How do I lock the accounts once they are finalised in Bright Accounts Production?
To prevent further changes after the accounts have been finalised, Bright AP provides two key methods: status locking and accounting period locking.
Step 1: Lock via Produced Accounts Status
- Go to: Compliance > Produce Accounts
- Change the Status to either:
- Ready For Signing – for sign-off and review
- Closedown – for full finalisation and archival
What this does:
This locks editing access to key sections like:
- Compliance Database
- Journal Postings
- Notes and Disclosure entries
Once locked, users cannot make structural changes to the accounts without changing the status back.
Step 2: Lock the Accounting Period (Optional but Recommended)
- Navigate to: Settings > Accounting Periods
- Tick the checkbox labelled: Lock Periods for the relevant accounting period.
What this does:
This prevents any new transactions from being posted into the locked period.
If a user attempts to do so, they will receive a notification that the period is locked.
Summary
| Lock Type | Area Affected | Where to Set It |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts Status | Prevents edits to financial statements | Compliance > Produce Accounts |
| Period Lock | Blocks transaction postings | Settings > Accounting Periods |
Using both options ensures your dataset is fully secured and audit-ready after sign-off.