Common Errors in SAP FICO and How to Fix Them

A practical, copy-paste-ready guide for resolving the most frequent SAP FICO issues—from posting date problems and tax codes to document splitting, GR/IR, and reconciliation. Each row below gives you the error, root cause, and exact fix with tcodes or config paths.

Table of Contents A) Posting Errors B) Document Splitting Errors C) Reconciliation & GR/IR D) Asset Accounting E) Taxes & Withholding F) CO & CO-PA G) Month-End Close

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A) Posting Errors Frequent

Error Message	Root Cause	Fix / Action	Tcode / Path
Posting date not in permitted range	Period closed for the account type	Open period for +/A/D/K/S/M as needed; set FY and auth group	OB52
Account XXXX not defined in chart of accounts	G/L missing in operating COA or not extended	Create G/L in COA; extend to company code; set account group/field status	FS00 / OB13 / OB62
Posting to a reconciliation account only possible via subledger	Direct posting attempted to recon account	Post via customer/vendor/asset module; or (rarely) remove recon status	FS00 (Control Data)
Balance in transaction currency	Exchange rate differences; mixed currencies	Maintain FX rate; post realized diffs; use residuals if needed	OB08 / FB05 / F-03
Field status variant & posting key conflict	Required field missing / hidden	Align field status (G/L <→> doc type/posting key); adjust variant	OBC4 / OBA7
Customer/Vendor account not created for company code	Master not extended to the company code	Extend master with company code data (recon account, terms, payment)	XD01/XD02 / XK01/XK02

Tip: If a posting fails after copy, check document type, posting keys, and tolerances (OBA0).

B) Document Splitting Errors Segments/PC

Error Message	Root Cause	Fix / Action	Tcode / Path
Balancing field “Segment/Profit Center” not filled	Missing derivation; doc split not configured for item categories	Maintain class/category assignment; add inheritance rules; ensure master data defaulting	IMG → FI New G/L → Doc Splitting
Zero-balance not fulfilled for document	Split characteristic not carried to all lines	Activate zero-balance for that characteristic; fix account assignments/posting logic	IMG → Doc Splitting → Define Method
Inconsistent assignment of profit center	Different PCs on balanced items	Use substitution/derivation; align cost object → PC mapping	OKC9 / GGB1

Ensure cost objects (cost center, internal order, material) carry the right profit center to avoid manual overrides.

C) Reconciliation & GR/IR Clean-up

Issue	Root Cause	Fix / Action	Tcode / Path
GR/IR not clearing	Mismatch in quantity/price; missing GR or IR	Post missing event; clear differences; analyze open items	MB5S / F.13 / MR11
AR/AP subledger ≠ G/L	Manual G/L postings; wrong recon account	Block direct postings; reclassify to recon account; run reconciliation	FS00 / FBL5N / FBL1N / FAGLB03
Foreign currency valuation gaps	Rates missing/incorrect; valuation not run	Maintain rates; run valuation & post diffs	OB08 / FAGL_FC_VAL
Intercompany not matched	Timing/currency/IC mapping issues	Use IC reconciliation; align partner codes/le	FBICR3 / Group Reporting

Standardize reconciliation accounts and prevent direct postings to keep subledgers aligned with G/L.

D) Asset Accounting (AA)

Error Message/Issue	Root Cause	Fix / Action	Tcode / Path
Area not posted / missing depreciation area	Area not defined/assigned to company code	Create/assign areas; set posting parameters (real-time)	OADB / OAYZ
Depreciation not posted	Run not executed / errors in assets	Post depreciation; analyze log; fix master/periods	AFAB / FAA_DEPRECIATION_POST
Asset not capitalized / takeover values blocked	Wrong asset class/status or period closed	Check class, status, OB52; post capitalization/legacy values	AS01/02 / ABZON / OB52

In S/4HANA, New AA posts to the Universal Journal—ensure ledger/currency settings are correct.

E) Taxes & Withholding

Error Message	Root Cause	Fix / Action	Tcode / Path
Tax code XXXX not defined for jurisdiction/country	Missing tax code or wrong procedure	Maintain tax procedure and codes; assign to country	OBYZ / FTXP
Withholding tax not calculated	WHT not activated in vendor/company code	Enable WHT types/codes; update vendor master	OBBW / OBBG / XK02
Reverse charge/GST errors	Incorrect condition records / account keys	Review tax determination & account keys; update A/R & A/P	OB40 / VK11 (if SD)

Always test tax scenarios (domestic, import, export, reverse charge) with sample invoices before go-live.

F) CO & CO-PA

Error Message/Issue	Root Cause	Fix / Action	Tcode / Path
Cost center/profit center missing	Master not created/assigned; validity dates	Create and assign to company code/controlling area; set validity	KS01/02 / KE51/52
Primary/secondary cost elements missing	No cost element category maintained	Create cost element with proper category (S/4HANA: G/L as cost element)	FS00 (Ctrl Data) / KA01
CO-PA characteristics not derived	Derivation rule gaps	Maintain derivation rules; check account-based CO-PA settings	KEDE / KEA0
Allocation cycle fails	Sender/receiver/SKF misconfigured	Fix cycle segments, periods, and SKF values	KSU1/KSV1 / KS03

For profit center issues, validate defaults on materials, cost centers, and customer master to ensure downstream postings carry PCs.

G) Month-End Close (Fast Fixes)

Accruals & Provisions: Set recurring entries and templates to reduce manual mistakes.
FX Valuation: Run valuation and post differences before AR/AP reconciliation.
Depreciation: Post AA before financial statement run to avoid mismatches.
Allocations: Sequence: SKF update → Distribution → Assessment → Settlements.
OB52 Windows: Narrow open periods; use auth groups to control late postings.