Asset Values
Application component: Basic Functions
App type: SAP GUI
Scope items: Asset Accounting
Description:  The Asset Explorer shows planned as well as already posted asset balance sheet values and depreciation of a fixed asset in various formats and levels of summarization. The Asset Explorer is used for displaying and analyzing fixed asset values.
Key features: The Asset Explorer consists of the following parts: The header, in which you enter the company code and asset number An overview tree, with which you can navigate between different depreciation areas The system displays the depreciation areas grouped according to the accounting principle they are assigned to. An overview tree that displays objects related to the asset The tab, on which you analyze plan values, posted values and different parameters, and compare fiscal years or depreciation areasNote The Asset Explorer uses ALV grid control for its table display. You can use it to specify the contents of the columns, for example.  Title Bar Choose the  pushbutton to have the system completely import the data for the asset again. Choose the Display Master Data pushbutton to go to the display transaction for asset master data. To simulate changes in parameters (such as depreciation terms) and in asset transactions, choose the  or Switch Off Simulation pushbutton. Header Along with the company code and main asset number, you can also enter the asset subnumber here. If you enter an asterisk (*) in the subnumber field, the Asset Explorer shows all transactions and depreciation of all subnumbers of the asset main number. Using the arrows Previous Fiscal Year and Following Fiscal Year, you can navigate between different fiscal years. Overview Tree for Depreciation Areas In the overview tree itself, you navigate among the depreciation areas by selecting the depreciation area you want to view. Symbols indicate the type of depreciation area. The symbol indicates if the area is the leading depreciation area, a real depreciation area, or a derived depreciation area. Overview Tree for Related Objects The system automatically searches for objects (including account assignment objects) related to the asset, such as cost center, equipment, G/L account, WBS element, and displays them in an overview tree. You can go directly from here to the display transaction for the master data of the given object. There are additional options if the asset was created or posted from a purchase order. In that case, you can double click on the Purchase Orders folder to go to a report that displays all Materials Management documents that are linked to the asset. When you enter an asterisk (*) for the subnumber in the Asset Explorer, the display of related objects is deactivated. On the Planned Values, Posted Values, and Comparisons tabs, the system shows the total of all subnumbers for all fields. On the Parameters tab page, the individual parameters are displayed only if they are the same for the main number and all subnumbers. If they are not all the same (for example, the main asset and subnumbers have different useful lives), then the field is shown with an asterisk (*). The Transactions screen shows all transactions for all the subnumbers. The display of planned/posted depreciation per period shows the total of all subnumbers for each period. When you jump to other Asset Accounting reports, these are started without being limited to a subnumber. The report then displays all subnumbers. When you enter an asterisk (*) for the subnumber, the display of related objects is deactivated. Limitations when you enter an asterisk (*) for the subnumber: Display of the depreciation trace (RATRACE0N): The trace relates to a specific asset and it is not possible to total it. The report is started for the asset that has the lowest subnumber. Display of the asset master record (AS03): It is started for the first existing asset.  Tabs Planned Values Value Display On the Planned Values tab, the system displays all transactions affecting acquisition and production costs, all depreciation calculated for the asset (including proportional value adjustments), the net book value, and any interest calculated. The values at the start of the year are shown compared to the values at the end of the fiscal year. The differences between the two are also displayed. For each type of depreciation, it shows the accumulated depreciation of closed fiscal years (value at start of the fiscal year) and the planned depreciation for the current year. Reductions to APC (investment support, transferred reserves) and revaluation are shown separately from the acquisition and production costs. Choose  to trigger a recalculation of planned depreciation for the displayed asset. Display of Depreciation Calculation Select a value and choose  to view the depreciation calculation. In many instances it is not immediately clear how individual depreciation values were calculated, due to complex depreciation terms and asset transactions. Therefore, the system enables you to clearly see the origin of asset values by identifying the various levels of the calculations and depreciation terms involved. Here you can see step-by-step, detailed information for the depreciation values calculated. This applies for each depreciation area, each depreciation type, and each asset transaction. The system displays the asset balance at the start of the fiscal year, as well as the depreciation planned on this balance. In addition, all changes to APC values in the current year, with the corresponding adjustments to planned annual depreciation, are listed. To display a hierarchical structure (depreciation trace) that shows all routines that were called during the calculation of depreciation, choose the Routines pushbutton. You can expand the tree structure to see the most important parameters. Note The Display depreciation calculation function automatically carries out a recalculation of depreciation and displays the individual steps. Due to write accesses to the database, this function requires considerably more time than the Recalculate depreciation function, especially for assets with a large number of line items (for example, assets under construction). Instead you can choose to perform the depreciation trace, with its listing of internal processing steps, at a later point in time. Use report RATRACE0. Each user can load the most recent depreciation trace from the database. Note By double-clicking on the routines, you can display the program code in the editor. This is useful in order to set breakpoints before you use the debugger. This function should be used only by experienced users. Analyzing the depreciation trace can be helpful for finding errors. For example, if unexpected depreciation amounts appear, or no depreciation at all, the cause can often be found in the number of periods taken into account or in the base value. The depreciation trace can also often pinpoint the reasons for reduced values (for example, when a value is below the cutoff value, or when the net book value in a derived depreciation area has the wrong positive/negative sign). Determine Net Book Value for ... To determine the net book value of the asset in a given depreciation area for a given date, choose the Calculate net book value for ... pushbutton. Break Down Asset Group If the asset is a group asset, the Break Down Asset Group pushbutton is displayed. When you choose this pushbutton, the Asset Balances for Group Assets report is started. This report lists all assets that are assigned to the group asset. Document Display Select a transaction line and choose the Display FI document  pushbutton in order to see the associated document in Financial Accounting. To see the Asset Accounting document header for a transaction, select a line item and choose . To display generic objects for the asset, choose the Display Originals pushbutton. Posted Values On the Posted values tab page, you display the values that have already been posted in Financial Accounting in the current year, rather than planned depreciation. The Planned/posted depreciation table shows a breakdown of depreciation by period. The status indicates whether the depreciation is still planned only, or if it has actually been posted. Display of Periodic Depreciation To display the depreciation log for a specific period, select a period with posted depreciation; then from the Display Documents menu, choose Display Depreciation Log. To display the list of FI documents with the posted depreciation for a specific period, double-click a period with posted depreciation. Alternatively, you can select a period with posted depreciation and choose Display Document Table from the Display Documents menu. In the subscreen, you can switch between the parallel currencies by choosing the Display Currency pushbutton. To display the FI document with the posted depreciation, select a line with the document for the specified posted depreciation; then from the Display Documents menu, choose Display FI Document. Comparisons You can display the development of values in a depreciation area over a number of years in the form of a table. In addition, you can display the development of values in several depreciation in parallel. Use the number pushbuttons to select additional depreciation areas. Choose a number pushbutton a second time to remove that depreciation area from the table.  Parameters The Parameters tab contains information such as the depreciation key, useful life and index specifications used. Further Functions Simulation Two types of simulation are possible in Asset Accounting: Simulation with changed depreciation terms Simulation of transactions  To enter simulation mode, choose the Switch on simulation pushbutton. a) Simulation of transactions After you switch on the simulation, the Simulation pushbutton appears on the Planned Values tab with the transactions (but only if the asset is not a group asset). When you choose this pushbutton, a screen appears, in which you can enter an asset transaction. After you enter data in this screen and return to the Asset Explorer, this transaction is displayed on the Planned Values tab page, both in the table and in the transaction list. Transactions simulated in this way are shown in a different color. In addition, this transaction is added to the individual planned periodic depreciation on the Posted Values tab page, and this depreciation is recalculated. On the Planned Values tab, the Calculate net book value for ... and Recalculate Depreciation pushbuttons no longer appear. b) Simulation using changed depreciation terms Switching on the simulation makes fields for the simulation of depreciation terms available for input on the Parameters tab. When you change one of the fields, the system recalculates the depreciation. The system now displays the simulated values on the tabs in the Asset Explorer. The system also updates the individual planned depreciation (for periods not yet posted in this fiscal year) on the Posted Values tab. c) Canceling the simulation When you choose Exit Simulation, the data tables of the Asset Explorer are refreshed. This ensures that all necessary information is read from the database again. This is equivalent to a new call of the Asset Explorer function. d) Limitations Simulation is not possible if the asset is a group asset or is assigned to a group asset. Simulation is not possible when you enter an asterisk (*) for the asset subnumber. It is not possible to enter retirements or transfers on simulated acquisitions.  Calling Additional Asset Reports You can choose the Call Asset Reports pushbutton to access additional asset reports (for example, asset balances, asset history sheet). To maintain your own specific calls of other reports, choose Goto  Maintain Reports. Currency Translation You can have the system translate currency amounts (pushbutton Translate currency amounts). If you call reports in Asset Accounting after using this function, the reports are displayed in the currency you selected, as are the values in the Asset Explorer.
Business roles: Asset Accountant
Asset Accountant : 
Capitalizes costs of assets during purchasing and production processes, defines depreciation parameters, and records depreciation. Ensures correctness, completeness, and documentation of the balance sheet for fixed assets.