Katapult Holdings Changes Auditors, Appoints Elliott Davis

What Happened

• Katapult Holdings, Inc. announced on Sept. 2, 2026 that its Audit Committee approved the immediate dismissal of Grant Thornton LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm and the engagement of Elliott Davis, PLLC as the new independent auditor. The change follows Katapult’s Aug. 11, 2026 closing of a business combination that made CCFI and Aaron’s wholly owned subsidiaries.

Key Details

• Dismissal and appointment effective Sept. 2, 2026; Grant Thornton’s letter to the SEC is filed as Exhibit 16.1 (dated Sept. 4, 2026).
• Grant Thornton’s audit reports for the fiscal years ended Dec. 31, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2024 included an explanatory paragraph about substantial doubt regarding the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
• During those years and the interim period before dismissal, there were no “disagreements” or reportable events with Grant Thornton, aside from previously disclosed material weaknesses in internal control that Katapult says were remediated as of Dec. 31, 2024.
• Elliott Davis previously served as the independent auditor for CCFI (since 2020) and Aaron’s (since 2024), and audited the financial statements of those now-subsidiary businesses that are incorporated into Katapult’s filings. Katapult did not consult Elliott Davis on accounting matters for the company’s two most recent fiscal years prior to the appointment.

Why It Matters

• A change in independent auditor is material for investors because it affects who examines and signs off on the company’s financial statements. The filing highlights that prior auditor reports included going-concern language for 2024 and 2025, which is an important red flag to consider when reviewing recent and upcoming filings.
• The appointment of Elliott Davis — already auditor for the recently acquired businesses — may aid audit continuity for those subsidiaries, but investors should watch future SEC filings (quarterly reports and the next annual report) for auditor opinions, any new disclosures about internal controls, and further discussion of the company’s financial condition following the merger.