Regulation S-B
 
Item 304 Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants
on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure
a.
1.
If, during the
small business issuer's two most recent fiscal years or any later interim
period, the principal independent accountant or a significant subsidiary's
independent accountant on whom the principal accountant expressed reliance
in its report, resigned (or declined to stand for re-election) or was
dismissed, then the small business issuer shall state:
i. Whether
the former accountant resigned, declined to stand for re-election or was
dismissed and the date;
ii. Whether
the principal accountant's report on the financial statements for either
of the past two years contained an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion,
or was modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles,
and also describe the nature of each such adverse opinion, disclaimer
of opinion or modification;
iii. Whether
the decision to change accountants was recommended or approved by the
board of directors or an audit or similar committee of the board of directors;
and
iv.
A. Whether
there were any disagreements with the former accountant, whether or not
resolved, on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved
to the former accountant's satisfaction, would have caused it to make
reference to the subject matter of the disagreement(s) in connection with
its report; or
B.
The
following information only if applicable. Indicate whether the former
accountant advised the small business issuer that:
1. internal controls necessary to develop reliable financial
statements did not exist; or
2. information has come to the attention of the former
accountant which made the accountant unwilling to rely on management's
representations, or unwilling to be associated with the financial statements
prepared by management; or
3. the scope of the audit should be expanded significantly,
or information has come to the accountant's attention that the accountant
has concluded will, or if further investigated might, materially impact
the fairness or reliability of a previously issued audit report or the
underlying financial statements, or the financial statements issued or
to be issued covering the fiscal period(s) subsequent to the date of the
most recent audited financial statements (including information that might
preclude the issuance of an unqualified audit report) , and the issue
was not resolved to the accountant's satisfaction prior to its resignation
or dismissal; and
C. The
subject matter of each such disagreement or event identified in response
to paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this Item;
D. Whether
any committee of the board of directors, or the board of directors, discussed
the subject matter of the disagreement with the former accountant; and
E. Whether
the small business issuer has authorized the former accountant to respond
fully to the inquiries of the successor accountant concerning the subject
matter of each of such disagreements or events and, if not, describe the
nature of and reason for any limitation.
2.
If during the period
specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this Item, a new accountant has been
engaged as either the principal accountant to audit the issuer's financial
statements or as the auditor of a significant subsidiary and on whom the
principal accountant is expected to express reliance in its report, identify
the new accountant and the engagement date. Additionally, if the issuer
(or someone on its behalf) consulted the new accountant regarding:
i. The
application of accounting principles to a specific completed or contemplated
transaction, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the
small business issuer's financial statements and either written or oral
advice was provided that was an important factor considered by the small
business issuer in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing
or financial reporting issue; or
ii.
Any matter
that was the subject of a disagreement or event identified in response
to paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this Item, then the small business issuer shall:
A. Identify
the issues that were the subjects of those consultations;
B. Briefly
describe the views of the new accountant given to the small business issuer
and, if written views were received by the small business issuer, file
them as an exhibit to the report or registration statement;
C. State
whether the former accountant was consulted by the small business issuer
regarding any such issues, and if so, describe the former accountant's
views; and
D. Request
the new accountant to review the disclosure required by this Item be fore
it is filed with the Commission and provide the new accountant the opportunity
to furnish the small business issuer with a letter addressed to the Commission
containing any new information, clarification of the small business issuer's
expression of its views, or the respects in which it does not agree with
the statements made in response to this Item. Any such letter shall be
filed as an exhibit to the report or registration statement containing
the disclosure required by this Item.
3. The
small business issuer shall provide the former accountant with a copy
of the disclosures it is making in response to this Item no later than
the day that the disclosures are filed with the Commission. The small
business issuer shall request the former accountant to furnish a letter
addressed to the Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements
made by the issuer and, if not, stating the respects in which it does
not agree. The small business issuer shall file the letter as an exhibit
to the report or registration statement containing this disclosure. If
the letter is unavailable at the time of filing, the small business issuer
shall request the former accountant to provide the letter so that it can
be filed with the Commission within ten business days after the filing
of the report or registration statement. Notwithstanding the ten business
day period, the letter shall be filed within two business days of receipt.
The former accountant may provide an interim letter highlighting specific
areas of concern and indicating that a more detailed letter will be forthcoming
within the ten business day period noted above. The interim letter, if
any, shall be filed with the report or registration statement or by amendment
within two business days of receipt.
b.
If the conditions in
paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this Item exist, the small business
issuer shall describe the nature of the disagreement or event and the
effect on the financial statements if the method had been followed which
the former accountants apparently would have concluded was required (unless
that method ceases to be generally accepted because of authoritative standards
or interpretations issued after the disagreement or event):
1. In
connection with a change in accountants subject to
paragraph (a) of this
Item, there was any disagreement or event as described in
paragraph (a)(1)(iv)
of this Item;
2. During
the fiscal year in which the change in accountants took place or during
the later fiscal year, there have been any transactions or events similar
to those involved in such disagreement or event; and
3. Such
transactions or events were material and were accounted for or disclosed
in a manner different from that which the former accountants apparently
would have concluded was required.
Instructions to Item 304:
1. The
disclosure called for by paragraph (a) of this Item need not be provided
if it has been previously reported as that term is defined in
Rule
12b-2 under the Exchange Act; the disclosure called for by paragraph
(a) of this Item must be provided, however, notwithstanding prior disclosure,
if required pursuant to Item
9 of Schedule 14A. The disclosure called for by paragraph (b) of this
Item must be furnished, where required, notwithstanding any prior disclosure
about accountant changes or disagreements.
2. When
disclosure is required by paragraph (a) of this Item in an annual report
to security holders pursuant to
Rule
14a-3 or
Rule
14c-3 under the Exchange Act, or in a proxy or information statement
filed pursuant to the requirements of Schedule 14A
or 14C
in lieu of a letter pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(D) or
(a)(3) of this
Item, before filing such materials with or furnishing such materials to
the Commission, the small business issuer shall furnish the disclosure
required by paragraph (a) of this Item to each accountant who was engaged
during the period set forth in paragraph (a) of this Item. If any such
accountant believes that the statements made in response to paragraph
(a) of this Item are incorrect or incomplete, it may present its views
in a brief statement, ordinarily expected not to exceed 200 words, to
be included in the annual report or proxy or information statement. This
statement shall be submitted to the small business issuer within ten business
days of the date the accountant receives the small business issuer's disclosure.
Further, unless the written views of the newly engaged accountant required
to be filed as an exhibit by paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(D) of this Item have
been previously filed with the Commission, the small business issuer shall
file a Form
8-K along with the annual report or proxy or information statement
for the purpose of filing the written views as exhibits.
3. The
information required by this Item need not be provided for a company being
acquired by the small business issuer if such acquired has not been subject
to the filing requirements of either
section 13(a)
or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act, or, because of
section
12(i) of the Exchange Act, has not furnished an annual report to security
holders pursuant to
Rule 14a-3 or
Rule 14c-3 for its latest fiscal year.
4. In
determining whether any disagreement or reportable event has occurred,
an oral communication from the engagement partner or another person responsible
for rendering the accounting firm's opinion (or their designee) will generally
suffice as the accountant advising the small business issuer of a reportable
event or as a statement of a disagreement at the "decision-making
level" within the accounting firm and require disclosure under this
Item.
Regulatory History |
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57 FR 36454, Aug. 13, 1992 |
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