SAP Central Finance helps companies to harmonize and consolidate their financial processes, regardless of a heterogeneous ERP landscape.
At the same time, the Finance First approach enables a step-by-step migration to SAP S/4HANA by converting finance first, while other business areas continue to work in existing systems. This allows companies to benefit from standardized reporting structures, real-time analyses and a low-risk transformation.
The financial landscape of many companies is characterized by fragmented ERP systems, isolated financial processes and inefficient consolidation procedures. Particularly in global corporations or companies that have grown through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), heterogeneous ERP environments lead to inconsistent reports, delayed monthly closings and limited transparency.
Through real-time data integration and central control, SAP Central Finance creates a uniform view of financial data – regardless of the existing system landscape.
At the same time, many companies are about to switch to SAP S/4HANA. However, the complete system changeover in a big bang involves high risks and can lead to business interruptions.
If resources and budget are also lacking for a major transformation project, SAP Central Finance offers a way out as a strategic bridge solution: with the finance-first approach, the changeover to SAP S/4HANA can take place gradually – and risks are minimized.
Many companies have parallel ERP systems that have been created either through historical growth or company acquisitions. These systems often work independently of each other, which leads to problems.
Different posting logics, master data and charts of accounts make consolidation difficult.
Manual coordination between the systems costs time and increases the risk of errors.
Inaccurate and incomplete key financial figures complicate and delay important business decisions.
Heterogeneous reporting structures make it difficult to comply with regulatory requirements.
SAP Central Finance brings together financial data from different source systems in real time and creates a uniform basis for reporting and consolidation.
This solution is ideal for multinational corporations looking to consolidate their financial processes quickly, efficiently and risk-free.
Through integration with SAP Group Reporting and the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), companies can directly access detailed, consolidated financial data and make informed decisions.
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SAP Central Finance provides you with a standardized database that consolidates financial information from different ERP systems in real time. This means that CFOs and controlling teams can access up-to-date, consolidated financial figures at any time without having to rely on lengthy data reconciliations.
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Companies with decentralized or multinational structures benefit from standardized financial processes and consistent master data. SAP Central Finance automatically aligns differing posting logics, charts of accounts and reporting specifications so that all companies work with a common financial language.
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As all financial transactions are processed and harmonized in a central system, manual consolidations and time-consuming reconciliation processes are eliminated. This significantly reduces the effort required for period-end closing and makes it possible to shorten closing times by weeks.
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Thanks to the centralized and uniformly structured financial data, companies can keep an eye on their liquidity, risks and tax obligations at all times. Automated checking mechanisms and uniform compliance rules ensure higher data quality and reduce the risk of errors or regulatory violations.
SAP Central Finance replicates financial postings from various source systems to a central SAP S/4HANA system in real time. This is done via:
This creates a “single source of truth” for all financial processes, which not only improves reporting, but also creates a uniform basis for decision-making for CFOs and controllers.
We know our way around SAP Central Finance – and provide you with comprehensive advice. From the business objectives to the process landscape to the customized technical solution.
Contact us for a non-binding discussion about your project!
Herbert Wagner, Lead Manager
The question is no longer whether companies should switch from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA, but how they can make the transition efficiently and risk-free. Large transformation projects involve considerable investments in time, resources and budget – factors that are often limited in economically uncertain times.
A big bang conversion carries high risks: system failures, inadequately trained employees and unexpected technical challenges can have a significant impact on ongoing operations. If all systems are converted at the same time, business processes can be severely disrupted.
The Finance First approach offers a secure and controlled alternative. By introducing SAP S/4HANA in stages, resources are conserved, budgets can be planned flexibly over a longer period of time and operational downtime is minimized. Companies benefit from the innovations of SAP S/4HANA in the area of finance at an early stage, while operational processes continue to run unchanged for the time being.
With the finance-first approach, the finance and controlling processes are migrated to SAP S/4HANA first, while other business areas (e.g. logistics, purchasing) follow step by step. SAP Central Finance serves as an interim solution and acts as an interface between the systems. Once the migration is complete, CFIN can be deactivated again if it is not used as a consolidation solution or as part of M+A activities.
This approach allows companies to benefit from the advantages of SAP S/4HANA at an early stage without having to convert their entire IT landscape immediately.
Typical companies that choose this approach are medium-sized and large companies with complex ERP and process landscapes that want a stable transformation with minimal risk.
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The Finance First approach enables a controlled and gradual migration, in which only the finance and controlling processes are initially converted to SAP S/4HANA. This means that operations in other business areas remain undisturbed while Finance already benefits from the new functions.
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Companies can already use the latest SAP functions in the finance area while the rest of the IT landscape remains unchanged. Thanks to real-time analyses, an improved data structure and automated financial processes, SAP S/4HANA increases efficiency without the need for a complete system changeover.
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SAP Central Finance ensures seamless integration of existing SAP and non-SAP systems so that companies can manage their financial processes centrally without disrupting operational processes. This reduces the risk of system failures or bottlenecks that could occur during a classic big bang changeover.
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Companies can design their migration according to their own requirements and capacities without having to adhere to rigid schedules. This allows the transition to SAP S/4HANA to be planned strategically, whether by company, business unit or individual process.
At first glance, a big bang conversion may seem more cost-effective, as there are no additional license fees for SAP Central Finance. However, the gradual transition to SAP S/4HANA offers you planning security and minimizes risks.
In the finance-first approach, SAP Central Finance can be used as a temporary solution. After successful migration to SAP S/4HANA, it is deactivated – so the license costs are only incurred for the duration of the transformation.
Important to know: The license costs for SAP Central Finance are revenue-based, which also makes it an economically viable alternative for small and medium-sized companies. This means you benefit from a secure changeover without overburdening your budget.
A transformation to SAP S/4HANA without the risk? It’s possible – with a step-by-step migration. First finance and controlling, then gradually all other areas.
Get in touch for a no-obligation discussion about your project!
Herbert Wagner, Lead Manager
The introduction of SAP Central Finance is far more than just a technical implementation – it requires a well thought-out strategy, in-depth process understanding and comprehensive transformation experience. As a specialized partner, we support companies in efficiently harmonizing their financial processes, optimizing reporting structures or strategically shaping the path to SAP S/4HANA.
We are one of the few providers on the market to fully exploit the possibilities of SAP Central Finance. Our expertise was recognized with the Topgun Thought Leader Award 2024 for SAP Central Finance.
We think beyond the SAP standard and develop innovative methods that not only meet your requirements, but also shorten project runtimes and minimize testing effort.
Our consultants combine in-depth SAP know-how with business understanding to create sustainable solutions. With us, you get far more than just a technical migration – we analyze your processes and only recommend what will bring your company forward in the long term.
From strategic consulting and implementation to go-live support and beyond – we support your project in every phase.
A successful SAP Central Finance project begins with careful planning and a structured approach. ERPvisors relies on a proven, phase-based model:
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We start by analyzing your existing ERP landscape and identifying key use cases for SAP Central Finance. Based on this, we develop a tailor-made roadmap that takes both technical and organizational requirements into account.
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We create a detailed concept that harmonizes the data flows and processes. We also define mapping logics and ensure smooth integration, including into non-SAP systems.
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During this phase, we set up the real-time data transfer and ensure that all financial information is correctly transferred to the central system. Through comprehensive tests and quality checks, we minimize risks and ensure a stable migration.
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When going live, we support your team with real-time monitoring and training to ensure that the new processes run smoothly. Even after the go-live, we provide support and optimization measures to ensure long-term success.
Are you ready for SAP Central Finance? Contact us for a no-obligation consultation and let’s drive your transformation forward together!
