How To Fix 1E321 - The account has been used in hierarchies - please check

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 1E - BCA: Account

• Message number: 321

• Message text: The account has been used in hierarchies - please check

What causes this issue?

In the past, the account was used in hierarchies.
Before you can close an account you must first remove it from all
account hierarchies.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Check if the account is to be used in an account hierarchy after the
udoing of the account closure and if this is the case, insert it in the
hierarchy again.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 1E321 - The account has been used in hierarchies - please check ?

  The SAP error message 1E321 ("The account has been used in hierarchies - please check") typically occurs when you attempt to delete or modify a G/L account that is currently being used in a hierarchy structure. This can happen in various modules, such as Financial Accounting (FI) or Controlling (CO), where accounts are organized into hierarchies for reporting and analysis purposes.
  Cause:
  
  Account Usage in Hierarchies: The G/L account you are trying to delete or modify is part of a hierarchy (e.g., a cost center hierarchy, profit center hierarchy, or a financial statement hierarchy).
  Dependencies: The account may have dependencies or relationships with other objects in the system, which prevents its modification or deletion.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Hierarchies:
  
  Check which hierarchies the account is part of. You can do this by navigating to the relevant hierarchy management transaction (e.g., KSH1 for cost center hierarchies, KSH2 for profit center hierarchies).
  Use transaction codes like OB58 (for financial statement versions) to see if the account is included in any financial reporting structures.
  
  
  
  Remove from Hierarchies:
  
  If the account is indeed part of a hierarchy, you will need to remove it from the hierarchy before you can delete or modify it. This can usually be done in the hierarchy maintenance transaction.
  For example, if it’s a cost center, you would go to the cost center hierarchy and remove the account from the relevant nodes.
  
  
  
  Check Dependencies:
  
  Ensure that there are no other dependencies or references to the account in other configurations or transactions. This may include checking for open transactions, postings, or other linked objects.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help files related to the specific module you are working with for additional guidance on managing hierarchies and accounts.
  
  
  
  Seek Help from SAP Support:
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting SAP Notes for any known issues or additional troubleshooting steps.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes for hierarchy management (e.g., KSH1, KSH2, OB58).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error message.
  User Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make changes to hierarchies and accounts.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and take appropriate action to resolve it.