Use Workflow to Streamline and Control Bank

Account Management Processes in SAP S/4HANA

Finance
In the wake of globalization of business, enterprise organizations need to continuously expand their
operations. This expansion generates a need to have bank holdings in various countries to support
the daily operations of payments and collections. SAP S4/HANA Finance for cash management has a
component named Bank Account Management to centrally manage bank accounts. Bank account
processes such as opening and closing involve multiple steps and need various approvals. These
processes can be now be managed via workflows in SAP S/4HANA Finance in a streamlined way.

How do you manage bank accounts in the SAP ERP Central Component (ECC) system? If
you want to create a house bank or account ID, you first must configure it in the development
system and then it travels through a test or a quality system to reach the production
environment. Moreover, business users need to depend on the IT team, which might not be
aware of how a bank account will be used. SAP S/4HANA Finance has reimagined this
process and given full control to business users for bank account management. I walk you
through the standard SAP workflow provided for bank account management and show how
to configure and use those settings to streamline your banking structure. Let’s first see the
structure of this offering in SAP S/4HANA Finance.

(Note: SAP S/4HANA Finance for cash management is a separate license and does not come
with standard SAP S/4HANA (i.e., the digital core). For bank account management
processes, SAP has given two options to customers. The first option is full-fledged Bank
Account Management, which is part of this separate license of SAP S4/HANA Finance for
cash management. The second option is Bank Account Management Lite, which comes pre-
installed along with SAP S/4HANA Finance (i.e., no separate license). The workflow
functionality explained in this article is supported only in the full-fledged Bank Account
Management and not in Bank Account Management Lite. There are other differences
between the lite version and full-fledged version, as detailed in SAP Note 2165520. I also
focus on the settings needed for workflow in Bank Account Management and do not cover
any other basic settings needed in the system, such as the type of bank accounts and the HR
organizational hierarchy. Further, SAP Fiori is a mandatory component for using the Bank
Account Management workflow process. SAP Fiori comes with the SAP S/4HANA license,
so it has to be installed by your Basis team before you can start using the features explained
in this article.)
Overview of Standard SAP S/4HANA Bank Account Management Workflows

Figure 1 shows the overview of a standard SAP workflow template, WS74300043, which is
the main workflow for Bank Account Management. Based on the user activity (opening,
modifying, and closing), the related sub-workflow is triggered.
Figure 1
Overview of standard SAP workflow for Bank Account Management
Configuration to Activate Bank Account Management Workflows

To activate standard workflows in SAP S/4HANA Finance for cash management, you first
need to activate the business function FIN_FSCM_CLM. To complete this step, execute
transaction code SFW5 and select the check box for this line, as shown in Figure 2. After
FIN_FSCM_CLM is activated, the cash management component in your system is enabled.
(This activation is indicated by the following message: Business func. will remain activated.)

Figure 2
Activate business function FIN_FSCM_CLM

(Note: This is a reversible business function, so if at any point of time you do not want to use
the SAP S/4HANA Finance for cash management features, then this can be de-implemented.
You also need to implement various notes mentioned in SAP Note 2255265 (Release
Information Note: SAP Cash Management [SAP S/4HANA Finance 1605]).
Define Number Ranges for the Bank Account Technical IDs
Each bank account in the SAP S/4HANA Finance system is also assigned a technical ID by
the system automatically at the time a bank account is created. For this you need to define a
number range interval in the customization menu path SPRO > Financial Supply Chain
Management > Cash and Liquidity Management > Bank Account Management > Basic
Settings > Define Number Ranges for Bank Account Technical IDs (transaction code
S_E91_86000029). Figure 3 shows the sample number range I entered for this technical ID
object. Click the save icon to save your data.

Figure 3
Number range for technical ID for bank account master
Defining Number Ranges for a Change Request

When a user does an activity in Bank Account Management in SAP S/4HANA, such as
opening or changing a bank account, the system triggers a change request. In this activity,
you need to define a number range interval in the customization menu path SPRO > Financial
Supply Chain Management > Cash and Liquidity Management > Bank Account Management
-> Basic Settings > Define Number Ranges for Change Requests (transaction code
S_E91_86000030) for such change requests. Figure 4 shows the sample number range to
enter for these change requests in Bank Account Management for my example. Click the save
icon to save your data.

Figure 4
Number range for change requests in Bank Account Management
Linking Number Ranges for Bank Account Master Data Settings
In this activity, you link the number ranges created in the section “Define Number Ranges for
the Bank Account Technical IDs” to the Bank Account Management component. For this you
need to execute transaction code S_E91_86000021 or follow customization menu path SPRO
> Financial Supply Chain Management > Cash and Liquidity Management > Bank Account
Management > Basic Settings > Define Settings for Bank Account Master Data, as shown in
Figure 5. In the menu on the left side, select the option Bank Account Master Data Setting,
and then on the right side, enter the number range ID you created in Figures 3 and 4. Click
the save icon to save your data.

Figure 5
Link number ranges to Bank Account Management
Activating Sensitive Fields for Bank Account Modification Workflow

You can mark sensitive fields in the Bank Account Management master, and if you try to
change any one of these, the system triggers the modification workflow to start the approval
process for such changes. Execute transaction code S_E91_86000021 or follow
customization menu path SPRO > Financial Supply Chain Management > Cash and Liquidity
Management > Bank Account Management > Basic Settings > Define Settings for Bank
Account Master Data. In the menu in the left side of the screen (Figure 6), select the option
Sensitive Fields for Modification Process, and then on the right side, enter the details (Object
and Field name) for the sensitive fields as per your business controls, and click the save icon.
Figure 6
Mark sensitive fields in Bank Account Management for modification workflow
Grouping Change Requests for Mass Changes Workflow in Bank Account Management

There is also workflow for mass changes in the Bank Account Management master data. An
approver may not want to have a separate email for each bank account that is changed, as the
emails could overflow his or her mailbox and make tracking the approval difficult. You can
define settings to group together the change requests for mass modification in bank accounts
based on company code, bank account type, or both. For example, you could group mass
modification of bank accounts, such as changing a General Ledger (G/L) account or changing
payment signatories. Execute transaction code S_E91_86000021 or follow customization
path SPRO > Financial Supply Chain Management > Cash and Liquidity Management >
Bank Account Management > Basic Settings > Define Settings for Bank Account Master
Data. In the screen the system displays (Figure 7), in the menu on the left side, select the
option Define Split Mode of Mass Change Request. On the right side, select the grouping
option you want and click the save icon. Figure 7 shows an example of a grouping based on
company code.

Figure 7
Define settings for a change request grouping for Bank Account Management mass
modification workflow
Activate Event Type Linkage for Bank Account Management Workflow Triggering

In this activity you assign the workflow to the event CREATED for change request object
FCLM_CR. As shown in Figure 8, the SAP system has the pre-activated standard SAP
workflow WS743000043. (This activation is indicated by the check box selected under the
Type linka… [Type linkage for triggering workflow processes] column.) To access the
setting shown in Figure 8, execute transaction code SWETYPV or follow customization path
SPRO > Financial Supply Chain Management > Cash and Liquidity Management > Bank
Account Management > Maintain the Event Type Linkage for Triggering Workflow
Processes.

Figure 8
Define settings for the event type linkage for Bank Account Management workflow

This standard workflow template WS74300043 has the various features as sub-workflows as
shown in Figure 1. You can define the custom workflow template and assign it in the
highlighted line in Figure 8 in the Receiver Type column. (Creating a custom workflow is
out of the scope of this article.)
Define Responsibilities for Rules Used in Workflow Steps

The SAP system uses rules for various user roles for the processing in standard workflow for
bank account management as listed in Table 1. The use for different user roles is explained in
the section titled “Process Flow for Opening a Bank Account for a House Bank in SAP
S/4HANA Bank Account Management.”

Rule Description
Rule 74300006: Cash Manager The Cash Manager can approve or reject the
change request for opening, changing, or
closing bank accounts
Rule 74300007: Bank Accountant The Bank Accountant is responsible for
opening, changing, or closing bank accounts
and works under the Cash Manager
Rule 74300008: Key User The Key User is responsible for making
configuration changes for bank accounts
and house bank accounts
Table 1
Rules for standard workflow for bank account management
To assign the responsibilities to the rules, execute transaction code S_E91_86000113 or
follow customization path SPRO > Financial Supply Chain Management > Cash and
Liquidity Management > Bank Account Management > Define Responsibilities for Rules
Used in Workflow Steps. In the screen that opens (Figure 9), enter the rule number in the
Rule Number field from the rule numbers mentioned in Table 1 and click the change icon.

Figure 9
Enter the rule ID for defining responsibilities for Bank Account Management workflow

In the next screen (Figure 10), click the create icon to create a responsibility.

Figure 10
Create responsibilities for Cash Manager in Bank Account Management workflow

In the pop-up screen that appears (Figure 11), enter the validity date range for this cash
manager assignment and click the enter icon. The Object abbr. (object abbreviation) field
shows the description of the rule number entered in Figure 9, which is CLM_CASHMGR in
this example for rule 74300006.
Figure 11
Define a responsibility for Cash Manager in Bank Account Management workflow

In the next screen (Figure 12), you can enter the company code and account type to which
you want to apply this assignment. If you do not want to restrict a field, you can enter the
wildcard character * (asterisk) to apply to all. After entering these details, click the save icon
and then click the back icon.

Figure 12
Assign company codes and account types for responsibility
You can now see the responsibility created as shown in Figure 13. Click the insert agent
assignment icon.

Figure 13
The newly created responsibility for Cash Manager in Bank Account Management workflow

In the next screen, you can select to which level in your organizational hierarchy you want to
assign this responsibility. For example, if I assign a position here, then all users having such a
position would be authorized agents for the cash manager task. For my example, I assign only
a particular user, so I select the User option in Figure 14 and click the enter icon.

Figure 14
Assign an HR hierarchy element to the Cash Manager responsibility

Then you can search the object using wildcard symbols, as I have done in my search for a
user with the name Cash (Figure 15). Click the enter icon to start your search.
Figure 15
Search for a user in the HR hierarchy

The system then shows that available user with that search. You can select and assign the
user to the responsibility as shown in Figure 16 by entering the validity date range and then
clicking the create icon.

Figure 16
Specify a validity period for assigning a user to the Cash Manager responsibility

As shown in Figure 17, you can see that a user has been assigned to Cash Manager
responsibility and is authorized for any task related to the Cash Manager position.
Figure 17
Assign a user to Cash Manager responsibility

(Note: Similar to the rule 74300006 for Cash Manager, you also need to assign a user,
position, or some other designation to the other rules—74300007 for Bank Accountant and
74300008 for Key User. For my example, I have assigned users to these rules as shown in
Figures 18 and 19.)

Figure 18
Assign a user to the Bank Accountant or Cash Management specialist responsibility

Figure 19
Assign a user to Key User responsibility
Activating Internet Communication Framework (ICF) Services for Using Bank Account Management via Fiori Apps
You need to activate the ICF services listed in Table 2 via transaction code SICF so that you
can use the various features in SAP Fiori apps for Bank Account Management. SAP Fiori
apps provide the front-end screens for various users involved in the process to complete the
Bank Account Management workflow.

Web Dynpro services Workflow services Power list (POWL)

services
WDA_FCLM_BAM_ACC_MAS IBO_WDA_INBOX POWL
TER
WDA_FCLM_BAM_ACC_REV SWF_FORMABSENC POWL_COLLECTO
IEW R
WDA_FCLM_BAM_ADAPT_SI SWF_WORKPLACE POPWL_COMPOSIT
GN E
WDA_FCLM_BAM_BANK_DA UCT_DISPLAY_DOCUME POWL_EASY
TA NT
WDA_FCLM_BAM_CHGREQ UCT_DISPLAY_INBOX POWL_ERRORPAG
E
WDA_FCLM_BAM_HIERARC UCT_DISPLAY_SIGNOFF POWL_MASTER_Q
HY UERY

WDA_FCLM_BAM_HIER_BP UCT_DISPLAY_CHANGE POWL_PERS_COMP

WDA_FCLM_BAM_HIER_MAI USMD_CREQUEST_PROT
NTAIN OCOL2

WDA_FCLM_BAM_MASS_CH USMD_SSW_RULE
ANGE
WDA_FCLM_BAM_REVIEW_ USMD_WF_NAVIGATION
REPORT
WDA_FCLM_BAM_REQOVER
VIEW
WDA_FCLM_REPORT
WDA_FCLM_UPLOAD_DOW
NLOAD
Table 2
ICF services

To activate a service, execute transaction code SICF, and in the screen that appears (Figure
20), enter the name of the service to be activated in the Service Name Field and click the
execute icon.
Figure 20
The selection screen for activating ICF services

In the next screen, right-click the service name (in this case, Bank Account Master Data) and
select the Activate Service option as shown in Figure 21.

Figure 21
Activate ICF services
A message in a pop-up screen (Figure 22) then asks you to confirm the activation. Click the
Yes button to activate the services.

Figure 22
Confirm the activation of ICF services
Process Flow for Opening a Bank Account for a House Bank in SAP S/4HANA Bank Account Management

There are various sub-processes in Bank Account Management for bank accounts as shown
in Figure 1 (e.g., opening, changing, or closing a bank account). Let’s go through the bank
account opening procedure by considering the various steps as per standard SAP workflow
template WS74300047, as shown in Figure 23.

Figure 23
Workflow (WS74300047) for opening a new bank account

This workflow involves various steps and related SAP Fiori apps as structured in Figure 24.
Now let’s go through these steps.
Figure 24
Steps involved in opening a new bank account with workflow template WS74300047 active
Bank Accountant Creates a Bank Account Opening Request

A cash management specialist or bank accountant selects the SAP Fiori app Manage Bank
Accounts, as shown in Figure 25.

Figure 25
Select the Manage Bank Accounts SAP Fiori app

Then in the next screen, the user selects the New Bank Account button as shown in Figure
26.
Figure 26
Select the option New Bank Account in the SAP Fiori app

In the next screen (Figure 27), enter details about your new bank account’s request under the
General Data section.

Figure 27
Enter general data parameters for the new bank account

You can enter organizational details such as profit center and segment in the Additional Data
section as shown in Figure 28. You can also attach any supporting documents in the
Attachment section. After entering details, click the Save and Submit button as shown in
Figure 28.

Figure 28
Submit the new bank account opening request

In the next screen (Figure 29), you can add notes about this request, which go to the cash
manager via workflow. Then click the Submit button.

Figure 29
Enter notes for submitting the new bank account opening request

The system then shows the change request number generated for new bank account creation
as shown in Figure 30.
Figure 30
Generation of workflow (change request) for new bank account opening
Bank Accountant Checks the Bank Account Opening Request

This is an optional step used if a bank accountant wants to see the status for the change
request. For this, the user selects the SAP Fiori app My Sent Requests as shown in Figure 31.

Figure 31
Select the My Sent Requests SAP Fiori app

In the next screen, you can see the status of the change requests as shown in Figure 32. You
can click the line to see the details of the bank account requested as shown in Figure 33.
Figure 32
Change request for creating a new bank account

Figure 33
Details for the new bank account requested
Cash Manager Approves the Bank Account Opening Request

For this, the Cash Manager selects the SAP Fiori app My Bank Account Worklist as shown in
Figure 34.
Figure 34
Select the My Bank Account Worklist Fiori app

In the next screen, the cash manager can see the status of the change requests as shown in
Figure 35 and can click the request to open the details.

Figure 35
Change requests for bank account management

In the next screen, the cash manager can see the details of the bank account requested as
shown in Figure 36 and select the action Approve or Reject to process the workflow. The
cash manager can also check the Existing Bank Accounts to ensure there is no duplication. In
this example the cash manager clicks the Approve button to process the workflow.
Figure 36
Details for the new bank account request

In the next screen (Figure 37), the cash manager can provide notes and then click the
Approve button to proceed with approval.

Figure 37
The cash manager approves the new bank account request

You then can see the system message that the change request is approved as shown in Figure
38.
Figure 38
Approval message after approval action by the cash manager
The Bank Accountant Opens Bank Account and Creates a Bank Key

After getting approval from the cash manager, the bank accountant can approach the bank to
open a new bank account. This process happens outside the SAP system. Also, if it is a bank
in which there is no existing bank key in the SAP system, then the bank accountant needs to
create a bank key in the system. For this, you select the Manage Banks - Basic SAP Fiori app
as shown in Figure 39.

Figure 39
Select the Manage Banks - Basic SAP Fiori app

Then in the next screen, the bank accountant can check if the bank key already exists. If a key
does not yet exist, the bank accountant creates a new bank key using the Create Bank button
as shown in Figure 40.
Figure 40
Select the option Create Bank in the SAP Fiori app

In the next screen, enter details for this new bank and click the Save button as shown in
Figure 41.

Figure 41
Enter details for the new bank key

Then you can see a success message as shown in Figure 42.

Figure 42
Success message for the bank key creation
The Bank Accountant Confirms the Creation of the Bank Account and Maintains the Additional Parameters

Once the account has been opened with the bank, the bank accountant can maintain
additional parameters, such as the International Bank Account Number (IBAN), contact
details, and overdraft limits, and confirm the bank account creation. For this, select the SAP
Fiori app My Bank Account Worklist as shown in Figure 43.

Figure 43
Select the My Bank Account Worklist SAP Fiori app

Then in the next screen, the bank accountant can see the change request for the new bank
account pending with the Step Name Bank accountants process the account (Figure 44).
Click the request to display the details as shown in Figure 45.
Figure 44
Change request pending for bank accountant action

Figure 45
Maintain general data details for the new bank account

In Figure 45, the bank accountant can maintain various parameters (e.g., contact details and
bank key) for the bank account that is now opened with the bank.

The bank accountant can also click the Additional Data tab to maintain the profit center or
segment, as shown in Figure 46. In this tab, the bank accountant can enter the relevant Profit
center or Segment fields or select the value by and press the F4 button.
Figure 46
Maintain additional data details for the new bank account

Then the bank accountant can navigate to the Overdraft Limits tab for defining the overdraft
limits sanctioned by the bank for this new account as shown in Figure 47. To add the limits,
click the Add button and then populate the fields under the Currency and Overdraft Limit
columns. In the fields under Valid From and Valid To enter validity ranges.

Figure 47
Define overdraft limits for the new bank account

The bank accountant can navigate to the Payment Signatories tab for defining responsible
persons for various approval levels activated for the bank account type. For example, in
Figure 48, you can see two levels assigned to different users for approval of any payment
and amount limits also defined for single payment and batch payments. To add a level, click
the Add button and then enter the signatory group, currency, amount limits, and validity
ranges.
Figure 48
Define responsible persons for various approval levels activated for bank account types

After you click the Confirm button in Figure 48, a pop-up screen appears (Figure 49) in
which the bank accountant can enter notes (optional) and then click the Confirm button.

Figure 49
Confirm the new bank account maintenance

You can then see the confirmation message as shown in Figure 50.
Figure 50
Confirmation message for new bank account maintenance
The G/L Accountant Creates the Needed G/L Accounts

Various bank accounts can use the same G/L account if they have same currency key, so this
step is optional and needed only if new bank accounts must be created. Also, there might be
multiple G/L master data records to be created (for example, one for incoming, one for
outgoing, and one for clearing) based on the business process design. For creating a new G/L
master data record, the G/L accountant selects the SAP Fiori app Manage G/L Account
Master Data as shown in Figure 51.

Figure 51
Select the Manage G/L Account Master Data SAP Fiori app

In the next screen, the G/L accountant can search an existing G/L account and copy it or click
the + icon (as shown in Figure 52) to create a new G/L account.
Figure 52
Initiate new G/L master creation

In the next screen, the G/L accountant can enter general data, company code assignment, and
controlling-area related details for the new G/L account as shown in Figures 53 and 54.
Figure 53
General data details for the new G/L master creation
Figure 54
Company code assignment and controlling area details for the new G/L master creation

After you click the Save button in Figure 54, the system shows that the G/L account is
created successfully (Figure 55).

Figure 55
A system message showing new G/L master creation
The Key User (Configuration Expert) Creates the House Bank

If the account is a new house bank, then the key user can create it. For this, the key user
selects the SAP Fiori app Manage Banks as shown in Figure 56.

Figure 56
Select the Manage Banks Fiori app

Then in the next screen (Figure 57), open the bank line to see details.
Figure 57
Open bank details

In the next screen (Figure 58), click the Edit button to create a house bank.

Figure 58
Edit the bank details

In the next screen (Figure 59), click the Add button in the House Banks section.
Figure 59
Add a house bank in bank details

In the next screen (Figure 60), enter the details for the new house bank and click the Save
button.

Figure 60
Specify the details for the new house bank in bank details

Then the system shows the success message for this house bank creation as shown in Figure
61.
Figure 61
House bank created for the new bank account
Key User (Configuration Expert) Link House Bank to New Bank Account and Perform Final Confirmation

As a last step, the key user opens the change request, such as the house bank, and then
performs the final confirmation of the new bank account creation. For this, the key user
selects the SAP Fiori app My Bank Account Worklist as shown in Figure 62.

Figure 62
Select the My Bank Account Worklist SAP Fiori app

Then in the next screen (Figure 63), the key user can see the change request for the new bank
account pending with the Step Name Key users finish the configuration. Click the request to
display the details.
Figure 63
Open the change request for the new bank account

In the next screen, the key user selects the Connectivity Path section and specifies the
company code, house bank, validity details, and account ID for this new bank account as
shown in Figure 64.

Figure 64
Specify details for the house bank in the connectivity path for the new bank account

After the key user clicks the Confirm button, a pop-up screen appears (Figure 65) in which
the key user can enter notes (optional) and click the Confirm button to save them.
Figure 65
Confirm the new bank account maintenance

You then see the confirmation message shown in Figure 66.

Figure 66
Confirmation message for new bank account creation completion

If you click the Approval History button in Figure 66, you can see the flow details as shown
in Figure 67. From the flow details, you can see who has approved or confirmed and at what
date or time, resulting in a proper audit trail for the workflow.
Figure 67
Approval history showing workflow steps

(Note: From the SAP S/4HANA 1610 on-premise version, the following new features have
also been added in Bank Account Management for bank account maintenance. In Table 3, I
provide a brief overview of these features as this article is focusing on workflow
functionality.)

Feature
Centralized Bank Account Management
Mass upload of bank accounts
Description
This feature enables you replicate bank
accounts, house banks, and house bank
accounts from a central system to remote
systems using SAP pre-delivered
Intermediate Document (IDoc) message
types.
A business can download the data from
production or legacy systems or manually
prepare data in a Bank Account
Management Excel file.
This Bank Account Management Excel file
can be uploaded in development, quality,
production, and other areas in SAP
S/4HANA systems.
This mass upload can also trigger relevant
workflows for various entries in Bank
Account Management Excel files.