Independent Peer Review Team Gives GAO Highest Possible Rating on Quality Assurance
WASHINGTON, DC (September 26, 2023) – A new report from an independent, international peer review team provides the highest possible rating to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on its quality assurance program. The report highlights six exemplary GAO practices that contribute to its effectiveness in improving government operations. These include its strategic workforce planning efforts, employment of highly technical subject-matter experts, and commitment to reporting on “High-Risk” areas for government action.
“This most recent rating affirms GAO’s commitment to producing high-quality, non-partisan and professional work to help the Congress improve government performance and save taxpayer dollars,” said Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and the head of GAO. “These peer reviews are helpful in maintaining GAO’s reputation for excellence in auditing and the quality of our reports. I want to thank the international peer review team for their hard work and vote of confidence.”
The peer reviews are performed in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards to determine if GAO’s system to ensure the quality of its products is appropriately used and effective. The results of these reviews also help assure Congress and the American people that they can have full confidence in the independence, objectivity, and reliability of GAO’s work. GAO has always received the highest rating from its independent peer reviews.
Led by the Office of the Auditor General of Norway, with assistance from the national audit offices of Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden, this peer review examined key aspects of GAO’s quality assurance framework—from the initial acceptance of work to the issuance of a final product. The peer review team assessed GAO’s quality assurance policies, interviewed its management and staff, conducted a compliance assessment of a sample of performance and financial audits, and performed in-depth analyses of three performance audit engagements. The team reported that GAO has a clear, comprehensive, and effective quality control system and a strong organizational culture of independence, integrity, and reliability.
The peer review team found that GAO had taken action to close all seven open suggestions from prior peer reviews, including those that focused on improving communication and clarity of products. The report also includes three new suggestions for GAO’s consideration, including increasing the amount of information that flows to Congress between acceptance of a request for work and its initiation.
The peer review team’s report is posted on GAO’s website. For more information, contact Chuck Young, Managing Director of Public Affairs, at 202-512-4800.
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The Government Accountability Office, known as the investigative arm of Congress, is an independent, nonpartisan agency that exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities. GAO also works to improve the performance of the federal government and ensure its accountability to the American people. The agency examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO provides Congress with timely information that is objective, fact-based, nonideological, fair, and balanced. GAO’s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability.