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SAP FI/CO Interview
Questions, Answers,
and Explanations
Stuart Lee
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Please visit our website at www.sapcookbook.com
© 2006 Equity Press all rights reserved.
ISBN 1-933804-10-6
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS...............................................3
Part I: Accounts Payable (AP)..........................7
Question 1: Additional Log........................................8
Question 2: Master Data............................................9
Question 3: Payment Terms....................................10
Question 4: Baseline Date.........................................10
Question 5: One Time Vendor..................................11
Question 6: AP Vendor Group..................................12
Question 7: Payment Run.........................................13
Question 8: Payment Methods.................................14
Question 9: Electronic Banking...............................16
Part II: Accounts Receivable (AR).................17
Question 10 : Residual Payments.............................18
Question 11 : Correspondence Types......................19
Question 12: Dunning...............................................20
Question 13 : Reason Codes......................................21
Part III: Document Postings..........................22
Question 14: Rate factors.........................................23
Question 15: Parking Documents............................24
Question 16: Document Currency...........................25
Question 17: Substitution Rules..............................26
Question 18: Exchange Rate Types.........................27
Question 19: Calculated Rate v Header Rate.........28
Question 20: Foreign Currency...............................29
Question 21: FB50 vs. FB01......................................29
Question 22: Validation Rules.................................30
Question 23: Internal Number Assignment...........31
Part IV: General Ledger.................................32
Question 24: Transporting Tax Codes....................33
Question 25: GR/IR Clearing..................................34
Question 26: Account Type Field............................35
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Question 27: Alternative Account...........................36
Question 28: GL Views.............................................37
Question 29: Sort Key...............................................38
Question 30: Fiscal Year Variant.............................39
Question 31: Special Periods....................................40
Question 32: GL Status Groups...............................41
Question 33: Recurring Entries...............................42
Question 34: Currency Revaluation........................43
Question 35: Account Clearing................................44
Part V: Controlling (CO)................................45
Question 36: Disposing Assets................................46
Question 37: Account Assignment Models............46
Question 38: CO-PCA...............................................47
Question 39: Value Field..........................................48
Question 40: Characteristic Field...........................48
Question 41: COPA Basis..........................................49
Question 42: Operating Concern.............................50
Question 43: Internal Orders..................................50
Question 44: Settlement Receivers.........................52
Question 45: Performance Issues............................53
Question 46 : Internal Order Controls....................54
Question 47: Assessment vs. Distribution..............55
Question 48: Reconciliation Ledger.......................56
Question 49: Freeze Data.........................................57
Question 50: Statistical Key Figures.......................58
Part VI: Fixed Assets (FA) .............................59
Question 51: Fixed asset reconciliation..................60
Question 52: Acquisition Costs...............................61
Question 53: Sub assets.............................................62
Question 54: Asset Under Construction................63
Question 55: Evaluation Groups.............................64
Question 56: Fixed Asset Depreciation...................65
Question 57: Smoothing and Catchup....................66
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Part VI: Org Structure & Module Integration67
Question 58: FI Global Settings...............................68
Question 59: Financial Statement..........................68
Question 60: New Company Code..........................69
Question 61: Chart of Accounts...............................70
Question 62: What is stored in table T001 ?..........72
Question 63: Company Code...................................72
Question 64: SD and AR...........................................73
Question 65: MM and AP.........................................74
Question 66: Batch Input..........................................75
Question 67: Commitment Line Items...................76
Question 68: Special Purpose Ledger.....................77
Question 69: Using Special Purpose Ledger..........78
Question 70: BSEG, BKPF, GLTO...........................79
Question 71: COEP, CSKA, CE1XXXX...................80
Question72 : LSMW...................................................81
Question 73: Credit Checks.......................................82
Question 74: Report Painter.....................................84
Question 75: User Exits............................................85
Part II: Table & Transaction Code Reference
........................................................................86
Table List.....................................................................87
Transaction Code List................................................90
INDEX.........................................................................117
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Part I: Accounts
Payable (AP)
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Question 1: Additional Log
What is the additional log in the AP payment program and
how can it be used for troubleshooting ?
A:
The additional log is an important setting when
performing a payment run. The amount of information
stored in the log can be selected (see below).
If there are any errors with the payments run, due to either
missing or incorrect master data settings, negative
balances due to credit memo’s etc, the system will report
these in the additional log.
Support position interviews often ask this question as a
way of determining if you know how to troubleshoot day-
to-day Accounts Payable operations.
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Question 2: Master Data
How can you link customer and vendor master records and
what is the purpose of doing so ?
A:
On the customer master there is a field “vendor” and
likewise on the vendor master there is a field “customer”.
By entering these master data numbers, a link can be
created between the AP/AR subledgers for use in the
payment program, dunning routine and the clearing of
open items.
For example in the payment program, if a specific business
partner is your vendor but also your customer, linking their
master records together will allow the open AR invoices to
be offset against the outstanding AP invoices.
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Question 3: Payment Terms
What are terms of payments and where are they stored ?
A:
Payment terms are created in configuration and
determine the payment due date for customer/vendor
invoices.
They are stored on the customer/vendor master record and
are pulled through onto the customer/vendor invoice
postings. The due date derived via the payment can be
changed on each individual invoice if required
Question 4: Baseline Date
What is meant by a “baseline date” in SAP AR and AP ?
A:
The baseline date is the date from which the payment
terms (specified in IMG transaction OBB) apply
Usually this is the document date on the invoice but can
also be the date of entry or posting date from the ledger
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Question 5: One Time Vendor
What are one-time vendors ?
A:
In certain industries (especially where there are a high
volume of cash transactions), it is not practical to create
new master records for every vendor trading partner.
One-time vendors allow for a dummy vendor code to be
used on invoice entry and the information which is
normally stored in the vendor master (payment terms,
address etc) , is keyed on the invoice itself.
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Question 6: AP Vendor Group
What factors should be considered when configuring an
Accounts Payable Vendor Group ?
A:
The following are determined by the creation of a new
AP vendor group (transaction OBD3)
· Whether the vendors in this group are one-time
vendors – i.e. no master record is created but the
address and payments details are entered against
each invoice to this vendor
· Field status group – which fields on the vendor
master are suppressed, optional or mandatory
when creating vendors belonging to this group
Additionally the vendor number ranges defined in
transaction XKN1 need to be assigned to your vendor
account groups in transaction OBAS. The decision
needs to be made whether to assign an external
number range (where the user chooses the master
record number) or an internal number range (system
assigned)
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Question 7: Payment Run
Name the standard stages of the SAP Payment Run.
A:
The following steps are usually performed during the
payment run
· Entering of parameters (company codes, payment
methods, vendor accounts etc)
· Proposal Scheduling – the system proposes list of
invoices to be paid
· Payment booking – the booking of the actual
payments into the ledger
· Printing of payment forms (cheques etc)
Variations on the above may be found in different SAP
customers, but the interviewer will be looking for the basis
steps above.
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Question 8: Payment Methods
What is the purpose of payment methods and where are
they stored?
A:
Generally payment methods are one digit
alphanumeric identifiers that indicate the type of payments
made to vendors or received from customers.
There are many standard delivered SAP entries for each
country.
For example for the UK, the following are pre-delivered:-
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The payment methods are stored in the vendor/customer
master record as well on vendor/customer line items. (The
default from master record can be changed during manual
postings)
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Question 9: Electronic Banking
Explain briefly how you can import electronic bank
statements into SAP.
A:
A text file is received from the bank which is then
uploaded into the SAP system. The file contains details of
the company’s bank movements e.g. cheques, bank
interest, bank charges, cash receipts etc. Depending on the
system configuration SAP will attempt to book these
transactions automatically to the correct accounts to avoid
the need for manual entries by SAP users.
Any postings which the system cannot derive automatically
can be booked through “post-processing”
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Part II: Accounts
Receivable (AR)
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Question 10 : Residual Payments
In Accounts Receivable, what’s the difference between the
‘residual payment’ and ‘part payment’ methods of
allocating cash ?
A:
These are the two methods for allocating partial
payments from customers.
As an example, lets say invoice A123 exists for 100$ and a
customer pays 60$.
With partial payment, the 60$ simply offsets the invoice
leaving a remaining balance of 40$
With residual payment, invoice A123 is cleared for the full
value 100$ and a new invoice line item is booked for the
remaining balance of 40$.
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Question 11 : Correspondence
Types
What are correspondence types in AR/AP ?
A:
Correspondence types are different outputs which can
be printed and sent to your business partners based
around either customer vendor or GL information.
Popular correspondence types include customer
statements, payment notices and line items lists. Within
the most common AP/AR functions (such as ‘Display
vendor line items’ below there is the option to generate
correspondence requests. At the end of the working day
these can be printed together as a batch and sent out.
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Question 12: Dunning
What is “dunning” in SAP ?
A:
Dunning is the process by which payment chasing
letters are issued to customers. SAP can determine which
customers should receive the letters and for which overdue
items.
Different letters can be printed in SAP depending on how
far overdue the payment is; from a simple reminder to a
legal letter.
The dunning level on the customer master indicates which
letter has been issued to the customer.
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Question 13 : Reason Codes
What are “reason codes” used for in the Accounts
Receivable module and what are the factors to be
considered in their configuration?
A:
Reason codes are tags which can be assigned to explain
under/overpayments during the allocation of incoming
customer payments. They should not be confused with
‘void reason codes’ used when outgoing checks are
generated.
During configuration the following are determined
· Whether the items booked with these reason codes are
to be flagged as disputed items for the purposes of
credit management (disputed items do not increase a
customer credit exposure)
· The type of correspondence (if any) to be generated for
this reason code as a result of the under/over payment
· Whether a separate line item should be created to
charge off the payment differences to a separate G/L
account.
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Part III: Document
Postings
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Question 14: Rate factors
What are exchange rate “factors” ?
A:
Exchange Rate factors are the relationships between
one currency and another to which an exchange rate is
applied.
For example you may define the Indonesia Rupiah to US$
factor as 10000 : 1
Combined with an exchange rate of 0.95 this would equate
to 9500 IDR to 1 USD
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Question 15: Parking Documents
What is document parking and why is it important when
consideration internal control procedures and “segregation
of duties” ?
A:
Parking is a SAP term which means a posting
(AP/AR/GL) can be temporarily saved (possibly with
incomplete information) without hitting the affected
ledger(s). A separate person can then release the posting to
the ledger when required.
This is useful for example if junior staff are to initially
enter the invoices, before their supervisor checks it and
books it to the ledger.
Another popular use is when entering GL journals with
many hundreds of line items. The document can be part-
saved allowing for completion at a later date.
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Question 16: Document Currency
Explain the document currency (WRBTR) and local
currency fields (DMBTR) when posting a document in SAP
FI.
A:
On the document header, the currency key is entered.
If this is different from the entity currency (or local
currency), an equivalent amount in local currency is
calculated automatically by the system and stored in the
field “local currency”. It is possible however to overwrite
the system proposed value in this field manually.
If the local amount is manually overwritten, and the
difference between the implied exchange rate is sufficiently
different to the rate used by the system, a warning or error
message is displayed (depending on system configuration)
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Question 17: Substitution Rules
What are FI substitution rules ?
A:
Defined in configuration they are similar to the FI
validation rules above. Substitution rules allow field values
to be replaced when certain pre-requisites conditions are
met.
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Question 18: Exchange Rate
Types
What are exchange rate “types” in SAP ?
A:
Exchange rate types are how SAP categorizes the
different sets of exchange rates in the R’3 system.
By default exchange rate type “M” is used for the rates used
to calculate local currency in the SAP system
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Question 19: Calculated Rate v
Header Rate
During document postings, under what circumstances
would SAP display the following warning / error message:
“Calculated rate deviates from document header rate by
x%”
A:
This occurs when the exchange rate in the document
header (either entered by the user or derived from the
exchange rate table) differs by a larger amount than that
specified as the maximum tolerance.
(The message can changed to be either an error or a
warning)
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Question 20: Foreign Currency
When entering foreign currency FI transactions describe
the various ways in which the exchange rate is derived by
SAP
A:
The exchange rate can be entered via either:-
· Directly on the document header
· Derived from the exchange rate table (by leaving
exchange rate blank)
· Indirectly, by entering the explicit local currency
amount so the system is forced to use a specific
exchange rate
Question 21: FB50 vs. FB01
What is the difference between the Enjoy SAP document
entry screens (e.g. FB50, FB60 etc) and the old general
posting transaction (FB01)
A:
The Enjoy SAP screens were created to expedite data
entry for AP,AR and GL postings.
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In the old FB01 screen users were required to enter
document types and posting keys manually to determine
the nature of the postings. In the Enjoy SAP data entry
screens these are defaulted via a configuration table so the
user just has to choose debit/credit and the system will
default the posting key. The document type is determined
based on whether the entry is a vendor/customer
invoice/credit memo or GL journal.
Question 22: Validation Rules
What are FI validation rules ?
A:
Validation rules (configured via transaction OB28)
enforce certain conditions when FI postings are made.
Validation rules comprise:-
· A prerequisite event that has to occur for the
validation check to take place
· The check itself
· The output message that is to be displayed (you can
choose between a warning or error message)
For example you may wish to ensure that users only enter
GL journals with document type ‘SA’ for a specific GL
account 88510005 in company code A100. Your
prerequisite would be if the GL account = 88510005 and
company code = A100. The check would be that the
document type = SA and in the event of an incorrect entry
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the message could be “Error – only document type SA
allowed”
You can enrich validation routines using ABAP code
Question 23: Internal Number
Assignment
Explain the terms “internal number assignment” and
“external number assignment” and the differences between
them ? Why is it generally not a good idea to have external
numbering on transactions ?
A: “Internal” numbering means the R/3 system assigns the
next available sequential number to the master data object
or transaction posting. “External” means the user has to
manually enter the number during the creation of the
master record or the posting of the document.
Entering the document number manually on each SAP
financial posting is a time consuming effort and causes a
risk to those transactions booked via interfaces. Often
organizations want to do this to match source or legacy
systems data with R/3. However there are plenty of text
and reference fields available to store this information
without requiring external numbering.
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Part IV: General
Ledger
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Question 24: Transporting Tax
Codes
Explain the procedure for transporting tax codes and their
associated rates between SAP systems
A: Rather than simply attaching tax codes to a transport as
per any other SAP configuration, a unique import/export
routine needs to be followed which imports the settings
into your productive SAP system
The export routine can be found under within IMG
transaction FTXP via transport > tax code > export /
import
The tax codes themselves have to be manually created in
the target system. You leave the tax rates blank (your basis
colleagues have to ensure your production system is open
for configuration) and run the import routine. Note that
the tax accounts have to be maintained manually in
production also.
This is a common interview question which can be quickly
used to test those with previous FI/CO experience.
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Question 25: GR/IR Clearing
Explain what is meant by GR/IR clearing
A:
Goods receipts from the MM module typically
generate entries such as
· Debit Stock, Credit GR/IR clearing
This indicates an increase in stock and a pending entry to
be cleared once the invoice from the vendor arrives.
At month end there will be a need to accrue those
purchases received but not yet invoiced hence the reason
for the account named ‘Good Received / Invoice Received’
Typically the balance on this account at month end
indicates the value of goods received but not invoiced.
Once the invoice is received the corresponding entry is
booked.
· Credit Vendor, Debit GR/IR
These opposite entries to the GR/IR need to be cleared
against each other. (This account is managed on an open
item basis). Using the F.19 transaction this can be done
automatically by using the PO and line item number stored
in the assignment field
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Question 26: Account Type Field
Explain the purpose of the account type field in the GL
master record
A:
At year end P&L accounts are cleared down to the
retained earnings balance sheet account. This field
contains an indicator which is linked (in the IMG
transaction OB53) to the specific GL account use in this
clear down.
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Question 27: Alternative Account
What is the alternative account field used for in the GL
master record ?
A:
Another very popular interview question. This field
can be used to store the old legacy system’s account
number against the new number in SAP.
A standard search help exists which will allow users to
search for the SAP account based on the old legacy account
number. This is particularly useful for new SAP users who
are still getting used to the new chart of accounts.
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Question 28: GL Views
What is the difference between the chart of account view
and company code view when maintaining a GL account ?
A:
There are two screens which have to be maintained for
each new GL account. The first is at ‘chart of account’ level
(transaction FSP0) and contains the information used by
all company codes using this chart of accounts such as
description, group account number etc.
Each company code using this chart will then add its own
company code view (via transaction code FSS0) which
contains localized data specific to that entity e.g. field
status group, alternative account number etc.
The chart of accounts screen must be maintained before
the local company code screens.
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Question 29: Sort Key
What is a sort key and what is it used for?
A:
Sort keys are stored in customer, vendor and GL
master records. They determine what value is populated in
the ‘assignment’ field in the document line items posted.
There are several standard entries in a pre-delivered SAP
system and additional entries can be configured if
required.
A very common use for sort key 014 Purchase Order
number for example, is to allow the GR/IR clearing GL
account to be cleared automatically.
For FI/CO jobs in a logistics environment this is a common
question.
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Question 30: Fiscal Year Variant
What are fiscal year variants and how are fiscal periods
opened and closed ?
A:
Fiscal year variants (FSV’s) are assigned to a company
code via transaction OBY6. They determine the financial
reporting periods of an entity e.g. 13 4-weekly periods,
calendar months, 5-5-4 reporting etc
During month end the current fiscal reporting period will
be and the next month opened. Its possible to open and
close specific ledgers e.g. AP, AR, GL and even sets of
accounts within those ledgers. This way its possible to, for
example, close all GL accounts and leave only the month
end adjustment accounts open for posting
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Question 31: Special Periods
What are the special periods 13,14,15,16 and what are they
used for ?
A:
When you define the fiscal year variant you can choose
to define additional special periods. These can be used for
example for the posting of year end adjustments, auditors
adjustments etc.
Periods 1-12 can be closed and periods 13-16 left open
during year end closing
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Question 32: GL Status Groups
What are GL field status groups and where are they used ?
A:
Field status groups are defined in configuration and
are used to determine which fields are available for posting
when entries are booked against GL accounts.
Each field can be set as optional, mandatory or suppressed.
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Question 33: Recurring Entries
What are recurring entries and why are they used?
A:
Recurring entries (setup in FBD1) can eliminate the
need for the manual posting of accounting documents
which do not change from month to month.
For example, a regular rental expense document can be
created which can be scheduled for the last day of each
month. Usually multiple recurring entries are created
together and then processed as a batch at month end using
transaction F.14
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Question 34: Currency
Revaluation
Explain how foreign currency revaluation works in SAP
R/3 FI
A:
Over time the local currency equivalent of foreign
currency amounts will fluctuate according to exchange rate
movements. Usually at month end, there is a requirement
to restate these amounts using the prevailing month end
exchange rates.
SAP can revalue foreign currency GL account balances as
well as outstanding customer and vendor open item
balances.
In SAP configuration, you define the balance sheet
adjustment account and which accounts the realized
gain/loss should be booked.
A batch input session is created to automatically post the
required adjustments.
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Question 35: Account Clearing
During GL account clearing how can small differences be
dealt with ?
A:
During configuration a tolerance limit is set which
defines the maximum differences allowed during clearing.
The differences can be automatically booked by the system
to a specific account during posting (using IMG transaction
OBXZ)
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Part V: Controlling
(CO)
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Question 36: Disposing Assets
Describe three ways of disposing of an asset from a
company code in SAP R/3
A:
An existing asset can be scrapped (transaction
ABAVN), transferred to another company code (ABUMN),
sold to a customer account in the accounts receivable
module (F-92), sold with revenue but the revenue is
booked to a GL account (ABAON).
Question 37: Account Assignment
Models
What are account assignment models ?
A:
AAM’s are blocks of document line items that can be
used repeatedly to prevent manual re-entry.
Which fields are included in the AAM layout can be
configured using O7E3
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Question 38: CO-PCA
In Profit Center Accounting (CO-PCA) explain the process
for locking planning data
A:
Using transaction S_ALR_87004395, you can lock
plan data for a specific fiscal year
Select version 0 and choose ‘settings for profit center
accounting’.
Note the interviewer will not expect you to remember the
transaction code but will expect you to refer to ‘versions’
and the fact that the plan can be locked per fiscal year and
independently of the actual data.
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Question 39: Value Field
What is a “value field” in the CO-PA module ?
A:
Value fields are number/value related fields in
profitability analysis such as quantity, sales revenue,
discount value etc
Question 40: Characteristic Field
What is a “characteristic field” in the CO-PA module ?
A:
Characteristics are analytical information fields used
in CO-PA. Typical examples include customer number,
brand, distribution channel etc
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Question 41: COPA Basis
What is the difference between “costing based” (CB) and
“account based” (AB) CO-PA ?
A:
This is an incredibly popular question for any
positions with a COPA component.
The interviewer will be looking for some of the following:-
· AB can easily be reconciled with FI at account level
through the use of cost elements. CB can only be
reconciled at account group level (such as revenues,
sales deductions etc) as values are stored in “value
fields” as opposed to accounts
· In CB data is stored by posting periods and weeks.
In AB storage is only by periods.
· In CB transactions can be stored in operating
concern currency and company code currency. In
AB transactions are stored in controlling area
currency, company code currency and transaction
currency
· In CB you can create cross controlling area
evaluations or cross controlling area plans. In AB
you cannot as the chart of accounts may differ.
· In CB the cost of good sales (COGS) are updated via
material price valuations. Stock change values can
be transferred to CB COPA during billing. Timing
differences can occur if the goods issue and billing
documents are in different posting periods. In AB
the value posted in the stock change is posted
simultaneously to COPA.
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 42: Operating Concern
What is an operating concern and what is its relationship
with a controlling area in CO ?
A:
The operating concern is the main organizational unit
in Profitability Analysis. It’s structure depends on the
configuration setup of characteristics and value fields.
It is assigned to a controlling area on a one to may basis i.e.
one controlling area may be assigned to only one operating
concern, one operating concern can be assigned to many
controlling areas.
Question 43: Internal Orders
What are statistical internal orders?
A:
Statistical real internal orders are dummy cost objects
used for analysis and reporting purposes. They must be
posted to in conjunction with a real cost object such as a
cost center.
For example for employees we define statistical internal
orders and for departments we define cost centers. Travel
expense invoices can then be booked to specific cost
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
centers but analysis can also be done at employee level by
looking at the statistical orders.
Statistical internal orders cannot be settled.
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 44: Settlement
Receivers
Name some settlement receivers for CO Internal Orders
A:
Typically CO Internal Order are settled to:-
· Other internal orders
· Fixed assets (including assets under constructions)
· GL Accounts
· Cost Centres
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 45: Performance Issues
What are the performances issue to be in mind when
configuring Profitability analysis (COPA) ?
A:
Sometimes COPA reporting performance is severely
affected by poor initial setup. Anyone involved in a full
COPA project lifecycle in a retail or manufacturing
environment will have come across such issues hence the
reason the interviewer is asking the question. The most
important thing
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 46 : Internal Order
Controls
Explain some of the controls setup during the
configuration of Internal Order Types in the CO module.
A:
The following settings are made during the
configuration of order types (transaction KOT2_OPA)
· Number ranges assigned to the order master on
creation
· Planning and budgeting profiles
· Status profiles
· Order layouts
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 47: Assessment vs.
Distribution
Explain the differences between ‘Assessment’ and
‘Distribution’ cost allocation cycles in the R’3 CO module.
A:
Its easiest to demonstrate this by way of an example
Lets say we have three cost elements with the following
amounts to be allocated:-
A Electricity $2000
B Water $3000
C Canteen Costs $4000
With assessment cycles the system groups all three
together and summarizes the balance of 9000$ onto a
separate cost element e.g. D in order to allocate the costs to
a receiving cost centre. Hence your sender cost element is
D in your CO reporting and not A,B,C
With distributions the costs are allocated from the original
cost elements. Hence your senders are A,B,C.
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 48: Reconciliation
Ledger
What is the CO reconciliation ledger and when would you
typically use it ?
A:
The reconciliation ledger effectively highlights
differences by account across the FI and CO modules. A
report is produced by the RL program, identifying where
transactions have been booked across entities in
controlling that would impact the external reporting
produced from the FI module.
The RL program can then either post automatic corrections
or you can choose to post manual corrections based on the
information in the RL report.
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 49: Freeze Data
Explain how using the “freeze data” option in COPA can
speed up reporting performance.
A:
Often companies that use COPA have extremely large
volumes of data and reports can take several minutes, even
hours, to run.
The ‘free report data’ option can be selected and the report
run overnight. This way re-running the report online
during the working data will see huge performance benefits
as the system simply has to display stored stored and not
recalculate it “on-the-fly”
Questions regarding performance issues in COPA are
common. You may be asked how summarization levels can
increase reporting speed or alternatively asked to explain
how you’ve minimized the number of characteristics with
the same aim.
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 50: Statistical Key
Figures
What are statistical key figures in CO ?
A:
SKF’s are statistical (or information values) used in
cost allocations such as assessments and distributions.
For example we may have an SKF for ‘head count per
department’. When utility costs are allocated across
various departments we could perform the percentage
allocation based on the ‘head count’ SKF.
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Part VI: Fixed Assets
(FA)
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Question 51: Fixed asset
reconciliation
How do you take the balances onto fixed asset
reconciliation accounts during data take-on ?
A:
Normally you cannot post direct to reconciliation
accounts. However there is a configuration transaction
OAK5/ OAMK which can be used to temporarily remove
the reconciliation flags to allow the balances to be
journal’ed onto the fixed asset reconciliation accounts.
Note this is a very popular interview question for FI/CO
roles with FI-AA components.
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Question 52: Acquisition Costs
Name three ways of posting acquisition cost to a fixed asset
master
A:
There are many ways of booking APC to fixed asset
records including:-
· Via F-90 – Acquisition with Vendor
· ABZON – Acquisition with automatic offsetting
entry
· ABZP – from affiliated company
· From settlement of an asset under construction
(AIBU)
· From goods receipt (or invoice receipt depending
on system setup) relating to a purchase order
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 53: Sub assets
What are sub-assets and what would be a typical use for
them in the SAP environment ?
A:
Sub-assets are four digit reference numbers that are
linked to the main asset number.
For example, if an asset 31000050 exists for a piece of
machinery which initially cost $100,000 a sub-asset asset
0001 could be created and used to book additional cost
(maybe a machinery upgrade) against the original asset.
Both assets exist separately and can be reported as such or
together.
When running the asset reports you can either run for the
31000050 asset or together with the sub asset 31000050-
0001
If you have multiple sub-assets you can report based on
31000050-*
Using this approach asset components cost can be stored
separately but reported together.
Note that these sub-assets are depreciated independently
of their main asset – this is a popular interview question.
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Question 54: Asset Under
Construction
What is an “asset under construction”
A:
AuC’s can be used to track investment cost during
projects or asset assembly. Following completion their
costs can be settled to other fixed assets or to other CO cost
objects such as real internal orders or cost centres.
For example, the construction of a new building, the
various costs involved (engineering, utlity cost etc) could
be collected under an AUC, before being settled to an asset
under the “buildings’ asset class at the end of the project.
AuC’s generally are not depreciated until completion.
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 55: Evaluation Groups
What are evaluation groups on the asset master used for ?
A:
Allocation groups can be used to categorize assets
whichever way the user chooses.
There are 4 with four characters (configured via OAVA
transaction) and 1 with 8 characters (configured with
OAV8). If you wish you can define a list of entries to be
validated when the user populates these fields.
In customizing you can choose which of the 5 fields to
display on the asset master record
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 56: Fixed Asset
Depreciation
What cost objects can be posted to automatically when the
Fixed Asset Depreciation run is performed ?
A:
In IMG transaction OAYR you can choose to allocate
depreciation cost to :-
· Cost centers
· Internal Order
· Both of the above
The cost centers or order used is stored on the respective
asset master record
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Question 57: Smoothing and
Catchup
Explain the terms “smoothing” and “catchup” with regards
fixed asset depreciation
A:
This question refers to how SAP handles under/over
depreciated assets with respect to future depreciation runs.
In IMG OAYR setting the smoothing flag forces the system
to calculate depreciation evenly over the remaining
periods in the fiscal year.
The opposite of this is with catch-up which means the
system will correct any under/over depreciation in the next
fiscal months depreciation run.
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SAP FI/CO Interview Questions
Part VI: Org Structure
& Module Integration
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Question 58: FI Global Settings
What is the difference between ‘company code’ and
‘company ID’ when in the FI global settings in the IMG?
A:
The company code is the legal entity organization unit
and the lowest level at which external financial statements
are prepared.
The company id is a higher organization unit used for
consolidation in the SAP system. A single company id can
have many company codes assigned to it so long as the
fiscal year variant and chart of accounts is consistent.
Question 59: Financial Statement
What is a ‘financial statement version’?
A:
Financial statement versions ‘FSV’s’ are the structures
forming the P’L and Balance sheet reports from the FI
module.
Accounts are assigned to the end nodes in the reporting
structure tree. Depending on the setup debit/credit
balances can be reflected in different asset / liability
columns where required
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