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Get filing alertsMcCormick dismisses EY as auditor, hires KPMG ahead of Unilever foods deal
Filed September 28, 2026 · Period ending September 24, 2026 · ~1 min read
Key Changes
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high
Audit Committee dismissed Ernst & Young as independent auditor effective upon filing of fiscal 2026 Form 10-K, citing expected independence issues after the Unilever foods business transfer closes.
Item 4.01 verify on EDGAR → -
high
KPMG LLP engaged as successor auditor for fiscal year ending November 30, 2027, subject to standard client acceptance procedures and execution of an engagement letter.
Item 4.01 verify on EDGAR → -
medium
EY's audit reports for fiscal 2024 and 2025 contained no adverse opinions, disclaimers, or qualifications, and there were no disagreements or reportable events with EY.
Item 4.01 verify on EDGAR → -
low
McCormick did not consult KPMG on any accounting or auditing matters prior to the engagement, indicating no pre-existing relationship affecting independence.
Item 4.01 verify on EDGAR →
Summary
McCormick & Company dismissed Ernst & Young as its independent auditor because EY is not expected to be independent under SEC rules after the anticipated closing of the Unilever foods business transfer. The dismissal is effective upon filing of the fiscal 2026 Form 10-K.
The Audit Committee selected KPMG as the successor auditor for fiscal 2027, subject to standard client acceptance procedures and an engagement letter. The change is not driven by accounting disagreements or audit quality issues. EY's prior audit reports were clean, and there were no disagreements or reportable events. McCormick did not consult KPMG on any accounting or auditing matters before the engagement. This is a routine auditor transition tied to the upcoming Unilever transaction, with no immediate concerns for investors.
Section-by-Section Diff
Event · Item 4.01 — Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
Item 4.01 — Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant filed; see Key Changes for terms.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
The audit reports of EY on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for each of the fiscal years ended November 30, 2024, and November 30, 2025, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
EY's prior audit reports were clean, with no adverse opinions, disclaimers, or qualifications. This indicates the dismissal is not due to accounting disagreements or audit quality issues.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
there were no: (1) disagreements (within the meaning of Item 304(a) (1) (iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) between the Company and EY on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of EY, would have caused EY to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for such fiscal years, or (2) reportable events (within the meaning of Item 304(a) (1) (v) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions under the Exchange Act).
There were no disagreements or reportable events between McCormick and EY during the relevant periods. This confirms the auditor change is routine and not driven by accounting disputes.
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Figures/quotes linked to EDGAR · Narrative written by AI · Sep 28, 2026 · How we verify