ChatGPT Prompts for Accountants

Analyze the following financial statements for {{company_name}} for the period ending {{period_end_date}}. The entity reports under {{reporting_framework}}.

Provide:
1. A ratio analysis covering liquidity (current ratio, quick ratio), profitability (gross margin, net margin, ROE), and leverage (debt-to-equity, interest coverage)
2. Trend analysis compared to the prior period figures I will provide
3. Three key findings that management should address
4. Any red flags or unusual items that warrant further investigation

Financial data:
{{financial_data}}

Prior period data:
{{prior_period_data}}

Present the analysis in a format suitable for {{audience}} and flag any areas where the ratios fall outside typical ranges for the {{industry}} industry.

Generate a year-end tax planning checklist for a {{entity_type}} in {{jurisdiction}} for tax year {{tax_year}}. The entity operates in the {{industry}} sector with approximate annual revenue of {{revenue_range}}.

For each strategy, include:
- The applicable tax code section or regulation
- The action item and deadline
- Estimated tax impact (high / medium / low)
- Any documentation required to support the position

Focus on:
1. Income deferral and acceleration opportunities
2. Deduction optimization (depreciation, Section 179, bonus depreciation if applicable)
3. Credit eligibility (R&D, energy, employment credits)
4. Entity structure considerations
5. Estimated tax payment optimization

Flag any strategies that involve aggressive positions or areas where recent legislation has changed the rules. Distinguish between established safe-harbor positions and interpretive positions that carry audit risk.

Prepare an audit preparation workpaper for the {{audit_area}} section of a {{audit_type}} audit for {{client_name}}, a {{entity_type}} in the {{industry}} industry. The assessed risk level for this area is {{risk_level}}.

Include:
1. Relevant financial statement assertions (existence, completeness, valuation, rights & obligations, presentation & disclosure)
2. A list of 8-10 substantive audit procedures tailored to the risk level, with a brief description of what each procedure tests
3. A sample document request list to send to the client
4. Common findings and misstatements to watch for in this area
5. Key controls to evaluate and suggested tests of controls

Reporting framework: {{reporting_framework}}
Materiality threshold: {{materiality}}
Period under audit: {{audit_period}}

Format this as a workpaper that can be included directly in the audit file.

Review the following expense report for compliance with our firm's expense policy. Flag any items that require additional documentation, exceed policy limits, or appear unusual.

Employee: {{employee_name}}
Department: {{department}}
Period: {{expense_period}}
Policy highlights: Per diem limit {{per_diem_limit}}, mileage rate {{mileage_rate}}, pre-approval required for expenses over {{approval_threshold}}.

Expense data:
{{expense_line_items}}

For each flagged item, provide:
1. The specific policy violation or concern
2. The documentation needed to resolve it
3. Whether it should be approved, sent back for correction, or escalated
4. A suggested comment to include in the review notes

Summarize total expenses by category, calculate the percentage of flagged items, and note any patterns (e.g., repeated policy-limit transactions, weekend expenses, round-number amounts) that may warrant a conversation with the employee.

Prepare a budget variance analysis for {{department_or_entity}} for the period {{period}}. Analyze actual results against the approved budget and provide management-ready commentary.

Budget data:
{{budget_data}}

Actual data:
{{actual_data}}

For each significant variance (over {{variance_threshold}} or {{variance_percent}}%), provide:
1. The dollar amount and percentage variance (favorable or unfavorable)
2. A root cause explanation — not just "over budget" but the likely business driver
3. Whether the variance is timing-related (will self-correct) or permanent
4. Recommended action items for management

Present the analysis with:
- An executive summary (3-4 sentences highlighting the most important variances)
- A detailed line-by-line analysis for material items
- A forecast impact section showing how current variances affect the full-year outlook
- Suggested questions for the budget holder to address in the next review meeting

Tone: {{tone}} (e.g., neutral/factual for board reporting, conversational for department managers)

Draft a client advisory letter for {{client_name}} regarding {{topic}}. The client is a {{client_description}} who {{client_context}}.

The letter should:
1. Open with a clear, jargon-free summary of the issue and why it matters to them
2. Explain the relevant tax law, accounting standard, or regulatory change in plain language
3. Outline the specific impact on their business or personal finances with approximate dollar ranges where possible
4. Present {{number_of_options}} options or recommended actions, each with pros, cons, and estimated cost/benefit
5. Include a clear next-steps section with deadlines
6. Close with an invitation to schedule a follow-up discussion

Constraints:
- Length: {{length}} (e.g., 1 page, 2 pages)
- Reading level: Accessible to a non-accountant business owner
- Tone: Professional but approachable — this is a trusted advisor communication, not a compliance notice
- Include a disclaimer noting that this is general guidance and specific circumstances may vary

Relevant code sections or standards: {{references}}