EXHIBIT 16(a)(23)(a) CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS The Shareholder and Board of Directors Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company: We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospects. Our reports refer to a change in 1993 in the Company's methods of accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities. /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP ------------------------- KPMG Peat Marwick Hartford, Connecticut April 15, 1996