How To Fix FH238 - Reconciliation account cannot be changed because transaction data exists

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FH - General ledger module messages

• Message number: 238

• Message text: Reconciliation account cannot be changed because transaction data exists

What causes this issue?

You want to change the assigned bank reconciliation account from &V1& to
&V2& although there are already postings to G/L account &V3&.

System Response

It is not possible to change the bank reconciliation account.

How to fix this error?

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

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 FH238 - Reconciliation account cannot be changed because transaction data exists ?

  The SAP error message FH238 indicates that you are trying to change a reconciliation account in the system, but the change cannot be made because there is existing transaction data associated with that account. This is a common issue in SAP, particularly in the context of financial accounting.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the reconciliation account you are attempting to modify has already been used in transactions. Reconciliation accounts are linked to sub-ledgers (like accounts receivable or accounts payable) and are designed to ensure that the general ledger reflects the balances of these sub-ledgers. Because of this linkage, SAP prevents changes to reconciliation accounts that have existing transaction data to maintain data integrity.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you have a few options:
  
  
  Check for Existing Transactions: 
  
  Review the transactions that are linked to the reconciliation account. You can use transaction codes like FB03 (Display Document) or FBL1N (Vendor Line Item Display) to check for any existing postings.
  
  
  
  Create a New Reconciliation Account:
  
  If you need to change the reconciliation account, consider creating a new reconciliation account instead of modifying the existing one. You can then update the relevant master data to point to the new account.
  
  
  
  Clear Existing Transactions:
  
  If feasible, you can clear or reverse the existing transactions associated with the reconciliation account. This may involve posting adjustments or using specific clearing transactions. However, this approach should be taken with caution and typically requires a thorough understanding of the implications on financial reporting.
  
  
  
  Consult with Your SAP Administrator:
  
  If you are unsure about how to proceed or if the changes are critical, consult with your SAP administrator or a financial consultant who is familiar with your organization's SAP configuration and financial processes.
  
  
  
  Use Transaction Code OBD4:
  
  If you are trying to change the reconciliation account for a specific vendor or customer, you may need to use transaction code OBD4 to change the reconciliation account for the relevant master data.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as:
  
  OBY6: For defining reconciliation accounts.
  FS00: For managing general ledger accounts.
  FBL1N: For vendor line item display.
  FBL5N: For customer line item display.
  
  
  
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation or help files related to reconciliation accounts and financial accounting to understand the implications of changes.
  
  
  Testing: If you decide to create a new reconciliation account, ensure to test the changes in a development or quality assurance environment before applying them in production.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the FH238 error and manage reconciliation accounts effectively in SAP.