§33-33-10a. Accountant's letter of qualifications.

The accountant shall furnish the insurer in connection with, and for inclusion in, the filing of the annual audited financial report, a letter stating:

(1) That the accountant is independent with respect to the insurer and conforms to the standards of his or her profession as contained in the code of professional ethics and pronouncements of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the rules of professional conduct of the West Virginia Board of Accountancy, or similar code;

(2) The background and experience in general, and the experience in audits of insurers of the staff assigned to the engagement and whether each is an independent certified public accountant. Nothing within this article shall be construed as prohibiting the accountant from utilizing such staff as he or she deems appropriate where use is consistent with the standards prescribed by generally accepted auditing standards;

(3) That the accountant understands the annual audited financial report and his or her opinion thereon will be filed in compliance with this article and that the commissioner will be relying on this information in the monitoring and regulation of the financial position of insurers;

(4) That the accountant consents to the requirements of section eleven of this article and that the accountant consents and agrees to make available for review by the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee or appointed agent, the workpapers, as defined in section eleven of this article;

(5) A representation that the accountant is properly licensed by an appropriate state licensing authority and is a member in good standing in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; and

(6) A representation that the accountant is in compliance with the requirements of section six of this article.