Hierarchy
Variant 
Definition
The hierarchical structure of the funds centers for an FM area is represented in a hierarchy variant.
Use
A funds center hierarchy is created in the system as a hierarchy variant. After creation, hierarchy variants are initially fiscal year-independent. Only the assignment of the hierarchy variant to a fiscal year causes the defined funds center hierarchy in it to become valid for the respective year.
You can create several hierarchy variants for each FM area in the system. However, only one hierarchy variant is allowed for one fiscal year. The hierarchy variant assignment for a fiscal year can no longer be changed; you make the assignment in Customizing.
For more information, see Funds Management Government in the implementation guide, under IMG activity Assign Hierarchy Variant to FM Area.
You can only assign a hierarchy variant to a fiscal year if all its funds centers have a valid validity period for the fiscal year.
Year-Independent Funds Centers
If you use year-independent funds centers, then a hierarchy variant is valid for all fiscal years. The hierarchy variant is assigned to fiscal year "0000".
Note that a change from year-independent to year-dependent funds centers is possible. However, it is not possible to switch back to a year-independent funds center.
Year-Dependent Funds Centers
If you are using a year-dependent funds center hierarchy, you must assign a hierarchy variant at every fiscal year change. If there are no further changes to the funds center hierarchy in the next fiscal year, you can use the currently assigned hierarchy variant for the new fiscal year. You are able to copy hierarchy variants, modify them and save them as new hierarchy variants if there is only a slight difference. For an example scenario, see Example: Change Validity Period.n
Year-independent funds centers are provided in the standard system. To convert to year-dependent, go to Customizing for Funds Management Government and start the activation program in IMG activity Activate Year-Dependent Master Data.
For more information, see the implementation guide, under Master Data ® Activate Year-Dependent Master Data.
See also:
Implementation guide for Funds Management Government, IMG activity Create Hierarchy Variant.
Implementation guide for Funds Management Government, IMG activity Assign FM Area to Hierarchy Variant.