{"id":"acct-journal-batch-out-of-balance-table","audience":"accounting","category":"finance-work","track":"finance","technique":"verification","level":"intermediate","title":"Check a journal entry batch for balance before posting","free":false,"task":"You're checking a batch of journal entries before posting. Write a prompt for a markdown table with columns JE, Debits, Credits and Status, one row per entry in the listed order. Status is exactly Balanced or Out by $x with the dollar amount and which side is higher. After the table add one line starting \"Do not post:\" listing the entries that are not balanced. Do not suggest what the error is. Under 110 words.","materialLabel":"Source material (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"JOURNAL ENTRY BATCH - Nov 3, 2026 (pending posting)\n\nJE-101\n  Dr Rent Expense 5,000\n  Cr Cash 3,000\n  Cr Accrued Liabilities 2,000\n\nJE-102\n  Dr Office Supplies 1,200\n  Dr Postage 800\n  Cr Accounts Payable 2,000\n\nJE-103\n  Dr Prepaid Insurance 7,500\n  Cr Cash 5,700\n  Cr Accrued Liabilities 1,500\n\nJE-104\n  Dr Software Expense 4,000\n  Cr Accounts Payable 4,000\n\nJE-105\n  Dr Travel Expense 900\n  Cr Cash 990\n\nNotes: the preparer says JE-105 was keyed quickly and \"is probably a typo.\" The posting system rejects unbalanced entries only after the batch is submitted, which would delay posting of the whole batch. Reviewers should report differences and not guess at causes.","rules":[{"type":"maxWords","max":110}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Names the columns","patterns":["je","debits","credits","status"]},{"label":"Defines the status","patterns":["balanced","out by"]},{"label":"Asks for the last line","patterns":["do not post"]},{"label":"Bans guessing","patterns":["do not suggest","do not guess","not guess"]},{"label":"Caps length","patterns":["\\d+\\s*words","under \\d+"]}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Guessing the cause","why":"The AI says JE-105 is a typo or transposition.","fix":"Add: \"Do not suggest what the error is.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"Missing which side is higher","why":"The AI gives only the amount.","fix":"Add: \"Out by $x with the higher side.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Totals errors","why":"The AI mis-adds the multi-line entries.","fix":"Add: \"Show Debits and Credits totals as numbers.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Missing Do not post line","why":"The AI ends with the table.","fix":"Add: \"Last line: Do not post: and the entry numbers.\"","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 part short.","checks":["maxWords"]}],"hint":"Add up debits and credits per entry, name which side is higher, and leave the cause to the preparer.","rubricLabels":["The table has five rows in order with Debits and Credits matching each entry (JE-103 debits 7,500 and credits 7,200; JE-105 debits 900 and credits 990)","Status is Balanced, Balanced, Out by $300 (debits higher), Balanced, Out by $90 (credits higher)","The last line starts \"Do not post:\" listing JE-103 and JE-105, and nothing guesses the cause of an error such as a typo"]}