Answer a director's accrual question as a short Q&A

About this exercise

Nina, the marketing director, thinks she's being charged twice for an agency. Write a prompt for a reply from Cora in accounting as exactly 3 Q&A pairs on lines starting "Q:" and "A:", where the first question is exactly "Q: Why is $18,000 on my October report?", each answer under 30 words in everyday words, and the last line is "Cora, Accounting". Plain text, under 130 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• No Q&A shape. The AI writes a normal email reply, not the scannable Q&A you asked for. Try: Say: "Exactly 3 pairs on lines starting Q: and A:, first question exactly ..."
• Missing the change order. The AI explains accruals in general and never says why it's $18,000 and not $15,000. Try: Ask: "Show where $18,000 comes from: $15,000 PO + $3,000 change order."
• Not answering 'charged twice?'. The AI explains the estimate but skips the reversal, which is her real worry. Try: Add: "Explain the Nov 1 reversal so it isn't counted twice."
• Accounting jargon and length. The AI writes long answers with 'accrual basis' and bold terms. Try: Say: "Each answer under 25 words, everyday words, plain text."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI answers run long when only a total limit is given. Try: Cap each answer instead of the total.

What a strong prompt includes

• Asks for Q&A pairs
• Gives the first question
• Explains the math
• Covers the reversal
• Keeps it simple

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