David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the US Government Accountability Office

David M. Walker became the seventh Comptroller General of the United States and began his 15-year term when he took his oath of office on November 9, 1998 . As Comptroller General, Mr. Walker is the nation's chief accountability officer and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), a legislative branch agency founded in 1921. GAO's mission is to help improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people.

Before his appointment as Comptroller General, Mr. Walker had extensive executive level experience in both government and private industry. Mr. Walker currently serves as Chair of the Center for Continuous Auditing, and as a principal of the U.S. Joint Financial Management Improvement Program. He is on the Board of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and various educational and not-for-profit entities. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration; member of the National Academy of Social Insurance; and an active member of various professional, public service, and other organizations, including the Sons of the American Revolution.

Mr. Walker is a CPA and has a B.S. degree in accounting from Jacksonville University , a Senior Management in Government Certificate in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University , an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Bryant College and an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Lincoln Memorial University .

Mr. Walker is a frequent speaker and author. He testifies regularly before Congress and is frequently quoted by major print and electronic media on a wide range of topics.