§ 659. Audits. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the state comptroller shall, from time to time but not less than once in every three years, examine the books and accounts of the New York state higher education services corporation created by this article, including its receipts, disbursements, contracts, leases, investments and any other matters relating to its financial standing. In lieu of such an examination, the state comptroller is hereby authorized to accept from the corporation an external examination of its books and accounts made at the request of the corporation.