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<P id=PARA3 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>UNITED STATES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA4 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA5 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></FONT></P>
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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 227.4pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>FORM 8-K</B></FONT></P>
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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 227.4pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA14 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 OR 15(d)</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA15 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA16 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): </B><B>March 14</B><B>, 2017</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA19 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><B><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">ASTA FUNDING, INC.</FONT></B></P>
<P id=PARA22 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA26 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA27 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA28 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA29 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>001-35637</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA30 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA31 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>22-3388607</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA32 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA33 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>of incorporation)</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 31.9%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA35 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>(Commission</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA36 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>File Number)</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA37 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA38 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>(IRS Employer</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA39 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Identification No.)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 66.9%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 66.9%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" colSpan=3>
<P id=PARA40 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 2.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>210 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 31.9%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA42 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>07632</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA43 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 2.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 31.9%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA45 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>(Zip Code)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<P id=PARA47 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code: 201-567-5648</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA49 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA52 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">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:</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA56 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<P id=PARA60 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<P id=PARA64 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<P id=PARA68 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<P id=PARA193.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA76 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item&nbsp;4.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA79 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA78 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 24.5pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">On March 9, 2017, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of AstaFunding, Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) approved the dismissal of Mazars USA LLP ("Mazars") as the Company's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and the engagement of EisnerAmper LLP as the Independent Registered Accounting Firm to audit the Company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017 and review each of the interim periods in the fiscal year then ended. The Company notified Mazars of its dismissal on March 14, 2017,&nbsp;and the engagement of EisnerAmper LLP&nbsp;was effective on March 14, 2017.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA81 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA80 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 24.5pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">During the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and the subsequent interim period through March 14, 2017, there were no disagreements between the Company and Mazars concerning any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure which disagreements, if not resolved to Mazars satisfaction, would have caused Mazars to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with their reports. In addition, during the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and the subsequent interim period through March 14, 2017, there were no &#8220;reportable events&#8221; as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA83 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA82 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 24.5pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The audit reports of Mazars on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were such reports qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA85 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA84 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 24.5pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The audit reports of Mazars on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2016 and 2015 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA87 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA86 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 24.5pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">During the Company's two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period to March 14, 2017, neither the Company, nor anyone on its behalf, consulted with EisnerAmper LLP regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to any completed or proposed transaction or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's consolidated financial statements, or (ii) any matter that was either a subject of a &#8220;disagreement&#8221; (as the term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K) or a &#8220;reportable event&#8221; (as the term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA89 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA88 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 24.5pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The Company provided Mazars with a copy of this Form 8-K and requested from Mazars USA LLP a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether Mazars agrees with the statements made by the Company in response to Item 304(a) of Regulations S-K and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of Mazars letter dated March 14, 2017 is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA93 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA92 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01 Exhibits</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA95 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA94 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(d)&nbsp;Exhibits. The following exhibit is furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K:</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA195 style="MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top"><U>No.&nbsp; </U></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top"><U>Description&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</U></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA197><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">16.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA198><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Letter dated March 14, 2017, addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission from Mazars USA LLP, regarding change in independent registered public accounting firm</FONT></P></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA103 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA106 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SIGNATURE</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA109 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA108 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">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, thereunto duly authorized.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA110 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 51%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA111 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA112 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" colSpan=3>
<P id=PARA113 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 2.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>ASTA FUNDING, INC.</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 51%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 32%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 51%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA114 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Date: March 16, 2017</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA115 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA116 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">By:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 32%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA117 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><I>/s/ Bruce R. Foster</I></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 12%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA118 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><I></I></FONT>&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 51%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA119 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 32%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA120 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Bruce R. Foster</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 12%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA121 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT>&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 51%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA122 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 32%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA123 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Chief Financial Officer</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 12%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA124 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT>&nbsp;</P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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asta20170315_8k.htm
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
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
March 14
, 2017
ASTA FUNDING, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
001-35637
22-3388607
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
210 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
07632
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 201-567-5648
(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:
☐
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.
On March 9, 2017, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of AstaFunding, Inc. (the "Company") approved the dismissal of Mazars USA LLP ("Mazars") as the Company's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and the engagement of EisnerAmper LLP as the Independent Registered Accounting Firm to audit the Company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017 and review each of the interim periods in the fiscal year then ended. The Company notified Mazars of its dismissal on March 14, 2017, and the engagement of EisnerAmper LLP was effective on March 14, 2017.
During the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and the subsequent interim period through March 14, 2017, there were no disagreements between the Company and Mazars concerning any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure which disagreements, if not resolved to Mazars satisfaction, would have caused Mazars to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with their reports. In addition, during the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and the subsequent interim period through March 14, 2017, there were no "reportable events" as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The audit reports of Mazars on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were such reports qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
The audit reports of Mazars on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2016 and 2015 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.
During the Company's two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period to March 14, 2017, neither the Company, nor anyone on its behalf, consulted with EisnerAmper LLP regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to any completed or proposed transaction or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's consolidated financial statements, or (ii) any matter that was either a subject of a "disagreement" (as the term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K) or a "reportable event" (as the term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).
The Company provided Mazars with a copy of this Form 8-K and requested from Mazars USA LLP a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether Mazars agrees with the statements made by the Company in response to Item 304(a) of Regulations S-K and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of Mazars letter dated March 14, 2017 is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01 Exhibits
(d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K:
No.
Description
16.1
Letter dated March 14, 2017, addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission from Mazars USA LLP, regarding change in independent registered public accounting firm
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, thereunto duly authorized.
ASTA FUNDING, INC.
Date: March 16, 2017
By:
/s/ Bruce R. Foster
Bruce R. Foster
Chief Financial Officer