SAP Financial Accounting (SAP FI) Practice Exam

What do posting keys control in a document process?

1. Transaction types

2. Debit/credit values

3. Document types

4. Field status

The correct answer is: Debit/credit values

Posting keys play a crucial role in the SAP document processing system by defining the nature of the line item being recorded in a financial transaction. They help determine how a particular financial transaction should be undertaken within the system. For instance, each posting key specifies whether the line item is a debit or a credit. This control is essential for maintaining accurate accounting records because, in financial accounting, every transaction must have an equal and opposite entry to ensure that the accounting equation remains balanced. Thus, by determining whether an entry will increase or decrease an account balance, posting keys facilitate the proper recording of financial data. In addition to controlling the debit and credit indicators, posting keys also provide information about the account types that can be posted to, such as whether it's a general ledger account, customer account, or vendor account. However, the primary function remains centered on defining the debit or credit nature of the transactions.