---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001731289-24-000092"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: null
cik: "0001731289"
company_name: "Nikola Corp"
filed_at: "2024-03-18T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-04T15:27:40.750830+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Nikola appoints Grant Thornton as auditor, dismisses EY; reports material weaknesses in internal controls

## Summary
- Audit committee approved Grant Thornton as new independent auditor, replacing EY, effective March 13, 2024.
- EY's reports for fiscal years ended Dec 31, 2023 and 2022 were unqualified; no disagreements occurred.
- Material weaknesses identified: ineffective ITGCs (user access and change management) and deficiencies in valuation/remeasurement of embedded derivative liabilities (Toggle Convertible Notes).
- ITGC weakness is still being remediated; embedded derivative liability weakness was remediated as of Dec 31, 2023 10-K.
- EY provided letter agreeing with dismissal disclosures, filed as Exhibit 16.1.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001731289-24-000092
- form_type: 8-K
- cik: 0001731289
- company_name: Nikola Corp
- filed_at: 2024-03-18T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 4.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1731289/000173128924000092/0001731289-24-000092-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1731289/000173128924000092/nkla-20240313.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001731289-24-000092
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001731289-24-000092.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001731289-24-000092.txt

## Key facts
- Auditor Changes
  Nikola Corp engaged Grant Thornton LLP as its auditor.
  - Action: engagement
  - Auditor: Grant Thornton LLP
  source text: Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm On March 13, 2024, the audit committee of the Board of Directors (the "Audit Committee") of Nikola Corporation (the “Company”) approved the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective March 13, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1731289/000173128924000092/0001731289-24-000092-index.htm
- Auditor Changes
  Nikola Corp dismissed Ernst & Young LLP as its auditor.
  - Action: dismissal
  - Auditor: Ernst & Young LLP
  - Successor: Grant Thornton LLP
  source text: on March 13, 2024, the Audit Committee dismissed EY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1731289/000173128924000092/0001731289-24-000092-index.htm

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