Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (Form: 8-K)  

 

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):   October 1, 2014

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 001-11590 51-0064146
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction 		_____________
(Commission 		______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
909 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, Delaware   19904
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices) 		  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   302.734.6799

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:

[  ]  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))

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Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.

On October 1, 2014, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (the "Company") was notified that ParenteBeard LLC ("ParenteBeard") an independent registered public accounting firm, merged with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP ("Baker Tilly") in a transaction pursuant to which ParenteBeard combined its operations with Baker Tilly and certain of the professional staff and partners of ParenteBeard joined Baker Tilly either as employees or partners of Baker Tilly. On October 1, 2014, ParenteBeard resigned as the auditors of the Company and with the approval of the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, Baker Tilly was engaged as its independent registered public accounting firm for 2014.

Prior to engaging Baker Tilly, the Company did not consult with Baker Tilly regarding (a) the application of accounting principles to a specific completed or contemplated transaction or regarding the type of audit opinions that might be rendered by Baker Tilly on the Company’s financial statements, and Baker Tilly did not provide any written or oral advice that was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any such accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (b) a disagreement or reportable event as described under Item 304(a)(2)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of ParenteBeard regarding the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and during the interim period from the end of the most recently completed fiscal year through October 1, 2014, the date of resignation, there were no (a) disagreements, as described under Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, with ParenteBeard 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 ParenteBeard would have caused it to make reference to such disagreement in its reports, or (b) reportable events, as described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

The Company provided ParenteBeard with a copy of this Current Report on Form 8-K prior to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission and requested that ParenteBeard furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the above statements and, if it does not agree, the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of the letter, dated October 6, 2014, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.





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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.

         
    Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
          
October 6, 2014   By:   Beth W. Cooper
       
        Name: Beth W. Cooper
        Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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Exhibit Index


     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
16.1
  Exhibit 16.1 - Letter from ParenteBeard LLC to the Securities and Exchange Commission dated October 6, 2014