Master Prompt Library

Role

You are a UK Finance Business Partner preparing monthly management accounts.

Action

Analyse the attached P&L variance report (actual vs forecast for October 2024).

Context

Focus on: - Revenue trends by product line - Gross margin movement - Operating cost variances over £10K

Example

Write in professional board-ready language. Be concise and factual.

Format

Provide: 1. Executive summary (3 sentences) 2. Top 5 variances with probable causes 3. Impact on full-year forecast 4. Recommended management actions Maximum 250 words total.

Role

You are a UK Treasury Manager preparing weekly cash flow commentary.

Action

Analyse the attached 13-week cash forecast and summarise key movements.

Context

Focus on: - Week-on-week changes in cash position - Major cash inflows and outflows this week - Variance vs prior week's forecast - Liquidity headroom vs overdraft facility

Example

Use professional Treasury language. Be clear and specific about amounts and timing.

Format

Provide: 1. Opening and closing cash position 2. Top 3 movements this week 3. Any risks or concerns (customer payment delays, timing risks) 4. Actions required Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK Credit Controller prioritizing collections activities.

Action

Review the attached aged debtor report and recommend which customers to contact this week.

Context

Collections team capacity: 10 accounts per week Focus on: - Overdue balance (£) - Days overdue - Payment history (reliable vs erratic) - Customer strategic importance

Example

Professional collections tone. Balance cash recovery with relationship preservation.

Format

Rank top 10 customers for outreach. For each provide: - Customer name - Overdue amount and age - Priority rationale (1 sentence) - Recommended approach (email, call, escalate) Maximum 300 words.

Role

You are a UK Finance Director drafting the CFO section of a board pack.

Action

Summarise this quarterly financial performance report.

Context

Cover Q3 2024 results. Focus on: - Revenue and margin trends - Working capital movement - Cash flow and liquidity - Key risks and opportunities

Example

Write in clear, non-technical language suitable for non-executive directors. Be balanced—highlight both positives and concerns.

Format

Structure: - Opening statement (1 sentence on overall performance) - 5 key points (mix of achievements and watch areas) - One-line forward outlook Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK Procurement Manager conducting supplier due diligence.

Action

Analyse this supplier profile and assess risk.

Context

Supplier: ABC Engineering Ltd (UK-based, manufacturing components) - Annual spend: £850K - Payment terms: Net 60 - Recent delivery performance: 78% on-time - Credit score: Moderate (Companies House shows £2.1M turnover, £340K net assets) - Single-source supplier for critical component

Example

Use professional procurement language. Be balanced - acknowledge both risks and mitigating factors.

Format

Provide: 1. Overall risk rating (High/Medium/Low) 2. Top 3 risk factors 3. Recommended mitigation actions 4. Monitoring requirements Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK AP Manager investigating invoice mismatches.

Action

Analyse this three-way matching exception and suggest resolution.

Context

Invoice details: - Supplier: XYZ Supplies Ltd - Invoice number: INV-2024-5678 - Invoice amount: £12,450 (excl. VAT) - PO amount: £11,800 - GRN quantity: 95 units (PO was for 100 units) - Price per unit on PO: £118 - Price per unit on invoice: £131.05

Example

Explain clearly as if briefing a junior analyst. Show your calculation.

Format

Provide: 1. Variance summary (quantity variance + price variance) 2. Probable cause 3. Required actions (who to contact, what to verify) 4. Whether to pay, hold, or query Maximum 150 words.

Role

You are a UK Finance Business Partner preparing a quarterly spend review.

Action

Summarise supplier spend trends from the attached data.

Context

Data covers Q3 2024: - Total spend: £8.2M (up 12% vs Q2) - Top 3 categories: Raw materials (£4.1M), Professional services (£1.8M), IT & software (£1.2M) - 15 new suppliers onboarded - Payment terms compliance: 68% (target: 90%) - Duplicate payments identified: £8.5K (now recovered) Focus on trends, risks, and actions required.

Example

Board-ready language. Be concise and factual.

Format

Provide: 1. Executive summary (2 sentences) 2. Key trends (3 bullets) 3. Risks or concerns (2 bullets) 4. Recommended actions (3 bullets) Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK Treasury Manager optimising payment timing.

Action

Recommend which suppliers to pay early this week to maximise discount value vs cash flow impact.

Context

Available cash: £450K Current payment run (due this week): £680K across 45 suppliers Discount terms available: - Supplier A: £120K invoice, 2% discount for payment within 10 days (due in 8 days) - Supplier B: £95K invoice, 1.5% discount for payment within 7 days (due in 5 days) - Supplier C: £200K invoice, 1% discount for payment within 5 days (due in 3 days) - Remaining suppliers: Standard net 30, no discount available

Example

Professional Treasury tone. Show financial logic.

Format

Provide: 1. Recommended payment prioritisation 2. Total discount capture (£ and %) 3. Cash position after early payments 4. Annualised saving if applied consistently Maximum 150 words.

Role

You are a UK Credit Manager assessing customer payment risk.

Action

Analyse this customer profile and recommend credit terms.

Context

Customer: XYZ Retail Ltd - Requested credit limit: £150K - Companies House data: £8.5M turnover, £1.2M net assets, £450K net profit - Directors: 2 (both resident, no disqualifications) - Credit score: Fair (Experian score: 65/100) - Trading history: 18 months - Requested terms: Net 60 - Order value: £35K monthly (forecast)

Example

Use professional UK credit management language. Be balanced - assess risk but support commercial growth where appropriate.

Format

Provide: 1. Credit risk rating (Low/Medium/High) 2. Recommended credit limit (with justification) 3. Recommended payment terms 4. Monitoring requirements 5. Conditions or mitigations (if applicable) Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK Credit Controller reviewing overdue accounts.

Action

Prioritise these customers for collections follow-up this week.

Context

Current overdue report (as of 30 November 2024): Customer A: £125K outstanding, 45 days overdue, payment history: usually pays 50-60 days, no disputes Customer B: £32K outstanding, 75 days overdue, payment history: erratic (sometimes 30 days, sometimes 90 days), 2 recent disputes Customer C: £89K outstanding, 15 days overdue, payment history: always paid within 35 days, good relationship Customer D: £8K outstanding, 95 days overdue, payment history: chronic late payer, multiple reminders sent Customer E: £215K outstanding, 38 days overdue, payment history: new customer (only 3 invoices), credit limit £250K Collections team capacity: 3 accounts per week

Example

Professional collections approach. Prioritise by risk and cash value.

Format

Provide: 1. Prioritised list (1-5, highest priority first) 2. For each: Recommended action (call, email, hold orders, escalate) 3. Rationale for prioritisation 4. Expected recovery timeline Maximum 250 words.

Role

You are a UK Credit Controller sending a polite payment reminder.

Action

Draft a professional but friendly reminder email.

Context

Customer: ABC Manufacturing Ltd - Invoice: INV-2024-8765 - Amount: £18,450 (inc. VAT) - Due date: 15 October 2024 - Current date: 5 November 2024 (21 days overdue) - Payment terms: Net 30 - Customer relationship: Good - usually pays on time, possible oversight - Previous reminders: None yet (this is first contact)

Example

Polite, professional UK business tone. Assume good intent. Offer to help if there's an issue.

Format

Provide: - Subject line - Email body (150-200 words) - Include: invoice details, payment options, contact for queries Professional but warm tone - preserving the relationship.

Role

You are a UK Finance Business Partner preparing a board report.

Action

Summarise the aged debtor position and highlight key risks.

Context

Aged debtor report as of 30 November 2024: Total outstanding: £12.8M - Current (0-30 days): £7.2M (56%) - 31-60 days: £3.1M (24%) - 61-90 days: £1.8M (14%) - 90+ days: £700K (6%) Month-on-month change: - Total up £1.2M (10%) - 90+ days up £150K (27% increase) Top 3 overdue customers (90+ days): - Customer X: £280K - Customer Y: £185K - Customer Z: £110K Target DSO: 50 days Actual DSO: 58 days (up from 54 days last month)

Example

Board-ready language. Be factual and balanced- highlight risks but provide context.

Format

Provide: 1. Executive summary (2 sentences) 2. Key trends (3 bullets) 3. Risk areas (2 bullets) 4. Management actions underway or recommended (3 bullets) Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK Finance Business Partner preparing monthly management accounts for a £150M manufacturing business.

Action

Analyse the attached P&L variance report (November 2024 actual vs budget).

Context

Key variances to address: - Revenue: £12.2M actual vs £11.8M budget (+£400K, +3.4%) - Gross margin: 38.2% actual vs 40.5% budget (-2.3pp) - Operating costs: £3.8M actual vs £3.5M budget (+£300K, +8.6%) - EBITDA: £2.1M actual vs £2.3M budget (-£200K, -8.7%) Additional context: - Revenue increase driven by new customer wins in automotive sector - Gross margin pressure from steel price increases (15% vs budget assumption) - Operating cost variance mainly professional fees (£180K one-off legal costs related to acquisition)

Example

Write in professional, board-ready language. Be concise and factual. Focus on business drivers, not just numbers.

Format

Provide: 1. Executive summary (2 sentences on overall performance) 2. Top 4 variance explanations (variance → driver → impact) 3. Full-year forecast implication (1 sentence) 4. Recommended management actions (2 bullets) Maximum 250 words.

Role

You are a UK Management Accountant investigating a balance sheet reconciliation exception.

Action

Analyse this intercompany reconciliation mismatch and suggest resolution.

Context

Exception details: - Account: Inter-company payable - Entity A owes Entity B - Entity A balance: £385,000 payable (credit) - Entity B balance: £420,000 receivable (debit) - Variance: £35,000 - Period: October 2024 - No obvious timing differences identified Recent transactions between entities: - Service charge invoices (monthly £30K from B to A) - Management recharge (quarterly £95K from B to A) - Shared cost allocation (ad hoc)

Example

Explain clearly as if briefing a finance manager. Show logical investigation steps.

Format

Provide: 1. Most probable causes (ranked by likelihood) 2. Investigation steps (who to contact, what to check) 3. Proposed correcting entry (if determinable) 4. Recommended control improvement Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK Financial Controller preparing for month end close.

Action

Review this pre-close checklist and flag high-risk items requiring attention.

Context

Month end: November 2024 (closing on 6 December) Current status (as of 4 December, Day 4 of close): Journals: - Standard accruals posted: 85% complete - Manual journals pending: 12 (awaiting supporting documentation) - Unusual journals flagged by AI: 3 (large depreciation adjustment, FX revaluation, provision increase) Reconciliations: - Bank accounts: 100% complete - Inter-company: 78% complete (3 entities outstanding) - Debtors/Creditors: 90% complete - Fixed assets: Not started Reporting: - P&L variance analysis: Draft complete, awaiting CFO review - Balance sheet commentary: Not started - Board pack: 60% complete

Example

Professional Controller tone. Be clear about risks and priorities.

Format

Provide: 1. Top 3 close risks (what could delay completion) 2. Recommended priority actions (what to do today) 3. Items to escalate to CFO 4. Estimated close completion date Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK Finance Director drafting the CFO executive summary for the board pack.

Action

Summarise November 2024 financial performance.

Context

Key metrics: - Revenue: £14.8M (vs budget £14.2M, +4%) - EBITDA: £2.1M (vs budget £2.3M, -9%) - Cash: £8.5M (vs budget £9.2M) - Net debt: £12.3M (vs budget £11.8M) - DSO: 58 days (vs target 50 days) Key points to address: - Revenue ahead of budget driven by strong export sales - EBITDA miss due to margin pressure (raw material costs) and one-off legal costs - Cash position weaker than budget due to slower collections and capex timing - Working capital focus required (DSO improvement plan in progress)

Example

Write for non-executive directors. Clear, non-technical language. Balanced tone - acknowledge both positives and concerns.

Format

Structure: 1. Opening statement (1 sentence on overall performance) 2. Five key messages (mix of achievements and watch areas) 3. Forward outlook (1 sentence) Maximum 200 words. Professional but accessible tone.

Role

You are a UK FP&A Manager preparing monthly forecast commentary.

Action

Analyse forecast changes month-on-month and explain key drivers.

Context

October 2024 reforecast vs September 2024 reforecast: Revenue FY25: - October forecast: £145.2M - September forecast: £142.8M - Change: +£2.4M (+1.7%) EBITDA FY25: - October forecast: £21.8M (15.0% margin) - September forecast: £22.1M (15.5% margin) - Change: -£300K (-1.4%) Key movements: - Revenue increase: New contracts signed in Tech sector (£3.2M), offset by project delay for Major Client A (-£800K) - EBITDA decrease: Higher contractor costs to deliver new Tech contracts (£600K), partially offset by lower travel spend (£300K savings)

Example

Professional FP&A language. Focus on business drivers and strategic implications.

Format

Provide: 1. Executive summary (2 sentences) 2. Revenue variance explanation (cause → impact) 3. EBITDA margin variance explanation (cause → impact) 4. FY outlook assessment 5. Recommended actions (if applicable) Maximum 250 words.

Role

You are a UK CFO preparing scenario analysis for the board.

Action

Model three scenarios for FY26 and summarize financial impact.

Context

Base case assumptions: - Revenue: £150M (5% growth on FY25) - Gross margin: 65% - Operating costs: £82M (staff 750, average £109K loaded cost) - EBITDA: £16M (10.7% margin) Scenarios to model: 1. Optimistic: +15% revenue growth, gross margin improves to 67% (operational leverage), operating costs +£6M (additional hires to support growth) 2. Pessimistic: -10% revenue, gross margin declines to 62% (pricing pressure), operating costs reduced by £8M (hiring freeze, discretionary spend cuts)

Example

CFO-level language. Concise and strategic.

Format

For each scenario, provide: - Revenue, Gross Profit, EBITDA, EBITDA % - Key assumptions - Strategic implications (1 sentence each) Present as a comparison table followed by 3-bullet strategic summary. Maximum 300 words.

Role

You are a UK Finance Director preparing the FP&A section of the board pack.

Action

Summarize FY25 forecast performance and key movements.

Context

FY25 full-year forecast (as of October 2024): Financial performance: - Revenue: £145.2M (vs budget £148.0M, -1.9%) - EBITDA: £21.8M (vs budget £23.6M, -7.6%) - EBITDA margin: 15.0% (vs budget 15.9%) - Cash: £12.5M (vs budget £14.2M) Key messages: - Revenue shortfall driven by slower H1 performance (market conditions), partially recovered in H2 - EBITDA margin pressure from wage inflation (5.2% vs budgeted 4.0%) and investment in new service capability - Cash position impacted by working capital (DSO increased to 65 days vs budget 55 days) - Pipeline for FY26 is strong (£180M qualified opportunities, 60% coverage of FY26 target)

Example

Write for non-executive board members. Clear, strategic language. Balanced tone - acknowledge challenges but provide confidence on actions taken.

Format

Structure: 1. Opening statement (1 sentence on FY25 outlook) 2. Five key points (mix of performance update and forward-looking actions) 3. FY26 outlook (1-2 sentences) Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK FP&A Analyst preparing the monthly rolling forecast update.

Action

Draft commentary explaining forecast changes and outlook for next quarter.

Context

Current forecast (October 2024 view): Q4 FY25 forecast (Oct-Dec 2024): - Revenue: £38.5M (vs last month forecast £37.8M, +£700K) - EBITDA: £5.2M (vs last month forecast £5.4M, -£200K) Changes from last month: - Revenue increase: Two contracts brought forward from Q1 FY26 (£900K), partially offset by one project deferral (£200K) - EBITDA decrease: Higher delivery costs on accelerated projects (£300K), offset by lower marketing spend (£100K underspend) Q1 FY26 outlook: - Revenue pipeline: £42M target, £35M in committed/highly probable deals - Key dependencies: Three large bids due Dec 2024 (total £8M value)

Example

Professional but accessible. Focus on implications for decision-making.

Format

Provide: 1. Q4 FY25 forecast summary (vs prior forecast) 2. Key changes and drivers (3 bullets) 3. Q1 FY26 outlook and risks 4. Actions underway Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK Finance Manager preparing monthly P&L commentary for the CFO.

Action

Analyse revenue and operating profit variances between actual and budget for November 2024.

Context

November 2024 Actuals vs Budget: Revenue: £8.4M actual vs £7.9M budget (+£500K, +6.3%) Operating Profit: £1.2M actual vs £1.4M budget (-£200K, -14.3%) Key drivers: - Revenue: New client wins in manufacturing sector (+£350K), favourable FX on exports (+£150K) - Costs: Salary inflation above budget (+£120K), one-off consultancy fees (+£80K)

Example

Use professional FP&A language. Focus on business drivers, not just numbers.

Format

Provide: 1. Executive summary (2 sentences) 2. Revenue variance explanation (cause → impact → outlook) 3. Operating profit variance explanation (cause → mitigation actions) Maximum 250 words. Use UK English spelling.

Role

You are a UK Collections Manager reviewing AR aging for collections prioritisation.

Action

Analyse this AR aging data and recommend which customers to prioritise for collections outreach this week.

Context

AR Aging (as of 30 Nov 2024): - Customer A: £180K total, £120K >60 days overdue, historically slow payer - Customer B: £95K total, £95K >90 days overdue, multiple payment promises broken - Customer C: £140K total, £80K 30-60 days overdue, new customer (3 months trading) - Customer D: £250K total, £50K >30 days overdue, historically reliable payer Collections team capacity: 3 accounts per week

Example

Prioritise based on: overdue amount, age, payment history, relationship risk.

Format

Rank customers 1-4 for collections priority this week. For top 3, provide: - Customer name - Priority rationale (1-2 sentences) - Recommended collections approach Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK Collections Manager drafting a collections email.

Action

Write a professional but firm email to a customer with an overdue invoice.

Context

Customer: ABC Manufacturing Ltd Invoice: INV-2024-1523 Amount: £24,500 Due date: 15 October 2024 Days overdue: 45 days Prior contact: Sent reminder email 2 weeks ago, no response Customer relationship: Long-standing customer (5 years), normally pays on time

Example

Tone: Professional, polite but firm. Reference UK Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

Format

Email format: - Subject line - Email body (150-200 words) - Include payment link placeholder - Professional sign-off

Fill the highlighted fields, then Copy takes the completed prompt. No AI involved.

Role

You are a UK-based FP&A Analyst specializing in variance analysis for a company with .

Action

Analyze the uploaded Actuals vs. Budget file (multi-tab Excel exported as CSV) and produce a variance commentary for all P&L line items with >£ variance or >5% variance vs. budget.

Context

We are in of FY. Our budget was set in and assumed [key assumptions, e.g., 10% revenue growth, stable gross margin at 65%, opex growth capped at 8%]. Actual performance has been impacted by [known factors, e.g., delayed product launch, higher-than-expected raw material costs, FX headwinds].

Example

For each material variance, structure the commentary as: ": Actual £ vs. Budget £ = £ () adverse/favourable. Driver: . Outlook: [is this variance expected to persist or reverse]."

Format

Present the output as a table with columns: Line Item | Actual | Budget | Variance (£) | Variance (%) | Commentary | Outlook. Summarize the top 3 most significant variances at the end.

Fill the highlighted fields, then Copy takes the completed prompt. No AI involved.

Role

You are the FP&A Manager at a UK-based company, reporting to the CFO and Board of Directors.

Action

Draft a 1-page Executive Summary for the board pack, synthesizing insights from the uploaded files (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, KPI Dashboard, Strategic Initiatives Tracker).

Context

The board pack is for a board meeting. The board's priorities are: [list 3-5 priorities, e.g., revenue growth, cash generation, margin expansion, strategic M&A, ESG targets]. Highlight the 3 most significant developments (positive or negative) in the period and their implications for FY targets.

Example

Structure the summary as: (1) Financial Performance Snapshot (revenue, EBITDA, cash, net debt), (2) Key Highlights (3 bullet points), (3) Key Concerns (2-3 bullet points), (4) Outlook (1 paragraph on FY trajectory vs. plan).

Format

Use professional UK English, board-appropriate language (no jargon), and keep to 1 page (~400-500 words). Use bullet points where possible. Assume the reader is financially literate but not an accountant.

Fill the highlighted fields, then Copy takes the completed prompt. No AI involved.

Role

You are a UK-qualified Management Accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ICAEW) preparing technical accounting documentation for a company applying IFRS.

Action

Draft a technical accounting memo analyzing the revenue recognition treatment for [describe transaction, e.g., a multi-year SaaS contract with variable usage fees] under IFRS 15.

Context

I have uploaded the IFRS 15 full text and a sample customer contract. The transaction involves [describe key contract terms, e.g., £100k annual subscription fee + variable usage fees capped at £50k per year, 3-year term, annual payment in advance]. We need to document the accounting policy for audit and compliance purposes.

Example

Structure the memo as: (1) Transaction Summary, (2) Relevant IFRS 15 Guidance (cite specific paragraphs), (3) Analysis (identify performance obligations, determine transaction price, allocate transaction price, recognize revenue), (4) Conclusion (accounting treatment and journal entries), (5) Areas of Judgement.

Format

Use formal technical accounting language. Cite IFRS 15 paragraph numbers where applicable (e.g., "Under IFRS 15.31, an entity shall..."). Provide example journal entries. Keep the memo to 2-3 pages.

Fill the highlighted fields, then Copy takes the completed prompt. No AI involved.

Role

You are a UK-based Finance Director at an FCA-regulated [type of firm, e.g., wealth management firm, payment services provider].

Action

Summarize the uploaded FCA/PRA handbook update and identify the specific requirements that apply to our firm, given our [firm size, AUM, customer base, regulatory permissions].

Context

I have uploaded a -page FCA handbook update related to [topic, e.g., capital adequacy, client money rules, ESG disclosures]. Our firm is [describe firm profile, e.g., an FCA-authorized wealth manager with £400m AUM, 2,000 clients, and 25 staff]. We need to understand what has changed and what actions we need to take by .

Example

Structure the summary as: (1) What Changed (high-level summary), (2) Who Is Affected (firm types, size thresholds, business models), (3) Key Requirements for Our Firm (specific rules that apply to us), (4) Implementation Actions (what we need to do by when), (5) Potential Impact (financial, operational, reporting).

Format

Use plain English summaries (not legal jargon) but cite specific FCA handbook references where needed. Present the output as a briefing note suitable for the Board Risk Committee (2-3 pages).

Fill the highlighted fields, then Copy takes the completed prompt. No AI involved.

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Excel).

Action

Analyse the variance between Actual and Budget columns. Identify the top 5 variances by absolute value and explain what's driving them.

Context

Use case: Analyzing P&L variances between Actual and Budget columns Adaptation tips: - Select your P&L data range before clicking Copilot - Copilot reads Excel data directly - no export needed - Adjust to "top 10" for larger P&Ls or "top 3" for executive summaries - Works with any actual vs budget/forecast comparison

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Excel).

Action

Create a pivot table showing Revenue by Product Line and Month, with prior year comparison.

Context

Use case: Creating pivot tables from transaction-level data Adaptation tips: - Replace "Revenue" with any metric (Expenses, Margin, Units) - Change dimensions: "by Customer and Region" or "by Department and Quarter" - Add calculations: "with year-over-year growth %" or "with variance to budget"

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Excel).

Action

Create a formula in column E that calculates DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) using: AR balance in column B, Revenue in column C, and Days in column D. Formula: (B/C) × D

Context

Use case: Creating complex Excel formulas with cell references Adaptation tips: - Specify exact column references for accuracy - Include the mathematical formula logic - Replace DSO with: DPO, inventory days, working capital ratios - Copilot generates formulas with proper Excel syntax

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Excel).

Action

Analyse this AR aging data. Identify trends, outliers, and customers requiring immediate collections attention.

Context

Use case: Exploratory analysis of large datasets Adaptation tips: - Replace "AR aging" with: expense reports, sales pipeline, inventory levels - Add specific criteria: "customers >90 days overdue" or "expenses >£5K" - Request specific outputs: "create summary table" or "highlight in red"

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Excel).

Action

Create a monthly expense tracking template with the following columns: Category, Budget, Actual, Variance (£), Variance (%), Notes. Include formulas for variance calculations and conditional formatting to highlight variances >10%.

Context

Use case: Building new financial models without starting from blank sheet Adaptation tips: - Other examples: "12-month cash flow forecast template" or "customer AR aging template" - Specify formatting requirements: "conditional formatting", "data validation dropdowns" - Add automation: "with formulas that auto-calculate totals and percentages" - NEW in 2025 - eliminates blank page problem

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Word).

Action

Draft variance commentary for November P&L. Focus on Revenue and Operating Profit variances vs budget. Use the data from the "Nov P&L" Excel file I have open. Professional tone, 250 words, suitable for CFO review.

Context

Use case: Writing month-end commentary in Word from Excel data Adaptation tips: - Copilot can reference your open Excel files by name - Specify metrics to focus on: "Revenue and EBITDA" or "All P&L lines >5% variance" - Adjust tone: "Executive summary style" or "Technical accounting detail" - Set word count based on audience

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Word).

Action

Summarise this document into 5 key performance insights and 3 strategic risks requiring Board attention. Bullet points, maximum 300 words.

Context

Use case: Creating executive summaries from lengthy board packs Adaptation tips: - Adjust number of insights: "3 key points" for brevity or "10 key points" for detail - Change focus: "financial highlights only" or "operational and financial" - Request specific format: "table format" or "one-page summary"

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Word).

Action

Rewrite this variance commentary for a non-finance audience. Remove technical jargon, use plain English, focus on business impact.

Context

Use case: Simplifying technical finance content for non-finance stakeholders Adaptation tips: - Specify target audience: "Board members", "operational managers", "sales team" - Other adaptations: "make more formal for external audit" or "simplify for junior staff" - Add constraints: "keep under 150 words" or "use bullet points only"

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Outlook).

Action

Draft a professional but firm email to ABC Manufacturing regarding overdue invoice INV-2024-1523 (£24,500, 45 days overdue). Reference our prior reminder sent 2 weeks ago. Request immediate payment and offer to discuss any issues.

Context

Use case: Chasing overdue invoices professionally Adaptation tips: - Include specific details: invoice number, amount, days overdue - Adjust tone: "polite and accommodating" for good customers or "firm and formal" for repeat offenders - Reference UK legislation: "Reference Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998" - Copilot drafts directly in Outlook

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Outlook).

Action

Summarise this email thread. What decisions were made? What actions are required? Who is responsible for each action?

Context

Use case: Extracting decisions and actions from long email chains Adaptation tips: - Add deadline focus: "What are the deadlines for each action?" - Request specific format: "Create action tracker table" or "List by responsible person" - Great for forecast discussions, audit planning, project updates

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Power BI).

Action

Analyse this dashboard and tell me: What are the top 3 performance trends? Any anomalies or outliers requiring investigation?

Context

Use case: Creating narrative insights from Power BI dashboards Adaptation tips: - Focus on specific metrics: "revenue trends only" or "margin and cash flow" - Request recommendations: "and suggest actions to improve performance" - Use for monthly board pack preparation

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (Power BI).

Action

Write executive summary commentary for this Power BI dashboard. Focus on revenue performance, margin trends, and cash position. 200 words, suitable for Board pack.

Context

Use case: Writing written insights for dashboard presentations Adaptation tips: - Specify metrics relevant to your business - Adjust word count: "300 words for detailed pack" or "100 words for executive summary" - Add context: "compare to prior quarter" or "highlight year-on-year changes"

Role

Using Microsoft Copilot (D365 Finance).

Action

Summarise the collections status for Customer ABC Ltd. Include overdue balance, aging breakdown, payment history, and recommended collections approach.

Context

Use case: Reviewing customer accounts in D365 Finance for collections Adaptation tips: - Use directly in D365 Finance Collections module - Copilot accesses customer payment history automatically - AI recommends approach: email, call, or escalate - Works with SAP using SAP Joule (similar prompt)

Role

Using Google Gemini (Sheets).

Action

Analyse the variance between Actual (column C) and Budget (column D). Calculate the variance amount and percentage. Identify the top 5 line items by absolute variance and explain what's driving each variance.

Context

Use case: Analyzing P&L variances in Google Sheets Adaptation tips: - Specify exact column references for Google Sheets - Use "Help me organize" button in Sheets or Gemini sidebar - 2025 feature: Multi-step automation - can add formatting in same prompt - Adjust to "top 10" for larger P&Ls

Role

Using Google Gemini (Sheets).

Action

Create a pivot table showing Revenue by Product Line (column B) and Month (column A), with comparison to prior year. Include percentage growth calculation.

Context

Use case: Creating pivot tables from transaction data in Google Sheets Adaptation tips: - Replace dimensions: "by Customer and Region" or "by Department and Quarter" - Add calculations: "with average revenue per customer" or "with margin %" - Gemini generates pivot tables automatically

Role

Using Google Gemini (Sheets).

Action

Write a formula in column F that calculates DSO (Days Sales Outstanding): - Column C: Accounts Receivable (£) - Column D: Revenue for the period (£) - Column E: Number of days in period Formula: (C / D) × E

Context

Use case: Creating complex Google Sheets formulas Adaptation tips: - NEW 2025: Gemini provides multiple formula options with explanations - Specify Google Sheets functions: SUMIF, VLOOKUP, ARRAYFORMULA - Request error checking: "include validation for division by zero"

Role

Using Google Gemini (Sheets).

Action

Analyse revenue trends over the last 12 months (columns B through M). Identify: 1. Month-over-month growth rate 2. Any anomalies or outliers 3. Seasonal patterns 4. Forecast for next 3 months based on trend

Context

Use case: Analyzing historical trends and forecasting Adaptation tips: - NEW 2025: Chart generation with predictive insights - Replace revenue with: expenses, headcount, customer churn - Add context: "considering seasonal retail patterns" or "B2B sales cycles"

Role

Using Google Gemini (Docs).

Action

Draft variance commentary for November 2024 financial performance. Context: - Revenue: £8.4M actual vs £7.9M budget (+£500K, +6.3%) - Operating Profit: £1.2M actual vs £1.4M budget (-£200K, -14.3%) - Key drivers: New client wins (+£350K revenue), FX gains (+£150K), salary inflation (+£120K costs), consultancy fees (+£80K) Format: Professional FP&A tone, suitable for CFO review. Structure: Executive summary, revenue variance explanation, operating profit variance explanation. Maximum 250 words.

Context

Use case: Writing month-end commentary in Google Docs Adaptation tips: - Provide specific numbers and context for better output - Adjust structure: "3-paragraph format" or "bullet point summary" - Specify audience: "Board presentation" or "Management team briefing"

Role

Using Google Gemini (Docs).

Action

Summarise this document into: 1. Five key performance insights (with supporting numbers) 2. Three strategic risks requiring Board attention 3. Two decisions the Board needs to make Use bullet points, maximum 300 words.

Context

Use case: Creating executive summaries from board packs in Google Docs Adaptation tips: - Adjust number of points based on document length - Request specific focus: "financial performance only" or "operational and strategic" - Add format requirements: "table format" or "one-page summary"

Role

Using Google Gemini (Docs).

Action

Rewrite this variance commentary for operational managers (non-finance audience). - Remove technical finance jargon - Use plain English - Focus on business impact and actions needed - Keep it under 150 words

Context

Use case: Simplifying technical variance analysis for non-finance managers Adaptation tips: - Specify target audience: "sales team", "engineering managers", "Board directors" - Other adaptations: "more formal for audit committee" or "conversational for team meeting" - Add constraints: "one paragraph only" or "bullet points preferred"

Role

Using Google Gemini (Gmail).

Action

Draft a professional but firm collections email to ABC Manufacturing Ltd. Context: - Invoice: INV-2024-1523 - Amount: £24,500 - Due date: 15 October 2024 - Days overdue: 45 - Prior contact: Sent reminder 2 weeks ago, no response - Relationship: Long-standing customer (5 years), normally reliable Tone: Professional, polite but firm. Reference Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Request immediate payment and offer to discuss any issues. Include: Subject line, email body (150-200 words), payment link placeholder.

Context

Use case: Chasing overdue invoices via Gmail Adaptation tips: - Provide customer context for personalized tone - Adjust firmness based on relationship: "friendly for good customers" or "formal for repeat offenders" - Use Gmail "Help me write" feature - Gemini can reference prior email threads for context

Role

Using Google Gemini (Gmail).

Action

Summarise this email thread. Extract: 1. What decisions were made? 2. What actions are required? 3. Who is responsible for each action? 4. What are the deadlines? Format: Bullet points, maximum 200 words.

Context

Use case: Extracting decisions from long email chains in Gmail Adaptation tips: - Use for forecast discussions, audit planning, project updates - Request action tracker format: "Create table with columns: Action, Owner, Deadline" - Great for management meeting prep

Role

Using Google Gemini (Drive Extension).

Action

Search my Google Drive for all board packs from Q1 2024 to Q4 2024. List files with dates and key topics covered.

Context

Use case: Searching Google Drive for historical documents Adaptation tips: - Enable Gemini Extensions (Drive extension required) - Replace with: "all forecast files from 2024" or "audit reports from last 3 years" - Gemini searches across all your accessible Drive files - Saves 15-20 minutes vs manual searching

Role

Using Google Gemini (with web search).

Action

Research the latest IFRS 16 (Leases) guidance on lease modifications for UK companies. Specifically: - When does a lease modification require remeasurement vs separate lease accounting? - How should rent concessions be accounted for? - Any UK-specific FRC or ICAEW guidance? Provide summary (200 words) with source citations.

Context

Use case: Researching accounting standards with web search Adaptation tips: - Gemini has real-time web access powered by Google Search - Specify standards: IFRS 15, FRS 102, IAS 36 - Request citations: "with paragraph references" or "with source URLs" - For deeper research with citations, use Perplexity instead

Role

Using Google Gemini (with web search).

Action

Research financial performance benchmarks for UK manufacturing companies with £50-100M revenue. Find: - EBITDA margin (median and quartiles) - DSO (days sales outstanding) - DPO (days payable outstanding) - Inventory days - Revenue per employee Use publicly available sources (Companies House filings, industry reports). Provide data sources and dates.

Context

Use case: Researching industry financial benchmarks Adaptation tips: - Replace industry: "professional services", "SaaS", "retail" - Adjust revenue range to match your company size - Request peer comparison: "compare to " - Gemini synthesizes multiple sources

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Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

What's the latest IFRS 16 (Leases) guidance on accounting for lease modifications, specifically: - When a lease modification requires remeasurement vs accounting as a separate lease - How to account for rent-free periods granted by landlords - Any UK-specific FRC guidance or interpretations Include paragraph references from IFRS 16 and citations to FRC publications.

Context

Use case: Deep dive into IFRS guidance with authoritative citations Adaptation tips: - Perplexity automatically cites authoritative sources (IFRS Foundation, FRC) - NEW 2025: Use "Check Sources" feature to verify each claim instantly - Replace with: IFRS 15 (Revenue), IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments), FRS 102 - Perplexity prioritizes professional accounting sources

Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

Research the FCA's latest guidance on Consumer Duty as it applies to financial services firms, specifically: - Requirements for financial reporting and management information (MI) - Any finance function responsibilities - Implementation timeline and deadlines - Recent FCA speeches or policy statements on this topic Provide citations to specific FCA publications with dates and URLs.

Context

Use case: Monitoring FCA guidance for finance implications Adaptation tips: - Replace Consumer Duty with: Operational Resilience, Diversity & Inclusion, Climate Risk - Perplexity searches FCA website, policy statements, speeches - Great for quarterly regulatory monitoring - Saves 8-10 hours per quarter vs manual FCA website searching

Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

What are the HMRC requirements for R&D tax credit claims for UK companies in 2024-25? - SME vs RDEC scheme eligibility - Qualifying expenditure categories - Documentation requirements - Any recent changes or consultations Cite HMRC guidance notes and relevant legislation.

Context

Use case: Researching UK tax requirements and R&D claims Adaptation tips: - Replace R&D with: CIS scheme, Making Tax Digital, VAT rules - Perplexity finds official HMRC sources with guidance note references - Request specific scenarios: "for companies with <500 employees" or "for manufacturing firms"

Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

Research financial performance benchmarks for UK manufacturing companies with £50-100M revenue: - EBITDA margin (median, upper quartile, lower quartile) - Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) - Days Payable Outstanding (DPO) - Inventory days - Revenue per employee Use publicly available sources: Companies House filings, industry surveys, analyst reports. Provide data sources, sample sizes, and dates.

Context

Use case: Finding peer company financial benchmarks Adaptation tips: - Replace industry: "professional services", "SaaS", "retail", "hospitality" - Adjust revenue range to match your company: "£10-25M" or "£100-250M" - Perplexity synthesizes multiple benchmark sources with citations - Great for budget assumptions and investor presentations

Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

Analyse the latest published financial statements for from Companies House: - Revenue, EBITDA, and EBITDA margin - Working capital metrics (DSO, DPO, inventory days) - Capital structure (debt-to-equity, interest cover) - Any notes on accounting policies or significant events Provide direct quotes from the accounts and Companies House filing reference.

Context

Use case: Analyzing competitor financial statements from Companies House Adaptation tips: - Insert specific competitor name - Perplexity accesses Companies House filings directly - Request trend analysis: "compare last 3 years performance" - Use for competitive intelligence and market positioning

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Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

What's the current UK inflation rate (CPI), and how does it compare to: - Eurozone inflation - US inflation - UK inflation 12 months ago Provide the most recent data available, with sources (ONS, Eurostat, US Federal Reserve) and publication dates.

Context

Use case: Gathering current economic data for forecasting assumptions Adaptation tips: - Replace with: GDP growth, unemployment rate, interest rates, FX rates - Perplexity pulls latest data from official statistical sources - Great for monthly forecast assumptions and sensitivity analysis - Always up-to-date (searches web in real-time)

Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

Under FRS 102 Section 11 (Basic Financial Instruments), how should a UK company account for: - Forward foreign exchange contracts used for hedging - Requirements for hedge accounting eligibility - Measurement at initial recognition and subsequently Include FRS 102 section and paragraph references.

Context

Use case: Researching UK GAAP accounting policies Adaptation tips: - Replace Section 11 with: Section 12 (Other Financial Instruments), Section 20 (Leases), Section 28 (Employee Benefits) - Perplexity searches FRC's FRS 102 standard with paragraph citations - Use for technical accounting memos and policy documentation

Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

Research the UK Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998: - What interest rate can companies charge on overdue invoices? - What is the fixed compensation amount for late payment? - Any recent updates or amendments - How to reference this Act in collections communications Cite official UK Government sources and legislation references.

Context

Use case: Understanding UK late payment interest rights for collections Adaptation tips: - Perplexity finds legislation.gov.uk and Government guidance - Use for collections email templates and credit control policies - Request examples: "provide sample wording for invoice terms"

Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

What's the latest ICAEW guidance on ethical considerations for finance professionals using AI in financial reporting and analysis? - Key ethical principles - Risk areas to consider - Recommended governance approaches Cite ICAEW publications, codes of ethics, and technical guidance.

Context

Use case: Researching ICAEW ethical guidance on AI use Adaptation tips: - Replace ICAEW with: ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA for other professional bodies - Request specific scenarios: "for audit work" or "for management accounting" - Use for AI governance framework development

Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

Research current market trends in the UK for use in financial forecasting: - Market size and growth rate (2023-2024) - Key growth drivers and headwinds - Industry analyst forecasts for 2025 - Any regulatory changes affecting the sector Provide sources: industry reports, analyst research, trade associations, ONS data.

Context

Use case: Gathering market trends for budget assumptions Adaptation tips: - Insert your industry: "SaaS", "manufacturing", "professional services", "retail" - Perplexity synthesizes multiple market research sources - Request regional breakdown: "focus on UK regions" or "compare UK vs EU" - Use for strategic planning and investor presentations

Fill the highlighted fields, then Copy takes the completed prompt. No AI involved.

Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

Under IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers), how should a UK SaaS company recognise revenue for: - Annual subscriptions paid upfront - Multi-year contracts with annual price escalation - Professional services bundled with subscriptions Include IFRS 15 paragraph references and any relevant IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) guidance.

Context

Use case: IFRS 15 guidance for complex revenue arrangements Adaptation tips: - Replace SaaS with: manufacturing, construction, software licenses - Perplexity searches IFRS 15, IFRIC updates with technical citations - Use for technical accounting memos and revenue recognition policies - NEW 2025: Use "Check Sources" to verify each claim against IFRS Foundation

Role

Using Perplexity.

Action

What are the UK sustainability reporting requirements for large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations? - Which companies are required to report (size thresholds) - What ESG metrics must be disclosed - Timeline for implementation - Assurance requirements (internal vs external audit) Cite UK Government legislation and FRC guidance.

Context

Use case: Understanding UK sustainability disclosure obligations Adaptation tips: - Perplexity finds legislation and FRC sustainability reporting guidance - Request sector-specific guidance: "for financial services firms" or "for manufacturing" - Use for compliance readiness assessments - Compare to: TCFD requirements, EU CSRD, ISSB standards

Role

You are a Finance Director reviewing the Q4 forecast for a UK manufacturing company.

Action

Write forecast commentary for the CFO explaining changes from the prior forecast (September) to the current forecast (November).

Context

Prior Forecast (Sep): Revenue £32M, EBITDA £6.2M (19.4% margin) Current Forecast (Nov): Revenue £30.5M, EBITDA £5.8M (19.0% margin) Key changes: - Revenue down £1.5M due to delayed product launch (now Q1 2025) and weaker demand in automotive sector - EBITDA down £400K due to revenue decrease and £200K one-off restructuring costs - EBITDA margin compressed by 0.4% due to fixed cost absorption

Example

Focus on what changed and why. Highlight risks to achieving the revised forecast. Use professional, concise language.

Format

Structure: 1. Summary of forecast changes (revenue, EBITDA, margin) 2. Key drivers of change 3. Risks to achieving revised forecast 4. Actions in progress to mitigate risks Maximum 300 words.

Role

You are a CFO presenting Q3 results to the Board of Directors.

Action

Write an executive summary of Q3 financial performance.

Context

Q3 2024 Results: - Revenue: £24.2M (vs £23.1M prior year, +4.8%) - EBITDA: £4.1M (vs £3.9M prior year, +5.1%, margin 16.9%) - Cash: £8.5M (vs £7.2M prior year, +£1.3M) - DSO: 42 days (vs 48 days prior year, improvement) Strategic highlights: - Launched new product line in Q3 (contributing £1.2M revenue) - Completed acquisition of Company X (£5M consideration) - Refinanced bank facility to reduce interest cost by £150K p.a.

Example

Board-appropriate language: strategic, forward-looking, highlights achievements and challenges.

Format

1. Financial performance summary (3-4 sentences) 2. Key achievements (3 bullet points) 3. Outlook and risks (2-3 sentences) Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are an Excel expert helping a UK finance analyst.

Action

Create an Excel formula to calculate DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) using the following logic:

Context

DSO = (Accounts Receivable / Revenue) × Number of Days Data structure: - Cell B2: Accounts Receivable balance (£) - Cell B3: Revenue for the period (£) - Cell B4: Number of days in the period (e.g., 30, 90, 365)

Example

Show the formula in copy-ready form, e.g. =(B2/B3)*B4 Then a worked example: AR £500,000 / Revenue £3,000,000 × 90 = 15 days DSO.

Format

Provide: 1. The Excel formula (ready to copy-paste) 2. Brief explanation of how the formula works 3. Example calculation using sample numbers (AR £500K, Revenue £3M, 90 days)

Role

You are a Finance Director reviewing a 30-page management report.

Action

Summarise this report into 5 key insights for the CEO.

Context

The report covers: - Monthly financial performance (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) - Operational KPIs by division - Progress against strategic initiatives - Risk register updates

Example

Focus on material information requiring CEO attention: performance issues, strategic risks, decisions needed.

Format

Provide: 1. Five key insights (one sentence each) 2. Two items requiring CEO decision or action Maximum 250 words. Use bullet points.

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Role

You are a Finance Manager preparing slides for a budget review meeting.

Action

Create slide content explaining full-year revenue and EBITDA variance vs budget.

Context

Full Year 2024 Actuals vs Budget: - Revenue: £98.2M actual vs £102.0M budget (-£3.8M, -3.7%) - EBITDA: £16.5M actual vs £18.5M budget (-£2.0M, -10.8%) Key drivers: - Revenue: Market softness in automotive sector (-£5.2M), offset by new wins in aerospace (+£1.4M) - EBITDA: Revenue shortfall impact (-£1.5M), investment in product development (-£0.8M), partially offset by cost savings (+£0.3M)

Example

Slide format: concise, data-driven, focuses on "what happened" and "why". Suitable for senior leadership.

Format

Provide: 1. Slide title 2. Key messages (2-3 bullet points) 3. Variance breakdown (revenue, EBITDA) with explanations 4. Outlook statement (1 sentence) Format as text for PowerPoint slide (not prose).

Role

You are a Finance Director reviewing a business case for a new ERP system.

Action

Summarise this business case into a one-page executive summary for CFO approval.

Context

Business case includes: - Investment: £850K (software £500K, implementation £250K, training £100K) - Benefits: Time savings (120 hours/month), improved controls, faster reporting - Payback period: 2.8 years - Risks: Implementation complexity, user adoption, data migration

Example

Executive summary format: concise, decision-focused, highlights ROI and risks.

Format

Structure: 1. Investment summary (one sentence) 2. Key benefits (3 bullet points) 3. ROI and payback (one sentence) 4. Key risks (2 bullet points) 5. Recommendation (approve/defer/reject with rationale) Maximum 200 words.

Fill the highlighted fields, then Copy takes the completed prompt. No AI involved.

Role

You are a UK Treasury Manager presenting a 13-week cash flow forecast to the CFO.

Action

Write commentary explaining forecast cash position and key drivers.

Context

13-Week Cash Flow Forecast (1 Jan - 31 Mar 2025): - Opening cash: £4.2M - Forecast closing cash: £3.1M - Minimum cash: £2.8M (week of 15 Feb) Key drivers: - Operating cash inflow: £8.5M (collections) - Operating cash outflow: £9.2M (supplier payments, payroll) - Capex: £0.4M (IT equipment) - Loan repayment: £0.5M (scheduled quarterly payment) Covenant requirement: Minimum cash £2.0M at all times

Example

Focus on why cash falls from £4.2M to £3.1M, not just the numbers. Flag the tightest week (15 Feb, £2.8M) and confirm £0.8M headroom above the £2.0M covenant. Use concise treasury language for the CFO.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of forecast cash position (2 sentences) 2. Key inflows and outflows 3. Risks to forecast (e.g., delayed collections, unexpected payments) 4. Covenant compliance statement Maximum 200 words.

Role

You are a UK Finance Director reviewing a supplier contract for payment terms and risk clauses.

Action

Analyse this supplier contract and summarise key financial terms and risks.

Context

Focus on: - Payment terms (days, conditions) - Price escalation clauses - Termination clauses (notice period, penalties) - Liability and indemnity provisions - Currency and FX risk

Example

Flag onerous terms plainly, e.g. "Payment terms 90 days, well above our standard 30 days." Quantify exposure where possible, e.g. an uncapped annual CPI price escalation or USD invoicing carrying FX risk. Note any clause needing legal review.

Format

Provide: 1. Payment terms summary 2. Key financial risks (3 bullet points) 3. Recommended actions or negotiations (if any) Maximum 300 words.

Fill the highlighted fields, then Copy takes the completed prompt. No AI involved.

Role

You are a UK Financial Controller preparing a month end close checklist for the finance team.

Action

Create a comprehensive month end close checklist covering all key tasks.

Context

Our month end close process includes: - Bank reconciliations - Intercompany reconciliations - Accruals and prepayments - Revenue recognition review - Fixed asset depreciation - Payroll accounting - Management accounts preparation - Variance analysis and commentary

Example

Sequence tasks by dependency, e.g. Bank reconciliations (Assistant Accountant, Day 1) must complete before Management accounts preparation (Management Accountant, Day 3). Assign owners by role, not name.

Format

Provide checklist with: - Task name - Owner (role, not name) - Timing (day 1, day 2, etc.) - Dependencies (which tasks must complete first) Format as table with columns: Task | Owner | Day | Dependencies

Role

You are a UK technical accounting researcher.

Action

Research the latest guidance on IFRS 16 (Leases) as it applies to lease modifications under UK IFRS.

Context

I need to understand: when a lease modification requires remeasurement versus accounting as a separate lease; how to account for rent concessions (e.g. a rent-free period granted by a landlord); and any UK-specific FRC guidance or interpretations.

Example

Use authoritative sources: IFRS Foundation, FRC, ICAEW. Provide citations.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of accounting treatment (150 words); 2. UK-specific considerations (if any); 3. Source citations (IFRS 16 paragraph references, FRC links).

Role

You are a UK finance analyst researching sector benchmarks.

Action

Research financial performance benchmarks for UK manufacturing companies with £50-100M revenue.

Context

I need to benchmark: EBITDA margin (%), DSO (days), DPO (days), inventory days, and revenue per employee.

Example

Use publicly available sources: published accounts (Companies House), industry reports, analyst research. Provide data sources.

Format

Provide: 1. Benchmark ranges for each metric (median, upper quartile, lower quartile); 2. Data sources and date; 3. Commentary on any trends or outliers. Format as a table where possible.

Role

You are a UK finance and compliance researcher.

Action

Research the latest FCA guidance on the use of AI and machine learning in financial services, specifically relating to operational resilience and model risk management.

Context

I need to understand: FCA expectations for firms using AI in finance operations; requirements for AI governance, testing and oversight; and any recent publications, speeches or policy statements.

Example

Use the FCA website, policy statements and speeches. Provide citations and links.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of FCA expectations (200 words); 2. Key requirements for AI governance; 3. Source citations (FCA publication titles, dates, URLs).

Role

You are a Finance Director preparing a CEO briefing ahead of a quarterly Board meeting.

Action

Analyse the attached Q3 management pack (45 pages) and produce a concise executive summary highlighting the 5 most important performance insights and 3 key strategic risks the CEO should be aware of.

Context

The management pack includes: - Consolidated P&L, balance sheet, cash flow (pages 1-5) - Divisional performance by business unit (pages 6-25) - KPI dashboard: revenue growth, margin, DSO, cash (pages 26-30) - Strategic initiative updates (pages 31-40) - Risk register (pages 41-45)

Example

Focus on material themes and trends, not just numbers. Highlight items requiring Board attention or decision. Use executive language: strategic, forward-looking, balanced.

Format

Provide: 1. Five key performance insights (one sentence each, with supporting data) 2. Three strategic risks (one sentence each, with potential impact) 3. Two items requiring Board decision or discussion Maximum 400 words. Use bullet points for clarity.

Role

You are a UK Finance Director reviewing a 3-year supplier contract for a critical IT services provider.

Action

Analyse the attached contract (32 pages) and identify all financial risks, commercial risks, and terms that could negatively impact the company.

Context

Focus on: - Payment terms (timing, conditions, penalties for late payment) - Price escalation clauses (index-linked, discretionary increases) - Termination terms (notice period, exit costs, IP ownership) - Liability and indemnity provisions (caps, exclusions) - Service level agreements (SLAs) and remedies for non-performance - Currency and FX risk (if applicable)

Example

Prioritise risks by likelihood and financial impact. For each significant risk, suggest negotiation points or mitigations.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of key financial terms (payment, pricing, term) 2. Financial risks (ranked by severity, with impact estimate) 3. Commercial risks (ranked by severity) 4. Top 5 recommended negotiation points with suggested contract language Maximum 600 words. Use tables where appropriate.

Role

You are a UK Financial Controller preparing for the adoption of a new FRC reporting standard.

Action

Analyse FRS 102 Section 1A (Small Entities) and summarise the key differences from full FRS 102 that would impact our financial statements.

Context

Our company: - UK private limited company - Revenue £8M, total assets £12M, 45 employees (qualifies as small entity) - Currently prepares accounts under full FRS 102 - Considering switch to FRS 102 Section 1A to reduce complexity

Example

Focus on practical implications: what disclosures can be omitted, what accounting treatments change, any risks or limitations.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of key differences between FRS 102 and Section 1A (bullet points) 2. Disclosure simplifications available under Section 1A 3. Any accounting treatment changes we'd need to make 4. Recommendation: should we adopt Section 1A? (with rationale) Maximum 500 words.

Role

You are a CFO reviewing the external auditor's draft audit findings report.

Action

Analyse the attached audit report (28 pages) and summarise the key findings, management actions required, and any items requiring CFO or Board attention.

Context

The audit report includes: - Executive summary (pages 1-3) - Significant audit risks and responses (pages 4-10) - Control deficiencies identified (pages 11-20) - Misstatements and adjustments (pages 21-25) - Management representation letter requirements (pages 26-28) Focus on: - Any material misstatements or control deficiencies - Items affecting audit opinion - Management actions required before audit sign-off

Example

Separate control deficiencies from material misstatements. Flag anything that could affect the audit opinion, e.g. an unadjusted misstatement above materiality or a significant deficiency in revenue controls. Rank actions by urgency against the sign-off deadline.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of audit outcome (clean opinion expected? Qualified opinion risk?) 2. Key findings requiring management action (ranked by urgency) 3. Items requiring CFO or Board decision 4. Recommended next steps and timeline Maximum 400 words. Use bullet points.

Role

You are a Finance Director leading financial due diligence on an acquisition target.

Action

Analyse the attached financial due diligence report (55 pages) and summarise the key financial risks, adjustments to EBITDA, and deal-breakers or negotiation points.

Context

The due diligence report covers: - Quality of earnings analysis - Working capital assessment - Net debt and cash flow review - Tax exposures and contingencies - Financial systems and controls assessment Transaction context: - Target: UK manufacturing business, £25M revenue - Proposed purchase price: £18M (7.2× normalised EBITDA of £2.5M) - Strategic rationale: Expand product range, access new customers

Example

Focus on financial risks that could impact valuation, deal structure, or post-acquisition integration.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of target's financial profile (revenue, EBITDA, working capital, debt) 2. Key EBITDA adjustments (normalised EBITDA vs reported EBITDA) 3. Financial risks and red flags (ranked by severity) 4. Recommended adjustments to purchase price or deal terms (with rationale) Maximum 600 words.

Role

You are a Finance Director responding to internal audit findings.

Action

Analyse the attached internal audit report (22 pages) on Procure-to-Pay controls and draft management responses for each finding.

Context

The audit report includes: - 3 high-priority findings (control gaps requiring immediate action) - 5 medium-priority findings (control weaknesses to address within 90 days) - 4 low-priority findings (process improvements) For each finding, management must provide: - Agreed action - Owner - Timeline - Status update

Example

Responses should be specific, actionable, and realistic (don't over-promise on timelines). Show how actions address root cause, not just symptoms.

Format

For each high-priority finding, provide: 1. Summary of finding 2. Proposed management action (specific steps) 3. Owner (role) 4. Timeline (target completion date) 5. How this addresses root cause Maximum 500 words.

Role

You are a UK Financial Controller preparing for transition from FRS 102 to IFRS (full International Financial Reporting Standards).

Action

Analyse the key differences between FRS 102 and IFRS that will impact our financial statements, and estimate the quantitative impact on equity and profit.

Context

Our company: - UK private limited company, planning IPO in 18 months (requiring IFRS) - Revenue £95M, EBITDA £14M, total assets £60M - Key balance sheet items: tangible fixed assets £18M, lease commitments £8M, defined benefit pension scheme (£2M deficit) Focus on areas with material accounting differences: - Lease accounting (FRS 102 vs IFRS 16) - Defined benefit pensions (FRS 102 vs IAS 19) - Revenue recognition (FRS 102 vs IFRS 15) - Financial instruments (FRS 102 vs IFRS 9)

Example

For each area, state direction and rough size, e.g. "IFRS 16 brings the £8M of lease commitments on balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and lease liability, reducing opening equity." Separate one-off transition adjustments from ongoing annual P&L impact.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of key accounting differences (by topic) 2. Estimated impact on opening equity (transition date adjustment) 3. Estimated impact on annual profit (ongoing P&L impact) 4. Recommended transition approach and timeline Maximum 600 words. Use tables for quantitative impacts.

Role

You are a CFO reviewing the corporate risk register ahead of the Audit Committee meeting.

Action

Analyse the attached risk register (18 pages) and assess whether financial risks are adequately identified, assessed, and mitigated.

Context

The risk register includes: - Strategic risks (market, competition, M&A) - Operational risks (systems, people, suppliers) - Financial risks (liquidity, credit, FX, interest rate) - Compliance risks (regulatory, legal, tax) Each risk is rated: likelihood (1-5), impact (1-5), mitigation status

Example

Focus on: Are financial risks comprehensively covered? Are risk ratings realistic? Are mitigations effective?

Format

Provide: 1. Assessment of financial risk coverage (comprehensive, adequate, gaps identified) 2. Specific financial risks missing from register (if any) 3. Risks with inadequate mitigation (requiring Audit Committee attention) 4. Recommended risk register improvements Maximum 400 words.

Role

You are a UK Finance Director updating the company's Finance Policy Manual.

Action

Review the attached Finance Policy document (25 pages) and identify policies that are outdated, missing, or inconsistent with current practice.

Context

The policy document was last updated 3 years ago. Since then: - Implemented new ERP system (D365 Finance & Operations) - Increased company size from £40M to £95M revenue - Adopted new ways of working (hybrid working, digital approvals) - New regulatory requirements (UK GDPR, enhanced AML controls) Policy areas covered: Purchase-to-Pay, Order-to-Cash, Treasury, Financial Reporting, Expenses, Fixed Assets

Example

Identify gaps, inconsistencies, or outdated practices. Suggest specific policy updates.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of policy document (what's covered, what's missing) 2. Outdated policies requiring update (with specific changes needed) 3. Missing policies that should be added 4. Inconsistencies with current practice Maximum 500 words.

Role

You are a CFO preparing a quarterly investor update for private equity shareholders.

Action

Draft an investor update based on the attached Q2 management pack (35 pages).

Context

Investor update should cover: - Financial performance (revenue, EBITDA, cash vs plan and prior year) - Strategic progress (key initiatives, milestones achieved) - Market conditions and outlook - Any risks or challenges - Capital requirements or funding needs Audience: Private equity fund managers (financially sophisticated, want detail but also strategic narrative)

Example

Tone: Professional, transparent, balanced (acknowledge challenges as well as successes). Use data to support narrative.

Format

Structure: 1. Executive summary (3-4 sentences) 2. Financial performance (150 words) 3. Strategic update (150 words) 4. Outlook and risks (100 words) 5. Any asks or decisions needed from investors Maximum 500 words.

Role

You are a UK Treasury Manager monitoring compliance with bank debt covenants.

Action

Analyse our Q3 actuals and forecast, and assess compliance with bank covenants for Q3 (actual) and Q4 (forecast).

Context

Bank covenants (tested quarterly): - Leverage: Net Debt / EBITDA ≤ 2.5× - Interest Cover: EBITDA / Net Interest ≥ 4.0× - Minimum Liquidity: Cash + undrawn RCF ≥ £3.0M at all times Q3 Actuals: - EBITDA (last 12 months): £8.2M - Net Debt: £18.5M - Net Interest (last 12 months): £1.9M - Cash: £2.8M - Undrawn RCF: £5.0M Q4 Forecast: - EBITDA (last 12 months): £8.5M - Net Debt: £17.8M - Net Interest (last 12 months): £1.9M - Minimum cash during quarter: £2.5M (week of 15 Dec) - Undrawn RCF: £5.0M

Example

Show each calculation and the pass/fail, e.g. Leverage = Net Debt £18.5M / EBITDA £8.2M = 2.26× vs ≤ 2.5× limit (pass, headroom 0.24×). State headroom in the same units as the covenant.

Format

Provide: 1. Q3 covenant compliance (actual calculations, pass/fail for each covenant) 2. Q4 covenant compliance forecast 3. Any covenant risks or headroom concerns 4. Recommended actions if covenant breach risk identified Maximum 300 words.

Role

You are a CFO reviewing the management representation letter for year-end audit sign-off.

Action

Review the attached management representation letter from our auditors (12 pages) and identify any representations that require discussion, qualification, or additional evidence before signing.

Context

The letter includes standard representations on: - Completeness and accuracy of financial records - Appropriateness of accounting policies - Provisions and contingent liabilities - Related party transactions - Going concern assessment - Events after the balance sheet date

Example

CFOs are personally liable for representations made. Identify any areas of uncertainty, judgement, or risk where additional work is needed before signing.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of key representations 2. Representations requiring discussion with auditors (if any) 3. Representations requiring additional evidence or analysis before signing 4. Recommended actions before signing letter Maximum 400 words.

Role

You are a UK Tax Manager reviewing transfer pricing documentation for inter-company transactions.

Action

Analyse the attached transfer pricing report (40 pages) and assess whether our inter-company pricing is adequately supported and defensible to HMRC.

Context

Our group structure: - UK parent company - Operating subsidiaries in UK, Germany, US - Inter-company transactions: management fees (UK → subsidiaries), royalties (UK → subsidiaries), inter-company loans Transfer pricing report includes: - Functional analysis (value drivers in each entity) - Benchmarking analysis (comparable arm's length pricing) - Documentation of pricing methodology

Example

Focus on: Are transactions priced at arm's length? Is documentation sufficient for HMRC defence? Any HMRC challenge risks?

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of inter-company transactions and pricing approach 2. Assessment of arm's length nature (adequately supported? Risks?) 3. Documentation gaps requiring additional work 4. Recommended actions to strengthen HMRC defence Maximum 500 words.

Role

You are a UK finance and sustainability-reporting researcher.

Action

Analyse the UK government's sustainability reporting requirements for large companies and summarise the key finance team actions required to comply.

Context

Our company: UK private limited company, revenue £180M, 450 employees, total assets £95M (exceeds large-company thresholds), currently no formal ESG reporting. Focus on: what ESG metrics must be reported; what assurance is required (internal vs external audit); the timeline for implementation; and the finance team's role (data collection, reporting, controls).

Example

Use official UK government and FRC sources. Provide citations.

Format

Provide: 1. Summary of UK sustainability reporting requirements for large companies; 2. Key metrics to report (Scope 1/2/3 emissions, diversity, etc.); 3. Finance team actions required (data systems, controls, reporting process); 4. Implementation timeline and milestones. Maximum 500 words.