Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “run month-end close for clients”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

240 min
typically, once a month
45%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Run close checklists in a practice management tool

Karbon, Financial Cents, Jetpack Workflow, TaxDome and Canopy create each client's close checklist automatically every month and show what is stuck.

Typically saves about 35% of the time3 h to set up
  1. 1Turn your close checklist into a template with due dates and owners.
  2. 2Set it to repeat monthly for each client.
  3. 3Connect it to client requests so missing items are chased automatically.
  4. 4Review the firm-wide status board instead of asking for updates.

Tools: Karbon · Financial Cents · Jetpack Workflow · TaxDome · Canopy

Fix 2 of 2

AI

Have AI draft the month-end variance notes

Paste this month's and last month's figures; AI points out the big movements and drafts commentary for the client pack, which you correct.

Typically saves about 40% of the time10 min to set up
  1. 1Export the P&L and balance sheet for this month, last month and the same month last year.
  2. 2Paste into an approved AI with the prompt below (remove client names if your policy requires).
  3. 3Check every explanation against the ledger.
  4. 4Add the corrected notes to the client pack.
Prompt to copy
Here is a P&L for [THIS MONTH], [LAST MONTH] and [SAME MONTH LAST YEAR]: [PASTE]. List every line that moved by more than [X% or $Y]. For each, give the change in dollars and percent and a one-line question I should check (do not guess the reason). Then draft a short commentary for the business owner in plain English, leaving [REASON] placeholders where I need to fill in the cause.

Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot · Copilot in Excel · Fathom or Syft reporting

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Accountant / Bookkeeper (firm)

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Other common tasks for Accountants / Bookkeepers (firm)