How To Fix FH167 - Change to group account number in spite of balance

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FH - General ledger module messages

• Message number: 167

• Message text: Change to group account number in spite of balance

What causes this issue?

You have changed the group account number of the G/L account from &V1&
to &V2&.
The account has already been posted to; that is, data records in group
account number &V1& have already been updated in at least one of the
company codes that is assigned to the chart of accounts. The current
account balance is not zero.

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 your entry.
INCLUDE 'CUSTOMIZED_MESSAGE_INFO' OBJECT DOKU ID TX LANGUAGE EN

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FH167 - Change to group account number in spite of balance ?

  The SAP error message FH167 ("Change to group account number in spite of balance") typically occurs when there is an attempt to change the group account number of a financial account that still has a balance. This is a safeguard mechanism in SAP to prevent inconsistencies in financial reporting and account management.
  Cause:
  
  Existing Balance: The primary cause of this error is that the account in question has a balance. SAP restricts changes to certain account attributes, such as the group account number, if there are open items or balances associated with that account.
  Account Type: The type of account (e.g., customer, vendor, general ledger) may also influence whether changes can be made.
  Configuration Settings: Certain configuration settings in the SAP system may enforce stricter rules regarding changes to account numbers.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Clear the Balance: Before changing the group account number, ensure that the account has no open items or balances. This may involve:
  
  Posting necessary journal entries to clear the balance.
  Settling any outstanding invoices or payments.
  Transferring balances to another account if applicable.
  
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes: Utilize appropriate transaction codes to check for open items or balances. For example:
  
  FBL1N for vendor line items.
  FBL3N for G/L account line items.
  FBL5N for customer line items.
  
  
  
  Change Group Account Number: Once the account balance is cleared, you can proceed to change the group account number using the appropriate transaction (e.g., FS00 for G/L accounts).
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or consult with your SAP administrator for specific guidelines related to your organization's configuration and policies.
  
  
  Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make changes to account settings.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional insights or updates regarding this error message.
  Transaction Logs: Review transaction logs to understand the context in which the error occurred.
  Testing in Development: If possible, test the changes in a development or sandbox environment before applying them in production to avoid disruptions.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or a functional consultant who specializes in financial accounting within SAP.