Mill Co. uses a batch processing method to process its sales
transactions. Data on Mill’s sales transaction tape are electronically
sorted by customer number and are subjected to programmed
edit checks in preparing its invoices, sales journals, and
updated customer account balances. One of the direct outputs of
the creation of this tape most likely would be a

(a) The requirement is to identify a direct output of a
sorting, editing, and updating program. Answer (a) is correct
because the program will output both exceptions and control
totals to determine whether all transactions have been processed
properly. Answers (b), (c), and (d) are all incorrect because
while a program such as this may output such schedules, this will
occur after exceptions are cleared and control totals are reconciled.