8-KFinancial EventsExhibits & Filings

APPLIED MATERIALS INC /DE 8-K Report, Auditor Change (May 18, 2005)

Filed May 18, 2005For Securities:AMAT

Summary

Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) filed a Form 8-K on May 18, 2005, to report a change in the independent registered public accounting firm for its Employee Savings and Retirement Plan. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors dismissed Mohler, Nixon & Williams Accountancy Corporation (Mohler Nixon) as the Plan's auditor and appointed Armanino McKenna LLP (Armanino) as the new auditor for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. This filing indicates a routine administrative change in the Plan's auditing services. Importantly, the report explicitly states that there were no disagreements with Mohler Nixon regarding accounting principles, financial statement disclosures, or auditing procedures during their tenure. The company also confirmed that there were no 'reportable events' that would have necessitated specific disclosures in Mohler Nixon's audit reports. This suggests a smooth transition with no underlying financial issues or disputes flagged by the outgoing auditor.

Key Highlights

  • 1Change of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Employee Savings and Retirement Plan.
  • 2Mohler, Nixon & Williams Accountancy Corporation (Mohler Nixon) was dismissed as the Plan's auditor.
  • 3Armanino McKenna LLP (Armanino) has been appointed as the new auditor for the Plan.
  • 4The change is effective for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
  • 5No disagreements were reported with the former auditor, Mohler Nixon, on accounting principles, disclosures, or auditing procedures.
  • 6No 'reportable events' were identified during the period that would have required specific auditor commentary.
  • 7The company provided Mohler Nixon with the disclosure and received a letter of agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to formally announce a change in the independent registered public accounting firm for Applied Materials, Inc.'s Employee Savings and Retirement Plan. The company is replacing Mohler, Nixon & Williams Accountancy Corporation with Armanino McKenna LLP.

No, the filing explicitly states that there were no disagreements with Mohler, Nixon & Williams Accountancy Corporation on any matter of accounting principles, practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure.

This 8-K specifically addresses the audit for the Employee Savings and Retirement Plan. It does not directly relate to the financial audits or reporting of Applied Materials, Inc. as a whole, though changes in auditors for significant employee benefit plans can sometimes be a precursor or parallel event to changes in corporate audits.

The filing states that Armanino McKenna LLP has been appointed as the new independent registered public accounting firm for the Plan. While the filing doesn't detail their qualifications, their appointment by the Audit Committee implies they are considered qualified for the role. Importantly, there were no prior consultations with Armanino that would indicate any issues or disagreements.