EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC. (OTCMKTS:EXPI) Files An 8-K Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim ReviewItem 4.02. Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim Review
On April 2, 2018, after discussion with management and with BDO USA, LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Company’s Board of Directors, based on a recommendation of the Audit Committee, concluded that the Company’s previously issued financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (“Fiscal 2016”) and first three fiscal quarters of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (“Fiscal 2017”), should no longer be relied upon, and determined that the financial statements will be restated due to the identification of accounting errors. The Company also will restate certain quarterly data for Fiscal 2016 and will reassess its internal controls as a result of the identification of the errors.
The restatement results from accounting errors in the treatment of equity instruments granted to certain non-employees beginning in 2012. The accounting errors had no effect on cash and no impact on the Company’s assets, liabilities, or statement of cash flows during Fiscal 2016 or the quarterly periods in Fiscal 2017. The Company estimates that the non-cash effect of the accounting errors would lead to a net reduction of previously recognized cost of approximately $3.2 million, inclusive of other non-material adjustments during for Fiscal 2016 and an increase of $3.0 million in estimated costs for the first three fiscal quarters of Fiscal 2017.
These errors were discovered by management during the course of its preparation of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017, and the audit of the financial results for Fiscal 2017. None of the errors implicate misconduct with respect to the Company or its management or employees.
The Company will restate its financial statements for Fiscal 2016, and certain quarterly data for Fiscal 2016 and the first three fiscal quarters of Fiscal 2017, in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017, which the Company expects to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 17, 2018.
Item 8.01. Other Events
Request for Guidance from SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant. After conferring with BDO USA, LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Company has decided to request guidance from the Office of the Chief Accountant of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“OCA”) concerning the Company’s accounting treatment of stock options granted to employees in 2012 and 2013 when the Company was a privately held company. The Company has historically determined stock-based compensation arising from these options using the “intrinsic value method,” rather than the “fair value” method.
The Company had previously received guidance on the accounting treatment for stock-based compensation from prior auditors and external accounting firms, and in their opinions, the accounting treatment was appropriate.
NASDAQ Listing Application. The Company has applied to list its shares of Common Stock on The NASDAQ Global Market. The Company expects to complete the listing procedures during the second fiscal quarter of 2018.
About EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC. (OTCMKTS:EXPI)
eXp World Holdings, Inc., formerly eXp Realty International Corporation, is a cloud-based real estate company. The Company’s segments include Real Estate Brokerage Services, Mortgage Origination Services, and Corporate and Other. It operates over the Internet through its Website, http://exprealty.com and a cloud-based platform to provide its residential real estate brokerage services. Through its Website, buyers can search real-time property listings, and sellers list their properties and gain exposure across the various markets it operates within. It also provides buyers and sellers access to a network of professional, consumer-centric agents and brokers. It provides agents, teams of agents and brokerage-owners with the systems, support, professional development and infrastructure. This includes delivering around the clock access to collaborative tools and training for real estate brokers and agents. The Company also operates a loan brokerage origination company.