Patent ID: 7580916
Filing Date: 2009-08-25
Classification: G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A computer readable storage media having instructions embedded thereon that, when executed, cause a computer to provide a relational chart of accounts with an underlying data support scheme that allows for an undetermined number of dimensions to be utilized within the relational chart of accounts relative to a given account, wherein the relational chart of accounts includes a listing of accounts and dimensions that dictates which dimensions will be noted with transactions recorded within a general ledger, the relational chart of accounts and the general ledger being parts of the same accounting application, and wherein the underlying data support scheme includes a table of dimensions that is separate from the relational chart of accounts itself, the table of dimensions including a record of active dimensions in the relational chart of accounts, and wherein the instructions cause the computer to make at least one change to a collection of active dimensions without requiring a re-implementation of the chart of accounts, and wherein said at least one change to the collection of active dimensions includes eliminating an active dimension, the active dimension being eliminated by the computer by removing a corresponding row from the table of dimensions and then no longer noting the eliminated dimension in the relational chart of accounts or in subsequent transactions in the general ledger, and wherein said at least one change to the collection of active dimensions include adding an active dimension from a set of active dimensions, the active dimension being added by the computer by adding a corresponding row to the table of dimensions and then noting the active dimensions in the relational chart of accounts and in subsequent transactions in the general ledger, and wherein the instructions further cause the computer to process, based at least in part on the active dimension, data associated with historical transactions that preceded said eliminating the active dimension, and wherein eliminating an active dimension comprises eliminating without deleting a column from a database table, and wherein the general ledger contains a record of a financial transaction, the record including a data upon which the financial transaction occurred and an account to which the transaction is to be applied.