How To Fix KI280 - Define a cost element category for account &1 (controlling area &2)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KI -

• Message number: 280

• Message text: Define a cost element category for account &1 (controlling area &2)

What causes this issue?

Account &V1& is a profit and loss account. You assigned it to an object
in cost accounting (for example, a cost center, order, project, or profi
tability segment).
In this case, a cost element category must exist for account &V1& in the
determined controlling area &V2&.
See transaction <DS:TRAN.FS00>FS00</>, "Control Data" 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?

Define a cost element category for account &V1& and post again or delete
the auxiliary account assignment to objects in cost accounting.
With profitability segment assignment, the error message is only
displayed when account-based profitability analysis is activated. Here
it may be a good idea to suppress the error message and ignore the
account assignment during the posting. This is particularly the case
when the posting is not only relevant for the result from the usual
business activity, for example for interest from cross-company sales in
a billing document. Such postings should not be taken into consideration
in the profitability analysis. In order to do this, you can define the
account &V1& in transaction <DS:TRAN.FCO_COPA_EX_N>FCO_COPA_EX_N</> (IMG
-> Controlling -> General Controlling -> Account Assignment Logic ->
Exceptions for Postings to Profitability Segment)

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KI280 - Define a cost element category for account &1 (controlling area &2) ?

  The SAP error message KI280 indicates that a cost element category has not been defined for a specific account in a given controlling area. This error typically arises when you attempt to perform a transaction that requires a cost element to be defined, but the system cannot find the necessary configuration.
  Cause:
  The error occurs because:
  
  The cost element category for the specified account (account number &1) in the specified controlling area (&2) has not been set up in the system.
  The account may not be configured as a cost element in the controlling area, which is necessary for cost accounting purposes.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the KI280 error, you need to define a cost element category for the specified account. Here are the steps to do this:
  
  
  Access the Cost Element Configuration:
  
  Go to the SAP Easy Access screen.
  Navigate to the following path: 
  Controlling (CO) -> Cost Element Accounting -> Master Data -> Cost Elements -> Create
  
  Alternatively, you can use transaction code KA01 to create a new cost element.
  
  
  
  Create or Modify the Cost Element:
  
  If the cost element does not exist, create a new one by entering the required details, including the account number and the controlling area.
  If the cost element already exists, you may need to modify it to ensure it has the correct cost element category assigned.
  
  
  
  Define the Cost Element Category:
  
  Ensure that the cost element category is defined for the account. You can do this by checking the configuration in the following path:
  Controlling (CO) -> Cost Element Accounting -> Master Data -> Cost Elements -> Define Cost Element Categories
  
  Use transaction code OKB2 to define or check the cost element categories.
  
  
  
  Assign the Cost Element Category:
  
  Make sure that the cost element category is correctly assigned to the account in question. This involves linking the account to the appropriate cost element category that aligns with your business processes.
  
  
  
  Check Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make changes to cost element configurations.
  
  
  
  Test the Configuration:
  
  After making the necessary changes, test the transaction again to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Cost Element Categories: These are used to classify cost elements in SAP. Common categories include primary cost elements (which correspond to G/L accounts) and secondary cost elements (used for internal allocations).
  Transaction Codes:
  
  KA01: Create Cost Element
  KA02: Change Cost Element
  KA03: Display Cost Element
  OKB2: Define Cost Element Categories
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for detailed information on cost element accounting and configuration.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the KI280 error and ensure that the necessary cost element categories are defined for your accounts in the controlling area.