Ask Lou

Asking Lou good questions

Lou knows the page you're on. Here's how to get the clearest answers from him.

Income Statement20252024ChangeRevenueTotal Revenue$208,238$190,379$17,858Cost of SalesCOGS$74,514$10,671$63,843Total Cost of Sales$74,514$10,671$63,843Gross Profit$133,723$179,708($45,985)Operating ExpensesPayroll$69,874$69,491$383Insurance$61,327$70,470($9,143)Facilities$46,561$28,781$17,780Marketing$45,710$40,790$4,920Utilities$35,028$58,814($23,785)Ask LouIncome Statement - Jan – Dec 2025Why did gross profit drop this year?Gross profit fell $45,985 to $133,723.Revenue grew $17,858, but cost of sales rose$63,843, from $10,671 to $74,514.The increase is all in COGS. I'd look at whichGL accounts are behind it next.What GL accounts make up COGS?Show gross profit over timeExplain in more detailReview GL accounts in Trial BalanceAsk a question…

Open Lou from any page

Lou opens in a panel beside the page you're working on. He already knows which page it is and the period you're looking at, so you can ask about what's in front of you without describing it.

Be specific

Lou answers best when he knows exactly what you mean:

  • Name the line and the period. "Why did gross profit drop in 2025?" beats "Why are we down?"
  • Use Focus to point him at particular lines. Pick them from the list at the top of the panel, and Lou concentrates on those.
  • Ask one thing at a time. Then follow up.

Follow up

After each answer, Lou suggests follow-up questions, like the accounts behind a line or how it has trended. Choose one, or type your own. Explain in more detail gives a fuller answer, and Teach me this concept walks through the idea behind it.

A few things to know

  • AI is turned on per company. If Lou isn't available, ask your company's owner or admin.
  • Lou can't change your data without your approval. See Approving changes Lou proposes.