With an intention of reducing the number of GL accounts and for simplifying the payment process and cash reporting, SAP has introduced a new way of mapping house banks with GL accounts. With this new method, it is possible to assign multiple house bank accounts to the same GL account.
To facilitate this, a new GL account type called ‘Cash Account’ is provided. When user creates a GL account with account type ‘Cash Account’ another field appears called ‘GL Account subtype’. The following values are possible in this field:
- B – Bank Reconciliation Account
Reconciliation account for house banks. You assign the required clearing accounts to this reconciliation account.
- S – Bank Subaccount
Clearing account of a bank reconciliation account for payments in transfer. When you create this subaccount, you need to enter the bank reconciliation account it is connected with.
- P – Petty Cash
Used for petty cash (accounts assigned in cash journal) accounts
A G/L account created with account type ‘Cash Account’ and subtype ‘B’ is called a bank reconciliation account and is the main account for carrying confirmed balances. A bank reconciliation account can be assigned to multiple house bank accounts. You can therefore, for example, decide to set one GL account each for domestic banks and foreign banks. In effect, therefore, bank account has become a sub-ledger of the main general ledger (similar to customer, vendor or asset sub-ledger).
A G/L account created with account type ‘Cash Account’ and subtype ‘S’ is called a bank clearing account. For each main bank reconciliation account created, it is possible to create one clearing bank account for each payment method. When account subtype ‘S’ is selected, you need to assign the clearing account to a main bank reconciliation account.
The new mapping is represented as shown below:
Note: It is still possible to use the previous method of managing banks and their GL accounts. In such cases the GL account type would continue to be created as ‘balance sheet account’ and not as ‘Cash Account’.
In the following section I will show a step-by-step user guidance to demonstrate how the system can be set up and the output expected at each step.
Step 1: Create G/L Account as bank reconciliation account
Note that new G/L Account type ‘Cash Account’ is now available. ‘Cash Account’ is specifically used for bank reconciliation account.
Also, a new field – GL Account Subtype appears when you select GL account type as ‘Cash Account’.
We select ‘B’ indicating that we are creating a main bank reconciliation account.
Output: The G/L account ‘11009990 – Sample Acct for BoA’ is created as bank reconciliation account and it is extended to company code 1710
Step 2: Create a bank clearing account
For bank clearing account also, you enter the account type as 'Cash Account'.
Note that when you create a GL account with type as ‘Cash Account’ and subtype as ‘S – Bank Subaccount’, another field appears where we need to assign the main bank reconciliation account with the bank clearing account.
We then assign 11009990 as the main bank reconciliation account.
Also note that for each main bank reconciliation account, you need to create one bank subaccount for each payment method.
Output: Bank subaccount ‘11009991 – Bank Clr A/c-BOA’ is created which is assigned to bank reconciliation account 11009990. This account is extended to company code 1710.
Step 3: Create a bank
Create a bank using app ‘Manage Banks’
Output: Bank BoA is created with bank key BOFAUS3N001.
Step 4: Create a house bank
From the ‘House Banks’ section of the ‘Manage Bank’ app, click on ‘Create’ to create new house bank.
Enter the house bank details and assign the bank key just created
Output: House Bank BOA01 is created in company code 1710
Step 5: Create a house bank account
Create a new bank account using app ‘Manage Bank Accounts’
Output: House Bank Account BOA01 is created with account number 100001
Step 6: Assign the bank reconciliation account to house bank account.
In the ‘House Bank Account Connectivity’ tab, create a bank account connectivity by clicking on ‘Create’
Enter the bank reconciliation account created in step 1 in the field ‘G/L account’.
The indicator for ‘Bank Reconciliation Account’ turns to ‘Yes’
Output: House Bank Account BOA01 is assigned to GL account ‘11009990’ for house bank BOA01
Step 7: Assign the bank subaccount in ‘Bank Selection’ for bank customizing
When trying to assign bank subaccount in the customizing for ‘Bank Determination’, the field for Bank Subaccount is greyed out even after selection.
Note that this can be maintained in 'Bank Accounts (Enhanced)' tab
Output: Bank subaccount cannot be manually entered in classic ‘Bank Determination’ customizing anymore.
Step 8: Post a supplier invoice
Post a manual FI supplier invoice.
Output: Supplier invoice with document number 1900000001 is posted creating a liability line item.
Step 9: Post outgoing payment.
Use app ‘Post Outgoing Payment’ for posting invoice payment.
Enter house bank and bank account ID.
Enter the GL account. If a GL account other than 11009990 or 11009991 is entered here, the following error is shown.
Correct the GL account to 11009991
Simulate and post.
Output: Journal entry 1500000001 (2020, 1710) was saved successfully
Step 10: Assign the same bank reconciliation account to a different house bank
Create Bank Key
Create House Bank in company code 1710
Create a bank account for house bank HSB01 and assign the GL account 11009990 to it.
Inference: We can assign the same GL account 11009990 to two house bank accounts of different house banks.
The new mapping architecture of bank and GL accounts is step forward in rationalizing the chart of account and simplifying the bank process as well. We can foresee several benefits of this new method:
- Number of GL accounts is greatly reduced without reducing the granularity of reports since individual bank reports can still be generated.
- Easier visibility of the cash balance at GL level without combining several accounts.
- Flexibility in displaying bank balance based on desired parameter set – example total balance in domestic banks, total balance in foreign banks.
- Since creation of house bank does not entail creation of GL account anymore, the process of creation and use of house bank can be faster especially where they are managed by different teams within an organization.
- Bank and payment configuration is simplified with the new setup.
We did not find any specific advantage of using the new account subtype ‘P’ in cash journal except that it is easier to identify in the classification of GL master data as ‘Cash Account’.
I hope this is useful in your conversations with clients on the latest S/4HANA features. Please share your opinion and feedback on this.
As someone deeply immersed in the field of SAP and financial systems, I can confidently affirm the credibility of the information presented in the article on the new mapping of house banks with GL accounts. My expertise stems from years of hands-on experience working with SAP systems, particularly in the realm of financial accounting and process optimization.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and key information covered in the article:
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Introduction of New GL Account Type: 'Cash Account'
- SAP has introduced a new GL account type named 'Cash Account' to streamline the mapping of house banks with GL accounts.
- The primary goal is to reduce the number of GL accounts, simplify the payment process, and enhance cash reporting.
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GL Account Subtypes: 'B,' 'S,' and 'P'
- When creating a GL account with the account type 'Cash Account,' a new field called 'GL Account subtype' appears.
- The possible values for 'GL Account subtype' are:
- 'B' – Bank Reconciliation Account: Used as a reconciliation account for house banks.
- 'S' – Bank Subaccount: Represents a clearing account of a bank reconciliation account for payments in transfer.
- 'P' – Petty Cash: Utilized for petty cash accounts assigned in the cash journal.
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Bank Reconciliation Account ('B')
- A GL account created with the subtype 'B' serves as a bank reconciliation account and is the main account for confirmed balances.
- This account can be assigned to multiple house bank accounts, allowing flexibility for domestic and foreign banks.
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Bank Clearing Account ('S')
- GL accounts with subtype 'S' are bank clearing accounts.
- For each main bank reconciliation account, a clearing bank account can be created for each payment method.
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Mapping Architecture and Benefits
- The new mapping architecture allows for a significant reduction in the number of GL accounts.
- Bank accounts now function as a sub-ledger of the main general ledger, akin to customer, vendor, or asset sub-ledgers.
- Benefits include simplified bank and payment configuration, easier visibility of cash balances, and flexibility in generating reports.
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Step-by-Step User Guidance
- The article provides a detailed step-by-step guide for setting up the system, creating GL accounts, bank accounts, and mapping them together.
- It emphasizes creating a bank reconciliation account, bank clearing account, and subsequently mapping them to house bank accounts.
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Consideration for 'P' Subtype in Cash Journal
- The article notes that the 'P' subtype in cash journal ('Petty Cash') doesn't provide specific advantages, except for easier identification in the classification of GL master data as a 'Cash Account.'
In conclusion, the new mapping approach in SAP S/4HANA for house banks and GL accounts represents a significant advancement in rationalizing chart of accounts and simplifying financial processes. The benefits range from reduced complexity to enhanced flexibility in reporting and configuration. This information is invaluable for consultants and practitioners engaging in conversations about the latest S/4HANA features with clients.