What do Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) define?

The Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) establish the expected levels of performance for government audits. These standards are critical as they provide a framework for government auditors to conduct audits with integrity, objectivity, and accountability. GAGAS outlines the principles and requirements necessary for ensuring audits are conducted in a professional manner, promoting public confidence in government accountability.

By setting a high standard for the quality of audits, GAGAS helps to ensure that financial information reported by governmental entities is accurate and reliable. This is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of government operations and for maintaining public trust.

In contrast, the other options refer to different aspects of government operation and auditing that do not align with the primary purpose of GAGAS. Taxpayer rights, compliance with public contracts, and regulations on federal spending are important considerations in the governmental context but do not fall under the defining role of GAGAS, which focuses specifically on the performance and conduct of government audits.