Crown Electrokinetics (OTC: CRKN) changes independent auditor in 8-K filing

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Crown Electrokinetics Corp. filed an 8-K to report a change in its independent auditor. On January 12, 2026, the company amicably ended the engagement of Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm, with approval from the board and audit committee.

Frank, Rimerman did not audit any of the company’s financial statements during its engagement and therefore issued no audit reports, adverse opinions, or disclaimers. The company states there were no disagreements and no reportable events with Frank, Rimerman over the last two fiscal years and the interim period through January 12, 2026.

On the same date, the board and audit committee approved the appointment of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as the new independent registered public accounting firm. The company also notes that it did not consult with CBIZ on accounting principles, audit opinions, or any disagreements or reportable events before this appointment.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 4.01, 9.01

2 items

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.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 01/16/2026 - 04:05 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

FAQ

What change in auditor did CRKN report in this 8-K?

Crown Electrokinetics Corp. reported that it amicably terminated Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm and appointed CBIZ CPAs P.C. as the new auditor.

Were there any disagreements between CRKN and Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP?

The company states there were no disagreements with Frank, Rimerman on accounting principles, financial statement disclosure, or audit scope or procedure during the engagement period.

Did the former auditor issue any audit reports for CRKN?

No. Frank, Rimerman did not deliver any reports and did not audit any of Crown Electrokinetics’ financial statements during the period of its engagement.

Were there any reportable events related to CRKN’s former auditor?

The company reports that during its two most recent fiscal years and the interim period through January 12, 2026, there were no reportable events of the type described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

Did CRKN consult with CBIZ CPAs P.C. before appointing them auditor?

The company states that neither it nor anyone on its behalf consulted with CBIZ CPAs P.C. on the application of accounting principles, potential audit opinions, or any disagreements or reportable events before CBIZ’s engagement.

What document did the former auditor provide to support CRKN’s disclosure?

Frank, Rimerman furnished a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agreed with the company’s statements; this letter is filed as Exhibit 16.1.

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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): January 12, 2026

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.)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1110 NE Circle Blvd.

Corvallis, Oregon 97330

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

(213) 660-4250

(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):

☐ 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 January 12, 2026, Crown Electrokinetics Corp. (the “Company”) amicably terminated the engagement of Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP (“Frank, Rimerman”), the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The termination of the engagement of Frank, Rimerman was approved by the Company’s board of directors and audit committee.

Frank, Rimerman did not deliver any reports and has not audited any financial statements of the Company during the period of its engagement and, accordingly, did not issue any adverse opinion or disclaimers of opinion with respect to the Company’s financial statements.

During the term of the Company’s engagement with Frank, Rimerman, there were no disagreements with Frank, Rimerman on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement(s), if not resolved to the satisfaction of Frank, Rimerman, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement(s) in connection with its report. During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period through January 12, 2026, there were no reportable events of the type described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

The Company provided Frank, Rimerman with a copy of the foregoing disclosure and requested Frank, Rimerman to furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements made therein. A copy of such letter furnished by Frank, Rimerman is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K.

On January 12, 2026, the Company’s board of directors and audit committee approved the engagement of CBIZ CPAs P.C. (“CBIZ”) as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm.

During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period through January 12, 2026, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted with CBIZ 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 Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided that CBIZ 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 and its related instructions) 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
16.1		Letter from Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP dated January 16, 2026
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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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.

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

Dated: January 16, 2026

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