> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/llms.txt).
# Finalize a month
Finalizing signs off a month that ties, recording what you verified and when. Here is how to finalize one month, or every tied month at once.
## Before you finalize
You can finalize a month once it **ties**: the statement adds up, its opening balance meets the previous statement's closing balance, and your ledger agrees with the printed closing balance. A tied month shows a purple outline with a check on the timeline, and its card offers **Finalize…**.
A month that doesn't tie can't be finalized. Fix it first: see [Fix a month that doesn't tie](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/reconciliations/fix-a-month-that-doesnt-tie).
## Finalize one month
1. Go to **Accounting** › **Reconciliations** and pick the month with the arrows at the top.
2. On the account's card, click **Finalize…** (or click the tied dot). The month opens.
3. At the top of the month, click **Finalize…**.
4. Read the summary: how many statements, "every check ties", and that the closing balance matches the ledger.
5. Click **Finalize**.
A message such as "May 2026 finalized for Business Checking." confirms it, and the dot becomes a solid purple check.
The dialog may also note:
- **Uncategorized transactions.** "You can finalize anyway — changing a category does not change this account's balance or reopen its sign-off."
- **Intake warnings** on the statement. Review them in **Statement details**; you can finalize anyway.
## Finalize every tied month at once
When months are tied but not yet signed off, the summary line at the top of **Reconciliations** offers **Finalize all N tied months**.
1. Click **Finalize all N tied months**. There's no dialog; the button shows progress ("Finalizing 3 of 12…").
2. When it's done, a message confirms "12 months finalized."
It signs off every tied month up to the **Reconciled through** month, across all accounts. If one fails, it stops and tells you how many were finalized ("5 of 12 finalized.") and why.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** With **Sign off and close months** on, Autopilot finalizes tied months for you when nothing is waiting on you in that account and month. Its sign-offs appear in **Done by AI** as **Signed off a reconciled month**. See [Choose how much ZeraBooks does](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/autopilot/choose-how-much-zerabooks-does).
{% endhint %}
## What finalizing records
Finalizing records what you verified today: the checked balances, the matches with earlier items and which statements cover the month. If any of those change later, the month reopens automatically and shows an orange ↺. See [Reopened months](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/reconciliations/reopened-months).
Finalizing doesn't lock the month. To stop anything on or before a date from changing, [close the books](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/reconciliations/close-and-reopen-the-books).
## Frequently Asked Questions
Can I finalize a month with uncategorized transactions?
Yes. The dialog tells you how many are still Uncategorized, but it doesn't block you. Categories don't change the account's balance.
Does changing a category reopen a finalized month?
No. Categories don't affect the account's balance, so a finalized month stays finalized.
Why isn't there a Finalize… button on my month?
The month doesn't tie yet, or it's already finalized. Open it and check **Flags & suggestions**. See [Fix a month that doesn't tie](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/reconciliations/fix-a-month-that-doesnt-tie).
What's the difference between finalizing and closing the books?
Finalizing signs off one account's month and reopens itself if its numbers change. Closing the books locks every date on or before a day, so nothing can be added or changed until you reopen.
The finalize dialog shows Refresh reconciliation. What happened?
The books changed after the page loaded, so ZeraBooks won't sign off numbers you haven't seen. Click **Refresh reconciliation**, check the month again, and finalize.
How do I undo a sign-off?
Click **Finalized** on the month, then **Remove sign-off**. See [Reopened months](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/reconciliations/reopened-months).
---
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