I would need 3 dates.
The date the journal entry would appear on the ledger after it is booked. For me, January 1st.
The date of the gl account balance that the journal entry is referencing. For me, December 31st.
The date I want the process to happen. For me, March 16th.
Every year we need to clear out what is in account 2241 (Current Year Contributions/Distributions) and move that amount to account 2239 (Retained Earnings) on January 1st based on the December 31st balance.
I need to wait until March 16th because that is 1 day after business tax returns are due. If I process the j.e. any earlier, the balance in that account may change as the accountants review each entity. For example, after the year closes, an accountant may decide to reclass a distribution from the previous year to an intercompany loan or vice versa. If I wait until the tax return is done, I know there will be no more adjustments.