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Reply to a customer's balance confirmation and explain the gap

  • For Accountants
  • You practice Getting the tone right
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

A customer says they owe less than your records show. Write a prompt for a plain-text email under 100 words that starts with "Hi Jordan," and ends with the line "Accounts Receivable". It has three lines starting "Our records:", "Your records:" and "Difference:" with the math, says you are sending a copy of the missing invoice today, and asks Jordan to confirm the balance by Nov 20. Don't mention the customer's slow payment history or any internal notes. No bullets or numbering.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Mentioning slow payment. The AI hints that Pinewood is late on invoices. Try: Add: "Do not mention payment history or internal comments."
  • Stating the invoice wasn't received. The AI says the customer never got INV-3301. Try: Add: "Do not say the invoice was not received; say we are sending a copy."
  • No difference math. The AI says 'a small difference'. Try: Add: "Show $12,400.00 - $11,900.00 = $500.00 and tie it to INV-3301."
  • Wrong greeting or sign-off. The AI signs with a personal name. Try: Add: 'Start with "Hi Jordan," end with the line: Accounts Receivable.'
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and runs past word limits. Try: Ask for fewer words than the real cap and keep each line short.

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names the reader
  • Asks for the three lines
  • Asks for confirmation
  • Bans internal talk
  • Caps length

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