Item

Definition

Basis for the valuational entry, posting, and evaluation in consolidation.

The item is the central account assignment object in consolidation. It is somewhat similar to the “account” in general ledger accounting.

The item is dependent on the consolidation chart of accounts, meaning that it applies only for the consolidation chart of accounts in which it was created.

Use

You can not only use an item for accounting-relevant amounts or quantities in the balance sheet, income statement, or appropriation of retained earnings. Rather, you can also manage statistical data and key figures in items.

Structure

You define items in the process view of the workbench, under Start of the navigation path Master Data Next navigation step Items Next navigation step Item End of the navigation path.

Item Characteristics from Consolidation

You determine the characteristics of an item on the Item tab page using the information on entry, item type, and breakdown category.

Entry

Debit/credit sign

To be able to enter the item values without a debit/credit sign later (for example, during manual data entry or a flexible upload), enter a fixed debit/credit sign here.

Example Example

  • Enter the + sign for asset items and expense items.

  • Enter the − sign for liability items and revenue items.

End of the example.

You then enter only absolute values when entering item values. When storing the values in the database, the system multiplies the entered value by the debit/credit sign assigned to the given item (and, if applicable, by the sign of the given subassignment).

Data entry block

If you set a data entry block, no further values can be entered for the item in periods after the initial entry period. (The initial entry period is an attribute of the consolidation unit.)

Item Type

The following item types are available:

  • Balance sheet

  • Income statement

  • Statistical: Balance

  • Statistical: Flow

Breakdown Category

See Breakdown Category.

Item Characteristics from BI

In BI, you can give the item additional characteristics. These are displayed only in the consolidation system when Customizing the items on the Other Attributes tab page.