In SAP FI Asset Accounting, what is true about posting credit memos to an asset under construction (AUC) that has already been fully capitalized, assuming negative APC is allowed?

Introduction / Context:
In SAP FI Asset Accounting, acquisition and production cost (APC) represent the capitalized value of an asset. For assets under construction (AUC), it may happen that vendor invoices are corrected after the asset has already been capitalized or settled. When negative APC is allowed in customizing, SAP can handle credit memos that reduce the capitalized cost even after full capitalization. This behavior is sometimes tested in certification questions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are dealing with an asset under construction in FI AA.
• The AUC has already been fully capitalized or settled to final assets.
• Customizing allows negative APC values.
• A credit memo related to the AUC needs to be posted, which would reduce acquisition cost.

Concept / Approach:
Negative APC means that the system permits postings that reduce acquisition and production cost below previous levels, and in some scenarios even temporarily below zero. When a credit memo arrives after full capitalization, SAP can post it to the AUC and then, if necessary, settle or adjust the related receivers. This flexibility is important where supplier corrections or discounts arrive late. Without allowing negative APC, these corrections might be more difficult to handle, or special procedures would be required.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that APC is updated by acquisitions, retirements, and certain adjustments in Asset Accounting. Step 2: Understand that credit memos reduce APC and can be seen as negative acquisitions. Step 3: Recognize that if customizing allows negative APC, the system does not block such postings even after capitalization. Step 4: Review the options and find the one that explicitly states that, with negative APC allowed, credit memos for an AUC can still be posted after full capitalization. Step 5: Select option a as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider a construction project where an AUC has been fully settled to a building asset and then later a vendor issues a credit memo due to an overcharge. If negative APC is permitted, SAP can post this credit memo to the originating AUC or to the receiving asset, reducing the acquisition cost accordingly. Subsequent settlement or adjustment postings can align the AUC and the final asset values. This behavior aligns with option a and shows that full capitalization does not absolutely block adjustments when negative APC is enabled.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b is incorrect because it claims that no postings at all are possible after capitalization, which is not true when configuration allows negative APC and corrective postings. Option c wrongly restricts credit memos to fully depreciated finished assets, ignoring the case of AUC. Option d is false because negative APC settings directly influence whether such credit memos can be posted. Option e is incorrect because credit memos for assets are usually linked to the asset master so that APC and book values are updated consistently; they are not only general ledger postings.

Common Pitfalls:
A common misunderstanding is to assume that once an asset is fully capitalized or settled, it is locked forever against further cost corrections. In reality, business processes often require late adjustments, and SAP provides configuration options like negative APC to accommodate them. Another pitfall is to ignore the impact of customizing options and answer questions only from a theoretical accounting perspective. For exam purposes, always consider what SAP configuration allows.

Final Answer:
If negative APC is allowed in customizing, you can still post credit memos to an asset under construction even after it has been fully capitalized.