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