UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 12b-25 NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING SEC FILE NUMBER: 1-4436 CUSIP NUMBER: 858603103000 (Check one): ( )Form 10-K ( )Form 20-K ( )Form 11-K (X)Form 10-Q ( )Form N-SAR September 30, 2004 For Period Ended:_____________________________ ( ) Transition Report on Form 10-K ( ) Transition Report on Form 20-F ( ) Transition Report on Form 11-K ( ) Transition Report on Form 10-Q ( ) Transition Report on From N-SAR For the Transition Period Ended:______________ Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has verified any information contained herein. If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:_______________________________________ PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION THE STEPHAN CO. ____________________________________________________________ Full Name of Registrant ____________________________________________________________ Former Name if Applicable 1850 WEST McNAB ROAD ____________________________________________________________ Address of Principal Executive Office(Street and Number) FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33309 ____________________________________________________________ City, State and Zip Code PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c) If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate) | (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part | III of this form could not be eliminated without | unreasonable effort or expense; | | (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, (x) | transition report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K, | Form N-SAR, or portion thereof, will be filed on | or before the fifteenth calendar day following the | prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report of | transition and report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof | will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day | following the prescribed due date; and | | (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit | required by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable. PART III - NARRATIVE State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 11-K, 10-Q, N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within the prescribed time period. (Attach Extra Sheets if Needed) As a result of continuing discussions with the Company's auditors with respect to the accounting treatment of certain stock options exercised and the impact on the financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company was unable to file their report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 on a timely basis. PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification. David Spiegel (954) 971-0600 ____________________________ ___________ ________________ (Name) (Area Code) (Telephone Number) (2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) been filed? If answer is no, identify report(s). (X)Yes ( )No ____________________________________________________________ (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof? (X)Yes ( )No If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made. ============================================================ THE STEPHAN CO. __________________________________________________ (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. November 16, 2004 /s/ David Spiegel Date__________________ By_______________________________ PART IV, Item (3) Additional Information: As indicated in PART III above, certain executives of the Company exercised options, utilizing the "cashless method" as provided for in the 1990 Key Employee Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. The Company and its auditors are evaluating the proper accounting treatment of these transactions, which may require the Company to record additional compensation expense in the amount of $415,000, which will be a significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year.