How To Fix IW040 - Business area entered subsequently for posted order

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IW - Order Processing

• Message number: 040

• Message text: Business area entered subsequently for posted order

What causes this issue?

You want to add a business area to an order that has already been
accounted with the actual costs.
We do not recommend this procedure, as the change to the order results
in your system having CO documents <ZH>with</> and <ZH>without</> a
business 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?

For orders already posted with actual costs, to which a company code is
assigned, and for which no business area balance sheets were intended,
we recommend the following procedures:
Complete existing posted orders without business areas.
Create new orders with business areas, to which future postings can
take place.

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 IW040 - Business area entered subsequently for posted order ?

  The SAP error message IW040 ("Business area entered subsequently for posted order") typically occurs when there is a mismatch or inconsistency in the business area assignment for an order that has already been posted. This can happen in various scenarios, such as when you try to change the business area of an order after it has been posted, or when the business area is not consistent with the financial postings related to that order.
  Cause:
  
  Subsequent Change: The business area was changed after the order was posted, which is not allowed in SAP.
  Inconsistent Data: The business area assigned to the order does not match the business area of the associated financial documents.
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in the system that restrict changes to business areas after posting.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Business Area Assignment: Verify the business area assigned to the order and ensure it is correct. If the order has been posted, you cannot change the business area directly.
  Recreate the Order: If you need to change the business area, you may need to create a new order with the correct business area and then transfer any necessary data from the old order.
  Reverse the Posting: If possible, reverse the posting of the order, change the business area, and then repost the order. This may not always be feasible depending on the business processes.
  Consult Configuration: Check with your SAP configuration team to see if there are any settings that need to be adjusted regarding business area assignments.
  Use Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like IW32 (Change Order) or IW41 (Confirm Order) to check the order details and ensure that the business area is correctly assigned before posting.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error message. SAP frequently releases notes that address known issues.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation regarding order management and business area assignments to understand the implications of changing business areas.
  User Roles and Authorizations: Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to make changes to orders and business areas.
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or a functional consultant who specializes in SAP PM (Plant Maintenance) or CO (Controlling) modules for further assistance.