The Handbook for Integrity in the Government Accountability Office

The Government Accountability Office is the watchdog for accountability of the tax dollars that the government receives and spends. Accountability in the federal government or for that matter anywhere is important. Money organizations like the federal government must spend them wisely.

This focus of this book is about the processes in place to ensure there is accountability for all executive departments and agencies. Much money is appropriated to the executive departments and their agencies but in the past there have been problems where the accountability appears to be lacking. This office is responsible for ensuring individuals and departments/agencies along with Congress are held accountable for the taxpayer money for which they have been entrusted.

Accountability is the key term for this office and it needs to step up to the plate to ensure accountability is present in all government activities not just the executive departments and agencies. Congress should also be held accountable for the funds they spend as part of their responsibilities.

Much legislative activity exists in appropriating funds the need for which is not justified in many instances. Funds are attached to legislative actions which have no relation to the topic or focus of the legislation. This kind of activity must stop and this organization should hold Congress accountable for these kinds of actions.

Ensuring the integrity and accountability of the federal government is the basic responsibility of this government entity. Many reports have been generated over the years about the operations of the federal government especially Congress and the Executive Departments and Agencies. In the past duplications have been identified that need to be corrected. Some changes were made but not all of them.

Generating reports and informing Congress and the executive departments and agencies about changes which need to be made are only half the mission. What needs to take place is that this office needs to have some teeth put into the authority so that the government becomes a more organized and efficient organization. When problems are raised such as lack of being accountable for the funds being spent individuals who have some control over tax payer money should be held accountable. Accountability needs to be put in place. The name of this organization says it all Government Accountability Organization. It needs to live up to the responsibilities for which it has been entrusted.