What is SAP Group Reporting?

SAP S/4HANA Finance for Group Reporting ist eine integrierte Konsolidierungslösung für Konzernabschlusserstellung und Konzernberichterstattung: Mit der Plattform kombiniert SAP die Funktionen und Vorteile der klassischen Lösungen, ermöglicht schnellere Finanz- und Konzernabschlüsse und schafft eine höhere Transparenz.

Definition: What is SAP Group Reporting?

SAP S/4HANA for Group Reporting is SAP's new strategic consolidation solution. With this product, the company is replacing the classic consolidation solutions in the course of the transition to SAP S/4HANA in the next few years.

Group Reporting is fully integrated into SAP S/4HANA and combines consolidation, analysis and reporting capabilities in a single solution. A separate consolidation solution - as with SAP BPC or SAP SEM-BCS - is no longer necessary.

What is the benefit of SAP S/4HANA for Group Reporting?

Some of the previous solutions have the disadvantage that a separate consolidation solution is required, i.e. different data models and closing processes are needed. This is usually complex and costs time. The system landscapes are often complex.

In addition, the mainstream maintenance for the classic solutions will expire in the coming years or they - like the already integrated solution SAP EC-CS - will be replaced after a transition period.

With SAP S/4HANA for Group Reporting, SAP provides a new and integrated consolidation solution for the preparation of consolidated financial statements and group reporting that brings together the functions and advantages of the previous solutions.

One of the key advantages: The use of the Universal Journal under S/4HANA creates a "single point of truth" for data at the individual and group level. Group-wide financial consolidation is already integrated into the Universal Journal (continuous accounting).

Overall, group reporting thus leads to, among other things

• simplified coordination processes,
• greater transparency and traceability,
• better data quality (same data model for individual financial statements and group financial statements) and
• to faster financial and consolidated financial statements.

What are the functions of SAP Group Reporting?

The basic functions of SAP S/4HANA for Group Reporting include the following

• direct data access under S/4HANA,
  
• the simple integration of non-SAP data,
• group accounting,
• consolidation of investments,
• data validation,
• currency translation,
• intercompany reconciliation with drill-down function (continuous from group report to line item),
• manual posting of group documents and
• reporting (integration with SAP Analytics Cloud).
  

Currently, the two consolidation types full consolidation and at-equity consolidation can be mapped with Group Reporting.

The full use of Group Reporting is only possible with the help of SAP Fiori and the Fiori Apps, even though some functions can be executed via SAP GUI.

How is SAP S/4HANA for Group Reporting implemented?

Group Reporting is integrated into SAP S/4HANA. The solution is available as a cloud and on-premise version. In addition, the consolidation system can be used in hybrid landscapes.

The configuration settings for Group Reporting must be made in the backend system. An SAP reference implementation guide is available for the further procedure and customising. The settings made can be displayed on the Fiori Launchpad.

How is SAP S/4HANA for Group Reporting structured?

With Group Reporting, consolidation is fully integrated under SAP S/4HANA: Consolidation access (table ACDOCU) to individual financial statement data (table ACDOCA) is immediate.

The automatic reconciliation of individual and group financial statements applies to all companies working with SAP S/4HANA. Data from non-SAP or SAP systems can be included via API interfaces or an Excel upload.

• A possible target architecture for SAP Group Reporting also includes other applications that are connected to the SAP S/4HANA system.
• Data can be entered manually via the Group Reporting Data Collection App (hosted on the SAP Business Technology Platform). In addition, data can be enriched or commented on by the companies.
• The SAP Analytics Cloud enables the analysis of data in real time as well as dashboarding, planning and forecasting. Furthermore, SAP Disclosure Management can also be connected when it comes to publishing consolidated data.

Does Group Reporting require a licence?

If companies use SAP Group Reporting in the cloud, they can currently use the solution licence-free for up to five companies. For on-premise use, on the other hand, companies must license the solution in full. As these conditions can change, it is necessary to check the currently valid licence conditions.

What will happen to the previous solutions?

Maintenance for the classic solutions SAP BPC and SAP SEM-BCS will expire in the coming years (between 2024 and 2027, depending on the solution and version).

The integrated consolidation solution SAP EC-CS will also be replaced in the long term: SAP's current solution provides for EC-CS and Group Reporting to initially run in parallel in a hybrid landscape until the values in both landscapes match. EC-CS will then be switched off.

Our services

Do you have questions about the conversion or use of SAP S/4HANA for Group Reporting? Our experts from the Finance department will be happy to help you.

We advise and support you in all matters relating to Group Reporting: whether in validation and conception, implementation or with regard to the necessary licences.

We would also be happy to show you in a demo system how Group Reporting looks in live operation and in the Fiori Launchpad. Give us a call or write to us - we will get back to you!