> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lynkacrm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Close an accounting period

> Lock a completed accounting period after review so new postings cannot silently change financial history that has already been reported.

Closing an accounting period is a control step. It tells Lynka that the period has been reviewed and should no longer accept ordinary changes that would rewrite previously reported numbers.

The Accounting navigation exposes this work in **Close Center**.

## Before closing

Review the period rather than using Close as a housekeeping button. At minimum, check the areas relevant to your business:

* unposted or unbalanced journals
* open Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable that need attention
* cash and bank reconciliation status
* inventory posting review items
* tax balances
* unusual account balances
* Trial Balance
* Profit & Loss
* Balance Sheet

The exact close checklist depends on the workspace and accounting process.

## Close the period

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Close Center">Go to **Accounting > Close Center**.</Step>
  <Step title="Select the period">Choose the accounting period you have finished reviewing.</Step>
  <Step title="Resolve blocking issues">If Lynka surfaces health or posting issues, investigate them before locking the period.</Step>
  <Step title="Close">Use the close action. Closing requires `period.close`.</Step>
  <Step title="Confirm the result">Verify that the period now shows the closed state and that ordinary backdated posting is blocked as expected.</Step>
</Steps>

## Why period close matters

Without a close control, a backdated journal entered next month can silently change last month's P\&L, Balance Sheet, tax numbers, or cash-flow history.

A close creates a clear boundary between ordinary processing and an exceptional correction that needs authorization.

## Audit history

Lynka stores period close audit information so closing and reopening actions can be reviewed later. Use meaningful correction workflows instead of repeatedly reopening and closing periods just to bypass validation.

## Related articles

* [Reopen a closed period](/product/accounting/periods/reopen-period)
* [Post or reverse a journal](/product/accounting/journals/post-reverse)
* [Financial reports](/product/accounting/financial-reports)