Final answer:
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was designed to improve financial reporting and corporate governance, in direct response to high-profile accounting scandals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary intent of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is c. Improve financial reporting and corporate governance. This act was established in response to major accounting scandals involving corporations such as Enron, Tyco International, and WorldCom. The aim was to restore public confidence in financial reports and protect investors by ensuring that public corporations provide accurate and reliable financial information. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act introduced stringent reforms to enhance corporate responsibility, enhance financial disclosures, and combat corporate and accounting fraud.