
There is nothing like a Primary Settlement Cost Element. If it is settlement Cost Element, it is always a Secondary Cost Element. I hope you are aware of the difference between Primary and Secondary Cost Elements.
Full Answer
When do you have to settle secondary cost elements?
One of these is when the original debit is a secondary cost, for example, for internal activity allocation. The reason is that there is no corresponding expense account for secondary costs. Therefore, you have to settle secondary cost elements using a settlement cost element.
What is external settlement category 22?
External settlement: Cost element category 22 (primary). If the cost elements assigned to the G/L accounts do not yet exist, create primary cost elements of category 22 (external settlement). If the corresponding G/L account does not yet exist, you need to enter this in Financial Accounting.
What are secondary cost elements in SAP?
Secondary Cost Elements are used exclusively in CO to identify internal cost Flows such as assessments or settlements. They do not have corresponding General ledger accounts in FI and are defined in CO only. When you create a cost element, you must assign a cost element category. This
How to settle by cost element to a cost centre?
For settlement by cost element, the offsetting account to the Cost Centre is the primary cost element of the original debit. Settlement with Settlement Cost Element: There are some conditions under which it is not possible to settle by cost element to a Cost Centre.

What is settlement assignment?
The settlement assignment is a grouping of cost elements or cost element groups that should be treated in the same way during the settlement . Settlement by Cost Element: During settlement by cost element, the system settles each debit again with the source cost element.
Can you settle by cost element?
There are some conditions under which it is not possible to settle by cost element to a Cost Centre. One of these is when the original debit is a secondary cost, for example, for internal activity allocation. The reason is that there is no corresponding expense account for secondary costs.
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What are secondary cost elements?
If desired, the activities can be tracked by different secondary cost elements, including labor time, machine time, and set-up time. For applying overhead, the secondary cost elements are defined in a costing sheet; if desired, different secondary cost elements reflect the different types of overhead, such as material overhead, labor overhead, ...
How much does cost center AB receive?
For costs originally posted with primary cost element 123, cost centers CD and XY each receive $25 ; the secondary cost element 623 traces this allocation. For primary cost element 901, cost center CD receives $40, while cost center XY receives $10; the secondary cost element 601 captures this allocation. From a G/L standpoint, the P&L accounts 123 and 901 still contain the original expense of $50 each.
Can you retain primary cost element?
You can retain the original primary cost element if you use a special type of allocation, a “distribution,” to move costs from an originating cost center to one or more receiving cost centers. The distribution is captured in a CO document, a journal entry in FI is still not necessary.
Is there a direct mapping between primary and secondary cost elements?
There is no direct mapping between the primary cost elements and secondary cost elements. The dotted line in the diagram below indicates that there is logic, but it is defined in the set-up of the type of allocation taking place.
What are secondary cost elements used for?
secondary cost elements will be used with in controlling for distribution of costs between cost center etc. for analysis purposes.
What is primary cost element?
Primary cost elements replicate the G/L accounts for CO processes. Secondary cost elements could be used for internal CO procedures, such as allocations. All FI postings to G/L, which are defined as cost elements, will come to primary cost elements.
When you create a cost element, must you assign a cost element category?
When you create a cost element, you must assign a cost element category. This. Assignment determines the transactions for which you can use the cost element. You can create cost elements automatically by making default settings that are used.
Can you create cost elements manually in bulk?
You can create cost elements manually in bulk with the help of LSMW or BDC.
What are primary cost elements?
Primary Cost Elements are those which are created from FI General Ledger Accounts and impact the financial accounts eg. Traveling expenses, consumption account, in fact, any Profit and Loss GL account.
What are the elements of cost?
Elements of Cost. Raw materials are converted into finished products by a manufacturing concern with the help of labor, plants etc. The elements that constitute the cost of manufacturing are known as elements of cost. The elements of cost include the following: Material. Labor.
What is allocation cost element?
The allocation cost element is a secondary cost element, under which the activity type or business process is allocated. The allocation cost element is the central characteristic used in all CO postings. It is therefore also an important criterion for reporting – for example, many reports are structured according to the posted cost elements. The allocation cost element must have been created in the cost element master data as a secondary cost element of the category “Allocate activities/processes”.
How to make as many number of cost element groups as you feel necessary?
You can make as many number of cost element groups as you feel necessary by combining various logical cost elements. In a similar line, the cost center group is also a group of cost centers which help one to track and control the cost of a department more effectively. You can make as many numbers of cost centers as you feel necessary by combining ...
What is a CO in accounting?
A component of Controlling (CO) that collects and summarizes postings that arise within controlling in a reconciliation ledger. Cross-company and across business area postings are passed on to Financial Accounting. You can also create cost analyses in the CO applications.
What is overhead cost?
Overhead: Used to calculate indirect costs from cost centers to orders
What is internal settlement?
Internal Settlement: Cost elements of this category is used to settle order costs to objects in controlling such as cost centers, pa segments, etc.
What is secondary cost element?
Secondary Cost Elements are those which are created only in controlling and does not affect the financials of the company. It is used for internal reporting only. The postings to these accounts do not affect the Profit or Loss of the company.
Can secondary cost elements be directly posted?
A Secondary cost elements cannot be directly posted. An example will be the Cost Center. Secondary cost elements can only be created in Controlling. Cost element accounting records and groups the costs incurred. Cost elements are assigned to a commitment item in Funds Management.
How many cost element groups are required for each settlement assignment?
You require one cost element group for each settlement assignment. If necessary you can create new cost element groups by editing the source in the allocation structure.
Do you need primary cost elements for settlement?
If you wish to settle to cost elements, you do not require any primary cost elements for settlement.
Can you settle receivers in external accounting?
You can settle to receivers in external accounting in Asset Management, Inventory Management within Materials Management or in the G/L account in financial accounting.
Can you change cost elements for settlement?
If the cost elements for the settlement already exist, you can change them (for example, the cost element category), providing the cost element was not used previously.
