What is a GAO Analyst?

Answer 1

The Government Accountability Office, or GAO, is the auditing organization of the United States Congress. The GAO has the power to audit any aspect of the United States Federal Government. To do such a monumental task, this agency needs to employ thousands of GAO analysts.

A GAO analyst works under any level of the GAO. There are currently 13 sub-sections to the GAO, each with their own unique analysts. Because of this, individuals who want to become an analyst may come from diverse educational backgrounds. For example, one sub-section of the GAO is the Natural Resources and Environment section. This department investigates everything from the Department of Agriculture to the Patient and Trademark Office. People with backgrounds in the environmental sciences, for example, can enter into this field. Either way, a college degree is necessary for this occupation. Having a Master’s Degree may be required for certain positions and leads to a higher pay grade. Knowledge of statistics and the methodologies in the social sciences, public administration, or accounting are highly preferred. Having specific specialized niche knowledge in a GAO field, such as a background in environmental science may help.

The GAO has offices across the country. Besides its main headquarters in Washington, DC, workers can live anywhere from Seattle, Washington to Huntsville, Alabama. In total, there are 12 GAO offices in the United States.

As a federal employee, GAO analysts enjoy some of the best wages and benefits in the United States. The salary of an analysis averages around $75,000 a year. Benefits include a student loan re-payment program, health and life insurance, and flexible schedules. The demand for more analysts is also apparent. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not report specifically on the position of a GAO analysts, budget and financial analyst positions are seeing a high increase in their demand. According to BLS, the overall need for financial and budget analysis positions is expected to grow by 15 to 20 percent by the year 2018.