Final answer:
The primary intent of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was to increase confidence in financial information provided by public corporations and protect investors from accounting fraud.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary intent of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was to increase confidence in financial information provided by public corporations and to protect investors from accounting fraud.
Following major accounting scandals involving corporations like Enron, Tyco International, and WorldCom, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was enacted to address the lack of accountability and transparency in corporate financial reporting.
By imposing stricter regulations and requirements on public corporations, such as stricter financial disclosure requirements and stronger penalties for fraudulent activities, Sarbanes-Oxley aimed to restore investor trust and ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial information.