Define Asset Classes:

In this step. you define the asset classes. The asset class is the most important
criteria for structuring fixed assets from an accounting point of view. Every
asset has to be assigned to exactly one asset class. The asset class is used to
assign the assets (and their business transactions) to the correct general ledger
accounts. Several asset classes can use the same account assignment. You can see
that it is possible to make finer distinctions at the level of the asset class than
at the level of the general ledger accounts. The most important tasks of the asset
classes are:

the assignment of default values when creating assets (particularly depreciation

terms)
the grouping of assets for reporting purposes
You define the asset classes in the system in a series of steps. The asset class is
structured in three parts:

control parameters
default values for general master data
default values for depreciation terms in the chart of depreciation
You can assign depreciation terms to an asset class for any number of charts of
depreciation. This makes it possible to manage an asset class catalog that is
valid for an entire corporate group, independent of the country-specific charts of
depreciation.
In this step, you define the asset classes and their control parameters. In further
steps, you add further to the asset classes by supplying default values for certain
logical field groups in the asset master record.

Note

Structuring assets for accounting is not dependent on the technically oriented

structuring in the PM (Plant Maintenance) component. PM has its own terms for
classification (functional location, equipment) that are based on the requirements
of plant maintenance. You can set up a relationship between the PM and FI-AA
components by entering the asset number in the master record of the related piece
of equipment. In this way, you can select all pieces of equipment that belong to
an asset.

Recommendation

The number of asset classes needed varies greatly, depending on the size of your
organization. In many cases, the number 50 is usually appropriate. Generally, you
should at least group together assets with the same depreciation terms into an
asset class. In any case, it must be possible to clearly assign new assets to an
asset class when they are entered in the system.

Defining the asset classes is fundamental to SAP Asset Accounting. Therefore, you
should carry out this step with considerable care and attention.

Create Screen Layout Rules:

In this step, you create your screen layout rules. The screen layout specifies the
status of the fields in the asset master record. You use the screen layout to
determine if fields are required entry or optional entry fields, or if they are
suppressed completely, for example.

In this step, you create only the keys and descriptions of the screen layout
controls. You define the field group rules for the screen layouts themselves in the
step Master Data.

You can enter a screen layout rule in one of two places: either in the part of the
asset class valid in the entire client, or in the part of the asset class valid for
the chart of depreciation. The screen layout rule is then valid either for all
assets in the asset class, or for all assets in the asset class/chart of
depreciation.

Note

You creat the screen layouts here for the general master data (only the key and
description). There is a separate screen layout control for the depreciation areas
and the valuation section of the asset master record. You define this second screen
layout control in the step Define screen layout control for asset depreciation
areas.

Standard settings

SAP supplies pre-defined screen layout rules for the most commonly used asset
types.

Recommendation

If you have additional asset types for which you need special screen layout rules,
make your own additions to the standard rules.

Activities

Define the screen layout rule for the general data part of the asset class by
entering a key and a description.

Additional information

SAP library FI-AA: Master Data -> Screen Layout and Maintenance Level