Definition of receivables and liabilities
Receivables and liabilities are legal claims arising from contracts which have been fulfilled by the
company / trading partner preparing the statement. They comprise trade and other receivables /
liabilities and they are reported to the balance sheet.
Differentiation between trade and other receivables / liabilities
According to ACM / IAS receivables and liabilities are classified into the following categories:
- Receivables / liabilities from trade
- Other current receivables / liabilities
- Receivables / liabilities from Royalties
- Receivables / liabilities from Deposits and Loans
- Receivables / liabilities from Dividends
As well as according to contracting partners:
- Receivables / liabilities, third parties
- Receivables / liabilities, group companies
Furthermore, receivables and liabilities from third parties are distinguished by domestic and foreign.
Balance Sheet disclosure
Different kinds of receivables and liabilities need to be assigned to different balance sheet positions:
Third parties:
- Receivables / liabilities from trade -> A413 / L632
- Other current receivables / liabilities -> A421 / L653
- Receivables / liabilities from Royalties -> A421 / -
- Receivables / liabilities from Deposits and Loans -> A426 / L623
- Receivables / liabilities from Dividends -> - /L665
-
Group companies:
- Receivables / liabilities from trade -> A414 / L633
- Other current receivables / liabilities -> A422 / L651
- Receivables / liabilities from Royalties -> A424 / L661
- Receivables / liabilities from Deposits and Loans -> A427 / L624
- Receivables / liabilities from Dividends -> A429 / L663
The correct account determination is highly important:
- To fulfill external and internal accounting standards
- For a successful intercompany reconciliation during quarterly closing
Standard procedure in daily business
The assignment to the balance sheet position is done via postings on customer / vendor accounts (IC
and 3rd Parties). In the master data of the subledger accounts (customer / vendor) the general ledger
account is maintained and leads to the balance sheet disclosure.
Example: BDF AG buys products from BCS
BDF AG shows a liability from trade creditors S&S group company in balance sheet position L633
BCS shows a receivable from trade account S&S group company in balance sheet position A414
Special General Ledger Indicators
(SGL)
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The operating business of both companies is to trade with products. The correct balance sheet positions
are receivables and liabilities group companies from trade (A414 / L633).
Usage of Special GL Indicators
Special General Ledger Indicators are specified for certain business transaction. When used for posting
of a document, they lead to different balance sheet position than the general ledger reconciliation
account from the master data of the customer / vendor is normally assigned to.
Example: BDF AG pays monthly VAT to BCS
BDF AG shows another obligation from group company in balance sheet position L651
BCS shows a receivable other from group company in balance sheet position A422
The reporting to a different balance sheet position is only possible with the usage of a special GL
indicator. The SGL must be entered during the posting on vendor / customer side.