---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001787306-24-000046"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ARQT"
cik: "0001787306"
company_name: "Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc."
filed_at: "2024-04-10T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-04T00:30:25.410241+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Arcutis appoints David Topper as CFO, replacing interim CFO John Smither

## Summary
- David Topper named CFO effective April 10, 2024; John Smither steps down and resigns April 30.
- Topper receives $515k base salary, 45% target bonus, and equity awards of 310k options, 110k RSUs, 60k PSUs.
- Topper brings 40+ years experience; most recently CFO at Inmagene, ex-General Atlantic, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley.
- Smither served as interim CFO since August 2023; previously Arcutis' first CFO leading IPO.
- Topper's severance agreement includes 12 months base plus bonus, COBRA, and full equity acceleration on qualifying termination.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001787306-24-000046
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ARQT
- cik: 0001787306
- company_name: Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
- filed_at: 2024-04-10T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1787306/000178730624000046/0001787306-24-000046-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1787306/000178730624000046/arqt-20240410.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001787306-24-000046
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001787306-24-000046.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001787306-24-000046.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  David Topper was appointed as Chief Financial Officer at Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: On April 10, 2024, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the appointment of David Topper as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, effective as of April 10, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1787306/000178730624000046/0001787306-24-000046-index.htm
- Executive change
  John Smither changed role as Chief Financial Officer at Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: In connection with the appointment of Mr. Topper, Mr. Smither will step down as Chief Financial Officer, effective as of April 10, 2024, and will resign from the Company, effective as of April 30, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1787306/000178730624000046/0001787306-24-000046-index.htm
- Executive change
  John Smither resigned as Chief Financial Officer at Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: In connection with the appointment of Mr. Topper, Mr. Smither will step down as Chief Financial Officer, effective as of April 10, 2024, and will resign from the Company, effective as of April 30, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1787306/000178730624000046/0001787306-24-000046-index.htm

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