The commissioner, or any person whom he may appoint, may examine any foreign or alien society transacting, or applying for admission to transact, business in this state. He may employ assistants and he, or any person he may appoint, shall have free access to all books, papers, and documents that relate to the business of the society. He may, in his discretion, accept, in lieu of such examination, the examination of the insurance department of the state, territory, district, province, or country where such society is organized. The compensation and actual expenses of the examiners making any examination or general or special valuation shall be paid by the society examined or by the society whose certificate obligations have been valued, upon statements furnished by the commissioner.