How To Fix SE687 - Cannot be deleted, as account assignment item contains posting

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SE - Dienstleistungen Stammdaten Leistungsposition

• Message number: 687

• Message text: Cannot be deleted, as account assignment item contains posting

What causes this issue?

You are trying to delete an accounting line which already contains
postings.

System Response

The system will not allow you to delete the accounting line.

How to fix this error?

If you want to delete this accounting line you should revoke and delete
all postings done against this accounting line.

Procedure for System Administrators

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SE687 - Cannot be deleted, as account assignment item contains posting ?

  The SAP error message SE687 "Cannot be deleted, as account assignment item contains posting" typically occurs when you attempt to delete an account assignment item (such as a cost center, internal order, or project) that has associated postings in the system. This means that there are financial transactions or entries linked to the item you are trying to delete, which prevents the deletion for integrity and consistency reasons.
  Cause:
  
  Existing Postings: The primary cause of this error is that there are one or more financial postings (e.g., invoices, journal entries) that reference the account assignment item you are trying to delete.
  Data Integrity: SAP enforces data integrity rules to ensure that you do not accidentally delete items that are still in use, which could lead to inconsistencies in financial reporting and data.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Identify Postings:
  
  Use transaction codes like FB03 (Display Document) or KSB1 (Cost Centers: Actual Line Items) to check for any postings related to the account assignment item.
  You can also use SE16N to query the relevant tables (e.g., BKPF for accounting documents, BSEG for line items) to find any entries linked to the item.
  
  
  
  Reverse or Delete Postings:
  
  If you find postings that are no longer needed, you may need to reverse or delete those postings first. This can be done using transaction codes like FB08 (Reverse Document) or FBL3N (Display G/L Account Line Items) to manage the entries.
  Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations and that reversing or deleting postings complies with your organization's policies.
  
  
  
  Check for Other Dependencies:
  
  Sometimes, the account assignment item may be linked to other objects (like projects or internal orders). Ensure that there are no other dependencies that might prevent deletion.
  
  
  
  Consult with Finance Team:
  
  If you are unsure about the implications of deleting postings or the account assignment item, consult with your finance or accounting team to ensure that you are following the correct procedures.
  
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes:
  
  If you are working with cost centers, internal orders, or projects, you can use transaction codes like KS02 (Change Cost Center), KO02 (Change Internal Order), or CJ02 (Change Project) to manage these items.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help files for more detailed information on managing account assignments and postings.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific issues or patches related to this error message.
  User Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to delete or modify account assignment items and their associated postings.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the SE687 error and successfully manage your account assignment items in SAP.