Final answer:
Auditors are required to report significant deficiencies in internal controls to the audit committee, which is part of the company's corporate governance structure and is responsible for overseeing the financial reporting and audit processes. So, the correct answer is A. The audit committee.
Step-by-step explanation:
Auditors must communicate internal control significant deficiencies primarily to the company's audit committee.
The audit committee is a key component of a company's corporate governance, and it is typically made up of members of the board of directors, who are elected by the shareholders.
The audit committee's role is to oversee the financial reporting process, the audit process, and the company's internal controls.
While communication with shareholders and outside investors is important, the primary responsibility for communicating such issues lies with the audit committee.
They must ensure that the board of directors are informed so that they can take appropriate action to safeguard the company's financial health and maintain the trust of its investors.
This emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the realms of corporate finance and governance.
Thus, the correct answer is A. The audit committee.