Approval Workflows Built for Month-End Close

Move close tasks from preparation to review with clear ownership, controlled approvals, and a complete audit trail.

How CloseMate Approvals Work

A simple, repeatable path from task completion to final sign-off.

STEP 01

Prepare

A Staff Accountant completes a close task.

STEP 02

Submit for Approval

If approval is required, the task moves to Pending Approval and is routed to the specific assigned approver.

STEP 03

Review

The assigned Controller or CFO reviews the task and either approves it or requests changes.

STEP 04

Complete

Approved tasks move to Done automatically, with the approver and approval timestamp recorded in the audit log.

Clear Approval States

Every task has a transparent status so the team knows exactly where it stands.

Pending Approval

The task is complete from the preparer's side and waiting for review by the assigned approver.

Changes Requested

The approver sends the task back with a reason. The assignee can make corrections and resubmit it.

Approved & Done

Once approved, the task is finalized and the approval details are recorded automatically.

Built-In Controls for Better Accountability

CloseMate helps prevent self-approval and keeps preparation and review responsibilities clearly separated.

  • Staff members cannot approve their own tasks.
  • Controllers and CFOs can approve tasks assigned specifically to them.
  • Approval permissions are enforced at both the application and database level.
  • Unauthorized users cannot bypass approval rules through the API.

Role-Based Separation

Staff Accountants prepare. Controllers and CFOs review. CloseMate keeps those roles distinct so no one can mark their own work as approved.

Assignee

Bank reconciliation is ready for review.

Changes Requested

Please attach the supporting bank statement and recheck the ending balance.

Send Work Back With Clear Feedback

When corrections are needed, approvers can select Request Changes and provide a reason. The task is returned to the assignee with the feedback attached, so everyone knows exactly what needs to be updated before resubmission.

Every Approval Leaves a Clear Record

When a task is approved, CloseMate automatically records:

  • Who approved it
  • When it was approved
  • The final task status
  • The action in the audit log

This creates a clear history of preparation and review without relying on email threads or spreadsheet notes.

Audit log entry

TaskBank Reconciliation
Approved byController
Approved atAug 28, 2026, 9:42 AM
Final statusDone

Approval Rules That Cannot Be Skipped

CloseMate validates approval transitions server-side and uses row-level security to protect approval fields. Staff users cannot simply change a task to approved or modify approval records they do not control.

  • Status changes are validated at the database level.
  • Only the assigned approver can approve or request changes.
  • Approval timestamps and approver identity are protected from edits.
  • API access to approval fields is restricted by role and workspace membership.

Bring Structure to Your Close Review Process

Give every close task a clear owner, reviewer, and documented path to completion.