Final answer:
GAO's independence rules apply to A) auditors in public accounting and B) government-employed auditors, ensuring oversight and integrity in managing federal funds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals who may be subject to the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) independence rules are auditors in public accounting and those employed by the government. Both these groups are responsible for the oversight of how taxpayer dollars are spent and are therefore held to high standards of independence to ensure that their work is nonpartisan and fact-based.
Thus, the GAO's independence rules may apply to auditors and tax service providers in public accounting, as well as auditors employed by the government. Therefore, option a) (Auditors and tax service providers in public accounting) and option b) (Auditors in public accounting and employed by the government) are correct.The GAO's rule is crucial in maintaining integrity within federal financial management and reporting, helping Congress to assess budgetary concerns and agency performances effectively.