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 18, 1998
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Westar Financial Services Incorporated
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington 2-95465-S 91-17115252
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) ID Number
505 E. Union, #300, Olympia, Washington 98501
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (306) 754-6227
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__________________________________________________________________
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
In compliance with the requirements of Item 304 of Regulation S-K,
the Registrant makes the following disclosures with respect to a
change in its certifying accountants:
On May 18, 1998, Westar Financial Services Incorporated (the
"Registrant) dismissed the accounting firm of BDO Seidman LLP
("BDO") and engaged the accounting firm of KPMG Peat Marwick,
LLP ("KPMG") as principal accountants for the year ended March
31, 1998. The Registrant solicited a formal proposal from KPMG
due to KPMG's excellent reputation and expertise in the
financial services industry. The Registrant's Audit Committee
approved the engagement of KPMG on May 18, 1998.
During the two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent
interim period prior to May 18, there have been no disagreements
with BDO on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure
or any reportable events.
BDO's report on the consolidated financial statements for the
last two years contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of
opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty,
audit scope or accounting principles.
The Registrant provided the above disclosure to both BDO and
KPMG, and requested that BDO furnish the Registrant with a
respective letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") stating whether they agree with the above
statements. A copy of BDO's letter dated May 21, 1998 is
attached as an exhibit to this report.
Item 7. Exhibits
(c) Exhibits.
16.1 Letter regarding change in certifying accountant -
BDO Seidman, LLP
BDO Letterhead
May 21, 1998
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 5th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 205499
Gentlemen:
We have been furnished with a copy of the response to Item 4 of
Form 8-K for the event that occurred on May 18, 1998, to be
filed by our former client, Westar Financial Services
Incorporated. We agree with the statements made in our response
to that Item insofar as they relate to our Firm.
Very truly yours,
/S/ BDO Seidman, LLP
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BDO Seidman, LLP
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 thereunto duly authorized.
WESTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
(Registrant)
/S/ T.M. Foley
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T.M. Foley
Vice President, Finance
