GAO’s mission is to serve the Congress and the American people by collecting, analyzing, and reporting on information about federal programs and services. We have 15 teams of analysts, financial auditors, and specialists who work on reports and other products that help us achieve our mission.
ARM provides technical and specialist expertise that supports and extends the work of other GAO teams. Their work contributes to the overall quality of the information GAO supplies to Congress and federal agencies.
Read more on the Watchblog, and learn more about career opportunities with ARM (PDF, 2 pages).
CNSA helps Congress determine whether funds appropriated for sophisticated weaponry, complex space and satellite systems, advanced technologies, and a broad range of goods and services are being spent efficiently and effectively. They also help the federal government adopt better ways of buying systems, equipment, and services.
DCM leads the agency’s efforts to support congressional oversight of the Department of Defense as it modernizes and transforms its forces to address diverse threats.
EWIS assists Congress by evaluating programs to educate, employ, protect, and support American families.
FMA helps improve and transform the federal government's financial management and operations to meet existing and emerging critical accountability challenges and ensure stewardship of financial resources.
Read more on the Watchblog. Learn more about working for this team (PDF, 2 pages).
FMCI helps ensure that U.S. financial markets function smoothly and effectively. They also assess the effectiveness of federal initiatives aimed at small businesses, state and local governments, and communities.
Read more on the Watchblog. Learn more about working for this team (PDF, 2 pages).
FAIS provides Congress with high-quality forensic audits and investigations of fraud, waste, and abuse; other special investigations; and security and vulnerability assessments. This team also manages FraudNet, an online system for the public to report allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of federal funds.
HC supports congressional oversight of federal health care programs, ensuring that they provide access to quality care, protect the public, and remain fiscally sustainable.
Learn more about our work on Health Care.
HSJ assists Congress by researching and analyzing issues in securing the nation and its critical infrastructure against terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, and disasters. This team also reviews law enforcement and judiciary issues to more effectively address crime.
ITC assists Congress in assessing and improving the government’s substantial IT investments and develops best practice methodologies that are used across government to guide IT investment decision making. This team also seeks to improve how the government collects and manages its information and to better protect the security and privacy of government data.
Read more on the Watchblog, and learn more about career opportunities with ITC (PDF, 2 pages).
IAT analyzes the effectiveness and management of U.S. foreign aid programs, evaluates the efficiency and accountability of the United Nations and related multilateral organizations, and assesses the strategies used to manage U.S. foreign affairs functions and activities. IAT also reviews how effective federal agencies are in achieving international security objectives, combating international terrorism, and preventing the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.
NRE supports Congress as it considers issues related to natural resources and the environment that affect the lives of the American people on a daily basis.
PI helps Congress, federal agencies, and the public address challenges within the U.S. infrastructure. They examine transportation systems, telecommunications networks, oil and gas pipelines, and federal facilities.
We established the STAA team in January 2019 to enhance our existing technology and science functions. The new team will expand our support to Congress by:
- conducting technology assessments and providing technical services to Members and their staff
- reviewing science and technology programs and initiatives to assist in oversight of federal investments in research, development, and advanced manufacturing
- compiling and utilizing best practices in engineering sciences, including cost, schedule, and technology readiness assessments
- establishing an audit innovation lab to explore, pilot, and deploy new advanced analytic capabilities, conduct research in information assurance, and explore emerging technologies that will impact future audit practices
Read more on the Watchblog, and in our January 29, 2019 press release. For a more detailed look at the new team, see the plan and timeline sent to Congress (PDF, 32 pages). This document summarizes relevant trends, explains the new team’s structure, and describes the team’s operations and areas it will cover. Learn more about career opportunities with STAA (PDF, 2 pages).
SI focuses on the federal government’s role in achieving national goals in an increasingly networked environment and its ability to deliver and ensure accountability for meaningful results.
Our workforce also includes offices that provide operational support to GAO as it accomplishes its mission.
Assists the Comptroller General, Chief Operating Officer, and mission teams in ensuring that GAO's products and services are of the highest quality.
Oversees operations for the agency and collaborates with all operations units to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Fosters and maintains liaisons with congressional committees, Members of Congress, and congressional staff.
Oversees implementation of enterprise-wide continuous process improvement initiatives.
Provides services and assistance for staff in GAO’s 11 field offices and supports agency-wide business processes, such as travel, training, and timekeeping.
Oversees pay and benefits, employee relations, and diversity & inclusion efforts.
Manages GAO’s facilities, maintains records and privacy, and oversees security & emergency planning. Learn more about career opportunities with Infrastructure Operations (PDF, 2 pages).
Involved in managing information systems and providing technology services that allow GAO to accomplish its mission.
Provides business and operations support, including budget planning, procurement, and internal controls.
Offers in-house training courses, job aids, and other resources to promote career-long learning and growth.
Manages the hiring, training, and evaluation of all entry-level staff. Learn more about career opportunities with the Professional Development Program (PDF, 2 pages).
Attorneys at GAO provide several types of legal support to further the agency’s mission.
Learn more about our legal work and legal careers.
Conducts audits of GAO programs and operations and makes recommendations to improve agency economy, efficiency, and effectiveness; investigates allegations of potential fraud, waste, and mismanagement in GAO's operations.
Read more about the Office of the Inspector General.
Helps promote and maintain a work environment that is fair, unbiased, and inclusive.
Maximizes the impact of GAO’s messages and coordinates all of the agency’s external communications.
Helps GAO strategically focus its work by building relationships, sharing knowledge, facilitating innovation, and strengthening capacity of domestic and international accountability partners.
