GAO Gives Itself an “A” By Ken Rankin, WebCPA, Washington, D.C. - Feb. 1, 2010
Congressional auditors responsible for holding government agencies responsible for their financial integrity are doing a bang-up job - according to a performance review that they conducted on themselves. [See Summary of GAO’s Performance and Financial Information Fiscal Year 2009, GAO-10-235SP (Full Report, PDF 28 pages) Jan. 21, 2010]. Ironically, the report includes an out-of-date image of the GAO Seal on page 3, with incorrect colors of the bald eagle’s head, beak, and tail.]

As Congress’ watchdog organization, the Government Accountability Office is often sharply critical of slipshod accounting practices and other deficiencies at the federal departments and agencies that it audits. But when the GAO turned the spotlight on its own activities, the government auditors found little to carp about. According to a new, self-administered performance review, during fiscal year 2009, the “GAO met or exceeded all of its performance targets” and made recommendations that resulted in “over 1,300 improvements in laws and government programs and operations.”At the same time, the GAO praised itself for “identifying $43 billion in financial benefits” to taxpayers - “a return of $80 for every dollar the GAO spent,” according to the report.

“The election of a new U.S. president in November 2008 marked the first wartime presidential transition in 40 years and the first administration change since 9/11,” acting GAO comptroller Gene Dodaro said. “To ensure that the government carried out its essential missions as efficiently and effectively as possible during this time of change, we did our part to help effect a seamless transition by outreaching to key members of the new administration and the Congress.”