(a)At the licensee's fiscal year-end, but in no case more than 12 months after the last audit conducted pursuant to this Section, except as otherwise provided in this Section, it shall be mandatory for each residential mortgage licensee to cause its books and accounts to be audited by a certified public accountant not connected with such licensee. The books and records of all licensees under this Act shall be maintained on an accrual basis. The audit must be sufficiently comprehensive in scope to permit the expression of an opinion on the financial statements, which must be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and must be performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Notwithstanding the requirements of this subsection, a licensee that
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(a) At the licensee's fiscal year-end, but in no case more than 12 months after the last audit conducted pursuant to this Section, except as otherwise provided in this Section, it shall be mandatory for each residential mortgage licensee to cause its books and accounts to be audited by a certified public accountant not connected with such licensee. The books and records of all licensees under this Act shall be maintained on an accrual basis. The audit must be sufficiently comprehensive in scope to permit the expression of an opinion on the financial statements, which must be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and must be performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Notwithstanding the requirements of this subsection, a licensee that is a subsidiary may submit audited consolidated financial statements of its parent, intermediary parent, or ultimate parent as long as the consolidated statements are supported by consolidating statements which include the licensee's financial statement. If the consolidating statements are unaudited, the licensee's chief financial officer shall attest to the licensee's financial statements disclosed in the consolidating statements. (b) As used herein, the term "expression of opinion" includes either (1) an unqualified opinion, (2) a qualified opinion, (3) a disclaimer of opinion, or (4) an adverse opinion. (c) If a qualified or adverse opinion is expressed or if an opinion is disclaimed, the reasons therefore must be fully explained. An opinion, qualified as to a scope limitation, shall not be acceptable. (d) The most recent audit report shall be filed with the Commissioner within 90 days after the end of the licensee's fiscal year, or with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry, if applicable, pursuant to Mortgage Call Report requirements. The report filed with the Commissioner shall be certified by the certified public accountant conducting the audit. The Commissioner may promulgate rules regarding late audit reports. (e) (Blank). (f) In lieu of the audit or compilation financial statement required by this Section, a licensee shall submit and the Commissioner may accept any audit made in conformance with the audit requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (g) With respect to licensees who solely broker residential mortgage loans as defined in subsection (o) of Section 1-4, instead of the audit required by this Section, the Commissioner may accept compilation financial statements prepared at least every 12 months, and the compilation financial statement must be submitted within 90 days after the end of the licensee's fiscal year, or with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry, if applicable, pursuant to Mortgage Call Report requirements. A licensee who files false or misleading compilation financial statements is guilty of a business offense and shall be fined not less than $5,000. (h) The workpapers of the certified public accountants employed by each licensee for purposes of this Section are to be made available to the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee upon request and may be reproduced by the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee to enable to the Commissioner to carry out the purposes of this Act. (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, if a licensee relying on subsection (g) of this Section causes its books to be audited at any other time or causes its financial statements to be reviewed, a complete copy of the audited or reviewed financial statements shall be delivered to the Commissioner at the time of the annual license renewal payment following receipt by the licensee of the audited or reviewed financial statements. All workpapers shall be made available to the Commissioner upon request. The financial statements and workpapers may be reproduced by the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee to carry out the purposes of this Act.