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Automatic Accruals Management in SAP® S/4HANA
02 June 2025
Automating Accruals in SAP® S/4HANA – Efficient Month-End Closing With Accruals Management
In many finance departments, it’s the same recurring challenge every month: at the end of the period, accruals for unbilled ser…
Bridge the gap between operations and accounting for business transformation!
30 July 2019
Bridge the gap between operations and accounting for business transformation! Or How to foster seamless business and financial steering with value flows.
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The situation
Experience of past and current bus…

![<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>Automating Accruals in SAP® S/4HANA – Efficient Month-End Closing With Accruals Management</strong></p>
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">In many finance departments, it’s the same recurring challenge every month: at the end of the period, accruals for unbilled services need to be recorded – often under time pressure, using Excel lists, email reconciliations, and manual system postings. This not only consumes valuable resources but also poses risks to data quality and compliance.</p>
<p class="mb-2 mt-4 font-display font-semimedium text-base first:mt-0"><strong>What Are Accruals – and Why Do They Matter?</strong></p>
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Accruals represent expenses for services already rendered but not yet invoiced – for instance, from service providers, maintenance contracts, or third‑party transactions. Without proper accruals, profits are reported inaccurately, directly impacting reporting, forecasting, and audits.</p>
<p class="mb-2 mt-4 font-display font-semimedium text-base first:mt-0"><strong>SAP® Accruals Management – The Integrated Accruals Process</strong></p>
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">SAP® S/4HANA provides a powerful solution that automates and standardizes the accrual process. It connects purchase orders, goods receipts, invoices, and manual entries in one central system. Instead of isolated FI postings or external Excel tracking, you now benefit from:</p>
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<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Automated proposals for accrual amounts</p>
</li>
<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Approval workflows for procurement, controlling, and accounting</p>
</li>
<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Direct postings into the Universal Journal</p>
</li>
<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Transparent visualization and traceability of all entries</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="mb-2 mt-4 font-display font-semimedium text-base first:mt-0"><strong>Practical Example: Purchase Order Accruals (POAC)</strong></p>
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Imagine this: a service contract runs monthly, the service has been delivered, but the invoice is still missing. SAP® S/4HANA automatically determines the difference between the planned cost (e.g., from the purchase order schedule) and the invoices already posted. Only this difference is accrued – audit‑proof, traceable, and fully automated.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Depending on the scenario, different methods apply:</p>
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<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>Without goods receipt:</strong> Distribution based on schedule or fixed amount.</p>
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<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>With goods receipt:</strong> Accrual based on delivered but not yet invoiced quantities.</p>
</li>
<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>For services:</strong> Calculation via Service Entry Sheets.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="mb-2 mt-4 font-display font-semimedium text-base first:mt-0"><strong>Efficient Workflow – Step by Step</strong></p>
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<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>Proposal:</strong> Automatic accrual proposal per purchase order and period</p>
</li>
<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>Review:</strong> Buyers and controllers review and adjust where needed</p>
</li>
<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>Approval:</strong> Accountants approve the accrual within the workflow</p>
</li>
<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>Posting:</strong> Journal entry directly into the general ledger</p>
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</ol>
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Each step is transparent, reproducible, and system‑guided – including powerful visualization, filtering, and analytical features.</p>
<p class="mb-2 mt-4 font-display font-semimedium text-base first:mt-0"><strong>Your Benefits</strong></p>
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<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Accelerated month‑end closing</p>
</li>
<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Less manual work, fewer errors</p>
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<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Central control – ideal for shared‑service or group environments</p>
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<li class="py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&>p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0">
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Standardized and audit‑compliant across the enterprise</p>
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</ul>
<p class="mb-2 mt-4 font-display font-semimedium text-base first:mt-0"><strong>Interested in Learning More?</strong></p>
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">In our training course <em>“Automated Accruals Management in SAP® S/4HANA”</em>, you’ll gain hands‑on insights into setting up efficient accrual processes, tailoring them to your industry, and managing them securely within the system. The session includes live demos, real‑world use cases, and best practices from procurement and finance.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&+p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Request your session or book directly today – we’re looking forward to meeting you!</p>
<p class="sidebar-card" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Would you like to learn more?</strong> Our training sessions provide practical insights and personalized support. (<a href="index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=415&catid=31&lang=en-GB">learn more)</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Telefon: +49 6131 327019-0</span></span><br /><span id="cloak68141dcd64f0f6223f660eb782bdd4f3" style="font-size: 14pt;"><joomla-hidden-mail is-link="1" is-email="0" first="aW5mbw==" last="c3ItY3AuZGU=" text="ZU1haWw6IA==" base="" >This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.</joomla-hidden-mail><joomla-hidden-mail is-link="1" is-email="1" first="aW5mbw==" last="c3ItY3AuZGU=" text="aW5mb0Bzci1jcC5kZQ==" base="" >This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.</joomla-hidden-mail></span></p>](/media/yootheme/cache/5e/iStock-848793110_M-5e6ea705.jpg?src=images/iStock-848793110_M.jpg&thumbnail=610,407,&hash=dbf68a9a)
