SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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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 20, 2002
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THE SERVICEMASTER COMPANY
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware 1-14762 36-3858106
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Organization) Number) Identification Number)
2300 Warrenville Road, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (630) 271-1300
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Not Applicable
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
On May 20, 2002, The ServiceMaster Company, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), with the approval of the Company's Board of Directors and its Audit
and Finance Committee, dismissed Arthur Andersen LLP ("Andersen") as its
independent accountants and engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP as its new independent
accountants. The appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP became effective on May
22, 2002.
During the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended December 31,
2001 and 2000, and the interim period subsequent to December 31, 2001, there
were no disagreements between the Company and Andersen on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to Andersen's satisfaction, would
have caused Andersen to make reference to the subject matter in connection with
its reports on the Company's consolidated financial statements for such periods.
Andersen's report on the financial statements of the Company for the
past two fiscal years 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.
During the two most recent fiscal years and the interim period
subsequent to December 31, 2001 there were no reportable events as described
under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The Company has requested that Andersen furnish it with a letter
addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the above statements. A copy
of the letter from Andersen dated May 22, 2002 is attached as Exhibit 16.1.
During the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended December 31,
2001 and 2000, and through May 20, 2002, the Company did not consult with
Deloitte & Touch LLP with respect to the application of accounting principles to
a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit
opinion that might be rendered on the Company's consolidated financial
statements, or any matters or reportable events, as described in Items
304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
(c) EXHIBITS:
16.1 Letter of Arthur Andersen LLP dated May 22, 2002.
99.1 Press Release issued by the Company on May 22, 2002.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE SERVICEMASTER COMPANY
Date: May 22, 2002 By: /s/ Steven C. Preston
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Steven C. Preston
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibit
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16.1 Letter of Arthur Andersen LLP dated May 22, 2002.
99.1 Press Release issued by the Company on May 22, 2002.
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