How To Fix PM161 - Enter a clearing acct; &1 already exists as a target account

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PM - Extended Payment Functions

• Message number: 161

• Message text: Enter a clearing acct; &1 already exists as a target account

What causes this issue?

You have not yet made an entry in all required entry fields. If a G/L
account was entered, the corresponding clearing account must be
specified if a target account for the specified company code and
currency to be determined already exists.
A G/L account without a corresponding clearing account is regarded as a
target account.

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?

Specify a clearing account.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PM161 - Enter a clearing acct; &1 already exists as a target account ?

  The SAP error message PM161, which states "Enter a clearing account; &1 already exists as a target account," typically occurs in the context of asset accounting or financial transactions where a clearing account is required but has not been properly specified or is conflicting with existing entries.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Clearing Account: The system expects a clearing account to be specified for the transaction, but it has not been provided.
  Duplicate Target Account: The target account specified in the transaction already exists in the system, leading to a conflict.
  Configuration Issues: There may be issues with the configuration of the account determination settings in the system, particularly in the Asset Accounting (FI-AA) module.
  Incorrect Account Assignment: The account assignment in the transaction may not align with the expected account types or categories.
  
  Solution:
  
  Specify a Clearing Account: Ensure that you enter a valid clearing account in the transaction. This account should be configured in the system to handle the specific type of transaction you are processing.
  Check Account Configuration: Review the configuration settings for the relevant account types in the Asset Accounting module. Ensure that the clearing accounts are correctly defined and linked to the appropriate transaction types.
  Review Existing Accounts: Check if the target account already exists in the system. If it does, you may need to either use that account or modify your transaction to avoid duplication.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or your organization's internal guidelines for handling clearing accounts and asset transactions to ensure compliance with best practices.
  Contact Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert who can provide more tailored assistance based on your specific configuration and transaction context.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes in SAP that pertain to asset accounting, such as AS01 (Create Asset), AS02 (Change Asset), and AS03 (Display Asset).
  Account Determination: Understand how account determination works in SAP, especially in the context of asset transactions, to ensure that the correct accounts are being used.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message, as they may provide additional insights or patches that could resolve the issue.
  User Roles and Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to account assignments and configurations in the system.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the PM161 error and proceed with your transaction successfully.