How To Fix SE397 - Value of account assignment & negative

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SE - Dienstleistungen Stammdaten Leistungsposition

• Message number: 397

• Message text: Value of account assignment & negative

What causes this issue?

The service specifications contain lines with negative values.
Service lines with negative values are only allowed if the following
conditions are fulfilled:

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

The total value of the specifications is positive.
The total value of each account assignment is positive.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SE397 - Value of account assignment & negative ?

  The SAP error message SE397, which states "Value of account assignment & negative," typically occurs in the context of financial transactions, particularly when dealing with account assignments in SAP. This error indicates that there is a negative value being assigned to an account that does not allow for negative postings, or that the account assignment is not valid for the transaction being processed.
  Causes:
  
  
  Negative Amounts: The most common cause is that a transaction is attempting to post a negative amount to an account that does not permit it. For example, certain accounts may only allow positive values (e.g., revenue accounts).
  
  
  Incorrect Account Assignment: The account assignment may not be valid for the type of transaction being processed. For instance, if you are trying to assign a cost center to a revenue account, it may lead to this error.
  
  
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in the financial module that restrict negative postings for certain accounts or account types.
  
  
  Data Entry Errors: Manual entry errors during transaction processing can lead to negative values being inadvertently entered.
  
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Review the Transaction: Check the transaction details to ensure that the amounts being posted are correct and that they align with the account assignment rules.
  
  
  Check Account Configuration: Review the configuration of the accounts involved in the transaction. Ensure that the accounts are set up to allow negative postings if that is necessary for your business process.
  
  
  Correct Account Assignment: Ensure that the account assignment (e.g., cost center, internal order) is appropriate for the type of transaction. If you are posting to a revenue account, ensure that the account assignment is valid for revenue postings.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or consult with your SAP support team to understand the specific rules and configurations that apply to the accounts in question.
  
  
  Data Validation: Implement validation checks in your data entry processes to prevent negative values from being entered where they are not allowed.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its software, and there may be known issues or fixes available.
  
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes (e.g., FB50 for general ledger postings, F-02 for document entry) to navigate and troubleshoot financial postings effectively.
  
  
  User Roles and Authorizations: Ensure that users have the appropriate roles and authorizations to perform the transactions they are attempting, as restrictions can sometimes lead to unexpected errors.
  
  
  Training and Documentation: Provide training for users on proper data entry and account assignment practices to minimize errors in the future.
  
  
  If the issue persists after checking these areas, it may be beneficial to engage with your SAP support team or a consultant who specializes in SAP Financials for further assistance.