10-K/A: ClearSign Technologies Amends 2024 Annual Report to Correct Audit Fees and Update Certifications

Sentiment:

Amendment to Annual Report


ClearSign Technologies Corporation filed an Amendment No. 1 to its 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A to correct previously reported principal accounting fees and services and to include updated Sarbanes-Oxley certifications.

Capital raiseThe company incurred audit-related fees in connection with a public offering and concurrent private placement in April 2024.Fees were also incurred for an at-the-market offering.The company filed registration statements on Form S-3 in August 2023 and Form S-8 in 2024 and 2023, which are typically associated with capital raising activities.

Summary

  • The filing is an Amendment No. 1 to ClearSign Technologies Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
  • The primary purpose of this amendment is to correct the aggregate fees for professional audit services rendered by BPM CPA LLP for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023.
  • It also reclassifies certain fees related to equity offerings, proxy statements, and registration statements from 'All Other Fees' to 'Audit-Related Fees'.
  • The amendment includes updated certifications from the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer as required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  • As of June 30, 2024, the aggregate market value of non-affiliate common equity was $33,474,132.
  • As of May 28, 2025, the company had 52,422,532 shares of common stock outstanding.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The document is administrative in nature, correcting previously filed information. It does not contain new positive or negative operational or financial news, thus a neutral sentiment score is appropriate.

Positives

  • The company demonstrates commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency by proactively correcting previously filed information.
  • The Audit Committee's pre-approval policies for audit and non-audit services were complied with during both 2024 and 2023, indicating sound governance practices.

Negatives

  • The necessity for an amendment indicates an initial error in the original filing regarding the classification and reporting of accounting fees.

Risks

  • While corrected, initial errors in financial reporting, such as misclassification of fees, could potentially raise questions about the robustness of internal controls, although this specific amendment addresses a reclassification and correction of amounts.

Future Outlook

This amendment is administrative in nature and does not provide new forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's operational or financial performance beyond the scope of the corrected accounting fees.

Management Comments

  • "Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report." (Colin J. Deller, CEO)
  • "Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report." (Brent Hinds, CFO)
  • "The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended." (Colin J. Deller, CEO & Brent Hinds, CFO)
  • "The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods indicated." (Colin J. Deller, CEO & Brent Hinds, CFO)

Industry Context

This administrative filing is specific to ClearSign Technologies Corporation's compliance with SEC reporting requirements and does not provide broader insights into industry trends or competitive landscape.

Management Changes

RolePrevious PersonNew PersonEffective DateReason
DirectorNACatharine M. de Lacy2023-02-20New appointment, indicated by offer letter date.
DirectorNADavid M. Maley2024-04-23New appointment, indicated by offer letter date.
DirectorNAG. Todd Silva2024-08-01New appointment, indicated by offer letter effective date.

Corporate Governance

Change TypeDescriptionEffective DateImpact Assessment
Policy ComplianceThe Audit Committee reviewed and approved in advance the retention of the independent registered public accounting firm for all audit and lawfully permitted non-audit services, and the fees for such services, in compliance with pre-approval policies and procedures during 2024 and 2023.NAEnsures proper oversight of auditor independence and financial reporting integrity.
Bylaws/Charter AmendmentReferences to a Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware on June 26, 2024, and various corporate governance documents (Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, Plan of Conversion) from June 2023, indicating ongoing updates to foundational corporate governance documents.2024-06-26Indicates ongoing updates to foundational corporate governance documents, though specific impacts are not detailed in this amendment.
CertificationsInclusion of currently dated certifications from the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer as required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.2025-05-28Reinforces management's responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of financial disclosures.

Stakeholder Impact

  • Shareholders: Provides corrected financial transparency regarding audit fees, ensuring a more accurate understanding of administrative costs. The updated certifications reinforce management's accountability for financial reporting.
  • Regulatory Bodies: Demonstrates compliance with SEC regulations by correcting errors and providing required certifications for the amended filing.

Next Steps

  • Continued compliance with SEC reporting requirements.
  • Ongoing review and approval of independent registered public accounting firm services by the Audit Committee.

Key Dates

DateDescription
2013-05-06ClearSign Combustion Corporation 2013 Consultant Stock Plan filed.
2015-02-26Form of Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Agreement filed.
2016-06-20Lease Agreement entered into with Paradigm Realty Advisors, L.L.C.
2018-07-12Stock Purchase Agreement with clirSPV LLC dated.
2018-07-17Stock Purchase Agreement with clirSPV LLC filed.
2019-01-28Employment Agreement dated between registrant and Colin James Deller.
2019-01-30Employment Agreement with Colin James Deller filed.
2019-07-29First Amendment to Lease entered into with Tulsa Portfolio Oklahoma Realty LP.
2020-01-14Second Amendment to Lease entered into with Tulsa Portfolio Oklahoma Realty LP.
2020-12-23At-the-Market Sales Agreement dated between ClearSign Technologies Corporation and Virtu Americas LLC.
2021-05-07ClearSign Technologies Corporation 2021 Equity Incentive Plan filed.
2021-10-18Offer Letter dated by and between the Company and Brent Hinds.
2021-11-12Offer Letter with Brent Hinds filed.
2022-03-31Original Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (referenced for various exhibits).
2022-05-31Purchase Right Waiver of clirSPV LLC filed.
2022-08-15Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Colin James Deller filed.
2023-02-20Catharine de Lacy's Offer Letter dated.
2023-02-24Catharine de Lacy's Offer Letter filed.
2023-06-14Plan of Conversion, Certificate of Conversion, and Articles of Conversion dated/filed.
2023-06-15Plan of Conversion, Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, Certificate of Conversion, and Articles of Conversion filed.
2023-08-08Amendment to Offer Letter between the Company and Brent Hinds dated.
2023-08-14Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement and Amendment to Offer Letter with Brent Hinds filed.
2023-08Filing of registration statements on Form S-3.
2023-12-31Fiscal year ended for 2023 financial reporting.
2024-03-31Original Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed.
2024-04-01Clawback Policy filed.
2024-04Public offering and concurrent private placement occurred.
2024-04-19Form of Common Warrant, Underwriters Warrant, Private Warrant, Placement Agent Warrant, and Warrant Agency Agreement filed.
2024-04-19Securities Purchase Agreement dated.
2024-04-22Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement dated.
2024-04-23Form of Pre-Funded Warrant and Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement filed.
2024-04-23David M. Maley's Offer Letter dated.
2024-04-24David M. Maley's Offer Letter filed.
2024-05-15Amendment to Warrant Agency Agreement dated.
2024-05-20Amendment to Warrant Agency Agreement filed.
2024-06-24Securities Purchase Agreement dated.
2024-06-26Certificate of Amendment, Securities Purchase Agreement, and Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement filed.
2024-06-30Last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter (for market value calculation).
2024-08-01G. Todd Silva's Offer Letter effective.
2024-08-06G. Todd Silva's Offer Letter filed.
2024-12-31Fiscal year ended for 2024 financial reporting.
2025-05-28Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed; latest practicable date for shares outstanding count; certifications signed.

Keywords

ClearSign Technologies Corporation, CLIR, SEC Filing, Form 10-K/A, Annual Report Amendment, Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, SOX Certification, Financial Reporting, Public Accounting Firm, BPM CPA LLP, Corporate Governance

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