Business support device, business support method, and business support program

Abstract

To reduce the burden on staff in overseas settlement operations. [Solution] The calculation unit calculates the difference between the first total amount, which is the sum of each invoice amount in the home country, and the second total amount, which is the sum of each payment amount in the home country. The conversion processing unit converts the invoice amount and payment amount, each converted to the home country, into settlement currency invoice amount and settlement currency payment amount based on a predetermined conversion rate for the settlement currency, which is the type of currency used for settlement and has been set in advance with the settlement recipient. The offset confirmation processing unit calculates the offset difference, which is the difference between the total settlement currency invoice amount and the total settlement currency payment amount. Then, if the payment schedule data generation unit obtains an offset difference that indicates the total settlement currency invoice amount is larger than the total settlement currency payment amount, it generates payment schedule data including the offset difference and the home country currency conversion difference.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a business support device, a business support method, and a business support program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-040855) discloses an information processing apparatus capable of absorbing the influence of fluctuations in exchange rates in commodity sales and transactions. This information processing apparatus acquires commodity information including at least the category, selling price, number of items sold, and sales period of the first commodity offered by the offering user. Further, the information processing apparatus acquires information on the first sales performance of commodities in the same category as the category of the first commodity offered by the offering user in the past. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus acquires information on the second sales performance of commodities in the same category as the category of commodities offered by other offering users different from the offering user.

[0003] Then, based on the commodity information, the information on the first sales performance, and the information on the second sales performance, the information processing apparatus estimates the first number of commodities that the offering user can sell during the sales period, and performs a purchase process of a currency corresponding to the amount based on the estimated first number and the selling price. Thereby, it is possible to absorb the influence of fluctuations in exchange rates in commodity sales or transactions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, in the case of overseas settlement operations, there is a problem that the settlement operation becomes difficult because the accounting currency and the settlement currency are often different. And as the number of trading partners (settlement destinations) increases, such problems become more prominent.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a business support device, a business support method, and a business support program that can reduce the burden on personnel in charge of overseas settlement operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the business support device according to the present invention includes: a payment schedule data generation unit that generates payment schedule data including the invoice amount to be billed to the settlement recipient, the invoice amount in a predetermined type of currency for each commercial transaction, and the invoice amount in the home country currency obtained by converting the invoice amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date; a payment schedule data generation unit that generates payment schedule data including the invoice amount billed by the settlement recipient, the payment amount in a predetermined type of currency for each commercial transaction, and the payment amount in the home country currency obtained by converting the payment amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date; and a calculation unit that calculates the home country currency conversion difference, which is the difference between a first total amount, which is the sum of each invoice amount in the home country currency, and a second total amount, which is the sum of each payment amount in the home country currency. The system includes a conversion processing unit that converts the invoiced amount and payment amount, each converted into the home currency, into a settlement currency invoiced amount and a settlement currency payment amount based on a predetermined conversion rate for the settlement currency, which is the type of currency used for settlement and has been set in advance with the settlement recipient, and an offset confirmation processing unit that calculates an offset difference, which is the difference between the total settlement currency invoiced amount and the total settlement currency payment amount. The deposit schedule data generation unit generates deposit schedule data including the offset difference and the home currency conversion difference when an offset difference is obtained that indicates the total settlement currency invoiced amount is greater than the total settlement currency payment amount. The payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data including the offset difference and the home currency conversion difference when an offset difference is obtained that indicates the total settlement currency payment amount is greater than the total settlement currency invoiced amount.

[0008] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the business support method according to the present invention includes: a deposit schedule data generation step in which a deposit schedule data generation unit generates deposit schedule data including the invoice amount to be billed to the settlement recipient, the invoice amount in a predetermined type of currency for each commercial transaction, and the invoice amount in the home country currency obtained by converting the invoice amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date; a payment schedule data generation step in which a payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data including the invoice amount billed by the settlement recipient, the payment amount in a predetermined type of currency for each commercial transaction, and the payment amount in the home country currency obtained by converting the payment amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date; and a calculation unit that calculates the home country currency conversion difference, which is the difference between a first total amount, which is the sum of each invoice amount in the home country currency, and a second total amount, which is the sum of each payment amount in the home country currency. The system includes a calculation step, a conversion processing step in which the invoice amount and payment amount converted to the home currency are converted to a settlement currency invoice amount and a settlement currency payment amount based on a predetermined conversion rate of the settlement currency, which is the type of currency used for settlement, as set in advance with the settlement recipient, and an offset confirmation processing step in which the offset confirmation processing unit calculates an offset difference, which is the difference between the total settlement currency invoice amount and the total settlement currency payment amount. In the deposit schedule data generation step, if an offset difference is obtained that indicates the total settlement currency invoice amount is greater than the total settlement currency payment amount, deposit schedule data including the offset difference and the home currency conversion difference is generated. In the payment schedule data generation step, if an offset difference is obtained that indicates the total settlement currency payment amount is greater than the total settlement currency invoice amount, payment schedule data including the offset difference and the home currency conversion difference is generated.

[0009] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the business support program according to the present invention includes a computer that generates payment schedule data generation data which includes payment schedule data which includes payment amounts which are billed amounts to be requested from the settlement recipient, with each commercial transaction having a predetermined type of currency, and payment amounts which are converted from the predetermined type of currency at the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date; a payment schedule data generation unit which generates payment schedule data which includes payment amounts which are billed amounts requested by the settlement recipient, with each commercial transaction having a predetermined type of currency, and payment amounts which are converted from the predetermined type of currency at the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date; and a home country currency conversion difference which is the difference between a first total amount which is the sum of each billing amount in the home country and a second total amount which is the sum of each payment amount in the home country. The calculation unit calculates the amount to be paid, and the conversion processing unit converts the invoiced amount and payment amount, respectively, converted into their respective home currencies, into invoiced amount and payment amount in settlement currency based on a predetermined conversion rate for the settlement currency, which is the type of currency used for settlement and has been set in advance with the settlement recipient. The offsetting confirmation processing unit also functions as an offsetting difference calculation unit, which is the difference between the total invoiced amount in settlement currency and the total payment amount in settlement currency. The incoming payment data generation unit generates incoming payment data including the offsetting difference and the home currency conversion difference if an offsetting difference is obtained that indicates the total invoiced amount in settlement currency is greater than the total payment amount in settlement currency. The payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data including the offsetting difference and the home currency conversion difference if an offsetting difference is obtained that indicates the total payment amount in settlement currency is greater than the total invoiced amount in settlement currency. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This invention can reduce the burden on personnel in overseas settlement operations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a commercial transaction form in international trade. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the business support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of payment schedule data. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of payment schedule data. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a customer master table. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a rate master table. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the operation flow of the business support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the input screen for the search criteria of the data to be settled. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the display screen for the search results of the data subject to settlement. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of the settlement data that will be included in the search results. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of the offsetting data import screen. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the expected deposit data, updated to US dollar settlement amounts through the settlement process. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows the payment schedule data updated to US dollar settlement amounts through the settlement process. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows an example of the offsetting process screen. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows the payment schedule data with the offset confirmation number added. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows payment schedule data to which an offset confirmation number has been added. [Figure 17] Figure 17 shows an example of payment data generated when the amount to be paid in the settlement currency is greater than the amount to be invoiced in the settlement currency. [Figure 18] Figure 18 shows how deposit data is not generated when the amount paid in the settlement currency is greater than the amount requested in the settlement currency. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing journal data of incoming payment schedule data. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing journal data of payment schedule data. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing compound journal data of payment data.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, a business support apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0013] (Overview) Today, overseas trade is actively carried out daily. In this overseas trade, in the overseas settlement business with overseas agents and local corporations, so-called Debit Notes or Credit Notes are exchanged. However, actual deposit and withdrawal transactions are not performed each time, and settlement processing is performed based on the difference in the settlement amounts by Debit Notes and Credit Notes over a certain period.

[0014] Here, FIG. 1 shows an example of a business transaction form in overseas trade. In this FIG. 1, a company equipped with the business support apparatus 1 of the embodiment receives trade transaction requests from an exporter and an importer and performs a forwarding business that substitutes for maritime transport or air transport. The business transaction partner is an overseas settlement destination (for example, a group company in the United States of America (USA)). A contract for settlement in US dollars (USD) is made between the company and the settlement destination.

[0015] Furthermore, the company partners with two overseas agents: a first agent based in the United States and a second agent based in the Republic of France. Both the first and second overseas agents enter into trade agreements with importers or exporters. Invoices and payments for trade-related fees and charges between the company and the first overseas agent are made in US dollars. In contrast, invoices and payments for trade-related fees and charges between the company and the second overseas agent are made in euros (the currency of the European Union).

[0016] The currency used between the settlement party and each overseas agent is merely an example; any type of currency may be used.

[0017] Thus, transactions with overseas agents are conducted in various currencies, and accounting is done in the currency of the transaction. However, settlement with the settlement partner is often done in a predetermined currency (in this example, US dollars) as stipulated in the contract. For this reason, the person in charge of overseas settlement had to make separate journal entries for the currency at the time of recording and at the time of settlement. Since such overseas settlement work must be done for each trading partner, it becomes time-consuming as the number of commercial transactions increases, and there is a concern that input errors or calculation errors may occur.

[0018] The business support device of this embodiment aims to reduce the burden on personnel in charge of overseas settlement operations by automating the settlement process, which involves offsetting in the local currency of the overseas agent and then settling in the specific currency of the head office on a monthly basis. In addition, it also aims to improve the accuracy of accounts receivable and payable management, shorten the processing time for monthly closing operations, and optimize accounting operations.

[0019] Furthermore, in the journal entry generation process, it is possible to generate journal entries where the accounting currency and the settlement currency are different. For example, by converting the settlement amount into US dollars, it is possible to generate journal entries in US dollars even if there are no journal entries in Euros for European countries.

[0020] (Hardware configuration) The business support device 1 of this embodiment, which is the company's terminal device for performing forwarding operations as shown in Figure 1, comprises a storage unit 2, a control unit 3, a communication interface unit 4, and an input / output interface unit 5, as shown in Figure 2. An input device 6 and an output device 7 are connected to the input / output interface unit 5.

[0021] Output device 7 may include a display unit of a monitor device (including a household television), a printing device, or a speaker device.

[0022] The input device 6 can include a keyboard, mouse, and microphone, as well as a monitor that works in conjunction with the mouse to provide a pointing device function.

[0023] The communication interface unit 4 is connected to a network 50, such as a wide-area network like the Internet or a private network like a LAN (Local Area Network). The settlement terminal device 51 of the settlement destination in the United States, shown in Figure 1, and the overseas agent terminal devices 52 of the first and second overseas agents that are affiliated with the settlement destination are connected to this network 50. The settlement terminal device 51 and the overseas agent terminal devices 52 of each overseas agent may be connected via a private network such as a LAN.

[0024] For the memory unit 2, a storage device such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive) can be used. The memory unit 2 stores a business support program that can reduce the burden on personnel in charge of overseas settlement operations.

[0025] Furthermore, the storage unit 2 is equipped with the following storage areas: a deposit schedule data storage unit 11, a payment schedule data storage unit 12, a customer master table 13, a rate master table 14, and a settlement target data storage unit 15. Additionally, the storage unit 2 is equipped with the following storage areas: a payment data storage unit 16, a deposit data storage unit 17, a journal entry data storage unit 18, and a journal entry definition master table 19.

[0026] The payment schedule data storage unit 11 stores payment schedule data for payments that are expected to be received from each overseas agent of the US settlement destination (A001) shown in Figure 1, via the US settlement destination, by issuing invoices to each overseas agent. As shown in Figure 3, this payment schedule data consists of a settlement destination code, invoice number, currency unit, recording date, amount, exchange rate, yen amount, settlement number, settlement currency, settlement amount, and offset confirmation number.

[0027] In this example, the settlement destination code is "A001," which is the settlement destination for the United States. The invoice number is automatically assigned and added by the control unit 3 when this payment data is generated.

[0028] The currency unit is the currency handled by each overseas agency; for the first overseas agency, it is "US Dollar (USD)," and for the second overseas agency, it is "Euro (EUR)." The accounting date is the date on which this payment data was recorded.

[0029] The amount is the invoice amount to the first or second overseas agent; the invoice amount to the first overseas agent will be in "US dollars," and the invoice amount to the second overseas agent will be in "Euros."

[0030] The exchange rate is the rate on a specified date, such as the exchange rate on the date the deposit data is recorded, or the exchange rate within one or two days of the date the deposit data is recorded. For this reason, even for the same US dollar, the exchange rate for a recording date of "September 20, 2024" is "130.00 yen," while the exchange rate for a recording date of "October 10, 2024" is "140.00 yen." Similarly, the exchange rate for euros will also differ depending on the recording date.

[0031] The amount in yen is the amount in yen obtained by multiplying the invoice amount (amount) by the exchange rate. If the payment data is recorded on "September 20, 2024", the calculation will be "120.00 US dollars x 130.00 yen", so the amount in yen will be "15,600 yen". If the payment data is recorded on "September 30, 2024", the calculation will be "200.00 euros x 150.00 yen", so the amount in yen will be "30,000 yen".

[0032] The settlement number is a unique number automatically assigned by the control unit 3 when the above-mentioned yen amount is converted to the amount in the currency to be used at the time of settlement as agreed upon with the settlement recipient.

[0033] Furthermore, the settlement currency is the type of currency to be used at the time of settlement as agreed upon with the settlement party, and in this example, as mentioned above, it is "US dollars (USD)". The settlement amount is the amount obtained by converting the aforementioned yen amount to "US dollars (USD)". A detailed explanation of this settlement number, settlement currency, and settlement amount will be given later.

[0034] The offset confirmation number is a number assigned to the deposit and payment data used in the offsetting process, which calculates the difference between the total amount of deposit data (first total amount) and the total amount of payment data (second total amount), converted in US dollars (USD) as agreed upon with the settlement partner during settlement. The same offset confirmation number is assigned to both the deposit and payment data used in the offsetting process. Further details will be provided later.

[0035] The payment schedule data storage unit 12 stores payment schedule data indicating the amount to be paid to each overseas agent via the US settlement agent (A001), as invoices are issued to the company by each overseas agent of the US settlement agent shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, this payment schedule data consists of a settlement agent code, payment request number, currency unit, recording date, amount, exchange rate, yen amount, settlement number, settlement currency, settlement amount, and offset confirmation number.

[0036] The settlement destination code is the settlement destination code (A001) of the US settlement destination, as described above. The payment request number is automatically assigned by the control unit 3 to each payment schedule data. The currency unit is the type of currency used by each overseas agent, which in this example is "US dollar (USD)" or "Euro (EUR)". The accounting date is the accounting date for each payment schedule data.

[0037] The amounts are those invoiced by each overseas agent through the settlement provider. In the example in Figure 4, the payment schedule data in the first row is "US$300.00", "€50.00", and "US$500.00", respectively.

[0038] The exchange rate is the exchange rate on the date each payment schedule data is recorded. In the example in Figure 4, the exchange rates for the payment schedule data in the first row are "USD → JPY: 138.00 JPY", "EUR → JPY: 158.00 JPY", and "USD → JPY: 140.00 JPY".

[0039] The amount in yen is the payment amount multiplied by the exchange rate. In the example in Figure 4, starting from the first row of scheduled payment data, the amounts are: "300.00 US dollars × 138.00 yen = 41,400 yen", "50.00 euros × 158.00 yen = 7,900 yen", and "500.00 US dollars × 140.00 yen = 70,000 yen".

[0040] The settlement number is a unique number automatically assigned by the control unit 3 when the above-mentioned yen amount is converted to the amount in the currency to be used at the time of settlement as agreed upon with the settlement recipient.

[0041] Furthermore, the settlement currency is the type of currency to be used at the time of settlement as agreed upon with the settlement party, and in this example, as mentioned above, it is "US dollars (USD)". The settlement amount is the amount obtained by converting the aforementioned yen amount to "US dollars (USD)". A detailed explanation of this settlement number, settlement currency, and settlement amount will be given later.

[0042] The offset confirmation number is a number assigned to the deposit and payment data used in the offsetting process, which calculates the difference between the total amount of deposit data (first total amount) and the total amount of payment data (second total amount), converted in US dollars (USD) as agreed upon with the settlement partner during settlement. The same offset confirmation number is assigned to both the deposit and payment data used in the offsetting process. Further details will be provided later.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, the customer master table 13 contains the currency used for settlement with the customer (the settlement destination). In this example, the currency used for settlement with the settlement destination code (=customer CD) "A000" in the United States is set to "US dollar (USD)".

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, the rate master table 14 retrieves and sets the conversion rate for the desired currency on the aforementioned accounting date from a server device that provides, for example, daily conversion rates for various currencies to Japanese yen. Alternatively, the operator may manually set the conversion rate for the aforementioned accounting date in the rate master table 14. The example in Figure 6 shows that "140.00 yen" is set as the conversion rate for "US dollars (USD)" on "October 1, 2024," and "160.00 yen" is set as the conversion rate for "Euros (EUR)" on "October 1, 2024."

[0045] (Functional configuration of business support equipment) Next, the control unit 3 executes the business support program stored in the memory unit 2, and functions as a data generation unit 21, calculation unit 22, conversion processing unit 23, offset confirmation processing unit 24, and display control unit 25, as shown in Figure 1.

[0046] The data generation unit 21 includes a deposit schedule data generation unit 26, a payment schedule data generation unit 27, a journal entry data generation unit 28, a deposit data generation unit 29, and a payment data generation unit 30.

[0047] The payment schedule data generation unit 26 generates payment schedule data that includes the invoice amount to be billed to the settlement recipient (the settlement recipient in the United States), which is the amount in a predetermined type of currency (US dollars or euros) for each commercial transaction (each overseas agent), and the invoice amount in the home currency (the amount in yen in Figure 3) obtained by converting the amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home currency corresponding to the accounting date (see Figure 3).

[0048] The payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data that includes the invoice amount requested by the settlement recipient (the settlement recipient in the United States), the payment amount in a predetermined currency (US dollars or euros) for each commercial transaction (each overseas agent), and the payment amount in the home currency (yen amount in Figure 4) obtained by converting the payment amount in the predetermined currency at the exchange rate of the home currency corresponding to the accounting date (see Figure 4).

[0049] The calculation unit 22 calculates the difference in the conversion rate of the home currency (22,600 yen as exemplified in Figure 16), which is the difference between the first total amount (the first total amount shown in Figure 15), which is the sum of each invoice amount in the home currency, and the second total amount (the second total amount shown in Figure 16), which is the sum of each payment amount in the home currency.

[0050] The conversion processing unit 23 converts the invoice amount and payment amount (invoice amount and payment amount in Japanese yen) converted in their respective home currencies into settlement currency invoice amount and settlement currency payment amount (invoice amount and payment amount in US dollars) based on a predetermined conversion rate (for example, the conversion rate on the accounting date) for the settlement currency (US dollars (USD)), which is the type of currency used for settlement and has been set in advance with the settlement recipient.

[0051] The offsetting confirmation processing unit 24 calculates the offsetting difference (total Balance amount in Figure 14(a): 452.85 US dollars), which is the difference between the total amount of invoiced amounts in settlement currency (total Debit (settlement) in Figure 14(a): 704.29 US dollars) and the total amount of payment in settlement currency (total Credit amount in Figure 14(a): 357.14 US dollars).

[0052] Then, the deposit schedule data generation unit 26 generates deposit schedule data including the offset difference and the home currency conversion difference if it obtains an offset difference indicating that the total amount of the settlement currency invoice amount (total amount of Debit (settlement) in Figure 14(a): US$704.29) is greater than the total amount of the settlement currency payment amount (total amount of Credit in Figure 14(a): US$357.14).

[0053] In response, the payment schedule data generation unit 27, if it obtains an offsetting difference indicating that the total amount of payment in the settlement currency (total amount of Credit in Figure 14(a): US$357.14) is larger than the total amount of invoiced amounts in the settlement currency (total amount of Debit (settlement) in Figure 14(a): US$704.29), generates payment schedule data including the offsetting difference (US$152.85 in Figure 16) and the difference in conversion to the home currency (conversion rate of 22,600 yen = US$152.85 × 140.00 yen in Figure 16) (see the payment schedule data in the 4th row of Figure 16).

[0054] The journal entry data generation unit 28 generates journal entry data based on the payment schedule data, setting the debit account to a temporary offsetting account, the debit amount to the invoice amount in the home country currency converted at the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the recording date, and the credit account to accounts receivable, with the credit amount to the invoice amount in the currency of the type before conversion to the home country currency (see Figure 19).

[0055] Furthermore, the journal entry data generation unit 28 generates journal entry data based on the payment schedule data, with the debit account set to "Accounts Payable" and the debit amount set to the invoice amount in the currency of the type before conversion to the home country currency, and the credit account set to "Offsetting Temporary Account" and the credit amount set to the invoice amount in the home country currency converted at the exchange rate corresponding to the home country currency on the recording date (see Figure 20).

[0056] The deposit data generation unit 29 generates deposit data that includes the offset difference used as the deposit amount and the offset difference in the home currency obtained by converting the offset difference into the home currency at a predetermined exchange rate, if an offset difference is obtained indicating that the settlement currency invoice amount is greater than the settlement currency payment amount (i.e., the total Balance shown in Figure 14(a) or Figure 14(b) is a negative amount).

[0057] The payment data generation unit 30 generates payment data that includes the offset difference used as the payment amount and the offset difference in the home currency obtained by converting the offset difference into the home currency at a predetermined exchange rate, when an offset difference is obtained that indicates the amount of payment in the settlement currency is greater than the amount of invoice in the settlement currency (i.e., the total amount of Balance shown in Figure 14(a) or Figure 14(b) is a positive amount).

[0058] Furthermore, if an offsetting difference is obtained indicating that the amount requested in the settlement currency is greater than the amount paid in the settlement currency, the deposit schedule data generation unit 26 generates deposit schedule data that includes the offsetting difference and the home currency conversion difference, which is the difference between the first total amount and the second total amount.

[0059] Furthermore, if an offsetting difference is obtained indicating that the amount to be paid in the settlement currency is greater than the amount to be invoiced in the settlement currency, the payment schedule data generation unit 27 generates payment schedule data that includes the offsetting difference and the home currency conversion difference, which is the difference between the first total amount and the second total amount (see Figure 16).

[0060] The journal entry data generation unit 28 generates a compound journal entry based on the payment schedule data and payment data, with the debit account set to "offsetting temporary account" and the debit amount set to "local currency translation difference"; the credit account set to "bank transfer" and the credit amount set to "offsetting difference"; and the credit account set to "exchange gain" and the credit amount set to "exchange difference," which is the difference between the local currency translation difference and the local currency offsetting difference (see Figure 21).

[0061] Furthermore, the incoming payment data and outgoing payment data include a settlement number added at the time of generation, and an outgoing payment confirmation number added when used to calculate the outgoing payment difference (see Figures 15 and 16).

[0062] The offset confirmation processing unit 24 calculates the offset difference, including the settlement currency invoice amount or settlement currency payment amount (additional amount shown in Figure 14(b)) for the scheduled deposit data or scheduled payment data specified by the operator, from among the scheduled deposit data and scheduled payment data to which the settlement number and offset confirmation number have not been attached.

[0063] (Operation of the embodiment) Next, the operation of the business support device 1 of the embodiment will be explained. The business support device 1 of the embodiment performs offset data inquiry, offset data import, offset confirmation processing, and automatic sorting and aggregation in the flow shown in Figure 7.

[0064] (Inquiry about offsetting data) First, the person in charge of the business support device 1 inputs the invoice amount for each overseas agent in the currency used by each overseas agent, as described above. The payment schedule data generation unit 26 generates payment schedule data in the currency of each overseas agent, as shown in Figure 3, and stores it in the payment schedule data storage unit 11.

[0065] Furthermore, the business support device 1 receives invoice data generated in the currency used by each overseas agent, as described above, via a settlement agent in the United States. Based on the invoice data from the overseas agents, the payment schedule data generation unit 27 generates payment schedule data in the currency of each overseas agent, as shown in Figure 4, and stores it in the payment schedule data storage unit 12.

[0066] In this process, the payment schedule data generation unit 26 converts the invoice amount in each overseas agent's currency to a yen invoice amount (yen amount) by multiplying the invoice amount for each overseas agent by the exchange rate on the accounting date, as shown in Figure 3. Similarly, the payment schedule data generation unit 27 converts the invoice amount in each overseas agent's currency to a yen invoice amount (yen amount) by multiplying the invoice amount from each overseas agent by the exchange rate on the accounting date, as shown in Figure 4.

[0067] Next, the operator of the business support device 1 specifies the display of the search screen via the input device 6. As a result, the display control unit 25 displays the search screen illustrated in Figure 8 via the output device 7. This search screen includes a search conditions tab (A) which is operated when displaying the search conditions input screen, and a search results tab (B) which is operated when displaying the search results display screen.

[0068] Of these, the search criteria input screen is displayed by default, and the search results display screen displays the incoming payment data and / or the desired payment data found based on the search criteria. Furthermore, when the search criteria tab (A) is operated, the display control unit 25 displays the search criteria input screen, and when the search results tab (B) is operated, it displays the search results display screen, and so on, thereby controlling the switching of the displayed content by operating the tabs.

[0069] The operator enters the settlement code of the desired settlement destination and the desired accounting date into the search criteria input screen shown in Figure 8, and specifies the incoming payment data and payment data to be subject to the offset confirmation process described later. Furthermore, by entering the desired debit or credit number into the search criteria input screen, it is possible to specify the incoming payment data and payment data to be subject to the offset confirmation process in more detail.

[0070] The deposit schedule data generation unit 26 searches the deposit schedule data storage unit 11 for deposit schedule data corresponding to the entered search conditions. The payment schedule data generation unit 27 searches the payment schedule data storage unit 12 for payment schedule data corresponding to the entered search conditions. The display control unit 25 displays the retrieved deposit schedule data and payment schedule data in a list on the search results display screen as shown in Figure 9 (offset data inquiry).

[0071] In Figure 9, records with an amount displayed in the "Debit" column are records of planned deposit data, and records with an amount displayed in the "Credit" column are records of planned payment data.

[0072] Next, the operator checks the list of search results shown in Figure 9, and if the search results are as desired, operates the output button provided on the search results display screen. As a result, the data generation unit 21 adds the desired file name entered by the operator to the deposit schedule data and payment schedule data displayed as a list of search results, thereby generating the settlement target data shown in Figure 10, and storing it in the settlement target data storage unit 15.

[0073] (Importing offsetting data) Next, the operator specifies the display of the offset data acquisition screen. The display control unit 25 then displays the offset data acquisition screen, as illustrated in Figure 11, via the output device 7. The operator enters the file name of the settlement data to be processed for offsetting into the file name input field on this offset data acquisition screen and operates the execute button. Alternatively, the file names of each settlement data stored in the settlement data storage unit 15 may be displayed in a pull-down menu or similar, allowing the operator to select the desired settlement data file name from this list.

[0074] Next, when the execute button is pressed, the data generation unit 21 retrieves the settlement target data with the file name specified by the operator from the settlement target data storage unit 15. This settlement target data is assigned a debit number or credit number, as shown in Figure 10. The debit number corresponds to the invoice number of the payment scheduled data, and the credit number corresponds to the payment request number of the payment scheduled data.

[0075] The payment schedule data generation unit 26 refers to the payment schedule data storage unit 11 and detects payment schedule data that has the same invoice number as the debit number attached to the settlement target data with the file name specified by the operator. The payment schedule data generation unit 26 also refers to the customer master table 13 shown in Figure 5 and detects the settlement currency set for the settlement destination of the settlement target data with the file name specified by the operator. In this example, the settlement currency is "US dollars (USD)".

[0076] As shown in Figure 12, the conversion processing unit 23 determines whether the currency unit of each payment schedule data detected by the payment schedule data generation unit 26 is "US dollars (USD)". The records in the first and second rows of Figure 12 are records of payment schedule data with a currency unit of "US dollars (USD)". Therefore, the conversion processing unit 23 sets the settlement currency of the payment schedule data in the first and second rows of records to "US dollars (USD)" and calculates the settlement amount as the same amount as the "US dollar (USD)" amount on the accounting date.

[0077] In other words, the records in the first and second rows of Figure 12 are records of incoming payment data with the currency unit being "US dollars (USD)". Therefore, there is no need to recalculate the settlement amount in "US dollars (USD)" (no conversion is required), and the amount in US dollars at the time of recording will be used as the settlement amount.

[0078] In contrast, the records in the third and fourth rows of Figure 12 are records of payment schedule data with the currency unit being "Euro (EUR)". In this case, the conversion processing unit 23 divides the yen amount corresponding to the "Euro (EUR)" invoice amount by "140.00 yen", which is the US dollar conversion rate for the reference date set in the rate master table 14 shown in Figure 6, to calculate the settlement amount in "US dollars (USD)" corresponding to the "Euro (EUR)" invoice amount.

[0079] In this example, the settlement amount for the payment schedule data in the third record is "30,000 yen ÷ 140.00 yen ≈ 214.29 US dollars". Also, the settlement amount for the payment schedule data in the fourth record is "33,600 yen ÷ 140.00 yen = 240.00 US dollars".

[0080] As shown in Figure 12, the deposit schedule data generation unit 26 assigns the same unique settlement number (A001202111) to each deposit schedule data, sets the settlement currency to "US dollars (USD)", and adds the settlement amount in US dollars calculated by the conversion processing unit 23. In other words, the deposit schedule data generation unit 26 updates each deposit schedule data with the settlement amount in US dollars calculated by the conversion processing unit 23.

[0081] Similarly, the payment schedule data generation unit 27 refers to the payment schedule data storage unit 12 and detects payment schedule data that has the same payment request number as the credit number attached to the settlement target data with the file name specified by the operator. The payment schedule data generation unit 27 also refers to the customer master table 13 shown in Figure 5 and detects the settlement currency set for the settlement destination of the settlement target data with the file name specified by the operator. In this example, the settlement currency is "US dollars (USD)".

[0082] As shown in Figure 13, the conversion processing unit 23 determines whether the currency unit of each payment schedule data detected by the payment schedule data generation unit 27 is "US dollars (USD)". The first row of records shown in Figure 13 is a record of payment schedule data with a currency unit of "US dollars (USD)". Therefore, the conversion processing unit 23 sets the settlement currency of the payment schedule data in this first row of records to "US dollars (USD)" and calculates the settlement amount as the same amount as the "US dollar (USD)" amount on the accounting date.

[0083] In other words, the first row of records shown in Figure 13 is a record of incoming payment data with the currency unit "US dollars (USD)," and there is no need to recalculate the settlement amount in "US dollars (USD)" (no conversion required). Therefore, the amount in US dollars at the time of recording is used as the settlement amount.

[0084] Note that the third record in Figure 13 represents payment schedule data that is not subject to this settlement process. Therefore, unlike the first record, it is not converted to US dollars.

[0085] In contrast, the second row of records shown in Figure 13 is a record of payment schedule data with the currency unit being "Euro (EUR)". In this case, the conversion processing unit 23 divides the yen amount corresponding to the payment amount in "Euro (EUR)" by the US dollar conversion rate for the reference date set in the rate master table 14 shown in Figure 6, which is "140.00 yen", to calculate the settlement amount in "US dollars (USD)" corresponding to the invoice amount in "Euro (EUR)".

[0086] In this example, the settlement amount for the payment schedule data in the second row of the record would be "8,000 yen ÷ 140.00 yen ≈ 57.14 US dollars".

[0087] As shown in Figure 13, the payment schedule data generation unit 27 assigns a unique settlement number (A001202111) to each payment schedule data, the same as the deposit schedule data mentioned above, sets the settlement currency to "US dollars (USD)", and adds the settlement amount in US dollars calculated by the conversion processing unit 23. In other words, the payment schedule data generation unit 27 updates each payment schedule data with the settlement amount in US dollars calculated by the conversion processing unit 23.

[0088] (Confirmation of offset) Next, the operator specifies the display of the offsetting processing screen. When the display of the offsetting processing screen is specified, the offsetting confirmation processing unit 24 refers to the incoming payment data shown in Figure 12 and the payment schedule data shown in Figure 13, and calculates the total amount of invoices in US dollars (US$120.00 + US$130.00 = US$250) and the total amount of payments in US dollars (US$300.00).

[0089] Furthermore, the offsetting confirmation processing unit 24 calculates the total amount of invoiced amounts (settlement amount: settlement currency invoiced amount) converted to US dollars from the incoming payment data shown in Figure 12 (US$120.00 + US$130.00 = US$250), and the total amount of payment (settlement amount: settlement currency payment amount) converted to US dollars from the incoming payment data shown in Figure 13 (US$300.00). The offsetting confirmation processing unit 24 also calculates the difference between the total amount of invoiced amounts converted to US dollars from the incoming payment data (US$250) and the total amount of payment amounts converted to US dollars from the incoming payment data (US$300.00) (US$250 - US$300.00 = -US$50).

[0090] Furthermore, the offsetting confirmation processing unit 24 refers to the incoming payment data shown in Figure 12 and the payment schedule data shown in Figure 13 to calculate the total amount of invoices in euros (200.00 euros + 210.00 euros = 410 euros) and the total amount of payments in euros (50.00 euros).

[0091] Furthermore, the offsetting confirmation processing unit 24 refers to the payment schedule data shown in Figure 12, converts the euro invoice amount to yen, and then to US dollars, to calculate the total settlement amount corresponding to the euro invoice amount (US$214.29 + US$240.00 = US$454.9). Also, the offsetting confirmation processing unit 24 refers to the payment schedule data shown in Figure 13, converts the euro payment amount to yen, and then to US dollars, to calculate the total settlement amount corresponding to the euro payment amount (57.14 euros).

[0092] Furthermore, the offsetting confirmation processing unit 24 calculates the offsetting difference, which is the difference between the total amount of invoiced amounts (settlement amount: settlement currency invoiced amount) converted to US dollars from the payment schedule data shown in Figure 12, and the total amount of payment (settlement amount: settlement currency payment amount) converted to US dollars from the payment schedule data shown in Figure 13.

[0093] Specifically, in the example in Figure 12, the total amount of the invoiced amount (settlement currency invoiced amount) converted from the incoming payment data to US dollars is "US$120.00 + US$130.00 + US$214.29 + US$240.00 = US$704.29". Similarly, in the example in Figure 13, the total amount of the payment (settlement currency payment amount) converted from the incoming payment data to US dollars is "US$300.00 + US$57.14 = US$357.14". Therefore, the difference between these totals, the offsetting difference, is "US$704.29 - US$357.14 = US$347.15".

[0094] As shown in Figure 14(a), the display control unit 25 displays the settlement destination code (A001) and settlement number (A001202111) along with the above-mentioned calculation results (invoice amount (Debit), payment amount (Credit), invoice amount settled in US dollars (Debit(settlement)), payment amount settled in US dollars (Credit(settlement)), and the difference between Debit(settlement) and Credit(settlement) (Blance)) on the offsetting processing screen.

[0095] (Additional search process) Here, during the offsetting confirmation process, the receipts and payments are reconciled based on the paper documents (Statement) on hand, but sometimes additional amounts, such as personnel expenses, may arise. In this case, the operator operates the additional search button on the offsetting processing screen. This makes it possible to add a row to the offsetting processing screen, as shown in Figure 14(b). The operator enters the settlement number (e.g., US9905) and the amount of the additional amount. The example in Figure 14(b) shows an example where a payment amount of "500 US dollars" (since the accounting currency is US dollars, the settlement amount is also 500 US dollars) has been added.

[0096] When the settlement amount is added in this way, the offset confirmation processing unit 24 recalculates the offset difference as described above (-50 US dollars + 397.15 US dollars - 500.00 US dollars = -152.85 US dollars). The display control unit 25 displays the result of this recalculation on the offset processing screen.

[0097] Once the offset difference is calculated in this way, the offset process is considered finalized, and the control unit 3 automatically assigns an offset confirmation number (SK1234). As shown in Figure 15, the deposit data generation unit 26 adds the automatically assigned offset confirmation number (SK1234) to each deposit data used in the offset confirmation process. Similarly, as shown in Figure 16, the payment data generation unit 27 adds the automatically assigned offset confirmation number (SK1234) to each payment data used in the offset confirmation process.

[0098] Next, the calculation unit 22 refers to the payment schedule data storage unit 11 and calculates a first total amount (15,600 yen + 18,200 yen + 30,000 yen + 33,600 yen = 97,400 yen), which is the sum of each invoice amount (in yen) in the home country currency, as shown in Figure 15.

[0099] Furthermore, the calculation unit 22 refers to the payment schedule data storage unit 12 and calculates a second total amount (42,000 yen + 8,000 yen + 70,000 yen = 120,000 yen), which is the sum of each payment amount (in yen) in the home currency, as shown in Figure 16.

[0100] Then, the calculation unit 22 calculates the difference between the first total amount and the second total amount (97,400 yen - 120,000 yen = 22,600 yen (absolute value)).

[0101] Next, data is generated according to the magnitudes of the total amount of the settlement amount to be billed (Debit (settlement)) and the total amount of the settlement amount to be paid (Credit (settlement)).

[0102] That is, when an offset difference indicating that the total amount of the settlement amount to be billed (Debit (settlement)) is greater than the total amount of the settlement amount to be paid (Credit (settlement)) is obtained (Debit (settlement)> Credit (settlement) = plus offset difference), incoming payment scheduled data and incoming payment data are generated.

[0103] Also, when an offset difference indicating that the total amount of the settlement amount to be paid (Credit (settlement)) is greater than the total amount of the settlement amount to be billed (Debit (settlement)) is obtained (Debit (settlement)< Credit (settlement) = minus offset difference), payment scheduled data and payment data are generated.

[0104] Specifically, when Debit (settlement)> Credit (settlement) (plus offset difference), the incoming payment scheduled data generation unit 26 generates incoming payment scheduled data including the offset difference and the home currency conversion difference which is the difference between the first total amount and the second total amount described above. At this time, the incoming payment scheduled data generation unit 26 sets the settlement number to "NULL (unnumbered)" and sets the offset confirmation number to "SK1234" indicating that it is data generated by the same offset confirmation process.

[0105] Also, when Debit (settlement)> Credit (settlement) (plus offset difference), the incoming payment data generation unit 29 generates incoming payment data including the offset difference and the home currency offset difference obtained by converting the offset difference into the home currency at a predetermined conversion rate such as the accounting date or the conversion rate of the reference year and month shown in FIG. 6 (offset difference × conversion rate).

[0106] Also, when Debit (settlement) < Credit (settlement) (in the case of a negative offset balance), the payment schedule data generation unit 27 generates payment schedule data including the offset balance ($152.85) and the home currency conversion difference (22,600 yen), which is the difference between the above-mentioned first total amount and the second total amount, as shown in the record on the fourth line of FIG. 16. At this time, the payment schedule data generation unit 27 sets the settlement number to "NULL (not numbered)" and sets the offset confirmation number to "SK1234", indicating that the data is generated by the same offset confirmation process.

[0107] Also, when Debit (settlement) < Credit (settlement) (in the case of a negative offset balance), the payment data generation unit 30 detects the payment schedule data on the fourth line among the payment schedule data shown in FIG. 16, where the settlement number is "NULL (not numbered)" and the offset confirmation number "SK1234" used in this offset confirmation process is added.

[0108] Then, based on the detected payment schedule data, the payment data generation unit 30 generates payment data including a payment number, a settlement destination code, a payment request number, a payment currency, a payment amount, an exchange rate, and a yen amount, as shown in FIG. 17. The payment number is "PA2468" in this example and is automatically numbered and added by the control unit 3. The settlement destination code is the settlement destination code of the settlement destination in the United States and is "A001" in this example.

[0109] The payment request number is "US9906" added to the detected payment schedule data. The payment currency is "US dollar (USD)". The payment amount is the above-mentioned offset balance of "$152.85". The exchange rate is "140.00 yen" in this example. The yen amount is "152.85 US dollars × 140.00 yen", which is "21,399 yen".

[0110] Note that when Debit (settlement) < Credit (settlement) (in the case of a negative offset balance), as shown in FIG. 18, the generation of deposit data by the deposit data generation unit 29 is not performed (non-generation).

[0111] (Automatic sorting and aggregation) Next, the journal entry data generation unit 28 automatically generates journal entry data for the received payment schedule data, payment schedule data, received payment data, and payment data generated in this manner.

[0112] First, when generating journal entries for payment schedule data, the journal entry data generation unit 28 detects payment schedule data from Figure 15 whose offset confirmation number is not "NULL" (payment schedule data to which an offset confirmation number has been added). In the example of Figure 15, all payment schedule data to which the offset confirmation number "SK1234" has been added is detected.

[0113] In the journal entry definition master table 19, the debit account for journal entries of payment schedule data is set to "Offsetting Temporary Account," and the credit account for journal entries of payment schedule data is set to "Accounts Receivable." In addition, in the journal entry definition master table 19, the debit account for journal entries of payment schedule data is set to "Accounts Payable," and the credit account for journal entries of payment schedule data is set to "Offsetting Temporary Account."

[0114] In the case of journal entries for payment schedule data, the journal entry data generation unit 28 refers to the journal entry definition master table 19 and, as shown in Figure 19, sets the debit account to "offsetting temporary account" and the debit amount to the invoice amount in the home country currency converted at the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the recording date, and sets the credit account to "accounts receivable" and the credit amount to the invoice amount in the currency of the type before conversion to the home country currency. This journal entry data is automatically generated for each payment schedule data detected as described above and stored in the journal entry data storage unit 18.

[0115] Similarly, the same applies to journal entries for payment schedule data. The journal entry data generation unit 28 detects payment schedule data from Figure 16 whose offset confirmation number is not "NULL" (payment schedule data to which an offset confirmation number has been added). In the example of Figure 16, payment schedule data is detected that does not have the offset confirmation number "SK1234" added and whose payment request number is not "US9906".

[0116] The journal entry data generation unit 28 refers to the journal entry definition master table 19 and, as shown in Figure 20, automatically generates journal entry data for each payment schedule data detected as described above, setting the debit account to "Accounts Payable" and the debit amount to the invoice amount in the currency of the type before conversion to the home country currency, and setting the credit account to "Offsetting Temporary Account" and the credit amount to the invoice amount in the home country currency converted at the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the recording date, and stores this journal entry data in the journal entry data storage unit 18.

[0117] Furthermore, in the journal entry definition master table 19, the debit account for journal entries of payment data is set to "offsetting temporary account," and the credit accounts for journal entries of payment data are set to "bank transfer" and "foreign exchange gain."

[0118] In the case of journal entries for payment data, the journal entry data generation unit 28 detects payment data from the payment data storage unit 16, for which the journal entry has been specified by the operator, as exemplified in Figure 17, and also detects the payment schedule data corresponding to the payment request number of this payment data from the payment schedule data shown in Figure 16. In this example, the payment data for the payment request number "US9906" shown in Figure 17 is detected, and the payment schedule data for this payment request number "US9906" is detected as the payment schedule data for the record in the fourth row of Figure 16.

[0119] The journal entry data generation unit 28 refers to the journal entry definition master table 19 and, as shown in Figure 21, automatically generates a composite journal entry based on the payment data and payment schedule data detected above, setting the debit account to "Offsetting Provisional Account" and the debit amount to the yen amount of the detected payment schedule data (= home currency conversion difference: 22,600 yen), the credit account to "Bank Transfer" and the credit amount to the offsetting difference (152.85 US dollars = home currency offsetting difference: 21,399 yen), as well as setting the credit account to "Foreign Exchange Gain" and the credit amount to the foreign exchange difference of 1,201 yen, which is the difference between the home currency conversion difference of 22,600 yen and the home currency offsetting difference of 21,399 yen, and stores this composite journal entry data in the journal entry data storage unit 18.

[0120] By converting the settlement amount to US dollars (USD), it is possible to generate a US dollar (USD) journal entry without having to create a separate Euro (EUR) journal entry.

[0121] (Effects of the embodiment) As is clear from the above description, the business support device of the embodiment can automate a settlement process that first performs offsetting in the local currency of the overseas agent, and then performs settlement in a specific currency of the head office on a monthly basis.

[0122] Therefore, the burden on those in charge of overseas settlement operations can be significantly reduced. In addition, it is possible to improve the accuracy of accounts receivable and payable management, shorten the processing time for monthly closing procedures, and optimize accounting operations.

[0123] Furthermore, in the journal entry generation process, it is possible to generate journal entries where the accounting currency and the settlement currency are different. For example, by converting the settlement amount to US dollars, it is possible to generate journal entries in US dollars even if there are no journal entries in Euros for European countries. This further reduces the burden on personnel in charge of overseas settlement operations.

[0124] [Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] This invention can contribute to improving operational efficiency and promoting appropriate management decisions by companies, and therefore can contribute to SDGs Goals 8 and 9.

[0125] Furthermore, this invention can contribute to reducing waste and promoting paperless and electronic processes, thereby contributing to SDGs Goals 12, 13, and 15.

[0126] Furthermore, this invention can contribute to strengthening control and governance, and therefore can contribute to achieving the 16 goals of the SDGs.

[0127] [Other embodiments] The present invention can be implemented in various different forms within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, even in embodiments other than those described above.

[0128] For example, among the processes described in the embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically may be performed manually. Alternatively, all or part of the processes described as being performed manually may be performed automatically by known methods or the like.

[0129] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, registration data for each process, information including parameters such as search conditions, screen examples, and database configuration shown in the specification or drawings can be arbitrarily changed.

[0130] Furthermore, with respect to the business support device 1, each component shown in the diagram is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to have the physical configuration shown. For example, the processing functions of the business support device 1, particularly the processing functions performed by the control unit 3, may be implemented in whole or in any part by a program interpreted and executed by the control unit 3 (CPU: Central Processing Unit), or by hardware using wired logic.

[0131] The program is recorded on a non-temporary, computer-readable recording medium containing programmed instructions for the information processing device to execute the processes described in the embodiment, and is mechanically read by the business support device 1 as needed. In other words, the storage unit 2, such as ROM or HDD, records a computer program that works in cooperation with the OS (Operating System) to give instructions to the control unit 3 (CPU) and perform various processes. This computer program is loaded into RAM, unpacked, and executed by the control unit 3 as appropriate.

[0132] Furthermore, the business support program for this business support device 1 may be stored on another server device connected to the business support device 1 via any network, and all or part of it may be downloaded and executed as needed.

[0133] Furthermore, the business support program for executing the processes described in the embodiment may be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium, or it may be configured as a program product.

[0134] Here, any "portable physical medium" can be used as the "recording medium," such as memory cards, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, SD (Secure Digital) cards, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, EPROMs (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROMs (Registered Trademark) (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), CD-ROMs (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), MOs (Magneto-Optical Disks), DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks), and Blu-ray (Registered Trademark) Discs.

[0135] Furthermore, "program" refers to a data processing method written in any language or writing method, regardless of whether it is source code or binary code.

[0136] Furthermore, the term "program" is not necessarily limited to a single, monolithic entity, but also includes those that are distributed as multiple modules or libraries, and those that work in cooperation with other programs, such as an operating system, to achieve their functions.

[0137] Furthermore, for the specific configuration, reading procedure, and post-reading installation procedure for the business support device 1 of the embodiment, well-known configurations or procedures can be used.

[0138] The storage unit 2 is a storage means such as a memory device like RAM or ROM, a fixed disk device like a hard disk, a flexible disk, and an optical disk, and stores various programs, tables, databases, and web page files used for various processing or website provision.

[0139] Furthermore, the business support device 1 may be composed of a known personal computer device or an information processing device such as a workstation, or it may be composed of an information processing device to which any peripheral devices are connected. In addition, the information processing device may be implemented by implementing software (including programs or data, etc.) that realizes the processing described in the embodiment.

[0140] Furthermore, the specific forms of distribution and integration of the devices are not limited to those shown in the figures, and all or part of them can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating them in any unit according to various additions or functional loads. In other words, the embodiments described above can be selectively implemented by arbitrarily combining the embodiments described above. [Industrial applicability]

[0141] This invention is particularly suitable for application to overseas settlement operations in trade. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0142] 1 Business support equipment 2 Storage section 3. Control Unit 4. Communication Interface Section 5 Input / Output Interface Section 6 Input devices 7 Output device 11. Payment Schedule Data Storage Unit 12 Payment Schedule Data Storage Unit 13. Customer Master Table 14. Rate Master Table 15. Data storage unit subject to settlement 16 Payment data storage unit 17. Deposit Data Storage Unit 18. Journal entry data storage unit 21 Data Generation Unit 22 Calculation Section 23 Conversion Processing Unit 24. Offset Confirmation Processing Unit 25 Display Control Unit 26. Payment Schedule Data Generation Department 27 Payment Schedule Data Generation Unit 28. Journal Entry Data Generation Unit 29. Deposit Data Generation Department 30 Payment Data Generation Unit 50 Networks 51 Payment terminal device 52 Overseas Distributor Terminal Equipment

Claims

1. A payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data that includes the amount to be billed to the settlement recipient, the amount in a predetermined type of currency for each commercial transaction, and the amount in the home country currency obtained by converting the said amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date. A payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data that includes the invoice amount requested by the settlement recipient, the payment amount in a predetermined type of currency for each commercial transaction, and the payment amount in the home country currency obtained by converting the payment amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date. A calculation unit that calculates the difference between the first total amount, which is the sum of each invoice amount in the home country, and the second total amount, which is the sum of each payment amount in the home country, A conversion processing unit converts the aforementioned invoice amount and payment amount, each converted into their respective home currencies, into a settlement currency invoice amount and a settlement currency payment amount based on a predetermined conversion rate for the settlement currency, which is the type of currency used for settlement, as set in advance with the settlement recipient. The system includes an offsetting determination processing unit that calculates an offsetting difference, which is the difference between the total amount of the settlement currency invoices and the total amount of the settlement currency payments. When the aforementioned payment schedule data generation unit obtains the offsetting difference, which indicates that the total amount of the settlement currency invoices is greater than the total amount of the settlement currency payments, it generates the payment schedule data including the offsetting difference and the home currency conversion difference. The payment schedule data generation unit generates the payment schedule data including the offset difference and the home currency conversion difference when it obtains an offset difference that indicates the total amount of payment in the settlement currency is greater than the total amount of invoices in the settlement currency. A business support device characterized by the following features.

2. Based on the aforementioned payment schedule data, a journal entry is generated in which the debit account is set to a temporary offsetting account, the debit amount is set to the aforementioned invoice amount in the home currency converted at the exchange rate of the home currency corresponding to the recording date, and the credit account is set to accounts receivable, the credit amount is set to the aforementioned invoice amount in the currency of the type before conversion to the home currency. A journal entry data generation unit generates journal entry data based on the aforementioned payment schedule data, where the debit account is set to Accounts Payable, the debit amount is set to the aforementioned invoice amount in the currency of the type before conversion to the home country currency, and the credit account is set to Offsetting Temporary Account, the credit amount is set to the aforementioned invoice amount in the home country currency converted at the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the recording date. The business support device according to claim 1, further characterized by being provided with the following features.

3. When the offsetting difference is obtained, indicating that the settlement currency invoice amount is greater than the settlement currency payment amount, a deposit data generation unit generates deposit data including the offsetting difference used as the deposit amount and the offsetting difference in home currency obtained by converting the offsetting difference into the home currency at a predetermined exchange rate. If an offsetting difference is obtained that indicates the amount of payment in the settlement currency is greater than the amount of invoice in the settlement currency, the payment data generation unit further generates payment data including the offsetting difference used as the payment amount and the offsetting difference in the home currency obtained by converting the offsetting difference into the home currency at a predetermined exchange rate, If the offsetting difference is obtained, indicating that the settlement currency invoice amount is greater than the settlement currency payment amount, the payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data including the offsetting difference and the home currency conversion difference, which is the difference between the first total amount and the second total amount. If the offsetting difference is obtained, indicating that the amount to be paid in the settlement currency is greater than the amount to be invoiced in the settlement currency, the payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data including the offsetting difference and the home currency conversion difference, which is the difference between the first total amount and the second total amount. The business support device according to claim 2, characterized by the following:

4. The journal entry data generation unit generates a composite journal entry based on the payment schedule data and the payment data, with the debit account set to a temporary offsetting account, the debit amount set to the difference in translation of the home currency, the credit account set to a bank transfer, the credit amount set to the difference in offsetting, and the credit account set to a foreign exchange gain, with the credit amount set to the foreign exchange difference, which is the difference between the difference in translation of the home currency and the offsetting difference in the home currency. The business support device according to claim 3, characterized by the following:

5. The aforementioned deposit schedule data and payment schedule data include a settlement number added at the time of generation and an offset confirmation number added when used to calculate the offset difference. The offset confirmation processing unit calculates the offset difference by including the settlement currency invoice amount or settlement currency payment amount of the settlement currency for the settlement data or payment data specified by the operator, from among the deposit data and payment data to which the settlement number and the offset confirmation number have not been added. A business support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the above.

6. The payment schedule data generation step generates payment schedule data in which the payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data that includes the invoice amount to be billed to the settlement recipient, the invoice amount in a predetermined type of currency for each commercial transaction, and the invoice amount in the home country currency obtained by converting the said invoice amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date. The payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data which includes the invoice amount requested by the settlement recipient, the payment amount in a predetermined type of currency for each commercial transaction, and the payment amount in the home currency obtained by converting the payment amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home currency corresponding to the accounting date. The calculation unit performs a calculation step of calculating the difference in the conversion rate of the home currency, which is the difference between the first total amount, which is the sum of the invoice amounts in the home currency, and the second total amount, which is the sum of the payment amounts in the home currency. A conversion processing step in which the conversion processing unit converts the aforementioned invoice amount and payment amount, which have been converted to their respective home currencies, into a settlement currency invoice amount and a settlement currency payment amount based on a predetermined conversion rate of the settlement currency, which is the type of currency used for settlement and has been set in advance with the settlement recipient. The offset confirmation processing unit includes an offset confirmation processing step that calculates an offset difference, which is the difference between the total amount of the settlement currency invoices and the total amount of the settlement currency payments. In the payment schedule data generation step, if the offset difference is obtained which indicates that the total amount of the settlement currency invoices is greater than the total amount of the settlement currency payments, the payment schedule data including the offset difference and the home currency conversion difference is generated. In the payment schedule data generation step, if the offsetting difference is obtained which indicates that the total amount of payment in the settlement currency is greater than the total amount of invoices in the settlement currency, the payment schedule data is generated which includes the offsetting difference and the difference in conversion to the home currency. A business support method characterized by the following.

7. Computers, A payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data that includes the amount to be billed to the settlement recipient, the amount in a predetermined type of currency for each commercial transaction, and the amount in the home country currency obtained by converting the said amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date. A payment schedule data generation unit generates payment schedule data that includes the invoice amount requested by the settlement recipient, the payment amount in a predetermined type of currency for each commercial transaction, and the payment amount in the home country currency obtained by converting the payment amount in a predetermined type of currency using the exchange rate of the home country currency corresponding to the accounting date. A calculation unit that calculates the difference between the first total amount, which is the sum of each invoice amount in the home country, and the second total amount, which is the sum of each payment amount in the home country, A conversion processing unit converts the aforementioned invoice amount and payment amount, each converted into their respective home currencies, into a settlement currency invoice amount and a settlement currency payment amount based on a predetermined conversion rate for the settlement currency, which is the type of currency used for settlement, as set in advance with the settlement recipient. It functions as an offsetting confirmation processing unit that calculates the offsetting difference, which is the difference between the total amount of the settlement currency invoices and the total amount of the settlement currency payments. When the aforementioned payment schedule data generation unit obtains the offsetting difference, which indicates that the total amount of the settlement currency invoices is greater than the total amount of the settlement currency payments, it generates the payment schedule data including the offsetting difference and the home currency conversion difference. The payment schedule data generation unit generates the payment schedule data including the offset difference and the home currency conversion difference when it obtains an offset difference that indicates the total amount of payment in the settlement currency is greater than the total amount of invoices in the settlement currency. A business support program characterized by the following:

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