Final answer:
The main advantage of using a standardized questionnaire to describe internal control is that it can identify weaknesses within the system. this structured approach allows for in-depth analysis and a comprehensive understanding of an organization's control environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
An advantage of describing internal control through the use of a standardized questionnaire is that questionnaires highlight weaknesses in the system (option 1). This is due to the structured nature of questionnaires, which can prompt respondents to consider various aspects of internal control that they might not otherwise reflect upon. Although questionnaires may allow for more nuanced responses with the inclusion of open questions, their main benefit in the context of internal control is in identifying potential areas of risk and gaps in the control environment. By addressing specific components of control, standardized questionnaires facilitate a more focused analysis of internal controls strengths and weaknesses, allowing organizations to better understand their risk profile and prioritize areas for improvement.While questionnaires can collect quantitative data through closed-ended questions, they can also produce qualitative data through open questions.
This mixed approach can provide a rich set of information, making it possible to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data from respondents. However, it is option 1 that is explicitly connected to the concept of internal control assessment.