Business Context and Reporting Period
Company: Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Filing Type: Form 8-K (Current Report)
Date of Report: October 1, 2014
Subject: Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant (Item 4.01)
Key Financial Metrics
This filing does not contain financial performance data. Revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, and liquidity metrics are not reported in this document.
Material Changes
The primary material change reported is the transition of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm:
- Resignation: ParenteBeard LLC resigned as the Company's auditor on October 1, 2014.
- Successor Engagement: Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP was engaged as the new independent auditor for 2014, effective October 1, 2014.
- Cause: The change resulted from a merger between ParenteBeard and Baker Tilly, where ParenteBeard combined its operations with Baker Tilly.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
Management Commentary and Audit History:
- No Disagreements: The Company reported no disagreements with ParenteBeard regarding accounting principles, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope/procedures during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, or the interim period through October 1, 2014.
- No Reportable Events: No reportable events occurred during the aforementioned periods.
- Prior Opinions: ParenteBeard's reports for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 did not contain adverse opinions, disclaimers, or qualifications regarding uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.
- Consultation: The Company did not consult with Baker Tilly regarding accounting principles or audit opinions prior to engagement.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the effective date of the auditor transition (October 1, 2014).
- Confirm the absence of disagreements or reportable events with the former auditor (ParenteBeard) as stated in the filing.
- Review the letter from ParenteBeard to the SEC (Exhibit 16.1) to confirm their agreement with the Company's statements regarding the resignation.
- Note that this filing contains no financial results; refer to the most recent 10-K or 10-Q for financial metrics.