Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Files An 8-K Changes in Registrant’s Certifying AccountantItem 4.01. Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
(a) Resignation of independent registered public accounting firm
On August14, 2017, KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (the “Fund”) at the request of the Fund.
The reports of KPMG on the Fund’s financial statements as of and for the two most recent fiscal years (ended April30, 2017 and April30, 2016) did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles.
During the Fund’s two most recent fiscal years (ended April30, 2017 and April30, 2016) and the subsequent interim period through August14, 2017, there were no disagreements between the Fund and KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on the financial statements of the Fund for such years.
During the Fund’s two most recent fiscal years (ended April30, 2017 and April30, 2016) and the subsequent interim period through August14, 2017, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(l)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).
The Fund has provided KPMG with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and has requested that KPMG furnish it with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Fund set forth above. A copy of KPMG’s letter dated August16, 2017 is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K.
(b) Engagement of new independent registered public accounting firm
On August 10, 2017, upon the recommendation of its Audit Committee, the Fund’s Board of Directors approved the engagement of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ending April30, 2018, effective August14, 2017. The selection of PwC does not reflect any disagreements with or dissatisfaction by the Fund or the Board of Directors with the performance of the Fund’s prior independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG.
During the Fund’s two most recent fiscal years (ended April30, 2017 and April30, 2016) and the subsequent interim period through August14, 2017, neither the Fund, nor anyone on its behalf, consulted with PwC, on behalf of the Fund, regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction (either completed or proposed), the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Fund’s financial statements, or any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(l)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(l)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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Exhibit No. |
Description |
| 16.1 | Letter dated August16, 2017 from KPMG LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission confirming the disclosures contained in Item 4.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K. |
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Fund has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: August16, 2017 | Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. |
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/s/ George P. Hoyt |
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| Name: George P. Hoyt | |
| Title: Assistant Secretary |
[WESTERN ASSET HIGH INCOME FUND II INC. ExhibitEX-16.1 2 d439996dex161.htm EX-16.1 EX-16.1 Exhibit 16.1 (Firm Letterhead) August 16,…To view the full exhibit click here
About Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX)
Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (the Fund) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund seeks to maximize current income by investing approximately 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in high-yield debt securities. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks capital appreciation to the extent consistent with its objective of seeking to maximize current income. In addition, the Fund may invest approximately 35% of its total assets in debt securities of issuers located in emerging market countries. It may also invest approximately 30% of its assets in zero coupon securities, pay-in-kind bonds and deferred payment securities, and approximately 20% of its assets in equity securities. Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC is the Fund’s investment manager. Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Limited and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. are the Fund’s sub-advisors.