Except by permission of the client engaging a licensee under sections 20-279b to 20-281m, inclusive, or the heirs, successors or personal representatives of such client, a licensee or any partner, officer, shareholder or employee of a licensee shall not voluntarily disclose information communicated to him by the client relating to and in connection with services rendered to the client by the licensee in the practice of public accountancy. Such information shall be deemed confidential, provided that nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the disclosure of information required to be disclosed by the standards of the public accounting profession in reporting on the examination of financial statements or as prohibiting disclosures in court proceedings, in investigations or proceedings under section 20-280b or 20-280c in ethical investigations conducted by private professional organizations, or in the course of quality reviews.