Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, if an entity acquires or succeeds to another entity in any manner, the method of reimbursement financing, in lieu of contributions required of employers, elected by the acquiring entity shall apply to all service performed in the employ of the acquiring entity. The acquiring entity shall be liable for the reimbursement of all benefits chargeable to the entity acquired under any method of reimbursement financing elected by the entity acquired, except that this provision shall not apply to the acquisition of, or succession to, less than a total entity if the remainder of the entity partially acquired or succeeded to remains in existence. “Entity” as used in this section means any entity as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 803.