Leslie’s switches auditors after control issues flagged

Leslie’s, Inc. is changing its independent auditor, appointing Grant Thornton LLP for the fiscal year ending October 3, 2026 and dismissing Ernst & Young LLP after EY completes its review of the quarter ended January 3, 2026.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Leslie’s, Inc. is changing its independent auditor, appointing Grant Thornton LLP for the fiscal year ending October 3, 2026 and dismissing Ernst & Young LLP after EY completes its review of the quarter ended January 3, 2026. EY’s audit opinions on the company’s 2024 and 2025 consolidated financial statements were clean, but EY issued adverse opinions on internal control over financial reporting for both years due to material weaknesses in inventory, vendor rebate, and asset impairment processes. The company reports no disagreements with EY on accounting or auditing matters and states there were no other reportable events beyond the disclosed control weaknesses. Leslie’s has authorized EY to fully brief Grant Thornton on these issues, and EY’s confirming letter is filed as an exhibit.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Repeated adverse internal control opinions: EY concluded the company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting for fiscal 2024 and 2025, citing material weaknesses in inventory, vendor rebate, and asset impairment processes, which may affect confidence in financial reporting quality until remediated.

Insights

Accounting & audit governance analyst

Auditor change follows repeated adverse internal control opinions.

Leslie’s, Inc. is replacing Ernst & Young with Grant Thornton as its independent auditor starting with the fiscal year ending October 3, 2026, after a competitive process. EY will finish the interim review for the quarter ended January 3, 2026.

EY’s reports on the 2024 and 2025 financial statements were unqualified, but it issued adverse opinions on internal control over financial reporting for both periods. The cited material weaknesses involve inventory, vendor rebate, and asset impairment processes, which are important areas for a retailer’s earnings quality and balance sheet reliability.

The company reports no disagreements or additional reportable events with EY and notes that EY is authorized to fully inform Grant Thornton about the weaknesses. The investment significance lies in ongoing remediation of these control issues and how Grant Thornton evaluates and tests improvements in future audits.

8-K Event Classification

Item 4.01 — Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant

1 item

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant Governance

The company changed its independent auditing firm, which may involve disagreements on accounting matters.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Leslie’s, Inc. (LESL) announce about its independent auditor?

Leslie’s, Inc. appointed Grant Thornton LLP as its new independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 3, 2026. The Audit Committee also approved the dismissal of Ernst & Young LLP, effective after EY completes its interim review for the quarter ended January 3, 2026.

Why is Ernst & Young LLP being dismissed by Leslie’s, Inc.?

Ernst & Young LLP is being dismissed following a competitive process that led the Audit Committee to appoint Grant Thornton for the 2026 fiscal year. EY will complete its interim review for the quarter ended January 3, 2026 before the change, and Leslie’s reports no disagreements with EY on accounting or auditing matters.

Did Ernst & Young issue clean opinions on Leslie’s, Inc.’s financial statements?

Yes. EY’s reports on Leslie’s, Inc.’s consolidated financial statements for fiscal years ended October 4, 2025 and September 28, 2024 contained no adverse opinions, disclaimers, or qualifications regarding uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, indicating acceptance of the financial statements themselves for those years.

What internal control issues did Leslie’s, Inc. disclose with Ernst & Young?

EY issued adverse opinions on Leslie’s, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 4, 2025 and September 28, 2024. EY identified material weaknesses in internal controls over inventory, vendor rebate, and asset impairment processes, which the company previously described in its annual reports’ controls and procedures sections.

Were there any disagreements between Leslie’s, Inc. and Ernst & Young?

The company states there were no disagreements with EY on accounting principles, financial statement disclosure, or audit scope and procedures during fiscal 2024, 2025, and through January 27, 2026. It also reports no reportable events beyond the disclosed internal control material weaknesses described in prior annual reports.

Did Leslie’s, Inc. consult Grant Thornton before appointing it as auditor?

Leslie’s, Inc. reports that neither it nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted Grant Thornton during fiscal 2024, 2025, or the interim period through January 27, 2026 about accounting principles, potential audit opinions, disagreements, or reportable events. This indicates Grant Thornton did not provide pre-appointment guidance influencing past reporting decisions.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

Accepted by SEC EDGAR 01/30/2026 - 08:22 AM Learn about SEC filing dates

false0001821806Leslie's, Inc.00018218062026-01-272026-01-27

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): January 27, 2026

LESLIE’S, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware			001-39667	20-8397425
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
2005 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, Arizona				85016
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (602) 366-3999

(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, par value $0.001 per share		LESL		The Nasdaq Global Select Market

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.

After conducting a competitive process, on January 27, 2026, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) of Leslie’s, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as the new independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ending October 3, 2026.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, the Audit Committee approved the dismissal of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective upon the completion of EY’s interim review of the Company’s financial statements for the quarter ended January 3, 2026.

EY’s reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for each of the fiscal years ended October 4, 2025 and September 28, 2024 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

During the fiscal years ended October 4, 2025 and September 28, 2024 and in the subsequent interim period through January 27, 2026, there were (i) no “disagreements” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) with EY on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement, if not resolved to the satisfaction of EY, would have caused EY to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with EY’s report and (ii) no “reportable events” (as defined under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K) except as described below.

EY’s report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 4, 2025, contained an adverse opinion. Specifically, EY’s report reflected its opinion that the Company had not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting due to the existence of material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to the Company’s inventory and asset impairment processes, as reported by the Company in “Part II, Item 9A. Controls and Procedures” of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 4, 2025, filed with the SEC on December 18, 2025. EY’s report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 28, 2024, contained an adverse opinion. Specifically, EY’s report reflected its opinion that the Company had not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting due to the existence of material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to the Company’s vendor rebate and inventory processes, as reported by the Company in “Part II, Item 9A. Controls and Procedures” of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024, filed with the SEC on November 27, 2024.

The foregoing material weaknesses were discussed between the Audit Committee and EY, and the Company has authorized EY to respond fully to the inquiries of the successor accountant concerning the foregoing material weaknesses.

The Company has provided EY with a copy of this report and requested that EY provide a letter addressed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission indicating whether or not it agrees with the disclosures contained herein and, if not, the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of EY’s letter, dated January 30, 2026, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this report.

During the fiscal years ended October 4, 2025 and September 28, 2024 and in the subsequent interim period through January 27, 2026, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted with Grant Thornton regarding: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specific 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 to the Company that Grant Thornton concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, (ii) any matter that was the subject of a “disagreement” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions), or (iii) any “reportable events” (as defined under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.		Description
16.1		Letter of Ernst & Young LLP, dated January 30, 2026.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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.

			Leslie's, Inc.
Date:	January 30, 2026	By:	/s/ Benjamin Lindquist
			Benjamin Lindquist Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary