McCormick Replaces EY With KPMG as Auditor Ahead of Unilever Foods Acquisition

McCormick's Audit Committee Dismisses Ernst & Young

McCormick & Company disclosed in a regulatory filing that its Audit Committee terminated Ernst & Young LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm, with the dismissal dated September 24, 2026. The company indicated the change was required because EY would likely lose its independence status under SEC regulations following the expected closing of McCormick's pending transaction with Unilever. EY's removal will take effect once McCormick files its Annual Report for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2026.

KPMG LLP Appointed as Successor Auditor

The same Audit Committee approved KPMG LLP to serve as McCormick's new independent registered public accounting firm. The leadership transition is being staged to align the audit relationship with the post-transaction corporate structure that will result from the Unilever foods acquisition.

Why the Switch Is Tied to the Unilever Deal

McCormick's regulatory disclosure ties the auditor change directly to the Unilever transaction rather than to any disagreement with EY. Under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission independence rules, an auditor is not independent with respect to an audit client if it has certain relationships with an affiliate of that client, and McCormick stated that EY was expected to fall into that category once the Unilever deal closed. Appointing KPMG ahead of closing is intended to provide continuity through the combined company's first reporting cycle.

Governance and Reporting Calendar Implications

McCormick's fiscal year ends November 30, meaning the dismissed auditor will, in effect, sign off on the company's last set of standalone financial statements before the Unilever transaction is integrated. KPMG will then assume responsibility beginning with McCormick's next annual audit, a handover that the Audit Committee will oversee alongside the integration work tied to the Unilever foods business.