Futures Prop Firm OffersFutures Session-Close Checklist for Prop Accounts
Audit futures prop accounts before the session deadline: positions, working orders, copiers, expiry, time zones and proof of closure without assuming a universal cutoff.
Futures Session-Close Checklist for Prop Accounts
A futures prop account can have a position-closing deadline earlier than the exchange's trading halt. A reliable close routine checks both positions and working orders, then confirms that every linked account is flat. This guide provides a workflow, not a universal close time: the firm's current policy and the exchange calendar supply the actual deadline.
Build a Deadline Record
| Field | What to record | Common error |
|---|---|---|
| Firm cutoff | Exact time from current policy | Using another firm's time |
| Policy time zone | Named zone and daylight-saving treatment | Assuming a fixed UTC offset |
| Exchange schedule | Product-specific session and holidays | Treating all futures alike |
| Platform clock | Displayed zone and date | Reading local time as exchange time |
| Position scope | Required products and accounts | Checking only the master account |
| Order scope | Stops, limits and pending entries | Flattening without canceling orders |
Do not invent a deadline from a general article or yesterday's chart.
A Hypothetical Countdown
Assume a firm requires closure at a verified time called T. The following countdown is an illustrative operating routine.
| Time before T | Action | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | Stop opening trades that cannot be managed before T | Plan note |
| 15 minutes | Review account list, positions and working orders | Account snapshot |
| 5 minutes | Flatten required positions and cancel pending entries | Execution log |
| 2 minutes | Refresh every linked account and verify zero quantity | Position grid |
| After completion | Save confirmation and check for unexpected fills | Final log |
The buffer should be adjusted to platform reliability and the official rule. It does not excuse missing the actual deadline.
Position Closure and Order Cancellation Are Different
| Dashboard condition | Meaning | Required check |
|---|---|---|
| Position quantity zero | No currently open position shown | Can a working order open a new one? |
| Working entries zero | No pending entry shown | Is a position still open? |
| Copier disabled | New copied trades may stop | Were existing child positions closed? |
| Master flat | Master exposure closed | Are followers also flat? |
| Disconnected platform | Status unknown | Use an approved alternative view |
A canceled stop does not close its position. Conversely, closing a position may not automatically remove unrelated entry orders.
Handling Copied Accounts
Audit the Account List
Create a fixed list of all accounts that must be checked. Do not rely on memory when several followers are linked.
Check Partial Fills
Different accounts can fill differently. Zero exposure in one does not prove zero exposure in another.
Check Residual Orders
After flattening, refresh pending entries, brackets and order-cancels-other groups.
Verify From the Platform
Use the position and order grids, not only a chart annotation. Save the account-specific result.
Time-Zone and Calendar Checks
| Situation | What can change |
|---|---|
| Daylight-saving transition | Local time corresponding to a named U.S. zone |
| Holiday or shortened session | Trading hours and firm handling |
| Product expiry | Contract availability and trading permissions |
| Platform maintenance | Ability to confirm or cancel |
| Policy update | Firm cutoff and overnight rules |
If a policy gives an ambiguous abbreviation, obtain a clear named zone before relying on it. Calendar changes should be checked from the firm's current notice and the relevant exchange.
What to Log After an Incident
Record timestamps, account identifiers, product symbols, order IDs, connection status and screenshots. Preserve facts; do not claim a platform fault until logs establish it. Contact the firm's support through its approved process and avoid opening replacement trades merely to make the account look flat.
Reusable Final Audit
| Account | Position quantity | Working entry orders | Status refreshed | Closure proof saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account A | ||||
| Account B | ||||
| Account C |
Conclusion
The session-close routine is complete only when required accounts are flat, pending entries are canceled and the result is verified before the real policy deadline. For broader rule research, use the futures firm comparison checklist.