Finalize Engagement Binder Wizard

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After completing all engagement tasks in Workpapers CS, you can finalize the engagement binder by protecting all notes, signoffs, folders, and workpapers so that no further changes can be made in the engagement.

To comply with auditing regulations it is a requirement that an engagement binder (for audit-type engagements only) be finalized within 45-or -60 days.

Use the Finalize Engagement Binder Wizard to perform the following clean-up and lock-down tasks to complete the engagement.

  • Delete all notes (optional).
  • Delete workpapers that were marked for deletion.
  • Delete all workpapers in the Recycle Bin.
  • Change the engagement binder properties to read-only and the binder status to complete.
  • Change the status of all workpapers to Protected to prevent further changes.
  • Prohibit the addition, deletion, or editing of notes, signoffs, folders, and workpapers in the finalized engagement.
  • List any potential journal entries that have not been addressed.

Finalize workflow

The following three-step workflow provides specific instructions related to Notes, Potential Journal Entries, and the deletion of workpapers prior to and during the Finalize process. For detailed procedures, see Finalizing the engagement.

Step 1: Notes

All notes with a status of open, cleared, or reviewed are listed on the Notes screen of the Finalize Engagement Binder Wizard. You can choose to delete all notes prior to finalizing the engagement binder by marking the Delete all notes checkbox.

Click the link for an associated note in the Subject column of the Notes table to open the note in the Notes portlet where you can add to, modify, or delete the note as needed.

Step 2: Potential Journal Entries

All potential journal entries that exist in the posting period associated with the period ending date of the current engagement binder are displayed on the Potential Journal Entries screen of the Finalize Engagement Binder Wizard. If necessary, you can cancel out of the Finalize engagement binder wizard to make any edits that are required to update any potential journal entries.

Step 3: Workpapers to Delete

All workpapers that have the Delete on finalize checkbox marked in the Workpaper Properties dialog are listed on the Workpapers to Delete screen of the Finalize Engagement Binder Wizard. These workpapers are permanently deleted during the finalize process and cannot be restored if you choose to unfinalize the engagement binder.

Mark the Retain checkbox next to those workpapers that you want to keep when the engagement binder is finalized.

Notes

  • You cannot run the finalize process if one or more of the following conditions exist.
    • The engagement binder has already been finalized.
    • There are workpapers that are currently checked out from the engagement binder.
  • Right click the finalized briefcase icon briefcase in the Engagement Binders Tree and choose Unfinalize from the context menu to return the engagement binder back to an active state.
  • To rename a finalized engagement binder, you can right click a finalized briefcase in the Engagement Binders Tree and choose Properties.

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