Crown Electrokinetics (CRKN) appoints Frank Rimerman as new independent auditor

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Crown Electrokinetics Corp. appointed Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm after a competitive review by the board’s Audit Committee. Frank Rimerman will audit the company’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2025 and review interim financial information for the quarters ending June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2025.

The company states that during 2023, 2024 and the interim period up to the appointment, neither it nor anyone on its behalf consulted Frank Rimerman on accounting principles, potential audit opinions, or any matters involving disagreements or reportable events. This indicates the new auditor was not previously advising on the company’s accounting decisions.

Insights

Audit & Governance Analyst

Crown Electrokinetics changes auditors after a competitive review, with no prior consultations or reported disagreements.

Crown Electrokinetics’ Audit Committee selected Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP as the new independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, including reviews of the June 30 and September 30, 2025 quarters. Framing this as the result of a competitive review signals a formal process rather than an ad hoc switch.

The company notes that in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 and through the appointment date, it did not consult Frank Rimerman on accounting treatments or potential audit opinions, and there were no matters characterized as disagreements or reportable events under Regulation S-K. This language is standard but important, as it suggests the firm is coming in as a fresh reviewer rather than having shaped past accounting choices.

For investors, an auditor change can matter if it follows disputes or accounting issues; here, the disclosure explicitly denies such circumstances. Future 2025 audit and interim review reports from Frank Rimerman will show how the new firm assesses Crown Electrokinetics’ reporting under this fresh engagement.

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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): September 14, 2025

Crown Electrokinetics Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-39924		47-5423944
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File No.)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1110 NE Circle Blvd.

Corvallis, Oregon 97330

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(213) 660-4250

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value		CRKN		OTC Markets

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.

On September 14, 2025, following a competitive review process conducted by the Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”) of the board of directors of Crown Electrokinetics Corp., a Delaware Corporation (the “Company”), the Audit Committee approved the engagement of Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP (“Frank Rimerman”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the audit of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, and for the review of the interim financial information for the quarters ending June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2025.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and the subsequent interim period through the date of Frank Rimerman’s appointment, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with Frank Rimerman 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 was provided to the Company nor oral advice was provided that Frank Rimerman 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 disagreement (as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and related instructions) or a reportable event (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions). 

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SIGNATURE

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.

Date: September 17, 2025

	CROWN ELECTROKINETICS CORP.
	By:	/s/ Doug Croxall
		Name:	Doug Croxall
		Title:	Chief Executive Officer

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FAQ

What change did Crown Electrokinetics (CRKN) disclose in this 8-K?

Crown Electrokinetics disclosed that its Audit Committee approved the engagement of Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

For which periods will Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP serve as CRKN’s auditor?

Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP will audit Crown Electrokinetics’ financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 and review interim financial information for the quarters ending June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2025.

Did Crown Electrokinetics consult Frank, Rimerman on accounting issues before the appointment?

The company states that during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and through the date of appointment, it did not consult Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP on accounting principles, audit opinions, or financial reporting issues.

Were there any disagreements or reportable events related to CRKN and Frank, Rimerman?

Crown Electrokinetics states there were no matters that were the subject of disagreement or reportable events as defined in Item 304 of Regulation S-K with respect to Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP.

Who approved the selection of Frank, Rimerman as CRKN’s new auditor?

The selection of Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP as the new independent registered public accounting firm was approved by the Audit Committee of Crown Electrokinetics’ board of directors.

Who signed the 8-K filing for Crown Electrokinetics (CRKN)?

The 8-K was signed on behalf of Crown Electrokinetics by Doug Croxall, the company’s Chief Executive Officer.