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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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