Library › Finance AI › Accountants

Roll forward deferred revenue and compare to the ledger

  • For Accountants
  • You practice Setting limits and rules
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

You're rolling forward October's deferred revenue. Write a prompt for plain text with lines starting "Opening:", "Plus billings:", "Less recognized:", "Less refunds:", "Computed ending:", "Ledger:" and "Difference:", each showing the arithmetic where it applies. If a difference remains, say it is unexplained and don't adjust or explain it. Under 80 words. No bullets or numbering.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Leaving out refunds. The AI computes $130,000 and shows no difference. Try: Say: "Less refunds reduces deferred revenue."
  • Plugging the gap. The AI books the $1,000 to revenue as the preparer suggests. Try: Add: "Say the difference is unexplained. Don't suggest booking it anywhere."
  • Wrong subtraction order. The AI shows computed minus ledger or leaves out the ledger. Try: Add: "Difference = ledger minus computed ending."
  • Markdown extras. The AI adds bold labels, headings and a closing note. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold. Output only the lines asked for."
  • 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 seven lines
  • Includes refunds
  • Shows the arithmetic
  • Blocks plugging
  • Caps length

Practice this now ↑

Related exercises