How To Fix AH385 - Installation &1: contract &2 must be billed first

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: AH - IS-U billing (master data)

• Message number: 385

• Message text: Installation &1: contract &2 must be billed first

What causes this issue?

You have attempted to bill contract &v3& for installation &v1&. This is
not possible because contract &v2& was already allocated to the
installation, and final billing has not been executed yet for this
contract.

System Response

How to fix this error?

First execute final billing for contract &v2&. Then you can bill
contract &v3&.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message AH385 - Installation &1: contract &2 must be billed first ?

  The SAP error message AH385 indicates that there is a billing issue related to a contract in the system. Specifically, it means that a certain contract must be billed before the installation can proceed. This error typically arises in the context of SAP's Contract Accounts Receivable and Payable (FI-CA) or in the context of billing processes in SAP IS-U (Industry Solution for Utilities).
  Cause:
  
  Billing Sequence: The error occurs when there is a defined billing sequence that requires a specific contract to be billed before the installation can be processed. This is often due to dependencies between contracts and installations.
  Contract Status: The contract in question may not be in a status that allows it to be billed (e.g., it may be inactive or not fully set up).
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in the system that dictate the billing order, which could be causing this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Contract Status: Verify the status of the contract mentioned in the error message. Ensure that it is active and ready for billing.
  Billing Order: Review the billing order and dependencies between contracts and installations. Make sure that the required contract is billed first as per the system's requirements.
  Billing Document: If the required contract has already been billed, check if the billing document is posted correctly and if there are any issues with it.
  Configuration Review: If the issue persists, review the configuration settings related to billing in your SAP system. This may involve checking the billing types, contract settings, and any dependencies that have been set up.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or notes related to this error message for any specific guidance or updates that may apply to your version of SAP.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like FBL1N (Vendor Line Item Display) or FBL5N (Customer Line Item Display) to check the status of contracts and billing documents.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert who can provide more tailored assistance based on your system configuration and business processes.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.