Final answer:
A company requests an audit to verify its financial statements comply with GAAP, conducted by an independent party, offering a formal, thorough examination.
Step-by-step explanation:
A company will request an audit when it wants to determine if its financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). An audit is conducted by an independent third party, such as a certified public accountant (CPA) or an accounting firm, and it provides an opinion on whether the financial statements of the company are free of material misstatement and are presented fairly in all material respects.
The other options, such as assessment, evaluation, and appraisal, do not necessarily involve a formal process of examining financial records to ensure compliance with GAAP. An audit is a comprehensive examination that includes the review of internal controls, testing of transactions, and communication with third parties, among other procedures.