SAP FICO
COMPLETE GUIDE
Firoz Fayaz
Accounting & Finance Professional | SAP FICO Specialist
A comprehensive reference covering SAP FICO modules — FI (Financial Accounting) and CO (Controlling) —
with key concepts, transactions, configuration steps, and interview tips.
◆ INDEX
01 Introduction to SAP FICO
02 SAP FI — Financial Accounting
03 General Ledger (GL) Accounting
04 Accounts Payable (AP)
05 Accounts Receivable (AR)
06 Asset Accounting (AA)
07 SAP CO — Controlling
08 Cost Center & Profit Center Accounting
09 Internal Orders & Profitability Analysis
10 Key Transaction Codes
11 Integration & Month-End Closing
12 SAP FICO Interview Q&A;
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 01 Introduction to SAP FICO
SAP FICO is one of the most widely used modules in SAP ERP. It stands for Financial Accounting (FI) and
Controlling (CO). Together, these modules handle all financial transactions, reporting, and internal cost
management for an organization.
SAP FICO is used by thousands of companies globally — from small enterprises to Fortune 500 corporations
— to meet legal reporting requirements, manage budgets, and make strategic financial decisions.
What is SAP FI?
• Handles external financial reporting and accounting.
• Records all business transactions in the General Ledger.
• Manages Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Asset Accounting.
• Produces statutory financial statements: Balance Sheet, P&L;, Trial Balance.
What is SAP CO?
• Handles internal cost reporting and management accounting.
• Covers Cost Centers, Profit Centers, Internal Orders, and Profitability Analysis.
• Supports budgeting, planning, and variance analysis.
• Data flows from FI to CO automatically through primary cost postings.
Key Terminology
SAP ERP Enterprise Resource Planning system by SAP SE.
Client Highest organizational level; all data is client-specific.
Company Code Legal entity for which financial statements are prepared.
Chart of Accounts (COA) List of all G/L accounts used by a company code.
Fiscal Year Variant Defines the financial year structure (periods, year-end).
Posting Period Open accounting period in which transactions are posted.
Controlling Area Organizational unit for CO; linked to one or more company codes.
Business Area Optional unit for cross-company reporting.
Currency Company code, controlling area, and group currencies can all differ.
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 3
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 02 SAP FI — Financial Accounting
SAP FI is the foundation of financial reporting in SAP. It captures every financial event and translates it into
accounting entries that feed directly into statutory reports.
Organizational Structure in SAP FI
Element Description
Client Highest level — all company codes belong to one client.
Company Code Independent legal accounting entity (e.g., a subsidiary).
Business Area Optional cross-company-code reporting unit.
Chart of Accounts Defines the G/L account structure for one or more company codes.
Credit Control Area Manages credit limits for customers.
Fiscal Year Variant Controls posting periods (e.g., April to March, or Jan to Dec).
SAP FI Sub-Modules
Sub-Module Description
FI-GL General Ledger Accounting — core ledger for all postings.
FI-AP Accounts Payable — vendor invoices, payments, ageing.
FI-AR Accounts Receivable — customer invoices, collections, ageing.
FI-AA Asset Accounting — capitalisation, depreciation, disposal.
FI-BL Bank Ledger / Cash Management — bank accounts, liquidity.
FI-TV Travel Management — employee expense and travel claims.
Document Structure in SAP FI
• Every posting in SAP creates a Financial Document with a unique Document Number.
• Document Header: Company code, posting date, document date, document type, currency.
• Line Items: G/L account, debit/credit indicator, amount, cost center, tax code.
• Document types control the number range and account types allowed (e.g., SA = G/L, KR = Vendor Invoice).
• Posting Keys determine debit/credit and account type (01 = Customer Debit, 31 = Vendor Credit, 40 = G/L
Debit, 50 = G/L Credit).
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 4
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 03 General Ledger (GL) Accounting
The General Ledger is the central repository of all financial data in SAP. Every business transaction —
whether from MM, SD, HR, or manual entry — is recorded in the G/L.
G/L Account Types
Account Type Description
Balance Sheet Account Assets, Liabilities, Equity — carry forward at year-end.
P&L; Account Revenue and Expense — cleared to retained earnings at year-end.
Reconciliation Account Links sub-ledger (AP/AR/AA) to G/L automatically.
Statistical Account Used for information purposes only — no real postings.
Key G/L Configuration Steps
• Define Chart of Accounts (COA) — T-code: OB13
• Assign COA to Company Code — T-code: OB62
• Create G/L Master Records — T-code: FS00
• Define Fiscal Year Variant — T-code: OB29
• Assign Fiscal Year Variant to Company Code — T-code: OB37
• Define Posting Period Variant — T-code: OBBO
• Open and Close Posting Periods — T-code: OB52
• Define Field Status Groups — T-code: OBC4
• Define Document Types and Number Ranges — T-code: OBA7 / FBN1
Important G/L Transaction Codes
T-Code Description
FB50 Post G/L Document (Enjoy Transaction)
FB03 Display Document
FB08 Reverse Document
FS10N G/L Account Balance
FBL3N G/L Line Item Report
F-02 Enter G/L Account Posting
S_ALR_87012284 Financial Statements Report
FAGLB03 Display G/L Balances (New G/L)
New G/L (New General Ledger)
• Introduced in SAP ECC 5.0 — replaces classic G/L.
• Supports parallel ledgers (e.g., local GAAP + IFRS simultaneously).
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 5
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
• Real-time document splitting by Profit Center / Segment.
• Activated via: FAGL_ACTIVATE.
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 6
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 04 Accounts Payable (AP)
SAP FI-AP manages the full procure-to-pay cycle: vendor master creation, invoice processing, payment runs,
and reconciliation with the G/L.
AP Process Flow
1. Vendor Master Creation Central master record for each vendor. T-code: XK01 (central) / MK01
(purchasing only) / FK01 (accounting only).
2. Purchase Order (MM) PO raised in SAP MM (ME21N). AP integration begins here.
3. Goods Receipt (MM) Goods received against PO — creates a GR/IR liability.
4. Invoice Verification 3-way match: PO vs GR vs Invoice — T-code: MIRO (with reference) or
FB60 (direct).
5. Invoice Parking / Holding FB65 = Park invoice (editable). F-43 = Hold invoice (not posted).
6. Payment Run (F110) Automatic Payment Program — selects due items, creates payment docs,
posts to bank.
7. Manual Payment F-53 = Manual outgoing payment. F-58 = Payment with cheque printing.
8. Vendor Reconciliation Vendor sub-ledger reconciles automatically to Recon G/L account.
Key AP Transaction Codes
T-Code Description
XK01 / XK02 / XK03 Create / Change / Display Vendor (Central)
FK01 / FK02 / FK03 Create / Change / Display Vendor (Accounting)
FB60 Enter Vendor Invoice (Enjoy)
FB65 Enter Vendor Credit Memo
MIRO Logistics Invoice Verification
F110 Automatic Payment Program
F-53 Manual Outgoing Payment
FBL1N Vendor Line Item Display
FK10N Vendor Balance Display
F-44 Clear Vendor Open Items
Payment Terms & Discount
• Defined in T-code: OBB8 (Payment Terms configuration).
• Example: Net 30 / 2% 10 Net 30 (2% discount if paid within 10 days).
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 7
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
• Assigned to vendor master and defaulted to each invoice.
• Cash discounts post to discount G/L account automatically during F110.
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 8
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 05 Accounts Receivable (AR)
SAP FI-AR manages the order-to-cash cycle: customer master, sales invoices, incoming payments, dunning,
and credit management.
AR Process Flow
1. Customer Master T-code: XD01 (central) / FD01 (accounting only). Defines reconciliation
Creation account, payment terms, dunning procedure.
2. Sales Order (SD) Order created in SAP SD. AR integration begins at billing.
3. Billing / Invoice SD billing (VF01) posts automatically to FI-AR via revenue account
determination.
4. Manual Customer Invoice FB70 = Customer invoice (Enjoy). F-22 = Manual posting.
5. Incoming Payment F-28 = Post incoming payment. F-26 = Post payment with reference. FF68
= Manual bank statement.
6. Automatic Clearing F.13 = Automatic clearing of open items that match.
7. Dunning F150 = Dunning run. Sends payment reminders at configured intervals.
8. Credit Management FD32 = Set credit limit. FD33 = Display credit account.
Key AR Transaction Codes
T-Code Description
XD01 / XD02 / XD03 Create / Change / Display Customer (Central)
FD01 / FD02 / FD03 Create / Change / Display Customer (Accounting)
FB70 Enter Customer Invoice (Enjoy)
FB75 Enter Customer Credit Memo
F-28 Post Incoming Payment
F150 Dunning Run
FBL5N Customer Line Item Display
FD10N Customer Balance Display
F-32 Clear Customer Open Items
FD32 Set / Display Credit Limit
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 9
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 06 Asset Accounting (FI-AA)
SAP FI-AA manages the complete lifecycle of fixed assets — from capitalisation and depreciation to retirement
and disposal.
Asset Lifecycle
Asset Master Creation AS01 — Define asset class, depreciation key, useful life, cost center.
Asset Acquisition F-90 / MIGO (from PO) — Posts debit to asset, credit to vendor or clearing.
Asset Under Construction Assets not yet ready — settled to final asset via order settlement.
(AUC)
Depreciation Run AFAB — Periodic depreciation posting (monthly/annually). Creates FI
documents.
Asset Transfer ABUMN — Transfers asset within company code.
Asset Retirement ABAON (with revenue) / ABAVN (without revenue) — Removes asset from
books.
Year-End Close AJAB — Fiscal year change for Asset Accounting.
Depreciation Methods
Depreciation Method Description
Straight Line (SLM) Equal depreciation each period. Most common.
Declining Balance (DBM) Higher depreciation early, reduces over time.
Sum of Years Digits Accelerated depreciation method.
Unit of Production Based on actual output/usage rather than time.
Immediate Write-Off 100% depreciation in year of acquisition.
Key AA Transaction Codes
T-Code Description
AS01 / AS02 / AS03 Create / Change / Display Asset Master
AS91 Create Legacy Asset (data migration)
AFAB Run Depreciation
AW01N Asset Explorer (full depreciation simulation)
AB01 / ABUMN Asset Posting / Transfer
ABAON Asset Retirement with Revenue
S_ALR_87011964 Asset History Sheet
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 10
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
AJAB Year-End Closing (FI-AA)
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 11
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 07 SAP CO — Controlling
SAP Controlling (CO) is used for internal management reporting, budgeting, and cost analysis. Unlike FI
(external reporting), CO is for management decision-making.
CO Organizational Structure
Controlling Area Central organizational unit for CO. Controls cost centers, orders, profit
centers.
Company Code One controlling area can be assigned to multiple company codes.
Assignment
CO Version Used for plan vs actual comparisons. Version 0 = actual, Version 1+ = plan.
Operating Concern Highest CO unit — used for Profitability Analysis (CO-PA).
CO Sub-Modules
Sub-Module Description
CO-OM-CCA Cost Center Accounting — track costs by department/function.
CO-OM-OPA Internal Orders — track costs for specific projects or tasks.
CO-PC Product Costing — calculate the cost of manufactured goods.
CO-PA Profitability Analysis — analyse profitability by segment, product, region.
EC-PCA Profit Center Accounting — P&L; by business unit.
CO-OM-ACT Activity-Based Costing — allocate overhead based on activities.
FI vs CO Integration
• When a cost-relevant posting is made in FI, it automatically creates a CO document.
• Primary costs (e.g., salaries, utilities) flow from FI to CO-CCA via cost elements.
• Secondary costs (e.g., overhead allocations) exist only in CO.
• Cost Elements in CO correspond to G/L Accounts in FI.
• Reconciliation Ledger (KALC) ensures FI and CO remain balanced.
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 12
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 08 Cost Center & Profit Center Accounting
Cost Center Accounting (CO-CCA)
Cost Centers represent departments or functional areas responsible for incurring costs. They are the most
fundamental CO object.
• KS01 — Create Cost Center. KS02 — Change. KS03 — Display.
• Cost Center Groups (KSH1) — Logical grouping of cost centers for reporting.
• Statistical Key Figures (SKF) — Track quantities (headcount, sq. ft.) for allocation bases.
• Activity Types (KL01) — Internal services (e.g., machine hours, labour hours).
• Assessments (KSU5) — Allocate actual costs from sender to receiver cost centers.
• Distributions (KSV5) — Distribute primary costs to receivers based on a key.
• Plan vs Actual Reports — KSB1 (actual), KPF6 (planning), S_ALR_87013611 (variance).
Profit Center Accounting (EC-PCA)
Profit Centers represent business units for which management wants to see a full Profit & Loss statement.
• KE51 — Create Profit Center. KE52 — Change. KE53 — Display.
• Profit Center Groups (KEH1) — Hierarchical grouping for rollup reporting.
• Assigned to Cost Centers, Materials, Assets, and Orders.
• Balance Sheet items can also be reported by Profit Center in New G/L.
• Transfer Prices — Used for internal goods/service transfers between profit centers.
• Reports: S_ALR_87009712 (Profit Center P&L;), KE5T (Profit Center Balance).
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 13
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 09 Internal Orders & Profitability Analysis
Internal Orders (CO-OM-OPA)
Internal Orders are used to collect and monitor costs for a specific event, task, or project — e.g., a marketing
campaign or office renovation.
KO01 Create Internal Order
KO02 / KO03 Change / Display Internal Order
KO88 Settle Internal Order (period-end)
KOB1 Display Order Actual Line Items
OKEON Set Order Status (Release, Complete, TECO)
S_ALR_87012993 Internal Order Budget Report
Order Lifecycle & Settlement
• Orders move through statuses: Created → Released → Technically Complete (TECO) → Closed.
• Costs are collected during the order period.
• At period-end, costs are settled to receivers: Cost Centers, G/L Accounts, Assets, or CO-PA.
• Settlement Rules defined per order (KO01 → Extras → Settlement Rule).
Profitability Analysis (CO-PA)
CO-PA allows management to analyse profitability by customer, product, region, or sales channel. It is the most
advanced CO sub-module.
• Costing-Based CO-PA: Uses value fields. Faster, more flexible. Independent of FI.
• Account-Based CO-PA: Uses cost elements. Fully reconciled with FI. Preferred for IFRS.
• Operating Concern — the highest CO-PA object. T-code: KEA0.
• Characteristics — analysed dimensions (customer, product, region, sales org).
• Value Fields — revenue and cost fields for P&L; analysis.
• KE30 — Execute CO-PA Report. KE24 — Display CO-PA Line Items.
• Actual values flow from SD billing, FI postings, CO settlements, and overhead.
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 14
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 10 Key Transaction Codes — Quick Reference
General Ledger
FB50 Post G/L Document (Enjoy)
F-02 Enter G/L Posting
FB03 Display Document
FB08 Reverse Document
FBL3N G/L Line Item Report
FS10N G/L Account Balance
FS00 G/L Master Record Maintenance
OB52 Open/Close Posting Periods
Accounts Payable
FB60 / FB65 Vendor Invoice / Credit Memo (Enjoy)
F110 Automatic Payment Program
F-53 Manual Outgoing Payment
FBL1N Vendor Line Items
FK10N Vendor Balance
MIRO Logistics Invoice Verification
XK01 Create Vendor Master
F-44 Clear Vendor Items
Accounts Receivable
FB70 / FB75 Customer Invoice / Credit Memo (Enjoy)
F-28 Post Incoming Payment
F150 Dunning Run
FBL5N Customer Line Items
FD10N Customer Balance
XD01 Create Customer Master
FD32 Credit Limit Maintenance
F-32 Clear Customer Items
Asset Accounting
AS01 / AS91 Create Asset / Legacy Asset
AFAB Run Depreciation
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 15
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
AW01N Asset Explorer
ABAON Asset Retirement with Revenue
ABUMN Asset Transfer
AJAB Year-End Closing
S_ALR_87011964 Asset History Sheet
Controlling
KS01 / KSB1 Create Cost Center / Actual Line Items
KO01 / KO88 Create Internal Order / Settle
KP06 Enter Cost Center Plan
KE51 Create Profit Center
KE30 Execute CO-PA Report
KSV5 / KSU5 CO Distribution / Assessment
CKMVFM Material Ledger Closing
System & Config
SE16 / SE16N Table Browser / Display Table Contents
SM30 Table View Maintenance
SPRO SAP Project Reference Object (IMG)
SU01 User Master Maintenance
SM35 Batch Input Monitoring
AL11 SAP Directory
SM21 System Log
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 16
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 11 Integration & Month-End Closing
SAP FICO Integration with Other Modules
Module FICO Integration Point
SAP MM (Materials Mgmt) GR/IR postings, invoice verification (MIRO), vendor payments.
SAP SD (Sales & Distribution) Billing creates AR postings and revenue recognition in FI/CO-PA.
SAP HR/HCM (Payroll) Payroll results post to FI — salary expense to cost centers.
SAP PP (Production Planning) Production orders consume materials; costs flow to CO-PC.
SAP PS (Project Systems) Project costs collected in WBS elements, linked to CO orders.
SAP TRM (Treasury) Bank accounts, loans, hedging instruments integrate with FI-BL.
Month-End Closing Checklist
FI Steps:
• Post all vendor invoices and customer billing documents.
• Run Automatic Payment Program (F110) for vendor payments.
• Post bank statement and reconcile bank accounts.
• Post accruals and deferrals (FBS1 for recurring entries).
• Run asset depreciation (AFAB).
• Foreign currency revaluation (F.05) for open items in foreign currency.
• Run GR/IR clearing (F.13) for unmatched goods receipts / invoices.
• Open/close posting periods (OB52).
CO Steps:
• Run actual overhead assessment/distribution (KSV5 / KSU5).
• Settle Internal Orders to cost centers / assets / CO-PA (KO88).
• Run Product Costing variance calculation (KKS1).
• Settle production orders (CO88).
• Run CO-PA transfer of actual data.
• Reconcile FI and CO (KALC Reconciliation Ledger).
Reporting:
• Generate Trial Balance (S_ALR_87012284).
• Run Balance Sheet and P&L; reports.
• Distribute management reports by cost center / profit center.
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 17
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
◆ 12 SAP FICO Interview Questions & Answers
Q1. What is the difference between a Company and a Company Code in SAP?
A Company is the highest legal unit used for consolidation. A Company Code is an independent legal entity with
its own financial statements (Balance Sheet and P&L;). One Company can have multiple Company Codes.
Q2. What is a Chart of Accounts? How many types are there?
A Chart of Accounts (COA) is a list of all G/L accounts. There are three types: (1) Operative COA — used for
daily postings; (2) Country-Specific COA — for local legal requirements; (3) Group COA — used for
consolidation reporting.
Q3. What is a Reconciliation Account?
A Reconciliation Account is a G/L account that is automatically updated when postings are made to sub-ledger
accounts (Vendors, Customers, Assets). It ensures the G/L and sub-ledger are always in sync. Direct manual
posting to a reconciliation account is not allowed.
Q4. Explain the Account Determination in FI-AA.
Account Determination links asset classes to G/L accounts for acquisition, depreciation, and retirement. It is
configured via T-code AO90. Each asset class has an account determination key, which maps to specific G/L
accounts.
Q5. What is Document Splitting in New G/L?
Document Splitting ensures that every accounting document is split across all relevant dimensions (e.g., Profit
Center, Segment) so that each entity can produce a complete Balance Sheet. It is mandatory for IFRS segment
reporting.
Q6. What is the difference between Assessment and Distribution in CO?
Distribution reallocates primary costs from sender to receiver cost centers using the original cost element — so
receivers see the exact cost type. Assessment uses a secondary cost element (assessment cost element) and
combines all costs into one line, making it less transparent but simpler.
Q7. What is the Automatic Payment Program (APP / F110)?
F110 is SAP's Automatic Payment Program. It selects open vendor/customer items due for payment based on
payment terms, creates payment documents, generates a payment medium (cheque, wire, SEPA), and posts
the bank clearing entry. It runs in steps: Parameters → Proposal → Scheduling → Payment run.
Q8. What is GR/IR clearing account?
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 18
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
The GR/IR (Goods Receipt/Invoice Receipt) account is a clearing account used when there is a timing
difference between receiving goods and receiving the vendor invoice. When goods arrive, it is credited. When
the invoice arrives, it is debited. The F.13 transaction clears matched GR and IR postings.
Q9. What is the difference between Costing-Based and Account-Based CO-PA?
Costing-Based CO-PA uses value fields and can record revenues and costs at the time of billing — it is faster
and more flexible but not always reconciled with FI. Account-Based CO-PA uses cost elements (same as G/L
accounts), ensuring full reconciliation with FI — preferred for IFRS compliance.
Q10. What is a Special G/L Transaction? Give examples.
Special G/L transactions are exceptions to the normal AP/AR posting logic. They use a separate reconciliation
account. Examples: Down Payments (F-29 / F-47), Guarantees, Bills of Exchange, and Security Deposits. They
allow tracking of items separately from regular payables/receivables.
Q11. What is the difference between Parking and Holding a document?
A Held document (F-02 with Hold) is saved locally and is NOT assigned a document number. It cannot be seen
by others and does not update any balances. A Parked document (FBV0/FB50) is saved with a document
number, can be seen and edited by others, and can be posted later — useful for approval workflows.
Q12. What are the steps in the Period-End Closing process?
Period-end closing includes: (1) Post all open FI documents; (2) Run depreciation (AFAB); (3) Foreign currency
revaluation (F.05); (4) GR/IR clearing (F.13); (5) CO overhead assessment (KSV5); (6) Internal order settlement
(KO88); (7) Product cost variance (KKS1); (8) Reconcile FI/CO (KALC); (9) Close posting periods (OB52); (10)
Generate financial statements.
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 19
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz
SAP FICO
Complete Guide
Firoz Fayaz
Accounting & Finance Professional | SAP FICO Specialist
◆ SAP FI — Financial Accounting (GL, AP, AR, AA)
◆ SAP CO — Controlling (CCA, PCA, IO, CO-PA)
◆ 100+ Transaction Codes with Descriptions
◆ FI & CO Integration with MM, SD, HR, PP
◆ Month-End Closing Checklist
◆ 12 Interview Questions with Detailed Answers
SAP FICO — COMPLETE GUIDE Firoz Fayaz | Page 20