ChatGPT prompts for Australian accountants

These ChatGPT prompts for accountants help with the writing around the numbers: client emails, plain-English explanations of tax and BAS concepts, engagement letters, workpaper summaries and advisory notes. Each has [placeholders] for your details and works in any AI assistant your practice approves, including ChatGPT, Claude and AusGPT.

Use these prompts safely#

AI output isn't tax advice. AI tools can be confidently wrong, apply the wrong year's rules or invent references. Check every explanation against the ATO and the legislation, and check every figure against your working papers.

The TPB has published guidance on AI. The Tax Practitioners Board's guidance statement TPB(GS) 55/2026, issued 22 July 2026, explains how the Code of Professional Conduct applies when registered tax and BAS agents use AI:

• Confidentiality (Code item 6). You must obtain each client's permission before divulging client information to a third party, which can include entering client information into AI tools, depending on how they're configured and used. The TPB recommends telling clients to whom and where the disclosure will be made, where data will be stored and whether AI tools may be used. Permission can be given through a signed engagement letter, signed consent or similar.
• Competence and reasonable care. AI may hallucinate and can't replace tax knowledge, experience or expertise. Verify and review AI-generated content at each step of the workflow, and document those steps.
• Due diligence. You're responsible for reviewing AI tools to make sure information is kept secure and Privacy Act requirements are met.
• Tax file numbers. Additional obligations under the Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015 apply where client information involves TFNs.

De-identify. Use [Client] or [Entity], round or placeholder figures where the exact amount doesn't matter, and never include TFNs, ABNs, bank details, dates of birth or addresses. The OAIC recommends not entering personal information into publicly available AI tools.

Client emails#

Request missing documents#

Draft a friendly email to [Client] asking for the documents we still need to complete their [return/BAS/financial statements] for [period]. List the items as a checklist: [paste list]. Explain briefly why each is needed, give a due date placeholder, and offer help if they're unsure where to find anything. Under 200 words.

Follow up overdue information#

Write a polite but firm follow-up email to [Client] who hasn't provided [items] requested on [date placeholder]. Explain that we can't finalise their [work] without them and that delays may affect their lodgment, and ask them to call if they need help. Don't threaten penalties or quote specific deadlines unless I add them here: [optional].

Year-end checklist email#

Write an email to small business clients with a year-end checklist for [financial year placeholder]: [paste the items our practice wants them to prepare]. Group items by topic, keep the language plain, and add "Talk to us before you act on any of these" at the end. Don't add tax rules or thresholds I haven't listed.

Reply to a client worried about an ATO letter#

Draft a calm reply to a client who has received an ATO letter about [general topic, de-identified] and is worried. Acknowledge their concern, explain that we'll review the letter and what we need from them (a copy of the letter and [documents]), and give a time we'll respond by. Don't speculate about the outcome or explain the law.

Fee or scope change email#

Draft an email to [Client] explaining that our fee for [service] will change from [old basis] to [new basis] from [date placeholder] because [reason]. Be clear and respectful, and invite questions. Under 180 words.

Explaining tax and BAS concepts in plain English#

Explain a concept from an ATO extract#

Using only the ATO extract I paste below, explain [concept, e.g. GST credits] to a small business owner in plain English, with one simple example using made-up round numbers. Under 250 words. If the extract doesn't cover something, say so rather than filling the gap. End with: "This is general information. Talk to us about your situation."

ATO extract: [paste text from ato.gov.au]

Explain BAS labels to a new client#

Using only the ATO guidance I paste below, explain to a new client what the [labels, e.g. G1, 1A and 1B] on their business activity statement mean, in plain English, in a short table with columns: Label, What it means, What records support it.

ATO guidance: [paste]

Explain the difference between two concepts#

Explain the difference between [concept A] and [concept B] for a client who isn't an accountant, using only the material I paste below. Use a two-column table and one everyday example. Flag anything the material doesn't address.

Material: [paste from ATO or legislation]

Check my explanation for jargon#

Review this explanation I've written for a client [paste]. Identify jargon, long sentences and anything that could be misread, and suggest plain-English alternatives. Don't change the technical meaning. List any statement you think I should double-check against ATO guidance, without correcting it yourself.

FAQ for a client newsletter#

Turn my notes below into 5 short FAQs for our client newsletter on [topic]. Keep each answer under 80 words, plain English, and based only on my notes. Add "General information only" at the end.

Notes: [paste]

Engagement letters#

Draft a scope section from my template#

Using our engagement letter template clauses below, draft the "Scope of services" and "Exclusions" sections for [Client type] engaging us for [services]. Keep our standard wording wherever it applies, and mark any new wording with [NEW] so I can review it.

Template clauses: [paste]
Services: [describe]

Plain-English summary of engagement terms#

Write a one-page plain-English summary of the attached engagement letter for [Client]: what we'll do, what we won't do, what they must provide, fees and billing, and how either party can end the engagement. Don't add terms that aren't in the letter.

Client permission wording for AI use#

Draft a short, plain-English paragraph for our engagement letter that tells clients we may use [name of AI tool] to help prepare work, where their data will be stored and processed ([location]), who it may be disclosed to, that staff review all AI-assisted work, and how to tell us if they don't consent. I'll have this reviewed before use.

Workpaper summaries#

Summarise reconciliation notes#

Summarise these de-identified reconciliation notes for [account] for [period] in a short reviewer-ready note: what was reconciled, differences found, how each was resolved, and any items still open. Use the figures exactly as written and don't recalculate.

Notes: [paste]

Draft variance explanations#

Draft brief explanations for these account variances between [period 1] and [period 2], using only the reasons in my notes. Where my notes don't explain a variance, write "Explanation required" rather than guessing.

Variances and notes: [paste]

Turn review notes into a to-do list#

Turn these review notes from my manager into a to-do list grouped by workpaper, with a priority (high/medium/low) based on the wording and a column for my response. Don't resolve any of the points.

Review notes: [paste]

Summary for manager review#

Write a one-page summary of this de-identified job for my manager: scope, key judgements made, issues found and how they were resolved, open items, and anything that needs partner sign-off. Use my notes only.

Notes: [paste]

Advisory notes#

Meeting agenda for a client advisory session#

Create an agenda for a 60-minute advisory meeting with [Client type] about [topics, e.g. cash flow and growth plans]. Include questions to ask, information to request beforehand, and time for agreed actions.

Notes from a cash flow discussion#

Turn my rough notes from a cash flow discussion with [Client] into a clear summary: current position as described, concerns raised, options discussed, decisions made, and next steps with owners. Use figures exactly as in my notes.

Notes: [paste]

Compare scenarios from my figures#

Present these scenarios in a comparison table using the figures I provide below. Show your working for any total or difference so I can check it. Then write a neutral, plain-English summary of the trade-offs. Don't recommend an option.

Figures: [paste]

Board or owner report commentary#

Draft commentary for a monthly management report using these de-identified results and my notes on the reasons: [paste]. Cover revenue, margins, expenses and cash in short paragraphs. Use the figures exactly as given and mark any statement that needs confirmation with [CHECK].

Practice admin#

Turn a process into a procedure document#

Turn my rough description of how our practice handles [process, e.g. new client onboarding] into a step-by-step procedure with: purpose, who is responsible for each step (by role), the steps in order, the records to keep, and a quality check at the end. Don't add steps I haven't described; list any gaps as questions.

Description: [paste]

New client onboarding checklist#

Create a new client onboarding checklist for our practice using these steps: [paste our steps, e.g. identity checks, engagement letter, client permission for AI use, authority to act as agent, information request]. Group them by stage and add a column for who completes each item and when.

Newsletter article draft#

Draft a 400-word article for our client newsletter on [topic] based only on my notes below. Plain English, practical, with three subheadings and a closing line inviting clients to contact us. Mark any factual statement I should double-check against ATO guidance with [CHECK].

Notes: [paste]

Save these prompts to a shared prompt library#

Practices get consistent results when everyone uses the same reviewed prompts. In AusGPT you can save prompts to a shared prompt library with folders, such as "Client emails", "Engagement" and "Workpapers", and share them across your team workspace.

Copy the prompts you use, add your practice's templates, keep the [placeholders], and save them for your team. AusGPT stores and processes conversations and documents in Australia and never uses them to train AI models, which makes it simpler to tell clients where their data will be stored, as the TPB recommends. Client permission, verification and your other Code obligations still apply. See how AusGPT works for professional services.