Financial Accounting (FI) in SAP S/4HANA is structured to handle all financial transactions and provide the data required for external reporting. The core components of FI are General Ledger Accounting (FI-GL), which serves as the central ledger; Accounts Receivable Accounting (FI-AR), which manages all transactions with customers; and Asset Accounting (FI-AA), which oversees the management of a company's fixed assets. These modules are fundamental for creating balance sheets and profit and loss statements in accordance with legal requirements.

A. Cost Element Accounting: This is a core component of the Controlling (CO) module. Although in S/4HANA cost elements are now G/L accounts, their function remains for internal cost management and reporting.

B. Cost Center Accounting: This is a core component of the Controlling (CO) module, used for tracking costs within internal areas of responsibility (cost centers) for management decision-making.

1. SAP Help Portal

SAP S/4HANA

"Financial Accounting (FI)": This official documentation outlines the key components of the FI module. It explicitly lists "General Ledger Accounting (FI-GL)"

"Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable (FI-AP/AR)"

and "Asset Accounting (FI-AA)" as primary areas within Financial Accounting.

Source Reference: SAP Help Portal -> SAP S/4HANA -> Enterprise Business Applications -> Finance -> Accounting and Financial Close -> Financial Accounting (FI).

2. SAP Help Portal

SAP S/4HANA

"Overhead Cost Controlling (CO-OM)": This documentation details the components of Controlling. It states

"Overhead Cost Controlling includes the following components: Cost Element Accounting

Cost Center Accounting...". This clearly separates these functions from Financial Accounting.

Source Reference: SAP Help Portal -> SAP S/4HANA -> Enterprise Business Applications -> Finance -> Management Accounting -> Overhead Cost Controlling (CO-OM).

3. SAP Press (2022)

Financial Accounting with SAP S/4HANA: Business User Guide

Chapter 1

"Introduction to Financial Accounting with SAP S/4HANA": This guide confirms the structure

stating

"The main components of FI are the general ledger (G/L)

accounts payable (AP)

accounts receivable (AR)

and asset accounting (AA)." (Paraphrased for clarity

but reflects the content of the introductory chapter).