SAP ERP Financials

1 Overview

This book is written to cover the major components of SAP ERP Financials, specifically

Financial Accounting (referred to as FI from this point forward) and Controlling

(referred to as CO). We have deliberately selected topics which are typical of

most SAP implementations based on our experience in various implementations

in different countries.

We use a fictitious organization with real-world, holistic explanations for each

concept to show you how to configure your SAP system. We’ll discuss all aspects

of the FI component of SAP ERP Financials and explain how the sections integrate

together. We’ll also include specific examples, from the United States and Europe

to help you understand global examples of SAP ERP system configuration and

application. At the end of the chapter, you’ll find some navigation basics that you

should be aware of.

1.1 Introduction

This book serves as a guide to enable you to configure either a complete SAP ERP

Financials solution, or just the parts that are relevant to your business. We’ve provided

as much real-world process, implementation, and configuration information

as possible. Because no two SAP ERP Financials implementations are the same,

we’ve been careful to provide industry-proven best practices that can be extended

easily to your specific focus.

Throughout the book, you’ll find references to your “business partner.” If you are

a consultant using this book as part of a client implementation, upgrade, or training

scenario, your business partner is obvious: the team of stakeholders you’ll be

working with. If you are an end user, project manager, technical staff member, or

line manager assigned to an SAP ERP Financials implementation, your business

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