Account custom fields for reporting results in no data

Carmen Hopkins

I am trying to use account custom fields to categorize account codes into financial reporting categories so that I can run an income statement in a specific format. I created a new account custom field titled Budget Report Category that is linked to a table with the categories needed (for example, Programming & Event Revenues). I added the custom field to each account code with the desired value. I built my chart organizer using this custom field. When testing, the report produced no data. It says <No Budget Report Category (Account Attribute)>. So to figure out what the issue was, I ran a query just to get the raw data. The query results showed the custom field Budget Report Category as blank on all transactions. So that explains why my report is coming back with no data. I've talked to Customer Support and the rep first said it was because it would only apply to new transactions going forward, so I created a test JE but it doesn't apply the custom field to the new transaction either. The rep said he'd look into it and get back to me later. Does anyone use account custom fields to categorize their financial reporting categories and did you set it up like I described or am I missing something? Where did I go wrong in the configuration. I would appreciate any insight!

Patricia Nowak

Did you build your custom coding in both the GL account code field and the full account string? I would guess that is the problem.

Carmen Hopkins

That was it! It was not in the account number. Thank you so much for responding to this. I owe you big time! I'll add that nowhere in the knowledge base did I find this little tidbit of information or help, and I looked all over!

Patricia Nowak

For future reference any time you create a new custom field of a GL account code you also have to add it to all existing account strings. It will only flow through and autopopulate when you created a new account string.

Kevin Brazell

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/85101/account-custom-fields-for-reporting-results-in-no-data

The account custom field should be account, but the query you were looking at seems to indicate a transaction attribute. When you go to the custom field setup, what is the record type there?

Carmen Hopkins

Hi Kevin, the record type is set for Account on the custom field setup.
Follow up question to Patricia's response - Do I have to indicate the custom field for both the account code AND the account number? Or can I ignore adding for the account code and only add custom field for the account number? Trying to avoid managing it in 2 different places unless needed.

Kevin Brazell

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/comment/312110#Comment_312110

No. The account code and account share the field. the only difference would be if the account code has 1 value , it's a default for when you make a new account number, vs the full account number. The one on the account number is what we'd use on queries or VCO mapping etc.

Carmen Hopkins

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/comment/312121#Comment_312121

To make sure I understand, adding the custom field to the account codes is not necessary, but if added to account codes it will allow the value to default when creating a new account, right?

Kevin Brazell

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/comment/312130#Comment_312130

Correct!