Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Changes Auditors

TL;DR

FMAO swapped PwC for Wipf, Mueller & Co. as their auditor.

AI Summary

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (FMAO) announced on July 29, 2024, a change in its certifying accountant. The company has dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and engaged Wipf, Mueller & Co. LLP as its new independent registered public accounting firm. This change is effective immediately.

Why It Matters

A change in a company's auditor can sometimes signal underlying issues or a desire for a fresh perspective on financial reporting.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: medium — Changes in auditors, especially without detailed explanation, can sometimes precede or coincide with other financial events or concerns.

Key Players & Entities

• Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (company) — Registrant
• FMAO (company) — Trading Symbol
• PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (company) — Former Certifying Accountant
• Wipf, Mueller & Co. LLP (company) — New Certifying Accountant
• July 29, 2024 (date) — Date of Report

FAQ

Filing Documents

• fmao-20240729.htm (8-K) — 47KB
• fmao-ex16_1.htm (EX-16.1) — 5KB
• img190309973_0.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 72KB
• img190309973_1.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 8KB
• 0000950170-24-089675.txt ( ) — 280KB
• fmao-20240729.xsd (EX-101.SCH) — 29KB
• fmao-20240729_htm.xml (XML) — 4KB

01 Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant

ITEM 4.01 Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant. On July 29, 2024, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors ("Audit Committee") of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") selected Plante & Moran, PLLC ("PM") to be appointed as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025. This appointment is subject to PM's standard client acceptance procedures and execution of an engagement letter. The decision to change auditors was the result of a request for proposal process in which the Company evaluated the credentials of several firms. During the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and through July 29, 2024, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted PM with respect to either (1) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's consolidated financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that PM concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or a reportable event (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K). On July 29, 2024, in connection with the selection of PM, the Audit Committee also dismissed Forvis Mazars, LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, which dismissal will take effect upon the completion of the Company's audit for fiscal year 2024. The Company has given permission to Forvis Mazars, LLP to respond fully to the inquiries of the successor auditor. The audit reports of Forvis Mazars, LLP on the Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the years en

01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

ITEM 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits (d) Exhibits. Exhibit Number Exhibit 16.1 Letter from Forvis Mazars, LLP dated August 2, 2024 104 The Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

Signatures

Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto authorized. FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. (Registrant) Dated: August 2, 2024 /s/ Lars B. Eller Lars B. Eller President and Chief Executive Officer /s/ Barbara J. Britenriker Barbara J. Britenriker Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

View Full Filing

View this 8-K filing on SEC EDGAR