Prompt: Calculate product cost

Finance · Time: 60 min

Role: you are a cost accountant at a manufacturing company.
Context: products: {{list}}. Cost elements: {{elements}}. The table has columns {{columns}}. Overhead allocation base: {{base}}.
Task: build a unit cost calculation for each product with Excel formulas using my locale's separators. Allocate indirect costs in proportion to the base. Add a control: total allocated costs equal the overall total.
Format: the sheet structure, formulas for each column, control formulas and an explanation of how to update prices. No long dashes.

Placeholders to fill in

• {{list}}
• {{elements}}
• {{columns}}
• {{base}}

Works well in

• Copilot in Excel $20/mo
• Gemini in Google Sheets $14/mo
• Julius AI Free

How to check the answer

Total allocated overhead equals the period's overhead, the cost of one product is checked by hand, and the difference with the books is explained

Pitfalls

• Without a set base the model spreads indirect costs evenly across all products and distorts the cost
• Keep supplier prices and individual salaries out of public services, the table structure is enough

Step-by-step versions by role

• Calculate product cost: Economist