Final answer:
The starting point for most auditors when making a preliminary assessment of control risk is the assessment of entity level controls, which help to define the organization's control environment and influence the overall control consciousness.
Step-by-step explanation:
When making a preliminary assessment of control risk, the starting point for most auditors is the assessment of entity level controls. Entity level controls are policies and procedures that help define an organization's control environment, influence the control consciousness of its people, and are a key component in setting the tone for the establishment of the foundational controls within an organization. These include controls related to the control environment, the company's commitment to integrity and ethical values, the organizational structure, and the assignment of authority and responsibility, among others. A robust understanding of these controls allows auditors to evaluate the design and implementation of lower-level controls, such as IT assessment controls, transaction-related controls, and fraud controls.