The Next Comptroller General: An Opportunity to Strengthen Accountability and GAO

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) serves a unique function. It provides Congress with nonpartisan, evidence-based, expert audits and investigations, and a critical research capacity. Led by the Comptroller General, GAO’s purpose is to ensure lawmakers in Congress have the most up-to-date, best information possible to legislate and meet their constitutional responsibilities, and to help leaders in the executive branch make better governing decisions that impact people across the country.

The U.S. Comptroller General has an essential responsibility to support Congress in its oversight of the executive branch to ensure accountability, transparency, and the effective stewardship of public resources—and to take legal action when warranted. GAO helps fight fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, saving taxpayers billions, while setting national and international standards. 

At the National Academy of Public Administration, we help identify criteria, frameworks, and best practice for good governance. Our elected Fellows include cabinet officials, governors, mayors, university presidents and deans, as well as several former comptrollers general and inspectors general. As President and CEO of the Academy, I understand the importance of modernizing and improving public outcomes, and ensuring stewardship of the public trust—particularly of taxpayer funds. I have previously served in the executive branch and at the Government Accountability Office. I have seen first-hand the important work of the accountability community and have worked globally to advance good government. 

In 2023, I testified before the House Subcommittee on Modernization Hearing on the importance of GAO’s independence, and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety or political favor.

What I said three years ago remains just as true today: The Comptroller General must be unquestioningly nonpartisan, and should put fact-finding, truth-seeking, and good governance above all. 

The next head of the Government Accountability Office should be one of the country's most capable, credible and respected leaders—one who builds trust, ensures accountability, and acts with uncompromised integrity and independence.

The selection of the next Comptroller General is an important opportunity to strengthen public trust in government, and it is essential that the selection process uphold the nonpartisan spirit of this vital institution. The Comptroller General has to have the trust and confidence of both parties and both chambers, as well as the President and agency leaders. 

GAO’s work should be seen as an integral part of strategic planning, performance management, and modernization by executive branch agency leaders and Members of Congress. 

There is broad agreement that improved efficiency measures are needed to help our government act productively and in the nation’s best interest. The appointment of the next head of GAO is an opportunity to ensure oversight of government reform that has been needed for decades. The public and our nation’s top leaders know government delivers, especially during crisis, but can always improve.

The next Comptroller General nominee could be in place for the next 15 years, and should be among our country’s best and brightest in helping our agency leaders and Congress, as well strengthening GAO’s own capability. The incoming leader will preside over GAO's next era, helping set its culture, enhance customer experience for congressional staff, increase adoption of science and technology and AI capabilities, and ensure more real-time, coordinated, credible information and recommendation follow up.

The next Comptroller General has an opportunity to help rethink oversight, bring greater public value by leveraging new advanced technologies, build trust among the public that government serves, and help decisionmakers address current and future governance challenges.