When does the contracting officer typically request a reconciliation audit?

The correct choice highlights that a contracting officer typically requests a reconciliation audit on complex, long-running contracts with many transactions. This is because these types of contracts often involve numerous and potentially complicated financial exchanges, making it critical to ensure that all parties have a clear understanding of costs incurred and payments made.

In situations where contracts are complex and span over longer periods, there is an increased risk of discrepancies or misunderstandings regarding the financial obligations between the contracting parties. A reconciliation audit helps to verify that the sums billed align correctly with the services rendered and that all financial arrangements are being properly adhered to. It provides a thorough examination of the transaction history and ensures compliance with the contract terms.

The other choices imply scenarios where audits are less typically required. A blanket audit for all new contracts would be impractical and unnecessary, as many new contracts may not involve complexities requiring such scrutiny at the outset. Auditing only contracts with large companies ignores the fact that smaller entities can also have complex contracts necessitating audits. Similarly, requesting audits strictly at the beginning of the contract period does not capture the need for a more ongoing review process, particularly as transactions accumulate over time. Thus, the context of complexity and duration in contracts is essential to recognizing when a reconciliation audit becomes necessary.