[United States Government Manual] [June 01, 2002] [Pages 47-50] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov][[Page 47]] GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20548 Phone, 202-512-3000. Internet, www.gao.gov. Comptroller General of the United States David M. Walker Deputy Comptroller General of the (vacancy) United States Chief Operating Officer Gene L. Dodaro Chief Mission Support Officer/Chief Sallyanne Harper Financial Officer General Counsel Tony Gamboa Managing Director, Office of (vacancy) Special Investigations Teams: Managing Director, Acquisition and Jack Brock Sourcing Management Managing Director, Applied Research Nancy Kingsbury and Methods Director Donna Heivilin Chief Accountant Phil Calder Chief Economist Scott Farrow Chief Statistician Robert Parker Chief Technologist Keith Rhodes Senior Actuary Joseph Applebaum Managing Director, Defense Butch Hinton Capabilities and Management Managing Director, Education, Cindy Fagnoni Workforce, and Income Security Managing Director, Financial Jeff Steinhoff Management and Assurance Managing Director, Financial Markets Tom McCool and Community Investments Managing Director, Health Care Bill Scanlon Managing Director, International Susan Westin Affairs and Trade Managing Director, Information Joel Willemssen Technology Managing Director, Natural Resources Bob Robinson and Environment Managing Director, Physical John Anderson Infrastructure Managing Director, Strategic Issues Vic Rezendes Managing Director, Federal Paul Posner Budget and Intergovernmental Relations Managing Director, Tax Norm Rabkin Administration and Justice [[Page 48]] Support Functions: Managing Director, Congressional Helen Hsing Relations Managing Director, External Liaison Gloria Jarmon Managing Director, Field Offices Thomas Brew Inspector General Frances Garcia Mission Support Offices: Deputy Mission Support Officer Richard Brown Chief Information Officer Anthony Cicco Controller/Chief Administrative Stanley J. Czerwinski Officer Customer Relations Greg McDonald Human Capital Officer Jesse Hoskins Knowledge Services Officer Catherine Teti Managing Director, Professional Mark Gebicke Development Program Managing Director, Opportunity and Ron Stroman Inclusiveness Chair, Personnel Appeals Board Michael Wolf Managing Director, Product and Keith Fultz Process Improvement Managing Director, Public Affairs Jeff Nelligan Managing Director, Quality and Risk Michael Gryszkowiec Management ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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, and the social and physical sciences. 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, [[Page 49]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T189864.005 [[Page 50]] 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 TheOffice 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 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. GAO publishes its reports, testimonies, and Comptroller General decisions on the Internet at www.gao.gov the same day they are released. A daily e-mail alert service sends announcements of new reports and Comptroller General decisions to subscribers. The public can subscribe to this service on GAO's Web page. Electronic copies of GAO's reports and testimonies are also posted on the Web. 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. For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs, General Accounting Office, 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20548. Phone, 202- 512-4800. Internet, www.gao.gov. ------------------------------------------------------------------------