-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Tg//rD8RM9Q+yVCRHdpRGQ200645p1dM3jC3G5/cx1gxPuzw6mRkHD8xIVu72ktm TjH1nsczJQ5N3H+rFj7Saw== 0001125282-06-005185.txt : 20060821 0001125282-06-005185.hdr.sgml : 20060821 20060821161846 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001125282-06-005185 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060815 ITEM INFORMATION: Changes in Registrant.s Certifying Accountant ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20060821 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060821 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FUEL TECH N V CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000846913 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL FANS & BLOWERS & AIR PURIFYING EQUIP [3564] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-21724 FILM NUMBER: 061046406 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: CASTORWEG 22-24 CITY: CURACAO NETHERLANDS STATE: P7 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O FUEL TECH INC STREET 2: 300 ATLANTIC ST CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06901 8-K 1 b414629_8k.txt FORM 8-K UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) August 15, 2006 FUEL-TECH N.V. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) NETHERLANDS ANTILLES 000-2174 N/A (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) FUEL-TECH N.V. FUEL TECH, INC. (Registrant) (U.S. Operating Subsidiary) CASTORWEG 22-24 695 E. MAIN STREET CURACAO, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES STAMFORD CT 06901 (599) 9-461-3754 (203) 425-9830 (ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) 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 PROVISION: [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) 1 ITEM 4.01 CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT On August 15, 2006 the Registrant dismissed its independent auditor, Ernst & Young LLP ("Ernst & Young"), of Chicago, Illinois. The dismissal of Ernst & Young was approved by the Audit Committee of the Registrant's Board of Managing Directors on August 2, 2006. In each of the Registrant's two prior fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (collectively, the "Prior Fiscal Periods"), the Ernst & Young reports on Registrant's consolidated financial statements did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. During the (i) Prior Fiscal Periods or (ii) the period from January 1, 2006 through August 15, 2006 (the "Interim Period"), there were no disagreements with Ernst & Young, whether or not resolved, on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Ernst & Young would have caused Ernst & Young to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with any of their reports. Except for the one material weakness in internal control over financial reporting defined in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2004, the Registrant did not have any reportable events within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K. In the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2004, management of the Registrant concluded that the procedures and controls were insufficient to ensure that infrequent or unusual business transactions, such as lease agreements, are analyzed, recorded, and monitored in the context of authoritative accounting guidance such that these transactions are recognized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. An adjustment for rent expense of $123,000 was required due to not properly accounting for a "free rent" period that was provided in its lease agreement for its corporate headquarters. To remediate the material weakness in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting, the Registrant implemented additional review procedures over the factors affecting infrequent or unusual business transactions, including lease agreements. On August 15, 2006 the Audit Committee of the Registrant's Board of Managing Directors engaged the independent registered public accounting firm of Grant Thornton LLP ("Grant Thornton") as its new independent auditor. The Registrant did not consult with Grant Thornton during the Prior Fiscal Periods or the subsequent Interim Period regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specific transaction, either completed or proposed; (ii) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered by Grant Thornton on the Registrant's consolidated financial statements; or (iii) any other matter that was the subject of a disagreement between the Registrant and Ernst & Young or reportable event noted in the connection with the performance of services. The Registrant has requested Ernst & Young to furnish a letter addressed to the Commission stating whether it agrees with the above statements. A copy of that letter dated August 21, 2006 is filed as Exhibit 16 to this form 8-K. 2 ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (D) Exhibits Exhibit 16. Description: Letter from Ernst & Young LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission. 3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Fuel-Tech N.V. August 21, 2006 By /s/ V. J. Arnone Vincent J. Arnone Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 4 EX-16 2 b414629_ex16.txt EXHIBIT 16 EXHIBIT 16 August 21, 2006 Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F. Street, N.E. Washington, DC 20549-7561 Gentlemen: We have read item 4.01 of Form 8-K dated August 21, 2006, of Fuel-Tech N.V. and are in agreement with the statements contained in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th paragraphs on page 2 therein. Regarding the registrant's statement concerning the lack of control to prepare financial statements, included in the 4th paragraph on page 2 therein, we had considered such matter in determining the nature, timing and extent of procedures performed in our audit of the registrant's 2004 financial statements. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements of the registrant contained therein. Yours very truly, /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Ernst & Young LLP -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----