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Write a CFO note that surfaces two conflicting burn numbers

  • For FP&A and financial analysts
  • You practice Keeping the AI to your sources
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Advanced

About this exercise

You're giving the CFO a short pre-read before a board call. Write a prompt for plain text with three lines starting "What happened:", "What we don't know:" and "Ask:", under 110 words in total. Use the bank-based numbers as facts and show the subtraction. If two sources disagree, show both with their owners and don't pick one. The Ask is one specific request with a date from the notes.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Picking a burn number. The AI says burn is about $195k or $210k as fact. Try: Add: "Show both with their owners. Do not choose between them."
  • Skipping the subtraction. The AI says 'about $200k' without the bank math. Try: Say: "Show $2,400,000 - $2,202,000 = $198,000 and the one-time adjustment."
  • Vague ask. The AI asks to 'align on numbers'. Try: Add: "Ask: one request with a date from the notes."
  • 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 three lines
  • Uses the bank export
  • Keeps both numbers
  • Bans choosing
  • Caps length

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