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  4. [8-K] Horizon Technology Finance Corp Reports Material Event

Horizon Technology Finance (NASDAQ: HRZN) replaces RSM with Grant Thornton

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

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation reported a change in its independent auditor. On May 13, 2026, the Board dismissed RSM US LLP, which had served as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm since 2008. RSM’s audit reports on the 2024 and 2025 financial statements contained no adverse opinions, disclaimers, or qualifications, and the company states there were no disagreements or reportable events with RSM during that period.

The Board, following the Audit Committee’s recommendation, approved the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the new independent registered accounting firm to audit the company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The company also states it did not consult Grant Thornton on accounting principles, audit opinions, or any disagreements or reportable events before this appointment. A confirmation letter from RSM to the SEC is filed as an exhibit.

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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.
Prior auditor tenure since 2008 RSM US LLP as independent registered public accounting firm through 2025
Most recent audited fiscal years by RSM 2024 and 2025 Audit reports without adverse opinions or qualifications
New auditor fiscal year 2026 Grant Thornton LLP appointed to audit consolidated financial statements
Board approval date May 13, 2026 Dismissal of RSM and appointment of Grant Thornton
RSM SEC letter date May 14, 2026 Exhibit 16.1 confirming RSM’s view of the company’s disclosures
independent registered public accounting firm financial
"dismissed RSM US LLP 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.
reportable events regulatory
"nor were there any “reportable events”, as such term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(v)"
Regulation S-K regulatory
"as such term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act"
A set of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules that tell public companies which narrative and qualitative details must be disclosed in filings, such as risk factors, management discussion, executive pay, legal proceedings and business description. Think of it as a standardized checklist or blueprint that ensures investors get the same types of background information from every company so they can compare risks, management quality and strategy before making investment decisions.
Emerging growth company regulatory
"Emerging growth company"
An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.
Audit Committee financial
"upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board, the Board approved the appointment"
A company's audit committee is a small group of board members who act like independent inspectors for the firm's finances, overseeing how financial reports are prepared, monitoring internal controls, and managing the relationship with external auditors. Investors care because a strong audit committee reduces the risk of accounting errors, fraud, or misleading statements, making financial statements more trustworthy and helping protect shareholder value.
Understanding 8-K Material Events →
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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): May 13, 2026
 
HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
814-00802
27-2114934
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
312 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06032
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (860) 676-8654
 
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
  
Ticker Symbol(s)
  
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
  
HRZN
  
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
6.25% Notes due 2027
  
HTFC
  
The New York Stock Exchange
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).
 
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 May 13, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (the “Company”) dismissed RSM US LLP (“RSM”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
 
RSM served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm since 2008. The audit reports of RSM on the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
 
During the two most recent fiscal years and through May 13, 2026, there were no disagreements with RSM on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of RSM, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of such disagreements in connection with its reports, nor were there any “reportable events”, as such term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
 
The Company provided RSM with a copy of this Form 8-K prior to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and requested that RSM provide the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the above statements. A copy of RSM’s letter, dated May 14, 2026, is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
(b) Appointment of new independent registered public accounting firm
 
On May 13, 2026, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board, the Board approved the appointment of Grant Thorton LLP (“GT”) to serve as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2026.
 
During the two most recent fiscal years and through May 13, 2026, the date of the appointment of GT, neither the Company nor any person on its behalf has consulted with GT with respect to 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 consolidated financial statements or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” or a “reportable event” as such terms are defined in Items 304(a)(1)(iv) or 304(a)(1)(v), respectively, of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act.
 
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits:
 
Exhibit
Number
  
Description
     
16.1
  
Letter of RSM US LLP, dated May 14, 2026
104
  
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
 
2
 
 
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: May 14, 2026
HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION
  
 
By:
/s/ Michael P. Balkin
  
   
Michael P. Balkin
  
   
Chief Executive Officer
  
 
 

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What auditor change did Horizon Technology Finance (HRZN) announce?

Horizon Technology Finance dismissed RSM US LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm and appointed Grant Thornton LLP to audit its 2026 consolidated financial statements. RSM had served as auditor since 2008 and continues to confirm its position in an exhibit letter.

Did Horizon Technology Finance (HRZN) report any disagreements with RSM?

The company states there were no disagreements with RSM on accounting principles, financial disclosures, or audit scope during the last two fiscal years and through May 13, 2026. It also reports no "reportable events" as defined under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

Whom did Horizon Technology Finance (HRZN) appoint as its new auditor?

Horizon Technology Finance appointed Grant Thornton LLP as its independent registered accounting firm to audit the company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The Board approved this decision on May 13, 2026, following a recommendation from its Audit Committee.

Did Horizon Technology Finance (HRZN) consult Grant Thornton before the appointment?

The company reports that neither it nor anyone on its behalf consulted Grant Thornton during the last two fiscal years on accounting principles, potential audit opinions, or any matters involving disagreements or reportable events. This disclosure is intended to clarify the independence of the new engagement.

How long did RSM serve as Horizon Technology Finance’s (HRZN) auditor?

RSM US LLP served as Horizon Technology Finance’s independent registered public accounting firm since 2008, including audits of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2025. The company notes RSM’s recent audit reports contained no adverse opinions, disclaimers, or qualifications regarding accounting issues.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

6 documents

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