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) December 4, 2003
NICHOLAS FINANCIAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)
British Columbia, Canada 0-26680 8736-3354
(State or Other Jurisdiction of(Commission (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)File Number)Identification No.)
2454 McMullen Booth Road, Building C
Clearwater, Florida 33759
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(727) 726-0763
(Registrant's telephone number, Including area code)
Not applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
since last report)
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Item 4. Changes In Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
Effective December 3, 2003, Nicholas Financial, Inc. (the "Company")
engaged the accounting firm of Crisp Hughes Evans LLP as its new
independent public accountants.
The decision to change the Company's accounting firm was made by the
Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors on December 3,
2003.
The Company has not consulted with Crisp Hughes Evans LLP during the
last two fiscal years ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 or during the
subsequent interim periods from March 31, 2003 through and including
December 3, 2003, on either 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
Crisp Hughes Evans LLP has announced a merger with another large
regional firm, Dixon Odom PLLC. This merger will be effective on
January 1, 2004. The combined Firm will be known as Dixon Hughes PLLC.
With a staff of more than 725 in 24 cities in eight states, Dixon
Hughes PLLC will be the largest certified public accounting firm
headquartered in the Southeast region and the 15th largest nationwide.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description of Document
----------- ----------------------------------------------------
99 Press release dated December 4, 2003 issued
by the registrant
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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.
NICHOLAS FINANCIAL, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: December 4, 2003 /s/ Peter L. Vosotas
-----------------------------
Peter L. Vosotas
Chairman, President,
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: December 4, 2003 /s/ Ralph T. Finkenbrink
------------------------------
Ralph T. Finkenbrink
(Principal Financial Officer
and Accounting Officer)
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
--------------
99 Press release dated December 4, 2003 issued by the registrant
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Exhibit 99
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nicholas Financial, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
2454 McMullen-Booth Rd.
Building C, Suite 501
Clearwater, FL 33759
Contact: Ralph Finkenbrink
Sr. Vice President, Finance
Ph # - 727-726-0763
Fax # - 727-726-2140
Web site: www.nicholasfinancial.com
NASDAQ: NICK
Nicholas Appoints New Auditors
Clearwater, Florida, - December 4, 2003: Nicholas Financial, Inc.
(Nasdaq, NICK) audit committee chairman, Alton R. "Charlie" Neal,
today announced that effective December 3, 2003, Nicholas Financial,
Inc. (the "Company") engaged the accounting firm of Crisp Hughes Evans
LLP as its new independent public accountants.
Crisp Hughes Evans LLP is a professional service Firm dedicated to
providing service in the areas of audit, tax, management consulting,
financial planning, business valuations, retirement plan
administration, and technology consulting. Since it was founded in
1979, the Firm has grown to become one of the 40 largest accounting
firms in the nation and one of the top five in the Southeast,
operating from its nine offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, and
Georgia. Larry H. Evans, managing partner of the Atlanta office of
Crisp Hughes Evans LLP, said "we are excited about adding Nicholas
Financial, Inc. to our specialty finance client base."
Crisp Hughes Evans LLP has announced a merger with another large
regional firm, Dixon Odom PLLC. This merger will be effective on
January 1, 2004. The combined Firm will be known as Dixon Hughes PLLC.
With a staff of more than 725 in 24 cities in eight states, Dixon
Hughes PLLC will be the largest certified public accounting firm
headquartered in the Southeast region and the 15th largest nationwide.
Founded in 1985, with current assets of $98,502,000 as of September
30, 2003, Nicholas Financial is one of the largest publicly traded
specialty consumer finance companies based in the Southeast. The
company has approximately 5,050,000 shares of common stock outstanding
and has reported record revenues and earnings for the past 13 years.
For an index of Nicholas Financial Inc.'s news releases or to obtain a
specific release, visit our web site at www.nicholasfinancial.com.
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