Final answer:
The main purpose for an auditor to request letters of inquiry to a client's attorneys is to confirm the information provided by management regarding litigation, claims, and assessments to ensure transparent and accurate financial reporting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary reason an auditor requests letters of inquiry to be sent to a client's attorneys is d. Corroboration of the information furnished by management concerning litigation, claims, and assessments. These letters are an essential part of the audit process because they serve as a means to objectively verify the legal aspects mentioned by management that could have a material impact on the financial statements. Attorneys provide a professional opinion on the status and potential outcome of litigation, claims, and assessments, which helps the auditor assess the adequacy of financial statement disclosures and the appropriateness of any related accounting estimates.
While the other options may also be outcomes of this process, the foremost purpose is to confirm information provided by the client. The responses received from the attorneys through such inquiries can bring critical insights and can contain in-depth material about the cases at hand. These responses can also form part of a historical interpretations process to develop a clearer picture of the client's legal and financial situation as of the balance sheet date.
In essence, auditors seek to ensure the integrity and transparency of the financial reporting process through such inquiries, which aligns with auditing standards and can significantly impact stakeholders who rely on the audited financial statements.