break-trace

name	break-trace
description	Use when financial-services work requires root-cause a reconciliation break to its source transaction or posting — follow the audit trail from the break row back to the originating entry on each side and state what differs and why. Use after gl-recon has classified a break..
version	0.1.0
author	Changhochien
license	MIT
platforms	["linux","macos","windows"]
metadata	{"hermes":{"tags":["financial-services","fund-admin","operations"],"related_skills":[]}}

Root-cause a break

Given a single break row (key, GL values, subledger values, bucket, likely cause), trace it to source and produce a root-cause statement.

Trace path

1. Pull the GL side — via the internal-gl MCP, fetch the journal entry or posting that produced this GL line: entry id, posting date, source system, batch id, preparer.
2. Pull the subledger side — via the subledger MCP, fetch the matching transaction: trade id, trade/settle dates, counterparty, source feed, FX rate used.
3. Diff the attributes — line up posting date, FX rate/date, account mapping, quantity sign, amount sign. The differing attribute is usually the cause.

Cause → statement

Write the root cause as a single sentence in the form "⟨side⟩ ⟨did what⟩ because ⟨reason⟩", e.g.:

• "GL posted on settle date (T+2) while subledger posted on trade date — timing break, will clear on 2026-05-07."
• "Subledger used WM/R 4pm rate; GL used Bloomberg close — FX break of 12 bps on the base amount."
• "Security ABC123 maps to GL account 11420 in the mapping table but the subledger fed 11410 — mapping break, raise to reference-data."
• "Subledger posted the trade twice (trade ids 88412 and 88419 are duplicates) — duplicate post, suppress 88419."

Output

For each traced break, return:

{
  "key": "...",
  "root_cause": "one sentence as above",
  "owner": "ops | reference-data | accounting | upstream-system",
  "expected_clear_date": "YYYY-MM-DD or null",
  "action": "monitor | adjust | raise-ticket | suppress"
}

Only the resolver writes adjustments — this skill diagnoses, it does not post.

Hermes Profile Notes

This skill was packaged from pi-financial-services source path plugins/vertical-plugins/fund-admin/skills/break-trace for the Hermes financial-services profile. Use institutional data connectors first when available, cite sources, and stage outputs for qualified human review.

Common Pitfalls

1. Do not present drafts as investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice.
2. Do not use web search as the primary source when an institutional MCP/data connector is available.
3. Do not execute transactions, contact clients, post to a ledger, or approve onboarding. Stage outputs for review.

Verification Checklist

• Inputs, assumptions, dates, and currencies are explicit.
• Numbers tie across tables, models, decks, and memos.
• Sources are cited and institutional data is preferred where available.
• Output is labeled draft / for human review where appropriate.