Table of Contents

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Preface
19
Objective of This Book
19
Target Audience
19
Structure of the Book
20
Acknowledgments
23
1 Introduction to Central Finance
25
1.1 Distributed Systems Landscape Challenges
26
1.2 Getting Started with Central Finance
27
1.2.1 What Is Central Finance?
27
1.2.2 Paths to SAP S/4HANA
30
1.2.3 Central Finance Real-Time Replication Capabilities
33
1.3 Deployment Options
35
1.3.1 Central Finance with On-Premise SAP S/4HANA
36
1.3.2 Central Finance with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition and RISE with SAP
37
1.3.3 SAP S/4HANA Cloud
37
1.4 Central Finance Use Cases
38
1.4.1 Process Transformation
38
1.4.2 Technology Transformation
40
1.4.3 Corporate Strategy and Planning
41
1.5 Central Finance Road Map Explorer
42
1.5.1 Product Maturity
44
1.5.2 Recent Innovations
46
1.5.3 Future Roadmaps
48
1.6 Summary
50
2 Central Finance Processes
51
2.1 General Ledger
52
2.1.1 Central Open Item Management
52
2.1.2 Central Tax Reporting
53
2.1.3 Central Accruals/Deferrals
59
2.1.4 Central Reporting
62
2.1.5 Central Closing
63
2.2 Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable
64
2.2.1 Central Payment
64
2.2.2 Intercompany Reconciliation Processes
66
2.3 Financial Supply Chain Management
68
2.3.1 Credit Management
69
2.3.2 Dispute Management
75
2.3.3 Collections Management
78
2.3.4 Cash and Liquidity Management
82
2.3.5 SAP In-House Cash
83
2.4 Projects, Fixed Assets, and Internal Orders
86
2.4.1 Central Projects Reporting Scenario
86
2.4.2 Asset Settlement Scenario
87
2.4.3 Central Asset Accounting
89
2.4.4 Central Budgeting for Projects
90
2.4.5 Central Budgeting for Internal Orders
92
2.5 SAP Shared Services Framework
94
2.6 Joint Venture Accounting
94
2.6.1 Supported Source System Joint Venture Accounting Scenarios
95
2.6.2 Replication of Joint Venture Accounting Processes
96
2.6.3 Limitations
97
2.6.4 Comparison Reports
97
2.7 Summary
98
3 Central Finance Architecture
99
3.1 Central Finance Landscape Components
100
3.1.1 Source Systems
103
3.1.2 SAP Landscape Transformation Replication Server
105
3.1.3 Central Finance System
107
3.1.4 SAP Master Data Governance
108
3.1.5 Other SAP S/4HANA Tools
108
3.2 Data Flow in Central Finance for SAP-Based Source Systems
110
3.2.1 Financial Accounting-Controlling Initial Load
111
3.2.2 Replication through SAP Landscape Transformation Replication Server
112
3.3 Third-Party System Integration with the Central Finance System
113
3.3.1 Supported Third-Party Replication Scenarios
114
3.3.2 Limitations of Third-Party Replication to Central Finance
114
3.3.3 Setting Up Third-Party System Integration
115
3.3.4 Architecture of Third-Party System Integrating with Central Finance
118
3.3.5 External Bolt-On Software for Third-Party Source Systems
119
3.4 Summary
120
4 Master Data Management
121
4.1 SAP Master Data Governance for Central Finance
123
4.1.1 Functions
124
4.1.2 Deployment Options
125
4.1.3 Master Data Creation and Maintenance Using Other Tools
128
4.2 Master Data Cleansing in Source Systems
131
4.2.1 Master Data Elements
131
4.2.2 Scope of Master Data
134
4.2.3 Enrichment and Validation of Master Data
135
4.2.4 Other Programs
136
4.3 Harmonizing Master Data and Organizational Elements
136
4.3.1 Chart of Accounts
136
4.3.2 General Ledger Accounts
138
4.3.3 Cost Centers
152
4.3.4 Profit Centers
153
4.3.5 Functional Area
154
4.3.6 Business Partners
155
4.3.7 Material Master
157
4.3.8 Master Data Hierarchies
157
4.3.9 Company Code
158
4.3.10 Controlling Area
159
4.3.11 Operating Concern
160
4.4 Central Finance Mapping
160
4.4.1 Defining Technical Settings for All Involved Systems
161
4.4.2 Define Mapping Actions
162
4.4.3 Key Mapping
163
4.4.4 Value Mapping
165
4.4.5 Cost Object Framework
167
4.4.6 Complex Mapping with a Central Finance BAdI
182
4.4.7 Configuring Enhanced Business Mapping
183
4.4.8 Trading Partner Consistency Check
187
4.5 Audit Log for Key Mapping
189
4.5.1 Define Object Identifier
190
4.5.2 Assign Business Objects to Main Contexts
190
4.5.3 Define Mapping Contexts
191
4.5.4 Activate the Audit Log for Key Mapping
192
4.5.5 Run Audit Log Report
192
4.6 Summary
194
5 Configuring SAP Landscape Transformation Replication Server
195
5.1 Getting Started with SAP Landscape Transformation Replication Server
197
5.1.1 SAP Landscape Transformation Replication Server Overview
197
5.1.2 Deployment Options
200
5.1.3 Prerequisites
205
5.1.4 Concept and SAP Landscape Transformation Replication Server Activities
209
5.1.5 SAP Landscape Transformation Replication Server Architecture
210
5.1.6 Central Finance Tables Scope
214
5.2 Setting Up Replication
219
5.2.1 Replicating Tax Tables
221
5.2.2 Replicating Withholding Tax Tables
233
5.2.3 Configuring for Table AUFK: Cost Object Replication
234
5.2.4 Configuring for Table CFIN_ACCHD: Financial Postings
235
5.2.5 Configuring Table COBK Replication for Controlling Secondary Postings
240
5.3 Advanced Replication Settings
242
5.3.1 Understanding Filters
242
5.3.2 Controlling Database Triggers
248
5.3.3 Monitoring
250
5.4 Expert Functions
261
5.5 Summary
262
6 Configuring SAP Application Interface Framework
263
6.1 Getting Started with SAP Application Interface Framework
265
6.1.1 Terminology
266
6.1.2 Content Installation
269
6.1.3 Roles
275
6.1.4 Recipient Handling
277
6.2 Understanding Runtime Groups
280
6.2.1 SAP Application Interface Framework Serialization Concept
282
6.2.2 Configuring Runtime Groups
283
6.2.3 Assigning Runtime Groups
287
6.3 Error Handling
288
6.3.1 Setting Up the SAP Application Interface Framework Number Range
289
6.3.2 Monitoring and Error Handling
289
6.3.3 Interface Monitoring
295
6.3.4 Restarting or Canceling SAP Application Interface Framework Messages from Monitoring and Error Handling
299
6.3.5 Analyze SAP Application Interface Framework Message
299
6.3.6 Emergency Correction
301
6.3.7 Debugging SAP Application Interface Framework Messages
303
6.4 Reprocessing SAP Application Interface Framework Messages
306
6.5 Reposting Missing Cleared Items
310
6.6 Retriggering SAP Application Interface Framework Messages
313
6.7 Alerts Management
314
6.7.1 Unlock Namespace /FINCF
316
6.7.2 Define Message Category
317
6.7.3 Assign Message Category
317
6.7.4 Define Recipients
319
6.7.5 Configure Alerts
320
6.7.6 Custom Table Assignment
321
6.7.7 Table ALRT_USRNOT
322
6.8 Improving SAP Application Interface Framework Performance
324
6.9 Error Resolution Content for SAP Application Interface Framework
324
6.9.1 Maintain Error Resolution Support Content
324
6.9.2 Upload Error Resolution Content
325
6.10 Central Finance Cockpit
326
6.11 Summary
330
7 Configuring Central Finance and Source Systems
331
7.1 Getting Started with Configuration
332
7.1.1 Prerequisites
334
7.1.2 Security Requirements
341
7.2 Important Design Elements in Central Finance
344
7.2.1 Document Splitting
344
7.2.2 Currencies
350
7.2.3 Ledgers
354
7.2.4 Extensibility
360
7.2.5 Tax Configuration
362
7.2.6 Intercompany Transactions
365
7.2.7 Document Summarization
366
7.2.8 Merging or Splitting Company Codes
367
7.3 Configuring Source Systems
368
7.3.1 General Replication Settings
369
7.3.2 Initial Load for Accounting Documents Extraction Settings
371
7.3.3 Handling of Document Splitting
372
7.3.4 Set Up Connection to the Central Finance System
374
7.3.5 Source System Settings for Central Management of Open Items in the General Ledger
383
7.3.6 Enhancements Using Source System Business Add-Ins
385
7.4 Configuring the Central Finance System
386
7.4.1 Basic Settings
387
7.4.2 Set Up Systems
390
7.4.3 Settings for Accounting Document Replication
401
7.4.4 Check and Update Document Splitting Configuration
402
7.4.5 Initial Load
404
7.4.6 Activate Central Clearing of General Ledger Open Items
410
7.4.7 Central Asset Accounting
412
7.4.8 Enhancements Using Business Add-Ins in Central Finance
415
7.5 Running Consistency Checks
417
7.5.1 Configuration Consistency Check
418
7.5.2 Customer-Defined Validations
425
7.5.3 Permanent Consistency Checks
427
7.6 Summary
428
8 Initial Load, Intermediate Data Retention, and Real-Time Replication
429
8.1 Initial Load and Real-Time Replication
430
8.1.1 Initial Load Goals
431
8.1.2 Preparation and Prerequisites
432
8.1.3 Initial Load Sequence and Real-Time Replication Activation
435
8.1.4 Empty Initial Load Concept
442
8.1.5 Standard Initial Load versus Intermediate Data Retention
443
8.1.6 Bulk Processing of Table CFIN_ACCHD/SAP Application Interface Framework Messages
445
8.2 Initial Load of Cost Objects
447
8.2.1 Cost Object Replication Process
448
8.2.2 Smoke Test of Cost Objects
449
8.2.3 Simulation of Cost Objects
452
8.2.4 Initial Load of Cost Objects
453
8.3 Initial Load of Financial Accounting-Controlling Postings
455
8.3.1 Performing the Classic Initial Load
456
8.3.2 Additional Considerations for the Financial Accounting Initial Load
474
8.4 Resetting the Financial Accounting-Controlling Initial Load
477
8.4.1 When to Reset the Initial Load
477
8.4.2 Resetting an Initial Load
478
8.5 Initial Load Using the Intermediate Data Retention Tool
479
8.5.1 Preparation
480
8.5.2 Performing the Intermediate Data Recording Initial Load
482
8.6 Initial Load of Controlling Internal Postings
493
8.6.1 Business Transaction Types Supported for Controlling Secondary Postings Replication
494
8.6.2 Overview of the Initial Load of Controlling Secondary Postings
495
8.6.3 Preparation of the Initial Load of Controlling Secondary Postings
497
8.6.4 Smoke Test for Controlling Document Replication
502
8.6.5 Simulation of the Initial Load of Controlling Secondary Documents
503
8.6.6 Initial Load and Enabling Real-Time Replication of Controlling Secondary Documents
505
8.6.7 Resetting the Controlling Initial Load
505
8.6.8 Controlling Staging Tables Cleanup
507
8.7 Initial Load of Commitments
508
8.7.1 Source Configuration
510
8.7.2 Central Finance Configuration
510
8.7.3 SAP Landscape Transformation Replication Server Configuration Requirements for Commitments
514
8.7.4 Reset Commitment Preparation in Source System
514
8.7.5 Replicate Individual Commitments
515
8.7.6 Delete Replicated Commitments Documents
516
8.7.7 Clean Up Commitments Report
517
8.8 Real-Time Replication
518
8.8.1 Change Documents
518
8.8.2 Costing-Based Profitability Analysis Characteristics
519
8.8.3 Clearing Information
520
8.8.4 Replicating Withholding Tax
520
8.8.5 Deferred Tax
522
8.8.6 Specific Ledger Group Postings
522
8.8.7 Manage Pending Journal and Manage Temporary Postings Apps
522
8.8.8 Cross-Company Code Postings
527
8.8.9 Foreign Currency Transactions
527
8.8.10 Drill-Back to the Source System
528
8.8.11 Document Flow Analyzer
529
8.8.12 Side Panel
531
8.8.13 Back Posting
534
8.9 Summary
535
9 Central Payment
537
9.1 Overview of Central Payment
537
9.2 Getting Started with Central Payment
540
9.2.1 Procure-to-Pay Process
540
9.2.2 Order-to-Cash Process
541
9.2.3 Managing Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Open Items in Central Finance
543
9.2.4 Cross System Process Control
551
9.3 Configuring Central Payment
556
9.3.1 Prerequisites
558
9.3.2 Source System Settings for Central Payments
558
9.3.3 Central Finance Configuration
565
9.3.4 Central Payment Activation with a Third-Party System
574
9.4 Handling Open Items with Central Payments
576
9.4.1 Define Bank Clearing Accounts for Technical Clearing in the Source System
577
9.4.2 Define Clearing Accounts for Technical Clearing: Credit Card
577
9.4.3 Set Historical Open Items as Technically Cleared
578
9.4.4 Initializing Cross-System Process Control
581
9.4.5 Reset Historical Cleared Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
582
9.4.6 Correcting Token Issues
582
9.5 Down Payment Integration
586
9.5.1 Down Payment Integration with Sales and Distribution
587
9.5.2 Down Payment Integration with Materials Management
591
9.5.3 Update Down Payments with Sales Order Information
593
9.5.4 Update Relationship between Down Payments and Sales Orders
594
9.6 Impact on Dependent Process
595
9.6.1 General Ledger
595
9.6.2 Asset Accounting
600
9.6.3 Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable
601
9.6.4 Financial Supply Chain Management
608
9.6.5 Cash Management
615
9.6.6 Tax
616
9.7 SEPA-Mandated Replication
619
9.7.1 SEPA Mandates form an SAP Source System to Central Finance
619
9.7.2 SEPA Mandates from Central Finance to an SAP Source System
620
9.7.3 Configuring SEPA Mandates in the Central Finance System
621
9.7.4 Configuring SEPA Mandates in the Source System
630
9.8 Summary
635
10 Controlling
637
10.1 Projects and Work Breakdown Structure Replication
638
10.1.1 Getting Started with Prerequisites and Configuration Requirements
640
10.1.2 Check Setting for Replication of Projects
650
10.1.3 Initial Load and Replication of Projects
651
10.1.4 Central Projects: Asset Settlement Scenario
653
10.2 Centralized Budgeting
660
10.2.1 Settings for Internal Orders
660
10.2.2 Settings for Projects
662
10.3 Replicating Classic Profit Center Accounting Documents
663
10.3.1 Simulation and Initial Load of Enterprise Controlling Profit Center Accounting
665
10.3.2 Configuring for Profit Center Accounting Replication
669
10.3.3 Restrictions
674
10.3.4 Reset Central Finance Enterprise Controlling Profit Center Accounting Tables
675
10.4 Material Cost Estimate Replication
676
10.4.1 Replicating Material Cost Estimates Process
677
10.4.2 Getting Started with Replication of Material Cost Estimates
678
10.4.3 Initial Load of Cost Estimates
683
10.4.4 Replicating Material Cost Estimates Manually
684
10.5 Cost Rate Replication
686
10.5.1 Configuring for Cost Rates Replication
687
10.5.2 Replicating Cost Rates Manually
694
10.6 Activity Type Replication
696
10.6.1 Replicate Activity Types Manually
697
10.6.2 Mapping Scenarios
698
10.7 Transfer of Plan Data
700
10.7.1 Configuration Requirements
701
10.7.2 Security Requirements
702
10.8 Margin Analysis
703
10.8.1 Replicating Costing-Based Profitability Analysis Data in Central Finance
705
10.8.2 Characteristics Mapping Tool
708
10.8.3 Additional Quantities Replication
711
10.8.4 Sales and Distribution Condition Types for Margin Analysis
712
10.9 Cost of Goods Sold Split
713
10.9.1 Define Accounts for Replication of Splitting the Cost of Goods Sold
715
10.9.2 Define Company Codes for Replication of Profitability Analysis Data
717
10.10 Price Difference Split
718
10.11 Additional Considerations
719
10.11.1 Multiple Valuation Approaches
720
10.11.2 Handling Controlling-Financial Accounting Postings
720
10.12 Summary
721
11 Accounting View of Logistics
723
11.1 Getting Started with Accounting View of Logistics
724
11.1.1 Replicating Accounting View of Logistics Data
727
11.1.2 Prerequisites and Restrictions
728
11.2 Configuring Accounting View of Logistics
729
11.2.1 Source System
729
11.2.2 Configuration in the Central Finance System
730
11.2.3 SAP Landscape Transformation Replication Server Configuration
732
11.2.4 Accounting View of Logistics Deletion Report
751
11.2.5 Displaying Accounting View of Logistics Data
752
11.2.6 Replicating Accounting View of Logistics from Third-Party Systems
754
11.3 Summary
763
12 Reconciliation and Reporting in Central Finance
765
12.1 Reconciliation Approach
767
12.1.1 Reconciliation Process
767
12.1.2 Migration Clearing and Substitution Accounts
768
12.2 Checks and Reconciliations at Various Stages
769
12.2.1 Before Initial Load
770
12.2.2 After Initial Load
772
12.2.3 During Ongoing Replication
772
12.2.4 At Subsequent Period End
773
12.3 Running Central Finance Comparison Reports
773
12.3.1 Standard Comparison Reports
774
12.3.2 Financial Accounting
776
12.3.3 Management Accounting
786
12.3.4 Commitments
793
12.3.5 Profit Center Accounting
797
12.3.6 SEPA Mandates Reconciliation
799
12.4 Running SAP S/4HANA Reporting Tools
801
12.4.1 SAP Fiori Apps
801
12.4.2 SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office
808
12.4.3 SAP Analytics Cloud
810
12.4.4 Group Reporting
813
12.5 Statutory and Local Reporting in Central Finance
814
12.6 Summary
815
13 Central Finance Project Management
817
13.1 SAP Activate Methodology
819
13.2 Predelivered Adoption Content
825
13.2.1 Central Finance Project Plan
826
13.2.2 Security Deployment
826
13.3 Understanding Change Impact
827
13.3.1 Organizational
828
13.3.2 Technology
830
13.3.3 Process Changes
830
13.3.4 Challenges and Mitigation
831
13.4 SAP Focused Run
832
13.5 Central Finance Leading Practices
832
13.6 Summary
838
The Author
839
Index
841