02 October 2006

Weekly Dynamic: Variable Allocation

We've looked at Fixed Allocation accounts but now we're getting jiggy with Variable Allocations.
Variable Allocations split amounts based on some system variable like number of employees, balance in posting account, etc.
You set up Variable Allocations in Cards-Financial-Variable Allocations. Account Number and descriptions work like any other account. The two key components are Distributions Accounts and Breakdown Accounts.
Distribution Accounts are the accounts where the amounts will end up. Breakdown accounts are used to split up the amounts.
For example, if I have $1,000 in medical costs to be distributed to 3 departments based on headcount.
$1,000 would be posted to the variable allocation account. The account would then would split the $1,000 to the Distribution Accounts based on headcount ratio.
You have a choice to use period amounts or account totals of the breakdown accounts for the calculation. This is set in the Variable Allocation setup.
If you do allocations based on headcount like we do, Variable Allocation accounts can be a real time saver.