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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
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):
August 21, 1997
RUSS BERRIE AND COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-8681 22-1815337
(Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
111 Bauer Drive, Oakland, New Jersey 07436
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(201) 337-9000
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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ITEM 4 - CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
The registrant has dismissed the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand, LLP. of
Parsippany, New Jersey and has engaged the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen,
LLP of Roseland, New Jersey as their principal independent accounting firm,
effective August 21, 1997.
Coopers & Lybrand, LLP. was the principal independent accounting firm during the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and their report on the financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 did not contain an
adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion nor was the financial statement opinion
qualified or modified as to any uncertainty, as to audit scope or as to
accounting principles.
There have been no disagreements on any matters of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure with
the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand, LLP. for the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1996 or any subsequent interim period, which disagreement would have
caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in
connection with its report.
Management has not consulted with Arthur Andersen, LLP on any accounting,
auditing or reporting matter during the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996
or any subsequent interim period.
The decision to change independent accounting firms was recommended by the Audit
Committee of the registrant's Board of Directors.
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ITEM 7 - (e) EXHIBITS
16.1 Letter re change in certifying accountant.
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.
Dated: August 25, 1997
Russ Berrie and Company, Inc.
By: /s/ A. Curts Cooke
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A. Curts Cooke
President and
Chief Operating Officer
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Exhibit 16.1
August 22, 1997
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Gentlemen:
We have read the statements made by Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. (copy
attached), which we understand will be filed with the Commission, pursuant to
Item 4 of Form 8-K as part of the Company's Form 8-K report for the month of
August, 1997. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm in such Form 8-K.
Very truly yours,
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
