• Learn account determination techniques for integration touch-points with SAP ERP Financials
• Increase productivity by automating commonly used business processes
• Reduce implementation time while debugging account determination problems

Take control of your company’s financial future by mastering account determination with this book. This updated and expanded new edition equips you with step-by-step instructions, effective techniques, and real-world business examples so you can run your business smoothly and more efficiently. Learning to accurately configure and implement General Ledger account determination will save you time and effort.

Account Determination Demystified
Reinforce your understanding of the General Ledger transactions and techniques that make your business successful.

Real Business Examples and Processes
Take advantage of relevant and practical examples that mirror your own account determination processes to supplement the step-by-step instructions in the book.

Immediate Applicability
Find important and useful information that you can apply to your daily business processes right away.

Complete Coverage of Common Transactions
Discover information about the transactions that you use in your daily work, such as sales and purchasing, payroll, inventory, and tax transactions.

Updated and Expanded
This second edition has been updated for SAP ERP 6.0 to offer new and expanded solutions for your current account determination challenges, such as how to handle external tax calculation and cash journals.

Highlights

• Account determination techniques
• General Ledger transactions
• Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable transactions
• Tax transactions
• Bank transactions
• Asset transactions
• Travel expense transactions
• Sales and purchasing
• Inventory transactions
• Payroll transactions
• Technical references
• Tips and tricks

The Author

Manish Patel is a senior SAP consultant and professional with almost 15 years of experience in the IT industry. He is also the author of Discover SAP ERP Financials and Maximizing SAP Accounts Receivable.

Table of Contents

1 ... Overview ... 15

• 1.1 ... Chart of Accounts ... 15
• 1.1.1 ... Operating Chart of Accounts ... 16
• 1.1.2 ... Country Chart of Accounts ... 17
• 1.1.3 ... Group Chart of Accounts ... 18
• 1.2 ... General Ledger Account Master ... 20
• 1.2.1 ... Account Group ... 20
• 1.2.2 ... P&L Statement Account or Balance Sheet Account ... 21
• 1.2.3 ... Group Account Number ... 21
• 1.2.4 ... Reconciliation Account for Account Type ... 21
• 1.2.5 ... Alternative Account Number ... 22
• 1.2.6 ... Open Item Management ... 22
• 1.2.7 ... Sort Key ... 22
• 1.2.8 ... Field Status Group ... 23
• 1.2.9 ... Post Automatically Only ... 23
• 1.2.10 ... Tax Category ... 24
• 1.2.11 ... Only Balances in Local Currency ... 24
• 1.2.12 ... Authorization Group ... 24
• 1.3 ... Account Determination Techniques ... 25
• 1.3.1 ... Transaction Key Technique ... 25
• 1.3.2 ... Symbolic Account Technique ... 28
• 1.3.3 ... Condition Technique ... 29
• 1.4 ... Summary ... 31
• 1.5 ... Reference ... 32
• 1.5.1 ... Configuration Transactions ... 32
• 1.5.2 ... Tables and Structures ... 32
• 2 ... General Ledger Transactions ... 35
• 2.1 ... Foreign Currency Transactions ... 35
• 2.1.1 ... Open Item General Ledger Accounts ... 37
• 2.1.2 ... Ending Balance General Ledger Accounts ... 38
• 2.1.3 ... Other Accounts Relevant to Foreign Currency ... 39
• 2.2 ... Other General Ledger Transactions ... 41
• 2.2.1 ... Retained Earnings ... 41
• 2.2.2 ... Intercompany Transactions ... 42
• 2.2.3 ... Account Receivable/Accounts Payable Reclassification ... 43
• 2.2.4 ... Bad Debt Reserve ... 45
• 2.2.5 ... Clearing Differences for GL Accounts ... 46
• 2.2.6 ... Subsequent Balance Sheet Adjustments ... 47
• 2.3 ... Accrual Transactions ... 49
• 2.3.1 ... Accrual Engine ... 49
• 2.3.2 ... Simple Account Determination ... 51
• 2.3.3 ... Extended Account Determination ... 52
• 2.4 ... Summary ... 53
• 2.5 ... Reference ... 54
• 2.5.1 ... Configuration Transactions ... 54
• 2.5.2 ... Tables and Structures ... 55
• 2.5.3 ... Enhancements ... 55
• 3 ... Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable Transactions ... 57
• 3.1 ... Reconciliation Accounts ... 58
• 3.1.1 ... Primary Reconciliation Accounts ... 58
• 3.1.2 ... Alternative Reconciliation Accounts ... 59
• 3.1.3 ... Special Reconciliation Accounts ... 61
• 3.2 ... Basic Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable Transactions ... 63
• 3.2.1 ... Vendor Discounts ... 64
• 3.2.2 ... Customer Discounts ... 67
• 3.2.3 ... Overpayments and Underpayments ... 67
• 3.2.4 ... Rounding Differences ... 69
• 3.2.5 ... Alternative Payment Currency ... 70
• 3.2.6 ... Bank Charges ... 71
• 3.2.7 ... Down Payments ... 71
• 3.3 ... Payment Card Accounts ... 72
• 3.3.1 ... Clearing House Account ... 73
• 3.3.2 ... Cash Clearing Account ... 74
• 3.3.3 ... Bank Account ... 75
• 3.4 ... Interest Calculation ... 75
• 3.4.1 ... Account Determination Objects ... 76
• 3.4.2 ... General Ledger Account Determination ... 78
• 3.5 ... Summary ... 80
• 3.6 ... Reference ... 80
• 3.6.1 ... Configuration Transactions ... 80
• 3.6.2 ... Tables and Structures ... 81
• 3.6.3 ... Enhancements ... 82
• 4 ... Tax Transactions ... 83
• 4.1 ... Account Determination Objects ... 84
• 4.2 ... General Ledger Account Determination ... 87
• 4.2.1 ... Tax Jurisdiction Code ... 88
• 4.2.2 ... External Tax Systems ... 89
• 4.2.3 ... Non-Taxable Transactions ... 90
• 4.2.4 ... Tax Calculation in Sales ... 90
• 4.2.5 ... Tax Calculation in Purchasing ... 92
• 4.3 ... Other Relevant Information ... 95
• 4.3.1 ... Tax Account Maintenance ... 95
• 4.3.2 ... General Ledger Account Attributes ... 96
• 4.4 ... Withholding Tax ... 97
• 4.4.1 ... Simple Withholding Tax ... 97
• 4.4.2 ... Extended Withholding Tax ... 98
• 4.5 ... Summary ... 100
• 4.6 ... Reference ... 100
• 4.6.1 ... Configuration Transactions ... 100
• 4.6.2 ... Tables and Structures ... 101
• 5 ... Bank Transactions ... 103
• 5.1 ... House Bank and Other Subaccounts ... 103
• 5.1.1 ... House Bank Account ... 103
• 5.1.2 ... Bank Subaccounts by Payment Method ... 104
• 5.2 ... Account Determination Objects ... 105
• 5.2.1 ... Internal Transaction Type ... 106
• 5.2.2 ... External Transaction Type ... 107
• 5.2.3 ... Interpretation Algorithm ... 108
• 5.2.4 ... Posting Rule ... 108
• 5.3 ... General Ledger Account Determination in Banking Processes ... 109
• 5.3.1 ... Electronic Bank Statement ... 109
• 5.3.2 ... Manual Bank Statement ... 112
• 5.3.3 ... Deposited Check Transactions ... 113
• 5.3.4 ... Lockbox Process ... 113
• 5.3.5 ... Payment Request Process ... 114
• 5.3.6 ... Cash Journal ... 116
• 5.4 ... Bill of Exchange Transactions ... 117
• 5.4.1 ... Bill of Exchange Receivable Transactions ... 117
• 5.4.2 ... Bill of Exchange Payable Transactions ... 120
• 5.5 ... Summary ... 121
• 5.6 ... Reference ... 121
• 5.6.1 ... Configuration Transactions ... 121
• 5.6.2 ... Tables and Structures ... 122
• 6 ... Asset Transactions ... 123
• 6.1 ... Account Determination Objects ... 123
• 6.1.1 ... Asset Class ... 124
• 6.1.2 ... Depreciation Area ... 125
• 6.1.3 ... Chart of Depreciation ... 127
• 6.1.4 ... Account Determination ... 128
• 6.1.5 ... Other Asset Accounting Objects ... 129
• 6.2 ... General Ledger Account Determination ... 131
• 6.2.1 ... Basic Transactions ... 133
• 6.2.2 ... Assets Under Construction Transactions ... 136
• 6.2.3 ... Other Depreciation Postings ... 137
• 6.2.4 ... Asset Revaluation Postings ... 139
• 6.2.5 ... Imputed Interest Calculation ... 140
• 6.2.6 ... Investment Support Transactions ... 140
• 6.3 ... Summary ... 143
• 6.4 ... Reference ... 143
• 6.4.1 ... Configuration Transactions ... 143
• 6.4.2 ... Tables and Structures ... 144
• 6.4.3 ... Enhancements ... 145
• 7 ... Travel Expense Transactions ... 147
• 7.1 ... Account Determination Objects ... 147
• 7.1.1 ... Infotypes ... 147
• 7.1.2 ... Features ... 148
• 7.1.3 ... Trip Provision Variant ... 150
• 7.1.4 ... TRVCT Feature ... 151
• 7.1.5 ... Personnel Area ... 152
• 7.1.6 ... Employee Trip ... 153
• 7.1.7 ... Expense Type ... 155
• 7.1.8 ... Wage Type ... 156
• 7.1.9 ... Symbolic Accounts ... 157
• 7.1.10 ... Payroll Area ... 159
• 7.2 ... General Ledger Account Determination ... 159
• 7.2.1 ... Reimbursement from Accounts Payable ... 160
• 7.2.2 ... Reimbursement from Travel Management ... 161
• 7.2.3 ... Reimbursement from Payroll ... 163
• 7.2.4 ... Reimbursement for Corporate Credit Card ... 164
• 7.2.5 ... Handling Private Expenses ... 165
• 7.2.6 ... Trip Advances to Employees ... 166
• 7.3 ... Summary ... 166
• 7.4 ... Reference ... 167
• 7.4.1 ... Configuration Transactions ... 167
• 7.4.2 ... Tables and Structures ... 167
• 8 ... Sales and Purchasing ... 169
• 8.1 ... Sales (Order-to-Cash) ... 170
• 8.1.1 ... Pricing Configuration ... 170
• 8.1.2 ... Technical Objects ... 172
• 8.1.3 ... Business Objects ... 176
• 8.1.4 ... Sales-Relevant Accounts ... 178
• 8.1.5 ... Revenue Recognition Accounts ... 180
• 8.1.6 ... Accrual Accounts ... 181
• 8.1.7 ... Reconciliation Accounts ... 183
• 8.2 ... Purchasing (Procure-to-Pay) ... 184
• 8.2.1 ... Pricing Configuration ... 184
• 8.2.2 ... Technical Objects ... 186
• 8.2.3 ... Business Objects ... 188
• 8.2.4 ... GL Account Determination ... 189
• 8.3 ... Summary ... 190
• 8.4 ... Reference ... 190
• 8.4.1 ... Configuration Transactions ... 191
• 8.4.2 ... Tables and Structures ... 192
• 9 ... Inventory Transactions ... 193
• 9.1 ... Material Valuation ... 193
• 9.1.1 ... How Materials Are Valuated ... 194
• 9.1.2 ... Controlling Object Assignments ... 195
• 9.2 ... Account Determination Objects ... 196
• 9.2.1 ... Stock Type ... 196
• 9.2.2 ... Geographical/Manufacturing Unit ... 197
• 9.2.3 ... Transaction Type ... 198
• 9.2.4 ... Additional Objects ... 199
• 9.2.5 ... Objects for Valuation Areas ... 200
• 9.2.6 ... Objects for Material Types ... 201
• 9.2.7 ... Objects for Movement Types ... 202
• 9.2.8 ... Transaction Keys ... 202
• 9.3 ... General Ledger Account Determination—Procurement ... 204
• 9.3.1 ... Inventory Accounts (BSX) ... 204
• 9.3.2 ... GR/IR Clearing Account (WRX) ... 205
• 9.3.3 ... Purchasing Tax (VST) ... 206
• 9.3.4 ... Planned and Unplanned Delivery Costs ... 206
• 9.3.5 ... Price Variance Accounts ... 208
• 9.3.6 ... Other Differences in Logistics Invoice Verification ... 209
• 9.3.7 ... Foreign Currency transactions ... 210
• 9.3.8 ... Differences in Stock Transfer (AUM) ... 210
• 9.3.9 ... Consignment Process ... 211
• 9.3.10 ... Subcontracting Process ... 212
• 9.3.11 ... Volume Rebate Arrangements (BO1—BO3) ... 213
• 9.4 ... General Ledger Account Determination—Revaluation and Other Accounts ... 214
• 9.4.1 ... Revaluation Revenue/Expense (UMB) ... 214
• 9.4.2 ... Work in Process Revaluation ... 214
• 9.4.3 ... Revaluation for Inflation ... 215
• 9.4.4 ... Cost Object Hierarchy Settlement ... 215
• 9.4.5 ... Inventory Offsetting Accounts (GBB) ... 216
• 9.4.6 ... Account Grouping Codes ... 217
• 9.5 ... Summary ... 220
• 9.6 ... Reference ... 220
• 9.6.1 ... Configuration Transactions ... 220
• 9.6.2 ... Tables and Structures ... 221
• 9.6.3 ... Enhancements ... 222
• 9.6.4 ... Account Modifier Matrix ... 222
• 10 ... Payroll Transactions ... 225
• 10.1 ... Account Determination Objects ... 226
• 10.1.1 ... Infotype ... 226
• 10.1.2 ... Feature ... 227
• 10.1.3 ... Wage Type ... 227
• 10.1.4 ... Payroll Schema ... 229
• 10.1.5 ... Payroll Components ... 230
• 10.1.6 ... Processing Class ... 231
• 10.1.7 ... Payroll Area ... 233
• 10.1.8 ... Symbolic Accounts ... 234
• 10.2 ... General Ledger Account Determination ... 236
• 10.2.1 ... General Ledger Accounts ... 237
• 10.2.2 ... Customer/Vendor Accounts ... 238
• 10.2.3 ... Technical Accounts ... 239
• 10.2.4 ... Symbolic Account Derivation ... 240
• 10.3 ... Other Transactions ... 241
• 10.3.1 ... Month-End Accruals ... 241
• 10.3.2 ... Bank Account Determination ... 243
• 10.4 ... Summary ... 243
• 10.5 ... Reference ... 244
• 10.5.1 ... Configuration Transactions ... 244
• 10.5.2 ... Tables and Structures ... 245
• 10.6 ... Conclusion ... 246
• ... Appendices ... 247
• A ... Field Status Group ... 249
• A.1 ... An Overview ... 249
• A.2 ... Field Status Group Configuration ... 252
• B ... Validations and Substitutions ... 255
• B.1 ... Validations ... 255
• B.2 ... Substitutions ... 259
• C ... The Author ... 263
• ... Index ... 265