Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and subject to subsection (c) of this section, financial transactions of the Commission shall be audited by the Comptroller General of the United States (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the “Comptroller General”). In conducting any such audit, the appropriate representatives of the Comptroller General shall have access to all books, accounts, financial records, reports, files, and other papers, items, or property in use by the Commission and necessary to facilitate such audit, and such representatives shall be afforded full facilities for verifying transactions with the balances or securities held by depositories, fiscal agents, and custodians. Any such audit shall first be conducted with respect to the fiscal year in which this chapter becomes effective. An audit performed under this section is subject to the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3), and (5) of section
9105
(a) of title
31.