Cost Elements are for CO the equivalent as accounts in FI. They are classified in 2 families:
Primary cost element
A primary cost element corresponds to the analytic reflect of a P&L account,
The “Primary cost elements (PCE)” = mirror of P/L FI accounts
- Most of the P/L FI accounts exist as PCE.
- If the PCE exist, the posting in FI is only possible if a CO-object is given
Secondary cost element
The “Secondary cost elements” are used inside the CO module in order to assume the allocations inside CO (cost center assessment, cost center activity, settlement of orders,…) and to ensure comprehensive reporting and detailed planning.
Secondary Cost Elements are necessary and used for cost allocations between different CO objects, e.g. cost center to cost center or cost center to order.
There are:
- Reporting Secondary Cost Elements
- Non Reporting (Organizational) Secondary Cost Elements;



