How To Fix FH214 - You cannot use the secondary costs account type without Controlling

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FH - General ledger module messages

• Message number: 214

• Message text: You cannot use the secondary costs account type without Controlling

What causes this issue?

You created an account with account type secondary costs. You can only
post to these accounts within Controlling. However, company code &V1&
has not been assigned to a controlling area.

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.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FH214 - You cannot use the secondary costs account type without Controlling ?

  The SAP error message FH214, "You cannot use the secondary costs account type without Controlling," typically occurs when there is an attempt to post to a secondary cost account in the Financial Accounting (FI) module without the necessary Controlling (CO) module being properly configured or activated.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Controlling Module: The primary reason for this error is that the Controlling module is not activated in the SAP system. Secondary cost accounts are used primarily in the context of internal cost allocations, which require the CO module.
  Account Configuration: The account being used may be incorrectly configured. Secondary cost accounts should be set up in a way that they are recognized by the Controlling module.
  Transaction Type: The transaction being executed may not be appropriate for secondary cost accounts, which are typically used for internal postings rather than external financial transactions.
  
  Solution:
  
  Activate Controlling Module: Ensure that the Controlling module is activated in your SAP system. This may require configuration changes and possibly the involvement of your SAP Basis or system administrator.
  Check Account Configuration: Review the configuration of the secondary cost accounts in the chart of accounts. Ensure that they are set up correctly and are assigned to the appropriate account type.
  
  Go to the transaction code OBY6 to check the account types and ensure that secondary cost accounts are properly defined.
  
  
  Use Appropriate Transaction Codes: Ensure that you are using the correct transaction codes for posting to secondary cost accounts. Transactions related to internal cost allocations should be used (e.g., using CO-related transactions).
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or consult with your SAP support team for specific configuration steps related to your version of SAP.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Account Types: In SAP, account types are categorized into primary and secondary cost elements. Primary cost elements are linked to financial accounting, while secondary cost elements are used for internal cost accounting.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as KSV5 (for internal orders) or KB21N (for manual allocations) that may involve secondary cost accounts.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or additional guidance related to error FH214. SAP Notes can provide patches or configuration tips that may resolve the issue.
  
  If the problem persists after checking these areas, it may be beneficial to engage with your SAP support team or a consultant who specializes in SAP FI/CO integration.