Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 8-K is filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST), a Louisiana-based company traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The report date is June 1, 2022, covering the effective date of a change in the company's independent registered public accounting firm.
Key Financial Metrics
This filing is a current report regarding a corporate governance event and does not contain financial performance data. There are no disclosures regarding revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity in this document.
Material Changes
- Accountant Change: The company's independent auditor, Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP ("DHG"), merged with BKD, LLP effective June 1, 2022. The combined practice now operates as FORVIS, LLP.
- Audit History: Reports issued by DHG for the years ended December 31, 2020, and 2021 were unqualified and did not contain adverse opinions, disclaimers, or modifications regarding uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.
- Disagreements: The company reported no "disagreements" or "reportable events" with DHG during the fiscal years 2020 and 2021, or through March 31, 2022.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
This filing does not provide financial guidance, management outlook, or discuss specific business risks or contingencies beyond the standard disclosure regarding the change in auditors. The company confirmed that FORVIS, LLP has been provided with the disclosure and submitted a letter to the SEC (Exhibit 16.1) regarding their agreement with the statements made in this report.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the transition timeline and any potential impact on the audit schedule for the 2022 fiscal year.
- Review the attached Exhibit 16.1 (Letter from FORVIS, LLP) for any additional commentary on the auditor change.
- Consult the most recent 10-Q or 10-K filings for actual financial performance metrics, as this 8-K contains none.