislation and reviewing legislative proposals before the
Congress. In addition, it reviews and reports to the Congress on
proposed rescissions and deferrals of Government funds.
Other legal services include resolving bid protests that challenge
Government contract awards and assisting Government agencies in
interpreting the laws governing the expenditure of public funds.
Investigations GAO's staff of professional investigators conducts
special investigations and assists auditors and evaluators when they
encounter possible criminal and civil misconduct. When warranted, GAO
refers the results of its investigations to the Department of Justice
and other law enforcement authorities.
Auditing and Accounting Policy GAO issues Government Auditing Standards
for audits of Government organizations, programs, activities, and
functions. These standards pertain to auditors' professional
qualifications, the quality of audit effort, and the characteristics of
professional and meaningful audit reports.
The Comptroller General, along with the Secretary of the Treasury
and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, serves as a
principal on the
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Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board. The Board considers and
recommends issuance of accounting standards and principles and provides
interpretations of existing ones.
Reporting GAO offers a range of products to communicate the results of
its work. The type of product depends on the assignment's objectives and
the needs of the intended user. Product types include testimony, oral
briefings, and written reports. Virtually all of GAO's reports are
available to the public.
A list of GAO reports issued or released during the previous month
is furnished monthly to the Congress, its Members, and committees.
Copies of GAO reports are also furnished to interested congressional
parties; Federal, State, local, and foreign governments; members of the
press; college faculty, students, and libraries; and nonprofit
organizations.
Copies of unclassified reports are available from the U.S. General
Accounting Office, P.O. Box 37050, Washington, DC 20013. Phone, 202-512-
6000. The first copy of each report and testimony is free; additional
copies are $2 each. There is a 25-percent discount on orders of 100 or
more copies mailed to a single address. Orders should be sent with a
check or money order payable to the Superintendent of Documents. VISA
and MasterCard are also accepted.
Electronic Access Reports, Comptroller General decisions, and GAO
special publications may be obtained on the Internet, at http://
www.gao.gov/.
For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs, General
Accounting Office, 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20548. Phone, 202-
512-4800. Internet, http://www.gao.gov/.
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