Understanding the Architecture of ACDOCA: How it Enables Real-Time Reporting and Analysis

11. May 2023

Introduction

ACDOCA, in general, is the universal journal entry table that can be found in SAP S/4HANA. It has a table-like system where you can store all your financial data without issues. Hence, with it being used in your infrastructure, there’s no need to use different tables available in the last ERPs.

The ACDOCA table was first introduced with the Finance tool of SAP S/4HANA. So you can use it to store management and financial accounting information without any problem.

The core architecture of the ACDOCA table has been specifically designed to offer a single source for all your financial data. This, in turn, can allow you to access and evaluate whatever information you currently have in real-time. Let’s keep reading till the end to learn more regarding the same.

What is the Architecture of ACDOCA?

The core architecture of the ACDOCA table could be more transparent and, therefore, can be challenging to understand. Hence, we’ve tried to offer the information more elaborately to make it easier for you.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started with it.

1: Universal Journal

ACDOCA is a singular table that combines four specific components – General Ledger, Material Ledger, Controlling, and Profitability Analysis Data. It usually works as a book of original entries that can be found and used in Financial Accounting (FI) and Controlling (CO).

It also comprises most of the journal entries regarding corporate transactions. So, you can also use it as the primary source of data and information on SAP S/4HANA.

2: Line Item Table

The line item table is the primary source of data, which stores all the controlling and financial data in a basic line item format. The table tends to be quite compressed. Therefore, the storage requirements for the same are lower than usual. The same feature can improve the system’s performance even more.

The line item table may be found and used with just a single click. There’s no need to get an additional subscription to use it. This comes with the ACDOCA table for free.

3: Summation Table

The summation table, on the other hand, is purposefully used to keep and store aggregated data. This, in turn, can benefit faster and more efficient reporting. You can also store various data or information, including – fiscal year, company code, and the period level.

The summation table is specifically designed to boost the performance of your system. And it does so by decreasing the need to use the line item table for evaluation and reporting.

4: Field Groups

Field groups, in essence, are a collective of related fields available within the ACDOCA table. They’re also used to group or categorize different areas that can be accessed frequently.

This, sequentially, can improve your system massively and ensure that you are taking care of how you work perfectly. Just set it up properly, and you’ll be fine.

5: Virtual Tables and Indexes

On the other hand, virtual tables are derived tables that tend to get generated based on a few predefined rules. You can use them to reduce data redundancy and simplify reporting statements.

Indexes are generally used to increase the overall performance of your system by retrieving data much quicker and efficiently. With ACDOCA, you’ll get both composite and single indexes.

How Will ACDOCA Enable Real-Time Reporting?

ACDOCA, especially the newer version of it, can enable real-time reporting by collecting and storing all of your controlling and financial data in one place. This, in turn, can –

  • Eliminate the requirement of data reconciliation and replication entirely
  • Reduce the risk of losing your data during migration
  • Update your data in real time and help you access whatever information is available to you

There is no need to wait for a batch job to run in this aspect, as you can perform it simultaneously. The real-time reporting procedure can be made possible by the unique in-memory technology used by SAP S/4HANA. It can enable you to process analytics and transactions much, much faster.

Due to the availability of real-time data in ACDOCA, you can make more informed decisions quickly and improve your business’ performance.

Benefits of Using the ACDOCA Table

Implementing the ACDOCA table, especially in an older system, can be difficult. However, if you can do it, your organization will benefit the most.

Here’s how.

1: Improved Organizational Performance 

With ACDOCA, you can reduce the overall number of tables required for storing and collecting information. This might make it simpler, especially on an admin level.

Furthermore, it can also improve the ability of data retrieval and reporting. So you can ensure that you are not late in presenting essential data and making a decision based on it.

2: Real-Time Reporting

The newer version of the ACDOCA table can offer a consolidated view of whatever financial transaction you are making through different modules. Thus, it’ll become easier to find what you are looking for while trying to decide or improve something else.

Furthermore, you can also access updated information in a real-time format. So if you want to change something in that aspect, you’ll see what result it brings you.

3: Simplification in Creating a Report

The ACDOCA table can also offer a simplified and easy-to-understand reporting structure. So you can make a financial report without encountering any critical problems.

Secondly, as the report is simple, it will be much easier for you to communicate the data with everyone else. This, in turn, can make it easier for everyone to work correctly.

4: Better Transparency

With the ACDOCA table, a company can also offer enhanced transparency of financial transactions. After all, you store all the accounting data in one table. 

So, it can be accessed by almost anyone and everyone in your organization as long as they have the authority to view it. Having a complete view of their financial position can make it easier for you to be transparent with them. It, in turn, can improve the level of loyalty too.

5: Increased Flexibility

The core design of the ACDOCA table is highly flexible and, thus, can accommodate various accounting-related scenarios, including the following –

  • Multiple ledgers 
  • Different currencies, and
  • Parallel accounting principles 

This, sequentially, can make it easier for you to customize and configure your accounting mode or method. So you will be able to meet your specific business needs too.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

We have shared quite a bit of information regarding the architecture of the ACDOCA table. However, we may need to include a few of your queries too. That’s why we will address them in this section in a question-answer format.

Hopefully, it will help you understand the context correctly.

1: What Type of Account is ACDOCA?

ACDOCA is a standard GL (general ledger) Accounting Transparent Table type in the SAP FI application. It stores the Universal Journal Entry Line Items data

The ACDOCA table focuses on carrying forward transaction postings or correction line items from migration. The more efficiently you use it, the better your system will work.

2: What is the Difference between BSEG and ACDOCA?

The BSEG table, on the one hand, is a conventional SAP accounting table. So, unlike ACDOCA, it uses more than one table or component to collect and store information.

The ACDOCA table, on the other hand, is a universal journal entry table that can consolidate financial data from various sources. So it’s easier to understand and use.

3: Can ACDOCA be Customized?

ACDOCA, in essence, is a conventional, standard SAP table. Therefore, you won’t be able to customize the same directly. Nonetheless, you can enhance it using a critical append structure if needed. With it, you can add some extra fields to the table.

Conclusion

So, there you go.

We hope you have learned whatever you were looking for through this article. However, if you want additional information regarding the same, comment below.

We will try our best to help you in any way we can.