...we learned we needed to be documenting that we verified there was no change in ownership/control
Your "teacher" is a bit off. You are to report a known change in control. It's a reasonable expectation that you would notice if a change in control had taken place in connection with your annual review of a Phase II exempt person; e.g. there might be new officers, new signatories, etc. There is simply no requirement or even a suggestion that you must investigate to see if a change in control has taken place just so you can put a check in a box. Your reviewer has offered an opinion that I think most people would disagree with.
The concept of a change in control isn't really applicable to a Phase I exempt person.