SEC Company Response from Track Group, Inc. (TRCK) (CIK 0001045942) (TRCK) — Dec 12, 2005
Track Group, Inc. (TRCK) (CIK 0001045942)
Date: Dec. 12, 2005 · CIK: 0001045942 · Accession: 0000096313-05-000319
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
Referenced dates: November 16, 2005
Show Raw Text
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.txt
<TEXT>
Wayne D. Swan
wswan@djplaw.com
VIA FACSIMILE AND FEDERAL EXPRESS
---------------------------------
November 23, 2005
David Burton
Staff Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: RemoteMDx, Inc.
Form 8-K
Filed November 8, 2005
----------------------
Dear Mr. Burton:
We are in receipt of the Staff's letter dated November 16, 2005 with
respect to the above-referenced Form 8-K. We are responding herein to the
Staff's comments on behalf of our client, RemoteMDx, Inc. ("RemoteMDx") as set
forth below.
RemoteMDx's responses set forth in this letter are numbered to
correspond to the numbered comments in the Staff's letter. All capitalized terms
used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Amended Form 8-K. For ease of reference, we have set forth the Staff's comments
and RemoteMDx's response for each item below.
Item 4-01. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
---------------------------------------------------------
1. Revise to provide the information required by Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
Regulation S-K (specifically Item 304(a)(1)(iv)(B)) regarding any
reportable event (i.e., internal control weaknesses, etc.) that the
former accountant advised the registrant of during the two most recent
fiscal years and subsequent interim period through the date the former
accountant was dismissed.
RemoteMDx's Response: The reference in the Form 8-K dated November
2, 2005 to Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K was in error. The
reference should have been to Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-B
because the registrant is a small business filer. In our amended 8-K,
we will include the following disclosure:
"There were no reportable events (as defined in Regulation S-B
Item 304(a)(1)(iv)) during the years ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
or the subsequent interim period through November 2, 2005, except that
Tanner reported in letters to the Company's audit committee and board
of directors, dated June 7, 2005 and November 23, 2003, that it had
identified deficiencies that existed in the design or operation of the
Company's internal control over financial reporting that it considered
<PAGE>
David Burton Page 2 November 23, 2005
to be "significant deficiencies" and "material weaknesses." These
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the Company's
internal control consisted of (1) lack of controls over the initial
accounting for and disclosure of certain debt and equity transactions,
including untimely and inadequate communication of debt and equity
transactions to the accounting department so that proper accounting and
disclosure could be undertaken, (2) lack of segregation of incompatible
duties in the accounting function, (3) lack of controls over board
documentation of dividend declarations in connection with record dates,
(4) lack of written policies and procedures for testing of impairment
of long-lived assets and the lack of timely testing of such assets, and
(5) lack of regular contact between the audit committee and the
independent registered public accounting firm. Tanner, through the
previously mentioned letters, informed the board of directors and the
audit committee of the board of directors that the lack of these
internal controls could lead to the Company not being in a position to
develop reliable financial statements. The Company also disclosed these
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses to the Company's audit
committee and board of directors. The Company has authorized Tanner to
respond fully to any inquiries by Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell regarding
these significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in internal
control."
"Additional effort is needed to fully remedy these significant
deficiencies and material weaknesses and the Company is continuing its
efforts to improve and strengthen its system of internal control over
accounting and financial reporting. The Company's audit committee is
working with the Company's management and outside advisors to implement
internal controls over accounting and financial reporting that are
adequate and effective."
2. In detail, describe the nature of each reportable event (i.e., internal
control weakness) and the amounts involved, if any. Also, tell us in
what period the reportable event occurred and whether or not you
restated (or intend to restate) any prior period for any adjustment
resulting from the reportable event; and if not, why not. Tell us in
detail the steps you have taken (or plan to take) and procedures you
implemented (or plan to implement) to correct each reportable event.
See our response to comment 1 regarding the detail of each
reportable event (internal control weakness); items (1) through (5).
Items (2) and (5) had no direct dollar amounts involved. Item (1)
occurred during fiscal 2004. Item (1) was corrected with entries in the
first quarter of 2004 totaling $2,301,464, entries in the second
quarter of 2004 totaling $326,788, entries in the third quarter of 2004
totaling $677,573, and entries in the fourth quarter of 2004 totaling
$0. All entries were recorded in the period requiring the entries,
because the Forms 10-Q and Form 10-K for fiscal 2004 were all filed at
the same time. No quarters in 2004 were restated and none need to be
restated. Item (3) occurred in fiscal 2003 and was corrected with a
dollar entry of $1,274,200. Item (4) occurred in fiscal 2003 and was
corrected with a dollar entry of $2,248,000. The entries in 2003 for
dividends and long-lived asset impairment were appropriate fourth
quarter adjustments. No quarters in 2003 were restated and none need to
be restated.
<PAGE>
David Burton Page 3 November 23, 2005
The following are the steps we have taken (or that we plan to
take), including procedures implemented (or procedures planned to be
implemented), to correct each significant deficiency and material
weakness noted above.
Item (1): "Lack of controls over the initial accounting for and
disclosure of certain debt and equity transactions, including untimely
and inadequate communication of debt and equity transactions to the
accounting department so that proper accounting and disclosure could be
undertaken."
With respect to Item (1), RemoteMDx has adopted and implemented a
policy which requires that RemoteMDx's Chief Financial Officer attend
all meetings of RemoteMDx's board of directors and be provided with
draft copies of minutes from those meetings immediately upon their
preparation. By attending these meetings, RemoteMDx's Chief Financial
Officer is made aware of debt and equity transactions when approved by
RemoteMDx's board of directors. He is then in a position to request and
obtain copies of the documents setting forth these transactions and can
communicate these transactions to RemoteMDx's accounting department for
proper accounting and disclosure.
Item (2): "Lack of segregation of incompatible duties in the
accounting function."
With respect to Item (2), RemoteMDx intends to add additional
personnel to the accounting department once it obtains reasonably
sufficient resources to do so. This will allow RemoteMDx to properly
segregate incompatible duties in the accounting function. Until the
additional personnel are added to the accounting department, RemoteMDx
has implemented procedures whereby additional reviews are conducted by
members of management to provide additional assurance that transactions
are being recorded appropriately and assets are being safeguarded.
Item (3): "Lack of controls over board documentation of dividend
declarations in connection with record dates."
With respect to Item (3), RemoteMDx's board of directors is
required to approve any declaration of dividends. In connection with
such declarations, RemoteMDx has adopted and implemented a policy that
prohibits the accounting department from following through with the
issuance of any stock, debt or other securities in connection with a
dividend declaration unless such issuances are approved and provided
for in the signed minutes of meetings of RemoteMDx's board of
directors.
Item (4): "Lack of written policies and procedures for testing of
impairment of long-lived assets and the lack of timely testing of such
assets."
With respect to Item (4), RemoteMDx's policy is to test for
impairment of indefinite-lived intangible or tangible assets annually,
in its fiscal fourth quarter, with the assistance of outside advisors,
as necessary. RemoteMDx's policy is to test for impairment of
definite-lived long-term tangible assets as facts and circumstances
indicate there may be an impairment at each balance sheet date.
RemoteMDx intends to adopt and implement specific and detailed policies
<PAGE>
David Burton Page 4 November 23, 2005
and procedures regarding the testing of impairment of these long-lived
assets and add additional personnel to the accounting department to
ensure that testing of such assets occurs in a timely manner as
required.
Item (5): "Lack of regular contact between the audit committee and
the independent registered public accounting firm."
With respect to Item 5, RemoteMDx has adopted and implemented a
policy which requires that the audit committee communicate directly
with RemoteMDx's independent registered public accounting firm at least
on a quarterly basis and more often as circumstances require.
3. Please provide us with a schedule of your fiscal year end fourth
quarter adjustments to close the books, or adjustments recorded in
connection with or as a result of the audit or internal control
weakness. Clearly explain the reason for each adjustment. For each
adjustment, show us the impact on pre-tax net loss. Quantify the net
effect of all adjustments on pre-tax net income (loss). Also, tell us
why none of the adjustments relate to prior periods. Explain in detail
why you believe the timing of each adjustment is appropriate.
RemoteMDx's Response: As our fiscal 2005 audit is in process with
the successor auditors, we are responding to your request with respect
to fiscal 2004 and 2003 fourth quarter adjustments to close the books,
or resulting from the audit or the internal control weakness noted by
the former accountants. Schedule A attached hereto details each
adjustment, its individual impact on pre-tax net loss, and the
summation of all of these adjustments on pre-tax net loss. In the far
right column of Schedule A is the rationale as to why the entry did not
relate to prior periods and why the adjustment is recorded in the
appropriate period.
4. Provide us with any letter or written communication to and from the
former accountants regarding any disagreements or reportable events to
management or the Audit Committee.
RemoteMDx's Response: We have attached letters from our former
accountants dated November 26, 2003 (SAS No. 61 letter) and November
26, 2003 (Reportable conditions letter) addressed to our board of
directors that relate to our fiscal year ended September 30, 2003. We
have attached letters from our former accountants dated June 7, 2005
(Reportable conditions letter) addressed to the audit committee of the
board of directors and management and June 15, 2005 (SAS No. 61 letter)
addressed to the audit committee of the board of directors that relate
to our fiscal year ended September 30, 2004. There were no written
responses with respect to these letters provided to the former
accountants from any of management, the audit committee or the board of
directors.
5. To the extent that you amend the Form 8-K to comply with our comments,
please obtain and file an updated Exhibit 16 letter from the former
accountant stating whether the accountant agrees with your Item 304
disclosures, or the extent to which the accountant does not agree.
<PAGE>
David Burton Page 5 November 23, 2005
RemoteMDx's Response: We will obtain and file an updated Exhibit
16 letter from the former accountant with our Form 8-K/A.
In response to the Staff's request, we hereby acknowledge the
following:
o that RemoteMDx is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy
of the disclosure in the filing;
o that Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to
staff comments do not foreclose the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") from taking any action with
respect to the filing; and
o that RemoteMDx may not assert staff comments as a defense
in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person
under the federal securities laws of the United States.
We believe that the foregoing responses address the Staff's comments.
RemoteMDx intends to file its Form 8-K/A as soon as it determines that the Staff
will not have additional comments to the draft Form 8-K/A provided with this
letter. Please advise us at your earliest convenience if you have any questions.
Direct any questions to the undersigned at (801) 415-3000. Thank you in advance
for your cooperation in connection with this matter.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Wayne D. Swan
DURHAM JONES & PINEGAR
cc: Michael G. Acton, CFO (via e-mail)
Enclosures
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>