NOTE 6.CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, from time to time, the Company and certain subsidiaries are parties to lawsuits, claims, arbitrations, regulatory actions or investigations. In addition, from time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Company also defends employment-related cases as well as claims arising out of environmental matters.

As previously disclosed, the SEC is conducting an investigation which we believe is primarily focused on how the Company established accruals and reserves at period-ends for periods beginning January 1, 2015 and the impact of those accruals and reserves on reported earnings per share.  The Company’s Audit Committee retained independent counsel to conduct an internal investigation into matters related to the SEC investigation and that investigation is being supplemented as previously reported.  To date the internal investigation findings include certain inadequately supported journal entries and certain other errors, all primarily related to the Company’s reserve and accrual accounting, which the Company has determined were individually and in the aggregate immaterial to the impacted quarterly and annual financial statements. As previously disclosed in the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K, based on the results of the internal investigation, it was determined that there was a significant deficiency in the Company’s internal controls relating to the documentation and review of accounting entries for certain reserves and accruals, which was remediated as of December 31, 2020 and as discussed below.  The supplemental investigation regarding the assertions described in the Current Report on Form 8-K furnished to the SEC on July 28, 2021 is ongoing.  The Company continues to believe that its financial statements filed with the SEC on Forms 10-K and 10-Q for the relevant periods fairly present in all material respects its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of their respective balance sheet dates and for the periods then ended.

The Company is continuing to cooperate fully with the SEC investigation and has initiated discussions with the SEC staff regarding a potential resolution of the investigation.  In accordance with the accounting guidance in ASC 450, “Contingencies,” and based on the findings described above and other information, the Company recorded an accrual related to this matter in the third quarter of 2021, which is reflected in other current liabilities in our condensed consolidated statements of financial position. We cannot predict the outcome of the SEC investigation and it is possible that the ultimate amount of any potential liability could be different from the amount accrued.

As previously disclosed in the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K, in connection with the SEC investigation, the Company reevaluated and strengthened its internal controls over financial reporting, including improving processes and procedures and supporting documentation, including those related to management’s judgments and estimates.

There can be no assurance that the SEC or another regulatory body will not make further regulatory inquiries or pursue action against the Company and its senior officers that could result in potentially significant sanctions and penalties, or that could require the Company to take additional remedial steps.  Further, the Company may be subject to litigation from third parties related to the matters under review by the SEC.

Management does not believe that any pending claim, proceeding or litigation, regulatory action or investigation, either alone or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity; however, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome of some or all of the matters could result in a charge that might be material to the results of an individual quarter or year.