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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
JUNE 25, 1998
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)
BOWNE & CO., INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 1-05842 13-2618477
(State of incorporation organization) (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
File Number) Identification No.)
345 HUDSON STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10014
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
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Item 4. Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
On June 25, 1998 Bowne & Co., Inc. (the "Company") with the approval of
the Company's Audit Committee and Board of Directors appointed the firm of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP ("KPMG") as the new auditors for the Company effective
immediately and discharged the Company's current auditors, Ernst & Young LLP
("Ernst & Young").
The accountants' reports of Ernst & Young on the Company's financial
statements for each of the two most recent fiscal years, ending December 31,
1997 and October 31, 1996, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of
opinion, nor were the reports modified or qualified as to uncertainty, audit
scope, or accounting principles.
During the Company's two most recent fiscal years and the interim
period preceding this report there were no disagreements with Ernst & Young on
any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of Ernst & Young, would have caused Ernst & Young to make
reference to the matter in their reports. During this period, there were no
"reportable events" as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K.
The Company requested Ernst & Young to furnish it a letter addressed to
the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the
above statements. A copy of that letter dated June 25, 1998 is filed as an
Exhibit to this Form 8-K.
During the Company's two most recent fiscal years, and any subsequent
interim period prior to engaging KPMG, the Company has not consulted KPMG
regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction,
or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered with respect to the
Company's financial statements.
Item 7. Exhibits.
16. Letter from Ernst & Young LLP dated June 25, 1998
regarding the change in certifying accountant.
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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.
BOWNE & CO., INC
/s/ Douglas F. Bauer
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Douglas F. Bauer
Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Dated: June 25, 1998
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ERNST & YOUNG LLP
787 7TH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20549
RE: Bowne & Co., Inc. (File No. 1-5842)
Gentlemen:
We have read Item 4 of Form 8-K dated June 25, 1998 of Bowne & Co., Inc. and
are in agreement with the statements contained in paragraphs 2 through 4 of
said Item 4. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements of the
registrant contained therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
June 25, 1998
