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Screen a found error against thresholds and route it
- For Accountants
- You practice Setting limits and rules
- Time about 5 minutes
- Level Advanced
About this exercise
You're screening an expense error found after close. Write a prompt for plain text with lines starting "Error:", "Percent of net income:", "Percent of revenue:", "Test 1:", "Test 2:" and "Route:". Show the math. The Route line follows the policy. Do not conclude whether prior statements need restating and don't adopt the preparer's view about materiality; that is for the controller and auditors. Under 90 words. No bullets or numbering.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Adopting the preparer's view. The AI says the error is immaterial because it's 0.15% of revenue. Try: Add: "Do not say whether it is material; ignore the preparer's comment."
- Wrong routing. The AI routes to the AP manager because Test 2 is not met. Try: Say: "Route to the Controller if either test is met."
- Missing percent math. The AI says 'about 2%' with no division. Try: Say: "Show the divisions."
- 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 six lines
- Shows divisions
- Gives the routing rule
- Bans conclusions
- Caps length
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