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Ask your connected AI client to compare a quarter’s actual results with the budget, explain the largest differences, and prepare a report you can review before sharing.

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Before you start

  • Connect your AI client to the correct Control workspace.
  • Make sure the quarter’s actual results and the budget you want to compare are available.
  • Name the budget, companies, reporting currency, and statement layout if there is more than one relevant choice.

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Watch an example

The recording illustrates a workflow. Its figures, narration, and completion time are not a benchmark or a guarantee for your workspace.

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Try it

Compare last quarter’s actual results with our approved budget. Confirm the reporting period and budget first, explain the five largest differences, and prepare an editable report. Show missing data and assumptions separately.
For a more specific review, name the quarter and budget:
Compare the second quarter of 2026 with the 2026 operating budget for Example Corp. Separate timing differences from ongoing changes, and show the transactions supporting the largest expense differences.
The client should compare the same dates, companies, currency, and statement layout. It should ask you to resolve ambiguous choices rather than selecting a budget silently.

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Check the report

Before sharing, check that:
  • The actual and budget totals match the corresponding views in Control.
  • Every difference has a clear sign convention and reporting currency.
  • Explanations refer to supporting transactions rather than guesses about business activity.
  • Missing months, unmapped accounts, and incomplete transaction coverage are visible.
  • Estimates and assumptions are distinguished from recorded amounts.
A percentage difference is not meaningful when the comparison amount is zero. Ask the client to show the amount and mark the percentage as not applicable.

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When the detail is incomplete

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Supplier detail shows actual results only

A supplier-level budget comparison needs a counterparty split in the budget. Without that split, the client can show supplier expenses from actual results, but must label them as actuals only. It should not invent a budget allocation.

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The analysis only explains statement lines

Ask the client to investigate the transactions behind the largest differences. It should identify the relevant supplier, company, or event and explain whether the evidence supports a one-off or an ongoing change.

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A month is missing or unexpectedly low

Check data availability, the reporting period, and any filters in Control. A low balance alone does not prove that invoices are missing or that revenue has been lost.

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Next steps

Adjust a budget

Review and approve changes to planned values.

Reuse budget comparison instructions

Save a repeatable review in your AI client.

Prepare a monthly management report

Turn reconciled results into an editable report.

Create a budget from scratch

Build a plan using explicit assumptions.