Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the commission may, in its discretion, initiate a management review of any public utility company, the rates of which are subject to regulation under the provisions of this chapter and which has in excess of twenty-five thousand (25,000) customers, once every five (5) years, and at such other times deemed necessary by the commission as determined by it during a hearing, by a competent, qualified and independent firm, such review to examine thoroughly the efficiency and effectiveness of management decisions among other factors as directed by the commission. Such public utility shall render to the commission for such purpose books, records and other items prescribed by the commission. The cost of such review is to be borne by the particular public utility subject to the review; provided, however, that carriers subject to regulation by and auditing of the interstate commerce commission shall not be required to bear the expense of additional management review required hereunder.

Whenever the commission is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so, the commission may in its discretion initiate a management review of any other public utility company, the rates of which are subject to regulation under the provisions of this chapter, in accordance with the procedures set forth above in this section.

The commission shall not contract for such management review with any firm that has within three (3) years prior thereto performed a financial audit on behalf of such public utility nor on behalf of any affiliate, subsidiary, holding or parent company.