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Compare expense software quotes on annual cost for 45 users

Practice: Catching mistakes and made-up facts. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

Your controller asked for a cost comparison of 3 expense management tools for 45 users. You want exactly 3 numbered lines, one per tool, each showing the math to an annual cost including required fees (like "$80 x 45 + $500 = $4,100"), then a final line "Lowest:". Use each vendor's latest written quote and only those numbers, plain text, nothing else.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Skipping required fees. The AI compares per-user prices and leaves out integration and implementation fees. Try: Say: "Include every required fee in the annual total."
  • Using old or verbal prices. SpendTrail's first quote and Ledgerline's waiver promise are both in your notes. Try: Add: "Use the latest written quote only."
  • Getting a recommendation. The AI factors in the controller's app preference instead of just cost. Try: Say: "Output only the 3 lines and Lowest."
  • Not saying how many. The AI decides the length itself and usually returns more lines, one per tool than you can use. Try: Be exact: "exactly 3 numbered lines, one per tool."
  • Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in a note to your controller. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Asks for annual cost
  • Includes required fees
  • Uses written quotes
  • Says exactly how many
  • Asks for plain text

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