HCW Biologics Inc.
09/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2024 15:26
Change in Certifying Accountants Form 8 K
Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
On September 19, 2024, the Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of HCW Biologics Inc. (the "Company") dismissed Grant Thornton LLP ("Grant Thornton") as the Company's auditing firm, effective immediately. This decision was not related to any disagreements with Grant Thornton on any matter of accounting principles, financial statements disclosures, auditing scope or auditing procedure.
The reports of Grant Thornton on the financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of an opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or audit principles, except that there was an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raised substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern as of December 31, 2023.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 and the subsequent interim period through September 19, 2024, a period during which Grant Thornton was engaged as the Company's auditing firm (the "Engagement Period"), there were no disagreements, within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, between the Company and Grant Thornton on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedure, any of which, if not resolved to Grant Thornton's satisfaction, would have caused Grant Thornton to make a reference thereto in their reports.
For the Engagement Period, there were no "reportable events" (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v)(A) of Regulation S-K), except as follows:
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As reported in the Company's Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2024 with the SEC, the Company was a victim of a criminal scheme involving the impersonation of an investor who defaulted on its legally binding commitment to purchase $8.0 million of secured notes from the Company (the "Default"). Further, the scheme resulted in the misdirection of approximately $1.3 million held in Company accounts to a fraudulent account controlled by a third party, which the Company may not be able to recover.
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As a result of the foregoing, on May 3, 2024, the Audit Committee and Board concluded, after discussion with the Company's management, that the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 should be restated and no longer be relied upon. The Company filed a Form 10-K/A on May 15, 2024 (the "Amendment"). The Amendment reflects management's revised going concern assessment, resulting in the conclusion that there was substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Further, in Item 1, Part 4 of the Amendment, the Company reported material weaknesses over financial reporting related to its going concern assessment and loss of funds due to fraud.
The above reportable events were discussed between the Audit Committee and Grant Thornton. Grant Thornton has been authorized by the Company to respond fully to the inquiries of Crowe LLP ("Crowe"), the successor independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company as its auditing firm, concerning reportable events.
The Company provided Grant Thornton with a copy of the disclosures it is making in this Form 8-K and requested that Grant Thornton furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made herein and, if not, stating the respects in which they do not agree. Grant Thornton provided a letter stating that it agrees with the statements made herein. A copy of such letter provided by Grant Thornton, dated September 20, 2024, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K.
Crowe's appointment as the Company's independent registered accounting firm begins in the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and is effective immediately. During the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and interim periods in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted with Crowe regarding any matters described in Items 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.