McCormick & Company Changes Certifying Accountant to KPMG Following Unilever Deal

McCormick & Company, Inc. Reports Change in Certifying Accountant (Form 8-K)

Summary of Filing

On September 28, 2026, McCormick & Company, Incorporated filed a Current Report on Form 8-K under Item 4.01 (Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant).

Key Details

• Date of Event: September 24, 2026
• Outgoing Auditor: Ernst & Young LLP (EY)
• Incoming Auditor: KPMG LLP
• Effective Date: EY's dismissal will be effective upon the filing of McCormick's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2026. KPMG will serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2027.
• Reason for Change: EY is not expected to be considered independent under SEC rules following the anticipated closing of McCormick's acquisition of Unilever PLC's foods business (announced March 31, 2026).
• Audit Reports & Disagreements:
  • EY's reports on McCormick's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2024, and November 30, 2025, contained no adverse opinion, disclaimer of opinion, qualification, or modification.
  • There were no disagreements or reportable events between McCormick and EY during the two most recent fiscal years or the subsequent interim period.
  • EY provided an agreement letter dated September 28, 2026, filed as Exhibit 16.1.

Market Impact & Significance

The change in auditor is driven by structural independence requirements related to the Unilever transaction rather than accounting disagreements, internal control failures, or financial restatements. Consequently, trading significance is assessed as Low.