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 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 1, 1997 BEACH FIRST NATIONAL BANCSHARES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) South Carolina 33-95562 57-1030117 (State or other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.) incorporation) 1550 North Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (803) 626-2265 N/A (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) Page 1 of 5 Pages The Exhibit Index Appears on Page 4 ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT. On October 1, 1997, the Company dismissed the firm of Francis & Company CPA, as the auditors of the Company effective as of that date. The decision to change accountants was approved by the board of directors of the Company. The reports of Francis & Company on the Company's financial statements for the past two fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. In connection with the audits of the Company's financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and in the subsequent interim period, there were no disagreements with Francis & Company on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope and procedures which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Francis & Company, would have caused Francis & Company to make reference to the matter in their report. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and in the subsequent interim period, there were no "reportable events" to describe as specified in Item 304(e)(1)(v) of Regulation S-B. A copy of the letter from Francis & Co. stating whether it agrees with the above statements dated November 6, 1997, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. On October 1, 1997, the Company engaged Elliott, Davis & Company, LLP as its independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997, to audit the Company's financial statements. During the Company's most recent fiscal year and the subsequent interim period preceding the engagement of Elliott, Davis & Company, the Company did not consult Elliott, Davis & Company on any matter requiring disclosure under Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-B. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS. (c) The following information is filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K: Exhibit No. Description 16.1 Letter of Francis & Company, dated November 6, 1997, to the Securities and Exchange Commission 2 SIGNATURES 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. BEACH FIRST NATIONAL BANCSHARES, INC. By: /s/ William Gary Horn ---------------------------- William Gary Horn, President Dated November 6, 1997. 3 Exhibit Index Exhibit No. Description Sequential Page Number - ----------- ----------- ---------------------- 16.1 Letter of Francis & Company dated Page 5 November 6, 1997, to the Securities and Exchange Commission 4