> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.pakk.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.pakk.io/accounting-bookkeeping-and-finance/period-locking.md). # Period Locking In accounting and bookkeeping, 'locking' a period means that no new transactions can be entered in that period and no existing transactions can be edited. In practice, this is to ensure that once official accounting results (e.g. tax return, VAT return) have been filed in respect of a particular period, the figures simply cannot change. Some accounting packages have formal 'periods' which run in parallel to the actual date of transactions. There might be different periods for VAT accounting and corporate accounting and they can be opened/closed independently. The implementation of locking in Pakk is simpler - there are no 'periods' for you to set up, track and eventually lock. In order to stop transactions being entered/edited on the system before a certain date, you simply specify a `lock journal to` date in *Account Settings > Accounting*. If no date is specified, there is no lock on accounting entries. Once you specify a date, no changes to the journal (either manual or system generated) can be made prior to that date. The journal lock is only accessible to account owners, which means that temporarily unlocking the journal (for example, to enter a missing transaction) cannot be done by anyone other than an account owner. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.pakk.io/accounting-bookkeeping-and-finance/period-locking.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.