Setting Up Flow Processing

This section discusses how to:

Establish flow processing.
Use system flow codes.
Define manual flow codes.
Set up flow templates.
Insert flow codes in a flow template.
Insert an account set in a flow template.
Preview a flow template.
Define flow groups.
Assign flow codes as targets to consolidation rules.

Pages Used to Define Flows

Page Name	Definition Name	Navigation	Usage
Ledger Template - Consolidation Variables	GC_LEDGER_TEMPLATE	select EPM Foundation, then select EPM Setup, then select Ledger Setup, then select Ledgers, then select Ledger Template, then select Consolidation Variables	Establish flow processing for a consolidation ledger and specify the flow records to be used.
System Flow Codes	GC_FLSYS_CD	select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select System Flow Codes	Modify the short and long names of the system flow codes and to specify which system flow codes automatically populate in the flow templates.
Manual Flow Code	GC_FLMANCD	select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Manual Flow Codes	Define manual flow codes.
Manual Flow Code - Notes	GC_FLMANCD_NOTES	select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Manual Flow Codes, then select Notes	Enter notes about a manual flow code.
Flow Template - General	GC_FLTMPLT	select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Template Setup, then select General	Select the flow template type and enter a description, ledger template, and effective date for the flow template.
Flow Template - Flow Codes	GC_FLTMPL_CD	select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Template Setup, then select Flow Codes	Identify which flow codes to use in the flow template.
Flow Template - Account Set	GC_FLTMPL_ACCT	select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Template Setup, then select Account Set	Identify which accounts to use in the flow template.
Flow Template - Template Preview	GC_FLTMPL_PREV	select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Template Setup, then select Template Preview	Preview the flow template layout.
Flow Template Setup - Notes	GC_FLTMPL_NOTES	select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Template Setup, then select Notes	Enter notes about the flow template.
Flow Group	GC_FLGRP	select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Group	Assign manual and system flow templates to a flow group.
Flow Group - Notes	GC_FLGRP_NOTES	select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Group, then select Notes	Enter notes about a flow group.

Ledger Template - Consolidation Variables Page

Use the Ledger Template - Consolidation Variables page (GC_LEDGER_TEMPLATE) to establish flow processing for a consolidation ledger and specify the flow records to be used.

Navigation

select EPM Foundation, then select EPM Setup, then select Ledger Setup, then select Ledgers, then select Ledger Template, then select Consolidation Variables

Image: Ledger Template - Consolidation Variables page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Ledger Template - Consolidation Variables page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

To establish flow processing for the selected consolidation ledger template, in the Flow Processing group box select the Flow Processing check box and define which flow records are used.

Flow Activity Record

Represents the table in which the final flow amounts are stored. This table is used in conjunction with the consolidation ledger to develop reports for flow reporting.

Flow Input Record

Represents the table where the user inputs the flow amounts.

Flow Activity Work and Flow Activity Work 2

Temporary tables for the flow update engines.

System Flow Codes Page

Use the System Flow Codes page (GC_FLSYS_CD) to modify the short and long names of the system flow codes and to specify which system flow codes automatically populate in the flow templates.

Navigation

select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select System Flow Codes

Image: System Flow Codes page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the System Flow Codes page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

System flow codes are predefined by the system and are used to track system-generated amounts. These system flow codes and descriptions are delivered with Global Consolidations. You can change the short and long descriptions and the default settings, but not the flow code.

These fields are displayed on the System Flow Codes page:

Flow Code

Displays the fixed five-digit number assigned to the system flow code. You cannot change this field.

Short Description

Displays the short description for the system flow code. You can change this description.

Description

Displays the long description for the system flow code. You can change this description.

Default in Template

Select this check box to specify that the system flow code will automatically be included when a new flow template is defined. The Open, Close, and Change flow codes are required for every flow template.

The following table lists the seven system flow codes and their definitions.

Flow Code	Short Description	Description	Definition
00000	Open	Opening Balance	Represents the year-to-date opening balance.
99999	Close	Closing Balance	Represents the year-to-date closing balance.
99990	Change	Change	Represents the difference between opening and closing balance on the source input template. On the journal flow input template, it represents the activity from journals or batches.
99980	FXAJ1	FX Adj for Beginning Balance	Used in the translation of flows at the closing rate. Represents the flow translation adjustment to adjust the opening balance, translated at prior rates to the closing translation rate. This amount is derived from GC source of 08.
99985	FXAJ2	FX Adj for Cash Flow Activity	Used in the translation of flows at the cash flow rate (normally an average rate). Represents the flow translation adjustment to adjust the flow amounts translated at the average rate to the closing rate.
99988	FXTGL	FX Translation Gain/Loss	Represents the translation gain loss from the ledger preparation process. This amount is derived from GC source of 02.
99995	Activity	Change in Period Activity	Represents the activity for the account. This flow code is critical when producing the templates for any accounts that do not need manual flow codes such as accounts receivable and accounts payable. It is created through the Flow Update engines when updating flows and is used for translating activity at an average rate for foreign currency balances. The difference between this flow code and the change flow code is that this flow code represents the period activity from the consolidation ledger (CLED) whereas the change flow code represents a calculated amount of the difference between opening and closing balance.

Manual Flow Code Page

Use the Manual Flow Code page (GC_FLMANCD) to define manual flow codes.

Navigation

select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Manual Flow Codes

Image: Manual Flow Codes page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Manual Flow Codes page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Manual flow codes are defined by the user to track account activity and are used in manual flow templates. You must take into consideration the nature of the account when creating manual flow codes. The flow codes should track the types of activities that affect the balance of the account.

To define a new manual flow code, on the Manual Flow Code - Add a new value page, enter the select SetID and five digit Flow Code ID for the flow code, and then specify values in the following fields on the Manual Flow Code page:

Effective Date

Specify the date at which the flow code should be available for use.

Short Description

Enter a short description for the flow code.

Description

Enter a long description for the flow code.

Cash Flow Attribute

Select one of the following attributes for the manual flow code: Operating Activities, Investing Activities, Financing Activities, and Other. These are information-only values used to classify the type of flow code. Their values do not affect flow processing.

Flow Template - General Page

Use the Flow Template - General page (GC_FLTMPLT) to select the flow template type and enter a description, ledger template, and effective date for the flow template.

Navigation

select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Template Setup, then select General

Image: Flow Template - General page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Flow Template - General page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

You define a flow template by specifying SetID and Flow Template ID. On the Flow Template - General page, you specify the following:

Ledger Template

Specify the consolidation ledger template.

Template Type

Select one of the following:

Manual Flow Template: Select manual flow template to establish a flow template where flows are inputted.
System Flow Template: Select system flow template to capture change in period activity flows..

See Understanding Data Flows.

System Flow Templates

You use the same pages to define system flow templates that you use to define manual flow templates. There are some differences, however, in how you set up the definitions.

If you are producing a cash flow statement using the indirect method, then other changes in activity from balance sheet accounts need to be translated at the cash flow average rate, such as accounts receivable or accounts payable. In this case, a separate system flow template must be setup to capture the change in activity.

Note: The system flow template only needs to be used if the user is consolidating business units in a foreign currency.

Flow Template - Flow Codes Page

Use the Flow Template - Flow Codes page (GC_FLTMPL_CD) to identify which flow codes to use in the flow template.

Navigation

select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Template Setup, then select Flow Codes

Image: Flow Template - Flow Codes page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Flow Template - Flow Codes page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Add the flow codes that you require for your flow template and place them in the display order in which you want them to be displayed. If you want to review or edit a flow code, you can click the flow code description link to display the definition of that particular flow code.

Display Order

Enter the display order for the flow codes as they will appear on the Flow Inquiry page. The flow codes are the columns appearing from left to right, based on the value entered for this field; the lowest display order appears first.

Flow Code

Select the flow code value. System flow codes defined as Default In Template automatically populate the Flow Codes grid.

For manual flow templates, values available are based on those defined by the system or manual flow codes you previously defined on the Manual Flow Code page.
Only system flow codes can be used on system flow templates.

Create Manual Flow Code

(Available only for manual flow templates.) Select the Create Manual Flow Code link to add a new manual flow code on the Manual Flow Code page, then return to the Flow Template - Flow Codes page.

Flow Template - Account Set Page

Use the Flow Template - Account Set page (GC_FLTMPL_ACCT) to identify which accounts to use in the flow template.

Navigation

select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Template Setup, then select Account Set

Image: Flow Template - Account Set page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Flow Template - Account Set page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

The account set in a flow template is made up of accounts that would logically be associated with the flow template. For example, on a fixed assets manual flow template, you would add accounts associated with fixed assets.

Display Order

Enter the display order for the account. The accounts specify the rows displayed on the Source Flow Input and Journal Flow Input pages, and appear in ascending order, based on the value entered for this field; the account with the lowest display order appears first.

Account Option

Select one of the following options:

Select Tree Node to specify a node from an account tree. Then specify the Tree ID, Tree Node, and Validate options.
Select Detail to specify a single account. Then specify the account in the Account field.

Account

Select the account from the prompt table. This field is used when the Detail Account Option is selected.

Tree ID

Select the tree ID. This option is active if you select Tree Node as the Account Option. You must select an account structure tree.

Tree Node

Select the tree node based on the Tree ID you selected. Opens the tree viewer so you can select a tree node. This option is active if you select Tree Node as the Account Option.

Validate

This option is active if you select Tree Node as the Account Option.Your choices are Node or Detail.

Select Detail to list accounts from the tree node on the template. This option is used to facilitate easier maintenance of entering multiple accounts at a time.
Select Node to select the entire node. The system then stores the flow amount by tree node. If you select Node, you must also select an Exchange Rate Type and Rate Type for Cash Flows.

These rate type selections enable you to track flows for both cash flow reporting and footnote disclosures. For example, you might record fixed asset acquisitions at a current rate for footnote disclosure purposes and at an average rate for cash flow. Global Consolidations records the flow amount at both rates for reporting purposes.

Exchange Rate Type

Select an exchange rate type. This field is active if you select Tree Node for the account option and validate at the node level. In this situation you are validating the flows at the node level so you must define an exchange rate for the node level results.

Rate Type for Cash Flows

Select the rate type you want to use for cash flows. This field is active if you select Tree Node for the account option and validate at the node level. In this situation you are validating the flows at the node level so you must define an exchange rate for the node level.

Note: If you specify an account in a system flow template that is also listed on a manual flow template, and both flow templates are part of the same flow group, the account in the system flow template will be excluded during flow processing.

There is no setup for node-level currency conversion rules except on the Flow Template - Account Set page. If a detail account or node with Validate set to Detail is selected on the Flow Template - Account Set page, then the currency conversion refers to the currency group set at the consolidation model level.

Flow Template - Template Preview Page

Use the Flow Template - Template Preview page (GC_FLTMPL_PREV) to preview the flow template layout.

Navigation

select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Template Setup, then select Template Preview

Image: Flow Template - Preview page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Flow Template - Preview page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Select View/Refresh Template to display the format of the flow template. The Flow Template - Template Preview page displays the layout of the flow template and how it will appear on the Source Flow Input and Journal Flow Input pages. If you change the parameters of flow codes and/or account set on the previous flow template pages and then navigate to the Template Preview page, update the preview by clicking the View/Refresh Template button.

The format is in rows for accounts and columns for flow codes. Values calculated by the system are identified with #####. Values determined using manual flow codes are blank.

Account/Node and Description

A row is displayed for each account or node specified for the flow template.

00000 Open, 99999 Close, and 99900 Change columns

A column is displayed for each of these required system flow codes. Amounts for system flow codes are calculated by the system, and are signified by #####.

Columns for additional flow codes

A column is displayed for each flow code specified in the template.

Difference to be Reconciled

Displays the net amount of the flow activities for the account. It is calculated by the system and shows the net of the 99990 Change column and the sum of the other manual flow code input columns, and can be used to help reconcile the flow amounts.

Previewing a System Flow Template

Like the Flow Template - Template Preview page for a manual flow template, the Template Preview page for a system flow template displays the layout of the system flow template. It displays the accounts specified on the Flow Template - Account Set page in rows. It also displays the system flow codes from the Flow Template - Flow Code page in columns. Because this template is system derived, you can only review amounts for system flow templates on the Flow Inquiry page. The amounts are displayed in the consolidation currency.

See Viewing Data Flows.

Flow Group Page

Use the Flow Group page (GC_FLGRP) to assign manual and system flow templates to a flow group.

Navigation

select Global Consolidation, then select Define Consolidations, then select Flow Definitions, then select Flow Group

Image: Flow Group page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Flow Group page. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

After the flow templates have been completed, you must associate the templates with a flow group and associate the flow group with the consolidation model. Use the Flow Group page to associate manual flow templates with a flow group and indicate whether the flow group includes system flow templates.

Ledger Template

All the flow templates within a flow group must use the same consolidation ledger template.

Create Flow Template

Click this link to open the Flow Templates page and define a new flow template, which can then be included in the flow group.

Manual Flow Templates

Insert a row in this grid for each manual flow template to include in the flow group, and, in the Flow Template ID field, specify the the manual flow template to include.

Include System Flow Templates

Select this check box if the flow group also includes system flow templates.

System Flow Templates

If the Include System Flow Templates check box is selected, insert a row in this grid for each system flow template to include in the flow group, and, in the Flow Template ID field, specify the system flow template to use.

Assigning Manual Flow Codes as Targets into Consolidation Rules

After flow setup is complete, you can use manual flow codes as targets within the consolidation rules.

If you assign manual flow codes to consolidation rules, the system generates flow amounts when the consolidation engine is run and the Update Flow Amounts check box is selected on the run control page

This example shows how flow codes are used in a Non-Controlling Interest rule:

Image: Non-Controlling Interest Rule - Elimination page showing flow codes used in combination with accounts

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Non-Controlling Interest Rule - Elimination page showing flow codes used in combination with accounts. You can find definitions for the fields and controls later on this page.

Refer to Define Consolidation Rules, Setup Equitization Rules or Setup Elimination Rules or Setup Non-controlling Interest rules for further information on setting up flow targets on the rules.

The flow amounts captured by consolidation rules are categorized as journal flow amounts, and can be reviewed and modified on the Journal Flow Input page.