Bristow Group Inc. - FORM 8-K - June 18, 2018

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EX-16.1 - EXHIBIT 16.1 - Bristow Group Inc.exhibit161letterfromey.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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): June 18, 2018
Era Group Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
 
1-35701
 
72-1455213
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
818 Town & Country Blvd., Suite 200 Houston, Texas
 
77024
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
 
(713) 369-4700
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
 
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
 
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act  (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
 
o
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 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). Yes  ý    No  ¨

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. ý





Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
(a) Dismissal of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
On June 18, 2018, Era Group Inc. (the “Company”), with the approval of the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, dismissed Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and during the subsequent interim period from January 1, 2018 through June 18, 2018, (i) there were no disagreements with EY on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures that, if not resolved to EY’s satisfaction, would have caused EY to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports and (ii) there were no “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, except as noted below.
The audit reports of EY on the consolidated financial statements of the Company for each of the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 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 audit for the year ended December 31, 2016, a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting was identified related to the existence and proper classification of property and equipment. During the audit for the year ended December 31, 2017, material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting were identified related to (i) review controls over the accrual of interest related to tax installment agreements entered into by Aeróleo, the Company’s subsidiary in Brazil and (ii) the design and operation of controls over the preparation and review of the Company’s calculation of its tax provisions (income and other).
The Company provided EY with a copy of this Current Report on Form 8-K prior to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and requested that EY furnish it with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the above statements in Item 4.01(a). A copy of EY’s letter, dated June 18, 2018, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(b) Engagement of New Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
On June 13, 2018, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to engage Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2018, who were formally engaged on June 18, 2018.
During the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and during the subsequent interim period from January 1, 2018 through June 13, 2018, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted Grant Thornton regarding either (i) 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 financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that 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” or a “reportable event,” each as defined in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and 304(a)(1)(v), respectively.






Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)    Exhibits




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.
 
 
Era Group Inc.
 
 
 
 
Date: June 18, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Christopher S. Bradshaw
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name:
Christopher S. Bradshaw
 
 
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer




Bristow Group Inc. Reports