Set a backdating limit
Block ordinary transaction posting when its date is older than your chosen limit.
- Who can do this
- Owners, or people with Manage business settings, roles & permissions
- Where
- Settings, then Accounting setup
On this page
The backdating limit checks the date of an ordinary transaction when it posts to the ledger, the record of account activity. You need the Manage business settings, roles & permissions permission to change it.
Set the limit
- Open Settings.
- Select Accounting setup.
- Find Posting rules.
- Turn on Prevent backdating.
- Enter Oldest allowed date as a number of days back, from 1 through 365.
- Select Save changes.
For example, entering 30 permits ordinary posting dated on or after the start of the day 30 days ago. A date earlier than that is rejected. The comparison follows the current date when posting occurs; it is not a fixed month-end cutoff.
What happens next
Existing entries are not moved to a new date. Turning the switch off removes this age check. Period locks remain a separate control, so an entry within the age limit can still be blocked by a closed period.
The age check excludes closing entries and the supported Nonprofit reversal of a closing entry. Do not use this switch as a guarantee that every type of entry is blocked after the limit.
If a posting reports that it is too far in the past, check its date and the saved day limit. Have the owner or accountant review the intended change before altering dates or controls.
Continue to Configure period close checklist items.