<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".11" citation="COMAR 31.05.11.11" title_num="31" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="11" heading="Accountant's Letter of Qualifications.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The accountant shall furnish the insurer in connection with, and for inclusion in, the filing of the annual audited financial report, a letter as provided in §B of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The letter shall state:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>That the accountant is independent with respect to the insurer, and conforms to the standards of the accountant's profession as contained in:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Code of Professional Ethics and pronouncements of the AICPA; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The rules of professional conduct of the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy or similar code;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>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;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>That the accountant understands the annual audited financial report, and the opinion thereon will be filed in compliance with this regulation, and that the Commissioner will be relying on this information in the monitoring and regulation of the financial position of insurers;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>That the accountant consents to the requirements of Regulation .12 of this chapter, 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 Regulation .12 of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>That the accountant is properly licensed by an appropriate state licensing authority and is a member in good standing in the AICPA; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A representation that the accountant is in compliance with the requirements of Regulation .06 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Nothing within this chapter may be construed as prohibiting the accountant from utilizing such staff as the accountant deems appropriate where use is consistent with the standards prescribed by generally accepted auditing standards.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>