{"id":"acct-inventory-count-variance-table","audience":"accounting","category":"finance-work","track":"finance","technique":"format","level":"intermediate","title":"Tabulate a cycle count and mark which variances need escalation","free":false,"task":"You're summarizing a cycle count. Write a prompt for a markdown table with columns SKU | Book | Count | Var units | Var $ | Escalate, one row per SKU, then a line starting \"Net variance:\" with the addition. Var $ = Var units x unit cost. Escalate is Yes if the absolute dollar variance exceeds $500, Recount if the notes say units haven't been counted yet, otherwise No. Don't adjust the book quantities. Under 110 words.","materialLabel":"Count sheet and notes (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"CYCLE COUNT - Warehouse B, Nov 4, 2026\n\nSKU | Description | Unit cost | Book qty | Counted qty\nA-100 | Safety gloves, box | $15 | 120 | 118\nB-220 | Pallet wrap roll | $40 | 60 | 54\nC-310 | Packing tape, case | $4 | 200 | 215\nD-450 | Barcode printer | $95 | 35 | 28\n\nCounter notes (Jorge):\n- B-220: 6 rolls are in the returns cage and were not counted yet.\n- C-310: a receipt for 15 cases hadn't been entered in the system when I counted.\n- D-450: I counted twice, same result.\n\nPolicy: do not post count adjustments until the controller approves them.","rules":[{"type":"maxWords","max":110}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Names the columns","patterns":["sku.*book.*count","columns"]},{"label":"Gives the escalation rule","patterns":["over \\$500","recount","escalate"]},{"label":"Asks for the net line","patterns":["net variance"]},{"label":"Bans adjustments","patterns":["(do not|don'?t).*(adjust|post)"]},{"label":"Limits commentary","patterns":["no (other )?commentary","only"]}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Escalating by percent","why":"The AI flags B-220 as Yes because the percent is high.","fix":"Say: \"Yes only if the absolute Var $ is over $500; Recount if units weren't counted.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Wrong sign","why":"The AI subtracts book from count the wrong way.","fix":"Add: \"Var units = Count minus Book.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Suggesting an adjustment","why":"The AI adds 'post the adjustment' or 'write off D-450'.","fix":"Add: \"Do not suggest posting any adjustment.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"No net line","why":"The AI ends without the total or lists a different total.","fix":"Add: 'One line \"Net variance:\" with the amounts added.'","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"Trusting the AI to count words","why":"AI is bad at counting and runs past word limits.","fix":"Ask for fewer words than the real cap and keep each line short.","checks":["maxWords"]}],"hint":"The notes include uncounted units and a posting policy. Give the escalation rule and ban adjustments.","rubricLabels":["Table has the columns SKU | Book | Count | Var units | Var $ | Escalate and four rows with Var units -2, -6, +15, -7","Var $ values are -$30, -$240, +$60 and -$665, and Escalate is No, Recount, No, Yes (B-220 is Recount because 6 rolls are not counted yet)","Last line starts \"Net variance:\" and shows -$30 - $240 + $60 - $665 = -$875, and nothing suggests posting an adjustment"]}