Section 500.1021 - Work papers; availability; retention; review as investigation; use(1) Work papers are the records kept by the independent public accountant of the procedures followed, tests performed, information obtained, and conclusions reached pertinent to his or her examination of the insurer's financial statements. Work papers may include audit planning documentation, work programs, analyses, memoranda, letters of confirmation and representation, abstracts of company documents, and schedules or commentaries prepared or obtained by the independent public accountant in the course of his or her examination of the insurer's financial statements and that support his or her opinion.(2) Each insurer required to file an audited financial report pursuant to this chapter shall require the independent public accountant to make available for review by the commissioner the work papers prepared in the conduct of his or her examination and any communications between the independent public accountant and the insurer related to the audit at the commissioner's offices or at any other reasonable place designated by the commissioner. The insurer shall require that the independent public accountant retain the audit work papers and communications for a period of not less than 5 years after the period reported on.(3) In a review by the commissioner under subsection (2), it shall be agreed that photocopies of pertinent audit work papers may be made and retained by the commissioner. A review by the commissioner under subsection (2) shall be considered an investigation and all working papers and communications obtained during the course of the investigation shall be confidential.(4) In the examination or other investigation or determination of the financial condition of an insurer pursuant to this act, the commissioner shall utilize the audit work papers and other documents prepared by the independent public accountant and shall avoid duplication of the work of the independent public accountant unless the commissioner in the reasonable exercise of his or her discretion finds that additional examination is necessary in order to determine whether an insurer is safe, reliable, and entitled to public confidence.Add. 1992, Act 182, Imd. Eff. 10/1/1992 .