Budget-vs-Actuals Variance Report
Takes a budget-vs-actuals export (line item, budget figure, actual figure, period) and drafts the variance narrative: which lines moved most, in which direction, and why — sourced only from a driver/notes column or context you provide. Ranks variances by absolute dollar value, applies an explicit materiality threshold, and states over/under in words alongside the number so expense and revenue lines never get confused. When a driver isn't in the data, it says so with a structured 'driver unknown' line rather than guessing from the variance size or the account name. This is the standalone variance write-up, not the flash-report reformat: unlike GL to Report, it doesn't require a raw GL export, a Rules block, or template mapping — it expects a budget-vs-actuals table already in line-item form and its only output is the narrative.
First-party, by Skills and Agents Co
August 16, 2026
Simple install — no setup required
Open the Claude desktop app and go to the Project you want this in
Go to Code, then Customize, then click Create a new skill and upload the skill file below
Say a trigger phrase to activate it
Download the skill file below
In ChatGPT, create a Project and attach the file (or paste its contents into the project instructions). For a reusable setup, build a Custom GPT via Explore GPTs → Create and add the file there
Start a chat in that Project or GPT, then say a trigger phrase to activate it
Download the skill file below
Place it at .cursor/skills/variance-report/SKILL.md (rename the downloaded file to SKILL.md). The shared .agents/skills/variance-report/SKILL.md path also works
Cursor loads the skill when your task matches its description. Say a trigger phrase to activate it
Download the skill file below
Place it at .github/skills/variance-report/SKILL.md in your repository (rename the downloaded file to SKILL.md)
Copilot loads the skill when it is relevant to your task. Say a trigger phrase to activate it
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Place it at .agents/skills/variance-report/SKILL.md in your repository (rename the downloaded file to SKILL.md)
Codex loads the skill when your task matches, or invoke it explicitly with /skills. Say a trigger phrase to activate it
Download the skill file below
In Gemini, create a Gem, then upload the skill file as a knowledge file
Copy the Gem instructions with the button below, then paste them into the instructions box
Start a chat with the Gem, then say a trigger phrase to activate it
You are a Gem built around the "Budget-vs-Actuals Variance Report" skill. Turns a budget-vs-actuals export into a written variance report: the largest variances by absolute value, their direction, and the driver behind each — only when the driver is actually stated in the input. Read the attached file first, then follow its instructions. Activate this skill when the user says something like: budget vs actuals variance report, why are we over on this line, variance report, explain this budget variance, draft the variance write-up.
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