36+ ChatGPT Prompts for Finance: Analysis, Reports, etc.

Finance professionals deal with dense data, complex analysis, and the constant challenge of translating numbers into clear communication for clients, executives, and regulators. ChatGPT handles all three: crunching narrative from data, drafting reports, and simplifying financial concepts for non-technical audiences.

These prompts are built for finance professionals: analysts, advisors, accountants, CFOs, and anyone who works with financial data and needs to communicate it clearly and efficiently.

Table of Contents

Financial Analysis ChatGPT Prompts

Financial data narrative

Here is a set of financial figures for [company/department] for [period]: [paste data]. Write a 200-word narrative analysis that: identifies the key trends, explains what is driving any significant changes, flags any areas of concern, and summarises the overall financial health in plain language suitable for a non-finance executive.

Variance analysis explanation

Write a variance analysis commentary for the following budget vs actual results: [paste figures]. For each significant variance (more than [X%] or [X amount]), explain the likely cause, whether it is a one-off or recurring issue, and what action if any is recommended. Format as a structured table followed by a short executive summary.

Ratio analysis summary

Calculate and interpret the following financial ratios for [company] based on these figures: [paste income statement and balance sheet data]. Include: current ratio, quick ratio, gross margin, net margin, return on equity, and debt-to-equity. For each ratio, state what it means in plain English and whether it indicates a concern, a strength, or is within normal range for [industry].

Cash flow commentary

Write a cash flow commentary for [period] based on the following statement: [paste cash flow statement]. Highlight: key drivers of operating cash flow, significant investing or financing activities, the overall cash position change, and any liquidity concerns. 150-200 words, written for a board-level audience.

Financial Reporting Prompts

Board report financial section

Write the financial highlights section of a board report for [period]. Key figures: revenue [X], gross margin [X%], EBITDA [X], net profit [X], cash position [X]. Compare to prior period and budget. Write for board members who are not finance specialists. Use clear headings, plain language, and no more than 300 words. Flag any items requiring board attention.

Monthly management accounts commentary

Write a management accounts commentary for [month]. Revenue: [X] vs budget [X] vs prior year [X]. Key cost lines: [list with actuals vs budget]. EBITDA: [X]. Key messages: [list 3-4 bullet points of what happened]. Write 250 words of narrative that explains the performance in context, not just restates the numbers.

Annual report financial summary

Write a 300-word financial highlights section for an annual report for [company type] for [year]. Key figures: [paste main P&L and balance sheet numbers]. Tone should be professional and measured: acknowledge challenges honestly while presenting results in the best accurate light. Written for shareholders and analysts.

Forecast commentary

Write a forward-looking commentary for the [Q/year] forecast for [company/department]. Forecast figures: [X revenue, X costs, X EBITDA]. Key assumptions behind the forecast: [list assumptions]. Key risks to the forecast: [list risks]. Write 200 words suitable for inclusion in a board or investor pack.

Client Communication Prompts

Investment portfolio review email

Write a quarterly portfolio review email to a client. Portfolio performance: [return %] vs benchmark [%]. Key contributors: [list top performers]. Key detractors: [list underperformers]. Market context: [brief summary of market conditions]. Recommendations for next quarter: [list 2-3]. Write in plain English for a client without a finance background. Confident but not overconfident tone. Under 300 words.

Explaining a market downturn to clients

Write a client communication email explaining recent market volatility and its impact on their portfolio. The market has fallen [X%] in the past [period] due to [reasons]. Their portfolio is down [X%]. Reassure them with historical context, explain our strategy going forward, and discourage panic selling. Calm, authoritative, empathetic tone. Under 250 words.

Financial plan summary for client

Write a plain-English summary of a financial plan for a client with the following situation: age [X], income [X], savings [X], goals [list goals: retirement at X, property purchase, education fund]. Current plan recommendations: [list key recommendations]. Explain why each recommendation makes sense for their situation. Under 300 words, jargon-free.

Fee explanation email

Write an email explaining our advisory fee structure to a new client. Fee structure: [X% AUM / flat fee of X / hourly rate of X]. Explain what they get for the fee, how it compares to value delivered, and why transparent fees are in their interest. Address the question "why not just use a robo-advisor" briefly and honestly. Under 200 words.

Research and Due Diligence Prompts

Company financial health summary

Summarise the financial health of [company name] based on its most recent publicly available financials. Cover: revenue trend (3 years), profitability, balance sheet strength, cash flow quality, and any red flags. Format as a structured one-page summary with a brief overall assessment at the end. Note any areas where more information would be needed for a full assessment.

Investment thesis summary

Write a 250-word investment thesis for [asset/company/sector]. Include: why this is an attractive opportunity now, key financial metrics supporting the thesis, the main risks to the thesis, and a target return or valuation. Written in the style of a professional investment memo.

Risk assessment summary

Write a risk assessment for the following investment or business decision: [describe the decision]. Identify: financial risks, operational risks, market risks, regulatory risks, and reputational risks. For each risk, rate it low/medium/high and suggest one mitigation. Format as a table followed by a 100-word summary.

Budgeting and Planning Prompts

Budget review questions

Generate 10 probing questions I should ask department heads during the annual budget review process for [company type]. Questions should challenge assumptions, identify wasteful spending, uncover hidden costs, and ensure alignment between the budget and strategic priorities.

Cost reduction analysis

Here is our cost structure for [period]: [paste cost breakdown by category]. Identify the top 5 areas where cost reduction is most likely to be achievable without damaging core operations or employee morale. For each area, suggest a specific approach and estimate the realistic savings range. Keep the analysis practical, not theoretical.

Scenario planning summary

Create a scenario planning summary for [company/department] for the next [X months]. Build 3 scenarios: Base case (most likely), Downside (key risk materialises: [describe risk]), and Upside (key opportunity realised: [describe opportunity]). For each scenario, estimate revenue [X], costs [X], and cash impact [X]. Present as a comparison table with a brief narrative for each.

Plain English Explanation Prompts

Explain a financial concept to a non-finance stakeholder

Explain [financial concept: EBITDA / working capital / IRR / amortisation / hedge / derivatives] in plain English to someone who has no finance background. Use one simple analogy, explain why it matters in practice, and keep the explanation under 150 words. No jargon.

Translate financial jargon in a document

Here is a section from a financial document: [paste text]. Rewrite it in plain English so a non-finance reader can understand it. Keep all the key information but remove jargon, replace technical terms with plain equivalents, and restructure any sentences that are unnecessarily complex.

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