Issuing an opinion on the overall effectiveness of internal control inherently carries the risk of increased audit risk and associated legal implications. This is because the opinion represents a high level of assurance, and any errors or omissions in the underlying audit work can lead to significant consequences, including potential legal liability. Therefore, auditors must be thorough and ensure that their conclusions are well-supported by the evidence obtained during the audit process.
Reference:
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Practice Guide: Forming an Opinion on the Overall Adequacy and Effectiveness of Internal Controls IIA Standard 2400 - Communicating Results