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EX-16.1 - LETTER OF HEIN, DATED NOVEMBER 17, 2017* - Attis Industries Inc.f8k111617ex16i_meridianwaste.htm

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 16, 2017

 

MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York   001-13984   13-3832215
(State or other jurisdiction 
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer 
Identification No.)

 

One Glenlake Parkway NE, Suite 900

Atlanta, GA 30328

 (Address of principal executive offices)

 

(770) 691-6350

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

☐  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

☐  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

☐  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

☐  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ☐

  

 

 

  
 

 

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

 

(a)Dismissal of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and engagement of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Effective November 16, 2017, Hein & Associates LLP (“Hein”), the independent registered public accounting firm for Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”), combined with Moss Adams LLP (“Moss Adams”). As a result of this transaction, on November 16, 2017, Hein resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company. Concurrent with such resignation, the Company’s audit committee approved the engagement of Moss Adams as the new independent registered public accounting firm for the Company.

 

The audit report of Hein on the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

 

During the most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and through the subsequent interim period preceding Hein’s resignation, there were no disagreements between the Company and Hein on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Hein would have caused them to make reference thereto in their report on the Company’s financial statements for such year.

 

During the most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and through the subsequent interim period preceding Hein’s resignation, there were no reportable events within the meaning set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, except that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the existence of material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As disclosed in the Registrant’s Annual Report on form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, and Quarterly Reports on form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017:

 

(1) lack of an audit committee; (2) lack of form authorization and timely approval with related parties and for significant corporate transactions; (3) lack of segregation of duties; and (4) lack of review and disclosure controls.

 

During the most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and through the subsequent interim period preceding Moss Adam’s engagement, the Company did not consult with Moss Adams on either (1) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that may be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and Moss Adams did not provide either a written report or oral advise to the Company that Moss Adams concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (2) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement, as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or a reportable event, as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

 

The Company has provided Hein a copy of the disclosures in this Form 8-K and has requested that Hein furnish it with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the Company’s statements herein. A copy of the letter dated November 17, 2017 is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
16.1   Letter of Hein, dated November 17, 2017*

 

* Filed herewith

 

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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 duly authorized.

 

  MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.
     
Date: November 17, 2017 By: /s/ Jeffrey Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey Cosman
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

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