UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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): November 22, 2004
AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York 1-7657 13-4922250
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or Identification No.)
organization)
200 Vesey Street, World Financial Center
New York, New York 10285
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 640-2000
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None
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
---- (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
---- (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
---- Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
---- Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
As previously disclosed in the American Express Company ("Company") 2004
Proxy, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company determined
to request proposals from auditing firms for the Company's 2005 audit. This
request was made pursuant to the Audit Committee's charter, which requires a
detailed review of the Company's outside audit firm at least every ten years. At
a meeting held on November 22, 2004, the Audit Committee approved the future
engagement of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PWC") as the independent registered
public accountants ("auditors") of the American Express Incentive Savings Plan
(the "Plan") for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005 to replace the firm of
Ernst & Young LLP ("E&Y"). E&Y will continue as the auditors for the financial
statements of the Plan for the year ending December 31, 2004. The Audit
Committee's decision to replace the current auditors was made after a robust
proposal process that included three of the four major international accounting
firms, including E&Y.
E&Y's reports on the Plan's financial statements for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2003 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 Plan's financial statements for each
of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 and through November
22, 2004, there were no disagreements with E&Y on any matters of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of E&Y, would have caused
E&Y to make reference to the matter in their report. During the two most recent
fiscal years and through November 22, 2004, there have been no "reportable
events" (as defined in Regulation S-K, Item 304(a) (1) (v)). The Plan has
requested E&Y to furnish the Plan with a letter addressed to the Securities and
Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the above statements. A copy
of E&Y's letter, dated November 24, 2004, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form
8-K.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
16.1 Letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission from
Ernst & Young LLP.
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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.
AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
By: /s/ Valeria M. Christensen
--------------------------------
Name: Valeria M. Christensen
Title: Delegate
Employee Benefits Administration
Committee
DATE: November 24, 2004
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Item No. Description
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16.1 Letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission from
Ernst & Young LLP.
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EXHIBIT Item 16.1
E rErnst & Young LLP rPhone (212) 773-3000
5 Times Square www.ey.com
New York, NY 10036
November 24, 2004
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
Gentlemen:
We have read item 4.01 of Form 8-K dated November 24, 2004, of American Express
Incentive Savings Plan and are in agreement with the fourth sentence of the
first paragraph and the statements contained in the second and third paragraphs
on page 1 therein. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements
of the registrant contained therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
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