Big-deal Corporation manufactures paper and paper products and is trying to decide whether to purchase Smalltek Company. Smalltek has developed a process for manufacturing boxes that can replace containers that use fluorocarbons for expelling a liquid product. The price may be as high as $ 45 million. Big-deal prefers to buy Smalltek and integrate its products while leaving the Smalltek management in charge of day to day operations. A major consideration is the efficiency and effectiveness of Smalltek’s operations. Big-deal wants to obtain a report on the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Smalltek sales, production, and research and development departments.

Required:
Who can Big-deal engage to produce the report resulting from this operational audit? Several possibilities exist. Are there any particular advantages or disadvantages in choosing from among them?