Charles Bowsher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Bowsher
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| 6th Comptroller General of the United States | |
| In office 1981–1996 |
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| President | |
| Preceded by | Elmer B. Staats |
| Succeeded by | David M. Walker |
| 5th Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller) | |
| In office December 18, 1967 – June 30, 1971 |
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| President | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | Charles F. Baird |
| Succeeded by | Frank P. Sanders |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Arthur Bowsher
May 30, 1931 Elkhart, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | September 30, 2022 (aged 91) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Businessman, accountant |
| Signature |  |
| Military career | |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1950–1952 |
| Rank |  Staff sergeant |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
Charles Arthur Bowsher (born May 30, 1931 – died September 30, 2022) was an important American businessman and government official. He was best known for being the 6th Comptroller General of the United States from 1981 to 1996. In this role, he led the Government Accountability Office (GAO) during big challenges, like the savings and loan crisis. Before that, he also served as the 5th Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller) from 1967 to 1971.
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Growing Up
Charles Bowsher was born in Elkhart, Indiana, on May 30, 1931. His father worked as an engineer for the New York Central Railroad. Charles went to public schools in his hometown and in Chicago.
Education and Military Service
He studied accounting at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1953. After college, he joined the United States Army and served for two years. Later, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago School of Business in 1956.
Career Highlights
After finishing his studies, Bowsher started working for Arthur Andersen & Co. in 1956. He helped the company encourage better financial reporting in government.
From 1967 to 1971, Bowsher worked as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller). He was in charge of a huge budget, over $20 billion each year. He also managed 4,500 staff in the accounting department. After four years, he returned to Arthur Andersen in a leadership role. There, he oversaw the firm's work for various federal agencies. These included the Department of the Interior and the Agency for International Development.
Comptroller General of the U.S.
In July 1981, President Ronald Reagan chose Charles Bowsher to be the United States Comptroller General. This is a very important job. The Comptroller General leads the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO checks how the government spends money. It makes sure everything is done correctly and efficiently.
Important Work at GAO
During his time as Comptroller General, Bowsher was very active. He played a key role during the savings and loan crisis. This was a big financial problem in the 1980s. He spoke out about the need for better oversight of the banking industry. He believed that a lack of rules allowed the problem to grow.
Bowsher also helped pass two important laws. The first was the Single Audit Act of 1984. This law required state and local governments to have yearly financial checks. The second was the Chief Financial Officers' Act of 1990. This law made federal agencies prepare financial reports and have yearly audits. These laws helped make government spending more transparent.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1996, Charles Bowsher was honored for his work. He was inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame. After leaving his government role, he continued to work on financial issues. He served on the boards of groups like the Concord Coalition. These groups focus on making sure the government spends money responsibly.
Personal Life
Charles Bowsher married Mary Mahoney in 1963. They met while working at Arthur Andersen. They were married for 59 years and had two children. Charles Bowsher passed away on September 30, 2022, at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. He was 91 years old.
