Our Teams | U.S. GAO

Mission Teams

We have 15 mission teams of analysts, financial auditors, and specialists who work on reports and other products that examine various aspects of federal programs and services. Each mission team focuses on key issue areas that help GAO achieve its mission to serve Congress and the American people. Click a mission team to learn more.

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Applied Research and Methods (ARM)

ARM works with GAO mission teams to design financial and performance audits and select and implement appropriate methodologies for obtaining and analyzing information.

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Contracting and National Security Acquisitions (CNSA)

CNSA helps Congress determine how efficiently and effectively federal agencies acquire a broad range of goods and services to fulfill critical government missions.

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Defense Capabilities and Management (DCM)

DCM leads the agency’s efforts to support congressional oversight of both the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community and other agencies that work on national defense and intelligence issues.

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Education, Workforce, and Income Security (EWIS)

EWIS focuses on programs and legislation that affect everyone’s quality of life—from infants to the elderly.

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Financial Management and Assurance (FMA)

FMA is responsible for financial statement audits of the U.S. government and a handful of executive agencies.

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Financial Markets and Community Investment (FMCI)

FMCI supports Congress by ensuring effective regulatory oversight of financial markets—including banking, securities, insurance, and futures.

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Forensic Audits and Investigative Service (FAIS)

FAIS focuses on identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse across the federal government.

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Health Care (HC)

HC supports congressional oversight of health care delivery and financing in the United States.

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Homeland Security and Justice (HSJ)

The HSJ team leads GAO’s oversight of efforts to protect and secure the homeland, strengthen the justice system, and respond to disasters and emergencies.

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Information Technology and Cybersecurity (ITC)

ITC assists Congress with assessing and improving the government’s critical IT investments and develops best practices that are used across the government to guide decision-making.

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International Affairs and Trade (IAT)

IAT supports congressional oversight to advance and protect U.S. foreign policy and international economic interests in a complex and challenging global environment.

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Natural Resources and Environment (NRE)

NRE is responsible for GAO’s assessments of federal efforts to manage our nation’s land and water resources, to protect air and water quality, and to address climate-related risks.

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Physical Infrastructure (PI)

U.S. physical infrastructure is the backbone of the economy and a fixture in millions of people’s daily lives.

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Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics (STAA)

STAA is focused on science and technology in the federal government and beyond.

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Strategic Issues (SI)

SI’s work helps Congress address national challenges, such as the nation’s fiscal health, Census operations, tax policy and administration, and federal workforce planning.

Operations and Staff Offices

We have 16 operations and staff offices that work to support the agency’s mission teams and Executive Committee, Congress, and the American people. Click an office to learn more.

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Audit Policy and Quality Assurance (APQA)

APQA is responsible for establishing and monitoring GAO’s policies and practices that govern its engagements and products on behalf of the Comptroller General and Chief Operating Officer.

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Chief Administrative Office (CAO)

CAO is GAO’s operations hub, continuously improving critical services to help employees get their jobs done.

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Congressional Relations (CR)

CR fosters and maintains liaisons with congressional committees, Members of Congress, and congressional staff.

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Continuous Process Improvement (CPI)

CPI oversees efforts to maximize GAO’s value.

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Financial Management and Business Operations (FMBO)

FMBO provides a full range of financial and business operations services that support GAO mission teams and offices.

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Field Operations (FO)

FO leads and assists staff in the agency’s 11 field offices across the country.

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Human Capital Office (HCO)

HCO provides strategic human capital leadership and support to GAO managers and staff throughout their careers.

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Infrastructure Operations (IO)

IO is responsible for administrative and operational support services for GAO.

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Information Systems & Technology Services (ISTS)

ISTS provides the agency’s technology support. GAO employees and contract staff work together to give agency staff the IT tools they need to do their work.

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Learning Center (LC)

GAO has a robust internal training program, delivering introductory and continuing education to its staff through its own Learning Center.

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Professional Development Program (PDP)

The PDP focuses on developing entry-level staff knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet GAO’s mission through work experiences, training, and ongoing coaching and feedback throughout a 2-year program.

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Office of the General Counsel (OGC)

OGC attorneys provide several types of legal support to further GAO’s mission.

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Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

OIG independently conducts audits, evaluations, and other reviews of GAO’s programs and operations and makes recommendations to promote the agency’s economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.

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Office of Opportunity & Inclusiveness (O&I)

O&I helps GAO promote and maintain a work environment that is fair, unbiased, and inclusive.

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Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

OPA is the communications arm of the agency that works to inform the Congress and the public of GAO’s work to save taxpayer money.

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Strategic Planning and External Liaison (SPEL)

SPEL directs four major programs. It also manages advisory boards and external relations with universities, nonprofits, and international organizations.

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