8-K/AFinancial EventsExhibits & Filings

AbbVie Inc. 8-K/A Report, Auditor Change (Mar 19, 2013)

Filed March 19, 2013For Securities:ABBV

Summary

AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) filed an amendment to its Form 8-K on March 19, 2013, to officially confirm the effective date of the dismissal of its former independent registered public accountant, Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte). The dismissal became effective on March 15, 2013, following Deloitte's completion of audit services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, and the subsequent filing of AbbVie's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. This filing also clarifies that AbbVie's separation from Abbott Laboratories was consummated on January 1, 2013. The report notes that Deloitte's audit opinion on the combined financial statements did not contain any adverse opinions or modifications, though it did include an emphasis of matter paragraph concerning the financial statements being derived from Abbott Laboratories' records with allocated expenses. Furthermore, the amendment confirms that there were no disagreements or reportable events between AbbVie and Deloitte during the relevant periods that would necessitate specific disclosures. The filing also reiterates the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP (Ernst & Young) as AbbVie's new independent registered public accounting firm, effective March 15, 2013, to commence services for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. No prior consultations with Ernst & Young regarding significant accounting or auditing issues are disclosed.

Key Highlights

  • 1Effective date of Deloitte & Touche LLP's dismissal as independent auditor confirmed as March 15, 2013.
  • 2Deloitte completed audit services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, and the filing of the 2012 Annual Report.
  • 3AbbVie officially separated from Abbott Laboratories on January 1, 2013.
  • 4Deloitte's audit report on prior combined financial statements contained no adverse opinions or modifications, but included an emphasis of matter regarding derived financial statements.
  • 5No disagreements or reportable events occurred between AbbVie and Deloitte.
  • 6Ernst & Young LLP appointed as the new independent registered public accounting firm, effective March 15, 2013.
  • 7No prior consultations with Ernst & Young on significant accounting or auditing matters are disclosed.

Frequently Asked Questions

The amendment is filed to officially confirm the precise effective date of Deloitte & Touche LLP's dismissal as AbbVie's independent auditor, which is March 15, 2013, following the completion of their audit services for the fiscal year 2012 and the filing of the annual report.

AbbVie Inc. officially separated from Abbott Laboratories and its research-based pharmaceuticals business on January 1, 2013.

No, the filing explicitly states that there were no disagreements on any accounting principles, financial statement disclosures, or auditing procedures between AbbVie and Deloitte during the relevant periods. There were also no 'reportable events' as defined by SEC regulations.

Ernst & Young LLP has been appointed as AbbVie's new independent registered public accounting firm, effective March 15, 2013. They will begin with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.