# Why can't I close a fiscal period?

Required checklist items and the period's status control close readiness.

Canonical: https://demo.qixcount.com/help/faq/month-close-blocked

You need *Manage fiscal periods (close/reopen/lock)* permission. The period must be open and every required checklist item must be completed. Read **Close Readiness** for blockers and warnings. Draft or unbalanced transactions create warnings in this check; they do not automatically block closing. Completing a checklist item records your confirmation and does not perform the named task. Follow [Close a month](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/period-close-and-audit/close-a-month) and [Use period close checklists](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/period-close-and-audit/period-close-checklists).