GAO
Government & Politics abbreviation · US Federal Agency
| Stands for | U.S. Government Accountability Office |
|---|---|
| Categories | Government & Politics |
GAO stands for U.S. Government Accountability Office, a US federal agency abbreviation.
Nonpartisan congressional watchdog that audits federal agencies and programs, investigates waste and fraud, decides bid protests over federal contracts and issues legal decisions on the use of appropriated funds. It is headed by the Comptroller General, appointed to a 15-year term.
Example: A GAO report found that the agency could not account for millions in equipment.
Usage notes
Created in 1921 as the General Accounting Office by the Budget and Accounting Act, it was renamed in 2004 to reflect that most of its work is evaluation rather than bookkeeping. Its "High Risk List" names federal programs most vulnerable to fraud and mismanagement. GAO works for Congress, not the President.
Related abbreviations
More US federal agency abbreviations
- FRA – Federal Railroad Administration
- FRB – Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
- FSA – Federal Student Aid
- FSIS – Food Safety and Inspection Service
- FTA – Federal Transit Administration
- FTC – Federal Trade Commission
- GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association
- GPO – U.S. Government Publishing Office
- GSA – U.S. General Services Administration
- HHS – United States Department of Health and Human Services
- HRSA – Health Resources and Services Administration
- HSI – Homeland Security Investigations