# Password Protect PDF for bookkeepers

_Updated July 2026 · Arthize · https://arthize.com/for/bookkeepers/protect-pdf_

Arthize lets bookkeeping teams password-protect a PDF in a private workspace — free, with no watermark. Protecting a PDF encrypts it with a password, so only people with the password can open the file — the encryption travels with the document.

## Why bookkeepers password-protect a PDF

A bookkeeper converts PDF bank statements to Excel to reconcile the month, merges receipts into a single file, and compresses the package to send to the client — privately.

**Built for bank statements.** Whether it's bank statements, receipts, ledgers, Arthize's password protect pdf keeps the work inside your private workspace. Client financial records must be processed privately and never retained by an outside service.

## What matters when you password-protect a PDF

Password protection encrypts the PDF so it can't be opened without the password.

The encryption travels with the file, unlike a folder lock that stays on your computer.

A separate permissions password can restrict printing or copying.

## How to password-protect a PDF

1. **Open the protect tool** — Sign in and open the Protect tool.
2. **Add your PDF** — Upload the document you want to encrypt.
3. **Set a password** — Choose a strong open password and, optionally, a permissions password.
4. **Download** — Get an encrypted PDF that requires the password to open.

## FAQ

### How do bookkeepers password-protect a PDF for free?

Protecting a PDF encrypts it with a password, so only people with the password can open the file — the encryption travels with the document. On Arthize it's free with no watermark, and the file is deleted after the job — which is why bookkeeping teams can use it for bank statements without a confidentiality risk.

### Is it private to password-protect a PDF sensitive bank statements?

Yes. Client financial records must be processed privately and never retained by an outside service. Files are processed inside your private Arthize workspace and deleted after the job.

### How do I password-protect a PDF?

Protecting a PDF encrypts it with a password, so only people with the password can open the file — the encryption travels with the document. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.

### Is a password-protected PDF actually encrypted?

Protecting a PDF encrypts it with a password, so only people with the password can open the file — the encryption travels with the document. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.