American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

07/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/23/2024 15:22

Change in Certifying Accountants Form 8 K

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant

On July 22, 2024, following the conclusion of an evaluation managed by the Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of American National Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the Audit Committee approved the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte") as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm beginning with the year ending December 31, 2024, subject to the completion of Deloitte's customary client acceptance procedures and the execution of an engagement letter.

During the Company's fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and through July 22, 2024, neither the Company, nor anyone on its behalf, consulted Deloitte regarding either: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that Deloitte concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was the subject of a "disagreement," within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the related instructions thereto ("Regulation S-K"), or "reportable event," within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

In connection with the appointment of Deloitte, on July 22, 2024, the Audit Committee approved the dismissal of Ernst & Young LLP ("EY") as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm effective immediately.

EY has served as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm since 2020.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the subsequent interim period through July 22, 2024, there were no: (1) "disagreements," within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, between the Company and EY on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to EY's satisfaction, would have caused EY to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports on the Company's consolidated financial statements for such years, or (2) "reportable events," within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

The audit reports of EY on the Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

The Company provided EY with a copy of this Form 8-K prior to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Company requested that EY furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not EY agrees with the above statements, as required by Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K. A copy of EY's letter is filed as Exhibit 16.1.