Investopedia

Continue to Site »

Government Accountability Office - GAO

Filed Under » , ,
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Government Accountability Office - GAO'

A department of the U.S. government that monitors and audits government spending. The General Accountability Office (GAO) tracks how the legislative and executive branches of the government use tax-payer dollars and then reports the findings directly to Congress. The Comptroller General serves as head of the GAO.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Government Accountability Office - GAO'

The GAO serves as a sort of financial watchdog over government spending. It monitors the operating results, financial positions and accounting systems used by the various governmental agencies. The GAO also conducts routine audits on all branches of government.

Articles Of Interest

  1.

    On The Record: Communications With The Public

    NASD Rule 2211 can make or break your career as a registered principal.

  2. Investigating The Securities Police

    Learn about the history of FINRA and how this organization protects investors.

  3. Get A Job In Compliance

    If you're a stickler for rules, this could be a promising career path for you.

  4. The Chinese Wall Protects Against Conflicts Of Interest

    After the crash of 1929, this barrier helped define ethical limits, but it did little to prevent fraud.

  5. Policing The Securities Market: An Overview Of The SEC

    Find out how this regulatory body protects the rights of investors.

  6. Avoiding Online Investment Scams

    Find out how to spot internet fraud and protect your hard-earned money.

  7. Uncovering A Career In Forensic Accounting

    Does a job as a financial sleuth sound interesting to you? Dig in to learn more.

  8. Financial Regulators: Who They Are And What They Do

    Find out how these government agencies govern the financial markets.

  9. Depreciation: Straight-Line Vs. Double-Declining Methods

    Appreciate the different methods used to describe how book value is "used up".

  10. Financial Statement: Extraordinary Vs. Nonrecurring Items

    When it comes to analyzing a company, successful analysts spend considerable time differentiating between accounting items that are likely to recur going forward from those that most likely will ...
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions

  1. Fool In The Shower

    The notion that changes or policies designed to alter the course of the economy should be done slowly, rather than all at once.

  2. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.

  3. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.

  4. Happiness Economics

    The formal academic study of the relationship between individual satisfaction and economic issues, such as employment and wealth.

  5. Affluenza

    A social condition arising from the desire to be more wealthy, successful or to "keep up with the Joneses." Affluenza is symptomatic of a culture that holds up financial success as one of the highest achievements.

  6. Icarus Factor

    The term Icarus factor describes a situation where managers or executives initiate an overly ambitious project which then fails. Fueled by excitement for the project, the executives are unable to reign in their misguided enthusiasm before it is too late to avoid the failure.
Trading Center