The basic purpose of audited financial statements is to:

A. Provide the reporting company with assurance that all assets are protected from theft or embezzlement.

B. Prepare financial statements for companies that do not have their own accounting departments.

C. Provide users of the financial statements with assurance that the statements are verifiable and are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

D. Provide both the reporting company and the users of the statements with a written guarantee that the statements are error-free.

C