KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC. (NASDAQ:KGJI) Files An 8-K Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
By letter dated August 15, 2020, the independent registered public accounting firm of Kingold Jewelry Inc. (the “Company”), Friedman LLP, resigned, effectively immediately. Friedman LLP served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm since March 8, 2010.
In its resignation letter, Friedman LLP informed the Audit Committee that Friedman LLP had become aware of information related to the Company’s financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 (the “2016, 2017 and 2018 Financial Statements”) that was not known to Friedman LLP at the time of its audits and that was of such a nature and from such a source that Friedman LLP would have investigated such information if it had come to Friedman LLP’s attention during the conduct of the audits of the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Financial Statements. Because of its conclusion that the Company had not provided sufficient support of Friedman LLP’s efforts to conduct a satisfactory investigation of such matters, Friedman LLP notified the Audit Committee of its immediate resignation.
Friedman LLP’s audit reports on the financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and subsequent interim period preceding Friedman LLP’s resignation, there were no disagreements with Friedman LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Friedman LLP, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report.
Item 4.02 Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim Review
In its resignation letter dated August 15, 2020, Friedman LLP requested that the Company take immediate steps to make the necessary Form 8-K filing stating that further reliance should no longer be placed on its previously issued audit reports for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Financial Statements. The non-reliance request by Friedman LLP is based on its conclusion that Friedman LLP was unable to obtain the Company’s support to conduct a satisfactory investigation of the information mentioned above in Item 4.01. The Company’s Audit Committee has discussed with Friedman LLP the matters disclosed under this item.
A copy of Friedman LLP’s letter dated August 15, 2020 is filed as Exhibit 7.1 to this report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein as so filed. The summary of the letter in this report is modified and supplemented by such exhibit.
In accordance with Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, the Company has provided Friedman LLP with a copy of this report on Form 8-K and requested Friedman LLP to furnish to the Company as promptly as possible a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether Friedman LLP agrees with the statements made by the Company in response to Items 4.01 and 4.02 and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. The letter from Friedman LLP is filed as Exhibit 7.2 to this Form 8-K.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
The exhibits listed in the following Exhibit Index are filed or furnished as part of this report.
| 7.1 | Letter from Friedman LLP dated August 15, 2020 |
| 7.2 | Letter from Friedman LLP dated August 20, 2020 |
KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC. Exhibit
EX-7.1 2 tm2029093d1_ex7-1.htm EXHIBIT 7.1 Exhibit 7.1 August 15,…
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About KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC. (NASDAQ:KGJI)
Kingold Jewelry, Inc. designs and manufactures 24-karat gold jewelry and Chinese ornaments, through a variable interest entity relationship with Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Company Limited (Wuhan Kingold). The Company develops, promotes and sells a range of products to the jewelry market across the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Company offers a range of in-house designed products, including, but not limited to, gold necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets and pendants. The Company also sells gold bars and coins and other products through agreements with various banks in China. The Company sells its products directly to distributors, retailers and other wholesalers, who then sell its products to consumers through retail counters located in both department stores and other traditional stand-alone jewelry stores. The Company’s subsidiary, Wuhan Kingold Internet Co., Ltd., is engaged in online sales of jewelry products.