Published: October 2025

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Managing finance and bookkeeping as a small business owner in Australia can be overwhelming. Between chasing invoices, preparing BAS statements, and keeping on top of cash flow, there's barely enough time to run your actual business.

That's where ChatGPT comes in. This free cheat sheet gives you ready-to-use prompts that help you write, analyse, and organise your financial tasks faster—without needing to be a finance expert.

Simply paste your data, describe your task, and let ChatGPT handle the heavy lifting.

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Invoice Management & Collections

For creating payment reminders and prioritising follow-ups

• List the top 10 customers by overdue amount from this invoice table: [paste table]
• Write a friendly payment reminder email for an invoice that's 14 days overdue, mentioning our payment terms
• Create a polite but firm follow-up email for an invoice that's now 45 days overdue
• Prioritise these outstanding invoices by urgency based on amount and days overdue: [paste data]
• Draft a text message reminder for a tradie client about an overdue invoice
• Write a professional email explaining our late payment fees and interest charges under Australian commercial law

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BAS & Tax Compliance

For preparing quarterly BAS, organising receipts, and staying ATO-compliant

• Create a checklist of documents I need before lodging my quarterly BAS
• Summarise these business expenses by category for BAS reporting: [paste expenses]
• Explain the difference between GST-free and input-taxed supplies in simple terms
• Help me categorise these transactions as capital or operating expenses: [paste list]
• Write an email to my bookkeeper asking about claiming GST on these purchases: [paste items]
• Generate a list of common tax deductions for [insert your industry] businesses in Australia

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Cash Flow Analysis & Forecasting

For understanding your financial position and planning ahead

• Analyse this profit and loss statement and identify my top 3 cost drivers: [paste P&L]
• Create a simple 90-day cash flow forecast based on these invoices and expenses: [paste data]
• Explain why my bank balance is healthy but my cash flow statement shows problems
• Compare these two months of expenses and highlight significant changes: [paste data]
• Suggest 5 ways to improve cash flow for a [your industry] business in Australia
• Calculate my runway based on current monthly expenses and cash reserves: [paste figures]

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Financial Reporting & Analysis

For translating Xero reports into plain English and creating business updates

• Summarise this Xero profit and loss report into a 3-sentence status update for my business partner
• Explain what caused my gross profit margin to drop this quarter based on this data: [paste data]
• Create a simple financial dashboard summary from these monthly figures: [paste data]
• Write a brief financial update for my board meeting covering revenue, expenses, and cash position
• Compare year-on-year performance and identify trends: [paste two periods]
• Translate this accountant's email into plain English: [paste email]

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Bookkeeping Efficiency & Data Management

For cleaning up records, automating tasks, and staying organised

• Suggest Excel formulas to automatically flag invoices older than 30 days in this spreadsheet
• Create a monthly bookkeeping checklist for a small business using Xero
• Help me write a simple expense policy for employee reimbursements
• Generate a chart of accounts structure suitable for a [your industry] business
• How can I automate bank reconciliation reminders using Outlook and Excel?
• Create a filing system structure for organising digital receipts and invoices by financial year

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Compliance & Documentation

For audit preparation, record-keeping, and meeting ATO requirements

• Create a document retention checklist that complies with ATO requirements
• Write a simple accounting procedures manual for my bookkeeper to follow
• Generate a list of supporting documents needed for these expense claims: [paste expenses]
• Explain the single touch payroll (STP) reporting requirements for small businesses
• Create an audit preparation checklist for small businesses in Australia
• Draft an email to my accountant requesting year-end documents and information

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How to Customise These Prompts

Get better results by adding specific details to your prompts:

• Tone: "Write in a friendly but professional tone" or "Make it firm but polite"
• Context: "For a long-standing customer" or "This is the third reminder"
• Format: "As a bullet-point summary" or "In table format"
• Industry: "For a construction business" or "Suitable for professional services"
• Example: Instead of "Write a payment reminder," try: "Write a friendly payment reminder to Sarah at ABC Pty Ltd for invoice #1234 ($2,450) that's 21 days overdue, mentioning our 30-day payment terms and offering a payment plan if needed."

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is ChatGPT and how can it help with bookkeeping?

ChatGPT is an AI language model that can help small business owners automate routine finance tasks like writing payment reminder emails, analysing financial data, creating reports, and organising bookkeeping information. It saves time on administrative tasks but doesn't replace professional accounting advice or compliance requirements.

Can I use ChatGPT for BAS preparation in Australia?

ChatGPT can help organise your data, create checklists, and categorise transactions for BAS preparation, but it cannot lodge your BAS or provide tax advice. Always have a registered BAS agent or accountant review and lodge your BAS to ensure ATO compliance.

Is it safe to paste financial data into ChatGPT?

Avoid pasting sensitive information like bank account numbers, customer credit card details, or tax file numbers. Instead, use sanitised data (replace names with "Customer A" or use sample numbers) or general descriptions of your financial situation. For sensitive financial work, consult with your accountant or use secure accounting software like Xero.

What's the difference between using ChatGPT and hiring a bookkeeper?

ChatGPT is a tool for efficiency and quick tasks, but it cannot replace professional bookkeeping services. A qualified bookkeeper ensures ATO compliance, maintains accurate records, understands Australian tax law, provides strategic advice, and takes legal responsibility for your financial records. ChatGPT is best used alongside professional services, not instead of them.

Can ChatGPT integrate with Xero or MYOB?

ChatGPT itself doesn't integrate directly with accounting software. However, you can export data from Xero or MYOB and paste it into ChatGPT for analysis, summarisation, or to create reports. Always keep original records in your accounting system as the source of truth.

How accurate is ChatGPT for Australian tax and finance questions?

ChatGPT can provide general information about Australian tax and finance topics, but it may not reflect the most current legislation or your specific circumstances. Always verify tax and compliance information with the ATO website, your accountant, or a registered tax agent before making decisions.

Do I need ChatGPT Plus to use these prompts?

No, the free version of ChatGPT works for most of these prompts. However, ChatGPT Plus offers faster response times, access during peak periods, and advanced features that may be helpful for complex financial analysis.

Can I use ChatGPT to write emails to the ATO?

Yes, ChatGPT can help draft professional correspondence to the ATO, but always review and customise the content for your specific situation. Ensure all information is accurate and compliant before sending official communications to any government agency.

What finance tasks should I NOT use ChatGPT for?

Don't use ChatGPT as a substitute for professional advice on tax planning, legal compliance, complex financial decisions, or lodging official documents. It also shouldn't be used to make final decisions about hiring, firing, or significant business investments without professional consultation.

How can small businesses in Australia get started with AI tools like ChatGPT?

Start by identifying repetitive admin tasks that take up your time, then use specific prompts to automate them. Focus on tasks like email writing, data summarisation, and document creation. As you become comfortable, gradually expand to more complex uses. Consider working with a finance partner like Scale Suite who can help integrate AI efficiency tools into your broader business systems.

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How Scale Suite Can Help Your Business

While ChatGPT is great for quick tasks and admin efficiency, running a growing business requires expert financial guidance and robust systems.

Scale Suite provides comprehensive finance and HR solutions for Australian SMEs:

Finance Services

• Full-service bookkeeping and management accounting
• CFO advisory and strategic financial planning
• Cash flow management and forecasting
• Xero setup, training, and optimisation
• BAS preparation and tax compliance
• Financial reporting and business insights

Ready to scale beyond DIY finance? Contact Scale Suite to discuss how we can take the financial admin off your plate so you can focus on growing your business.

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Published by Scale Suite | Finance & HR solutions for Australian SMEs

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