Define Cost Object Categories for Cost Object Hierarchies (SAP Library

Define Cost Object Categories for Cost Object Hierarchies

Here you define the

cost object categories for cost object IDs that can be assigned to a cost object hierarchy as cost object nodes . The cost object category contains central definitions regarding which functions are active for the cost object hierarchy and how period-end closing is performed.

You assign a cost object profile to the cost object category.

You specify whether the following functions are allowed for the cost object IDs of this cost object category:

Creating a hierarchy of cost object IDs

Distribution of costs within the hierarchy

Calculation of production variances

Calculation ofoverhead

If you want to allocate overhead at the order level, you should not select the Overhead indicator.

Note

If you want to assign only certain orders for the material to the cost object hierarchy, you can specify this with the indicator Control through variance key. You can then control in the order itself whether the order belongs to the hierarchy or not. If you want to treat the order as an independent entity, specify a variance key in the order. The order is then no longer selected for variance calculation for the cost object hierarchy. Instead, it is selected in variance calculation for the corresponding orders in the Product Cost by Period component or in the Product Cost by Order component. The order is then settled during the order settlement process. If you want to assign all orders for a material to the cost object hierarchy, select the indicator Always cost object hierarchy.

The cost object catagory also determines which method is used to settle price differences for cost object hierarchies without actual cost distribution.

Settlement through material account determination

SAP recommends settlement through material account determination. For all orders and cost object nodes that are not top nodes, settlement rules are automatically created which specify the top cost object hierarchy nodes as the receiver.

For the top cost object hierarchy nodes, a settlement rule is created with which all costs are settled to a price difference account. The system finds this price difference account through automatic material account determination, process PRK.

Manual account assignment

During manual account assignments, you must specify a settlement rule for each cost object node. In this case, you must define settlements rules for all nodes of the hierarchy. Normally, all settlement rules have the same price difference account as the receiver.

You determine what method can be used to manufacture the materials assigned to the cost object hierarchy. This enables you to determine the following:

How the variances are calculated for these orders

How settlement is carried out for these orders

Variance calculation and settlement for all orders assigned to a cost object hierarchy must be carried out by period. Periodic settlement is normally defined as the default rule for each order type at plant level.

Note on Variance Calculation and Distribution

For cost object hierarchies, variances are always calculated on the highest cost object in the hierarchy. You can perform variance calculation with or without distribution.

Without distribution, the variances are calculated for the individual nodes of the hierarchy.

With distribution, you start variance calculation through the hierarchy, but the variance calculation process itself is executed after distribution at the level of the assigned orders.

If you want to calculate variances for a cost object hierarchy, the Variances indicator in the cost object category in Customizing under Cost Object Controlling -> Product Cost by Period -> Cost Object Hierarchies -> Define Cost Object Categories for Cost Object Hierarchies must be selected.

Requirements

Check the default rule for periodic settlement:

Check default values for order types

If you want to define you own cost object profiles, you must first carry out the step Define Cost Object Profiles for Cost Object Hierarchies.

Standard Settings

The standard system contains predefined cost object categories.

Actions

1. Check whether the predefined cost object categories meet your requirements.

2. To create your own cost object catgegory:

a) Choose New entries.

b) Enter a key and a name for the cost object category.

c) Enter a cost object profile.

d) Set the indicators according to your requirements.

Further Notes

If you want to work with a cost object hierarchy, you should also check whether the Cost objects indicator is selected for each fiscal year in the controlling area.

Maintain controlling area