SAP Asset Accounting FAQs – Master Data

1.    Describe the function of depreciation areas.

Depreciation area 01, which can be set up as the book depreciation, can make automatic postings to the general ledger.  Other depreciation areas may get their values from depreciation area 01 but calculate and post different depreciation values to the general ledger.  Other depreciation areas can be set up to show: country specific valuation (i.e., tax depreciation); values/depreciations that differ from depreciation area 01 (i.e., cost-accounting reasons); consolidated versions in local/group currency, book depreciation in group currency; and the difference between book, 01, and country-specific tax depreciation (‘derived depreciation area’).

2.    What information (sections) are included in the asset class?

An asset class consists of three main sections:

•    A header, containing control parameters for master data maintenance and account determination,
•    A master data section with default values for administrative data in the asset master record,
•    A valuation section with control parameters for valuation and depreciation terms.

3.    Describe the function of an asset class.

The most important function of an asset class is to establish the connection between the asset master records and the relevant accounts in the general ledger.  The account determination in the asset class determines the posting top the general ledger accounts.  Several asset classes can use the same account determination assuming the asset classes use the same chart of accounts and post to the same general ledger accounts.

4.    If the company code is in implementation status and assets exist in an asset class with no transactions, you can delete and add new asset classes.

[True] or False

When the company code is in implementation status:

•    No assets have been created in an existing asset class; this class is deleted and generated again
•    There are assets in an existing asset class (but no transactions)
-    Delete all asset classes and their assets and generate them again or
-    Only add new asset classes.
•    Transactions exist for the assets: you can only add new asset classes

If the company code is in production status: the system creates only asset classes that were not yet created.  Exiting classes remain unchanged.

6.    Define maintenance level.   What are the possible maintenance levels?

Maintenance level defines the level (asset class, main asset number, sub-number) at which a field in an asset master record is to be maintained.  Maintenance level definition is part of the screen layout rule.

If, for example, you define the maintenance level ‘main asset number’ for a field, then the field will be filled with a default value from the asset class. However you will be able to change the field when maintaining master data at the asset main number level.

The three maintenance levels are:

•    Asset class
•    Asset main number
•    Asset sub-number

7.    What significance is depreciation key ‘0000’?

Depreciation key ‘0000’ is a SAP delivered key that ensures depreciation and interest is not calculated and posted.  This key can be used for the assets under construction, however, special tax depreciation and investment support are possible even on assets under construction.

8.    What are the options for creating and asset master record?

The two options for creating an asset master record are:

•    Use the asset class, to which the asset will belong, to provide default values.  The asset class then supplies the most important control parameters in the asset master record.
•    Use an existing asset as a reference for creating the new asset master record (possibly the reference asset has default values that are more suitable than those in the asset class).

9.    Why might assets be divided up using sub-numbers?

A complex fixed asset can be represented in the system using several master records, that is, sub-numbers.  Assets may be divided using sub-numbers if:

•    Managing the values for subsequent acquisitions in following years (i.e., buildings) separately
•    Managing the values for individual parts of assets separately,
•    Dividing the asset according to various technical aspects.

10.    Define work lists.

Work lists are used for mass retirements, mass changes and work on incomplete assets.  There are three steps in using work lists:

•    Select the objects (assets) to be changed
•    Assign the task to be performed on the objects
•    Release the work list and process the Workflow