UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
April 20, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Date of report (Date of Earliest Event Reported)
HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in Its Charter)
MARYLAND 001-14765 251811499
------------------------------- ------------------------ ----------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation) Identification No.)
148 SHERATON DRIVE, BOX A, NEW CUMBERLAND, PENNSYLVANIA 17070
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(717) 770-2405
--------------------------------------------------
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
ITEM 4. Changes to Registrant's Certifying Accountants.
On April 20, 2004, Hersha Hospitality Trust (the "Company") dismissed its
independent accountants for the 2003 fiscal year, Reznick Fedder & Silverman,
CPAs, PC ("Reznick Fedder & Silverman"), and engaged as its new independent
accountants for the 2004 fiscal year, KPMG LLP ("KPMG") effective immediately.
The determination to dismiss Reznick Fedder & Silverman and engage KPMG was
approved by the Company's Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of its Audit
Committee. The Company engaged Reznick Fedder & Silverman on April 5, 2003, and
they served as the Company's accountants for one fiscal year.
During the Company's most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, and
the subsequent interim period through April 20, 2004, there were no
disagreements between the Company and Reznick Fedder & Silverman on any matter
of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or
auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to Reznick
Fedder & Silverman's satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference to
the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with their report.
None of the reportable events described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
Regulation S-K occurred within the Company's two most recent fiscal years and
the subsequent interim period through April 20, 2004.
The audit report of Reznick Fedder & Silverman on the consolidated
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as of and for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 did not contain any adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion, nor was it qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit
scope, or accounting principles. A letter from Reznick Fedder & Silverman is
attached as Exhibit 16.1.
During the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2003
and 2002, and the subsequent interim period through April 20, 2004, the Company
did not consult with KPMG regarding any of the matters or events set forth in
Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
Number Exhibit
16.1 Letter of Reznick Fedder & Silverman regarding change in certifying
accountant
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST
Date: April 21, 2004 By: /s/ Ashish R. Parikh
----------------------------------
Ashish R. Parikh
Chief Financial Officer
LIST OF EXHIBITS
16.1 Letter of Reznick Fedder & Silverman regarding change in certifying
accountant.