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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

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FORM 8-K

 

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CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  May 17, 2018

 

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RICEBRAN TECHNOLOGIES

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (602) 522-3000

(Former name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)

 

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

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Item 4.01

Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

On May 17, 2018, RSM USA LLP (“RSM”) was appointed as the new independent registered public accounting firm for RiceBran Technologies (the “Company”). The decision to appoint RSM was approved by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Prior to engaging RSM on May 17, 2018, the Company has not consulted RSM regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, completed or proposed, the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements or a reportable event, nor did the Company consult with RSM regarding any disagreements with the Company’s prior auditor on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope of procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of the prior auditor, would have caused it to make a reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports.

Simultaneously with the appointment of RSM, on May 17, 2018, Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) was terminated as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company. The decision to change audit firms from Marcum to RSM was approved by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

The report of Marcum on the financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principle.

During the Company’s years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, and through May 17, 2018, there were no disagreements with Marcum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to Marcum’s satisfaction, would have caused Marcum to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in its reports on the Company’s financial statements.

During the Company’s years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, and through May 17, 2018, there were no reportable events of the type described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

The Company provided Marcum with a copy of this Current Report on Form 8-K prior to its filing with the SEC and requested that Marcum furnish a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made above.  Attached as Exhibit 16.1 hereto is a copy of Marcum’s letter to the SEC, dated May 18, 2018.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

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