As a business owner, do you need to frequently manage foreign currencies? If yes, then currency exchange fluctuations must impact your business. On the positive side, you have plenty of currency management tools to streamline exchange rates and maintain financial control.
As an ERP tool designed for small businesses, SAP Business One or SAP B1 is a good choice thanks to its support for multiple currencies. With its financial management module, SAP B1 can streamline financial transactions and configure multiple currencies. Here’s a complete currency management tools comparison with SAP B1.
Currency Management – SAP B1 vs Competitors
1. Support for Local and System Currency
Through its financial management module, SAP Business One supports both local and system currencies. The local currency represents the official currency of the country where the business is operating (for example, USD for the United States).
The system currency is an additional currency used by the company’s global subsidiaries. It can differ from the local currency. For example, the system currency across Europe is Euro – while it is USD for the United States.
With this parallel currency system, SAP B1 makes it easier to consolidate financial reports and integrate financial data into the centralized system.
2. Managing Exchange Rate Fluctuations
A fluctuating exchange rate is a constant “bane” for businesses dealing with foreign currencies. With its “Exchange Rate Difference” functionality, SAP Business One enables companies to record the exchange rate difference in their financial statements.
Based on the real-time exchange rate, SAP B1 can automatically convert any foreign currency into local currency. It can also compare the converted value to the original currency value to register a profit or loss. Additionally, SAP B1 provides recommendations for differences in exchange rates, which is useful for customers and business partners.
3. Currency Translation
Enterprises whose local currency differs from the system currency also face translation differences. Apart from managing exchange rate differences, SAP B1 can handle differences in currency translation – with an automatic revaluation on a defined date.
To clear these translation differences, SAP Business One recommends regular journal entries (made only using the system currency). Companies can leverage this SAP B1 capability to reconcile differences before the end of the evaluation period. This, in turn, ensures the accuracy of their financial data.
4. Currency in Price-Lists
Among the latest enhancements, product-selling companies can now set up individual product pricing in up to three currencies. This includes one primary currency and two additional ones. The primary currency is the default currency of the country. For example, the British Pound in the U.K.
Additionally, the default currency is automatically set when you choose a customer from the corresponding country. For instance, USD for all U.S.-based customers. SAP B1 also makes an automatic journal entry for each customer invoice – by converting the invoice amount (in foreign currency) to the local currency.
5. Management of Account Currencies
With SAP Business One, companies can flexibly manage their account currencies. Here are three scenarios for account currencies:
- When account currency is the local currency: In this scenario, all journal entries are managed in the local currency. SAP B1 converts and displays all financial transactions into the real-time system currency. The account balance is displayed in local and system currency.
- When account currency is the fixed foreign currency: In this scenario, all journal entries are made in both the local and the foreign currency. The account balance is displayed in the local system, and the specified foreign currency.
- When account currency is all currencies: In this scenario, all journal entries are managed in the local and foreign currency (configured for the company). The account balance is displayed in local and system currency.
Also Read: Managing the Exchange Rate Difference in SAP Business One
6. Currency Parameters
From its Administration module, SAP Business One allows you to set various currency-related parameters, including the following:
- Code – refers to the international ISO code for the specified country.
- ISO currency code – refers to the predefined list of ISO currency codes.
- Currency – enables you to define the currency name – by also using the ISO currency code.
- International code and description – define the currency symbol & words required for printing cheques.
- Underpayment and overpayment of open times – refers to the maximum amount (or percentage) permissible for automatic clearance of any underpayments or overpayments.
Conclusion
Effective currency management is an integral part of companies dealing with foreign currencies on a regular basis. To handle currencies, there are plenty of SAP-like software tools for small business enterprises in India. As compared to SAP competitors, the SAP B1 solution offers a rich array of functionalities in financial management.
As an ERP service company, Praxis Info Solutions offers a range of customized solutions in SAP Business One to manage your foreign currency exchange rate. Check out our competitive SAP ERP pricing list.
Still worried about fluctuating exchange rates? We can help. Contact us today.