8-K/AOther Events

EVERSOURCE ENERGY 8-K/A Report (Apr 3, 2002)

Filed April 3, 2002For Securities:ES

Summary

This 8-K/A filing from Northeast Utilities (NU), dated April 3, 2002, is an amendment to a previous report concerning the company's principal auditor. The core information revolves around the dismissal of Arthur Andersen LLP (AA) as NU's independent auditor on March 22, 2002, and the subsequent engagement of a new auditor (though the new auditor is not named in this specific filing). While the filing confirms that Arthur Andersen's reports for the fiscal years 2000 and 2001 did not contain any adverse opinions or significant qualifications, it also specifies that there were no disagreements between NU and Arthur Andersen on any accounting principles, financial reporting, or auditing procedures that would have led to Arthur Andersen referencing such issues in their audit reports. The company has provided Arthur Andersen with these disclosures, and Arthur Andersen has agreed with their accuracy in a letter dated April 2, 2002, which is attached as an exhibit.

Key Highlights

  • 1Northeast Utilities (NU) officially dismissed Arthur Andersen LLP (AA) as its principal auditor on March 22, 2002.
  • 2This dismissal follows a March 22, 2002, filing where AA agreed to include its report on NU's 2001 10-K.
  • 3Arthur Andersen's audit reports for the years ended December 31, 2001, and 2000, did not contain adverse opinions, disclaimers of opinion, or qualifications.
  • 4There were no disagreements between NU and Arthur Andersen regarding accounting principles, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope/procedures.
  • 5Arthur Andersen's report for 2001 included an explanatory paragraph regarding the adoption of SFAS No. 133 (Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities).
  • 6NU provided Arthur Andersen with the disclosures related to the dismissal, and Arthur Andersen confirmed their agreement in a letter dated April 2, 2002.
  • 7The filing is an amendment (8-K/A) providing additional information or context related to the auditor change.

Frequently Asked Questions

The filing states that Northeast Utilities dismissed Arthur Andersen as its principal auditor. However, it explicitly notes that there were no disagreements on any matter of accounting principle or practice, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure that would have caused Arthur Andersen to reference such issues in their reports. The specific reasons for the dismissal beyond the absence of disagreements are not detailed in this filing.

No, the filing clarifies that Arthur Andersen's reports on Northeast Utilities' consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2001, and 2000, did not contain an adverse opinion, a disclaimer of opinion, or any qualifications or modifications regarding uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. However, an explanatory paragraph was included regarding the adoption of SFAS No. 133.

The explanatory paragraph in Arthur Andersen's report for the year ended December 31, 2001, relates to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, 'Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,' as amended. This is a standard disclosure when a company adopts new accounting pronouncements that have a significant impact.

This filing is an amendment (8-K/A) to a previous Current Report. Its primary purpose is to provide formal documentation and disclosures related to the change in Northeast Utilities' principal auditor, specifically the dismissal of Arthur Andersen LLP and confirmation of the absence of reportable disagreements, including an attached letter from Arthur Andersen.