---
title: How to prevent Journals from being deleted
description: Implement a control to stop the removal of Journals and to maintain sequential Journal numbering. This control will keep all created journals in the system, ensuring their numbers are in order without any missing sequences.
---

[Skip to content](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/prevent-journals-from-being-deleted#main-content)

English

Show submenu for translations

![AccountAbility\_logo\_primary\_fullcolor-1.png\]](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AccountAbility_logo_primary_fullcolor-1.png?height=40&name=AccountAbility_logo_primary_fullcolor-1.png)

- [COUNTA by Accountability](https://8829720.hs-sites.com/counta-by-accountability)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [COUNTA by Accountability](https://8829720.hs-sites.com/counta-by-accountability)
- English
  
  Show submenu for translations

 How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [COUNTA Help Center](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge?hsLang=en)
2. [Setup Options](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-options?hsLang=en)
3. [Accounting Options](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-options?hsLang=en#accounting-options)

August 31, 2026

# How to prevent Journals from being deleted

## Implement a control to stop the removal of Journals and to maintain sequential Journal numbering. 

### **Step by Step Guide:**

1\. Navigate to **Set up Files \> Set up Options**.

![](https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-30/4f658a08-8ede-40f4-bd8c-e66a9cdd4b6c/ascreenshot_b029826b7d3b4639b6765a9e6e764a25_text_export.jpeg)

2\. Click on **Accounting Options** to show all of the use options available.

![](https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-30/2f1dd59c-5da3-4008-b11b-80d9e9f57fd7/user_cropped_screenshot_f992402ce92044218a61589703d71cc5_text_export.jpeg)

3\. The **Allow Journals to be deleted** option is checked by default. If it stays checked, the system's handling of Journal deletion remains unchanged, allowing you to remove unposted Journals.

![](https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/files/2025-09-12/b4a0f70e-882c-4b18-af37-58b6d344bbf9/user_cropped_screenshot_424bfe2ebafd4d7597cd9ba935c6dda9_text_export.jpeg)

4\. If you uncheck the **Allow Journals to be deleted** option, it will trigger specific controls and system alterations.

- If you try to delete a journal, a warning **Journals cannot be deleted** appears. Instead, opt to **Cancel** the undesired journal. It remains in the system but doesn't influence accounting.
- When a 'System Transaction' (Supplier Invoice, Payment, Receipt, Production Invoice, etc.) is posted, it generates a **System Journal**. If the transaction is unposted, the system typically erases the System Journal. However, with this feature, the Journal isn't deleted when a transaction is unposted; rather, it's tagged as unposted and canceled. So, while unposting the transaction still negates its accounting effect, the original journal that was created stays in the system in a canceled and unposted state for auditing/history purposes.

![](https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/files/2025-09-12/5e52ac03-339e-46ae-a631-471bdcb12316/user_cropped_screenshot_3f4ee0bcaa02434c9671be34f4f75997_text_export.jpeg)

5\. Click **SAVE.**

![](https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-30/dc2903cb-0eb4-4554-94f2-b0b16da93e96/user_cropped_screenshot_e35b9069fbc9448c9b9e2fd1c7766604_text_export.jpeg)

- [Product Updates](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/product-updates?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Live](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/product-updates?hsLang=en#live)
- [Tutorial Video Library](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [General Navigation](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#general-navigation)
    - [Time and Task](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#time-and-task)
    - [Job Management - Basics](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#job-management-basics)
    - [Estimate Management - Basics](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#estimate-management-basics)
    - [Estimate Management - Advanced](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#estimate-management-advanced)
    - [Purchase Order Basics](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#purchase-order-basics)
    - [Production Invoice Basics](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#production-invoice-basics)
    - [Sundry Invoice Basics](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#sundry-invoice-basics)
    - [Receipts Basics](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#receipts-basics)
    - [Supplier Invoice Management Basics](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#supplier-invoice-management-basics)
    - [Payment Basics](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#payment-basics)
    - [Expenses & Credit Cards](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#expenses-credit-cards)
    - [Reporting](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#reporting)
    - [Master Files](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#master-files)
    - [Manage](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/tutorial-video-library?hsLang=en#manage)
- [Mobile App](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/mobile-app?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [What's New](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/mobile-app?hsLang=en#whats-new)
    - [Setup and Configuration](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/mobile-app?hsLang=en#setup-and-configuration)
- [FAQs](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/faqs?hsLang=en)
- [Navigation and General](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/navigation-and-general?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Tips & Tricks](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/navigation-and-general?hsLang=en#tips-tricks)
    - [Customization](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/navigation-and-general?hsLang=en#customization)
    - [Setup](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/navigation-and-general?hsLang=en#setup)
    - [Support](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/navigation-and-general?hsLang=en#support)
    - [My Dashboard](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/navigation-and-general?hsLang=en#my-dashboard)
    - [My Messages](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/navigation-and-general?hsLang=en#my-messages)
    - [Security](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/navigation-and-general?hsLang=en#security)
- [Time and Tasks](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/time-and-tasks?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [My Time](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/time-and-tasks?hsLang=en#my-time)
    - [Timesheet Proxy](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/time-and-tasks?hsLang=en#timesheet-proxy)
    - [Time Reports](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/time-and-tasks?hsLang=en#time-reports)
    - [Time Posting](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/time-and-tasks?hsLang=en#time-posting)
    - [Tasks](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/time-and-tasks?hsLang=en#tasks)
- [Manage](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/manage?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Leave](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/manage?hsLang=en#leave)
    - [Employee Expense Summary](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/manage?hsLang=en#employee-expense-summary)
    - [Expense Claims](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/manage?hsLang=en#expense-claims)
    - [Credit Cards](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/manage?hsLang=en#credit-cards)
    - [Inventories](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/manage?hsLang=en#inventories)
- [Approve](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/approve?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Supplier Invoices](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/approve?hsLang=en#supplier-invoices)
    - [Expense Claims](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/approve?hsLang=en#expense-claims)
    - [Credit Cards](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/approve?hsLang=en#credit-cards)
    - [Purchase Orders](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/approve?hsLang=en#purchase-orders)
    - [Client Job Invoices](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/approve?hsLang=en#client-job-invoices)
    - [Weekly Timesheet](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/approve?hsLang=en#weekly-timesheet)
    - [Journals](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/approve?hsLang=en#journals)
    - [Leave](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/approve?hsLang=en#leave)
- [Jobs](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Jobs](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#jobs)
    - [Estimates](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#estimates)
    - [Revenue Tracker](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#revenue-tracker)
    - [Resource Tracker](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#resource-tracker)
    - [Purchase Orders](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#purchase-orders)
    - [Internal Charges](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#internal-charges)
    - [Job Cost Transfers](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#job-cost-transfers)
    - [Files](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#files)
    - [Job Reports](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#job-reports)
    - [Job Summaries](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#job-summaries)
    - [Campaigns](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/jobs?hsLang=en#campaigns)
- [Media](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Media Accounting](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media?hsLang=en#media-accounting)
    - [Media Summaries](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media?hsLang=en#media-summaries)
    - [Media WIP Take Up](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media?hsLang=en#media-wip-take-up)
    - [Media Reports](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media?hsLang=en#media-reports)
    - [Media Setup](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media?hsLang=en#media-setup)
    - [Media Insertion Orders](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media?hsLang=en#media-insertion-orders)
    - [Media Estimates](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media?hsLang=en#media-estimates)
- [Accounting](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/accounting?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [General Ledger Accounts](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/accounting?hsLang=en#general-ledger-accounts)
    - [Receivables](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/accounting?hsLang=en#receivables)
    - [Payables](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/accounting?hsLang=en#payables)
    - [Revenue Tool](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/accounting?hsLang=en#revenue-tool)
    - [General Ledger](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/accounting?hsLang=en#general-ledger)
    - [Budgets](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/accounting?hsLang=en#budgets)
    - [Prepayments](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/accounting?hsLang=en#prepayments)
- [Master Files](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/master-files?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Prospects](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/master-files?hsLang=en#prospects)
    - [Clients](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/master-files?hsLang=en#clients)
    - [Employees](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/master-files?hsLang=en#employees)
    - [Task Types](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/master-files?hsLang=en#task-types)
    - [Suppliers](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/master-files?hsLang=en#suppliers)
    - [Contacts](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/master-files?hsLang=en#contacts)
    - [Update](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/master-files?hsLang=en#update)
- [Setup Files](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Report Setup](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#report-setup)
    - [Set Up Options](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#set-up-options)
    - [User Access Groups](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#user-access-groups)
    - [Currencies](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#currencies)
    - [Tax Codes](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#tax-codes)
    - [Withholding Tax Codes](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#withholding-tax-codes)
    - [Bank Feed](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#bank-feed)
    - [Custom Codes](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#custom-codes)
    - [Approval & Posting Settings](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#approval-posting-settings)
    - [Custom Data](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#custom-data)
    - [Office](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#office)
    - [Company Settings](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-files?hsLang=en#company-settings)
- [Setup Options](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-options?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Accounting Options](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-options?hsLang=en#accounting-options)
    - [General Options](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-options?hsLang=en#general-options)
    - [Report Setup](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-options?hsLang=en#report-setup)
    - [Other Options](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-options?hsLang=en#other-options)
    - [Timesheet Options](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-options?hsLang=en#timesheet-options)
    - [Currencies](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/setup-options?hsLang=en#currencies)
- [General Ledger](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Journals](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#journals)
    - [General Ledger Accounts](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#general-ledger-accounts)
    - [General Ledger Reports](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#general-ledger-reports)
    - [Bank Reconciliation](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#bank-reconciliation)
    - [WIP Take Ups](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#wip-take-ups)
    - [Retainers](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#retainers)
    - [FX Revaluations](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#fx-revaluations)
    - [Fixed Assets](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#fixed-assets)
    - [General Ledger Setup & Postings](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#general-ledger-setup-postings)
    - [Posting Options](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/general-ledger?hsLang=en#posting-options)
- [Revenue Recognition and Tools](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/revenue-recognition-and-tools?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Accrued Revenue](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/revenue-recognition-and-tools?hsLang=en#accrued-revenue)
    - [Deferred Revenue](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/revenue-recognition-and-tools?hsLang=en#deferred-revenue)
    - [Revenue Recognition](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/revenue-recognition-and-tools?hsLang=en#revenue-recognition)
- [Receivables](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/receivables?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Production Invoices](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/receivables?hsLang=en#production-invoices)
    - [Receipts](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/receivables?hsLang=en#receipts)
    - [Sundry Invoices](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/receivables?hsLang=en#sundry-invoices)
    - [Reports](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/receivables?hsLang=en#reports)
    - [Other](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/receivables?hsLang=en#other)
    - [Client Summary Invoices](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/receivables?hsLang=en#client-summary-invoices)
    - [Client Job Invoices](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/receivables?hsLang=en#client-job-invoices)
- [Payables](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/payables?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Supplier Invoices](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/payables?hsLang=en#supplier-invoices)
    - [Payments](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/payables?hsLang=en#payments)
    - [Reports](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/payables?hsLang=en#reports)
    - [Incoming Supplier Invoices](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/payables?hsLang=en#incoming-supplier-invoices)
    - [Talent](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/payables?hsLang=en#talent)
- [Budgets & Forecasts](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/budgets-forecasts?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Expense Budgets](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/budgets-forecasts?hsLang=en#expense-budgets)
    - [Payroll Budgets](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/budgets-forecasts?hsLang=en#payroll-budgets)
    - [Revenue Tracker](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/budgets-forecasts?hsLang=en#revenue-tracker)
    - [Budgets](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/budgets-forecasts?hsLang=en#budgets)
    - [Cashflow Budgets](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/budgets-forecasts?hsLang=en#cashflow-budgets)
    - [Budget Setup](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/budgets-forecasts?hsLang=en#budget-setup)
    - [Budget Reports](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/budgets-forecasts?hsLang=en#budget-reports)
- [Training Packet](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/training-packet?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Admin](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/training-packet?hsLang=en#admin)
    - [MDM](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/training-packet?hsLang=en#mdm)
    - [Time Management](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/training-packet?hsLang=en#time-management)
    - [Expense Management](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/training-packet?hsLang=en#expense-management)
    - [Job and Estimate Management](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/training-packet?hsLang=en#job-and-estimate-management)
- [API & Integrations](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/api-integrations?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Accountability API](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/api-integrations?hsLang=en#accountability-api)
    - [Integrations](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/api-integrations?hsLang=en#integrations)
    - [Plaid Integration](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/api-integrations?hsLang=en#plaid-integration)
    - [Media Finance](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/api-integrations?hsLang=en#media-finance)
    - [Payroll](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/api-integrations?hsLang=en#payroll)
    - [Project Management](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/api-integrations?hsLang=en#project-management)
    - [Open Banking Providers](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/api-integrations?hsLang=en#open-banking-providers)
- [Reporting](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/reporting?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Financial Statements](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/reporting?hsLang=en#financial-statements)
    - [Client Profitability](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/reporting?hsLang=en#client-profitability)
    - [Billings and Revenue](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/reporting?hsLang=en#billings-and-revenue)
- [Sales](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/sales?hsLang=en)
- [Media Finance](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media-finance?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Mediaocean Integration](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media-finance?hsLang=en#mediaocean-integration)
    - [Freewheel Integration](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media-finance?hsLang=en#freewheel-integration)
    - [Media Finance](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/media-finance?hsLang=en#media-finance)
- [Intercompany](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/intercompany?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Studio](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/intercompany?hsLang=en#studio)
- [Talent Sponsorship](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/talent-sponsorship?hsLang=en)
- [Taxes](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/taxes?hsLang=en)
- [Implementation and Onboarding](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/implementation-and-onboarding?hsLang=en)
- [Work In Progress (WIP)](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/work-in-progress-wip?hsLang=en)
- [Expenses](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/expenses?hsLang=en)
- [Data Analysis](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/data-analysis?hsLang=en)
- [AI](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/ai?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [MCP Servers](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/knowledge/ai?hsLang=en#mcp-servers)

[![Chill listening crop-3](https://knowledgebase.counta.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AccountAbility_logo_primary_fullcolor-2.png?width=150&height=24&name=AccountAbility_logo_primary_fullcolor-2.png "Chill listening crop-3")](http://www.counta.com)

Accountability 2026

Copyright © 2026, Accountability