(a) Unless the agent has elected to make a deposit with the department under Section 2651.012(f), the annual audit of escrow accounts must be accompanied by a certification by the title insurance agent or direct operation that the title insurance agent has the appropriate unencumbered assets in excess of liabilities, exclusive of the value of its abstract plants, as required by Section 2651.012.
(b) The commissioner by rule shall establish the method by which the certification required by this section must be made, which shall not include an audit of operating accounts or a certification by a certified public accountant.