Categorize Bank Statement Transactions for Monthly Bookkeeping
Use this prompt at the end of each month after downloading your bank statement as a CSV. Upload the CSV to ChatGPT or paste it into Claude along with this prompt to get a categorized expense summary table your accountant can actually use.
The Prompt
I am uploading a bank statement CSV for my [type of business — e.g., freelance graphic design studio / retail bakery / HVAC service company]. Please categorize every transaction as an expense, income, or transfer. For expenses, assign each one to the most appropriate category from this list: - Advertising - Car & Truck - Contract Labor - Insurance - Office Expenses - Rent / Lease - Repairs & Maintenance - Supplies - Travel - Meals (note: 50% deductible) - Utilities - Professional Services - Subscriptions / Software - Owner Draw / Transfer (do not count these as expenses) Flag any transaction you are not confident about with [REVIEW] and a one-sentence note explaining why. Output a markdown table with these columns: Category | Number of Transactions | Total Amount | Example Vendors Below the table, list all [REVIEW] items separately.
From the guide
Using AI to prepare a simple end-of-month bookkeeping summary from your bank statement so you know where your money went before your accountant does →Related Prompts
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