We recently announced a change to the Payroll Processing Schedule. We implemented a new "SPO Data Entry/Approval Cutoff", which is a few days before each "Payroll Finalized Date".
The cutoff is for "Approvals" you can continue to work in DA between the cutoff and finalized dates. Just don't approve any transactions which require SPO Auditor approval, unless you are contacted by PPC (MAS) or (SEP) and requested to enter or approve a transaction to correct an error condition. You can start approving pay once finalize is completed.