---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001712543-26-000032"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "EQS"
cik: "0000878932"
company_name: "EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC."
filed_at: "2026-05-04T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T00:10:39.595764+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# BDO USA resigns as auditor for Equus Total Return on April 29, 2026; cites material weakness in valuation controls

## Summary
- No accounting disagreements existed; BDO's reports for FY2024 and FY2025 were unqualified.
- Material weakness: insufficient management review controls over portfolio investment valuation and warrants.
- Audit Committee discussed weaknesses with BDO; successor auditor to be appointed.
- BDO resigned effective April 29, 2026; a letter to the SEC is attached as Exhibit 16.1.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001712543-26-000032
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: EQS
- cik: 0000878932
- company_name: EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.
- filed_at: 2026-05-04T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 4.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/878932/000171254326000032/0001712543-26-000032-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/878932/000171254326000032/f8k_equus05042026.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001712543-26-000032
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001712543-26-000032.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001712543-26-000032.txt

## Source-grounded claims
- claim_id: d2e46c32fe03437fa1a1d4c8bcbbdda44d12b354
  claim: BDO USA, P.C. resigned as auditor of EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC..
  evidence_excerpt: On April 29, 2026, Equus Total Return, Inc. (“Equus” or the “Fund”) was notified by BDO USA, P.C. (“BDO”), of BDO’s resignation as the Fund’s independent auditors, effective as of such date.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/878932/000171254326000032/0001712543-26-000032-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.