What is true about assessing control risk during an audit?

Assessing control risk during an audit is a critical step for auditors to determine the nature, timing, and extent of further audit procedures. The correct answer highlights that assessing control risk can indeed occur concurrently with the auditor's understanding of internal controls. This means that as auditors gather information about internal controls, they can simultaneously evaluate how effective those controls are in preventing or detecting material misstatements.

Understanding internal controls is essential for evaluating control risk because it provides insight into the reliability of the controls in place. This understanding helps auditors identify potential areas of risk that may require additional attention during the audit. By conducting both activities together, auditors can make informed decisions about risk assessment and tailoring their audit approach appropriately.

Other options present limitations or misconceptions regarding the assessment of control risk. For instance, past evidence can actually be valuable in assessing control risk as it may provide insights into the reliability and effectiveness of controls over previous periods, which can be indicative of their current performance. Additionally, documenting control risk conclusions is a vital part of the audit process for maintaining an audit trail and ensuring compliance with auditing standards. Lastly, it's important to note that high control risk usually indicates that the auditor will need to gather more substantive evidence to substantiate their opinion, contradicting any suggestion that it may