Remove a lock from your accounts

This article explains how to remove a lock from your accounts in FreeAgent to make changes to any of the data that makes up your accounts.

If you have locked your accounts or your accounts have been locked automatically in FreeAgent, this prevents you from editing any of the data that makes up your accounts, up to a particular date. This date is set when the lock is applied. If you need to edit any of the data in a locked period, you'll need to follow the steps below to remove the lock first.

Removing automatic locks from accounts

We strongly recommend that you check with an accountant before removing any automatic locks placed on your accounts by FreeAgent.

Removing automatic locks set by filing Self Assessment

To remove a lock that has been set automatically by FreeAgent as a result of filing your Self Assessment tax return, you will need to follow these instructions to unlock the filed Self Assessment return. If you have not filed your Self Assessment tax return, but have marked it as filed, you will need to mark it as unfiled in order to remove the lock.

Removing automatic locks set by marking end of year accounts as filed

To remove a lock that has been set automatically by FreeAgent as a result of marking end of year accounts as filed, you will need to mark them as unfiled and then remove the signature.

To do this, select ‘Accounting’ and choose ‘Reports’ from the drop-down menu. Select ‘Final Accounts’ and then choose the relevant year.

Select ‘Mark as unfiled’.

If you have also marked your Corporation Tax return (CT600) as filed, you will also need to mark this as unfiled before you can remove the lock.

To do this, select ‘Taxes’ and choose ‘Corporation Tax’ from the drop-down menu. Select the relevant year then select ‘Mark as unfiled’.

To remove the signature, select ‘Accounting’ and then choose ‘End of Year’ from the drop-down menu. Select the relevant year and then choose ‘Remove signature’ at the top-right of the screen.

If you're a FreeAgent partner and are removing the automatic lock on behalf of a client, select ‘Mark as draft’ at the top right to complete the unlocking process.

Removing manual locks from accounts

Select ‘Settings’ from the drop-down menu at the top-right, then select ‘Account Locking’ from the ‘Accounting, Tax & VAT’ section.

Any active account locks will be shown under ‘Active account locks’. To remove the lock from an account, select the red cross button to the right of the lock you want to remove.

You will then be asked to confirm that you would like to remove the account lock. Select ‘OK’ in the pop-up window to complete the process.

You'll then be able to edit any invoice, credit note, bill, bank transaction, out-of-pocket expense or journal entry that makes up your accounts.