---
name: "accton"
section: "8"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/accton"
---

# accton(8)

enable/disable system accounting

## NAME

**accton** – enable/disable system accounting

## SYNOPSIS

**accton** \[*acctfile*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **accton** utility is used for switching system accounting on or off. If called with the argument *acctfile*, system accounting is enabled. The *acctfile* specified must exist prior to starting system accounting, or **accton** will return an error. A record of every process that is started by the [execve(2)](/execve/2.md) system call and then later exits the system is stored in *acctfile*. The [sa(8)](/sa/8.md) command may be used to examine the accounting records. If no arguments are given, system accounting is disabled.

## FILES

- */var/account/acct*

  default accounting file

## SEE ALSO

[lastcomm(1)](/lastcomm/1.md), [acct(2)](/acct/2.md), [acct(5)](/acct/5.md), [sa(8)](/sa/8.md)