Security to prevent transaction activity until audit is complete

Methods and devices provide security to prevent transaction activity until an audit is complete. A cash handling device such as, for example, a cash recycler may include a processor for executing computer-executable instructions, memory that stores the computer-executable instructions, and an input means for receiving user input. The computer executable instructions may cause the apparatus to: allow a first input to the input means in order to indicate that an audit is to be performed, prevent any further transactions on the cash handling until the audit is complete, allow a second input to the input means in order to indicate that the audit is complete, and allow any further transactions to proceed after the audit is complete.