All statements, records, schedules, working papers and memoranda made by a certified public accountant or public accountant incident to or in the course of professional service to clients by such certified public accountant or public accountant, except reports submitted by a certified public accountant or public accountant to a client, are and remain the property of such certified public accountant or public accountant, in the absence of an express agreement between the certified public accountant or public accountant and the client to the contrary. No such statement, record, schedule, working paper or memorandum may be sold, transferred or bequeathed, without the consent of the client or the client’s personal representative or assignee, to anyone other than one or more surviving partners or new partners of such accountant.
