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Autolus Therapeutics (AUTL) moves audit engagement from EY UK to EY US

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Autolus Therapeutics plc has changed its independent registered public accounting firm, dismissing Ernst & Young LLP (UK) and appointing Ernst & Young LLP (US) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The company states there were no disagreements with EY UK on accounting, disclosure, or audit matters and no reportable events, other than previously disclosed material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024. EY UK’s audit reports for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 contained unmodified opinions, and EY UK has provided a letter to the SEC agreeing with the company’s description of the relationship.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Auditor shifts from EY UK to EY US with clean prior opinions.

Autolus Therapeutics is replacing its UK audit firm with the US member firm of Ernst & Young for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The prior auditor’s reports for 2025 and 2024 were unqualified, so the change is not tied to modified opinions.

The company notes no disagreements or reportable events with EY UK, except for already disclosed material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024. This suggests the weaknesses were managed within the existing audit relationship, reducing concerns that the switch reflects a breakdown.

EY US was not previously consulted on specific accounting treatments or audit opinions during the last two fiscal years. Future filings for periods ending on or after December 31, 2026 will show how EY US evaluates internal control remediation and ongoing reporting quality.

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant Governance
The company changed its independent auditing firm, which may involve disagreements on accounting matters.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Auditor dismissal date April 14, 2026 Date EY UK was dismissed by the Audit Committee
New auditor engagement period Fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 Engagement period for EY US as new auditor
Prior fiscal years covered 2025 and 2024 Years for which EY UK issued unmodified audit opinions
ICFR assessment date March 31, 2024 Date as of which material weaknesses in internal control were reported
EY UK response letter date April 16, 2026 Date of EY UK letter filed as Exhibit 16.1
independent registered public accounting firm financial
"dismissed Ernst & Young LLP (UK) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm"
An independent registered public accounting firm is an outside accounting company officially registered with the government regulator to examine and report on a public company's financial records and controls. Investors treat its reports like an impartial inspector’s certificate — they add credibility to financial statements, help spot errors or misleading claims, and reduce the risk that shareholders are relying on unchecked or biased numbers.
material weaknesses financial
"due to material weaknesses in its internal controls"
Material weaknesses are significant flaws in a company’s systems for ensuring its financial reports are accurate and reliable. Like a broken lock on a safe, they increase the chance that financial statements contain big errors or omissions, which can mislead investors about performance and risk; discovering one often raises questions about management oversight, may lead to restated results, and can affect investor confidence and a company’s valuation.
internal control over financial reporting financial
"its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of March 31, 2024"
Internal control over financial reporting is a company’s system of procedures and checks designed to make sure its financial statements are accurate and complete, like a set of guardrails and verification steps that catch mistakes or fraud before numbers are published. Investors care because strong controls make reported results more trustworthy, lower the risk of surprise restatements or regulatory problems, and give greater confidence when valuing the company or comparing it to peers.
reportable events regulatory
"there were no “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K"
disagreements regulatory
"there were no “disagreements” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K"
Understanding 8-K Material Events →
0001730463FALSE00017304632026-03-272026-03-270001730463sic:Z88802026-03-272026-03-270001730463us-gaap:CommonClassAMember2026-03-272026-03-27

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): April 14, 2026
Autolus Therapeutics plc
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

England and Wales
001-38547
Not applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
The Mediaworks
191 Wood Lane
LondonW12 7FP
United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(44) 20
3829 6230
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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):
☐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))


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
American Depositary Shares, each representing one ordinary share, nominal value $0.000042 per share
AUTLThe Nasdaq Global Select Market
Ordinary shares, nominal value $0.000042 per share**
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC*
*
Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of the American Depositary Shares on The Nasdaq Global Select Market. The American Depositary Shares represent the right to receive ordinary shares and are being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to a separate Registration Statement on Form F-6. Accordingly, the American Depositary Shares are exempt from the operation of Section 12(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to Rule 12a-8 thereunder.
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.
On April 14, 2026, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) of Autolus Therapeutics plc (the “Company”) dismissed Ernst & Young LLP (UK) (“EY UK”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, (i) there were no “disagreements” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act (“Regulation S-K”) with EY UK on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures that, if not resolved to EY UK’s satisfaction, would have caused EY UK to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports on the Company’s financial statements and (ii) there were no “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions thereto, except that as initially disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company reported that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of March 31, 2024 due to material weaknesses in its internal controls.
The audit reports of EY UK on the consolidated financial statements of the Company for each of the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 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.
In accordance with Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, the Company provided EY UK 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 UK furnish it with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the above statements in this Item 4.01(a). A copy of EY UK’s letter, dated April 16, 2026, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Appointment of New Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
On April 14, 2026, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP (US) (“EY US”) as its new independent registered public accounting firm. EY US’s appointment will be for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, effective immediately.


During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted EY US regarding (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 consolidated financial statements of the Company, in connection with which any written report or any oral advice was provided to the Company that EY US concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the 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 or a “reportable event” as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
d) Exhibits
Exhibit No.Description of Exhibit
16.1
Letter of Ernst & Young LLP (UK) dated April 16, 2026.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AUTOLUS THERAPEUTICS PLC
Dated: April 16, 2026By:/s/Christian Itin, Ph.D.
Name: Christian Itin, Ph.D.
Title: Chief Executive Officer



Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What auditor change did Autolus Therapeutics (AUTL) disclose in this 8-K?

Autolus Therapeutics dismissed Ernst & Young LLP (UK) as its independent registered public accounting firm and appointed Ernst & Young LLP (US) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, effective April 14, 2026, as approved by the company’s Audit Committee.

Did Autolus Therapeutics (AUTL) report any disagreements with EY UK?

The company reports no disagreements with EY UK on accounting principles, financial disclosures, or audit scope under Regulation S-K definitions. It also reports no reportable events, aside from previously disclosed material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024.

How did EY UK’s audit opinions on Autolus Therapeutics’ recent financial statements look?

EY UK’s audit reports on Autolus Therapeutics’ consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 did not contain adverse opinions, disclaimers, or qualifications regarding uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, indicating standard unmodified audit opinions.

What internal control issues has Autolus Therapeutics (AUTL) disclosed?

Autolus previously disclosed that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of March 31, 2024 due to material weaknesses in its internal controls. This disclosure originated in its Form 10-Q for that quarter and is referenced again in connection with the auditor change.

Did Autolus Therapeutics consult EY US on accounting issues before the new engagement?

Autolus states that during its two most recent fiscal years, neither it nor anyone on its behalf consulted EY US on applying accounting principles to specific transactions or on potential audit opinions, nor on any matters involving disagreements or reportable events under Regulation S-K.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

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