Rule-Based Consolidation Vouchers and Postings
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The KONBUCHDEF Application
- Creating a New Rule for Consolidation Vouchers
- Creating a New Rule for Consolidation Postings Using the Clearing Rule
- Creating a New Rule for Consolidation Postings Using the Reference Rule
- Additions to the Scope of Consolidation
- Disposals from the Scope of Consolidation
Introduction
With Release 24.3, we are providing you with an application for the first time that can be used to generate accounting vouchers and postings based on rules, i.e. dynamically based on reporting data (account balances, IC account balances, transaction developments, controlling balances) of an individual financial statement.
The application is structured very similarly to the already known application for the definition of rule-based voucher postings (BUCHDEF), which was introduced with Release 23.3.
The KONBUCHDEF Application
In the left-hand navigation, you can find the application via the menu entry Consolidation > Consolidation Voucher and Posting Rules or via the abbreviation KONBUCHDEF.
Figure: Left-hand navigation
In the upper half of the application, you can create, display, and edit the voucher rules, while in the lower half of the application, two different posting rules are available, which you can add to the voucher rules – parameterized accordingly.
Figure: The application KONBUCHDEF
Creating a New Rule for Consolidation Vouchers
A wizard guides you through all the necessary steps to create a new rule for consolidation vouchers.
On the first page Rule description, you assign a unique ID, a descriptive description, and an indication of when the rule is to be valid for the consolidation voucher rule.
Figure: Create New Consolidation Voucher Rule/Page 1
On the second page Voucher properties, you assign parts of the key as well as attributes of the consolidation voucher to be generated. Information on the group and fact is required here. You can select any JMxx processing that has already been defined in advance as possible consolidation processing. You can also enter the voucher text and the posting type here.
Figure: Create New Consolidation Voucher Rule/Page 2
On the third page Validity range, you can restrict the validity of the consolidation voucher rule with regard to period type and/or a group company. The companies available here are determined on the basis of group and data fact (2nd assistant page) as well as the "Validity from" indication from the first page.
If the group has grown since the consolidation voucher rule was defined, not all group companies may be shown here. In this case, please restrict the existing consolidation voucher rule accordingly using the "Validity until" specification and then copy the consolidation voucher rule to a new ID and assign a new "Valid". In principle, voucher rules are executed for all group companies included, i.e. for all companies whose consolidation type in the current group is full, quota, or at-equity. Group companies whose consolidation type is N (No inclusion) are not included.
Figure: Create New Consolidation Voucher Rule/Page 3
On the last page of the wizard, you can maintain the name of the consolidation voucher rule in several languages, as is usual in the DEF applications.
Figure: Create New Consolidation Voucher Rule/Page 4
When you click Finish, the consolidation voucher rule is created and you can start the wizard for defining a consolidation posting (in the lower half of the application) in the next step.
Creating a New Rule for Consolidation Postings Using the Clearing Rule
Two alternative rule types are available for the consolidation posting to be created. The reference rule is an extension of the clearing rule.
Here, too, an assistant will guide you through all the necessary steps. In the Clearing Rules table, select the star icon on the table's toolbar. Konsis displays the Create posting rule wizard.
On the first page of the wizard, specify the source and destination of the posting. The amount posted to the source account in the context of the individual financial statement is reversed by the posting to be generated and transferred to the destination account. If the source account is a mirror account, it is mandatory to specify the desired posting key. If the amounts of several posting keys are to be transferred, please create a separate posting rule for each posting key. You can also use the copy function for this purpose.
If you also work with business units, the specification of the desired business area will also be mandatory.
By default, it is suggested to transfer 100% of the amount posted in the individual financial statements. If you want to deviate from this, you can specify the desired proportion in the Percentage field. If several rules are defined for the same source account, the percentages of which add up to 100%, any rounding differences that may arise in the generated consolidation postings are automatically compensated. The sum of all consolidation postings on the same source account therefore corresponds to the balance of the individual financial statements.
Figure: Creating a New Clearing Posting Rule/Page 1
On the second page, IC information must be entered if the source account is an IC account. If you work with business units, please make sure to specify not only an IC company, but also an IC business unit. It is also possible to transfer the IC balances of all IC companies. However, this only makes sense if these amounts have not already been eliminated by debt or expense and income consolidation.
You can also have the third-party share transferred to mixed accounts. We understand a third-party share to be the difference between the account balance and the sum of all IC balances.
Figure: Create New Clearing Posting Rule/Page 2
If controlling information is maintained for the source or target account, the third page requires the specification of a controlling object for each controlling dimension used.
Figure: Creating a New Clearing Posting Rule/Page 3
On the last page of the wizard, you can specify the desired posting record number and the desired posting text. Since the posting text of the consolidation posting can only be entered in one language, this wizard eliminates the usual option of entering text in several languages.
Figure: Creating a New Clearing Posting Rule/Page 4
Creating a New Rule for Consolidation Postings Using the Reference Rule
In contrast to the clearing rule, three accounts can be specified in the reference rule. The amount to be posted is determined on the reference account as part of the individual financial statements. The reference account must have the same mirror reference as the source account. On the source account, the amount from the individual financial statement is posted with the same sign, and on the target account with the opposite sign.
Figure: Create New Reference Posting Rule/Page 1
The remaining pages in the wizard correspond to pages 2 through 4 of the clearing rule.
Additions to the Scope of Consolidation
If new companies are added to the scope of consolidation, all consolidation voucher rules automatically apply to the "new" companies without company restrictions.
Consolidation voucher rules with company restriction continue to apply only to the specified companies, regardless of the group additions.
Disposals from the Scope of Consolidation
If a company is deconsolidated or merged, its method of consolidation is automatically changed to no inclusion (K) after a period carried forward at the turn of the year. As a result, all consolidation voucher rules are no longer relevant for the company that has been withdrawn, as the consolidation voucher rules are only applied to companies that are included in full, proportionately, or at equity.