Revenue Recognition with RA on Service Contracts

Question

We have configured SD Revenue Recognition function (ECC 5.0). We have warranty maintenance contracts running. On this basis we have the following scenario and issue.
The warranty maintenance contracts are created without a billing plan (Reqmt. type SE so that we can settle costs later). The value of which is transferred to Deferred Revenue Account and is recognised at the end of the contract period (As it bears the retention money with the customer). Until this step things are working fine. We use VF44 to recognise revenues.
However, there are costs incurred (both material & labour) in relation to such contracts. To track this, we create a Service Order s against the Service Contract for each month. Later on fulfillment, the orders are settled to the Service Contract. This is reflecting in the Service Order. But the finance team wants to recognise the revenues to the extent of costs incurred. I'm not sure how we can do this. The following is an example scenario.
Contract Value : $1000
Contract period : 1 yr (1.1.2010 to 31.12.2010)
Contract billed at the start of the year on 1.1.2010 so the amount is moved to Revenue Provision (Deferred Revenue)
At the end of the year $1000 lying in Deferred Revenue will be moved to Revenue Account through Revenue Recognition (VF44)
Now, costs incurred as follows which are booked in separate service orders against the contract and on completion, settled to the contract. There is no definite schedule for these costs.
Apr 2010 : $100
Jun 2010 : $200
Sep 2010 : $500
Now, the finance team wants to recognise revenue to this extent during the relevant periods. For eg.
Apr 2010 :
Deferred Revenue A/c $100
To Revenue A/c $100
Jun 2010 :
Deferred Revenue A/c $200
To Revenue A/c $200
Sep 2010 :
Deferred Revenue A/c $500
To Revenue A/c $500
And at the end of Dec 2010 :
Deferred Revenue A/c $200
To Revenue A/c $200
(for the remaining amount)
Can anyone guide me how this can be achieved?  Can I do it by running RA on Service Contracts?
Thanks in advance.
Ravi.

Answer 1

One option:
This is how we do it in my company. This scenario is of committed services where biling is based on bill plan but revenue is as incurred. So you will bill 100% in advance to have a deferred position but evey month you calculate the service delivered/incurred and recognize the revenue reference to that service. You have to deliver the equivalent hours (To match the amount you want to recognize) and the VF44 based on delivery document. You might have to adjust your ETC based on the amount you want to recognize every month and the total qyantity to deliver.
In summary, basically you use following steps:
1. Sales order with delivery related item category (Assigned to service contract, in my case we use WBS).
2. VF04 for billing as per plan
3. VL01N to deliver the quantity matching the amount
4. VF44 with reference to delivery.
Item category has revenue recognition 'B'.
Hope it gives some idea.
Thanks.
Rahul