How To Fix BQ018 - Overall budget less than cumulative budget

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BQ - Messages for Budgeting and Planning

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Overall budget less than cumulative budget

What causes this issue?

The overall budget for one or more funds center(s)/commitment item(s)
is less than the cumulative budget.
The cumulative budget is the total of all the annual budgets.

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?

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message BQ018 - Overall budget less than cumulative budget ?

  The SAP error message BQ018 ("Overall budget less than cumulative budget") typically occurs in the context of budget management within SAP, particularly when working with budgetary control in modules like SAP Controlling (CO) or SAP Public Sector Management (PSM). This error indicates that the overall budget allocated for a particular cost center, internal order, or project is less than the cumulative expenditures that have already been recorded against that budget.
  Cause:
  
  Budget Exceeded: The most common cause is that the total expenses or commitments recorded against a budget exceed the overall budget amount that has been set.
  Incorrect Budget Settings: There may be an error in the budget settings, such as incorrect budget amounts or budget periods.
  Cumulative Amounts: The cumulative budget may include prior commitments or actuals that were not accounted for when the budget was initially set.
  Budget Release Issues: The budget may not have been properly released or may have been reduced after commitments were made.
  
  Solution:
  
  Review Budget Settings: Check the budget settings for the relevant cost center, internal order, or project. Ensure that the overall budget is sufficient to cover the cumulative expenditures.
  Adjust the Budget: If the budget is indeed insufficient, consider increasing the overall budget amount to accommodate the cumulative expenditures.
  Analyze Cumulative Expenditures: Review the cumulative expenditures to ensure that they are accurate. Look for any erroneous postings or commitments that may have inflated the cumulative amount.
  Budget Release: Ensure that the budget has been properly released and is active for the period in question.
  Consult with Finance Team: If you are unsure about how to proceed, consult with your finance or controlling team to understand the implications of changing budget amounts and to ensure compliance with financial policies.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like S_ALR_87013558 (Budget Overview) or S_ALR_87013559 (Budget/Actual/Commitment) to analyze budget data.
  Budget Control Settings: Review the configuration settings for budget control in the SAP system, which can be found in the SPRO transaction under the relevant controlling or public sector management settings.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help files for detailed information on budget management and error handling.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the BQ018 error and ensure that your budget management processes are functioning correctly.