Question

If a control total were to be computed on each of the following data items, which would best be identified as a hash total for a payroll IT application?

A) gross wages earned
B) employee numbers
C) total hours worked
D) total debit amounts and total credit amounts

Answer 1

The best identifier of a hash total for a payroll IT application among the options is B) employee numbers, as it provides a non-financial numeric total used for error checking.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is aimed at identifying which data item would be best considered as a hash total for a payroll Information Technology (IT) application. A hash total is an intentionally meaningless total created for the purpose of error checking that involves adding together a non-financial numeric field. Options A, C, and D involve financial data, which would normally be associated with meaningful control totals. However, option B, employee numbers, does not typically involve financial calculations, and therefore, summing them would produce a hash total that is useful for ensuring all records are processed without regard to the actual values of the numbers.