GAO's Work to Modernize the Accountability Profession

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GAO’s Work to Modernize the Accountability Profession

  • GAO is actively working to modernize and transform the accountability profession, both inside the government and in the private sector, and to lead by example in this area.

    • Opinion on system of internal control
    • Independence Standard issued in 2002
    • Nature of GAO’s audit opinion and related products and public activities
    • Assistance to the Congress in evaluating accountability profession issues and needed reforms prior to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
    • 2003 revision of Government Auditing Standards
    • Creation of the U.S Auditing Standards Coordinating Forum (i.e., GAO, PCAOB, ASB)
    • Coordination with accountability organizations around the world (e.g., INTOSAI)
    • Comment on proposed standards
    • Monitor implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
    • Sarbanes-Oxley studies on accounting firm consolidation from Big 8 to Big 4 and on mandatory audit firm rotation
    • Definition of success in financial management: clean opinion, no major weaknesses in controls or compliance, and financial systems that produce timely, accurate and useful information for management
    • Enhance federal financial management, reporting, and accountability