How to correct dimensions on posted entries

It happens in every finance department: an entry is posted with the wrong department, the wrong project or another wrong dimension, and only at month-end does someone notice that the reports do not add up. Posted entries cannot simply be edited, and the usual solutions each have their cost. You can reverse and post again, but that creates extra entries and may hit a closed period. You can correct the reports outside the system, but then the accounts and the report no longer match. Before you choose a method, settle three things: Which entry types are affected? How many entries are involved? And must the correction be documented for the auditor? We go through the three questions and what you need in place whichever method you choose. At the end we show how our upcoming app, Dimension Correction Pro, will correct dimensions with a log and undo.

Which entry types are affected?

Business Central has a built-in function for correcting dimensions, but Microsoft itself says it only applies to general ledger entries. Customer, vendor, item, fixed asset and job entries do not follow.

If you only use the dimensions in financial reports, the built-in function may be enough. If you pull reports on item entries or job entries, those entries must be corrected too, or the two reports will not match.

How many entries are involved?

For a single invoice, reversal and reposting is often quickest if the period is still open. If it is hundreds of entries over several months, reversal creates many extra entries and a risk of new errors.

Must the correction be documented?

The auditor will typically want to see what was corrected, when and by whom. That speaks against correcting in the reports outside the system, and for a method that stores before and after values.

What must be in place whichever method you use

A list of the affected entries with the wrong and the right dimension
An agreement on who approves the correction
A check of whether the period is closed, and whether closed periods may be changed
A control report before and after, so you can see that the totals move as expected

Dimension Correction Pro

Our upcoming app corrects dimensions on posted entries with a log and the option to undo. It is not on Microsoft AppSource yet. Join the waiting list and we will tell you at launch.