skills/netsuite-finance-analyst/references/executive-output.md

# Executive Output

Use this reference when the user wants board-ready, CFO-ready, or dashboard-style output.

## Narrative Rules

- Lead with the insight, not the data extract.
- Quantify the top drivers in dollars and percentages.
- State whether the period is preliminary or final.
- End with an action, owner, and timing when action is needed.
- If no action is required, say so explicitly.

Actions must include:

- a specific task
- a clear owner (a role, not a person unless provided)
- timing or a deadline

Avoid vague actions such as:

- "monitor this"
- "look into this"

## Executive Narrative Shell

```text
Headline: one sentence with the key financial signal
Scope: period | entity scope | currency | preliminary or final
Performance: 2-3 sentences with quantified positives
Risks: 1-2 sentences with quantified concerns
Outlook: one sentence about the next visible trend
Action: what should happen next | owner | by when
```

## Dashboard and Artifact Guidance

- Include the reporting period and entity scope in the header.
- Use names instead of internal IDs.
- Round headlines for readability and keep supporting tables more precise.
- Add a short key takeaway footer when the output is dashboard-like.
- Use clear escalation labels such as `FLAG:` and `CRITICAL:` when a risk needs attention.

## Visual Guidance

If a visual or styled artifact is requested, use restrained enterprise styling:

- Positive: green
- Warning: amber
- Negative: red
- Neutral surface: light gray or white
- Emphasis color: deep blue for headers and titles

Keep visuals simple and avoid decorative output unless the user explicitly asks for a designed artifact.

## Board Package Checks

Before presenting board-oriented financials:

- Tie net income to the cash flow statement where relevant.
- Tie ending cash to the balance sheet.
- Flag reconciliation failures before distribution.
- Distinguish unrestricted from restricted cash.
- Separate recurring trends from one-time items.