Wfrglits

OOK-KEEEJING

SIMPLIFIED

Wall Street
Edition

LIBRARY OF

ALLEN KNIGHT

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
502 CALIFORNIA STREET

SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA

gffi

A* * J^-f^

<r.r<

ALLEN

WRIGHT'S
BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED

A COMPLETE

ENCYCLOPEDIA

BUSINESS METHODS

Pioneer
Exponent of Expert Accounting

THE WRIGHT KEY TO DOUBLE ENTEY

WALL STREET EDITION

PRINCE ALBERT WRIGHT

PRACTICAL BOOKKEEPER AND CONSULTING ACCOUNTANT

P. A. WRIGHT & CO.

NEW YORK
1901 '

>(JOA M9N '33B|d *|J9ABM ZC

saa-nasxooa PUB saBHsnand
'03 BNIHSIignd AONViNnODOV

Copyrighted 1885, 1888, 1890, 1891, 1896, 1901 by

* .

380310

I know there are to-day one thousand college graduates some of them
having graduated with honor at German universities who are walking the
stony streets of New York, and know not how to earn a living.

HORACE GREELEY.

If one tenth of the time consumed in the useless pursuit of
the dead languages had been devoted to learning the simple
science of double-entry bookkeeping, the great journalist would
have been spared the regret it must have caused him to make
such a declaration.

A few dollars expended in acquiring a business education
will pay a larger annual dividend than one hundred times the
amount otherwise invested. ~No man's education is complete
without a knowledge of bookkeeping, hence it behooves every
one to qualify in double-entry, acquiring a profession available
through life.

THE PLAN OF THE WORK.

THE PLAN OF THE WORK

is purely original with the author, peculiar to himself, and his
experience being the sum and substance of what he has passed
through as a business man, and hence knows it to be useful, and
not what he has read or learned from hearsay. The main feature
is dispensing with the old-fashioned daybook and old-fogy journal-
izing something unknown in business, therefore nonsense extra-
ordinary.

Another popular and redeeming feature, that must commend
it to the esteem of everybody interested in accounts, is

THE APPENDIX,

containing over 500 questions, directing the reader's attention to
points that should be remembered, and serving as a leader to
guide him in pursuing the study without a teacher. The last few
pages are devoted to the Appendix, which will make it a suitable
text- book for schools.

On the right of each question are small figures indicating the
page in the book on which can be found the answer thereto in
substance, but not in so many words. Every question that can be
asked on this subject has been anticipated and answered in the
pages of this book. If the book is read thoroughly and compre-
hensively it will be an easy matter to frame correct answers to all
the questions, and those who can do so may consider themselves
thoroughly conversant with the principles of modern double-entry
bookkeeping, and the business method of applying them.

OEDEE OF EEADING-.

1. Learn the definitions on pages, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.

2. Commit to memory the EIGHT SHORT RULES on page 29.
Thus, Jj^ebit^whoever owes us, Debit whatever we receive. Debit
Percentage we lose ; then reverse the order and say, Whoever owes
us we debit, Whatever we receive we debit, Percentage we
lose we debit. Head the credit rules both ways also,

3. Familiarize yourself with the CLASSIFICATION OF ACCOUNTS
(pages 28 and 29), both by their names and nature. The nature
of a personal account is somebody whom we owe or somebody
who owes us. The nature of a representative account is some-

6 THE PLAN OF THE WOKK.

thing that really exists and that can be received or given out.
The nature of a speculative account is an imaginary amount
which we make or lose, but cannot receive or give out. Mdse. is
both a representative and a speculative account, as it is both real
and imaginary. For instance, we buy $100 worth of goods,
which we receive and is therefore real to that extent we neither
gain nor lose. We sell that $100 worth of goods, and therefore
give it out, and that much is also real ; but we sell it for $125,
or whatever percentage we add as our profit, hence the $25, or the
profit, is only an imaginary increase on the real $100.

4. Read thoroughly and comprehensively pages 31, 32, 33, 34,
35, and learn the four forms of Journal entries, that is, learn how
many Debtor accounts and how many Creditor accounts are re-
quired in each form, also how to read each : 1st reads, BLANK
Debtor, on one line, to BLANK Creditor, on the next line 2d
reads, BLANK Debtor to Sundries, all on one line / 3d reads,
Sundries Debtor to BLANK, all on one line 4th reads, Sundries
Debtor to Sundries, all on one line. In writing it on the books,
instead of " Blank " you substitute a name in every instance.
The lines are read as Blank.

5. Read slowly and studiously, not hurriedly and superficially,
the description of all the books, noticing the peculiarities of each
as to ruling, spaces, columns, etc., beginning with

CASH-BOOK Pages 51, 52

Two CASH-BOOKS UNNECESSARY

SALES-BOOK

JOURNAL

LEDGER

RULING THE LEDGER

CHECK-BOOK

BILLS PAYABLE BOOK

BILLS RECEIVABLE BOOK. .

53
54

54, 55

55, 56

56, 57
57

60
61

6. Study LEDGER ACCOUNTS ELUCIDATED, pages 105 to 113,
learning what the debit side of each accounts means or represents,
what the credit side represents, and what the difference between
the two shows.

7. Take each question in the Appendix and find the answer
thereto, according to the pages indicating where the answer can be
found ; also familiarise yourself with the forms of commercial
paper, etc. This will necessarily give you a review of the entire
contents of the book.

PREFACE.

THERE are already a sufficient number of works on book-
keeping, from a fine theoretical standpoint, before the public, to
demonstrate clearly that theories alone are inadequate to its wants,
and that no one can see in the application of these finely-drawn
theories to the imaginary transactions therein given, many of
which are far-fetched and stated in an unbusinesslike manner,
anything touching upon or even approximating their own busi-
ness experience.

Common to all the works we have seen on the subject is the
great stress placed upon, and the importance attached to, the
principles of Journalizing, to illustrate which all such works are
necessarily encumbered with Day-Book writing an old-fogyism
entirely peculiar to themselves.

While the literal meaning of journalizing is entering in a
Journal, it is commonly perverted to mean transferring entries
from original books into a Journal under Ledger titles. In the
latter sense of the word we condemn it as a nonsensical operation,
fast becoming obsolete. Day-Book writing is something unheard-
of in business, and journalizing of this kind is already a thing of
the past at least with modern bookkeepers, who keep abreast
with the improvements of a progressive age.

We maintain that our books are all journals that is, eacn is a
Journal of the particular kind of transactions recorded therein,

S PREFACE.

and of course the moment the entry is made it is to all intents
and purposes Journalized.

The old school of bookkeeping makes the Journal a general
receptacle for everything, or a special vehicle for conveying
everything into the Ledger, thereby clogging the wheels of rapid
progress, while in business it is used as an independent record,
standing on a level with Sales Book and Cash Book, having no
intimate connection with either.

It will readily be seen, therefore, that by avoiding the cir-
cuitous route of the Journal, and posting directly from the
original entry we obviate writing the same matter twice, accom-
plishing the desired result in a much more satisfactory manner,
and in half the time.

They give you many logical arguments from which to deduce
your own conclusion, where in this book you are presented with
conclusions already reached. It is the province of this manual to
combine the science and art of modern double-entry bookkeeping
as practised in business. As a science it advances all the theories
and principles of double-entry, thereby laying the solid ground-
work upon which is constructed, in artistic style, a full miniature
set of books, in which the principles are applied and exemplified,
showing the opening of a set of books, many current entries in
great variety, the monthly and final closing, also reopening, etc.

It was originally designed for exclusive use in connection
with the author's PRIVATE COURSE OF PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION
IN DOUBLE-ENTRY BOOKKEEPING, but as there are many who do
not feel able to incur the expense of such a course, and many
others who find it impracticable to do so, it is offered to all who
desire to take the initiative step in mastering the theories and
principles of double-entry, without which it is impossible to ever
become proficient bookkeepers.

If we learn the principles ', we have laid the theoretical corner-
stone upon which to build successfully a super structural practice.

It will doubtless prove to be the desideratum of those having
some knowledge of the subject desiring further information on
the special points herein elucidated, while its simplicity will make
it specially adapted to the wants of those having their first lesson
in bookkeeping yet to learn.

PREFACE. 9

To learn book-keeping properly, one must keep books, and to
meet that requirement, there are two extra sets introduced for
the student's practice. It is a well-understood principle with
experienced accountants, that a routine in double entry, once
' established, would be simply a matter of repetition ever after-
wards, during the continuance of the business ; and for that
reason, in creating an imaginary business and suggesting such
transactions as are necessary to produce a set of books that
would be in every way businesslike, there will be unavoidable
repetition of many words and phrases necessary to explain
them, which would be condemned as unpardonable tautology
by scientific writers who carry a large stock of synonyms in
which to express and embellish their ideas. We are rich in
experience in the art of book-keeping, but our inexperience as
a writer accounts for the impoverished condition of our voca-
bulary, and the plain matter-of-fact way we have of telling
what we know ; which could be made to seem more erudite, if
clothed in the rich verbiage and measured by the beautifully
rounded periods of those whose business it is to write accord-
ing to the strict rules of rhetoric. We hope to render a per-
manent service to those who seek to learn that which they do
not already know, and we feel assured that those who are in any
way interested in that which has been our life's work book-
keeping will read and practise these pages with a fascinating
interest they never experienced in the perusal of any other
book, and therefore commend it to them as being worthy of a
place in their curriculum of studies.

In submitting this little volume for the kind consideration
.and patronage of a discriminating public, it is hoped they will

" Not view it with a critic's eye,
But pass its imperfections by,"

as it is not compiled from more voluminous works, like many
others that are constantly springing into existence with the
spontaneity of mushroom growth ; nor is it the result of deep
research and study of the text, but the spontaneous outgrowth
of many years' experience and assiduous toil at a book-keeper's
desk by

THE AUTHOR

MISCELL A N EOUS.

SYNOPSIS.

PLAN of the work Abbreviations and signs used in business Model private
counting-room illustration Nomenclature of bookkeeping Press -ropy-
ing Origin of double entry Necessity, the mother of inventions Book-
keeping in its simplest sense A question in which all have a personal in-
terestBookkeeping as a profession The most essential qualifications of
a good bookkeeper A poem, not a drudgery Business men Importance
of bookkeeping estimated Practical hints to bookkeepers A good
motto Duty as successor Fallacious methods exposed Classification of
accounts Firm name conspicuous in its absence The great principle
underlying double entry Eight short rules, the finest in the land Six
supplementary rules affecting personal accounts Other signs of debit and
credit THE SIMPLE VERSUS THE INTRICATE Journalizing made easy
Four forms Eight infallible principles First part and counter-part of
an entry explained A feature peculiar to all journal entries Debtor and
creditor made plain by impersonating accounts Books necessary to com-
plete a set Rule for opening books Absurdity of a " Stock " account
Rules for closing books Rules for reopening books How to refer to ac-
counts in the ledger without using index Difference between single
entry and double entry Fourteen simple rules governing experts in ad-
justing books that have been kept by single entry Changing single en-
try into double entry Trial balance, when and how often made Its two-
fold object How to proceed in making it Four-column trial balance
explained; its advantages over ordinary kind How we know what the
footing of trial balance will be in advance, that is before drawing it off
Rules by which any error nviy be detected in a trial balance Rules for
making' a balance sheet When red ink should be used Cash-book de-
scribed The right and the wrong way of managing discount column
in cash-book Two cash-books unnecessary Sales-book, also journal
described The ledger, the finest description ever given of this important
book A season, what it means Ruling the ledger, how it should be
done The time for ruling it Few rule at the proper time Check-book
how managed Work usually done on check-book that is superfluous
Love's labor lost Lost checks How to restore certified checks if not
used The bank-book (or pass-book) how to balance it The most com-
plete explanation ever given which alone is worth the price of this book
Receipt-book, bills payable, bills receivable, invoice and accounts receiva-
ble books all fully described Filing papers, the right way and wrong way
shown in pictures Assistant bookkeeper's duties defined A full miniature
set of books, showing all the entries from the opening to final closing Office
routine When special columns would be used in the journal, how to
arrange them; a false method by a pseudo author Terms, what it means
and how stated Dating ahead Matters not entrusted to a bookkeeper
Transcript, when such a book is used The original form of ledger
continued in its pristine simplicity How to collect notes due at a dis-
tanceSuperfluous columns in ready made bill-books Ledger accounts
elucidated; more information on this subject than is contained in all other
publications combined Department accounts, how managed A sys-
tem of checking long ledger accounts when differences arise in settle-
mentsTrial balance book described, and why not recommended Order
book and memoranda book described Commercial correspondence; many
forms given of high toned dignified business letters Commercial papers;
various kinds shown Mercantile calculations covering percentage Short
multiplication, cancellation Foreign money: Francs, Marks and Ster-
ling how reduced to currency Averaging accounts Mathematical won-
ders. These many topics are woven into the most fascinating and in-
structive story you ever read.

ADDENDUM.

\ BBREVIATIONS 22

A Bookkeeper's Prerogatives 270

Another So-Called" System" 279

A Hint in Writing Letters 284

A Misused Abbreviation 278

Branch Houses 292

Contingent Liability 274

Discipline 285

" Dr," " Cr," " To," and " By " Must Not Be Omitted 282

Erasures 276

Examination for Bookkeeper's Position 290

Expert Accountants 292

Fraud How Detected How Prevented 287

In Liquidation 248

Imperfect Articulation 274

Method 271

Mathematical Paradox 281

No Single-Entry Trial Balance 247

Not Infallible 247

Sales Sheets 283

Stand A loof 286

Three Days of Grace 279

Two Pen Pictures 288

The Best Way to Subtract 282

Uniformity 272

Up-End Down 273

Wright's Protege 289

WALL STREET METHODS. . 295 to 345

CONTENTS.

A Common-sense View of Bookkeeping .................... ....... 23, 24
cceptance ...................................................... 137

Accommodation Paper (Fourth Afterthought) ....................... 227

Account Sales ....................... ............ .............. 235

Accounts Receivable Book .......................................... 130

Appendix. . . ................................................... 346 to 368

Advantage of Double Entry (Eighth Afterthought) .................. 245

Assistant Bookkeeper's Duties .............................. ......... 123

Averaging Accounts ....... , ..................................... ... 145

Balance Sheet, Single Entry ...................................... 131
alance Sheet (Artistic and Ordinary) ........ . ................... 116, 117

Bank Book ............ . .......................................... 58

Bill or Invoice ........................................ . ............ 139

Bills Payable Book. ......... . .................................... 60

Bills Receivable Book ........... . ............................. . ____ 61

Bookkeepers ...................................................... 24

Bookkeeping as a Profession ........................................ 24

Bookkeeping Phraseology ........ ................................. 17 to 21

Books necessary to complete a Set ........................... ........ 41

Business Men ...................... . ........................ . ..... . 25

/^ash Book ............... 7 . 7777 ........................... . ...... 51

VJertificate of Deposit ...................................... .... 138

Chartered Accountant ..... . ........................... . ............ 91

Changing Single Entry into Double Entry ....... . ................ , . . . 46

Check Book .................................... . ................. 57

Classification of accounts ............................................ 28

14 CONTENTS.

Closing Books 43

Commercial Correspondence 132 to 136

Commission Business 233 to 237

Course of Practice 149 to 227

Debtor and Creditor 36

epartment Accounts 112

Detecting Errors in Trial Balance 49

Double Entry 29

Draft , 137

Due Bill 138

Duty as Successor 27

Eight Short Rules 29

ight Infallible Principles in Journalizing 33

Eighth Afterthought 245

Filing papers 129

inn Name 29

First Afterthought 226

Fifth Afterthought 227

Forms of Commercial Paper , 137

Fourth Afterthought. 227

Foreign Exchange Rules 143

Fourteen Rules in Single Entry , 46, 47

/^ eneral Debtors (see Chartered Account). 91

ow to refer to Accounts without the Index ........>< ^6

ow to check Long Ledger Accounts.......... o.oo.. ....oo. c.o. . 113

Importing Business 268
mportance of Bookkeeping. . 25

Interest Rules 144, 145

CONTENTS,

Invoice Book 62

I. O. U 138

joint Stock Accounts . 249 to 268

d ournalizing made Easy 31

Journal 54,77,78

ey to Puzzling Rules 121

edger 55, 92

edger Accounts elucidated 105 to 113

Manufacturing Business. . . . , .- 229 to 233
emorandum Book . 128

Mercantile Calculations 140 to 14?

Miniature Set of Books :

Accounts Receivable Book 130

Bank Book 124, 125

Balance Sheet ... 116, 117, 131

Bill Books. ...... f ......... 126, 127

Cash Book .. .64, 65, 66, 67,68, 69

Check Book .,..118 to 121

Journal . . <> 79, 80, 81, 82

Ledger 00 93 to 104

Sales Book. .........,. ,86, 87, 88, 89

Trial Balance 00 ....oo.c ... ....... .114 115. 201

Office Routineo.co.co O ..c. , 76
ffice Routine illustrated 241 to 244

Opening Books, .....<,.. . ,., 42 and 155

Order Book. ... ., 128

Order of Reading. . ; 5

Other Signs of Debit and Credit. 30

Outstanding Accounts (Seventh Afterthought) g45

16 CONTENTS.

Petit Accounts 110, lit
ersonal Accounts 28

Plan of the Work 5

Practical Hints to Bookkeepers 2ft

Preface 7 to 9

Press Copying 149

Profit and Loss. , Ill

Receipt Book 60

ed Ink, Use of 50

Reducing Foreign Exchange to U. S. Currency 14&

Reopening Books 45

Representative Accounts 28

Ruling the Ledger 56

Sales Book 54, 83, 84, 85
,_ cientific Terminology .... 17 to 21

Second Afterthought 226

Seventh Afterthought 245

Sixth Afterthought 228

Shipping Ticket 240

Speculative Accounts 28

Stock 43

Statements 139, 228

Synopsis of Contents 12, 151 to 154

Trial Balance Book 122
rial Balance explained 90, 91, 247

Trial Balance (Four Column and Ordinary) 114, 115, 201

Transcript Book 85

Two Single Entry Propositions 150

Two Cash Books unnecessary , 53

The Simple versus the Intricate 63

Third Afterthought 226

hen Personal Accounts are debited or credited 30

onders of Mathematics 147, 230-

BOOKKEEPING PHRASEOLOGY

SCIENTIFIC TERMINOLOGY

USED IN

ACCOUNTING.

The black words on the left are those by which we express ourselves in
bookkeeping sense, the ordinary matter on the right is the conversational
expression of the same ideas.

ACCOUNT. The name of any person, place, or thing repre-
senting a collection of certain amounts affecting the same name,
either debit or credit, or both. Every account has two sides
debit and credit.

ACCEPTANCE. A draft across the face of which has been
written, usually in red ink, the following matter, viz. : " Accepted

- [give date of acceptance] ; payable at [state whether

at office or bank] ; '' [sign firm-name on whom it was

drawn].

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. Parties we owe in open account on
the Ledger.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. Parties owing us in open ac-
count on the Ledger, and the contra of Accounts Payable.

ACCOUNT CURRENT. A running account ; that is, a state-
ment of a running account, usually rendered at the end of each
month, showing date and amount of each item of debit and credit
for the current month, and the balance.

ACCOUNT SALES. A statement of sales made for account of
2

18 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

others, giving all the particulars of the sale, also showing the ex-
pense incurred from the time goods were received until sold, in-
cluding our fee for selling them, which is called Commission,
and the remainder, after deducting all charges, which is called
Net Proceeds.

AUDITING ACCOUNTS. A general examination, comparing
^charges with vouchers, passing upon their correctness or incor-
rectness.

ASSETS. See RESOURCES.

AVERAGING ACCOUNTS. Fixing a date upon which a num-
ber of amounts occurring on different dates, and having different
time to run, would amount to the same thing as if the total of all
the amounts had occurred on one date.

BALANCE. Difference between the debit and the credit side
of any account. The remainder, after deducting the smaller from
the greater amount.

BALANCE SHEET. An annual or semi-annual statement ; a
final exhibit at the end of a season, showing gains or losses, re-
sources and liabilities, net worth or insolvency.

BILL. Statement of items, showing date and amount of ob-
ligation Invoice.

BILL CLERK. One who makes out bills, or copies on bill-
heads the entries on Sales Book.

BILLS PAYABLE. Our note or acceptance; that is, our
written promise to pay.

BILLS RECEIVABLE. Another individual or firm's note or
acceptance ; that is, their written promise to pay.

CALL CLERK. One who " calls off " the goods to be charged ;
that is, describes the goods by name, number of pieces, number
of yards per piece and price sold at ; if not sold by piece, state
other facts corresponding in effect thereto.

CASH. Ready money, including checks, due bills, etc., con-
vertible into ready money on presentation to the proper party at
the proper place.

CERTIFICATE OP DEPOSIT. Form of commercial paper
issued by banks to parties who do not have a bank account.

CHARGE. Synonymous with Debit which see.

CHECK. An order on a Bank.

NOMENCLATURE OF BOOKKEEPING. 19

CLOSING AN ACCOUNT. Drawing red lines under the
amount on both debit and credit side, always ruling first on the
side on which the entries extend farthest down the page, and
making the other side agree by ruling on same lines. See remarks
on ruling Ledger Accounts.

CREDIT. Entering an obligation in favor of another.

CREDITOR. One who is owed, or to whom another is under
obligation.

" CREDIT BY." A phrase used in ledgerizing or posting on
the credit side.

DEBIT. Entering an obligation against a debtor CHARGE
the former being used in posting, and the latter in making
entry on original book.

DEBTOR. One who owes, or who is under obligation to
another.

"DEBTOR TO." A phrase used in posting on debit side of
an account.

DISCOUNT. A certain percentage deducted from any amount
due at some stated time in the future to reduce it to cash value.
In discounting commercial paper it is a certain per cent per
annum; but in discounting open accounts it is a certain per cent
of the face of the amount according to the terms specified when
the indebtedness was contracted.

DOUBLE ENTRY. An entry affecting two or more accounts,
part debtors and part creditors, but equal in amounts.

DRAFT. An order on a second party to pay to a third a
specified sum of money at a stated time. There are three parties
to a draft : the drawer^ who signs his name in the lower right-
hand corner ; thepayor, on whom the draft is drawn, and whose
name and address are written in the lower left-hand corner ; and
the payee, whose name is written in the body of the draft, and in
whose favor the draft is drawn. The peculiar location of the
names and the wording, as to time, is what characterizes it as a draft.

ENDORSE. To write name across the back of any class of
commercial paper.

ENTERING GOODS. Making a record on Sales Book.

ENTRY. A record of a business transaction.

ENTRY CLERK. One who records a sale.

20 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

EXCHANGE. A peculiar form of commercial paper used by
banks in transmitting money from one to another ; also a fee,
charged by banks for collecting drafts or " out of town" checks
that is, checks on banks in other towns foreign to the place of
their location.

EXPENSE. That which requires an outlay of money for
which we get no direct returns. Consumed in carrying on the
business.

INVENTORY. A statement showing all the goods on hand, in
detail, at cost price.

INTEREST. A certain percentage per annum added to any
amount after maturity, for usage of same during the time for
which the interest is added.

INSOLVENT. Without capital.

JOURNALIZING. Arranging accounts in books of original
entry under Ledger titles.

LEDGER ACCOUNTS. An account (which see) transferred
to the Ledger, usually at top of the page, and occupying the most
prominent space between Dr. and Or. A place for concentrating
all amounts affecting any account appearing from time to time
throughout all books of original entry.

LIABILITIES. Indebtedness. What we are liable for as
payors.

MDSE. The commodity in which we are dealing ; that is,
buying to sell again.

NOTE. A written promise to pay.

OFFICE FURNITURE. Common name given to all articles
of furniture in the office.

ON ACCOUNT. Part of an account meaning that there is a
Ledger Account already existing, or that one is to be opened.

OPENING AN ACCOUNT. Writing it for the first time in
any book of original entry in a relative position to other accounts,
from which it is transferred to the Ledger, and not writing it in
the Ledger for the first time as is erroneously claimed by some.
Writing it in the Ledger is of course opening the Ledger Account ;
but inasmuch as no entry is made in the Ledger until first made
in some book of original entry, the account must be first opened
apart from the Ledger.

NOMENCLATURE OF BOOKKEEPING. 21

POSTING. Transferring dates, names, and amounts from
original entries into the Ledger. Ledgerizing.

PROCEEDS. What is left after deducting all charge&jorjex-
penses in any transaction.

PER CENT. On or by the hundred, applied not only to
money, but any operation in which reference is made to 100 as a
unit of comparison.

RATE PER CENT. The number of hundredths under con-
sideration.

RESOURCES. Persons owing us, and what we possess. Our
effects. Assets.

RECEIVING CLERK. One who receives goods, checks each
item on Invoice, " O. K.'s" it, and signs his initials, after which
he turns it into the office for the bookkeeper's attention.

SOLVENT. Able to pay indebtedness.

SUNDRIES. In common parlance, Sundries means various
articles ; but in bookkeeping phraseology it refers to accounts only
meaning two or more are under consideration.

SHIPPING CLERK. One who attends to packing goods,
marking the cases, and getting receipt from transportation com-
pany.

SUSPENSE. An account representing doubtful assets or long
standing accounts, which for any reason are held in suspense
awaiting final adjustment.

TAKING STOCK. Preparing inventory ; that is, finding out
how many articles of merchandise we have on hand of each kind
at the cost price.

" TEAM." Entry clerk, call clerk, and bill clerk constitute a
team.

TRIAL BALANCE. A monthly statement containing every
unbalanced account in the Ledger, showing balance, either debit
or credit, in each.

"TO BALANCE ACCOUNT." Place a sufficient amount on
the smaller side to make it equal to the greater.

WITHOUT RECOURSE. Not liable as pay or of any paper on
which our name appears as endorser.

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

ABBREVIATIONS AND SIGNS USED IN
BUSINESS.

Acct. or a/c. Account

Ad.. Advertisement

Am't Amount

Av Average

Bal Balance

Bk Bank

Bo't Bought

B.P Bills Payable

Bro't Brought

Bro Brother

Bros Brothers

B.R Bills Receivable

Cash'r Cashier

C. B Cash Book

C. & C Case and Cartage

Chg'd Charged

Ck Check

C. O. D Collect on delivery

Co Company

Coll Collect

Col Column

Cr Credit

Ctge Cartage

Da's Days

Dep Deposited

Df t Draft

Disct'd Discounted

Dis Discount

Del'd Delivered

Do Ditto

Doz Dozen

Dr Debit or Debtor

Ea Each

Ent Entered

E. & O. E. . .Errors and Omissions
Excepted

Exch Exchange

Exp Expense

Expr Express

Fol Folio

Forw'd Forward

Frt Freight

Fur't Furniture

Ins Insurance

Inst Instant, present time

Int Interest

Inv Invoice

Jo Journal

Mdse Merchandise

Memo . . . .Memorandum

M'f'g Manufacturing

Mo Month

Nat'l National

No Number

O. B Order Book

O.L Old Ledger

O. K "Oil Korrect, " right

Pay Payable

Pay't Payment

P. C Postal Card

PC'S Pieces

Pd Paid

Pkg Package

P. &L Profit & Loss

Pp Prepaid

Pro Proceeds

Prox Proximo, next month

Pt Pint

Pr Pair

Qt Quart

Rec Receivable

Rec'd Received

Ret Return

Ret'd Returned

R. R Rail Road

S. B Sales Book

Sec Secretary

S/d Sight Draft

St Sight

Stm't Statement

Sunds. ..... .Sundries

Supt Superintendent

T. B Trial Balance

Trans 'd Transferred

Trans Transfer

Ult Ultimo, last month

Wk Week

@ At the rate of

% Percent

=j}= Number

" Ditto

/vw Nothing omitted

y Check mark

^f., Double check

-f- Addition

Subtraction

X Multiplication

= Equal to

&.. ..And

COMMON-SENSE

VIEW OF

BOOK-KEEPING

PROM

A BUSINESS STANDPOINT.

It is the universal custom of thinking minds pursuing any voca-
tion in life to make a memorandum of everything they do, see,
or hear, worthy of note, which they desire to remember. In
commercial pursuits especially a memorandum is kept of such
facts as have a pecuniary connection with the business, to which
we can revert and refresh our memory, and the inspection of
which at any time will reveal the true state of our business and
property.

The multiplicity and recurring frequency of these memoranda
require they should be kept systematically, to enable us to find
them readily and place them at our command. This being a
necessity, the first bookkeeper probably invoked the prolific
mother of inventions for assistance, and was presented with a
beautiful system of accounts, called by common consent Double
Entry.

Bookkeeping, therefore, in its simplest sense is nothing more
than making a memorandum of important facts, keeping in
chronological order a record of everything transpiring in our
business, whereby our interest is affected, either favorably or
adversely.

Bookkeepers are supposed to be informed of every transaction
that takes place, which they will never entirely forget during
their connection with the business ; but to remember the dates,
amounts involved, and important particulars in so many instances
would be an impossibility ; hence bookkeeping was instituted to
assist their memory.

24 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

It is a duty every one owes himself before starting in life
undertaking to carve out his own fortune in the great stone
quarry of the world to acquire a thorough knowledge of
accounts. How to acquire this knowledge, therefore, in the
shortest time and at the least expense is a question in which
every one should have a personal interest. The answer to this
great question can be summed up as follows :

The best way to learn bookkeeping is in the counting-room of
some large mercantile establishment, which of course would
require opportunity and a long term of unremunerative service.

The next best way is to enter as a student the private count-
ing-room of an experienced accountant, who knows what a book-
keeper's duties are, and how to define and point them out to
others with clearness and intelligibility.

The reader has adopted the next best way as an ultimatum,
by reading "BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED, OK JOURNALIZING MADE
EASY."

BOOKKEEPING AS A PROFESSION.

Generally speaking, everything is prized according to the
amount of labor and expense required in obtaining it ; hence the
modest profession of bookkeeping is not so highly esteemed as the
proud professions of law and medicine, but equally honorable and
respectable > and if pursued with fidelity leads to high positions
of honor and trust. It has suffered more, however, through the
defence of incompetent friends than it could have suffered
through a persistent onslaught of adverse critics.

BOOKKEEPERS.

A bookkeeper is not a mere automaton, capable of performing
the machine work in bookkeeping, as it were perfunctorily, but in
a higher and stricter sense of the word he is one whose quick per-
ception enables him to comprehend the situation at a glance, and

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 25

whose tact renders him capable of readily adapting himself to it ;
one who is thoroughly enlisted in the cause of his employer, and
duly impressed with the importance of his position to whom
bookkeeping is a poem, not a drudgery.

In the former sense Bookkeeper is a misnomer, worn thread-
bare by frequent use, and to a certain extent has brought the pro.
fession into disrepute.

The most essential qualification in a good bookkeeper is a still
tongue and strong decision of character, incapable of becoming
too intimate with the principals of other departments, or too com-
municative to outsiders, whereby he might divulge secrets of the
business known to him through and by virtue of his confidential
position.

BUSINESS MEN.

Every man in business for himself should understand book-
keeping, in order to understand how to properly direct the man-
agement of his own accounts: those who do not are liable to
become victims of dishonest employes, who may practise a system
of false entries, entailing serious loss in fact, ultimate financial
ruin.

IMPORTANCE OF BOOKKEEPING.

The importance of bookkeeping cannot be overestimated: it
-will be more fully appreciated when contemplated in connection
with the fact that it is estimated but three men out of every
hundred end their business career financially successful, who can
to a certain extent attribute their ultimate success to a skilful
management of their accounts.

On the other hand, the great majority who fail enter business
without duly considering the importance of this prerequisite to
success, and sooner or later discover to their sorrow that natural

26 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

abilities will not supply the deficiency or preserve the intricacies
of business matters from inextricable confusion, culminating in
a financial wreck.

PRACTICAL HINTS TO BOOKKEEPERS.

It is a bookkeeper's duty to record, not to make, transactions,
Never put on record anything that comes to you verbally, but
require a memorandum of the facts from the proper party to the
transaction, which to file as a voucher for its authenticity and a
means of self -protection.

File all memorandums, even of the most trivial nature, for re-
ference.

Always require receipt for payments in currency or by check
made payable to bearer. See remarks on RECEIPT BOOK.

Never sign receipt for money received by others without see-
ing it properly entered on Cash Book for obvious reasons.

Never credit an Invoice until it has been properly checked and
O. K.'d by the receiving clerk, and you have satisfied yourself
that the prices and extensions are correct.

Never use the abbreviation " do" or the sign ( " ) for figures, as
it is quite as easy to make figures as the substitutes ; besides, the
sign ( " ) is often used w^hen an amount is purposely omitted, and
therefore means nothing.

Always insert ciphers in amounts without cents; if they are
omitted, it looks like an unfinished amount.

Never use the abbreviation "No" in connection with figures; as
figures themselves are the numbers referred to, and to nse both
would be the same thing as drawing a picture of a donkey and
then writing " This is a donkey." Although the words might re-
fer to the picture, they might also be construed as referring to the
artist (?).

When the figures are to appear as a subsequent consideration,
it is proper to use "No" to indicate where they are to be located.

Always begin a new month on a new page; on all books of ori-

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

ginal entry never begin on part of an unfinished page of pre-
ceding month.

Speak the truth at every call ;

A good motto forget it not :
By its results either stand or fall ;

Both abuse and praise it hath begot.

DUTY AS SUCCESSOR.

First thing in assuming charge of a set of books kept by another
is to see if the cash is straight ; that is, see if the difference be-
tween the Debit and Credit side of Cash Book agrees with the ac-
tual amount of cash on hand. If not, report the discrepancy at
once to the proper authority, who will have it properly adjusted.
Begin on a new page with the actual balance on hand.

Then look carefully through your Ledger to see what accounts
have been opened and remain open, familiarizing yourself with
them as soon as possible. It is better to learn them from the Led-
ger than from the index, as the latter may contain accounts that
have been discontinued that is, closed, not to be reopened.

It is by no means necessary to make a Trial Balance, as claimed
by a modern writer evidently of limited experience, as the books
are assumed to be correct if cash is in proper shape. If, however,
you have an error in your first Trial Balance, it is then time
enough to locate it and all others that may have existed prior to
your stewardship.

If such error is not found in the work of the current month it
will be necessary to get your predecessor's Trial Balance for the
previous month and prove its correctness. If found to be incor-
rect, report it at headquarters, and it will then become the work of
an expert to trace the error to its origin, ferreting out all other&
that may have existed possibly from the beginning of your prede-
cessor's term of service.

You would not be expected to assume the duties of an expert
in connection with your own that is, keeping up the current
work.

28 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

The science of Double Entry is the same throughout the busi-
ness world, but few bookkeepers follow the same routine. If you
are required to adopt the routine already established, it will be an
easy matter, provided you thoroughly understand your business,
having a precedent to guide you in the work of the retiring
official.

CLASSIFICATION OF ACCOUNTS.

We have already seen that every Ledger account has both a debit
and credit side, the different natures of which will be easily under-
stood when it is known that all accounts can be classified under
two principal headings called PERSONAL and REPRESENTATIVE, the
debit balance in each meaning either an asset or a loss, and the
credit balance meaning either a liability or a gain. For a full ex-
planation of the subject, see article on Ledger Accounts Eluci-
dated, on another page.

The REPRESENTATIVE accounts are divided into two classes
those having a tangible existence in the values named, and those of
-a fictitious nature that is, having only a nominal existence.

The latter we will call SPECULATIVE accounts, the chief of which
is Profit and Loss : all others of that nature being branches thereof,
or tributaries thereto. The Speculative class, therefore, will in-
clude all the accounts that represent either a profit or a loss, and
all others will represent either assets or liabilities.

There are a few of the Representative class that have a dual
nature ; that is, they may first show either a profit or a loss, after
which they show part of the assets, such as Merchandise, Real' Es-
tate, and all those in which there appears an Inventory.

In order to formulate a rule for handling or referring to ac-
counts intelligibly, it is necessary therefore to classify them under
the following names :
PERSONAL.
SPECULATIVE.

REPRESENTATIVE.

PERSONAL accounts will refer to those with individuals, firms,
or corporations.

A COMMON SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 29*

SPECULATIVE will refer to all accounts representing a gain
or loss, such as Mdse., Expense, Interest, Discount, Commission,
Exchange, Insurance, etc. See subdivisions of EXPENSE, page 106.
REPRESENTATIVE will include all others, such as Cash,
Bills Receivable, Bills Payable, Office Furniture, or any account
representing certain values.

THE FIRM-NAME.

Our firm-name never appears on the books as a firm, but in its
constituent members and component parts. By component parts
is meant in this connection accounts that represent the firm. See
REPRESENTATIVE and SPECULATIVE accounts.

When we say Cash is debtor to whomsoever pays us, we mean
our firm is debtor to that party ; but when we say Cash is debtor
to Mdse.,we mean the same thing as if we had taken a certain sum
from one pocket and put it into another.

DOUBLE ENTRY.

Recording a transaction so as to affect two or more accounts, trie-
amount of debits being equal to the amount of credits.

The first law of Double Entry is every debit amount, in one ac-
count must have a corresponding credit amount in some other
account, and vice versa.

The great principle underlying the beautiful system of Double
Entry bookkeeping is, whoever or whatever owes is a debtor, and
whoever or whatever is owed is a creditor.

Applying this principle to our books, every charge or debit and
credit we make is governed by the following :

EIGHT SHORT RULES.

DEBIT. CREDIT.

Whoever owes us. < PERSONAL. > Whoever we owe.

Whatever OWeS US. | REPRESENTA j Whatever we ^ ve OUt.

Whatever we receive, f ( Whatever produces value..

Percentage we lose. < SPECULATIVE. > Percentage we make.

(Read NINTH AFTERTHOUGHT, on pajre 294.)

30 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

WHEN PERSONAL ACCOUNTS ARE DEBITED
OR CREDITED.

In addition to the eight short rules for debits and credits it will
be well to remember that there are four conditions under which
we debit personal accounts, and four similar conditions under
which they are credited, viz. :

DEBITED.

1. When we sell a party goods on account.

2. When we pay them.

3. When they made us an allowance of discounts, or for dam-
ages, or otherwise.

The first two rules might be more comprehensive under the
statement, When we deliver a party anything, they are charged
with whatsoever it might be.

4. When we render a service.

CREDITED,

1. When we buy goods from them on account.

2. When they pay us or when they deliver anything to us.

3. When we make them an allowance of discount or for dama-
ges, goods returned, or in any way reduce their indebtedness.

4. When a service is rendered us.

OTHER SIGNS OF DEBIT AND CREDIT.

All accounts preceding the abbreviation Dr., and preceded by
the capitalized By, are to be debited in posting.

All accounts preceded by the word To are to be credited in
posting.

The left-hand column or side is for debits, and the right-hand
column or side is for credits, throughout all the books.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 31

JOURNALIZING MADE EASY.

Journalizing is conceded to be the most difficult part of btK>k-
keeping. By following the suggestions herewith givea, any per-
son having a common -school education can Journalize any trans-
action if put in possession of all the facts connected therewith,
showing what accounts are affected, from which it is easy to con-
clude, correctly, how they are affected by the application of the
eight short rules for debits and credits to be found on page 29.

The principles of Journalizing consist in the proper arrange-
ment of accounts in original entries under Ledger titles, according
to the system of Double Entry.

Every transaction necessarily affects two or more accounts,
otherwise it cannot be a double entry ; it must contain at least
one debtor and one creditor ; possibly one debtor and two or more
creditors ; two or more debtors, and one creditor ; or two or more
debtors, and two or more creditors.

It will readily be understood, therefore, that there are four
propositions necessitating four forms of Journal entries, in mak-
ing which there are three contingencies to be considered.

1st. How many accounts will be affected by the transaction to
be/ recorded.

We determine how many accounts there will be in our Journal
n try by the number of amounts we have under consideration, as
each aniQunL must have &name, by which it is identified or under-
stood, and the name with the n,mmi,nt\ what is meant by account.
Every transaction necessarily gives rise to certain lines of figures,
called amounts, arid the figures have names indicative of what
thpy are or represent. When there are three (or more) lines pf fig-
<ir.es under consideration, they give rise to a fourth (or one more)
inline total, which will also have a name, by which it is under-
stood. If only two Amounts are given, they give rise to a third

in either their total or difference between them, which total or
difference will also mean something : hence will have a name.
If only one amount is given, it must have two names : one a debtor
and the other a creditor ; for instance, we buy $500 worth of goods
of the Wright Manufacturing Co., for which we owe them. ($500

32 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

being understood and not repeated in stating the facts). The
$500 worth of goods we call Mdse., and the $500, which it
is understood we owe them, would be called by their own name;
hence their account and Mdse. account.

The names of accounts would be suggested by the requirements
of the business. The bookkeeper does not create accounts to suit
himself \ but the proprietor tells liim what accounts to open, to
show certain results that he wishes to know at the end of ike
season, if he knows anything about business; if not, the book-
keeper must anticipate his wishes, and adopts suitable names to
represent the results that would doubtless be inquired about.

2nd. We must determine what they are and to what class they
belong.

When we have the name of a person or firm under consider-
ation it is simply a question as to whether we owe them or they
owe us, to determine which a knowledge of bookkeeping is not
necessary ; but when we apply our two rules affecting the per-
sonal classification on page 29, we can determine what to do with
it from a bookkeeping point of view. When we have & percent-
age under consideration, which means an imaginary amount rep-
resenting a gain or loss, the only question is, do we gain it or lose
it, which we could also easily determine in our own minds with-
out understanding bookkeeping. Then by applying the last two
rules on page 29, which apply to the speculative classification,
we can determine whether to debit it or credit it. If we have
under consideration the name of some real thing that we can
handle, the question is, how do we handle it, do we receive it or
do we give it out ? We can conclude at once in our own mind, and
then apply our rules affecting the representative classification on
page 29.

3rd. How they are affected whether debited or credited, dis-
posing of SPECULATIVE accounts first, in reaching a conclusion,
REPRESENTATIVE next, and PERSONAL last.

An account is benefited when it is credited, and is accountable
or responsible when it is debited.

When a transaction is stated, we conclude what accounts are
affected by applying the following

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 33

EIGHT PRINCIPLES.

1st. If we receive something and give nothing in exchange for
it, we certainly must owe whoever delivered it to us ; hence the
rules Debit whatever we receive, and Credit whoever we owe.

2nd. If we receive something and give something in exchange
therefor, then we do not owe any one, and for that reason no
personal account can be affected ; but it is an issue between
what we receive, which must be debited, and what we give out,
which must be credited.

3rd. If we give out something and receive nothing in exchange
for it, then the person to whom we deliver it must owe us ; hence
credit whatever we give, and debit whoever owes us.

4th. If we give out something and receive something in ex-
change, then no one owes us; hence no personal account could be
affected, as it is an issue between what we give out and what we
receive.

5th. If we owe somebody without receiving anything from
them, it must be a matter of loss to us ; for that reason, debit
percentage we lose, and credit whoever we owe.

6th. If somebody owes us, for which we have delivered them
nothing, then we must have gained whatever is the amount ;
hence debit whoever owes us, and credit percentage we gain.

7th. If we receive something and neither owe for it nor give
anything in exchange for it, we must have gained the amount re-
ceived ; it is then an issue between whatever we receive, which we
debit, and percentage we gain, which we credit.

8th. If we give out something and receive nothing in exchange
for it, nor does any one owe us for it, then we must have lost that
amount ; hence an issue between whatever we give out, which we
credit, and percentage we lose, which we debit. Thus it will be
seen that both a debit rule and a credit rule are brought to bear
on every transaction.

Having settled these facts, we next determine what the con-
struction of our Journal entry will be, which will be governed by
the number of debtors and creditors that will appear therein, ac-
cording to the following four formulae :

34 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

FIRST FORM.

If one debtor and one creditor, the construction of the entry
will be

Br.

To. $000

That is, the name of the debtor will be written on first blank
line, and the name of the creditor to the right on the next line.
To being written immediately under Dr.

SECOND FORM.

If one debtor and two or morp ^editors, the construction will
beT"

DR. TO SUNDRIES, $000

- $000

The name of the debtor will appear on first line, with Dr. To
Sundries on same line, followed by the name of each creditor on
a separate line under the word /Sundries.

THIRD FORM.

If two or more debtors and one .creditor, the construction will
be the reverse of second form* that is, Sundries Dr. To will ap-
pear on first line, followed on same line by the name of the credi-
tor, and the name of each debtor will appear immediately under
Sundries, each occupying a separate line, as follows :

SUNDRIES DR. TO '- $000

^ $000

FOURTH FORM.

This is the most complicated Journal entry that can be made,
and will contain two or jagradebtors jind two or jmce_ creditors,
the construction of which will be :

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 35

SUNDRIES DR. TO SUNDRIES.

$000
$000

To $000

The names of the debtors appearing first each on a separate line,
and the names of the creditors to the right in the order of blank
lines, each also occupying a separate line. The term Sundries
never appears on aline by itself, except in Fourth Form, in which
it occurs twice.

There is one feature peculiar to all Journal entries ; that is, the
debtors always appear h'rst, and the creditors as far to the right as
the figures in the right-hand or credit column are from the figures
in the left-hand or debit column on a straight line throughout
the page. Two accounts should not appear on the same line.

In posting from the Journal we dispose of each account in the
order in which it occurs in the entry. ''Sundries" is not an
account, but a figure-head indicating two or more accounts are
under consideration In Fourth Form, therefore, the first account
in the entry would be the one occupying the position of first
blank line, in posting which, we would say it is Debtor to
Sundries being debtor to each of the two on the right. We
proceed in the same way in disposing of the remaining debtors, and
in the account on the Ledger for each creditor we would say
By Sundries meaning each is credited by each of the two or
.*nore debtors.

Let it be borne in mind that every double entry has two
parts a first part and a counterpart. The first part of the
entry is transferred to the Ledger just as it reads in the original
entry, and the counterpart the reverse of, or opposite to, first part.
See paragraph 23, page 161. In posting from the Journal, both
arts are transferred, and it is easily understood ; but as we post
the counter part from either side of the Cash book for the
being, t\\e first part being posted at the end of the month in
the totals, and in posting from the Sales book the first part only
is disposed of, the counter part being considered at the end of the
month, the mind of the student becomes confused until it dis-
tinguishes the difference between the first part and the counter
part from the Ledger point of view.

^rhe explanation of all entries follows the Personal accounts ;
that is, after each Personal a statement of the facts in its case will
be made as briefly as possible, giving each item affecting it which
will also explain the same items in the case of all others. For a
better understanding of this explanation, see miniature Journal.

36 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

DEBTOR AND CREDITOR.

Double Entry bookkeeping is a system of debits and credits ac-
cording to fixed principles, reducing them to a state of mathemati-
cal equilibrium. It does not require a knowledge of double entry
to enable any one to understand when an individual or firm is
either a debtor or a creditor, but it is difficult for the inexperi-
enced to comprehend how an inanimate impersonation can be
either one or the other.

In fact, the late Prof. Marsh, the oldest writer in this country
on the subject of Bookkeeping, whose works are accepted author-
ity, says, " Nothing is more absurd to my mind than to say one
thing is debtor to another. One is debtor to us and we are debtor
to the other." It is perfectly clear to the writer, however, even
in view of the foregoing enunciation to the contrary, that if things
possess the properties of owing us and being owed by us, on the
same principle they can also owe each other, at least from a book-
keeping standpoint, there being no assignable reason why they
lose their individuality when disconnected from the pronouns we
and us.

We are fully borne out in this conclusion by the following
sensible article on Debtor and Creditor, appearing in an old trea-
tise on Bookkeeping, in which the writer quoted from the Dublin
Review. It is given verbatim.

" He commences by supposing that the merchant commits hi&
affairs to a number of clerks, assigning to each clerk the care of
one particular branch of the business, instead of opening an
account to represent it. Thus he supposes the business of attend-
ing to the receipt, expenditure, and safe-keeping of the merchant's
cash be confided to one clerk, whom we shall call Cash ; that of
superintending the merchandise transactions to another clerk
named Merchandise, etc. These clerks, of course, are representa-
tives of the merchant or other person who employs them. They
are therefore accountable to him for every item of his property
which they receive, and are relieved of this accountability when
they part with the property intrusted them.

Bearing this in mind, let us suppose that goods to the amount

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 37

of $300 are purchased, one half of which is paid in cash, and for
the remaining half the merchant gives his note. The goods when
received are of course delivered to ' Merchandise.' He is account-
able for them. He therefore becomes a debtor. But to whon?
is he debtor ? Undoubtedly ' Cash ' and ' Bills Payable,' because
both of these clerks have made payments on his account, and for
making these payments they have received no consideration.
There can be no difficulty in comprehending this, for the student
know that if he pays money for a friend from his own funds, his
friend becomes a debtor to him for the amount paid, and he of
course is his friend's creditor. Let us look at the other side of
the transaction. ' Cash ' is called upon to pay on behalf of ' Mer-
chandise ' $150. He owes i Merchandise ' nothing, neither has
the latter furnished him with funds with which to make the pay-
ment. ' Cash,' who is accountable for all the money he has on
hand, is relieved of this accountability to the amount of $150.
He is a creditor, and a creditor of c Merchandise.' Hence the
Journal entry of this transaction will be :

MERCHANDISE DR. TO SUNDRIES $300

To Cash $150

To Bills Payable 150

Let us take another transaction. Suppose the merchant sells
goods to the amount of $497, and receives in payment, cash $200
and a note $300, drawn by A in favor of B, due in 60 days after
its receipt. It will be observed here that this note is not worth
$300 until it becomes due. To obtain its present value we must
subtract the discount for 60 days, which is $3. The note is
therefore worth only $297. But the buyer allows the merchant
the discount, or, in other words, pays him $3 over and above
what is due him. This should be borne in mind.

i Merchandise' delivers up goods to the amount of $497. He is
no longer responsible to his employer for that amount of goods.
How is he to show that he has rid himself of this responsibility ?
By crediting himself for that amount. Who are his debtors ?
< Cash ' certainly is a debtor, because lie is responsible for the

38 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

amount ($200) which he has received. He has increased his in-
debtedness to his employer $200. With equal certainty ' Cash ' i&
debtor to ( Merchandise,' because he received the $200 from or
for 'Merchandise' and gave the latter nothing for that amount.
He owes ' Merchandise ' $200. ' Bills Receivable ' also owes the
latter $300 for the same reason. But it is not to ' Merchandise '
that these gentlemen are indebted. Here is a fourth clerk who is
to share in the transaction.

This cleric is called i Profit and Loss.' His duty is to bear the
blame whenever any loss is sustained, and to receive credit for all
sums that are gained in any department of the establishment. Or,
in other words, he is debited for all losses and credited for all
gains. If his employer's pocket be picked, he is accountable for
it ; if a purse be found, he receives the credit for it. But when
it is desired to ascertain the gains or losses in their various forms,
this clerk finds it necessary to perform some of his duties by
deputies.

The deputy who will take charge of his duties in this transac-
tion is ' Discount and Interest.' Of course his duties are the same
as his principal. Hence he is entitled to the credit for $3 that
have been gained in this transaction. ' Cash ' and i Bills Receivable '
are the debtors, because they received the amount which is to be
placed to the credit of 'Discount and Interest.' Hence the Jour-
nal entry of this transaction will be the following :

SUNDRIES DR. TO SUNDRIES.

Cash $200 00

Bills Receivable.. 300 00

$500 00

To Merchandise $497 00

To Discount and Interest. . 3 00

Thus it will be perceived that when the various accounts are
considered as different departments in charge of clerks, repre-
senting the merchant, the propriety of the rules for journalizing
can readily be perceived.

The case is not different when we consider them as they really

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

exist. The account of Merchandise, for example, is responsible
for all it receives ; hence it should be debited for what it receives.

It is relieved of its responsibility to the amount that it gwes^
hence it should be credited for what it gives. . . . He supposes
at the end of the year, or when the books are to be closed, a
new clerk called Balance is appointed, whose duty it is to go
round among the other clerks for the purpose of settling with
them their accounts with the merchant, and of collecting from
them the amounts in which they stand indebted to him. A few
examples will illustrate these remarks.

Let us suppose that the clerk who has charge of Cash account,
has received during the year $2,000, and paid out during the
same time $1,700. When 'Balance' comes round, and desires
kirn to present his account, it' is ascertained that he (Cash) is
accountable for $300. In order, therefore, to close his accounts,
he must deliver to ' Balance,' who is the agent of his employer,
the $300 remaining in his hands. When ' Balance ' receives the
amount, 'Cash' debits 'Balance,' and credits himself for the
amount. Hence the closing entry of ' Cash ' will be 'By Balance,
$300.'

Again, suppose clerk in charge of Merchandise account be re-
quired to settle with Balance. He finds upon examination that
the amount of the Dr. side of his account, or the amount of goods
purchased, is $1,000, and that the amount of Cr. side, or goods
sold, is $400. Upon taking an account of stock, valuing the goods
on hand at cost prices, he finds that the value of goods unsold, for
which he is accountable, is $800. He clears himself of this
accountability by delivering that amount to ' Balance,' debiting
Balance and Crediting himself for the same. Hence on the
Credit side of the account he writes 'By Balance, $800.' But we
are not yet done with this account. It will be observed that Mer-
chandise clerk received goods to the amount of $1,000, and sold
a certain portion of them, which cost $200, thus keeping a balance
of $800 worth on hand. But he sold for $400 the goods which
cost $200. Therefore he sold them at $200 profit. Hence ' Pro-
fit and Loss' must get credit for $200, and Merchandise is Dr. for
that amount. We have before explained the office of ' Profit and
Loss ;' we will merely state, therefore, that in the case before us

40 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

the closing entry on Dr. side will be ' To Profit and Loss, $200.'
Balance must be debited for the amount of goods on hand ($800),
and hence in no other way can the account be made to exhibit a
true statement of affairs than by crediting ' Profit and Loss ' for
the gain.

This will be the more evident when we consider that the Mer-
chandise clerk receives no cash for the goods. The receiving of
money belongs to the Cash Clerk's department. Merchandise
therefore is accountable only for the goods that he has sold, or
for the amount which they cost. The profit on the goods sold is
therefore to be considered in the same light as money that has
been found or received as a gift.

"We will next take for illustration a personal account. We will
suppose that the cleric in charge of Smith, Jones & Co.'s account
be called upon by Balance to settle the same. Upon examining the
account, he finds that during the year the amount of S., J. &
Co.'s debts to him as the agent of his employer to be $2,500, and
the amount of their credits $1,500. The amount still due by
that firm is therefore $1,000. The clerk in charge of the account
is responsible for this amount. He rids himself of the responsi-
bility by delivering his claim upon said firm to ' Balance.' He
must get credit for this transfer; hence, 'Balance' becomes his
debtor, and the account is closed by the following entry : ' By
Balance, $1,000.'

Let us suppose, however, that the account of the same firm
stands thus : amount of debits, $1,500 ; amount of credits, $2,500 ;
leaving the clerk indebted to the firm in the sum of $1,000. The
cleric can settle his account in no other way than by acknowledg-
ing his indebtedness ; hence he becomes Dr. to Balance, arid the
closing entry will be, ' To Balance, $1,000.' We think that the
explanations which we have given, or rather those which we hava
adopted, render the subject sufficiently clear to the student."

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 41

BOOKS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE A SET.

In every well-regulated mercantile business where books are
kept by Double Entry we find four principal records, called CASH
BOOK, SALES BOOK, JOURNAL, and LEDGER ; in addition to which
there are a great many auxiliaries, such as BILLS RECEIVABLE,
BILLS PAYABLE (usually kept within the same covers, one in
front part and the other in the back), CHECK BOOK, PASS BOOK,
RECEIPT BOOK, ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, ORDER BOOKS, etc., every
branch of business suggesting books adapted to its wants peculiafr
to itself.

The CASH BOOK, SALES BOOK, arid JOURNAL are books of original
entry, from each of which we transfer the dates, names, and
.amounts into the LEDGER a process called posting.

We maintain that all the four principal books are indispensable
to convenience for ready reference, each being designed for a
special purpose id est, a record of all facts of a kindred nature.

For small business purposes they might all be combined in one
general record constituting a Ledger of both original and final
'entry serving the purpose of each.

Bookkeepers of limited experience would deem such a book an
ingenious device conveniently adapted to the requirements of any
business. In a business of any magnitude, however, where intricate
transactions are constantly multiplying, the number of books
would more likely be increased than diminished, to undertake to
keep a record of every transaction on one book in such a business
would be, to say the least, a reductio ad absurdum exeunt
" Westlian" theories.

In the following set each of the above-named books has been
described, and a full explanation given of the many current en-
tries therein contained, embracing a great variety of such entries
as have come within the writer's experience during an unintermpt-
ed and successful career as bookkeeper, cashier, correspondent,
.and manager for some of the leading firms in the metropolis, in
almost every branch of business, covering a period of eleven years.

We close the set at the end of the second month, assuming we

42 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

have gone over twelve months in the same way ; that is to say, the
current entries and monthly closing for the next ten months
would be made in the same manner as exemplified in the two
months through which the books have been conducted.

It is perfectly safe to assume that if we can keep the books of
any concern for two months we could keep them as long as the
business continued ; for during the first sixty days we have re-
corded every kind of a transaction that is likely to take place, and
have established a routine for disposing of them, after which it is
mostly repetition during the continuance of the business; the
main features of the mercantile business being buying and selling
goods for cash and on account, making settlements by note and by
draft, discounting paper, etc.

RULE FOR OPENING BOOKS.

Credit each partner by the amount of his investment, and
charge each with the amount of his individual indebtedness to be
assumed and paid by the firm. Men forming a copartnership
and entering into business furnish their bookkeeper with a
statement of their joint effects, showing nature and amount
of each partner's investment from which to form his entries-
The amount of cash invested by each would be placed at their
credit by entering their name on debit side of Cash Book and the
amount opposite in the Sundries column ; all other investments
require entry in the Journal.

As an example, we suppose that two gentlemen, "I. Catchem"
and " U. Cheatem," form a copartnership, each investing $10,000
cash, the former also investing office furniture, counters, shelving,.
etc., inventoried at $900, which would be represented by an
" Office Furniture and Fixtures" account. The latter gentleman
would turn over to the new firm $1,000 worth of goods such a&
they are going to deal in, and which of course would be repre-
sented by "Merchandise" account.

The cash invested by each would be passed to their credit on
Dr. side of Cash Book, as explained above, and the balance of their

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 43

investment would be passed to their credit in the following Jour-
nal entry, viz.:

SUNDRIES DR. TO SUNDRIES.

Office Furniture and Fixtures 900

Merchandise 1,000

To I. Catchem 900

" U. Cheatem 1,000

as per inventory (or Stock Book).

All other investments would be disposed of in the same Journal
entry by charging them to some appropriate name adopted as an
account to represent their value.

"STOCK."*

The Ledger is opened witli partner's Stock or Capital account
on first page, followed by the rest of the accounts as they occur
in the original entry.

RULE FOR CLOSING BOOKS.

Before closing t\\e Ledger we " take stock" and credit Merchan-
dise account, usually in red ink, by Inventory, after which it is
a matter of a very few moments to arrive definitely at the profits
or losses of the business.

All speculative accounts are disposed of first, being closed or
merged into a Profit and Loss account. If the debit side is the

* Probably the most absurd thing peculiar to Commercial Colleges is the per-
tinacity with which they cling to the nonsensical idea of having a "Stock"
account to represent the capital invested by an individual when in business
alone. It is decidedly better to open an account in the name of the proprietor
of any business by which to represent his capital. It would be more intel-
ligible to him, and therefore infinitely more satisfactory. Capital Stock is
properly used to represent amount paid in by stockholders in a corporation.

44 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

greater, we write on the credit side, By Profit and Loss in red
ink, giving the folio of Profit and Loss account, then turn to the
Profit arid Loss account and write on the debit side in black ink

To whatever account has been thus closed, giving the folio

on which the account is found in the Ledger. If the credit
side is the greater, we write on the debit side To Profit and Loss
in red ink, giving Profit and Loss folio as before ; then turn to the
Profit and Loss account and write, in black ink, By what-
ever accounts have been thus closed, giving their Ledger folio as
before. This does away with the nonsensical operation of making
Journal entries for closing such accounts, as is practised by nine
tenths of the bookkeepers throughout the land.

If the debit side of Profit and Loss account is the greater, the

balance will show net loss, and is closed in red ink By ,

giving each partner's name and folio and pro rata of the loss.

If the credit side of the Profit and Loss account is the greater

the difference will show net gain, and is closed in red ink, To ,

giving each partner's name, folio, and pro rata of gain. The total
amount of pro rata gain or loss will balance the Profit and Loss
account, which is then closed with red lines (see remarks on Rul-
ing Ledger accounts, page 56). We then turn to each partner's
Stock account (assuming the Personal and Stock account are both
kept under the same heading), and write in red ink on debit side,
in case of loss, To Profit and Loss, giving the folio of Profit and
Loss account and the amount of his pro rata of loss ; in case of gain,
-we write in red ink, on credit side, By Profit and Loss, giving
folio and pro rata as before.

If the partners' Personal accounts are kept apart from their
Capital accounts the Profit and Loss account would be closed
into the former, which would then be closed into the latter by
the same process.

We then close the partners' Stock accounts, in red ink, To
Balance, whatever the difference is between the debit and credit
side, which will represent their net capital. If the debit side
should be the greater, which is hardly presumable, we close it
By Balance, which will represent their net insolvency.

All accounts now remaining open on the Ledger will represent
either Resources or Liabilities. All those in which there is a

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 45

debit balance will represent Resources, and are closed in red ink,
By Balance, whatever the difference is between the debit
and credit side. All those in which there is a credit balance will"
represent Liabilities, and are closed, in red ink, To Balance,
for the difference between the two sides. The difference be-
tween total amount of Resources and total amount of Liabilities
must agree with the sum total of differences in the partners' Capi-
tal accounts. If the Resources are the greater, the difference
will represent the firm's net capital, which is composed of the
partners' net capital as indicated by their Stock accounts. If the
Liabilities are the greater, the excess will represent the firm's net
insolvency, and will show overdraft in the capital account.

It is of vital importance to the interests of all parties concerned
in any business to know how to close books correctly, adjusting
the profits or losses, showing resources and liabilities, net worth or
insolvency.

RULE FOR REOPENING BOOKS.

Bring down the balance on the opposite side to where it ap-
pears in red ink, as a closing entry, in the partners' stock accounts,
all Personal and Representative accounts, also the Inventory in
the Merchandise and other accounts of dual nature. If there is
not likely to be enough space left in the old Ledger to last until
the next closing, the balance in each account to be reopened will
be transferred to a new Ledger. As fast as the books of the old
set are used up they are replaced with new ones ; hence it be-
comes necessary to have a serial number or letter to show which
set each book belongs to, so they can easily be identified when it
becomes necessary to refer to them. The books of the first set
would be marked Ledger A, Cash Book A, Journal A, and Sales
Book A, and the next book of either name would be marked B,
and so on, as new books were needed.

In closing Ledger A for the last time we say To (or By)
Balance to Ledger B giving the folio on Ledger B to which
the balance has been transferred, and on Ledger B we say To*

46 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

(or By) Balance from Ledger A giving the folio on Ledger
A from which the balance was brought.

HOW TO REFER TO ACCOUNTS IN THE LED-
GER READILY WITHOUT THE INDEX.

Ledger B would be opened from the last Trial Balance ; in
opening which, therefore, we know how many accounts we have
to transfer ; if a great many, we arrange them alphabetically,
leaving several pages after each letter of the alphabet for all new
names that may be introduced beginning with same initial letter.
This arrangement will enable us to refer to them readily without
using the index, and soon be able to locate on the Ledger from
memory each account within a few pages, greatly facilitating our
posting. It is by this method that Bank Bookkeepers, who often
have several thousand accounts on their Ledger, are able to post
so rapidly, and find the account on the Ledger in the same time
it would require to find it in the Index.

CHANGING SINGLE INTO DOUBLE ENTRY.

The difference between single entry and double entry is, the
former affects only one account, which is that of a person, and
which may be either a debtor or a creditor, and in the latter, two
or more accounts must be affected, which may be either that of a
person, property, or percentage, part debtors and part creditors.

To rearrange single entry books on the double entry plan,
they must first be closed, and the profit or the loss up to that
time adjusted according to the following

FOURTEEN RULES.

1st. Take stock, that is, make an inventory which will include
all the property of the business.

2nd. Draw off list of names of everybody owing the firm, and
the amount according to the old Ledger.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 47

3rd. Make out a list of other people's notes on hand, as per
Bill Book, if one has been kept, otherwise from the notes them-
selves ; if from the Bill Book, verify it any way by the notes

4th. See how much cash there is on hand, including money
in Bank and in the drawer. Add the four results together.

5th. Draw off a list of the names of everybody the firm
owes, and the amount according to the old Ledger, and bills not
entered.

6th. Make out a list of the firm's notes outstanding, as per
Bills Payable Book. Add the two results together.

7th. To make a long story short, find out the firm's assets ac-
cording to first four rules, and the firm's liabilities according to
the 5th and 6th rules, and find the difference between the two
results.

8th. If the resources are the greater, it will show the firm's
present net capital; and if the liabilities are the greater, it will
show the firm's net insolvency.

9th. Deduct from the amount of original (and subsequent in-
vestments.if there have been any), the amount drawn out, which the
Ledger will show in the account of each member of the firm, and
deduct this net result from foe firm's present net capital, and that
will show their net gain, which divide according to co-partnership
agreements. If their present net captial should be less than that
which remains of original capital, the difference will show net
loss, which must be charged to each partner according to agree-
ment.

10th. If either or all drew out more than he or they invested,
the overdraft must be added to the firm's assets, which will in-
crease their net gain, or diminish their net loss, as the case may
be.

llth. Add what each one has made to his original capital, and
deduct therefrom the amount he has withdrawn, or add what he
has lost to amount drawn out, and deduct it from original capital,
and that will show how much he has remaining in the business,
and his net capital for the double entry Ledger.

12th. Make the following journal entries of Fourth Form in
case of two (or more) partners.

48 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Sundries Dr. To Sundries
Accounts Receivable (as per old Ledger)
Bills Receivable (as per Bill Book)
Cash (as per Cash Book)

Mdse. (as per Inventory)

Office Furniture (as per Inventory)

To (Senior partner's name)

" (Junior " " )

Each partner's credit will be his pro rata of the total assets,,
which will be ascertained by multiplying the total assets by his
net capital, as per rule llth, and dividing the product thus ob-
tained by the total capital of both partners.

Sundries Dr. To Sundries.

(Senior's Name)

(Junior's Name)

To Accounts Payable (see old Ledger)
" Bills Payable (see Bill Book)

Each partner's debit will be \\ispro rata of the total liabilities,,
which will be determined by multiplying the total liabilities by
each one's net capital, and dividing the product thus obtained by
their joint net capital. The difference between the total debit and
the total credit of the partners' account will agree with the result
reached by rule 8th (or 9th, as the case may be).

13th.* Open Cash Book by entering on the debit side To
Balance, placing the figures in the amount column, so they will
not be posted from this book.

14th. Bring down the balances in the personal accounts ac-
cording to RULES FOR REOPENING BOOKS on page 45. Open an ac-
count for Bills Receivable, and one for Bills Payable, charging
the former and crediting the latter from the Journal entries.
Open accounts for Office Furniture, Cash, and Merchandise,.
all of which charge also. If the Inventory includes horses and
wagons used in carrying on the business, open an account, called
Horse and Wagon if only a few of either, but if many of each,
have two accounts, one Live Stock, and one Rolling Stock. If
the Inventory includes houses and lots, open Real Estate account
same way for any different kind of property, all of which new ac-
counts would appear in the first Journal entry under Sundries.
Debtor.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 49

It is surprising to know to what extent Single Entry bookkeep-
ing is practised even in houses doing a large business, because
business men themselves are ignorant of the superiority of Double
Entry, and therefore permit their bookkeepers to go stumbling
on from year to year making innumerable mistakes, many of
which are never discovered, and eventually guessing (it cannot be
considered otherwise than as guessing) at a final result.

In Double Entry we guess ^absolutely nothing, but know defi-
nitely what we are doing. All mistakes that have been made
during each month will be detected on getting off the Trail Bal-
ance, and must be rectified before going ahead with the posting
of a new month.

RULES FOR DETECTING ERRORS IN TRIAL

BALANCE.

1. Go over the additions of the Trial Balance, assuring your-
self they are correct.

2. Ascertain the exact difference and look casually through the
books of original entry for all amounts similar to the amount of
error, seeing that they have been posted on both debit and credit
side of the Ledger.

3. Examine the addition of the outside column in the Sales
Book, observing that the footing has been posted on the credit
side of the merchandise account in the Ledger.

4. Examine the Journal entries to see that each entry balances.

5. See if you have transferred the amounts correctly from the
Ledger to the Trial Balance, going carefully over the footings of
each account in the Ledger and taking the difference.

6. Check the posting ; that is, see if the amounts have all been
transferred correctly from each of the books of original entry into
the Ledger.

7. Go over the Ledger accounts again and see if each amount
on both debit and credit side has been checked. Those not checked
have been posted erroneously and will doubtless prove to be thq
amount of difference in your Trial Balance.

If the error is not found after going over the seven rules,

50 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

with rule 1 and go over them again and again until you have
found it.

RULES FOR MAKING "BALANCE SHEET."

A Balance Sheet is a iinal exhibit showing gains or losses, assets
and liabilities, net capital or insolvency.

1. Rule the three horizontal lines at the top of the sheet in
red ink, two double and one single.

2. Rule the perpendicular lines forming two columns for Trial
Balance, extending over one line for each partner's stock and per-
sonal accounts, one line for each speculative and representative
account, one line each for total accounts receivable and total ac-
counts payable, and one for the footing.

3. Rule the column for inventory, terminating on same line
with Trial Balance column.

4:. Rule two columns for Profit and Loss, extending as many
lines below the inventory footing as there are partners, including
one line each for total gains and total losses ; also one for the foot-
ing.

5. Rule two columns for each partner, the first two extending
two lines below the last footing, one being for net capital and the
other for the footing; the next two columns extending two
lines below the last footing, for the same reason ; and so on with
each succeeding partner's column.

6. Rule two columns for the balances, extending as many lines
below the footing of last column as the Profit and Loss columns
extend below the footing of the Inventory column, one line being
for total assets and one for total liabilities, and one for each part-
ner's capital, and one for the final footing. See page 116.

RULE FOR THE USE OF RED INK.

There is nothing arbitrary in the use of red ink ; it can be used
or dispensed with at the option of the bookkeeper. Good taste,
however, requires that it should be used in making all closing

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 51

entries, ruling, all reference to transferring amounts to or from
another page, crediting merchandise l>y inventory, crediting
partners with gain or charging them with loss.

Books should be kept neatly and artistically as well as correctly.
There is nothing more enhancing to the beauty of a set of books
than proper distribution of red ink ; while there are many book-
keepers who do not use it at all, there are others who use it too
profusely : in neither case will their books compare in beauty
with those governed by the foregoing rules.

A single red line separates things that are related ; a double red
line separates things not related, and indicates they go no further.

CASH BOOK.

If one book be of more importance than another, the Cash Book
should have the precedence, being not only a record in detail of
all money handled by the firm, but also a Ledger account of the
Cash, as it were.

This book has a special ruling peculiar to itself, with spaces
and columns designed to show certain facts.

THE DEBIT SIDE

shows amount of Cash received, date of receipt, who received
from, and what received for ; the first column on the left being
for date, first space after date being for Ledger accounts which
are to be credited by Cash ; the next space is for explanations or
particulars of the transaction, which should never extend beyond
the bounds on either side.

The columns for amounts should each be headed with the
name of accounts they represent, or show the purpose for which
each is designed.

THE CREDIT SIDE

shows the amount of cash paid out, to whom or for what account,
and for what purpose it was paid ; also date of payment, with
spaces same as on debit side. In posting from the Cash Book
we post only the amounts found in the Sundries columns, and

52 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

the footings of the Special columns. Cash Debtor (or Dr. Cash)
being written at the top of page on left-hand side is read or under-
stood in connection with every name appearing on that side in the

space for Ledger accounts. We then say, Cash being debtor to ,

whatever account follows, the Contra is, that account in the Led-
ger must be credited according to the law of Double Entry (page
29). Cash being posted, as it were, in the Cash Book, which re-
presents the Ledger Cash account, we consider only half the entry
or the credit account in posting.

On the other side, Cash Or. being written at the top of the
page is read or understood in connection with every name ap-
pearing on that side in the space designed for Ledger accounts
that are to be debited in posting, and which alone are considered
in posting, Cash Or, being already posted, as it were, in the Cash
Book representing, as we have seen, the Ledger account of Cash.

In posting from the Cash Book, therefore, we post only half
the entry on either side, observing the date of entry and amounts,
studiously avoiding the explanations, thereby preventing confu-
sion. *

SPECIAL COLUMNS.

The object of Special columns is to economize time and labor in
posting ; the more Special columns we have the less posting will
have to be done. The number of such columns will be deter-
mined by the number of very active accounts.

A Merchandise column is introduced in our miniature Cash
Book (page 64), because we are supposed to be making cash sales
daily, the amount of which if carried into the Sundries column
would necessitate posting one item daily in the Merchandise ac-
count, but by entering it in a special column we are enabled to
post many items in one amount in the footing of that column.
The Expense column is introduced on the credit side for the same
reason and managed in the same way. The Discount column
on debit side of miniature Cash Book represents all discounts
allowed by our firm for money received before maturity of the
amount, and is posted in connection with the cash item on the cre-
dit side of the account in the Ledger; the footing of the column
at the end of the month is posted on the debit side of Discount

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW G^ BOOKKEEPING. 53

in the Ledger, thereby constituting the double entry. We also have
a Discount column on the credit side representing discounts allowed
us for prepayment of accounts, and each item is posted in con-
nection with the cash item opposite to the debit side of the account
in the Ledger, the footing being posted at the end of the month
on the credit side of Discount in the Ledger, thereby constitut-
ing the double entry for the various debits of discount during the
month.

The Discount columns on either side of Cash Book do not repre-
sent any part of the cash, and therefore do not enter into the
operation of balancing the cash either daily or monthly.

TWO CASH BOOKS UNNECESSARY.

It is a custom in many houses to keep two Cash Books, one
called Petty Cash, representing all money received and paid out
daily, including amount deposited in bank. This book is balanced
and closed every evening, the balance representing the amount of
money in the safe or cash-drawer.

The bookkeeper at his leisure transcribes the matter from daily
Cash Book, omitting money deposited, into a larger book called
GENERAL CASH BOOK, usually with more regard for neatness than
is bestowed on Petty Cash Book, which is balanced and closed only
at the end of the month, the balance representing the amount of
money in the bank, including the amount in cash-drawer. The
object of the monthly closing is to get the monthly results for
the purpose of transferring them to the Ledger. The Petty Cash
Book is superfluous, and can easily be dispensed with by ruling
two extra columns, one on each side of the GENERAL CASH BOOK,
into which the result of each day's transactions are extended, the
extra columns only being balanced and closed, leaving the main
columns, representing monthly cash, open, to be closed at the end
of the month.

By combining the two books in one, we obviate writing the
same matter twice, saving time and labor and the expense of an
extra book. It will not be necessary to close the extra columns

54 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

daily, unless a sufficient number of transactions have taken place
to justify the operation. Where there are but few entries on
either side, closing every other day, or even once a wee*k, will be
sufficient. The casli should be proven daily, however.

SALES BOOK.

This book should contain a record of all goods sold on credit,
or on account, first giving the name of customer, terms of sale,
and address, followed by an itemized account of the sale.

The outside column is footed up daily on each page of the Sales
Book, and the amount carried forward to the next page ; and so on
to the end of the month, when the final footing, representing total
sales for the month, will be posted on the credit side of the Mer-
chandise account in the Ledger, thereby constituting the double
entry for all the debits that have been made during the month in
the several customers' accounts. This book is kept by the entry-
clerk, and making the charges thereon is called entering goods.
The bills we render must be exact duplicates of the entry on Sales
Book. No bill should be made out first and copied on Sales Book,
but entered on Sales Book first.

All entries on the Sales Book are charges or debits in the indi-
vidual amounts, and a credit for the same amounts collectively at
the end of the month. In making our entries on Sales Book, we
begin by writing the customer's name, not by saying " We have

this day sold to the following goods, to wit," as the very fact of

the entry being made on this book is evidence that " we have this
day sold," etc. ; introductory remarks of this kind being peculiar
to the old-fashion Day Book.

JOURNAL.

A book of original entry containing a record of all transactions
that cannot properly be entered in Cash Book or Sales Book, such
as purchases on account, allowances for damages or goods re-
turned, settlements by note, loss by failure or otherwise, interest

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 55

charges and credits, transferring from one account to another,
et ccetera.

If we should receive invoices daily from any concern,~~we
would keep them on file until the end of each week, and enter
them in one amount instead of entering them daily. We would
enter date and amount of each in the Journal within the space
for descriptive matter, but extend the total amount only into the
Credit column, whereby we would have but one amount to post
each week instead of six amounts.

Another way is to rule special columns in the Journal for the
most active accounts, and post only the footing, which would be
still greater saving of time and labor in posting.

LEDGER.

The Ledger is a book of final entry and general reference in
fact, the BOOK OF BOOKS in every business ; it is the general re-
ceptacle for the main facts connected with each entry through-
out all books of original entry, and contains nothing but matter
supplied through the channel of posting.

It would be decidedly irregular, and probably fatal to a bal-
ance, the proof of Double Entry, to make an entry in the Led-
ger before it had been previously recorded in one of the books of
original entry. If we desire to know how mucli any one owes
us, how much we owe any one, or the general standing of any
account, we first refer to the account in the Ledger, take the dif-
ference between the debit and credit side, then look carefully
through all books of original entry for items that may have
been entered since posting, and consider them as if posted. The
Ledger is closed annually or semi-annually, or as often as we de-
sire to know if we have made or lost, or how we stand. If a
new partner is admitted into the firm the Ledger will have to
be closed, and the profits or losses up to that time adjusted ibe<-
tween the former members of the firm. ,".

The period of time between each closing of the Ledger is
called a season. A Ledger account should never be closed by

56 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

underlining during the season, unless it be discontinued not
even when it balances by a concurrence of regular entries, as
claimed by some theorists ; nor at bottom of the page, when it
becomes necessary to transfer it to another page, as claimed by
many others : in the latter case, both debit and credit side should
be footed up, and the amount of each, not the difference between
the two, transferred to the new page. We can then see at a glance
what amount of business is represented by any account during
the season a fact often necessary to know in settling with sales-
men who sell on commission, or in paying a rebate or drawback
to a customer.

RULING THE LEDGER.

The peculiar form of the Ledger gives it three distinct sets or
groups of perpendicular red lines. On the extreme left of each
page there are two spaces and two lines for date of debit entries,
followed by a wider space for descriptive matter. In the middle
of the page there are live spaces and six lines which constitute
the main group : the first space is for folio of book of original
entry, next two spaces are for amount of debit in dollars and
cents, the next two spaces are for the month and day on which
the credit entries are made.

On the extreme right of each page there are three spaces and
three lines : first space is for folio of books of original entry, the
remaining two spaces are for amount of credit in dollars and
cents. It requires two columns, always, for dates and two for
amounts ; the difference between the two is, amounts are enclosed
by double red lines and dates by single red lines.

In ruling Ledger accounts we always begin on that side on
which the entries extend farthest down the page. Draw a
single red line across amount column, close to the figures on that
side, also across amount column on same line on the opposite side,
and if there is the space of half a dozen lines or more on the oppo-
site side, not used, we also draw on same line a single red line
across the column for days on that side, as a basis from which to
rule an oblique red line terminating, on last line used, at the folio

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 57

column on that side the object of the oblique line being to
prevent the insertion of other amounts and to give the book a
neat, business-like finish. We then draw a single red line across
each group on the next line, doubling it, by drawing an extra
short line, under the amounts only. The oblique line should
never terminate, on this line, as is customary with nine tenths of
bookkeepers, as it makes the angle too acute to look well.

Never rule on a line where there is writing, nor write be-
tween lines interline when it can be avoided by use of the
next line.

CHECK BOOK.

All transactions with the Bank are recorded in the Check
Book which has no connection with the Ledger.

Money deposited in Bank is not paid out, but is regarded as
money on hand, the Bank representing another department of
our cash-drawer, as it were. No entry is made in the Cash Book
of deposits in Bank, but on the stub of Check Book we enter
date of deposit, items composing it, and amount. It is not neces-
sary to enter on stub of Check Book the name of the party from
whom the check was received, as the Cash Book shows that fact;
it is strange that nine bookkeepers out of ten enter the name
of every check on Check Book, thereby giving themselves
twice the work without accomplishing any object whatever.
We add the amount of each deposit to the last balance in
Bank at time of making it, and deduct amount of each check
immediately after drawing it not wait until all the checks on
that page are drawn, and deduct the total. We can then see at
a glance what our balance is in bank subject to draft.

The stub of Check Book from which each check is detached
should show to whom the check was given, for what account,
amount, number and date of check, and should be filled in with
these facts before drawing check.

If a check is made payable to a personal order, that person
will have to be identified at the Bank before he can draw the
money ; he can negotiate it, however, by endorsing it. If made

58 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

payable to Bearer, Currency, or Cash, anybody presenting it
would receive the money thereon. If such a check be lost,
therefore, the payment can be stopped by reporting the facts to
the paying teller at Bank, provided you make the discovery in
time to get to the Bank before the check has been presented and
paid.

When a check is certified, it is charged to account of the party
who draws it, and the amount held by the Bank until the certified
check is presented.

If the party decide not to use the check after having it certi-
fied, the amount will be restored to their credit in the form of a
deposit, the certified check being returned to the Bank for can-
cellation.

The Bank Book described below is an exact counterpart of
Check Book, the latter being our version and the former Bank's
statement of the same facts.

BANK BOOK.

This is a small pass-book handed in to the receiving teller at
the Bank with each deposit, and returned to us by him after he
enters therein the date and amount of deposit, also his initial,
thereby constituting our receipt against the Bank for that amount
of money. This book should be left with the Bank on the last
day of each month to be balanced, when returned to us, we make
a recapitulation in red ink on stub of our Check Book, accounting
for the difference that always exists between our balance as indi-
cated on stub of Check Book and the Bank balance as per pass-
book ; the latter, as a rule, always being the greater, inasmuch as
we have likely drawn and deducted from our balance many
checks that have never been presented at the bank, and therefore
not paid and charged to our account. If the amount of checks
thus shown to be outstanding will not equal the difference be-
tween our account and Bank account, the difference must be fer-
reted out and the two accounts made to agree.

The first step in that direction is to arrange in numerical order

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 59

tke vouchers (checks paid and cancelled) returned to us. When
there is one missing we refer to the number on stub of Check
Book corresponding to the missing number, and if not marked"
void, we make a memorandum on a piece of paper, which will be
called correction sheet for reference hereafter, showing the number
of check and amount opposite ; proceed in the same way until all
the vouchers have been thus gone through, which will show all
the checks outstanding and deducted from our balance up to the
last deposit by which the Bankers gave us credit before reaching
their balance.

2. Then go over the vouchers again, comparing the amount of
each with the amount on Check Book according to number, check-
ing the latter amount with colored pencil (blue or red) until all
the vouchers have been thus examined ; any discrepancy arising
between the vouchers and stub will be noted (added or sub-
tracted) on correction sheet.

3. Go through the vouchers again, and check on Pass Book
any amount corresponding with amount on each voucher until all
the vouchers are exhausted a second time ; then look carefully
through Pass Book to see if any amount remains unchecked : if so,
all such amounts are noted on correction sheet.

4. Compare entries of deposit on left-hand side of Pass Book
to our entry of the same deposit on stub of Check Book : any dif-
ference arising between the two amounts will also be noted on
correction sheet.

5. Examine each operation of addition and subtraction on stub
of Check Book, noting on correction sheet any errors discov-
ered by this examination. The result of net difference on correc-
tion sheet added to our balance will agree with the Bank balance.
Our Recapitulation on Check Book will consist of checks out-
standing, and all errors discovered according to correction sheet,
which will be added to or deducted from our last balance as the
case may be and entered on Cash Book so as not to interfere with
balancing the cash or the next balance of the Bank account,
at which time many of the checks shown to be outstanding by
recapitulation will come in with next vouchers ; those still out-
standing will appear in the next recapitulation.

6. If, in the first place, our difference should be $50, $100,

60 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

or any even amount that has occurred frequently during the
month, we might locate the error without checking in the manner
indicated, by counting the number of such items charged on Pass
Book; also the number of vouchers of equal amounts: if more
items of any amount are found on Pass Book than we have vouch,
ers for, it will probably locate the difference at once. We require
a voucher for the missing item, or for any item not checked
according to 3d rule. If, however, we find a voucher for every
item, we then count the same kind of items on stub of Check
Book ; and if there are more items found on Check Book than are
found on Pass Book we will also find the excess of items not
checked with colored pencil on stub of Check Book which would
be another way of readily locating our difference.

RECEIPT BOOK.

It is customary to take a receipt in this book for all payments ;
it is only necessary, however, to require a receipt for payments
made in currency, or by checks payable to bearer, as all checks to
order of those we desire to pay must be indorsed by the party
before negotiating them, and when thus indorsed and paid by our
Bank they are returned to us as vouchers, constituting the party's
receipt for the money also.

BILLS PAYABLE BOOK.

This is an important auxiliary or extra memorandum, peculiarly
ruled to show certain facts connected with notes we have given,
such as Date of note. In whose favor, Where payable, Time
to run, When due, Amounts, and Remarks ; any other facts,
such as Number of note and For what account, usually found
on ready-made books, being superfluous, as we never have occasion
to refer to the number of a note or for what account it was given.

After giving out our note we charge the proper account through
the Journal, then enter it in Bills Payable Book, according to the
facts indicated bv the headings of the several columns.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 61

The difference between the debit and credit side of Bills Paya-
ble account in the Ledger must agree with the total amount o^all
items on Bills Payable Book against which there are no remarks.

BILLS RECEIVABLE BOOK.

This Is also an important auxiliary, kept according to no par-
ticular system, nor having any connection with any other book,
being designed to show Date of note, By whom drawn, Where
payable, Time to run, When due, Amounts and Remarks j differ-
ing from Bills Payable only in having By whom drawn substi-
tuted for In whose favor : the same superfluous columns are com-
mon to both books. Upon receipt of another party's note we
pass it to their credit through the Journal, then enter it in Bills
Receivable Book according to the headings of the several col-
umns, and whenever negotiated or paid we make a note of it in
the Remark column. The difference between the debit and
credit side of Bills Receivable account in the Ledger must agree
with the total of all items against which there are no remarks on
the Bills Receivable Book.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE BOOK.

This very simple but highly important book in every business
seems to have been wholly unknown to all other writers on the
subject, many of whom evidently never had any business experi-
ence in keeping books, but who write altogether from a theoreti-
cal standpoint, rehashing what they have read about bookkeeping
with slight change and variation.

Nowhere throughout the copious pages that have been written
on the science of Double Entry bookkeeping, which have passed
under the writer's observation, has any reference ever been made
to a Book of Accounts Receivable.

Next to Bills Receivable and Bills Payable, this is the most
important auxiliary.

The financier or managing partner of every business has more

62 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

frequent recourse to this book than to any other. It enables him
to anticipate his dues with mathematical precision for every day
during the month, or for every indebtedness that has been con-
tracted. He can see at a glance what accounts are also past due
and how far past due, and to a certain extent govern his credits
thereby ; that is to say, any customer who has not paid promptly
will not be entitled to the same line of credit without a satisfac-
tory explanation or settlement of past-due bills.

The Accounts Receivable Book is of diary form, half a page or
more being set apart for each day, the entries therein being made
under date of maturity and copied from the Sales Book daily.

When a settlement has been made and entered in the proper
book it is marked off this book by drawing a red line through the
amount, or by writing opposite the amount paid, giving date of
payment. See miniature Accounts Receivable Book, page 130.

INVOICE BOOK.

Formerly this book, in form and ruling like the Sales Book,
was regarded as a book of original entry, into which was copied
all invoices of goods bought ; latterly it has degenerated into a
large-size scrap-book of manilla paper, without ruling, into which
is pasted the original invoice serving the same purpose and obviat-
ing all possibility of erring in an unnecessary transfer.

In fact, the Invoice Book is more cumbersome than useful, and
should be thrown aside as rubbish, except in a large business where
goods are bought from many firms, in which case it might be
regarded as a convenient method of filing invoices for ready refer-
ence if supplied with an index.

If we buy goods from but few houses we pass their invoices to
their credit through the Journal, then fold them in uniform size,
and write across one end the name, date, and amount of each,
which is called "filing," then put them away in a pigeon-hole in
the desk or cabinet made for that purpose : they are then said to
be " on file" or " pigeon-holed."

If deemed necessary and expedient to use the Invoice Book,
treat it as the counterpart of the Sales Book, posting the amount
of each bill on the credit side of the account, and the final footing
on the debit side of the Mdse. account.

A COMMON SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 63

THE SIMPLE VERSUS THE INTRICATE.

The object of debiting and crediting accounts is the same now as
it was with the origin of double entry, but the manner of doing it is
different, and the reason assigned for so doing is as much more lucid
now than the old fogy ism of half a century ago as the brightness of
the noonday sun is more resplendent than the mild effulgence of
lunar light.

The burden of the legendary song then was " Journalize every-
thing," a rule more honored in the breach than the observance.
This old humdrum tune is fast dying out, however, and will soon be
as echoless as footfalls upon the boundaries of another world.

This book sounds the key-note to a new school-lullaby, as it were,
Journalize nothing, sweet cadence of a new anthem resonant with
common sense.

After learning our classification of accounts on page 28, the sim-
plicity of our eight short rules on page 29 must be apparent to all
when compared with the following unique but intricate rules copied
from a stray leaf from an old work on bookkeeping, which we give
verbatim et exem.plum, and which are better calculated to confuse
and bewilder than they are to enlighten and make easy:

When property of any description

enters || goes out
it is first carried to the

Debit || Credit

of the account which represents it. If the person who
gives value || receives value

has not
received, || given,

or is not to
receive || give
hereafter, an equivalent for it, this person cannot be

credited || debited
since he does not remain a

creditor; || debtor;
but in double entry it is necessary to oppose to the

debtor || creditor
item in every account, a
creditor; || debtor;
we therefore substitute a nominal or impersonal

creditor, || debtor,

which takes the title most proper to point out
the nature and origin of the transaction.

Dr.

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

CASH.

Folio.

Discount. Mdse. Sunds. Ami.

1885.

Jan

To P. A. Wright. ..

Amount invested

$1 000

" T P. Noble .

1000

$2000

-""

2,000

~00~

To Balance

1,718

* Mdse

Retail sales

$25

" Miller Bros
" Mdse

Bill Jan. 1, $134.85
Retail sales

126

126
62

76
50

1,908

~oT

To Balance

1,399

" Bills receivable.

Discounted at 1st

National Bank,

@ 6*, the fol-

lowing notes:

J. C. B. & Co.,

$131.76; W.C.B.
& Co., $195.85-

$327.61. Dis. un-

expired time. . .

323

" Mdse

Retail sales

1,764

To Balance

1,267

44 Mdse

Retail sales ... .

" Bills payable...

Discounted at 1st
National Bank,

our note of this

date at 45 days,
$500, at 6#

496

Mdse

Retail sales

1.856

To Balance

808

14 Mdse

Retail sales...

"JO Brown &Co

Bill this date

Amounts carrie

i forward

234

2.959

858

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

CASH.

Folio,

Discount. Expense. Sunds.

Or.

Amt.

1885.
Jan.

2
3

By office furniture.
" Expense ....

Safe, $15ty desk,
$37.50; chairs,
$12; clock, $13;
letter - press,
$7.50; stove and
fixtures, $25...
One set of books.
Letter-heads

7
3

00
50
50

$245

36
1,718

" Balance

Bill-heads

Pens, $1.50; Ink,
$1.25; pencils,
50c

Bank, $1,500;
drawer, $218.75.

500

2,000

By E. H. E. Wright
& Co

On a/c ck

500

8
1,399

75
9lfi

" Expense.

Ton of coal

5
3

50
00

" Balance

Labor housing
coal

Postage

Bank, $1,000; ck.,
$126.76; draw-
er, $272.50

$30

'66'
25

470
25

00
00

1,908

5
10

ByEarlington&Co
" Expense

" J. Edw. Forth..
" Expense

" Balance

Bill, Jan. 1, $500.
Postal Cards
Telegram . .

495
1
1,267

87
72

On a/c

Car fare

Expressage

....

20
40

Bank, $980.22;
drawer, $287.65.

00
00

'66'

75
50

1,000

' ' 12
20

1,764

10
4

By Expense

" J.Virgil Wright.
" E. H. E. Wright
&Co

Expressage, pp. .

6
1,042

808

00
17

Telegram to Chi-
caero

On a/c

Ck. on a/c, $500;
Thos. Jackson,
$300; K.C.Wil-
son, $200

" Expense

" P.A.Wright....
" T. P. Noble
" Balance

Car fare

20
50
50

Freight fromCin.
Scrubbing ......

J C bill on file

To self

Bank, $476.47;
drawer. $331.70.

50'
25

100
2,382

1,856

ByMdse

" Expense

J. K. P., bill on

file

100

00
75

1 doz pencils

Amounts carrie

Mucilage

d forward

100

Dr.

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

CASH.

Folio.

Discount. Mdse. Sunds. Amis.

1885.
Jan.

31
1/31

To Amts. brought
Mdse

forward

$15

$234
42

50
50

$2,959

$858
42

67
50

Retail sales

901

499

100
63

40
25

" Miller Bros

" W. C. Browning
&Co

Bill, 5th inst.,
$76.80; less ex-
change 25c . .

76
23

Bill, 5th inst., $24;
less exchange,
l.'c

" Mdse

Retail sales

662

7
11
11

To Balance

578

88
45

66
00

~53~

" Davis & Co

" Wm. French.. . .
" James Elston..
" Mdse

Bill, 5th inst.,
$57.90
Bill 30th inst

55
18
15

01
25
40

" 30th "

Retail sales

00
25

385

712

9
3
2

Disct. Dr. to Sunds.
Cash " Mdse .
Cash " Sunds.

Total cash disct..
" retail sales.
" receipts

3,533

sTsli"

^8~

385

3,533

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

Folio.

CASH. Cr.

Discount. Expense. Sunds. Amis.

1885.
Jan.

9
10
31

1/31

By Amounts broug

" E. H. E. Wright
&Co

ht forward
On a/c

$30

$54

$2,382
300

00
00

$100
300

1
499

75
00

20
22

" Expense
" Balance

Blotters

25
75
20

1 qt ink

Car fare

Bank, $476.47;
drawer, $22.75..

00
50

901

11
11

10
10

9
3

By Johnson & Co. .
" Lindsay & Co..
" Expense

" Balance

Bill, 2d inst. ; $50.
" " $25.
Porter, one week
Office boy. one
week . .

578

10
3

00
50

Bank, $576.87;
drawer, $2

120

15
20

00
00

662

63
53

15
63

By Martin & Brown
" Expense

Bill, 29th inst.,
$130; less 1%
prompt cash. . .
Ad. for boy, in
Herald

155

527

" J. Edw. Forth..
" J.Virgil Wright
" Expense

" Balance

On a/c

Porter, one week
Office boy, one
week

10
3

9
4

50
25

Expressage, pp.
Cartage bill on
file

Gas bill

Bank, $455.97;
drawer, $71.66..

712

Sunds. Dr. to Disc..
Expense " Cash.

Sunds. " Cash.
Balance

Total cash dis.. .
Total cash ex-
pense

3,006
527

Total disburse
ments

3,006

Carried to Feb. 2.

3,533

Dr.

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

CASH.

Folio.

Discount. Mdse. Sunds. Ami*.

1885.
Feb

To Balance from

Jan. 31

$527

fit

" Bills receivable.
" Mdse

Discounted at 1st
National Bank
Davis & Co.'s
note, due May
16, $376.20, @,
6& 103 days....
Retail sales

$369

14 it

4( 44

tt 44

41 44

" Miller & Bros.
*' Mdse

Bill, Jan. 29,
$190.40
Retail sales

178

548
207

1,283

To Balance

" Bills payable...

Discounted at 1st
National Bank
our note, 30
days, $500, @

497

" Mdse

Retail sales

" Bills receivable.

Miller Bros. 'note,
due 13th, de-

" Mdse

" Miller & Bros . .

Compromised at

50* $78 80

" Bills receivable.

Received from
W. C. B. & Co.,
to be applied
in payment of
their note, due
May 4 , for
$211 22

100

714

882

1/28

9
p

Disct. Dr. to Sunds.
Cash " Mdse

Total cash Disct.
" retail sales

299

, 44 Q ,

1 562

Jan 31

527

2.090

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

Folio.

CASH. Or.

Discount. Expense. Sunds. Amts.

1885.
Feb.

3
4

5
6

9
14

1/28

10
8

11
10

By Mdse

J. K. P., bill on
file

$50

25
500

95
15

500

00
00

$22
1,185

15
00

" Expense

" J. Ed w. Forth..
" Expense
" Bills payable...

" Expense
" J. K. Ross

Dispatch to Cine.
Car fare
On a/c

25
15

Expressage

Our note due this
day

Freight from
Chicago

$3
3

"'i'

50
00

'66*

Postage

'66'

Bill, Jan. 2, $100..
Postal cards

" J. Virgil Wright
" Expense

" Bills payable...
' ' Balance

Charity

On a/c

Office boy, one
week

3
10

50
00

Porter

Our note due 8th.
Bank, $4.70;
drawer, $71.51..

50
00

200
50

180

00
00

1,283

1
8

By Expense
" Miller &Bros..

" Expense

" Bills payable...
" Expense

Coal, $5.25, la-
bor 50c

508
46

327

80
25

Note due 13th,
$77.30; protest-
ed fees, $1.50.
Office boy, one
week

....

Porter, one week.
Note due to-day..
Porter, $10; office
boy, $3.50.. ...

" P. A. Wright...
" Bills payable...

" Expense
" Balance

Paid T. C D. &
Son on our note
due May 5, for

$480

Porter, $10; office
boy, $3.50
Bank, $122.20;
drawer, $105.66;
check, $100

....

lb~

882

9
3
2

Sunds. Dr. to Dis..
Expense " Cash.
Sunds. ' Cash.

Balance carried

Total Cash Disct.
" "Expense
" Dis-
bursements....

1,762
327

1,762

to March 2. .. .

2,090

70 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

CASH ENTRIES ELUCIDATED.

DEBIT.

January 1, 1885. First two entries show the amount of cash
in checks invested in business by P. A. Wright and T. P. Noble,
who have formed a copartnership, under the firm-name and style
of P. A. Wright & Co., for the purpose of carrying on a whole-
sale and retail mercantile business, each to receive one half the
gains or sustain one half the losses, according to copartnership
agreement, filed with the private papers of each partner, no record
of which is made on the books. The amounts are entered first in
the Sundries column, from which they are posted at the partners'
credit in the Ledger.

Upon closing the cash for the day the amount of receipts are
extended into the outside column representing the daily cash. See
remarks on Two Cash Books, page 53.

January 2. The balance shows amount of cash on hand at the
beginning of the second day. Next entry is for retail sales repre-
senting the total amount of cash received during the day from all
the retail salesmen, according to memorandums of sale turned in
by each whenever a sale was made, and kept on file or in a pigeon-
hole until the close of the day, when they are all added together
and entered in one amount to the credit of Merchandise in the
Merchandise column, the footing of which at the end of the month
will be posted on the credit side of Merchandise account in the
Ledger.

January 3. Miller Bros, pay by check their bill of January 1,
less 6 per cent discount. The net amount of cash is extended
into the Sundries column and the discount in the special column
for discounts, both amounts being posted at the same time in
separate items on the credit side of the customer's account in the
Ledger.

Next entry is for retail sales, as before explained. We now
close the Cash Book for the two days, not having sufficient number
of entries on the second day to justify the operation. We add
each column separately and extend the amount into the outside

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 71

column, on the last line used in each column. As there is but
one amount in the Sundries column we extend it alone.

January 5. The balance is brought down as usual.

First money received was for two notes discounted at our Bank,
the net amount of cash and discount being disposed of as in the
case of Miller Bros., and a memorandum made on the Check Book
charging the Bank with the cash. All checks received from any
source are also charged to the Bank daily on Check Book (page 118).

Enter retail sales and close as before.

January 6. Enter retail sales.

January 7. "We borrow $500 from our Bank on our note for
that amount for 45 days, receiving only $196.25 in cash, the dis-
count being $3.75.

January 8. Only receipts being for retail sales.

January 9. J. C. Brown & Co. give check on the spot for bill
of same date without discount. This day's transactions being re-
corded on part of two pages, we extend the receipts into the out-
side column on first page, just as if the day's cash was to be closed.
"We now rule across all the columns and carry the footing of each
forward to next page in its respective column.

January 10. "We have received returns in a check for draft
made on Miller Bros, for net bill which they paid in full, but the
Bank through which we drew deducted 25c. exchange as their fee
for collecting it.

"W. C. Browning & Co. paid sight draft also, and the Bank de-
ducted 15c. exchange.

The two items of exchange are charged to an Exchange account
through the Journal, from which they are posted on the credit
side of the respective accounts on which they occurred.

January 31. Davis & Co. pay in currency their bill of 5th
inst., less 5 per cent discount. William French and James Elstort
also pay in currency their bills of previous day net.

"We are now at the end of the month and close all the columns.

Rule a single red line across Discount column only. Cashiers
as a unit rule across all the columns on this line and make
all their additions on same line ; then by an irregular process
recapitulate the footings in order to get them under one an-
other. The superiority of this method of closing the Cash

72 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Book, with a system of columns, over the usual way will be appre-
ciated when seen, and adopted without argument.

Add the column, and explain the footing in form of Journal
entry on the left.

On the next line we rule a single red line across Merchandise
column, bring down the total footing, and extend it into the Sun-
dries column; it then becomes an item of Sundries, and is posted as
we have before stated. On the next line we rule a single red line
across Sundries column, the footing of which represents CASH, that
is, the total amount of money received during the month. We
extend this item into the outside column, balance and close it for
the month by drawing double red lines across the entire page from
Date column.

By this ingenious and scientific way of dropping one line for
each column we can explain each footing, which explanation will
refer to all the figures on that line, and give the book a business-
like finish, pretty to be seen.

CREDIT SIDE.

January 1. On entering into business it becomes necessary
to lay in a supply of furniture for the office. We buy for cash
such articles as are enumerated in first entry on this side of Cash
Book, and charge them to OFFICE FURNITURE account.

We then buy for cash a set of books and necessary articles of
desk ware, all of which we charge to expense by entering the
amounts in the Expense column. See remarks on Special Columns,
page 52. We kept the various items of office furniture all with-
in the space for descriptive matter until we arrived at the total
before extending it : the reason for this is we have to post every item
found in the Sundries column, therefore consolidate as many items
as possible into one amount.

With the Expense column we post only the footing, hence we
extend each line of items separately. Being at the end of the day,
we prove the cash, close in red ink, and balance the outside column
only, leaving the main columns open to close at the end of the
month. The proof of the cash will be finding enough money to
equal the balance between the debit and credit side by counting
the money in the drawer and adding the amount to the balance in

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 73

bank as per Check Book, making a memorandum of each in con-
nection with the closing entry on Cash Book to show at a glance
just what shape the cash is in.

January 2. We pay E. H. E. Wright '& Co. $500 on account
by check. Buy a ton of coal for cash, pay for housing it, buy
postage, and charge all to Expense. Close as before, always mak-
ing a memorandum showing amount in Bank, also in drawer.

January 5. We pay by check Earlington & Co. their bill 1st
instant, less 6 per cent discount. Extending net amount of cash into
the Sundries column and the amount of discount in its special col-
umn, both of which are posted in separate items, but in one
amount on the debit side of Earlington & Co.'s account in the
Ledger.

Buy postal-cards, pay car-fare and expressage, all of which
charge to expense.

Give J. Edward Forth, salesman, $25 on a/c.

January 6. J. Virgil Wright, bookkeeper, takes $10 on a/c,
and charges himself.

Pay and charge expense items.

January 7. We send E. H. E. Wright & Co. check for $500 on
a/c, also pay by check for their a/c T. Jackson $300, K. C. Wilson
$200. Enter each item separately within the space for explanatory
matter and extend total into Sundries column, so as to have one
item to post instead of three by charging each separately.

Pay little items of expense. Hand the partners whatever they
require, charging the amount to their respective accounts.

January 8. Buy job lot of collars from J. K. Pyne and give
him currency therefor, as we have no account with him, charge
the amount to Merchandise.

January 9. E. H. E. Wright & Co. having drawn on us at
sight for $300, we give check to the party presenting draft and
charge the amount to a/c E. H. E. W. & Co.

January 10. Pay Lindsay & Co., also Johnson & Co., in cur-
rency the amount of their bills of 3d instant, less 6 per cent dis-
count.

Pay porter and office-boy one week's wages and charge to
expense. See remarks on accounts with employees J. V.
Wright and J. Edward Forth, page 110.

74 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

January 31. Pay by check Martin & Brown's bill 29th in-
stant, less 7 per cent for spot cash.

Advertise for boy, pay cartman's bill for cartage during the
month, also pay monthly gas-bill, porter and office-boy one week's
wages, and charge all to Expense.

Being the last day of the month we close all the special and main
columns, on the same principle as explained in connection with,
the debit side, explaining each footing.

SECOND MONTH.

DEBIT.

February 2. We begin on new page, bringing forward balance-
from last month, entering it in the outside column, being money
on hand and not received this month, and the main columns being
designed for money received during the month only.

We discount at our bank Davis & Co.'s note, $376.20. Enter
retail sales on each day during the week. Assume that Miller
Bros, pay by check their bill 29th ultimo, $190.40, less 6 per
cent.

This month we close the cash weekly instead of daily to avoid
repetition of the same principle. The main principle to be ex-
emplified is the second monthly closing.

February 9. Borrow $500 from our Bank on our note.

Deposit for collection Miller Bros.' note due on the 13th.*
Assuming it will be paid, we enter it as cash received, and charge
the bank with the amount on Check Book.

February 28. Assume that Miller Bros, fail, and pay 50#
of their indebtedness.

Assume that W. C. Browning & Co. remit $100, to be applied
toward payment of their note due May 4.

Being at the end of the month, we close the several columns
same as last month, to get monthly results, extend the total into

* The amount being small, we will collect through our Bank instead of for-
eign Bank.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 75

outside column and bring down the balance, in red ink, that was
brought from January 31st, which added to the total receipts will
show the total amount of cash handled during the month.

CREDIT.

February 2. Buy another job lot of collars from J. K. Pyne
for cash.

February 3. Hand J. Edward Forth $25 on a/c.

February 4. Pay note due to-day, and charge the amount to Bills
Payable. Deduct from Bank account, it being paid by our Bank.

February 6. Pay J. K. Ross's bill 2d ultimo, less 5 per cent
discount.

February 7. J. Yirgil Wright takes $15, and charges same
to his a/c.

(Pay porter, office-boy, weekly ; also various items of expense
daily.)

Pay note due to-day, deduct the amount from Bank account on
Check Book and charge it to Bills Payable.

February 9. Buy coal, etc.

February 14. Charge Miller & Bros, amount of their note, $77.-
30, previously entered as cash, with additional item of $1.50 for
protest fees, as it was returned protested. Deduct $77.30 from
Bank account, the $1.50 being paid out of the drawer and the only
actual money that passed hands.

February 21. Pay note due to-day, deduct from Bank a/c, and
charge Bills Payable, as before. Give P. A. Wright $50, and
charge his combined capital and personal accounts.

February 28. Remit check for $180 to T. C. Davis & Co., to
be applied toward payment of our note held by them, due May
5, for $480.

Being at the end of the month, close same as last month.

76 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

OFFICE ROUTINE.

Each day's work begins upon opening the morning mail.
The Manager or Proprietor examines his correspondence,
and puts the machinery in motion by distributing the
work among the clerks. The letters containing orders are
turned over to the Order-clerk, who copies them in the
Order-book, numbering each with a colored pencil, which
should always be kept on every clerk's desk, then files them
away temporarily, for convenient reference. The Order-book is
then turned over to the Stock-clerk, who selects from the goods
in Stock those called for, and has them carried to the Entry or
Packing-room, where they are charged up on the Sales-book, then
packed in cases for shipment. The bills are then made from
the entry on Sales-book, after which it is returned to the Book-
keeper's desk.

The letters containing remittances of cash or checks, are
turned over to the Book-keeper, who compares the amount of
remittances to his Ledger accounts; and, if correct, he so en-
dorses them, and passes them to the Cashier, who en-
ters them in the C. B., then files them temporarily for reference.
All papers are filed permanently at the end of the month, by
the office boy. The Cash-book is also returned to the Book-
keeper's desk.

The letters containing notes or complaints are attended to
by the Book-keeper, who also attends to that part of the corre-
spondence relating to settlements, sends receipts for all re-
mittances, and statements explaining any discrepancy that may
arise, wherein his account does not agree with that of the cus-
tomer.

The Proprietor or Manager attends to the general corre-
spondence relating to orders, new contracts, opening accounts
with new customers, looking up their reference, investigating
their financial rating, directing travelling salesmen in their
routes, and seeing that they are kept supplied with proper line
of samples, etc. See OFFICE ROUTINE ILLUSTRATED, on pages 241
and 242; also Chart 243 and 244.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 77

IT is not the peculiarities in the arrangement of the matter
contained in this book that designates it as a JOURNAL, as that
is the name of any blank-book similarly ruled. The Cash-
book is also a Journal, but of the casli transactions only. The
Sales-book is a journal of the sales only, and being special jour-
nals they are called by the name indicative of the special purpose
for which each is used. The book we call JOURNAL, being used!
as a general record, cannot be designated by any special name ;
hence it is not otherwise named. It is usually ruled with two
double columns on the right-hand side of the page, one being
for debit amounts and the other for credit amounts, both of which
are understood to be Sundries columns. There is also a double
column on the left-hand side of the page for dates (months and
days). When there are more than two double columns used for
amounts they are introduced for special purposes, as will be indi-
cated by the headings of each. In our Journal will be found two
special columns, Mdse. Dr., and E. II. E. W. & Co., Cr. The
former will contain all items of Mdse., received from any source.
The latter will contain the amount of each bill bought of E. IL
E. Wright & Co. only, who are supposed to be our principal
creditors and from whom we would receive more goods than
from any other firm, and for that reason we give them a special
column. The various amounts found in the special columns will
not be posted but passed and checked thus ( \/ ), showing they
were passed purposely and will be reconsidered at the end of the
month, in the final footing of each column which will be posted.
We would have as many special columns, therefore, as we have
very active accounts, and if we have more such accounts than the
space in the Journal would admit of special columns we would
give the most active the special columns and enter the others in
the Sundries column.

78 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

The limited number of items found in our special columns
would not be enough to justify their use, but they serve to illus-
trate the idea as to how they are used and demonstrate their great
advantage in a large business.

Many years ago we met with a four-column journal, in a large
business, the peculiarity of which was that the debit columns were
on the left of the page and the credit columns were on the right,
the accounts intervening. It seemed to be an ingenious arrange-
ment of the matter, but if not altogether impracticable it was de-
cidedly awkward, to say the least, in closing them at the end of
the month, and for that reason we discontinued the book and in-
troduced a Journal properly ruled with the columns all on the
right.

Several years afterwards a publication on bookkeeping appeared
in which the pseudo-author introduced the four-column Journal
of the kind above alluded to, that is, the debits on the left and
the credits on the right, claiming originality of the idea, when in
fact it had been conceived, materialized, and abandoned by some-
body else many years before, and met with and repudiated by us
also long before it appeared in the publication alluded to in
which that is made the leading feature.

The dates of entries on our Journal appear in the middle of the
page, and the Ledger folios on the left, in the column originally
designed for dates.

Every Journal entry explains itself ; that is, after each appears a
recital of the facts as they occurred, thereby constituting what may
be termed the Day-book entry. It would be impracticable to
post from that arrangement of matter ; hence it must be resolved
into the foregoing form, or in other words journalized. In busi-
ness methods of book-keeping, therefore, the Journal entry is made
first, followed by the day-book entry, combining the two into
one. All Journal entries could be made according to our FIRST
FORM. The object of the other three forms is to combine as
many items as possible into one, and thereby save posting. The
arrangement of blank lines in our FOURTH FORM would admit of
four different combinations like the FIRST FORM, which would
make eight amounts to be posted instead of four.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

JOURNAL FOR JANUARY, 1885.

Mdse. Dr. E. H. E. W. & Co. Cr.

Dr. Sunds. Cr

Mdse Dr To Sunds

$2,000

To E. H. E. Wright & Co
" Earlington & Co

$1,000

$500

" Sandiford & Co
As per bill on file,
Which carries with it the idea that the
goods have been purchased, otherwise
the bills would not be filed, but thrown
away.

50C

8
7

Bills Receivable. Dr. To Sunds
To J. C. Brown & Co
Received their note dated 1st inst.,
at 60 days, in settlement of bill
same date. $137.25, less 4% dis-
count, $5.49 = $131.76.
To W. C. Browning & Co
Received their note dated 1st inst..
at 90 days, in settlement of bill
same date, $201 90, less 3% discount,
$6.05 = $195 85.
We have made a separate entry for the
discount (see below), although *il might
have been incorporated in this entry,
which would have made it " Sundries
Dr. To Sundries."

$327

131
195

Discount. Dr. To Sunds
To J C Brown & Co

Allowed them 4% discount on
bill Jany 1st . $137 25

To W. C. Browning & Co. ...
Allowed them 3$ discount on
billJany. 1st $201 90

Mdse. Dr. To Sunds
To J. K. ROSS& Co
" Johnson & Co

675

100
50

00
00

" T. C. Davis & Son.

500

" Lindsay & Co

As per bills of this date on file.

8
^

Sundries. Dr. To Bills Payable
Sandiford & Co

500

980

Gave them our note at 30 days, from
1st inst., to balance a/c.
T. C. Davis & Son
Gave them our note at 4 mos. from
2d inst.. in settlement of bill, $500
less 4fc dis. $20 = $480.

480

T. C. Davies& Son. Dr

To Discount.

Allowed us 4% dis. on bill Jany. 2,

$500 = $20.

Exchange. Dr. To Sunds
To Miller Bros

" W. C. Browning & Co. ...
Allowed them exchange on collec-
tions by draft. See C. B., folio 2.

Amounts carried forward

$2.675

$1,000

$1,339

$3,014

f>5

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

JOURNAL FOR JANUARY, 1885 Continued.

Mdse. Dr. E. H. E. W. & Co. Or.

Dr. Sunds. Cr.

Amounts brought forward
Mdse Dr

$2,675

R/V>

$1,000

$1,339

$3,014

55-

To E. H. E. Wright & Co
As per bill on file.

500

Bills Receivable. Dr
To Miller Bros

30.

Received their note at 30 days for
net, bill of this date.

Sunds Dr To Sunds ...

Bills Receivable

657

Discount

To Davis & Co . . .

376

Received their note at 4 mos. from
Jany. 15th; average date of bills
Jany. 1st and 19th, in settlement
of those bills.
To J. C. Brown & Co
Received their note at 60 days from
Jany. 19th; average date of bills
Jany. 9th and 23d, $292.75, to set-
tle the same, less 4% disc. $11.71 =
$281.04.

In posting Davis & Co.'s credit we say
" By Sunds," which would indicate they
were credited by two accounts, when, in
fact, they are credited by " Bills Rec'd "
only. It is necessary to say " By Sunds."
to enable us to retrace the matter from
the Ledger to this entry.

292

E. H. E. Wright & Co. Dr
To Bills Receivable

281

Transferred to them on a/c J. C.
Brown & Co.'s note due Mar. 23d.
23

Mdse Dr To Sunds

1 500

To E. H. E. Wright & Co. ...
" Sandiford & Co

1,000

1 RAA

As per bills of this date on file.
20

E. H. E. Wright & Co. Dr.. .
To Bills Payable
Their draft on us at 20 days 1 sight,
which we this day accepted on a/c.

200

Mdse Dr to Sunds

225

To W F Saxe & Co . .

' ' Martin & Brown

130

As per bills on file this date.

Amounts carried forward . . .

$4,900

$2,500

00 !

$2,566

$4,966

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

JOURNAL FOR JANUARY,

Mdse. Dr. E. H. E. W. & Co. Cr.

Dr. Sunds. Cr.

Amount brought forward .. . j

$4,900

$2,500

$2,5G6

8*1

$4,966

Mdse. Dr To Sunds
ToE H. E. Wright & Co....
Earlingion & Co... .
Jany. 23d $400
25th 200

1,750

1,000

750

" 30th 150

$750
Goods purchased on a/c as per bills
on file.
The three bills from I arlington & Co. are
all supposed to have come lo our atten-
tion at i he same time ; the date and
amount of each must appear in the
Journal entry, but only the total in the
Ledger.

7
g

Sunds. Dr. To W. C. Browning & Co.
Bills Receivable

211

217

Discount

Our draft on them at 90 days 1
sight, which they this day
accepted in payment of bill
28th inst $217 75
Less '&% discount . . 6 53

10
10

Expense. Dr. To Sundries..
To J . Edward Forth
" J. Virgil Wright

400

125

jot

For services in Jany. as per agree-
ment.
To A. J. Sheldon
Rent of store in Jany. as per lease..

150

Mdse. Dr. To Sunds. (total purch's).
E. H. E. W. & Co., Cr. by Mdse.
(total amount bought of them)..

$6,650

$3,500

~00~

6,650

$3,500

1 $9,834

$9,834

59i

JOURNAL FOR FEBRUARY, 1885.

Mdse.

To Bills Payable i

Our note at 30 days, in favor of J. K. Pane, to settle his bill on
file

Miller&Bros. Dr

To Interest j

6# interest for 30 days on renewal of their note protested for

non-payment, $77.30; including protest fees, $1.50

-14

Bills Receivable. Dr

To Miller & Bros

Received their note this date at 30 days, in renewal of note pro-
tested, $77.30, including protest fees, $1 50, and 30 days in-
terest @, 6$ = .40, for time new note has to run

$250

00>

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

JOURNAL FOR FEBRUARY,

Continued.

Bills Payable Dr

To Interest . . .

6$ interest on $180 (ain't paid on our note due
May 5th, for $480) for 66 days unexpired time.

Miller & Bros Dr

To Bills Receivable

Returned to them their note due March 19th,
$79.20, the ain't having been included in their
settlement at 40 cents on the dollar.

Interest Dr

To E H E Wright & Co

Allowed them 6$ int. for unexpired time, 60 days,
on J. C. Brown & Co.'s note, $281.04, due
Mar. 24, which we transferred to them on a/c,
Jany. 23.

To Bills Receivable

Allowed W. C. Browning Qf on $100 paid by
them on their note due May 4, for $211.22, 65
days before maturity.

tfl

$39

To Miller & Bros

$39

50$ of their account, $79.20, lost by their
failure.
8

Mdse Dr

To Davis & Co

2 doz. No. 4 Shirts returned by them, not being
equal to sample.
28

Expense Dr To Sunds

400

~lft

To J Edward Forth ...

125

" J Virgil Wright

125

For services in Febv as per agreement

1ft

To A J Sheldon

150

Rent of store for Feby as per lease

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 83

This book is peculiar to the mercantile business and is some-
times called the Day-book ; it is by no means the kind of day-
book used in our so-called business colleges, or as used in the
old style of bookkeeping of long ago, which contained a history
of all business transactions, and which necessitated the intermedi-
ate book called JOURNAL, into which the matter was rearranged
under ledger titles, a process then known as journalizing, and
which is still the usual acceptation of the meaning, but not ours,
as will appear in our preface. It will be observed that the Sales-
book is the principal book of charges against our customers.
Any other kind of business may also have a principal book of
charges, the name of which would be suggested by the nature of
the business, or possibly be called THE BLOTTER, and would be
managed the same as the SALES-BOOK, from which the amount of
each charge is posted directly into the Ledger to the debit side
of the customer's account, and the totals of all the amounts at the
end of the month posted on the credit side of whatever account
represented the business. The figures on the left-hand side of
the page in our Sales-book indicate the Ledger pages to which the
matter has been transferred and are, therefore, our post-mark or
the evidence that we have posted. If there is a great deal of
posting to be done, and we are not familiar with the exact loca-
tion of the account on the Ledger, we first place opposite each
name on the SALES-BOOK the Ledger-page, which is ascertained
from the Ledger-index before making any transfers ; then, after
transfering each or posting, it becomes necessary to check each
account thus |/, showing it has been posted : those not checked
will, of course, be understood as still to be posted, and indicate
which we are to begin with upon resuming that operation, which
for any reason may have been discontinued before finishing. The

84 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

figures in the middle of the page dividing the line that is drawn
between each entry are the dates of entry.

The customer's name and the terms of sale alone should be
written on the first line, and the address on the next line, begin-
ning about the middle of the page. This would prevent unneces-
sary crowding of the matter, at the same time adding to the neat-
-rtess of the manuscript.

By the terms is meant the conditions of the sale in relation to
time of payment and discount, which are usually stated thus : 6$ 10
days, 5$ 30 days, 4$ 60 days, 3^90 days, or 4 mos. net, meaning
that the customer sold on 5$ 30 days will be required to pay the bill
at the expiration of the 30 days, less 5^ of the amount, which would
be an inducement to make him pay promptly. The penalty for not
paying would be forfeiture of the discount. The customer sold
on 4:% 60 days has the advantage in time over the 30-days cus-
tomer, but no advantage in discount being allowed only 4^, but
required to pay in the time specified 60 days he can pay at the
expiration of 30 days if he prefers, and thereby avail himself of the
30-day discount of 5% ; and so on with the other customers. Any
customer sold on 4 mos. net would have great advantage in time,
but would be entitled to no discount if he took full time. The
time- would be determined by the customer's financial rating;
the more capital he has, the longer time would be given him, and,
as a rule, the quicker he would pay, availing himself of the
greatest discount. Any one paying within 10 days would be en-
titled to $% discount. If, by oversight or otherwise, a 30-days
customer's account is permitted to run 60 days he would be en-
titled to 4^ discount, same as a regular 60-days customer, forfeit-
ing \% for each 30 days until 4 mos., when his account would be-
come net, that is, subject to no discount. After 4 mos., any ac-
count would begin to draw interest at % per annum until settled.
A few days past maturity would make no difference in the
discount until after 15 days, when one half of one per cent would
be forfeited. With a good customer, however, we could not af-
ford to be particular, and if he deducted full discount 20 days
after his account was due it would not be questioned ; in fact, any
small claim made by a good customer would be allowed and
credited in his account, rather than incur the risk of offending

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 85

him, and thereby losing his trade. Such matters as these are not
left to the bookkeeper, but would be adjusted by the financier &r
managing partner, except when, in the bookkeeper's judgment,
they seem to be just, in which case they are not brought to the
attention of the financier. It requires sound judgment, there-
fore, to be a good bookkeeper and know how to deal with cus-
tomers without giving offence.

When bills are dated ahead the discount is reckoned from the
future date, which would appear in connection with the terms
and therefore be part of the terms. For instance, goods delivered
1st with the bill dated 30 days ahead, the terms would be
stated, 5$ 30 days, Aug. 1^, which would mean the bill would
be payable Sept. 1st, less 5$, and so on with the various other
terms as before explained. It would virtually be 5$ off at the
expiration of 60 days from regular date of bill, or the date the
delivery was made. The object of dating bills ahead is to induce
buyers to place their order for goods during the dull season, or
before their regular time for laying in their supply of seasonable
goods, giving them the advantage of time between the two dates
in which to dispose of their wares.

TRANSCRIPT.

In a large business where there are many entry-clerks, two Sales-
books are required for each, which are used on alternate days, and
which, of course, would necessitate many Sales-books. It would
not be convenient to post from so many books ; therefore a Trans-
script of the dates, names, addresses, terms, and amounts are made
from each Sales-book into a book called Transcript, which is spec-
ially ruled with columns to show those facts, also columns for
amount of sales for each department, and from which the sales
are posted. The object of having two Sales-books for each entrv-
clerk is, that while one is being used for entering goods the other,
which was used on the previous day, can be used for making tke
transcript. ^

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

THURSDAY, JAN. ist, 1885.

Miller Bros., 5#, 30 d.
St. Louis, Mo.
3 Doz. No. 1 Shirts $10 00

3 "2 " " 11 00

2 "3 " " 12 00

1 " 4 "

12 Collars " 1 60

4 Cuffs " 3 60

Case and cartage. . . .

$134

J. C. Brown & Co. . 4& 60 d.
Chicago, 111.
2| Doz. No 1 Shirts @ $10 00

3 " 2 " 11 00

2 " 3 " 1200

1 "4 "

$ " 5 " 1400

10 Collars 160

5 , Cuffs . 3 60

Case and cartage

137

W. C. Browning & Co., 3#, 90 d.
Detroit.
4 Doz. No 1 Shirts . . $10 00

4 "2 " ' 11 00

2 " 3 " ' 1200

2 " 4 " .... '1300

2 "5 " ' 14 00

15 Collars ' 160

4 Cuffs ' 3 60

Case and cartage

201

Davis & Co., 4 m. net.
Cincinnati.
31- Doz. No. 1 Shirts @ $10 00

3 "2 " 11 00

2 " 3 " 1200

2 " 4 " ... 1300

2 " 5 " 1400

12 Collars 1 60

?,0

Case and cartage

166

45.

W. C. Browning & Co., Net, 30 d.
Detroit.

Davis & Co., 4 m. net.
Cincinnati,
3 Doz No 6 Shirts @ $14 50

4 " Cuffs " 360

Amount carried forward

722

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 8T 7

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7th, 1885.

Amount brought forward

$722

Miller Bros., 5#, 30 d.
St. Louis.
2 Doz. No. 5 Shirts @ $14 00

$28

2 " " 6 " .... " 1450

5 " Collars.. " 160

3 " Cuffs " 3.60

Case and cartage

80>

Davis & Co., Net, 30 d.
Cincinnati.
1 Doz Al Shirts to order

" " " @ $26 00

J. C. Brown & Co., Net, 30 d.
Chicago.
i Doz.- Shirts to order @ $26 00

J. C. Brown & Co., 4#, 60 d.
Chicago.
3 Doz No 6 Shirts @ $14 50

2 " "7 " " 1500

4 " Cuffs " 350

Case and cartage
in

2fr

Miller Bros., Net, 30 d.
St. Louis.
1 Doz Al Shirts to order

1 A2 " " $2300

^ " "2600

1 " Collars

1 Cuffs

Ort.,

Davis & Co. , 4 mos.
Cincinnati.
5 Doz No 1 Shirts ... $10 00

Kft

5 "2 " " 11 00

5 "3 " " 1200

fiO

15 " Collars " 150

6 " Cuffs " 350

Case and cartage

209

75.-

J. C. Brown & Co., 4%, 60 d.
Chicago.
6 Doz No 1 Shirts @ $10 00

4 " 2 " " 11 00

5 " " 3 " " 12 00

3 " 4 " " 1300

Case and cartage. . . .

204

Amount carried forward

1 428

Qtf

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28th, 1885.

Amount brought forward . .

$1 428

W. C. Browning & Co., 3, 90 d.
Detroit.
5Doz. No 1 Shirts $10 00

$50

5 " " 3 " ... " 1200

4 " " 5 " " 14 00

15 " Collars " 150

8 " Cuffs . " 3 50

Case and cartage

217

Miller Bros., 5%, 30 d.
St. Louis.
5 Doz No 1 Shirts @ $10 00

5 "4 " 13 00

3 " "6 " " 14 50

10 " Collars " 1.60

4 ' Cuffs " 3.60

Case and cartage. . . .

190

Wm. French, Net, 30 d.
City.
| Doz Shirts to order $25 00

1 " Collars

1 " Cuffs

915

J. C. Brown & Co., 4g, 60 d.
Chicago.
5 Doz No 1 Shirts $1000

4 ' "2 " " 11 00

4 " "3 " .... . " 12 00

12 " Collars " 160

9,0

6 " Cuffs " 3 60

Case and cartage

189

Wm. Ward, Net, 30 d.
Jersey City.
\ Doz Shirts to order . . . @ $25 00

1 " Collars

1 " Cuffs

James Elston, Net, 30 d.
Brooklyn.
\ Doz Shirts to order @ $27 00

1 " Collars

L. Powell, Net, 30 d.
City.

1 " Collars

1 " Cuffs

Amount carried forward

2 110

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

SATURDAY, JAN. 3ist, 1885.

Amount brought forward

$2 110

W. C. Browning & Co., 3#, 90 d.
Detroit.
5 Doz No 2 Shirts $11.00

$55

5 " "4 " \ " 1200

5 " 6 " " 13 00

12 " Collars " 1.60

9,0

4 " Cuffs " 3.60

Case and cartage

215

Total sales in Jan

$2,325

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2d, 1885.

W. C. Browning & Co., 3/90.
Detroit.
4 Doz No 1 Shirts $10 00

$40

4 2 11.00

4 " 3 12.00

3 " 4 1300

12 Collars 1.60

4 Cuffs 3.60

Case and cartage

$206

Davis & Co., 4 m.
Cincinnati.
5 Doz No 1 Shirts @ $10.00

5 2 11.00

4 " 3 " .... 1200

2 4 13 00

10 Collars 1.60

5 Cuffs 3 60

Case and cartage

214

J. C. Brown & Co., 4/60.
Chicago.
3 Doz No 1 Shirts $1000

3 " "2 " " 11 00

2 " "3 " " 1200

12 " Collars " 160

6 " Cuffs " 3.60

Case and cartage
Total sales in February

129

$549

30
90

90 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

TRIAL BALANCE.

- "We draw off a Trial Balance the last day of every month, or as
soon thereafter as possible, before any posting is done for the
new month. The twofold object is to prove our posting and en-
able us to see at a glance the actual condition of each account.

The usual form of a Trial Balance consists of a sheet of Journal
paper having two columns on the extreme right, on which we
transfer every unbalanced account in the Ledger, beginning with
the partners' stock accounts, adding each side of every account
on, the Ledger in small pencil figures close to the last amount, so-

not to be obscured by the next entry posted. We take the
difference, placing it in small pencil figures on the greater side
near the folio column for reference ; also transferring it to the
Trial Balance in right-hand column if credit side is the greater,
and in the left-hand column if the debit side be greater. If our
posting is correct and no error is made making out the Trial
Balance, the footing of the two columns will be equal. If the
Trial Balance is correct the pencil footings on the Ledger are
also correct, and the work up to that point will not have to be
gone over again on making Trial Balance for the next month ;
Alienee the pencil footings are never erased. (Kead page 247.)

Another form of Trial Balance consists of a sheet with four
columns, two on the left and two on the right of the names ;
the two innermost, or those next to the names, being for the
total amount of business represented by each account during
the current month both on the debit and credit side. The two-
outside columns, one on the extreme right and one on the ex-
treme left, will show the balance same as in first form of Trial
Balance alluded to. The two columns representing total amounts
must agree in their footing ; also agree with the total footing of
debit and credit side of Cash Book, footing of Sales Book and
Journal, including the footings of the two discount columns in
Cash Book.

If neither of them agree with the total footings of all the
books, we prove one side at a time by going over the Ledger
again, examining that side only in each account, and if necessary
check the postings on that side. After proving both columns in

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 91

this manner, which can be done with less mental strain than is re-
quired in proving i\\Q difference in the first form of Trial Balairee,-
inasmuch as we are contemplating but one thing at a time in-
stead of three things at the same time, we then prove the balance
or outside columns from the Trial Balance alone, laying aside the
Ledger altogether. We keep the Trial Balance for the previous
month before us : if the balance therein is a credit, we add it to
the amount in column representing total credits in new Trial
Balance, and take the difference beeween the result thus obtained
and the amount in the column representing total debits in new
Trial Balance, placing it in the outside column on whichever side
is greater. If no mistake is made in the operation, the difference
thus obtained will be the correct balance for the new Trial Bal-
ance to an absolute certainty. For better understanding of the
process see Trial Balance for February on page 115.

The four-column Trial Balance requires a trifle more work
and many more figures in the beginning, but in the long-run will
prove to be a great economizer of time and diminish the anxiety
every bookkeeper experiences when he has an error in his Trial
Balance, to say nothing of the monotony and annoyance occasioned
by going over the Ledger time and again with the same fruitless
result. See SIXTH AFTERTHOUGHT, page 228.

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT.

This is a species of bookkeeper peculiarly indigenous to Eng-
land and Scotland and a rare exotic in this country. To become
a Chartered Accountant one must have served a five years'"
apprenticeship, same as a poor shoemaker who aspires to become
a full-fledged cobbler. It is absurd for any one capable of reason-
ing from cause to effect to waste five years mastering this simple
science. The Charter is a kind of combination certificate of
proficiency in accounting and a license to practise it.

We had occasion once to examine a set of books that had been
started and kept according to a plan laid out by a so-called
Chartered Accountant, and we were amused to find on the main
Ledger an account called General Debtors^ which was a summary
of debit and credit results, the details of which had been posted

92 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

on the Customers' Ledger, the balance agreeing with the net
balance in all the accounts in that Ledger. Its object seemed to
be to have the main Ledger balance within itself, which is not at
all necessary, and to require a seemingly but not actually shorter
Trial Balance. The Customers' accounts must each be reduced to
a balance any way, hence it is better to begin the Trial Balance
with the accounts on the main Ledger and continue it with the
names from the Customers' Ledger, proving both Ledgers with one
Trial Balance, and dispensing with the superfluous or meaning-
less General Debtors' account.

THE LEDGER.

According to old fogy methods every transaction was first
recorded in the Day-book or Memorial in a manner more remark-
able for its verbosity than for either its faultless syntax or
perspicuity ; it was then rearranged iutbe Journal, a process called
journalizing, thence posted, thus making three entries, first,
intermediate, and final.

According to modern methods the intermediate entry is dis-
pensed with, also the desuete Day-book, the first entry being
made in books specially designed, and the final entry in the
Ledger, the design of which is continued in its primitive sim-
plicity.

The original design being so near perfect that but few innova-
tions have been suggested, none of which have ever successfully
superseded it in popular usage. The most noteworthy was
interchanging the positions of credit dates and credit amounts,
that is, placing the dates on the extreme right of the page, and
the amounts in the middle of the page next to the debit amounts.
The balance column, that some use in the Ledger, is wholly super-
fluous, and is love's labor lost, except in Banks where the balance
must be shown after each entry is made to guard against over-
draft of depositors. The disarrangement of dates in the Ledger
has no significance further than to show that posting had rui?
behindhand.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 93

Dr. P. A. WRIGHT. Or.

1885.

. .

To Cash

$12

Jan

By Cash

$1 000

Feb

' ' Profit and Loss

225

" Balance

1,163

1,225

1885.

Mar.

By Bal. br'ght down..

1,163

Dr.

T. P. NOBLE.

1885.

Jan

To Cash . ...

$20

Jan.

By Cash

$1 000

Feb.

" Balance

1 205

Feb

>k Profit and Loss

225

1,225

1855.

Mar.

By Bal. br'ght down..

1,205

94
Dr.

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.
OFFICE FURNITURE.

Or.

1885.

Jan

To Cash

$245

Feb.

By Balance

$245

1885.

Mar.

To Bal. br'ght down.

245

Dr.

CASH.

Cr.

1885.

Jan

1/31

To Sundries

$3 533

Jan

1/S1

By Sundries

$3006

Feb

1/98

1 562

Feb.

1/'8

1 762

" Balance

327

5,096

1885.

Mar.

To Bal. br'ght down .

327

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 95

Dr. MERCHANDISE. Or.

H885.

To Cash

$100

1885.
Jan.

1 /31

By Cash

$385

1/31

6 050

1/31

" Sunds.

2 325

Teb

" Bills Payable

250

Feb

1A>8

" Cash

299

28
28

" Cash
" Davis & Co
" Profit and Loss.

3
5
12

50
26
1,458

00
00
75

28
28

" Sunds
" Inventory

5
6

549
4,975

90
00

8,534

Mar.

To Bal. (Inventory)
brought down. ..

4,975

Dr.

EXPENSE.

Cr.

i885.
Jan.

Feb.

1/31
31

1/28
28

To Cash

3
3
5

$97
400
68
400

00
40
00

1885.
Feb.

By Profit and Loss..

$966

" Sunds

" Cash

" Sunds

906

$966

Dr.

INTEREST.

Or.

1885.

Feb.

To E. H. E. Wright

Feb.

By Miller Bros

& Co

" Bills Payable

" Bills Receivable..

" Profit and Loss. ..

96
Dr.

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.
E. H. E. WRIGHT & CO.

Or.

1885.

Jan

To Cash

$500

Jan

1/81

By Mdse, n/30

$3 500

1,000

41 it

300

Feb

" Interest

" Bills Receivable..

281

" Bills Payable

200

Feb

" Balance

1,221

.X^^

3,502

1885.

Mar.

By Bal. br'ght down.

1,221

77.

Dr.

T. C. DAVIS & SON.

Or.

1885.

Jan.

To Bills Payable

$480

Jan.

ByMdse.,4*,4/m....

$500

'* Discount

500

Dr.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 97

EARLINGTON & CO. Or.

1885.

Jan.

To Cash, $470; disct.,

$30

$500

Jan

By Mdse, 5/30 .. ..

$500

Feb.

To Balance

750

" " 5/30

750

1,250

1885.

Mar.

By Bal. br'ght down.

750

Dr.

SANDIFORD & CO.

Or.

1885.

Jan.

To Bills Pay

$500

Jan.

By Mdse. n/30

$500

Feb.

" Balance

500

" " n/30

500

1,000

1.000

1885.
Mar.

By Bal. br'ght down.

500

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Dr.

MILLER & BROTHERS, St. Louis.

Or.

1885.
Jan

To Mdse 5/30

$134

1885.
Jan.

By Cash, $126.76; dis-

tt ti n

count, $8.09

$134

" " n/30

By Cash

Feb

29
14

lv " 5/30
" Cash

3
8

190

40
80

10
10

" Exchange
" Bills Rec

25
30

1<i

" Int

Feb

" Cash $17898- dis-

" Bills Rec

count, $11.42

190

9 8

" Bills Receivable..
" Profit and Loss..
" Cash

5
3

79
39
39

80
40

./^

637

Dr.

J. C. BROWN & CO., Chicago.

Or.

1885.
Jan

To Mdse, 4/60

$137

9,5

1885.
Tnn

By Bills Receivable . .

$131

" " n/30

" Discount

" " 4/60

<>5

" Cash

9,3

" " 4/60

204

" Sunds

292

" " 4/60

189

Feb

" Balance

318

Feb

" " 4/60

129

761

1885.
Mar.

To Bal. br'ght down.

318

Dr.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 99

W. C. BROWNING & CO., Detroit. Or.

1885.
Jan

ToMdse., 3/90

$201

1885.
Jan.

By Bills Receivable .

$195

" " n/30

" Discount

" u 3/90

217

" Cash

" 3/90

215

" Exchange

Feb.

" 3/90

206

" Sunds

217

Feb

1 ' Balance

421

864

1885.

Mar.

To Bal. br'ght down.

421

Dr.

DAVIS & CO. Cincinnati.

Or.

1885.

Jan.

ToMdse,4/m

$166

Jnn

9,3

By Sunds

$376

" " 4/m

" Cash $5501- dis-

" n/30

count, $2.89

". " 4/m

209

Feb

" Mdse

Feb

" " 4/m

214

" Balance

225

685

1885.

Mar.

To Bal. br'ght down.

225

100

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Dr.

BILLS RECEIVABLE.

Or.

1885.
Jan.

To Sunds

$327

1885.
Jan

By Cash $323 46- dis-

" Miller & Bros ...
" Sunds

1 7
657

30
24

count, $4.15
" E H E "W & Co

$327

281

61
04

Feh

31
14

" W C. B. &Co....
" Miller Bros. . .

3
4

211
79

22
00

Feb.

" Cash, $369.75; dis-
count $6 45

376

" Cash

0,8

" Miller Bros

?,8

" Cash

100

" Interest

" Balance

110

1,352

1885.
Mar.

To Bal. br'ght down.

110

Dr.

BILLS PAYABLE.

Or.

1885.

Feb.

To Cash

$500

Jan.

By Sunds

$980

u n

500

" Cash, $496.25; dis-

9 1

200

count $3 75

500

' "

180

" E. H. E. W. &Co..

200

0,8

' ' Interest

Feh

" Merchandise

250

" Balance

1,048

" Cash, $497.50; dis-

count, $2.50

! 500

2,430

1885.

Mar.

By Bal. br'ght down.

1,048

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

101

Dr.

DISCOUNT.

Or.

1885.
Jan.

Feb.

1
23
1/31
31

1/28

To Sunds . .

1
2

2
3
3

$11
11
18
6
20

54
71
88
53
37

1885.
Jan.

Feb.

5
1/31
1/28
28

By T. C. D. & Co
" Sunds . .

2
3

$20
43
5

00
60
00
43

tt u

" W. C. B. &Co....
' ' Sunds

" Profit and Loss..

Dr.

EXCHANGE.

Cr.

Jan.

To Sunds

1885.
Jan.

By Profit and Loss. .

102

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Dr.

J. VIRGIL WRIGHT (Bookkeeper).

1885.
Jan

To Cash . .

$10

1885.
Jan.

By Expense

$125

Ffb

125

Feb

u 4t

" Balance

205

250

1885.
Mar.

By Bal. br'ght down.

205

Dr.

J. EDWARD FORTH (Salesman).

Cr.

1885.
Jan

To Cash

$25

1885.
Jan

By Expense

$125

Feb

125

Feb

" Balance

185

250

1885.
Mar.

By Bal. br'ght down.

185

Dr.

ARTHUR JOHN SHELDON.

Or.

1885.
Feb

?!8

To Balance

$300

1885.
Jan

Bv Expense . .

$150

Feb

150

300

1885.
Mar.

By Bal. br'ght down.

...

300

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 103

Dr. PETIT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. Or.

1885.

, , /v .

118

Jan

By Cash

$18

Wm. Ward, n/30....

Jan

" Cash

L Powell n/30 ..

Dr.

PETIT ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.

Or.

1885.

Feb.

To Cash, $95; dis-

count, $5

$100

Jan.

J. K. Boss & Co., 5/30.

$100

Jan.

" Cash, $47; dis-

count, $3

Johnson & Co., 5/30. .

" Cash, $23.50; dis-

count, $1.50....

Lindsay & Co., 5/30..

W. F. Saze, 5/30

" Cash, $120.90; dis-

count, $9.10....

130

Martin & B., 5/30. . . .

130

104

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Dr.

PROFIT AND LOSS.

Or.

1885.
Feb

To Miller Bros

$39

1885.
Feb

By Mdse

$1 458

966

" Interest

*>1

" Discount

-13

28
28
28

" Exchange
" P.A.Wright.. .
" T. P. Noble

9
1
1

225
225

40
23
23

1,458

Dr.

BALANCE.

Cr.

Liabilities.

1885.
Feb.

28
98

Office Furniture
Cash

$245
327

1885.
Feb.

28
98

E. H.E. Wright & Co.
Earlington & Co

4
5

$1,221
750

77
00

Inventory

4,975

Sandford & Co

500

Q 8

J C B & Co

318

Bills Pay

1 048

W C B & Co

421

J E Forth

185

Davis & Co

225

J. Virgil Wright

205

Oft

Bills Rec

110

A Sheldon

300

Win Ward

1*>

W F Saxe

L Powell

P A Wright. ...

1,16S

T P Noble

1 205

6,673

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 105

LEDGER ACCOUNTS ELUCIDATED.

The two accounts on the first page of miniature Ledger are the
partners' Stock accounts, and their Personal accounts under the
same headings. They are usually kept separately ; that is, the Per-
sonal accounts are kept on another page. This, however, is abso-
lutely unnecessary, as both can be combined under one heading:
Capital account representing money paid in, and therefore a credit;
the Personal account representing money drawn out, and therefore
always a debit. Hence it will be seen that even under the same
heading they can in no wise conflict. Furthermore, when the
Personal account is kept on a separate page, it is finally closed into
the Capital account at the end of the season. See Rule for dos-
ing books, page 43.

OFFICE FURNITURE.

This is a Representative account, showing the amount we have
invested in various articles of furniture in the office. The first
entry in this account is always a debit ; in fact, the only credit
likely to occur is after several years' use, when we charge a small
percentage to Profit and Loss, and credit Office Furniture thereby.
The difference between the two sides will represent present valua-
tion, and part of our assets.

CASH.

This account could, with all due propriety, be omitted from the
Ledger, as the Cash Book is the only cash account ever examined
and shows all the facts of the Ledger Cash account ; that is, the
total receipts and total disbursements each month, and the bal-
ance. The debit side, of course, must always be the greater if
there is any difference, and is the most desirable kind of assets.

106 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

MERCHANDISE.

The debit side of this account shows the amount of all goods
received, either purchased or returned, the cost price of the for-
mer, and the selling price of the latter.

The credit side represents the sales ; the difference between the
two sides will represent no definite amount, because each side re-
presents a different value of the same thing. By adding the
amount of Inventory to the credit side, and deducting therefrom
the amount of debit side, the difference if in favor of credit side
will represent the profit on merchandise sold ; this difference, de-
ducted from the amount of Inventory, will agree with the first
difference in the Merchandise account before the Inventory is
considered.

The Inventory being placed on the credit side by Single Entry
must be brought down on the debit side, thereby constituting
the Double Entry, and is called the balance of Merchandise, which
represents part of our resources.

EXPENSE.

There is rarely, if ever a credit in the Expense account, as it re-
presents money invested in things that are consumed, or for which
we get no direct returns. This is one of the principal divisions of
the Profit and Loss account, and is often subdivided into many
other accounts, according to the requirements of the business, such
as Travelling Expense, Salaries or Wages, Postage and Print-
ing, Advertising, Petty Items, etc.

INTEREST.

The debit side shows how much we have paid for use of money,
and the credit side shows how much we have received for use of

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 107

money due us. If debit side is the greater it shows a loss, and
if credit side is the greater it will show a gain.

THE NEXT FOUR ACCOUNTS

represent our creditors parties from whom we buy, the credit
side of each account showing how much we have bought, and the
debit side how much we have paid each ; the Balance indicates
how much we still owe them, and is part of our Liabilities.

If the debit side had been the greater, it would have shown that
we had overpaid them and that they owed us.

THE NEXT FOUR ACCOUNTS

represent our customers parties to whom we sell. The debit
side of their accounts represents the amount of goods sold to each ;
the credit side, the amount that has been satisfactorily settled for;
and the balance shows the amount each one owes us, and is part
of our resources.

If the credit side had been the greater, it would have shown
that they had overpaid us ; hence we would owe them.

BILLS RECEIVABLE.

The debit side of this account shows the amount of other par-
ties' notes received by our iirm ; the credit side shows the amount
that has been paid or negotiated ; the balance shows the amount of
other parties' notes on hand. (See Bills Receivable Book, page
126.) This balance represents part of our Resources.

The first entry in this account is always a debit, because our
rule is to debit whatever we receive ; and we must receive another
party's note, thereby charging Bills Receivable account before
we can possibly return it whereby Bills Receivable would be
credited, and for the same potent reason the debit side of this
account must be the greater if there is a difference.

It is customary to hold all notes of this kind until enough have
accumulated to make a respectable offering for discount. We

108 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

then make out a list showing name of makers, where payable,
when due, and amount of each, also total amount of offering,
attach the notes thereto, and submit them to our Bank for dis-
count and credit of our account, less discount for unexpired time.

If, however, we hold a note until maturity we save the dis-
count, and if the note is payable at the office or Bank of the
party who drew it, we send it forward for collection in time to
reach the place of payment on or before maturity ; this is neces-
sary in order to bind all endorsers to the note, which would have
to be presented on the day of maturity, and if not paid be pro-
tested. If not duly protested the endorsers would be exempt
from all obligation.

In collecting a note at a distance, we send it to the cashier of
some Bank located in the town or place where the note is pay-
able, endorsing it in his favor, adding "for collection;" by this
method we get returns more promptly than by sending it through
our own Bank for collection, as the latter method would require
the difference in time consumed in the correspondence between
our Bankers and their correspondents, which is often done peri-
odically and not daily.

If any note previously discounted at our Bank be protested, it
is returned to us by our Bankers, to whom we give a check for
the face of note, including protest fees, the total amount of which
we charge to the party from whom we received it in the first
place, thereby throwing their obligation into an open account
again.

If they can render satisfactory explanation as to why the note
was permitted to go to protest, we accept a new note for the
same amount, including protest fees and interest for the time new
note has to run, giving the party credit by amount of new note,
and charging their account with the interest.

All entries on our books embodying notes should specify date
of notes, time to run, amount, where payable ; and in whose favor
they are given.

If we desire to transfer a note payable to our own order,
without being liable as endorser, we endorse it " without re-
course."

If a note or bill is transferred as security, or even as payment

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 109

of a pre-existing debt, the debt revives if the bill or note be dis-
honored.

"Yalue received" is usually written in a note and should
be, but is not absolutely necessary to the validity of the note.
If not written, it is presumed by the law, or may be supplied by
proof.

An oral agreement must be proved by evidence, whereas a
written agreement proves itself. The difference between Bills
Receivable and Accounts Receivable is, the former is a written
agreement and the latter an oral. one. and as the law prefers writ-
ten to oral evidence because of its precision, it is to our advantage
to have open accounts closed by note if not due.

It sometimes supervenes that we desire to withdraw notes pre-
viously discounted in bank and substitute others of equal amount
but possibly unequal time to run. In such a case we submit the
substitutes as a new offering for discount, the proceeds of which
we use in paying withdrawn notes less interest for unexpired time.

BILLS PAYABLE.

The credit side of this account shows the amount for which our
note has been given, the debit side the amount we have paid or
taken up, and the balance represents the amount of our notes still
afloat, constituting part of our liabilities, and will agree with the
Bills Payable Book. The credit side of this account will always
be the greater when there is a difference, the reason being the
reverse of that given in relation to Bills Receivable.

DISCOUNT.

The debit side of this account represents the amount we have
lost in discounting, the credit side the amount gained through
the same operation ; and the difference, if a debit, will show net
loss, if a credit, it will show net gain in discounting.

110 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

EXCHANGE.

The object of keeping this account is to be able to find out
how much we have paid during the year or season for collecting
notes, drafts, and out-of-town checks. It represents a loss.

J. VIRGIL WRIGHT AND J. EDWARD FORTH.

Two instances in which we keep an open account with em-
ployees, the debit side showing how much they have drawn, and
the credit side the amount they are entitled to, by agreement ;
the Balance, if a credit, will show how much we still owe them,
being part of our Liabilities, or if debit side is the greater, it
would show how much they had overdrawn, and represent part
of our assets.

We require employees who are engaged by the week to accept
their dues every Saturday night, so as not to necessitate keeping an
open account with them, the amount being charged direct to ex-
pense through the Expense column in the Cash Book.

ARTHUR JOHN SHELDON.

This is an account with our Landlord, whom we pay quarterly
We credit his account monthly, however, in order to have our
books show correctly every month, upon taking of Trial Balance,
how much we owe ; the balance is part of our Liabilities.

PETIT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.

Under this heading we keep the account of all parties not like-
ly to buy a second time, and therefore not entitled to more than
a single line in our Ledger.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OP BOOKKEEPING. Ill

The manner of dealing with small accounts of this kind is some-
what irregular or different to regular Ledger accounts, inasmuch
as they are not closed By Balance at the end of the year, but left
in statu quo until paid or finally adjusted. They are considered
individually in making out Trial Balance, also indexed as
though each occupied a full page. In case of partial payment,
enter the amount within the space for descriptive matter, and the
gap in the amount column will indicate the account is still open.

PETIT ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.

Under this heading we keep the account of all parties we owe
small amounts, and from whom we are not likely to buy a second
time. Such accounts are managed in the same way as Petit Ac-
counts Receivable, and represent Liabilities.

PROFIT AND LOSS.

This account is a final recapitulation of total gains and total
losses ; the various accounts representing profits or losses through-
out the Ledger being closed or merged into this account at the
end of each season. The debit side representing total losses, and
the credit side total gains, the difference total net gain if credit
side be the greater, and total net loss if the debit side be the greater.
It is closed into the several partners' Stock accounts, in red ink, by
crediting each with his pro rata of net gain, or charging each
with his pro rata of net loss. See Rules for dosing looks, page
43.

BALANCE.

This is not a regular Ledger account, but is introduced in the
miniature Ledger to illustrate the idea of Eesources and Liabilities,

112 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

and prove the correctness of our conclusion ; that is, we must have
Resources enough to pay off all our Liabilities, and be able to
draw out of the business, if we desire to discontinue, the amount
of net capital indicated by our Capital account.

The impracticability of such an account in the Ledger will be
seen when it is taken into consideration that we may have several
thousand open accounts on our Ledger, and to transfer the bal-
ance from each would be no small job, to say nothing of the many
valuable Ledger pages that would be uselessly consumed by the
operation.

Our final Balance Sheet takes the place of this account.

DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTS.

Department accounts are required when it is desired to know
how much we make on each branch of our business. For exam-
ple, we assume that we keep a general store, that is, Dry Goods,
Groceries, Boots and Shoes, Hats and Caps, etc., and we desire to
know at the end of the season which has yielded the greatest pro-
fit. We open an account with Dry Goods Department, Grocery
Department, etc., and charge each with cost of all goods supplied
therewith. We also have a Sales Book for each department, or a
special column in a general Sales Book, representing each depart-
ment, the footing of which that is, the Special column or Special
Sales Book at the end of the month would be carried to the
credit side of its respective department account. We would also
keep a separate Expense account for each department, charging it
with all items of expense, known to have been incurred exclusively
in the interest of that department. We would also keep a General
Expense account for such items of expense as were common to all
the departments, such as office help, incidental office expenses, etc.
Upon closing the books, the General Expense account would be
divided among all the Department Expense accounts in propor-
tion to the amount of capital invested in each department, that
is, as the total amount of capital in all the departments is to the

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 113

amount of capital in each department, so is the total amount of
General Expense to each department's expense.

We would close the Department Expense account into its respec-
tive department account, which would then show the gain or loss
thereon, after crediting the department by its Inventory. Each
department account would then be closed into the general Profit
and Loss account, in the same manner as a regular Merchandise
account.

HOW TO DETERMINE WHAT BILLS ARE UN-
SETTLED.

In a business of great magnitude there are often unsettled ac-
counts, each amounting to many thousands of dollars, composed
of a great number of small amounts, occurring on different dates,
having unequal time to run. There are also frequent payments,
from time to time, covering certain bills, but not in the same or-
der of dates on which they are charged ; hence it becomes neces-
sary to have a system by which to identify every item of debit
and credit that enters into each settlement, in order that we may
be able to tell at a glance what bills remain unpaid. Without
such a system it would be next to impossible to render a correct
statement of an account of this kind after it had run for years, as
they often do without a full settlement. To overcome this diffi-
culty, we classify first payment as letter " a " or figure " 1," and
enter in red ink within amount column, next to folio line, oppo-
site each item of credit, entering into the settlement "a" or "1,"
whichever is adopted, also the same mark of identification oppo-
site each item of debit covered thereby.

In the second payment we mark every item of debit and credit
it covers as "b" or "2," and so on with each settlement alpha-
betically or numerically to the closing of the account. After us^
ing all the letters in the alphabet, we begin with capitals, using
all again ; then adopt numbers.

114

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

FOUR-COLUMN
TRIAL BALANCE, JAN. 31sT, 1885.

$12

P. A. Wright

$1,000

$988

T P Noble

1 000

980

$245
527

00
68

245
3 533

Office Furniture. . .
Cash

5006

4039

6 750

Merchandise

2 710

497

Expense

4
4
5
5

190

2,281
500
500
500
479

04
00
00
00
35

E. H.E. Wright & Co
T. C. Davis & Co. .
Earlington & Co.
Sandiford & Co. . . .
Miller Bros

8,500
500
1,250
1,000

288

00
00
00
00
95

1,218

750
500

00
00

7
7

189
215
37

30
10
00

632

658
471

75
10

J. C. Brown & Co..
W.C.Browning&Co
Davis & Co

443
443
434

00
65
10

8
8

664

1,273

Bills Receivable
Bills Payable . .

608
1,680

65
00

1,680

Or)

Discount

Exchange

10
10
10
11

40
30

00
00

J. Edward Forth.. .
J.Virgil Wright.. .
Arthur J. Sheldon . .
Wm. Ward

125
125
150

00
00
00

85
95
150

00
00
00

Wm French

James Elston

L Powell

11
11

J. K. Ross & Co....
Johnson & Co . . .

100
50

00
00

100

Lindsay & Co

W F Saxe

130

Martin & Brown . . .

130

$6,656

$18,762

$6,656

Footing, C. B., Cr. .
Footing, C. B., Dr..
Discount col. (C. B.),
Dr

$3,006
3,533

Discount col. (C. B.),
Cr

Footing, S. B .....
Footing, Journal. . .

2,325
9,834

10
59

$18,762

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

TRIAL BALANCE, FEB. 28TH, 1885.

115

$50

P. A. Wright. .

$QOQ

T P Noble. .

QfiO

2
9,

$245
327

1 562

Office Furniture
Cash

*! 700

you

3,516
966

326

468

00
40

Merchandise
Expense

849

Interest

4
5
5
6

158

E. H.E. Wright & Co.
Earlington & Co. . .
Sandiford& Co.. ..
Miller & Bros

2
040

1,221
750
500

77
00
00

7
7

318
421
225

60
20
50

129
206
214

30
10
50

J. C. Brown & Co..
W. C. Browning & Co
Davis & Co

8
8

110

79
1 381

Bills Receivable. . . .
Bills Payable

633

r/K(\

78
oo

1(\AQ

Discount ...

uu
oo

,U4o

\tm

Exchange

10
10
10

25
15

00
00

J. Edward Forth...
J. Virgil Wright. ..
A J Sheldon

125
125

1 *iO

00
00
oo

185
205

QOO

00
00
oo

Wm Ward

oUU

L Powell

100

J K Ross

W F Saxe

Profit and Loss

$6,222

$4,780

$6.222

Journal Footing. . . .
C. B., Cr., Footing.
C. B., Dr., " .
Disct. (C. B.), Cr.,
Footing

$880
1,762
1,562

47
20
43

Disct. (C. B.), Dr.,
Footing. ;

Sales Book

KAQ

Total

&A 7Qfl

116

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

CL. M

ku &

ta o

Cb ^

fe ^

O Q

8 .

:5 S

i:l

BALANCE SHEET.

117

268. The Balance Sheet is made from the last Trial Balance,
usually according to the form given below. On page 116 will be
found another form more artistic in design an( i better calculated
to impress our employers that we are expert in our business.

BALANCE SHEET, FEBRUARY 29TH, 1888.
P. A. Wright & Co., New York.

LOSSES.

GAINS.

Miller & Bros.,

102

Mdse.,

1126

Expense,

960

Discount,

Interest,

^^^

Exchange,
P. A. W.'s net gain, (Red ink.)

^^^

(Junior's) net gain, (Red ink.)

^^^^^

1195

ASSETS.

LIABILITIES.

Accounts Receivable,
Bills Receivable,

1382
100

Accounts Payable,
Bills Payable,

6165
500

Cash,
Mdse. (Inventory),
Office Furniture,

155 50
7300 00
24500

P. A. W. balance 1453.33
\ net gain 57.09
" net capital, (Red ink.)

1510

Junior's balance, 950.00

^______ - "

i net gain, 57.08

net capital, (Bed ink.)

1007 08

9182

9182 85

This Balance Sheet is made from the EIGHTEEN LESSONS course
of practice. The Balance Sheet opposite on page 116 is from the
Miniature Set. On page 131 is a single entry exhibit from the
EIGHTEEN LESSONS also.

118

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

3 s

1 V &

ft; ! p

^ . | i

a & f*i .-
I i I
|1*

^ g

LT <0

iS 5 R 8

5 3 1 Y *

1 3 s : I <i

*! ""

OQ ^
" O)

? jvT

fr\uo

a >

03 O

t-s fl

8 |8

8 8

5O CO
rH CO

<?*

g g^

a> 2 O

QCU

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

119

O
O

t-H
HH

teS O

10 o

QO ^

r>
-^^

I- a r I <

^ 1 ^

^ 1 *

s KJ- 3 B
i- S? R 3

. ^ < S 3

s k_r 'S W

Q t^N (^ ^

4 ^ 1 |

pf S 1 | ^

bd* ^^ ^ t^

O K* ^

O ^ si J

o ^ ** *

^ ^ J ^

fe ^ *> ^
h? P w s

^ ^ ! ^

^ fe

S <M

^ ^ ^ 5 1

| ^ 8 , ^
1 | 1 |

S ^

PH ^ ^ J *4

^5 s Kj

I 1 e lf

> p Ft

2 N

^5 *o

^i 'o

fei o

t^j t-i

t., ^

[" -^

te ^

3 i

3 f

>^
j^ 03 10

^ >

03*

fel ^ <&

^ * *

Hi uo qn^s dqj. Sumvdi '9J,dii ffo UAOI 9q pinocn l s^9iiQ J,o ^S9(VO9\ dS9yj,

S 88

I 8 *

|p .

i i|

- i^

^ 15

i i
i> ^^

d r + fl

a ^^

d S rvj

^ ^ S r

K$ JJH

** ^ -w

^ W 5

^ |-5

^ s ^ s

Sj ^H

4O O

1 1 1

12 8

? 1

1 ^

i 1

'oi fl '

120

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

NEW YORK, Jan.
NAL BANK,

P tq

fel ^

* "8

I I

S o

3
>>

' r

* I i

a ^

o iq _

fH ^ ^

^ ^ .a

% '

3 g

O ej

NATIONAL BANK,
f T. C. Davis & Son,
ndred and Eighty Dol

R>\uo qnis

^MH ffo

aq pinom

M
o
o

M
o

S .SP ..

Os"

bp
O'SS

fl o

W .1

? Sa
I 3 -

43s

O S3 .
00

iss

o !i>o 'c<*o|ooo|ooo
os I ost> I t>o|*>os t-o t-

1OOS JO '
1C O CO '
rti CO OO '

H -2 ^

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 121

CHECK BOOK Continued.

Balance brought forward

Feb. 9, Deposited for Collection Miller Bros.' note, due 13th

Feb 9, Proceeds of note

82
497

00
50

Feb. 14, Less Miller Bros.' note, returned protested

579

50
30

Feb. 21, Note due to-day

502
200

20
00

Deduct check No. 9 ...... . ... .

302
180

122

This corresponds to back of Stub of Checks not used.

DEBIT.

The way to read the rules on page 63 is as follows : When prop-
erty of any description enters it is iirst carried to the debit of the
account which represents it. If the person who gives value has
not received, or is not to receive hereafter, an equivalent for it,
this person cannot be credited since he does not remain a creditor"
but in double entry it is necessary to oppose to the debtor item in
every account, a creditor; we therefore substitute a nominal or
impersonal creditor, which takes the title most proper to point
out the nature and origin of the transaction.

CREDIT.

When property of any description goes out it is first carried to
the credit of the account which represent it. If the person
who receives value has not given, or is not to give hereafter, an
equivalent for it, this person cannot be debited since he does not
remain a debtor" but in double entry it is necessary to oppose to
the creditor item in every account, a debtor ; we there substitute
a nominal or impersonal debtor, which takes the place most proper
to point out the nature and origin of the transaction.

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

TRIAL BALANCE BOOK.

This book is ruled with six sets of columns, that is, twelve
columns altogether, requiring one column each for the debits
and the credits, which constitute a set and represent the Trial
Balance for one month. The object is to save writing the names
but once in six months, and to show the balances for that time in
juxtaposition for comparison. It requires two pages of an or-
dinary book to make one page in the TKIAL BALANCE BOOK,
that is, pages 2 and 3 when the book is open are regarded as
one page. On the extreme left is a small column for Ledger
folios, followed by a wide space for the names, which are alpha-
betically arranged with sufficient number of lines left after last
name under every letter of the alphabet for all new names that
may be introduced as Ledger accounts during the next five
months. More lines are left after B's, M's, S's, and W's than any
other letters, as there are more names beginning with those
initials than any other of the 26 letters. After the names
follow the columns, the first two of which will be headed with
the month on which the first Trial Balance appears in the book,
the next two being headed with the next month in order, and so
on for six months.

It will be seen, therefore, that writing the names the first month
will answer for the next five months also. The Trial Balance
is first drawn off on journal paper, as before explained, and
proven ; then copied into the Trial Balance Book. If it is first
drawn off the Ledger into this book, and there should be an error,
it would be extremely inconvenient to find it unless the accounts
were arranged in the Ledger alphabetically also, as it would
require constant turning from one part of the Trial Balance Book
to another to find the names in checking the transfers from
Ledger to Trial Balance. As the principal object of the Trial
Balance is to prove our posting, we may, therefore, regard the Trial
Balance Book as being more in the way than otherwise, and file
original sheet for reference instead of copying it into this book,
which would entail a great deal of work without its correspond-
ing advantages. This book is adapted to the ordinary two-column
Trial Balance described on page 90. It must be understood that
a Trial Balance is not the result of differences for its respective
month's busness, but is the net result or difference between the

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 123

total footings of the debit and the credit side of every unbalanced
account in the Ledger from the beginning of the account or_from
its last closing up to the time of taking off present Trial Balance.

ASSISTANT BOOKKEEPER'S DUTIES.

In the absence of the head bookkeeper the assistant takes his
place. He makes statements of accounts when asked for, audits
remittances, sends receipts therefor, makes up the deposit,
sends it or takes it to Bank, makes memoranda of important
matters requiring the attention of the chief on his return, but
would not be permitted to do any writing on the principal books
except, perhaps, post ; then he w r ould not open any new account on
the Ledger if one had been started since the head bookkeeper left,
as every bookkeeper who takes a pride in his books would not
want a different handwriting on them neither better nor worse
than his own.

If the head bookkeeper is to be absent for a long or indefinite
period, it would not do to permit the work on the main book to
run behindhand ; the assistant would in that case make all current
entries, and for that reason should be a good penman. He assists
in checking the posting if there should be an error in the Trial
Balance; also performs the duties of entry clerk and bill clerk, ex-
amines extensions of invoices, goes to Bank with deposits, also
becomes a trusted messenger when it is necessary to draw money
out of Bank. Rules the Ledger at time of closing it at the end
of the season.

It is an easy position to fill ordinarily, as the assistant would
be directed in everything he did and shown how to do it, as his
superior in position may have a method of his own, differing
possibly from the manner in which the assistant may have seen it
done by others.

He is first in the line of promotion if the head bookkeeper
should be "fired," or concludes to cross the St. Lawrence into the
elysian fields of the Dominion, or if by Omnipotence he is re-
quired to ford the River of Styx, or better, if fortune smiles
upon him he accedes to a copartnership.

124
Dr.

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK

In Account

1885.
Jan.

$2 000

126

D .

323

496

300

100

$3 346

3,346

Feb

455

369

R ,

178

497

1 123

1,579

Mar

Balance

122

On this side of the Pass-book is entered the date of deposit and amount,
also amount of Credit for notes discounted, with the initial of the Bank-clerk
who makes the entry, " R" standing for Receiving-teller and " D " for Discount-
clerk.

It will be seen by comparison that the balance brought down in each in-
stance at the end of the month agrees with our Balance, as indicated on stub
of Check-book, on those dates that is, the first of February and March.

with

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 125

P. A. WRIGHT & CO. Cr.

$500 $300

500 200

470 300 ....

500 120 90

$2 890

Balance

455

Eight Vouchers returned

3,346

$500 $77 30

180 200

500

1 457

Balance

122

Five Vouchers returned .

1,579

On this side are entered the amounts of various checks that have been paid
by the Bank and charged to our account, without giving the dates, on this book ;
the order in which they are entered being the order in which they are paid or
the order in which they appear on the Bank's Ledger. This book is balanced
by the Bookkeeper for the Bank, who returns vouchers to us endorsing on the
Pass-book the number of vouchers.

126

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

*"*<_$<

.0 -3 JO h
<B _, < O
"9 fe ^. tt - 1

fc^-2

c S<

HHI

QQ - ^

8 8 ^

Sea .
a, SJCQ

tssi

Brown & Co ____
Browning & Co.
Co ..........

W.
Da

? I

; 6

^ a

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

127

REMARKS.

tfgj

s ~^

2 n*^ 2 2

5 f^ 3 S

P4 -^~ Pu, PL<

8" 8 8 8 8

| 1 1 1 1 1

a
1

hfl

5
^

3
5

o *. '.

o '

i i

II i

: . i i

.go
H ^

i
I

DQ , Cfl

| | ' 2 3

I 5 1 % 8 8

H *

g '

H B

P A

1!
a fc

j i 1 j v i

liiri

I | | s M
co H "-a S HJ

TH w g so o ot

3-
00-

i 1 I

128 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

ORDER BOOK.

This book is used in a business where the demand for its goods
is greater than the supply, or where goods are ordered for future
delivery. The orders are copied on this book, from which it de-
rives its name, beginning with the date on which the order was
received, then the customer's name, address, terms, shipping direc-
tions, description and price of the goods, and all other particulars.

The orders are numbered on the book, and the same number
marked on the original orders with colored pencil, which are filed
away for reference. When the goods are shipped, the record is
cancelled on Order Book and a direct charge is made on Sales
Book.

MEMORANDUM BOOK.

If goods are sent out on approbation, with privilege to exam-
ine and return part or all, they are charged on this book. First
is entered the customer's name and address, then the description
of the goods, quantity and price, and shipping directions. A
memorandum-bill is rendered, differing from a regular bill only
in the amounts not being extended. After a reasonable time has
elapsed, sufficient for the customer to examine the goods and
make returns of those not wanted, he is notified that unless ad-
vised to the contrary the goods will all be charged to his account
on (name the date), it being presumed the goods will all be re-
tained. A minute should be made on Memorandum Book of the
date notification was sent out, and of the time specified for charg-
ing them to regular account. If part of the goods are returned,
they are checked off memorandum and put in stock, the balance
being charged on Sales Book and regular bill rendered. The mem-
orandum-entry is then cancelled, giving the folio of Sales Book on
which the goods are charged. If a customer fails with goods in
his possession which were sent to him on memorandum, we can
reclaim them and prevent them from being included in his effects
and sold for the benefit of his creditors, as the goods are not his,
although in his possession until he receives an extended bill com-
pleting the sale on our part. All goods outstanding on Memoran-
dum Book must be included in our Inventory upon " taking stock."

A COMMON-SENS*, VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 129

FILING PAPERS.

There are many convenient devices for filing papers, both
temporarily and permanently, each having some special merit
peculiar to itself. The most convenient temporary file is seen on
page 233, showing papers filed both properly and improperly by
its use. The wrong way, as seen in Fig. 1, where the file goes
through the middle of the paper, makes it difficult to read that
part of a letter without removing those subsequently filed on top
of it ; furthermore, it would cause mutilation of the paper by tear-
ing it in pieces in removing it by drawing it out, and would show
lack of system and a lazy, careless bookkeeper. The right way,
as seen in Fig. 2, shows the letter with the file through the upper
left-hand corner, where there would be no writing, making a
nicely arranged package, indicating that there was a man of
method at the helm, and which would make it easy to examine the
whole of any letter by turning it to one side, even though it be in
the midst of a file full of papers, and, if necessary to take it off
the file, it can be drawn out by tearing very little of the corner,
without removing any others, and preserve the letter intact and
in perfect shipshape, as the saying is. These remarks also apply
to the upright file, or spindle, that sits on the desk, and which
should never be left standing, especially on a low desk, but turned
over on the side, as they are dangerous. The best way to file
papers permanently is by arranging them alphabetically without
folding, or without fastening them by wire driven through one
side, as is usually done. Tying them with a small cord answers
the purpose; then they can be untied and retied ad libitum.
The filing should be done monthly, and each package marked
" Letters" (or Invoices, or whatever it may be), for whatever
month it is. In an extensive business, a cabinet is made full of
compartments, or drawers, one for each letter of the alphabet, and
one for Miscellaneous papers, into which the letters for a whole
year can be kept and referred to easily. At the end of the year
they can be tied up in separate packages for each letter of the
twenty-six letters, and so marked ; then placed in a large box
marked " old papers," with the year and the initial of firm-name
also marked on the box.

130

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

February 1.
Miller Bros. ., 5/30

February 5.
W. C. Browning n/30

February 7.
Miller Bros 5/30

February 8.
Davis & Co. . . .n/30

February 9.

J. C. Brown & Co.

,n/30

February 10.
Miller Bros n/30

March 1.
Miller Bros .5/80

March 2.

Wm. French n/30

Wm. Ward n/30

James Elston .n/30

March 3.
L. Powell n/30

$134

190

18
18
15

Paid, 1/3

Paid, 1/10

Paid, 1/9

Received
Note, 1/10

Paid, 1/31

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE BOOK.

The figures 1/3 on the right of this page indicate the month
and day when bill was paid.

The month should never be written numerically, however,
unless the space is too small to write it otherwise. It is never
admissible to date a letter that way^ as is often done. It shows
laziness and bad taste on the part of the writer.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

131

ANNUAL STATEMENT FROM SINGLE ENTRY

BOOKS.

Accounts Receivable,

Bills Receivable,

Cash,

Mdse. (Inventory),

Office Furniture,

Accounts Payable,

Bills Payable,

The firm' s present net capital,*

ASSETS.

$1382.35

100.00

155.50

7300.00

245.00 $9182.85
LIABILITIES.

$6165.35

500.00 6665.35

$2517.50 2517.50

P. A. W.'s original investment, 1000.00

Additional investment and interest

thereon, 503.33 1503.33

Withdrawn during the year, 50.00

1453.33

T. P. N.'s original investment, 1000.00

Withdrawn during the year, 50.00

Remainder of the firm's investment,
Net Gain,

P. A. W.'s remaining investment and

interest thereon, 1453.33

Half of net gain, 57.09

His present net capital,

950.00
$2403.33 2403.33
$114.17

T. P. K.'s remaining original capital,
Half of net gain,
His present net capital,
P. A. W.'s and T. P. K's joint capital
(see firm's capital above),*

$1510.42 1510.42

950.00

57.08

$1007.08 1007.08

$2517.50 2517.50

This statement is made according to the FOURTEEN RULES on
pages 46 and 47, and from it the books could be changed to
double entry according to the form of entry on page 48.

132 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

COMMERCIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Business letters should be brief and decisive, but clear and
courteous. The following forms will give the inexperienced
reader a general idea how to word a letter on similar occasions.
Every business letter is entitled to the courtesy of a prompt
acknowledgement. In writing for information inclose stamps
for a reply. Ladies should prefix Miss or MRS. to their name
when writing to strangers.

A LETTER REQUESTING NOTE TO BALANCE ACCOUNT.

MEMORANDUM.

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 1885.

From

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.,

769 Broadway.

MESSRS. J. C. BROWN & Co.,
Chicago, 111.

DEAR SIRS: Enclosed herewith we hand you statement of
your account, which you will doubtless find correct. If not con-
trary to your custom of doing business, please send us your note
at 60 days from average date, for the amount, $31 S^ ^-, and
greatly oblige Yours truly,

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

A LETTER TO BANK CASHIER ENCLOSING DRAFT FOR
COLLECTION.

From

MEMORANDUM.

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 1885.

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.,

769 Broadway.

CASHIER IST NAT'L BANK,

Detroit, Mich.

DEAR SIR: We enclose herewith for collection our sight
draft on Messrs. W. C. Browning & Co., for $24^. PROTEST
WAIVED. Your kind and prompt attention will oblige

Yours truly,

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 133

A LETTER NOTIFYING W. C. BROWNING & CO. OP DRAFT.

MEMORANDUM.

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 1885.

From

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.,

769 Broadway.

MESSRS. W. C. BROWNING & Co. ,
Detroit, Mich.

DEAR Sms: We have this day drawn on you at sight, through
First National Bank, Detroit, for $24^^, as per statement en-
closed. Please honor draft on presentation, and much oblige

Yours truly,

P. A. WEIGHT & Co.

A LETTER ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF REMITTANCE
AND ORDER.

MEMORANDUM.

From

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.,

769 Broadway.

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 1885.

MESSRS. MILLER & BROS.,

St. Louis.

DEAR Sms : Your valued favor of 5th inst., inclosing check
for llTSy 9 ^, is received. We have placed the amount at your
credit and note order, which will be executed as promptly as pos-
sible, with our best care and attention. Accept our thanks.

Yours truly,

P. A. WEIGHT & Co.

From

A LETTER DECLINING TO ACCEPT SIGHT DRAFT.

MEMORANDUM.

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 1885.

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.,

769 Broadway.

MESSRS. E. H. E. WRIGHT & Co. ,
Evansville, lud.

134 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

GENTLEMEN: Your esteemed favor of 6th inst. is duly re-
ceived. In reply to which, permit us to say it will not be con-
venient for us to meet your sight draft for $500-^^, owing to
non-receipt of money due us. It will be our pleasure, however,
to honor your draft at five days' sight for that amount, which we
trust will be satisfactory to you. In the mean time we beg to
remain, Yours truly,

P. A. WEIGHT & Co.

A LETTER ACCOMPANYING OFFERING FOR DISCOUNT.

MEMORANDUM.

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 1885.

From

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.,

769 Broadway.

CASHIER IST NAT'L BANK,

City.

DEAR SIR: "We respectfully offer herewith for discount, and
credit of our account, the following described notes, viz.:

J. C. Brown & Co. . . Chicago. .Mar. 5, 1885, .$131.76

W. C. Browning & Co. .Detroit . . . Apl. 4, 1885 . . $195.85..$327.61

If acceptable, please pass the same to our credit, less discount,
and oblige Yours truly,

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

Form usually printed on bottom of Statement Blanks and filled out to suit
the occasion, the appearance of which on bottom of statement without
being filled out is often quite sufficient, as it is an evidence that such a
one would likely follow.

DEAR SIRS : Above please find statement of your account,
which you will doubtless find correct ; unless we receive your re-
mittance by return mail, we will draw on you at sight,

for $ , amount of past-due bills, according to terms on bills

rendered. P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 135

A LETTER INVESTIGATING REFERENCE.

NEW YORK, Jan 'y. 1st, 1888.
Mr. A. M. Warner, Boston, Mass.

DEAR SIR : Having been referred to you by Mr. G. B. Allen
of your city, with whom we expect to have some business deal-
ings, we request that you will kindly furnish us with any in-
formation you may possess concerning his responsibility, relia-
bility, and general business qualifications. We will regard such
information as confidential, and be pleased to reciprocate the
favor if the opportunity presents itself.

Yours truly, " P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

A LETTER OF APPLICATION FOR A POSITION.

NEW YORK, Jan. 1st, 1888.

A. D.

Will please consider me as an applicant for the position ad-
vertised in the Herald of this inst. I am thirty-four years old,
and have had twelve years experience as head book-keeper and
cashier in first class New York houses ; therefore feel equal to
any emergency in accounting, and capable of assuming entire
charge of the affairs of your office and conducting them to your
infinite satisfaction. The question of salary can be settled .ac-
cording to your estimation of my ability after a fair trial. I
am perfectly abstemious ; in fact, have no objectionable habits.
Satisfactory reference as to honesty and reliability will be
furnished at interview, if you are pleased to accord me one.
Yours obediently, P. A. WRIGHT.

ULTIMATUM WITH DELINQUENT CUSTOMER.

Mr. Wm. Smith.

DEAR SIR : Our draft on you for past-due account has been
returned, accompanied by no explanation from you as to why
you failed to honor it. Unless we receive your remittance by
return mail, we will place the matter in the hands of our at-
torney, with instruction to bring suit for the amount, without
delay. By giving this your immediate attention, you will save
further trouble and expense.

Yours truly, P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

LETTER TO ATTORNEY.

NEW YORK, Jan. 3d, 1888.
M- P- Stafford, Esq., Attorney '-at- Law.

DEAR SIR : We enclose herewith, for collection, a statement

136 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

of our account against Wm. Smith. If not paid promptly, on
presentation, you will please institute suit against him, and ob-
tain judgment for the amount and cost. Your prompt attention
will oblige,

Yours truly, P. A. WEIGHT & Co.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ORDER.

HEW YORK, Jan. 1st, 1888.
Mr. R. V. Johnson.

DEAR SIK : Your order was duly received and appreciated ;
but having been mislaid through clerical carelessness, it has
failed to receive the prompt acknowledgment and attention it
otherwise would have had. We hope the delay has caused
you no serious inconvenience or loss, and promise that it shall
not occur again, if you should be pleased to favor us with fur-
ther orders.

Yours truly, P. A. WEIGHT & Co.

A LETTER OF INTRODUCTION.

EVANSVILLE, IND., June 17th, 1873.
Messrs. H. W. Rogers, Jr., <$ Bro., Chicago, fil.

GENTLEMEN : Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance,
Mr. P. A. Wright of this place, who visits your city for the
purpose of seeking employment as book-keeper. You will find
him perfectly reliable, competent, and trustworthy : and I would
deem it a special personal favor if you would take a little interest
in doing something for him. You can recommend him fully
for any position in which he will offer hip? self.

Yours respectfully, H. O. BABCOCK.

Letters of introduction must not be sealed, and on tbe envelope must be
written in the lower left hand corner, " Introducing Mr. ."

A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION.

EVANSVILLE, IND., May 21st, 1873.
To tuhom it may concern :

The bearer, P. A. Wright, of this city, we have had
business associations with for several years ; and know that, as
an accountant, he has good ability and writes a good clear hand.
Habits good. We feel satisfied that he would be regarded with
favor in any commercial firm giving him employment. Our
acquaintance with the young gentleman has been of such a
character as to commend him to our notice ; and without hesi-
tancy we recommend him to any firm in Chicago or elsewhere.
Yery respectfully, CHARLES YIELE & Co.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 137

FORM OF PROMISSORY NOTE.

CHICAGO, ILL., Jan. 1/1885

Sixty days after date we promise to pay to the order of P. A.
Wright & Co., One Hundred, Thirty-one, and ^ Dollars.
Payable at our office, with exchange on New York.

Yalue received.

J. C. BROWN & Co.

FORM OF SIGHT DRAFT.*

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 1885.

At Sight pay to the order of Cashier of First National Bank,
Detroit, Twenty-four -ffa Dollars, value received, and charge
same to account of P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

MESSRS. W. C. BROWNING & Co. ,

Detroit, Mich.

FORM OF ACCEPTANCE.

$500^. EVANSVILLE, IND., Feb. 1, 1885.

At five days' sight, pay to the order of ourselves five hundred
dollars, value received, and charge to account of

To E. H. E. WRIGHT & Co.

MESSRS. P. A. WRIGHT & Co. ,

769 Broadway, New York.

The following is written across face of the above form, in
red ink: "Accepted, Feb. 3, '85, payable at First National
Bank. P. A. WRIGHT &Co."

*Time draft differs from this only in having the time to run specified.

138 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

FORM OF A RECEIPT-

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 1885.

Keceived of Miller & Bros, sixty dollars, in full of all
demands. P. A. WEIGHT & Co.

FORM OF DUE BILL.

Dae on demand, to Austin Koss or order, seventy-five dollars,,
value received. New York, Jan. 31, 1885.
$75 T V P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

"I. O. U.

A paper having on it the capitals I. O. IT., with amount
stated, signed and dated, constitutes another form of due bill
used for small sums and short time, as a rule called an I. O. U.

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT.

$100^. NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 1885.

P. A. Wright & Co, have deposited in this bank one hundred
dollars, payable to the order of Austin Ross, on the return of
this certificate properly indorsed.

JEREMIAH BEHM, Cashier.*

*Form of exchange is not given, as it is a class of paper peculiar to banks,
and bookkeepers are never required to make out a bill of exchange.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 139

FORM OF MONTHLY STATEMENT.

MONTHLY STATEMENT.

NEW YORK, March 1, 1885.
MESSES. J. C. BROWN & CO., Chicago, 111.,

In account with

P. A. WRIGHT & CO.,

769 Broadway.

1885.
Jan

To Mdse as per bill rendered .... 4/60

$137

9!5

9
9

" " ' " " " n/30
" " " " " " 4/60

00
25

189

Jan

On.
By Cash on a/c

100

$427

<* i K

225

Balance

$202

INVOICE OR BILL.

Terms: 4$, 60 days.

Bills not paid at Maturity subject to Sight Draft.
Book, A. Folio, 1. Salesman, Ross.
Shipping Directions, M. D.

769 Broadway,
NEW YORK, Jan. 1, 1885.

MESSES. J. C. BROWN & CO., Chicago, 111.,

Bought of P. A. WRIGHT & CO.,

DEALERS IN

SHIRTS, COLLARS AND CUFFS.

Doz. No. 1 Shirts $10 00

$25

B 1

" 2 " ' 11 00

"3 " '1200

"4 "

" 5 " . . . ' 14 00

Collars ' 1 60

Cuffs ' 3 60

Case and cartage

$137

140 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

MERCANTILE CALCULATIONS.

It does not follow that one must have sounded the depths of
mathematics before he can become a bookkeeper. A common-
school education, and therefore familiarity with the four princi-
pal rules of arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division), common fractions, simple interest, discount, and equation
of payments, is all that is necessary. In fact, the old-time
qualifications of " read, write, and cipher" are the fundamental
principles of a business education. A few examples and short
rules are given by way of refreshing the student's memory, it
being presupposed that he is already conversant with all the above
principles, for a better understanding of which he is referred to
works on mathematics.

PERCENTAGE.

To get 10$ of any amount, remove decimal point one place to
the left.

To get 5$, remove decimal point one place to the left and divide
by 2.

To get 1$, remove decimal point two places to left.

To get any other percentage, remove decimal point two places
to the left and multiply by the given rate.

MULTIPLICATION.

The shortest method of multiplying any amount by any num-
ber less than 100 is to annex two ciphers and take aliquot parts.

EXAMPLE 1. Multiply 436 by 62| :

2)43600
4)21800
5450
27250 (Answer).

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

Demonstration.

436 multiplied by 100 = 43600;

436 50 = 21800 (half as much);

436 " 12i = 5450 (i of 50);

436 " 62| = 27250 (50 and 12i added).

141

EXAMPLE 2. Multiply 738 by

4)73800

2)18450

9225

27675 (Answer).
Demonstration.

738 multiplied by 100 = 73800;

738
738

738

25 = 18450 (one quarter as much);
12| = 9225 (half of one quarter):

37| = 27675 (25 and 12 added).

EXAMPLE 3. Multiply 973^ by 67i :

2)97350.00

4)48675.00

12168.75

10)4867.50

65Y11.J (Answer).
Demonstration.

Express the fraction in multiplicand decimally.
973.50 multiplied by 100 = 97350.00

973.50
973.50
973.50

50 = 48675.00 (half as much);
12| = 1 21 68. 75 (i of 50);
5 = 4867. 50 ( T V of 50);

973.50 " 67i = 65711.25 (50, 12|, and 5 addedX

Restore the decimal to common fraction T 2 ^ = .

EXAMPLE 4. Multiply 769 by 95 :

769.00 as multiplied by 100
38.45 " " 5

Answer 730.55

143 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

EXAMPLE 5. Multiply 769 by

76900 X 3 = 230700
76900 -7- 3 = 25633

205066|

Demonstration. Annexing two ciphers to any amount multi-
plies it by 100. It will be perceived that 266f is 33-J, or one
third less than 300 ; hence, by annexing two ciphers and first
multiplying by 3, then dividing same amount by 3, the difference
between the two results thus obtained gives the answer. It re-
quires many less figures by this simple operation than by the
usual method of multiplication.

CANCELLATION.

It is the fewest number of persons who, after learning this
beautiful operation as school-boys, give it any practical applica-
tion in after-life to the many problems that can be solved by it
quicker than by any other, requiring the fewest figures, and pro-
ducing the most accurate result.

The principle is to draw a perpendicular line and place the
principal and all multipliers on the right of the line thus drawn
and all divisors on the left, first reducing both multipliers and
divisors to a common denomination. Then strike out on both
sides of the line any amount that can be divided without a re-
mainder by a common factor, then multiply all the remaining
numbers together on the right and divide their product by the
product of all the remaining numbers on the left; the quotient
thus obtained will be the answer.

EXAMPLE 1. What will be the interest on $424 at 6% for 2
yrs. 2 mos. 15 days ?
106

m 159 X 106 = 168.54 + 3 = 56.18

Answer $56.18.
Demonstration. 2 yrs. 2 mos. 15 days are equal to 795 days.
Multiplying $424 by Q% would give the interest for one year, or

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

143

360 days. To get the interest for one day we divide by 12 X 30,
which is equal to 360. Then to get it for the required time
multiply by 795, the number of days in that time.

EXAMPLE 2. If a piece of cloth containing 60 yards cost $34,
what would be the selling price per yard in order to make 20
percent? Answer 68 cents.

Demonstration.

EXAMALE 3. If I

the cost per gross ?

Demonstra tion.

2 X 34 = 68
sell a hat for $4.50, making 20^, what was
Answer, $540.

450

IM = 12

= 10 X 12 X 450 = 540

RULE FOR REDUCING FRENCH MONEY FRANCS TO U. S.

CURRENCY.

Multiply francs and fractions thereof by the decimal .193, one
franc being equal to 19^- cents. Point off three places in the
product (five places if there are fractional francs), and that will
give the answer in dollars and cents.

RULE FOR REDUCING GERMAN MONEY MARKS TO U. S.

CURRENCY.

Multiply the given amount in marks by the decimal .238, one
mark being equal to 23 T 8 cents. Point off three places in the
product : that will give the answer in dollars and cents.

RULE FOR REDUCING STERLING TO U. S. CURRENCY.

The exchange value of <! is assumed to be $4.87 for all or-
dinary mercantile purposes, such as crediting invoices, approxi-
mating cost, etc.

144 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

At this rate we multiply the given 's by $4, multiply shillings-
by 20 cents, and take aliquot parts for the pence, to the total
amount of which we add one fifth thereof, and one twelfth of one
fifth the sum total will be the answer.

In the first place we assume 1 to be equal to $4, at which rate
one shilling, which is one twentieth of 1, would be equal to 20
cents, which is one twentieth of $4. Therefore five shillings and
over, if multiplied by 20 cents, w r ould give the answer in dollars
and cents, four shillings and under in cents only. Having ob-
tained the value of the given s. d. at the rate of $4, to get it at
$4.87 we add one fifth of the amount at $4, which would give
the value at $4.80 (80 cents being one fifth of $4) ; then add one
twelfth of one fifth of $4, which would give the value at $4.87 ;.
one twelfth of 80, which represents one fifth, being in whole num-
bers 7, which is the nearest we can get it by this operation.

EXAMPLE. What is the value of 7 9s. 6d. in currency ?

7 9s. Qd.
420

value of 7 at $4.00

1.80 " 9s. " 4.00 per

10 " 6d. " 4.00 "

5)29.90 " 7 9s. 6d. " 4.00 "

12) 5.98 " 7 9 6 " .80 "

49 7 9 6 " .07

Answer, $36.37 " 796" $4.87

SHORTEST KNOWN RULES FOR COMPUTING INTEREST, ANY
RATE FOR ANY GIVEN TIME ON ANY GIVEN AMOUNT.

CASE 1. To find the interest at 6$ for 30 days on any amount.

Rule 1. Divide the amount in dollars by two, and that will
give the interest in cents.

CASE. 2. To find the interest at 7$ on any amount for any num-
ber of days.

Rule 2. Proceed according to Kule 1 and add one-sixth of the
result. Deduct one-sixth to find the interest at 5$. Any other

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 145

percentage may be found by adding or subtracting as the case
may require.

CASE 3. When the time is in years, months, and days, reduce
the time to days, and proceed as in Rule 2 and take aliquot parts
for the fractional part of 30 days.

CASE 4. Any amount will show upon its face the interest there-
on at 6$ for 60 days, by removing the decimal point two places to

the left.

All Interest rules are made on a basis of 360 days to the year, when in fact
there are 365 days in a year; hence in business we never figure Interest by the
month nor by the year, but always by the days. In school we were taught thr.t
the Interest on $500 for one year (from Jan. 1st to Dec. 31st, 365 days) @, 6$
was $30, when in business we know it is $30.42. Always count the actual
number of days intervening between two given dates. This is another in-
stance in which theoretical or school methods differ from practical methods.

AVERAGING ACCOUNTS.

Fixing a date upon which a number of amounts occurring on
different dates and having different time to run before maturity-
would amount to same thing as if the sum total of all the amounts
had occurred on one date.

CASE 1. When the account contains debits only, with equal
time to run.

Rule 1. Multiply the amount of first bill by the number of
days intervening between first and second bill ; add the two bills-
together, and multiply the amount by the number of days between
second and third bill ; add the three bills together, and multiply
the amount by the number of days between third and fourth bills,
and so on to the end of the account. Divide the total amount of
products thus obtained by the total amount of bills, and the quo-
tient arising will show the number of days back of date of last
bill, which will give the average date of the account.

EXAMPLE. What is the average date of the following account ?

January 3, $40, 4 mos.;
5, 20,
9, TO,
17, 30,

$160

146 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Demonstration.

40 X 2 = 80

60 X 4 = 240

130 X 8 = 1040

160)1360(81 days back of Jan. 17, considering the %
1280 d. is Jan. 8th (or 9th) for average pur-

chase date, and the average due date

80 May 8th or 9th.

CASE 2. When an account contains both debits and credits of
different dates and unequal time to run, and it is desired to know
when the balance will average due.

Mule 2. Find the due date of each bill by extending it full
time it has to run. Then find the average date of the debits and
the average date of credits, according to Rule 1, Case 1. Com-
pute the interest on total amount of debits and credits separately
at 12$ per annum from the first of the month on which the first
transaction matures to their respective average date. Divide the
difference in interest thus obtained by the balance of the account ;
the quotient will be the number of months from the first of the
month on which the first transaction matures or the date on which
the balance is due. If the balance of interest and balance of ac-
count are on opposite sides, that is, the interest on the smaller
side of the account be greater than the interest on the larger side,
the time will be reckoned back of first day of the month on
which first transaction matures.

EXAMPLE. When will the balance of the following account be
due?

Dr.

January 3, 30 days $30

8, 60 " 25

13,90 " 20

18, 4 mos 75

$150

Or.

February 5 $25

March 2 40

Aprils 35

Balance 50

$150

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 147

Demonstration.

Bill January 3 would be due February 2;
" 8 " March 9 ;

" " 13 " " April 13 ;
" " 18 " " May 18.

February 2, 30 X 35 (No. of days between Feb. 2 and March 9) = 1050
March 9, 2555 X 35 ( " " Mar. 9 and April 13) = 1925

April 13, 2075 X 35 ( " " April 13 and May 18) = 2625

May 18, _75 5600

150)5600(38 days back of May 18 = April 10 or average date of
450 debits.

1100
1200

February 5, 25 X 25 (No. of days bet. first and second payment) = 625
March 2, 4065 X 32 ( " " second and third " ) = 2080

April 3, _35 2705

100)2705(27 days back of April 3 = March 7 or average date of pay-
200 ments.

705
700

Interest on $150 from February 1 to April 10 @ 12$ (69 days) = 345
100 " " 1 March 7 " (35 days) = 116

Balance of a/c $50 Difference in interest, 229

229 -T- 50 = 4f months, or 4 mos. 18 days.

4 mos. and IS days from February 1st is June 18th average due date of
balance.

WONDERS OF MATHEMATICS.

An interesting problem for two say A and B.

First proposition is for A to put down three amounts in the
order of addition containing any number of figures, under which
B will write two more amounts containing same number of
figures.

Second proposition : B will write the answer or sum total of the
five amounts thus written after seeing A's first amount and before

148 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

any other figures are made, thus : Assuming the first line A puts

down to be

7690

27688

omit four lines for next four amounts, and B will write the
answer 27688.

Demonstration.

A's first line

" second line

" third line
B's first line

" second line

27688 B's Answer.

The result can be ascertained for any sum containing an odd
number of amounts on the same principle.

The above being designed more to amuse than to instruct, the
explanation is omitted to give the reader an opportunity of exer-
cising a little thought and mathematical skill to arrive at the
proper solution. Those who cannot do it, if sufficiently inter-
ested, can write the author, who will take pleasure in furnishing
a key to the solution and give a reason therefor.

SOMETHING EASY.

Select any figure, multiply it by 9, then multiply 12,345,679
by the product, and the new product or result thus obtained will
contain nine of the figures first selected.

Demonstration. Suppose 8 be selected,

8 X 9 =' 72 12,345,679

24,691,358
86,419,753

888,888,888

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED. 149

PRESS-COPYING.

This very useful and great time- and labor-saving process con-
sists in reproducing a manuscript quickly and exactly by taking
an impression in a book of manilla paper of very fine texture.
A set of blotters and oil-sheets accompany every book, the former
being used in producing the copy, and the latter to place between
the copies when made to prevent blurring or blending of one
with the other while the paper is still damp, making them illegi-
ble.

The process is to place a blotter, same size as the leaf on which
the transfer is to be made, beneath the leaf, which is then damp-
ened with a soft brush (some use a rag or sponge, but a brush is
better, and was originally used with the invention), after which
another blotter of the same size is placed on the dampened leaf
and borne down with sufficient pressure to absorbe all superflu-
ous water that is left after the sheet is thoroughly moistened ; then
the top blotter is removed and the manuscript placed on the damp
surface with the written side downward, the blotter is replaced
over it, and the book is closed and placed in the press, which should
always be left ready to receive it. -Turn the wheel or bar as far
as it will go, then reverse it immediately, and you will have a per-
fect copy. It is not at all necessary to allow the book to remain
in the press longer than an instant, unless the manuscript has
been written over an hour, as the copy is completed just as soon
as the writing is brought in contact with the moistened surface,
providing copying-ink has been used, ordinary writing-fluid not
copying at all.

Many people first place the oil-sheet beneath the leaf to be
dampened, on which the matter is to be reproduced. This is
wrong, as the water penetrates the manilla paper, and, the oil-
sheet being impervious to water, the superfluous water between
the two would make the former too damp to produce a clear and
perfect copy. The oil-sheets were originally designed by the in-
ventor of the' process to be placed between the copies after they
are made, for the reason before stated.

150 A THKEE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

335$. The eighteen lessons can be written up again, and by
assuming the inventory to be $7,100, the result will show a loss,
and the books must be closed according to the same rules, which
explain how to proceed in case of loss. Each partner's Net Loss
would be $42.91-J. The Assets and Liabilities will be the same
as in the other set, except the reduction in the inventory, which
will reduce the assets $200.00.

TWO PROPOSITIONS IN SINGLE ENTRY.

FIRST.

335 b. A and B are equally interested in business; at the close
of the second year their joint effects are $39,954.24; their liabil-
ities are $6,264.26. At the beginning of the second year A had
at his credit $13,393.60 ; B had a credit of $15,820.25. During
the year A drew out of the business $7,806.12; B drew out
$5,802.76. How much had each remaining in the business after
closing the books?

SECOND.

335<2. C and D are contractors and builders, and are equally
interested. They erect one house that cost $15,436.79. C con-
tributes $6,063.88 ; D contributes $9,372.91. C collects in vari-
ous ways $4,895.65, and D collects $10,000. Before selling the
house they conclude to dissolve copartnership. How much
money must change hands to make them equal owners of the

house \

335<L In demonstrating these propositions or solving any problem in single
entry, first ascertain if there has been a profit or loss, and adjust it according
to agreement, following rules on page 47,

ENIGMAS.

1 2 8

1462999 1905999 89766

3350. Those who have read tins book comprehensively can
easily discover the hidden meaning of the foregoing figures,

BUSINESS METHODS

A THREE WEEKS COURSE OF PRACTICE

SYNOPSIS.

FIRST LESSON.

We introduce and open a set of books Proper arrangement of Columns
in a group Invest Cash in the business Open the Partners' Capital
accounts; also an account for Cash, Expense, Office Furniture, and
First National Bank How to make a deposit The sign of Debit and
Credit in the bank account How to dispose of Gash over and Cash
short Hw to prove the Cash Importance of proving the Cash every
evening How to post from the Cash-book How to close it 155

SECOND LESSON.

Buy goods on credit Open an account with three creditors When post-
ing should be done How to regulate space for Ledger accounts How
to arrange them for convenience Lock Ledger explained Customers'
Ledger Purchase Ledger Sell goods on credit Open an account
with four customers Importance of keeping the address of employees
and others How to .post from the Journal and the Sales book 16$

THIRD LESSON.

A customer settles by note Open a Bills Receivable and a Discount ac-
count Difference between a memorandum and an entry Settle with
a creditor by note Open an account for Bills Payable Charge up
more goods Requirements of the business suggest what accounts to
open Initials only necessary in posting What regulates the dating of
notes 167

FOURTH LESSON.

Reopen the daily Cash A customer settles in cash less the discount Set-
tle with a creditor by giving check on bank Petty Cash How to dis-
pose of little items of expense Open an account with a salesman
How to dispose of retail sales Five questions in proving Cash
Answers thereto Five more in counting money in the drawer An-
swers thereto 171

FIFTH LESSON.

Discount a note at bank Open Interest account Difference between In-
terest and Discount How to find present worth of a note A creditor
draws on us at sight Pay day Pay-roll explained How to dispose

151

SYNOPSIS.

of the matter when part of the employees are manufacturers How to
keep the bank account straight Buy goods and settle for them by
note How to dispose of the matter when a new customer buys goods
and settles by note Business method versus Commercial College non-
sense Petit Accounts Receivable Enter more goods 175

SIXTH LESSON.

Negotiate a loan at bank How it is done What regulates the rate of
interest charged Paying other people pursuant to instructions of a
creditor for his account Why checks should not be entered in Cash-
book soon as drawn A customer returns damaged goods Another
.customer declines to pay for case and cartage What to do in each
instance 180

SEVENTH LESSON.

Two customers settle by note How both are disposed of at the same time
We transfer one note to a creditor in part settlement Buy more goods
on credit A creditor draws on us at 10 days sight When the book-
keeper \vould be permitted to sign the firm name When he would not
be permitted to sign it Power of attorney Absurdity of not allowing
the book-keeper to indorse checks for deposit Authentic signature
Circumstances alter cases A sharp trick checkmated 184

EIGHTH LESSON.

Additional investment by one partner Two customers request us to draw
on them at sight Their object How we would proceed in the mat-
ter Open an Exchange account When and how to dispose of the dif-
ferences that arise in cash settlements Importance of being method-
ical Buy goods C. O. D. Importance of explanation in every cash
transaction Return of the transferred note Counter entry Buy more
goods on time When the year and month must appear on the books
How to enter goods sold C. O. D. Exchange on New York 188

NINTH LESSON.

Heceive by the same mail a remittance from two customers, less discount
How to dispose of the matter when the money we receive includes a
part that must be handed to another An error due to inexperience
and lack of judgment Pay two other creditors by giving check Draw
on a customer at 15 days sight Charge up more goods 198

TENTH LESSON.

.A customer remits on account Pay our acceptance due this day How it
would be paid Start a salesman on the road, advancing him money to
pay expenses Advantage in giving him a check for part of it How
to dispose of the matter Why it would be wrong to charge it to his
personal account How he would get the check cashed when possibly
1000 miles awa) r How to close the monthly Cash-book How to ex-

SYNOPSIS. 153

plaiii the results Open salesman's travelling account How to close
the Sales-book at the end of the month An entry peculiar to the last
day of every month on the Journal How to close the Journal DTT^~
ference between giving and agreeing to give 19

ELEVENTH LESSON.

Trial Balance How to proceed in making it How to find errors in Trial
Balance Last resort A Trial Balance of the usual form showing the
condition of the books if they have been properly written up The
usual rule for transposition of figures is the creation of the inexperi-
enced " Red Ink Promises" veritable bosh , . 200

TWELFTH LESSON.

Introduce a four-column Journal ; also two Discount columns in the Cash-
book Buy more goods on account from three firms Receive a remit-
tance from two more customers, less discount A point in financiering
Pay a creditor by check, less discount How to dispose of cartman's
bill How we know his bill is correct A wrong conclusion naturally
drawn by the student Inconsistency, thou art not a jewel Charge the
same customers with more goods How to read the peculiar entries on
the Cash-book this month, and how to post them 201

THIRTEENTH LESSON.

Pay our first note which falls due this day How it would be paid Bank
account overdrawn Peculiar way of showing overdraft When per-
mitted to overdraw How to make it good The great advantage of
getting our customers to give us notes The unsatisfactory method
adopted by many book-keepers Discount several notes at bank How
to charge the bank account with the proceeds and restore it to its
normal condition How to dispose of the box-maker's bill 207

FOURTEENTH LESSON.

A customer's note goes to protest What is meant by protest Having dis-
counted the note at bank we must pay it for our customer Give the
bank a check upon themselves Bank account again overdrawn
Receive an opportune remittance from a customer, less discount
Lend money on bank principles An apologetic letter from a delin-
quent customer Fabrication from whole cloth Receive a new note
in renewal of protested note, covering protest fees and interest The
business method of disposing of the matter; also the Commercial Col-
lege method Logic versus old-fogyism 211

FIFTEENTH LESSON.

Receive a 4 mos. note from a customer Another customer calls in his note
before it is due How to withdraw a note previously discounted at
bank and substitute another of different amount and different time to
run Theory versus practice Why Business College methods are im-

154 SYNOPSIS.

practicable Old fossils (Business College presidents) handled without
gloves Pay another note Introduce two transient customers' ac-
countsCharge an employee with goods 215

SIXTEENTH LESSON.

Another note due to day, which we renew How to renew a note at bank
How to renew a note if held by private parties Receive remittance
for draft made on a customer, less exchange A customer remits for
two bills, less discount Another makes a payment on account How
to counteract a loss of discount 218

SEVENTEENTH LESSON.

A customer fails and settles at 40^ Open an account for Profit and Loss
Travelling salesman returns and accounts for the money advanced
him How to adjust it on the books Why we prefer to make all pay-
ments by check The junior partner draws money The peculiar man-
ner of closing the books this month explained Adjust the interest on
the senior partner's additional capital ."*. 220

EIGHTEENTH LESSON.

Trial Balance The end of the season Close the Ledger and adjust the
profits Show Assets, also Liabilities Make a final Balance Sheet
Reopen the books, ready for a new year Proof figures that the books
have been written up correctly Two propositions in single entry
book-keeping, showing how to adjust the interest of each partner in
the business Simple, although but few can do it Enigmatic figures
Grand Coup de grace 225

MANUFACTURING BUSINESS.

How the books are conducted Their wonderful details explained Book of
Costs How to make cost price How to make selling price Four in-
teresting afterthoughts How to treat accommodation paper Realities and
formalities Private mark for cost price How to dispose of small sums
advanced to employees Machinery and fixture account How to ensure
punctuality Why some firms pay off Friday instead of Saturday How
to dispose of piece-work turned in but not paid for.

COMMISSION BUSINESS.

Produce, Cotton and Tobacco, also Dry -goods commission business How the
books are kept for each Form of consignment book When it would not
be needed The conventional idrrrTot'co'nsignment book found in other
publications not practicable Account sales-book Form of an Account
Sales How to journalize an account sales How to dispose of money ad-
vanced on goods in transitu Factory erroneously called Mill How the
commission merchant adjusts the discount between manufacturer and
dealer Drawback, its object and how managed A system preventing
delivery of goods that have neither been charged nor paid for.

A THREE WEEKS'

COURSE OF PRACTICE,

CONSISTING OP

EIGHTEEN LESSONS OF ONE HOUR EACH.

FIRST LESSON.

1. If we were called upon to open a set of books for a firm
just beginning business, and given carte Blanche to buy what-
ever books we needed, it would be important to know what the
necessary books were, which would be governed to a certain ex-
tent by the kind of business in which the firm was engaged.

2. In any business, however, where the books are kept by
double entry we would require a Cash-book, Sales-book, Journal,
and Ledger, as principal books; also Check-book and Bill-book
(including Bills Receivable and Bills Payable in one book), a&
principal auxiliaries, adding from time to time any others we
found use for as being convenient for reference for special pur-
poses.

3. The peculiarities as to ruling and usage of each book ai
fully explained on pages 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 60, and 61, wliicli
see, and which should be read thoroughly and comprehensivefyT

4. Let us assume that yourself and the writer form a copart-
nership for carrying on a wholesale and retail mercantile busi-
ness under the firm- name of P. A. Wright & Co., each contrib-
uting $1000 in cash capital, constituting each equal partners in
the business, sharing alike in the gain or loss of the enterprise.

5. The first entry would necessarily be a cash entry in the Cask-

156 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

book. We therefore open our Cash-book at page 2, as it would
require two pages (2 and 3) to make one in this book the left-
hand or page 2 for the debit side, and the right-hand or page 3
for the credit side.

6. The pale blue line running across the page J inch above
the triple line (two red and one blue), at the top of the page in
every blank-book, is made to be written upon, but there must be
no writing on the triple line, except perhaps headings of col-
umns. Those familiar with blank-books of course understand
this fact, but those not accustomed to work on books would not
understand without this explanation.

7. We head our Cash-book DR. on the extreme left of page 2,
and CR. on the extreme right of page 3, and CASH about midway
of each page on the pale blue line above alluded to. Head each
column as it is headed in our miniature Cash-book, pages 64 and
65, omitting the discount on both sides on the supposition that
we will have no use for them the first month. The amount
columns must always be on the right of the group, where there
are many, and must always be the widest ; the sundries next in
location and width. As no book we find ready-made is properly
ruled for a Cash-book, we rule the necessary special columns our-
selves; also the dividing line midway of each page separating
Ledger names from the explanations.

8. We charge Cash with the money received from the two
partners, and credit each of their accounts by writing their
names on the debit side of C.B. in the space set apart for Ledger
names only, prefixing To in the first instance and the substitutes
( ) afterwards, never repeating " To" or " By" on any book. In
the next space set apart for explanations we write

Amt. invested.

in the first instance, and the substitutes for each word afterward,
which we will call dittoing hereafter. The first entry on debit
side of C. B. will be written thus:

Jan'y 1. To P. A. Wright Amt. invested, 1000.00

omitting sign $, which must never be on the books.

9. Assuming that the money contributed by the partners was
in checks on their private bank for $1000 each, we would indorse

FIRST LESSOX. 157

them in the firm-name, that is, write the firm-name across the-
back, and deposit them in the First National Bank, which -the
firm intend to keep their joint account with, first noting the
amount of the checks on a deposit-slip, which would be fur-
nished by the bank, and which would be attached to the checks
and left at the bank for their convenience. (We will refer to
the bank as our 'bank hereafter, and use the word in the third
person plural, as it really means the bankers themselves.) The
Cheek-book will be our bank account and kept by single entry.
The only sign we have for debiting the bank is by adding to, and
the only sign for crediting it will be by deducting from the
account.

10. On the fly-leaf facing the first checks we make the follow-
ing memorandum:

Jan'y 1st, 1888. Deposited 2000.00.
1000.00
1000.00

2000.00

first placing the total amount of checks at bottom of the line of
figures, then carrying it into the column special 1 } 7 ruled on the
fly-leaf, on the same line with the word Deposited, thereby charg-
ing the bank with $2000.

11. We draw out $500 by making a check payable to bearer,
first making the following memorandum on the stub from which
the check will be detached :

No. 1. Jan'y 1st, 1888.

Bearer.
For drawer, 500.00.

Bearer being written midway of the stub on a line by itself,,
and meaning the person who presents the check at bank, to whom
the money must be paid without his identification. For drawer
must be on the next line, and means the money was drawn and
put in the cash-drawer, to pay small bills for which we would
not like to make a check. The amount must be located in the
column, also on same line in the column in the left containing
deposits, and deducted at once, showing balance in bank, $1500.

12. We then buy with part of the money in the drawer the

158 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

necessary articles of furniture for the office, as enumerated in
Miniature Cash-book, page 65, crediting Cash and charging Office
Furniture, by writing it in the space set apart for Ledger names
on credit side of C. B., prefixing " By," and in the space for ex-
planations we name each article purchased, placing the cost of
each directly over the name, and extend the total cost into the
sundries column on the last line used.

13. We also buy with cash from the drawer which we will call
currency hereafter a set of books and other necessary stationery
and desk- ware (see page 65), which we charge to Expense, and
credit Cash same way as last entry. In the space for explanations
we name the various articles of expense, and place the cost in
the Special Expense column at once when the line is full, not
the total cost of all in one amount.

14. The reason for having but one amount in the Sundries col-
umn and many in the Expense column is because every item in
the former must be posted, and we want as few items therein as
possible ; while the items in the latter are not posted until the
end of the month, when they resolve themselves into one amount
in the footing of the column ; hence there would be nothing
gained by consolidating them before extending.

15. It is customary with many firms to have office furniture
charged to Expense, others have it charged to Mdse., both of
which are incorrect, as office furniture is always worth its cost to
us at least for years to come, hence could not properly be regard-
ed as an expense, which would be making the profits of first
year's business suffer for the benefit of each succeeding year while
the furniture was in use; and any partner retiring from the firm
first year would find his share of the profits reduced to the ex-
tent of his part of the office furniture's cost.

16. After several years' use, the furniture would be revalued,
and a certain per cent for wear and tear charged to Profit and Loss,
and credited in the office furniture account by a Journal entry
of First Form.

17. We return to our work on the books, and assuming we had
no further cash transactions for the day, we prove the cash, that is,
see if the difference between the debit and the credit side of Cash-
book agrees with the actual cash on hand. We take a piece of

FIRST LESSON. 159

paper which we will call proof sheet, on which we add the debit
side of Cash-book, showing amount of money received, $2000.
We add credit side, showing amount of money paid out ($245 in
the Sundries and $36.25 in the Expense), $281.25, and the differ-
ence $1718.75, or balance on hand according to C. B. In actual
business we could not rely upon the figures being correct, as we
are receiving and paying out alternately all day, and may make
erroneous entries or possibly inadvertently omit something; hence
we must verify the figures. The proof would be to count the
money in the drawer, and add it on proof sheet to the balance in
bank as per Check-book, which we find makes $1718.75, and
therefore proves the cash has all been entered, arid also proves
the bank account to be correct.

18. Not having the actual money to handle in this imaginary
business, we will find out how much there is in the cash-drawer
by figuring. We know we lodged $500 in the drawer in the first
place, and we also know that we paid out of the drawer $245
in one place and $36.25 in another, and hence there must be still
remaining therein the difference, $218.75.

19. If we find more money than the Cash-book indicates, that
means the overplus was received from some source, and not en-
tered on debit side of C. B. If we find less than we should have
according to C. B. balance, that means we have paid out what-
ever amount we are short, and failed to enter it on credit side of
C. B.; hence the great importance of proving the cash every
evening, while the events of the day are still fresh in our minds,
which would enable us by a little reflection to recall every trans-
action during the day, and discover the error of omission ;
whereas, if the proof was deferred until next day, we may never
be able to discover the mistake, which would necessitate the very
unsatisfactory entry, Cash over, or Cash short, both of which
would carry with them the idea of a careless and, therefore, unsafe
and unsatisfactory cashier, whose tenure of office would doubtless
be of short duration.

Cash over, if only a few cents, may be accounted for by the
money received for postage from outsiders or employees for their
private correspondence, and would be disposed of by putting the
overplus in the Stamp-box, which should be kept in the Cash-

160 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

drawer, and taking no further notice of it until $3 or $4
had accumulated, when we would buy more postage with it
without entering it. If the overplus is large, it should be carried
to a Suspense account, as it would be discovered in the future,
most likely, and could then be properly adjusted by a cross-entry
in the Journal. We would enter it on the debit side of Cash-
book, thus :

To Suspense. Cash over.

Then open a Suspense account in the Ledger, and on credit side
write

By Cash.

Cash short, if only a few cents, we would make good out of
our own private funds, or out of the Stamp-box, for the purpose
of keeping the cash straight. If the shortage was several dollars,
it should be charged to Suspense on the credit side of the Cash-
book thus :

By Suspense. Cash short.

and if the various items that may have been carried to the
Suspense account are not discovered during the year, we would
then adjust the difference by carrying it to the Profit and Loss
account. Many book-keepers charge the shortage to Expense,
others to Profit and Loss at the time it occurs, and the overplus
they enter in the Mdse. column, or at the credit of Profit and
Loss; but as it is a matter really in Suspense for the time being,
and likely to be discovered any da} 7 , it would be better to have a
Suspense account, as you can readily see.

20. If the balance is proven to be correct, we write up the daily
cash, as it were, by extending the total of each column into the
outside or amount column, on the last line used in each column
on both sides.

21. Then balance the daily cash in red ink, thus :

1500 218.75

Balance Bank Drawer 1718.75

placing the figures representing money in the bank and in the
drawer directly over the words, in two lines precisely as
they are given above, and extending the total of the amounts
into the outside column, making those two columns agree.

FIRST LESSON. 161

22. Then close them by underlining thus : draw a single red
line across each on the same line, beginning on the credit sicTe~on
same line with the red-ink figures, because the entries extend
further down the page on that side than on the debit, there being
considerable space on the debit side not used, draw a short
line across the column for days on that side, on same line
with the other just drawn, as a basis from which to rule an
oblique red line terminating at the Mdse. column on the last line
used on that side ; then on the next line draw a double red line
across amount columns on both sides, thereby closing them. Also
draw a single line across the main part of the book, on same line
with the closing double lines, beginning at the line separating
months and days on each side and terminating at the special
columns, to keep each day's work separate from the other. We
leave the two specials and two sundries columns open until the
end of the month, to enable us to get a monthly result.

23. After closing the cash we post, make the final entry in
the Ledger. See page 35, about FIRST PART and COUNTER PART.

Let us always bear in mind that we make two entries of every
transaction first and final entry and if the account is debited in
the first, it must also be debited in the final entry ; or if credited
in the first, it must also be credited in the final.

On first page in the Ledger we open an account with the
senior partner by writing his name on the blue line (see para
graph 6), locating it half-way between DR. on the left and OR. on
the right. We then read first entry on the debit side of C. B.,
thus: Cash Dr. to P. A. Wright, $1000, the cash being already
disposed of temporarily in the C. B., which is the Ledger cash
account; we pass it and turn to P. A. Wright's account just
opened in the Ledger, and reason thus : Cash having been debited
$1000 to P. A. Wright, his account must be credited by cash
$1000, thus :

Jan'yl. By Cash, 2, 1000.00.

Then return to C. B., and in folio column place the figure 1
opposite his name, showing Ledger page where his account is
opened. Half-way down first page in the Ledger we open an
account with the junior partner, repeating the DR. and the GB.

162 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

as a matter of uniformity, making the written line as long as the
one at top of page; proceed in the same way in disposing of his
account, by reading next entry on that side of C. B. of which his
name is the last part, and Cash Dr. the first part. In fact. Cash
Dr. constitutes first part of every entry on that side of the page,
and must be repeated in connection with every name on that side
in the space for Ledger accounts, which must be credited by Cash.

24. Open Office Furniture account on page 2 in the Ledger ;
then read first entry on credit side of C. B. thus: Cash Cr. ~by
Office Furniture. Cash being credited already on the C. B.,
which is the Ledger Cash-account for the present, we pass it and
turn to Office Furniture account just opened in the Ledger, and
reason thus: Cash having been credited by Office Furniture $245,
the Office Furniture must be debtor to Cash $245, according to
the first law of double entry (which see, page 29), thus :

Jany. 1. To Cash, 3, 245.00.

Mark it posted by putting figure 2 in the folio column in Cash-
book, on the same line with Office Furniture.

25. We read the next entry on credit side of C. B. thus : Cash
credit by Expense, which means that expense must be debited to
cash, and will be, not at present because it is in a special column,
but at the end of the month in the final footing of the column ;
we pass it for the present, and check it thus ( |/), showing it had
not been overlooked.

26. Cash Cr. is first part of every entry on that side of C. B.,
and it must be repeated in connection with every name on that
side in the Ledger accounts that are to be charged. This would
end the first lesson of practice, and nothing further should be
done until next day except study the definitions on pages 17 to
21, and the eight short rules on page 29, which must be committed
to memory.

26|-. Review this and each succeeding lesson according to the
questions in that part of appendix relating to the lessons, then
pursue order of reading JVo. 4 on page 6. The events of the 'busi-
ness as narrated in each lesson must be remembered, also the man-
ner of disposing of them on the book, so that if similar events
take place hereafter in the reader's experience he may know how
to dispose of them also. All words and phrases in italics have a
special significance, hence must ~be specially remembered.

SECOND LESSON. 163

SECOND LESSON.

Head the Journal KEW YORK, JANUARY 1st, 1888.

27. Let us suppose that we bought on credit $2000 worth of
goods, which we receive from three firms as follows : Wright
Mfg., $1000 ; Earle & Co.. $500 ; and Sanford & Co., $500, for
which we have their Invoices before us. As the goods are taken
out of the cases the receiving clerk must check each item of
quantity on every bill, and if all the goods are found that the
bills call for, he marks O.K. on each bill and signs his initials ;
then hands them into the office, when the prices the goods are
charged at would be checked on each bill by the buyer, after
which he O.K.'s them also, when it becomes the book-keeper's
duty to examine and check the extensions and footings of each
bill and put his O.K. on them, all of which means the goods are
in store and that we owe the three firms the amount of their
respective bills, which facts must be recorded in the Journal
according to /Second Form, charging Mdse. with total amount of
all the bills and crediting each firm by the amount of their
respective bills ; then explain on the next line after completing
the journal entry (use Two Column Journal, see page 82),

As per bills on file,

which explanation carries with it the idea that the goods were
purchased on account ; otherwise the bills would not be on file but
thrown into the waste-basket.

28. After we have entered the bills we mark on the face of each
with colored pencil J 1, which means entered on page 1 in the
Journal, and when the bills are brought to our attention again, as
they doubtless would be found on our desk many times in the
future, when somebody had been looking them over for some
reason, we will not fall into the egregious error of re-entering
them, which w r e may do if we did not see the destinctive mark
showing they had already been properly disposed of.

29. Posting can be done at intervals when there is nothing
more important requiring our attention ; it should be done every

164

day if possible, but can be deferred indefinitely if we were pushed
for time. In posting the entry just made on the Journal we
dispose of Mdse. first because it is the first account in the entry.
We open a Merchandise account on page 3 in the Ledger, writing
it and all Ledger headings hereafter in full with DR. on the left
and CB. on the right of the name. Then read the Journal entry
Mdse. Dr. to Sunds. thereby getting our double-entry
proposition thoroughly fixed in our mind; then turn to Mdse.
account just opened in the Ledger and repeat the proposition
from the Ledger standpoint, beginning at top of the page where
Mdse. Dr. is already written : then supply To Sundries thus :

Jan'y 1. To Sundries, 1, 2000.00.

on the debit side. Turn to the Journal and write 3 on the line
with Mdse. in the column designed for days on the left, meaning
posted on page 3 in the Ledger.

30. Then open an account with Wright Mfg. Co. on page 4 in
the Ledger, and credit it By Mdse. thus :

Jan'y 1. By Mdse. 1, 1000.00,

also marking it posted same way. In order to see clearly why
we credit their account by Mdse. we read the Journal entry again.
Mdse. Dr. to Sunds., which means Mdse. is debtor to the following
accounts; and as theirs is one of the following, Mdse. is therefore
debtor to them, and their account must be credited by Mdse
according to the law of double entry, page 29. Open account
with Earle & Co. on page 5 in the Ledger, crediting it the same
way and for the same reason. Half-way down the page open
account with Sanford & Co., disposing of it in the same manner,
pursuing the same line of reasoning. Do not forget the post
marks, which must never be made until the transfer is completed.

31. In opening Ledger accounts the inexperienced would be at
a loss to know how much space to assign them ; there can be no
definite rule given to govern that matter, but on general princi-
ples we assume that more business will be done with the account
where the first entry would be for a large amount, than if it had
been smaller. The smaller the initial entry, therefore, the smaller
the space assigned each. It' the space proves to be excessive, it

SECOND LESSON. 165

can be appropriated to another account any time, and if not
enough, the account can be continued on another page.

32. As a matter of convenience we group together on consecu-
tive pages in the Ledger the accounts of creditors, also those of
customers in another part of the Ledger. The representative
and the speculative accounts, together with the partners' capital
accounts, are by many firms kept in a Lock-ledger for privacy.
If we have no access to the Lock-ledger, we would keep a LOCK-
LEDGER account on the general Ledger, to represent the matter
belonging in the private Ledger. In a large business there is
kept a Customers' Ledger, for their accounts only ; also a Pur-
chase Ledger for our creditors only. If we have the key to Lock-
ledger, we must consider all three Ledgers in making trial bal-
ance, as neither one is supposed to balance in itself. If no Lock-
ledger is kept, then the first few pages in general Ledger must
be reserved for the partners' capital accounts, and the speculative
accounts put in the back part, where they would be more secluded
and private.

33. We next introduce practically the Sales-book, by charging
therein four firms whom we are supposed to have sold on various
terms of credit, explained on pages 84 and 85. First head the
page MONDAY, JANUARY 1st, 1888, and charge Miller & Bros., St.
Louis, 5$, 30 days, $134.85, for goods consisting of shirts, collars,
and cuffs, an itemized account of which must be made in the
Sales-book, duplicating first entry on pnge 86. Charge J. C.
Brown & Co., Chicago, 4%, 60 days, $240.50, duplicating the
last entry on page 87, adding 2 doz. more No. 4 at 13 and one
doz. more No. 1, at 10. Charge W. C. Browning & Co., Detroit,
3$, 90 days, $217.75, duplicating first entry on page 88. Charge
Davis & Co., Cincinnati, 4 mos., net, $209.75, duplicating last
entry but one on page 87. These four charges will about fill first
page in the Sales-book, and complete the first day's sales.
We draw a red line between each entry, terminating at first col-
umn on the right and across the outside column at the bottom of
the page, adding it, and on same line with the footing write ami.
carried forward, and on first line on next page write ami. bro*t
forward.

34. We then post from the Sales-book, open Miller & Bros.'

166

account on page 6 in the Ledger (see page 98), and say, Miller &
Bros, having been charged in the Sales-book they must also be
charged in the Ledger (see paragraph 23). On the debit side of
their account we make the following entry, viz. :

Jan'y 1. To Mdse. 5/30, 1, 134.85

then mark it posted on the Sales-book by placing 6 (the Ledger
page) in the first column on the left on same line with their
name. Open account with J. C. Brown & Co. half-way down
the same page, Dr. on the left and Cr. on the right, and their
address on next line on the right from the date on that side;
then on next line below the address we write on the debit side
of their account:

Jan'y 1. To Mdse. 4/60, 1, 240.50.

Mark it posted same way as last entry. There must oe no red
lines across the page either below or above the name in the mid-
dle of the page. That would be extremely bad taste. Open ac-
count on page 7 in the Ledger with W. C. Browning & Co. same
as Miller & Bros., and on debit side make the following entry:

Jan'y 1. To Mdse. 3/90, 1, 217.75,

and mark it posted. Half-way down page 7, open account with
Davis & Co., on same line with J. C. Brown & Co. on opposite
page, stating their address same way, and post the same way,

Jan'y 1. To Mdse. 4/m., 1, 209.75,

and mark it posted also.

35. It will then occur to our mind that we have made four
debit entries in the Ledger, but no credit, which the law of
double entry requires must be made. We will make the credit
entry at the end of the month by posting the final footing of the
sales-book on the credit side of Mdse. account thus,

Jan'y 1/31. By Sundries (giving the page in Sales-book) $ (stating the

amount),

and mark it posted. (See description of Sales Book, on page 54.)

36. It will be noticed that the address of each customer is
stated in their Ledger account, which was not the case with our

THIKD LESSON 167

creditors'. The reason is, we send our customers monthly state-
ments, which are made from the Ledger account, and by having
their address before iis we know where to send the statement
without having to look elsewhere for it. On the other hand, our
creditors send their statement to us, which would show their ad-
dress, to which we must make a remittance when the account is
due.

37. It is best to have the address of everybody we deal with
appear in their Ledger account. It is also important to keep the
address of every employee, so that in case of unexplained absence
we can communicate with them, and for that reason we keep
their names on an address-book. - We must remember who we
buy from, also to whom we sell, so that we can better understand
future transactions with either our creditors or customers.

THIRD LESSON.

38. January 5. First thing this lesson we suppose that we
have received by request a thirty-day note from Miller & .Bros,
for the amount of their bill Jan'y 1st, less 6%. By turning to
their Ledger account we get the amount of their bill, $134.85,
$% of which is $6.74, and the difference the amount of note,
$128.11, or the amount we expected to get when their bill became
due, that is, 30 days from date of purchase. The note would be
dated same date of bill, so as to fall due same day the bill would
be payable. We record the facts of this settlement in the Journal,
charging Sills Receivable with the amount of note, and charging
the 5$ to Discount* on the supposition that we want to know how
much such deductions amount to during the year ; otherwise we
would charge it toMdse., which has been overcredited that much,
and crediting Miller & Bros.' account by total of both, or tlje
full amount of their bill.

39. We credit them by the amount of note, because they de-
livered it to us, and by the discount because we allowed it to
them, two of the conditions when personal accounts are credited.

168 A THREE WEEKS' COUKSE OF PRACTICE.

See page 30. By allowing them the discount we lose it, and for
that reason debit it. The Journal entry will be made according
to Third Form. The explanation following the Journal entry
will be :

Received their note of Jan'y 1st, at 30 days, in settle-
ment of bill, Jan'y 1, $134.85 less 5f = $6.74 = $128.11.

40. We also make an extra memorandum on Bills Receivable
book, from the note itself, which would specify where it must be
presented for payment, which we assume is at their office. See
page 126. In fixing the date the note becomes due, three days of
grace must be added. We allude to this operation as making
a memorandum., and the record on the Journal we call making
an entry* the difference between an entry and a memorandum
is, the former is a statement of facts with reference to Debit and
Credit, and the latter is a minute of the facts in the fewest words
possible to be intelligible.

41. We give our note to Earle & Co. by their request, to settle
their bill of Jan'y 1st, less 5^, which we would be entitled to ac-
cording to terms of purchase which would be stated on bill. By
turning to their Ledger account we find the amount of their bill
to be $500, 5% of which is $25, and the difference the amount for
which we give our note. We record the facts of this settlement
in the Journal, also charging Earle & Co. with full amount of
their bill, and crediting Bills Payable with the amount of note
issued, and the $% we credit Discount.

42. The note we deliver to them, and the Discount they allow
us, and the two balance their account, two of the conditions under
which we debit personal accounts. See page 30. The Discount
being allowed to us, we therefore make it, and for that reason
credit it,

43. We also make an extra memorandum on Bills Payable
book from the note itself before parting with it, according to the
facts set forth in the headings of the B. P. book. See page 127.
In fixing the date of maturity add three days of grace, and assume
that we made note payable at our "bank. The Journal eutyv will
be according to Second Form and explained as follows:

Gave them our note of Jan'y 1st at 29 days in settle-
ment of bill, Jan'y 1, $500, less 5% = $25 = $475

THIRD LESSOR. 169

-14. We next post the two Journal entries just made, begin-
ning with Miller & Bros, first, because theirs is the first account
in the first entry to be posted. We rend the double entry propo-
sition as stated in the Journal entry Sundries Dr. to Miller <&
Bros. then turn to their account in the Ledger and say if sun-
dries are debtor (which in fact they are, in first entry, and will
be when posted), their account must be credited by sundries,
and make the following entry on credit side of their account :

Jan'y 5 By Sundries, 1, 134.85.

Mark this posted by placing the number of their page in the
Ledger on the line with their account in the small column on
the left of the entry in the Journal.

45. We d-ispose of the Sundries next, and as Bills Receivable
is the first, we open Bills Receivable account on page 8 in the
Ledger. We then get our double entry proposition before us
again as it is in the Journal, Sundries, Dr. to Miller & Bros.,
which means the following accounts are debtor to them, and Bills
Receivable, being one of the following, is for that reason debtor
to Miller & Bros. We make the following entry on debit side
of Bills Receivable account:

Jan'y 5. To M. & Bros., 1, 128 11,

the initials of any account being all that is necessary in posting,
but not so in original entry, where the name must be in full.

46. We open Discount account on page 9 in the Ledger, and
dispose of it next, proceeding in the same way as in the case
of Bills Receivable, pursuing the same line of reasoning, and
making the same entry on the debit side except in amount. Then
mark it posted.

47. Read the next Journal entry, Earle & Co. Dr. To Sunds.
$500. Turn to their account in the Ledger and repeat the propo-
sition from the Ledger standpoint, beginning at the top of the
page, where Earle & Co. Dr. is already written, and supply
To Sundries thus :

Jan'y 5. To Sundries, 1, 500.00.

Then mark it posted.

48. Open Bills Payable account half-way down page 8; then

170

read the Journal entry again Earle & Co. Dr. To Sundries,
$500, which means they are debtor to the following accounts ;
and as Bills Payable is one of those that follow, it means that
Earle & Co. is debtor to Bills Payable for the $475 in the $500,
and for that reason Bills Payable must be credited by Earle &
Co. $475 thus, on the credit side :

Jan'y 5. By Earle & Co., 1, 475.00.

Mark it posted, and dispose of Discount next, turning to the
account already open on page 9 in the Ledger, making the
same entry on the credit side as in the case of B. P., except in
amount, following the same line of reasoning.

49. We next enter more sales on January 5, by charging the
same four customers with whom we already have accounts, be-
ginning on page 2, in Sales-book with W. C. Browning <fe Co.,
repeating their terms and address, duplicating third entry on
page 86, $201.90. Charge Miller & Bros, next, duplicating
second entry on page 88, $190.40. Charge Davis & Co. next,
duplicating fourth entry on page 86, $166.45. Charge J. C.
Brown & Co., duplicating second entry on page 86, $137.25,
completing the day's sales. Draw red lines between each entry
same as before, then across the outside column, which must be
added, showing total amount of sales to date, which must be
carried forward to next page.

50. Then post the four entries just made in the Sales-book,
making the following entry on the debit side of W. C. Brown-

ing & Co.'s account :

3/90, 2, 201.90.

And the same in the other three, except in terms and amounts.
We ditto (thus ) nearly everything but figures, which must
be repeated. We always repeat the day in the Ledger, but
never the month, which we do not even ditto.

50 J. Follow order of reading No. 4 on page 6, also read pages
84 and 85 about Terms. The transactions given in the First and
Second lessons are the same, as those in the Miniature Set, "but
m the next sixteen lessons they differ, hence cannot he traced
through the forms given.

FOUKTH LESSON. 171

FOURTH LESSON.

51. We reopen our daily Cash-book on January 5, by bringing
down the balance on the debit side placing the figures $1718.75
in the amount column. Do not repeat Jan'y^ but simply put 5
in the column for days, which must not be repeated with any
entry made on the debit side, but opposite first entry on credit
side we put 5 in the column for days on that side after which
it is not to be repeated.

52. Assume that Davis & Co. pay by check their bill of
January 1, less %* which they would be entitled to by paying
within ten days. The money received we enter on debit side of
Cash-book, thereby charging Cash account and crediting their
account thus :

Davis & Co., BillJan'yl. 209.75.

Less 6$ = 12.58. 197.17.

Extending the net amount $197.17 into the sundries column
on the line with the discount, that is, last line used; in fact, all
the money we receive must be entered in the sundries column
unless received for a special account having a special column.
The 6$ we lose, and enter it in the Journal according to first
Form, charging Discount because we lose it, and crediting
Davis & Co. by it because we allowed it to them. Then explain
thus :

Allowed them 6$ dis. on bill Jan'y 1, 209.75.

53. Assume that we indorse the check just received and de-
posit it in our bank, charging the bank on the fly-leaf as before
thus :

Jan'y 5. Deposited 197.17.

Placing the figures in the column at once under last balance, be-
cause there is but one check, draw a line and add, thereby charg-
ing the bank.

54:. We then make out a check to the order of Sanford & Co.,
and give it to them in payment of their bill of January 1, $500,

172 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

Jess 6$ which we would be entitled to by paying thus promptly.
First make a memorandum on the stub as follows:

No. 2. Jan'y 5, 1888.

Sanford & Co.
Bill Jan'y 1, 500.00

Less 6g. 30.00 470.00.

When the check is gone the money is supposed to be drawn
from the bank. We therefore deduct the amount from balance in
bank by bringing the figures into the column on the left, under
last balance, locating: them on a direct line with the figures in

S O

the stub from which the check was detached, thereby prevent-
ing unnecessary crowding of the matter, and giving the bank
credit, showing at a glance the present condition of the bank
accounts.

55. We then credit Cash, and charge Sanford & Co. with the

amount of check, by entering it on credit side of C. B. thus:

5 By Sanford & Co., Bill Jan'y 1, 500.00

Less Q%= 30.00 470.00.

The net amount must be extended into the sundries column.
In fact, all the money paid out must be entered in the Sundries
column unless paid for a special account. The 6$ we gain in
this settlement and enter it in the Journal, charging Sanford
& Co., and crediting Discount according to First Form, and ex-
plain thus :

Allowed us Qf c Dis. on bill Jau'y 1, 500.00

56. Any little items of expense paid in cash during the day,
such as car-fare, telegrams, expressage, etc., could be jotted down
roughly on a small memorandum-book, which we will call Petty
Cash (not the kind alluded to on page 53 as Two Cash-books
unnecessary), and at the close of the day charge the amount to
Expense in the special Expense column on credit side of C. B.
Thus, assuming it be $3.50 to-day.

,, Expense see Petty Cash, 3.50.

57. Assume that W. S. Jenkins, a salesman, draws $25, part
of what we owe him. We charge his account and credit Cash
thus :

W. S. Jenkins, On account, 25.00.

Placing the figures in the Sundries column.

FOURTH LESSON. 173

58. The last thing at the close of the day would be to figure up
the amount of retail sales for the day, which result would be -as-
certained by adding the various amounts of all the memorandums
of sales turned in with each cash sale during the day and kept on
file until the day's work was over, and enter them in a lump,
charging Cash and crediting Mdse. in the following entry on
debit side of C. B.,

Mdse., retail Sales, 25.00,

extending the figures into the special column for Mdse. That
would be the last entry on Cash-book every day ; then we prove
our Cask.

59. In proving the Cash each day henceforth, five questions
will arise :

1st. How much cash did we have to begin with ?

2d. How much have we received during the day?

3d. How much would we now have if we had not paid out any ?

4th. How much have we paid out?

5th. How much have we now on hand ?

The answers are as follows : We had to begin with the
balance left over last day, and we received and added to it during
the day the amounts found in the Sundries and Mdse. columns;
hence we would have the total of all the figures on debit side for
that day if we had not paid out the various amounts found in the
Sundries and Expense columns on credit side, the total amount of
which, when deducted from the total of the debit side, will show
what we now have on hand, and must agree with the amount in
bank, as per Check-book, and the currency in the drawer, which
must be counted. See paragraph 18.

60. In counting the imaginary money in the drawer five more?
questions arise :

1st. How much had we in the drawer to begin with ?

2d. How much have we put in the drawer during the day ?

3d. How much would we have in the drawer now if we had
not taken any out ?

4th. How much have we taken out?

5th. How much have we still remaining therein?

The answers are as follows: We had in the drawer this morn-
ing just what we discontinued with lust night, a memorandum of

174 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE or PRACTICE.

which we made in red ink in the space for explanations in closing
the Cash-book last night. And we have put into the drawer dur-
ing the day the amount of retail sales and any small amounts we
may have received from time to time ; hence we would have in
the drawer the total of all the amounts mentioned if we had not
taken out for expenses the amount found in the Expense column.
Also $25 for Mr. Jenkins and any other small amounts we may
find on the credit side of C. B., for which we never gave a check,
as the Check- book would indicate. We may also have taken
money out of the drawer and deposited it in the bank, which the
Check-book would also show.

61. After proving the Cash we write up the daily Cash (see
paragraph 20), then 'balance it (see paragraph 21), then close it for
the day (see paragraph 22).

62. Then post the cash transactions for the day, beginning on
the debit side as a rule (see last part of paragraph 23). Turn to
Davis & Co.'s account on page 7 in the Ledger, and credit their
account by Cash, thus:

Jan'yS, By Cash, 2, 197.17,

and mark it posted in the usual way.

63. Read the next entry on that side of C. B., thus, Cash Dr.
to Mdse., $25, which means Mdse. must be credited by Cash
$25, but not at present, as it is in a special column, it will be
credited at the end of the month in the final footing of that
column ; hence we pass it for the present and check it thus,
( I/ ), showing it had not been overlooked, but considered and
passed purposely.

64. We post the credit side by turning to Sanford & Co.'s ac-
count and entering on the debit side,

Jan'y 5, To Cash, 3, 470.00,

in accordance with the theory explained in paragraph 24, which
see.

We read the next entry and pass it (see paragraph 25).

We read the last entry on that side of C. B. and open account
with W. S. Jenkins on page 10, and charge it, by entering on Dr.
side,

Jan'y 5, To Cash, 3, 25.00.

FIFTH LESSOR 175

65. Keud the first entry in the journal to be posted, then turn
to Discount, page 9 in the Ledger, because that is the first account
in the entry; repeat the proposition from the Ledger point of
view, beginning at top of the page where Discount Dr. is already
written, and supply To Dams & Co. by entering thus on debit side
of Discount,

5 Davis & Co., 1, 12.58.

Then turn to Davis & Co.'s account on page 7 and reverse the
proposition thus, Dams <& Co. must be credited by Discount,
and enter on the credit side :

5 ,, Discount, 1, 12.58.

66. Read the next journal entry and turn to Sanford & Co.'s.
account on page 5, proceeding as in the case of Discount in the
foregoing entry and write on the debit side of their account,

5 Discount, 1, 30.00.

Then turn to Discount and dispose of it as in the case of Davis &
Co. in last entry by writing on the credit side,
5 Sanford & Co. 1, 30.00.

After making each of the four transfers from the Journal, the
Ledger page must be entered on the left of each name in the Jour-
nal entry.

FIFTH LESSON.

67. Reopen the cash on January 12th also by bringing down the
balance as before. We assume that Miller & Bros.' note had been
offered and discounted at our bank, which means the note was
iriven to them and that they gave us credit by its present worth.
We find the present worth by calculating the discount at 6$ per
annum on its face value for the unexpired time, that is> the num-
ber of days between now and its maturity. We find the maturity
by reference to Bills Receivable book. Discount and Interest are
both figured the same way in business, although they are really
different results. See Interest Rules, pages 144 and 145.

176 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

68. Passing the money to our credit is virtually giving it to us,
as we can draw a check for it any time we want it. We therefore
enter the money received for the note in C. B., charging cash and
crediting Bills Receivable in this way on the debit side of C. B.:

Bills Receivable, Discounted at 1st Ntl. Bk.,

Miller & Bros. ' Note, 128. 1 1
@,Q% for 22 days, 47 127.64

extending the net amount in the Sundries column. Then charge
the bank account on stub of check thus:

Jan'y 12, Proceeds of Note, 127.64,

locating the figures in the column under last balance and adding
them thereto.

69. The 6# for 22 days we lose and must enter in the Journal,
charging it to Interest and crediting Bills Receivable in the First
Form of entry, and explain thus :

Q% dis. on Miller & Bros.' Note, 128.11, for unexpired time, 22 days.

The 6$ is legitimately discount, but having adopted Discount
as an account representing the percentage we deduct from the
face of an open account without reference to time, we call this
kind Interest, as it is a certain per cent per annum for a given
number of days on cash values ; and as it is supposed we wish to
know definitely what each kind amounts to during the year, we
must keep a separate account for each.

We then make an extra memorandum on Bills Receivable book
in the space for remarks, as follows :

Disct d at 1st Natl. Bank, Jan. 12.

TO. Assume that the Wright Mfg. Co. drew on us at sight for
$500, part of what we owe them, and that their draft was this day
presented at our office by the Ninth National Bank's messenger,
to whom (the bankers) they sent it for collection. We make out
a check on our bank, payable to the order of Ninth National
Bank, for $500, the amount of the draft, and hand it to the mes-
senger, first making the following memorandum on the stub from
which the check will be detached :

No. 3. Jan'y 12, 1888,

Ninth National Bank,
for Sight Draft of
Wright Mfg. Co., 500.00,

FIFTH LESSON. 177

deduct it from the bank as before explained, giving the bank
credit; then enter it on credit side of Cash-book, charging 7 the
amount to "Wright Mfg. Co., thus :

12 By Wright Mfg. Co., Sight Draft, 500.00.

71. Assuming it to be Saturday night, and therefore pay night
for the employees, we hand the porter $20, also the office-boy
$7 out of the cash-drawer for two weeks' services. We charge
the full amount to Expense, and credit Cash in the Expense
column, thus :

Expense, Porter, 2 weeks, @ $10.00, 20.00

Office boy, 2 weeks, @ $3.50, 7.00

substituting their names for their clerical names.

72. If, however, we had many employees, we would keep a
pay roll, to show how much time was put in by each and the
amount due each. The total amount of pay-roll would be entered
in Cash-book and the explanation would be :

See Pay Roll.

73. If part of the employees were manufacturers, the pay roll
would have to be arranged with their names together and the
names of the clerical help together. The amount paid manufactur-
ers would be charged to Mdse. and the balance of the pay roll to
Expense. If only a few employees, however, no pay roll would
be necessary, but the names would each appear in the C. B., in the
space for explanations.

Assume that Austin Ross, another salesman, draws $25, part
of what is due him, we charge his account and credit Cash, same
way as in W. S. Jenkins' case on the 5th.

Assuming the day's work to be over, we must enter the retail
sales, say $27.50 (see paragraph 58); then prove the cash; then
write up the daily Cash, balance and close it for the day. See
paragraphs 20, 21, 22.

74. The checks all having been torn out of first page of Check-
book, we write opposite last balance,

Carried forward.

Then turn over the stubs from which the checks were detached
and write on back at the top of the page,

Brought forward.

178 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

The amount of each check must be deducted on a direct line on
the left \vitli the figures in the column on the right, so that the
explanation on the stub will explain the figures on both sides ;
furthermore, it prevents unnecessary crowding of the matter. If
the space on the left is all consumed by deductions and deposits
before the checks on that page are all drawn, the remaining
checks must be deducted on next page, which would necessitate
making this memorandum opposite the deduction,

Less check No. .

75. On January 12 it is assumed that we buy a job lot of
collars and cuffs amounting to $150 from Clnett & Son, with
whom we have no account on the books, and as we are not likely
to do any more business with them would not like to open a
ledger account for one transaction ; hence we settle for the goods
by a note antedated Dec. 26, having 45 days to run. We record
the transaction in the Journal, charging Mdse. with the amount of
goods received, and crediting Bills Payable by the same amount
for which w r e issued our note, according to First Form of Jour-
nal entry ; then make the following explanation :

Gave Cluett & Son our note of Dec. 26 at
45 days in settlement of their bill on file.

Then make an extra memorandum on B. P. book.

76. If somebody with whom we have no account on the books
should buy say $100 worth of goods of us, and give us their
note in settlement, we would not make Sills Receivable Dr. to
Mdse. in the Journal, as our Commercial College professors would
say should be done, and which would be the theoretical way of
doing it ; but practical!} 7 or in a business way we dispose of it by
charging the buyer on our Sales-book, which would insure the
proper credit in Mdse. at the end of the month as we have seen,
and having charged the buyer in Sales-boo'k would of necessity
cause him to be charged in the Ledger also, but his name would
be carried under the Petit Accounts Receivable. See Ledger
Accounts Elucidated, pages 110 and 111. Then we would enter
the note received in the Journal according to First Form, charg-
ing Bills Receivable and crediting the buyer, making a duplicate
of entry and explanation as in paragraph 39, except in name and
amount of course, and omitting discount in the explanation, and
then we would make an extra memorandum on B. R. book of

FIFTH LESSON. 179

the note. This method of disposing of it requires more entries,
but it is the proper way to do it, for the potent reason that the
buyer may want the same kind of goods again and write us to
duplicate the bill, in which event we would naturally look for the
mutter in the Sales-book, where we keep a detailed account of all
large lots of goods sold.

77. If we did not find it in the Sales-book, we would naturally
conclude that it had not been entered at all, not thinking to look
in the Journal, and would therefore be subjected to the embarrass-
ing necessity of having to write to our customer to return the
original bill, so we could see what kind of goods he had, as we
could find no record on our books that he had ever been charged
with anything. To avoid multiplicity of ledger accounts, which
would give us no more ideas than we gather from a few, we will
hereafter charge the same four customers with whom we already
have accounts, repeating their terms and address, and endeavor
to have a variety of amounts in each account.

78. We then post the day's transactions from all three books,
beginning with debit side of C. B., proceeding according to the
theory advanced in last part of paragraph 23.

Turn to Bills Receivable account in the Ledger, and en.ter on

credit side

Jan'yl2 By Cash, 2. 127.64.

and mark it posted. Read the next entry and pass it for the
reason stated in paragraph 63.

79. Turn to Wright Mfg. Co.'s account and enter on debit

side,

Jan'y 12 To Cash, 3, 500.00.

Read next entry and pass it as explained in paragraph 25. Open
Austin Ross' account in same page with W. S. Jenkins, and post
it the same way in every particular. (See Appendix, question
366.)

80. Read the next Journal entry to be posted, and turn to
Mdse. account and enter on the debit side

12 ,, B. P., 1. 150.00.

Then turn to Bills Payable account and say, Mdse. having been
debited to B. P. $150, B. P. must be credited by Mdse. $150,
and enter on the credit side

12 Mdse., 1. 150.00.

Do not foriret the

180 A TIIKEE WEEKS' COUKSE or PEACTICE.

81. Post from the Sales-book, proceeding according to instruc-
tion in paragraph 50, entering in the four Ledger accounts the
date, Sales-book folio, and amounts, dittoing (thus ) the u To"
and " Mdse." repeating the terms in each case. This would
complete the work of January 12th, and the Fifth Lesson.

SIXTH LESSON.

82. January 15. Reopen the daily cash by bringing down the
balance. Assume that we want to use $1000 in cash to-day, which
will require about all we have. In order not to be short of funds
we negotiate a loan of $500 at our bank ; in other words, we borrow
that much from the bank, which they would be glad to accom-
modate us with if we were a responsible and reliable firm, but
they would require our note for the amount, deduct their per-
centage for the use of it, and give us credit by the net proceeds.
The rate of percentage would be fixed according to the risk they
considered they were taking in lending the money. The less the
capital of the borrowers the greater the risk of the lenders, and
the greater the rate of interest that would be charged.

83. Giving us credit is the same thing as if they gave us the
money. We therefore enter the amount of money received for
the note on the debit side of C. B., charging Cash and crediting
Bills Payable thus :

,, Bills Payable Borrowed of 1st Nat'l

Bk. on our note 500.00

for 30 days @ % 2.75 497.25

We then make an extra memorandum on the stub of Check-book
charging the bank with the money, thus :

Jan'y 15. Proceeds of Note. 497.25

adding the amount to last balance in bank. We also make an
extra memorandum on Bills Payable book of the note given to
the bank.

84. The discount, amounting to $2.75, we lose; therefore

SIXTH LESSON. 181

charge it to Interest and credit Bills Payable in the Journal, First
Form of entrv, making the following explanation :

t/ / ^* 5 r

6$ dis. on our note at 30 days in favor of First National Bank for 500.00.

85. The $2.75 being a deduction is in that sense discount, but
being a penalty we pay for the use of the money, is in that sense
interest. We call it discount in the explanation because it is
discount, but charge it to Interest in the Journal entry because
that is the name by which we identify that kind of discount. See
paragraph 69. In figuring the discount on notes the three days
of grace must be included, making the time of a thirty-day note
really thirty -three days.

86. Assume that we receive a letter from Wright Mfg. Co.,
requesting us to send them $500 on account; also requesting
us to pay for their account John Smith $300, and John Jones
$200. First thing upon receipt of the letter in the morning,
before we become busy during the day, would be to make out a
check to their order for $500, and deduct it from the bank ac-
count. Fill out the stub first, thus :

No. 4 Jan'y 15, 1888.

Wright Mfg. Co.
On account, 500.00.

Tear out the check and deduct it as before. The money is virtu-
ally gone, but not yet entered, and will not be until we have made
the other two payments for them, which would be done when-
ever the parties call for it. Suppose that John Smith calls for
his about noon. We make out a check to his order for $300,
first making memorandum on the stub thus:

No. 5. Jan'y 15, 1888.

John Smith,
On account of
Wright Mfg. Co., 300.00.

Tear out the check and give it to him, and deduct it from bank
account at once, but do not enter it yet, as we know there is an-
other pavment to be made, but not certain it will be made to-day.
We leave the matter open until the close of the day, until we
find out. About 2 o'clock in the afternoon, just before time for
depositing, we suppose John Jones calls for his money. We

182 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

give him a check for $200, payable to his order, making same
kind of memoranda in on stub as in case of John Smith, and de-
ducting it from bank account to see how much we have left.

The day's work being now far advanced towards the close, and
knowing of no other payments to be made for the same account
as the last three, we enter the amount of all the checks drawn
during the day in the Cash-book in one sum, charging the Wright
Mfg. Co. and crediting Cash by entering thus on credit side of
C. B.:

15 By Wright Mfg. Co. Check, 500.00

John Smith, 300.00

John Jones, 200.00 1000.00

extending the total into the Sundries column, thereby having but
one amount to post instead of three we otherwise would have by
entering each check soon as drawn. It is not at all necessary to
enter checks in the order they are drawn, but those given for the
same account must be entered together.

87. Enter the retail sales for the day, charging Cash and cred-
iting Mdse. as usual, say $32.50, also enter the expense for the day
from Petty Cash book, say $4.75, charging Expense and crediting
Cash, which would end the day's work. Then prove the cash,
write up the daily cash, balance and close it as explained in para-
graphs 20, 21, 22, 59 and 60.

88. Assume that J. C. Brown & Co. return by express 1 doz.
No. 2 Shirts which are damaged. We enter it in the Journal,
First Form, charging Mdse. and crediting their account by the
amount they were charged for the shirts, which would be found
by reference to the Sales-book, and explain thus:

For 1 doz. No. 2 Shirts returned damaged.

89. Assume that Davis & Co. write to us declining to credit
us for case and cartage charged to them on last three bills, which
by reference to the Sales-book we find amount to $4. We
credit their account and charge Mdse. with the claim which we
allow, in the Journal, First Form* and explain :

Allowed them for Case and Cartage on bills
January 1 $1.50, 5th $1.25, 12th $1.25.

SIXTH LESSON. 183

Notwithstanding first bill has been paid, including the $1.50, it
would be deducted from next settlement. (See Appendix, ques-
tion 387.)

90. Post the entries of this date, beginning with the debit side
of Cash-book, proceeding as explained in paragraph 23, by read-
ing first entry on that side. We turn to Bills Payable ac*
count in the Ledger, page 8, and enter on Credit side,

15 Cash, 2, 497.25

Read the next entry and pass it (see paragraph 63). Read the
first entry on credit side (see paragraph 26) ; then turn to Wright
Mfg. Co.'s account, page 4 in the Ledger, and enter on the debit
side,

15 3, 1000.00.

Read the next entry and pass it (see paragraph 25).*

Read the next Journal entry to be posted, and turn to Mdse.
and enter on debit side,

15 J. C. B. & Co., 2, 11.00.

Then turn to J. C. Brown & Co.'s account, page 6, and enter on
credit side,

Jan'ylS By Mdse., 2, 11.00.

91. In the first entry on the credit side of every account we
write "jSy," and each subsequent entry on that side we ditto
the ".Zfy," thus (). In the first entry on the debit side of every
account we write " To" and ditto it the same way in each subse-
quent entry on that side. Always repeat dates and folios.

92. Read the next Journal entry and turn to Mdse. account
again, and enter on debit side,

15 ,, D. & Co., 2, 4.00.

Then turn to Davis & Co.'s account and enter on credit side,
15 Mdse., 2, 4.00.

This would complete the day's work, without entering anything
on Sales-book.

* Read first Journal entry to be posted and turn to Interest, page 9, and
enter on the debit side thus,

15 " B. P. 1, 2.75.

Then turn to Bills Payable, page 8, and euter on the credit side thus,

15 " Int. 1, 2.75.

184 A THREE WEEKS 7 COURSE OF PRACTICE.

SEVENTH LESSON.

93. January 18. Assume that we receive a letter from J. C.
Brown & Co. enclosing their note at 60 days for $220.32, to
settle their bill of January 1, less goods returned, also less 4$ dis.
Also by the same mail a letter from W. C. Browning & Co., en-
closing their note at 90 days for $211.22, to settle their bill of Ja-
nuary 1, less 3#. We first turn to J. B. & Co.'s account in the
Ledger to see the amount of their bill, also what amount of goods
they had returned. Calculate the 4$ on the difference, and find
it will be $9.18, and the amount of their note to be correct as
stated. Returned goods should be credited at the price they
were charged, and at time of settlement of any bill deducted
from the face before the discount is deducted ; if deducted from
the net amount of the bill, that is, after discount is taken off, we
would lose the discount on the return goods; in other words, we
must not consider credit items at the long or gross price and
debits at net figures. This is an important matter to be remem-
bered, as many picayune merchants often try to take that advan-
tage in making their remittances, and unless the book-keeper is on
theqwvive much loss could be incurred during the year. We
do not enter it until we have also audited W. C. B. & Co.'s ac-
count in the same way, calculating the 3$ dis., which we find to
be $6.53, and the amount of their note correct also as stated ; we
then make a record of both settlements in the Journal at one
time, charging Discount $15.71, entering both items one above
the other in the order of addition just after the name, extending
the total into first column and charging Bills Receivable with
total of both notes, $431.54, giving the amount of each, one above
the other in the same order, extending the total into first column,
and crediting J. C. Brown & Co. $229.50, the amount of their
note and the 4$, also crediting W. C. Browning & Co. $217.75,
the amount of their note and the 3$.

94. This would require an entry of the Fourth Form, as we
have two debtors and two creditors. We state the debtors first,

SEVENTH LESSON. 185

giving Bills Receivable the preference of first location, because it
is the larger of the two; then write J. C. Brown & Co. in the po-
sition of the first credit account in the entry, making the follow-
ing explanation after their name before entering the other cred-
itor :

Received their note of Jan'y 1st at 60 days in settle ment of bill Jan'y 1 st,
240.50, less goods returned 11.00 = 229.50, less 4$ dis. = 9.18 = 220.32.

Then enter W. C. Browning & Co*'s name in the same way,
making the following explanation after their name :

Received their note of Jan'y 1st at 90 days in settlement
of bill Jan'y 1st, 217.75, less 3$ dis. = 6.53= 211.22.

It requires an explanation after each, because the details as to fig-
ures are different. We make an extra memorandum on Bills
Receivable book of the two notes received.

95. We then transfer J. C. Brown & Co.'s note for $220.32 to
Wright Mfg. Co. in part settlement of our indebtedness to them,
charging their account with its present worth at the rate of 6$
dis. for the time the note has yet to run. We refer to the B. R.
book to see when the note falls due, and count the actual number
of days between now and then, which we find is (13 more days ir
January and 29 in February (leap year) and four in March) 46
days. The interest on $220.32 @ 6$ per annum is $1.68, which,
deducted from face value of note, $220.32, shows its present
worth to be $218.64.

96. We make a record of having transferred the note to them
in the Journal, Third Form, charging their account $218.64, and
charging Interest account $1.68 because we lose it, and crediting
Bills Receivable account by the full amount of the note given
out. Make the following explanation :

Transferred and charged to them on account J. C. Brown & Co.'s
note 220.32 less Qf dis. = 1.68 = 218.64, for unexpired time 46 days.

Also make the following memorandum on Bills Receivable book
in the space for remarks :

Transf'd to W. Mfg. Co. Jan'y 18.

97. Assume that we have an invoice of goods for $1500 from
Wright Mfg. Co., also an invoice for $500 each from Earle & Co.

186 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

and San ford & Co., all of which have been properly checked and
OK'd by the receiving-clerk, which would signify that the goods
were in store. We also have marked them OK as to extensions
and amounts, hence we owe them that much. We record the
facts in the Journal, duplicating first entry in the Journal except
in amounts, making the same explanation.

98. Assume that the Wright Mfg. Co., to whom w r e are now
largely indebted, draw on us at 10 days' sight for $250, and that
their draft was this day presented at our office by the Ninth
National Bank, to whom they sent it for collection. We would
accept it by writing across the face in red ink :

Accepted, Jan'y 18th 1888.

Payable at the First National Bank.

P. A. Wright & Co.

(or the firm's name, whatever it may be, in place of P. A. Wright
& Co.) We then hand it back to the messenger who presented it,
which was virtually delivering it to Wright Mfg. Co. through their
authorized agency. The facts we record in the Journal, First
Form, charging Wright Mfg. Co. and crediting Bills Payable ; ex-
plaining thus :

For their draft on us at 10 days' sight,
which we this day accepted on account.

We make a memorandum on Bills Payable book also, and in the
space for time we write 10^/s, which would distinguish it from an
ordinary note. (Eead TENTH AFTERTHOUGHT, page 354.)

99. In accepting a draft the firm name must be written by a
member of the firm, as the book-keeper would not be permitted to
sign the firm name either to a note, acceptance, or check, in fact,
to any obligation that would be binding on the firm, without he
lias the power of attorney, a written authority given to him to
act for the firm. He can of course sign the firm name
to a receipt for money, or anything delivered to him in the
interest of the firm. He can also indorse checks for deposit in
bank, as the bank's receiving teller is not supposed to know the
firm's signature; furthermore it would be presumed to be right, as
nobody would be likely to place money at the credit of another un-
less it was right, as it could in no wise benefit him, as the money

SKVKXTII LESSON. 187

could be drawn only by presenting a check at bank signed by the
authentic firm name, which would be known by the bank's~^zy-
ing teller. He could not indorse a check in the firm's name for
the purpose of cashing it, however, a forcible example of the man-
ner in which circumstances alter cases.

100. The first deposit in bank must be made by a member of
the firm, who is required to leave the j^rm's signature; that is to
say, he will write in a large register (kept by the bank, containing
signatures of every depositor) the firm name as it must always
.be written on checks, which if otherwise signed would not be
paid.

101. Having no more entries for this day, we post those already
made. Read the first entry on the Journal to be posted Sun-
dries Dr. to Sundries then turn to Bills Receivable account, as
it is the first in the entry (see page 35), and reason thus : Sundries
debtor to Sundries means, the following accounts on the left are
debtors to Sundries, that is, to the other accounts following
on the right of the entry; and as Bills Receivable is one of
those following on the left, it is therefore debtor to those on the
right; but in place of writing each one of them in posting we
write Sundries, which includes both. Hence WQ enter on the debit
side of Sills Receivable account,

18 Sundries, 2, 431.54.

Turn to Discount, and reason the same way from the Discount
standpoint, and enter on the debit side,

18 ,, Sundries, 2, 15.71.

102. J. C. Brown & Go's, account is the next we turn to, and
reason thus : As the two accounts on the left referred to as
Sundries are debtor to those under the word Sundries, on the
right, which includes them, their account is for that reason to be
credited by those on the left ; but in place of writing each one of
these names on the left in posting we write Sundries which in-
cludes both. Hence we enter on the credit side of their account
now under consideration,

18 Sundries, 2, 229.50.

188

Turn to W. C. Browning & Go's, account and pursue the same
line of reasoning:, crediting it the same way,

C" c5 / "

Jan'ylS By Sundries, 2, 217.75.

103. Read the next entry and turn to Bills Receivable account
again, as it is the first in that entry, and reason as in the case of
Miller & Bros., paragraph 44, and enter on the credit side,
18 Sundries, 2, 220.32.

Next account in the entry is Wright Mfg. Co., which we dispose

of the same as in the case of Bills Receivable in paragraph 45,

and for the same reason entering on the debit side of theiraccount,

18 B. R. 2, 218.64.

We dispose of Interest account next, as explained in the case of
Bills Receivable just cited, entering on the debit side,
18 B. R. 2, 1.68.

Read the next entry, and post it, same as explained in paragraphs
29, 30, using the ditto () marks as substitutes for each word
in the transfer.

Wright Mfg. Co. is the first account in the next entry, and it is
disposed of by entering on the debit side,

18 B. P. 2, 250.00,

As explained in paragraph 65 in the case of Discount.
Bills Payable is disposed of next by being credited thus,

18 W. Mfg, Co. 2, 250.00,
Same as it was disposed of in paragraph 80.

EIGHTH LESSON.

104. January^. Assume that P. A.Wright puts $500 more
cash into the business, with the understanding that lie is to be
allowed 6$ per annum for the use of it. We charge Cash, and
credit his account same as before, and in the space for explana-
tions we write,

Additional Investment.

EIGHTH LESSON. 189

105. Assume that Miller & Bros., in order to avail themselves
of our largest discount, which is 6$ for 10 days or promplTcash,
requested us to draw on them at sight four days ago for amount
of their bill of January 5, $190.40 less 6$; we would have made a
draft therefore for $178.98 (for form of draft see page 137), and sent
it to the First National Bank in St. Louis, enclosing it in a letter
addressed to the cashier like the one on page 132, thereby consti-
tuting him our agent to collect the money. He would have re-
ceived it two days later, and presented it at Miller & Bros.'
office and received the amount drawn for, $178.98; but he could
not attend to our collecting for nothing, and would deduct 50 cents,
called exchange, from the money and sent us his check on a New
York bank, which would be exchange on New York for the bal-
ance, $178.48, which we would have this day received, it having
required at least four days from the time we made the draft until
we received returns. No entry was made on making the draft
(see answer to question 158 in Appendix), but on receipt of the
money we make an entry in the Cash-book charging Cash and
crediting Miller & Bros., because the money was received from
them, although in an indirect way. Hence our entry would be
on the debit side of C. B. thus :

Miller & Bros. Bill Jan'y 5th, 190.40

Less 6$ 11.42=178.98

Less Exchange, 50=178.48

If the draft had been for a large amount the bank would have
charged -^ of \<f>. -The discount and exchange must also receive
our attention later.

106. The entry first made on C. B. will probably fill that
page. If so, we draw a red line across all the columns, and add
them below the line in black ink, and on same line with footings
write in red ink,

Amounts carried forward,

and on first line on next pnge write in red ink,
Amounts brought forward,

putting the figures in red ink also. Head both sides of the Cash-
book as before, also all the columns, and on the first line below
the writing in red ink, we repeat Jarfy 20.

107. We assume that Davis & Co. also requested us to draw
on them at sight, four days ago for their bill of Jariy 5,
$166.45 less 6#. We would have drawn for $156.47, proceeding
in the same way as in the case of Miller & Bros., by sending the
draft to cashier of First National Bank, Cincinnati, and received
returns this day for amount drawn for, less 50 cents exchanger,
which we would enter on the debit side of Cash-book, charging
Cash and crediting Davis & Co., in the following manner:

Davis & Co. Bill Jan'y 5 166,45

Less 6# = 9.98 = 156.47

Less Exchange 50 = 155. 97

The items of Discount and Exchange would be disposed of
last thing in the evening or first thing next morning, whereby
we would be enabled to include in the same entry all other items
of differences arising in the cash settlements on that day. It is by
being thus methodical as to the time of attending to those mat-
ters that we do not forget them, otherwise they escape our at-
tention for the time being, as there is no check-mark admissible
showing they have been properly disposed of. If perchance
they should be overlooked, we discover it later in settling the
account, which could not balance by that much, and enter it
under the date of discovery.

108. In looking over our Cash-book for this day we find two
items of Discount and two items of Exchange arising in the
settlements with Miller & Bros, and Davis & Co., which we
will enter in the Journal according to Fourth Form. We charge
Discount $21.40, and if we wish to know how much our out-of-
town collecting costs us in a year, we must have an account to
represent it; hence we create a new account called Exchange,
which we will charge with the two items of that name, placing
one above the other, in the order of addition; also Discount same
order, extending the total into first column. We credit Miller &
Bros, by both the Discount and Exchange in their case, also
Davis & Co. by the two items in their case.

109. After Miller & Bros.' name in the entry we make the
following explanation :

Allowed them 6# dis. on bill Jan'y 5, 190.40
= 11.42, also Exchange for collecting, 50c.

EIGHTH LESSON. 191

Also the same memorandum after Davis & Co.'s name except
in figures, which in their case are different.

We deposit the three checks received to-day, making the
same kind of memorandum on Check-book as we did with the
first deposit, except in the figures, which are different, but must
be arranged in like manner. We make but one deposit each day,
which would be deferred until about 2.30 P.M. so as to include
all the checks that come in during the day.

110. Suppose J. K. Pine has sent us C.O.D,, pursuant to our
order, $150 worth of goods. We make out a check to his order
for the amount, first making the following memorandum on stub :

No. 7. Jan'y 20, 1888.

J. K. Pine.
Bill on file 150.00

We deduct the amount from bank-account and enter it on
credit side of Cash-book, crediting Cash and charging it to
Mdse. thus :

20 By Mdse. J. K. Pine's bill, 150.00

If we sell goods C.O.D. and it would require several days to
get returns, we would charge the buyer on the Sales-book
same as a regular customer, and post his name under Petit Ac-
counts Receivable. See pages 110 and 111. If we were doing
an extensive C.O.D. business, we would have a C.O.D. account,
and manage it same as Petit Accounts Receivable. If we expect
returns same day for the goods, we make a memorandum (See
Memorandum-book, page 128) until we get the money, and enter
it as a cash sale in the special Mdse. column in Cash-book.

Suppose we hand P. A. Wright $50 out of the cash-drawer,
we charge it to his account and credit Cash, thus :

P. A. Wright To himself, 50.00.

If the money had been handed to another person for him, or
he had instructed us to pay a personal bill that may have been
presented against him, we would charge his account the same
way, substituting the name of the person in place of " To him-
self'' 1 Not to do so would be a bad omission, for if the space was
left blank the entry would likely come up for dispute in the
future when the circumstances had been forgotten, and the

192 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

cashier could never satisfy him that he had paid the money
either to him or for him.

111. We enter the amount paid for expenses during the day
as per Petty Cash-book, crediting cash and charging Expense
say $.25 as we did before. Also enter the retail sales, charg-
ing Cash and crediting Mdse. as usual, say $4:2.50.

112. Suppose the Wright Mfg. Co. have returned the note
of J. C. Brown & Co. which we transferred to them January
18, stating they could not use it to advantage. We must there-
fore make a counter entry to the one we made on the 18th,
crediting their account by the amount we charged them for the
note, and crediting Interest with same amount it was charged
with before, because in this case we recover that which we then
considered lost, and charge Bills Receivable with the amount of
the note, which will require an entry in the Journal, Second Form /
then make the following explanation :

For J. C. Brown & Co. i Note 220.32, which we
transferred to them on a / c Jan'y 18, returned to us.

Then duplicate the original memorandum on Bills Eeceivable
book that was made when the note was first received.

113. Assuming that we have received another lot of goods
from the Wright Mfg. Co. amounting to $500.00, also the same
amount each from Sanford & Co. and Earl & Co., we dispose of
it in every way the same as we did in the other two instances of
the same kind.

114. If in posting the entries of this date, we are bothered to
know how to proceed, refer to previous entries of the same kind
and dispose of them the same way, entering the date on the
Ledger in every transfer made to it, also the folio of the book
from which it was made, dittoing all other words if they are the
same as those used in the last transfer.

115. There is a new account to be opened for Exchange,
which we locate near the bottom of page 9, on which the Dis-
count and the Interest account have been opened, repeating the
Dr. on the left and Or. on the right. It will be debited same as
Discount (see paragraph 101).

116. In the first entry in every account on the Ledger on both

NINTH LESSON. 193

sides, in fact the first entry in every book, tha year and the month
must both be given, but neither must be repeated on the same
page. Each succeeding month and year must also be stated on
all the books and in every Ledger account.

NINTH LESSON.

117. January 26. Suppose that we have received by the
same mail a remittance from J. C. Brown & Co. and W. C.
Browning & Co. to settle their bills of January 5, less 6$, W. C.
Browning & Co. having included in their check $100 which they
request us to hand to Dougan & Co. for their account. We turn
to each of their accounts in the Ledger to see the amount of their
bills, and find the former's to be $137.25, 6% of which is $8.23,
and their check would be $129.02. The latter's biU we find to be
$201.90, 6$ of which is $12.11, and their check would be $289.79,
providing they had remitted correctly. We enter each check on
the debit side of Cash-book, crediting each firm by its respective
check, making same kind of explanation after J. C. Brown &
Co.'s entry as in the case of Davis & Co., paragraph 52; but in
W. C. Browning & Co.'s case the entry and explanation would be
as follows :

W. C. Browning & Co., Bill, Jan. 5, 201.90

Less 6& 12.11 = 189.79

For Dougan & Co., = 100.00 = 289.79'

Many book-keepers would have entered only the money be-
longing to us, omitting the last line in the explanation, taking no
notice of the $100 for Dougan & Co. further than to hand them
the money, which would be decidedly incorrect, as our books
should show the full transaction, and the full amount received
from any firm should appear in their account. When we pay the
money to Dougan & Co. we will charge W. C. B. & Co. with it.

118. The two items of 6^ we lose, and, therefore, charge the
total to Discount $20.34, and credit J. C. Brown & Co. by the
item allowed them, $8.23, and W. C. Browning & Co. by $12.11,

194 A TiiKEE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

for the same reason requiring a Journal entry of Second Form.
making an explanation after each firm's name, like the one in
Davis & Co.'s case, paragraph 52.

We deposit the two checks in bank, making a duplicate of the
memorandum that was made in the other cases where two checks
were deposited.

119. We pay by check both San ford & Co. and Earle & Co. the
amount of their bills of January 18, less 6$. Each bill being $500,
-we therefore make out a check for each firm for $470, first mak-
ing memorandum on each stub, like the one in paragraph 54; then
enter them both on credit side of C. B., crediting Cash and charg-
ing their account in the same kind of entry and explanation for
each as in the case of San ford & Co., paragraph 55.

120. The 6$ we make, and credit Discount by the amount of
both items, $60, charging Earl & Co. and Sanford & Co. $30
each, because they each allowed us the same, requiring an entry of
Third Form and but one explanation after both names, like the one
in Sanford & Co.'s case, paragraph 55. One explanation will do
for both, because the details are in every particular the same ; if
the bills had been of different dates or different amounts, or the
discount had been different, two explanations, one after each firm's-
name, would have been necessary for clearness.

121. We hand Dougan & Co. $100 out of the Cash-drawer
and charge it to W. C. Browning & Co., on credit side of C. B.,
thus :

,, W. C. Browning & Co., Dougan & Co., 100.00.

We also hand the porter and office-boy their pay for two
weeks and charge it to Expense (see paragraph 71), also entering
the amount of petty expenses for the day by writing in explana-
tion column,

See Petty Cash-book, 3.75,

ivithout repeating Expense or dittoing it.

Enter the retail sales for the day, charging Cash and crediting
Mdse., say $47.50.

122. Assume that we drew on Miller & Bros, four days ago>
by their permission, at 15 days' sight, for $100 on account, ana
that we have this day been advised by the bank we sent it to for

TENTH LESSON. 195

collection that they accepted it on the 24th. We record the facts
in the Journal, First Form, charging Bills Receivable and "credit-
ing Miller & Bros., after which we explain thus,

For our draft on them at 15 days' sight,
which they accepted on the 24th on account.

We also make an extra memorandum on Bills Receivable book,
stating the time, (Read TENTH AFTERTHOUGHT, page 354.)

15 d/s,

for the reason before explained, and in the space for remarks we
make a pencil memorandum, thus,

In the hands of First National Bank, St. Louis, for collection,

so as not to lose sight of it.

123. Make four more entries on the Sales-book, charging the
same four customers : W. C. Browning & Co., $121.85, dupli-
cating Miller & Bros', first bill; Davis & Co., $175. 90, duplicating
W. C. Browning & Co.'s bill of 5th; Miller & Bros., $124.25,
duplicating J. C. Brown & Co.'s bill of 5th; J. C. Brown & Co.,
$140.45, duplicating Davis & Co.'s bill of 5th, omitting the item
for No. 4 Shirts in each. Repeat their terms and address.

Post from all three books, according to suggestion in para-
graph 114.

TENTH LESSON.

124. January 31. Reopen the daily Cash-book. Assume that
we received a check from Davis & Co. for $100 on account. We
would enter it on debit side of C. B., crediting their account, and
the explanation would be simply.

On Account

Deposit the check in bank and add it to the bank account.

125. By referring to our Bills Payable book, which we should
do every day, we notice our acceptance of $250 is due to-day, and
being payable at our lank, it would be presented there and paid
by the bank, with our funds on deposit there ; hence we must

196 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

give the bank credit by the amount of the acceptance by making
the following memorandum on same side where we enter deposits ::

Jan'y 31, Less acceptance due to-day, 250.

"Less" always means to be deducted.

126. We credit Cash and charge Bills Payable account because
we receive our note in exchange for cash, hence the following
entry on credit side of C. B.,

31. By Bills Payable, Acceptance due to-day, $250.

127. We start Austin Ross on the road as travelling salesman,,
and give him $200 in cash to pay his expenses. We give him
$100 out of the drawer and a check for $100. The advantage in
giving him a check for part of the money is in the fact that the
check would not be used until he had used all the ready money
lie had, which would last him two weeks or more and carry him
far out West, when he could then cash the check with some of
our customers by presenting proper credentials, showing he was
our agent. During that time the money would be in bank at our
credit and subject to our use. At the time of making out the
check we deducted it from the bank account to keep it straight.
We could, therefore, apparently overdraw our bank account $100
and yet not be overdrawn.

128. We credit Cash and charge $200 to Austin Ross' Travel-
ling Account, which will be a new account, meaning our money in
his hands for travelling expense purposes. In the space for expla-
nation we write,

100.00 100.00

" A. Ross, Trav. Acct., Check, Currency,

placing the figures directly over each word, and extend the total;
into the Sundries column. If lie required more money during
the trip, we send it to him and charge same account, and upon
his return it would be an easy matter to find out how much had
been sent to him to be accounted for, by having such an account.

129. It would be wrong to charge it to the account already
opened in his name, which would mean his money ; besides, it
would reduce the credit of interest he would be entitled to on,

TENTH LESSON. 197

whatever average balance there may be at his credit upon closing
e'v books at the end of the year.

130. Enter the expense for the day as per Petty Cash book,
^"editing Cash and charging Expense, say $4.25.

Also enter the retail sales for the day, charging Cash and credit-
ing Mdse., say $52.50. Prove the cash balance and close it as
before.

131. Being at the end of the month, it is assumed that we have
balanced and closed the daily Cash-book every day during the
month. Hence we must lay it aside, as it were, by disregarding the
figures in the Amount columns, and take up the monthly cash
and see how much we have received during the entire month, by
-adding Mdse. and Sundries column on debit side, on proof sheet.
Also see how iruch we have paid out during the month, by add-
ing the Expense and Sundries column on credit side, noting the
result on proof sheet, and if all the additions are right the differ-
ence between the debit and the credit side will agree with our
last daily balance.

132. We close the monthly cash by producing the line that
extends across main part of the book across the Mdse. and Ex-
pen.se columns only; the footing of the Mdse. and Expense column
on next line are extended into the two Sundries columns on the
same line; then we rule across the two Sundries columns on that
line and add each below the line, also extending it into the
Amount columns, which we balance thus in red ink :

Balance Carried to Feb'y 1st. 337.07

Then rule a single line across the Amount column on both sides
on same line with the balance, and on the next line draw a double
red line from the Month column on each side across the page,
thereby closing the book in its entirety.

133. We explain the footings of the Mdse. and Sundries
columns on the debit side in the following manner:

1/31 To Mdse. Total Retail Sales 227,50 227.50

,, Sundries. Total Receipts 4402.82

The figures on the line with retail sales we identify in posting as

198 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE or PRACTICE.

Mdse., and the final footing of Sundries column we identify &
Cash.

134 We explain the footings of the Expense and Sundries
columns on the credit side in the following entries:

1/31 By Expense. Total Cash Expense 110.75 110. 7?

,, Sundries. Total Disbursements 4065.75

We identify the figures in the Expense column as Expense, and
the final footing of the Sundries column we identify as Cash also
in posting.

The figures 1/31 in the date column mean from the first to
the thirty-first.

135. In posting the Cash for the 31st we have to open a new
account in the Ledger called A. Hoss* Travelling Account, and
enter on the debit side thus :

Jan'y 31, To Cash, 5, 200.00

We also have our first entry on the debit side of Bills Payable
account under this date, as it is the first note we have paid ;
hence this entry :

Jan'y 31, To Cash, 5, 250.00

136. The footings of the Mdse., Expense and Sundries
columns must also be posted. We credit Mdse. account in the
Ledger by its footing, thus:

Jau'y 1/31, By Cash, 4, 227.50

We then open Cash account in the Ledger on page 2, arid carry
the footing of the Sundries column on the left to the debit side
of the Cash account, thus :

Jan'y 1/31, To Sundries, 4, 4402.82

137. Open an account for Expense on page 2 in the Ledger
also, and post the footing of that column on the debit side of the
Expense account, thus:

Jan'y 1/31, To Cash, 5, 110.75,

TKNTH LESSON. 199

and the footing of the Sundries column on the right we carry to
the credit side of the Cash account, thus:

Jan'y 1/31, By Sundries, 5, 4065.75.

138. We make a charge against Davis & Co. on Sales-book
under this date to close it for the month; duplicate next to the
last entry on page 89, omitting case and cartage, $1.25, as they
decline to pay it, $213.25. Rule a red line on next line below
the entry, terminating at the first column. Being at the end of
the month, we draw a line across the outside column on the same
line with last amount, add that column on next line, and opposite
the final footing write, (see question 438 in Appendix,)

Total Sales in January.

Then on next line draw a double red line across the page, begin-
ning under the word "total," simply as a matter of underscoring-
the remarks.

We post the final footing of Sales-book on the credit side of
Mdse. in this way :

1/31 Sundries, 5, 2274.55.

139. On the lust day of each month we make an entry in the
Journal, Second Form, crediting the two clerks with whom we
have a Ledger account by their services, $100 each, also crediting
the landlord (J. W. Carpenter) with one month's rent of store r
$125, on the supposition that we pay him quarterly, and charge
the whole amount of the three credits to Expense, $325. After
the two clerks' names we make the following explanation,

For services rendered in Jan'y as per agreement;

then enter the landlord's name, after which explain as follows:
Rent of Store for Jan'y as per lease.

Draw a double red line across the page from the month to the
first column on the right, which would close the Journal for the
month. Journal columns are never added unless there are special
columns or in making four-column Trial Balance.

140. When we agree to give a person anything we credit their

200 A THEEE WEEKS' COURSE or PRACTICE.

account by it ; but when we actually give it to them we charge
their account with it. In a bookkeeping sense, therefore, agree-
ing to do anything is just the reverse of doing it. For example
take the case of "W. S. Jenkins, whom we agreed to give $100
per month for his services, and for that reason we credited his
account with $100 ; but as we gave it to him from time to time
his account was charged with it. Hence bookkeeping sense and
common sense are in this case, as in many others, greatly at
variance.

ELEVENTH LESSON.

141. Having closed the three books of original entry and carried
the results into the Ledger, as must be done every month, we will
now make our first Trial Balance, usual form, for an explanation
of which see pages 90 and 91.

We first go through the Ledger and make the pencil figures
showing the condition of each account, according to instruction
for making Trial Balance, pages 90 and 91 ; then go through it
again, transferring the results to the Trial Balance Sheet in ink;
and if it does not balance we find the error according to the rules
on page 49.

142. If you do not find the error after applying all the rules
the second time, you can compare your figures to those in the
following Trial Balance, which will show the condition of all
the accounts if you have made your entries correctly.

We never made a transposition of figures in our twenty years'
experience. They are errors very hard to find, but of exceedingly
rare occurrence ; hence the rules usually advanced by theoretical
book-keepers for finding errors are not very practicable. The
phrase " Red Ink promises," descanted upon by an obscure writer,
and which you may sometimes be asked about, is veritable bosh ;
a solecism indigenous to and emanating from a small country
town in the West, and has no general meaning.

TWELFTH LESSON.

201

TRIAL BALANCE, JANUARY 31sT, 1888.

P. A. Wright,

(name of junior partner).
Office Furniture.
Mdse.

Wright Mfg. Co.
Earle & Co.
Sanford & Co.
JVIiller & Bros.
J. C. Brown & Co.
W. C. Browning & Co.
Davis & Co.
JMlls Receivable.
Bills Payable.
Discount.
Interest.
Exchange.
Expense.
W S. Jenkins.
A. Ross.

J. W. Carpenter.
A. Ross Travelling */ c .
Cash,

245.00
3812.95

24.25
140.45
121.85
285.15
531.54

3.22

1.00

435.75

200.00
337.07

1450.00
1000.00

1250.00
500.00
500.00

1125.00
38.23

75.00

125.00

6138.23 6138.23

TWELFTH LESSON.

Head the Journal NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 1st, 1888.

143. In this our second month's business, we introduce a four-
column Journal by ruling two special columns in an ordinary
Journal, one for Mdse. Dr., and the other for Wright Mfg. Co.,
Or. For a full description of a four-column Journal, its use and
advantages, see pages 77 and 78.

144. The entries we make this month will be made on the
same principles that they were made last month ; the only differ-
ence being the figures will be located in different columns as the
case may require. We are not deviating from our routine already
established, but we are developing it as our business increases.

145. Suppose we receive $2000 worth of goods from Wright

202 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

Mfg. Co.; $500 each from Earle & Co. and Sanford & Co. r
whose bills have all been examined and OK'd as before ex-
plained. We would enter them in the Journal, charging Mdse.
with the total $3000, in its special debit column. Credit
Wright Mfg. Co., $2000 in their special credit column, and
credit Sanford & Co., also Earl & Co., in the Sundries credit col-
umn, requiring an entry of the /Second Form after which we.
explain as usual,

As per bills on file.

146. We also introduce two more special columns in the
Cash-book this month, that is, the two Discount columns. The
one on the debit side of Cash-book being for discount we allow
our customers and therefore lose, and for that reason it will be a*
Discount Dr. column ; the one on the credit side of C. B. is-
for discount allowed us for prompt cash settlements, and there-
fore we make it, and for that reason it will be a Discount Cr.
column.

147. Instead of making Journal entries for the discount arising-
on all cash transactions as we did last month, it will be disposed
of by being entered in the two special columns in C B., there-
by saving many Journal entries, a great deal of posting, and much,
valuable Ledger space.

148. The figures in the Discount column, on either side, do-
not affect the Cash in any way (see answer to question 98, in.
Appendix), but are really innovations in the Cash-book which,
greatly simplify the matter, and facilitate our work: for further
explanations in relation to them, see pages 52, 53.

149. In reopening the Cash-book, February 1, 1888, we head it
same as last month ;also head the columns, which will in every way
conform to our miniature Cash-book, pages 64 and 65. We begin
on first line on debit side thus,

Feb'y 1, To Balance, From Jan'y 31, 337.07.

locating the figures in the Amount column. To place them in-
the Sundries column would be wrong, as the footing of that col-
umn each month will show the amount of money received dur-
ing the month, and the balance brought forward from last month

TWELFTH LESSON. 203

could not be regarded as money received this month ; hence it
must be kept apart from the receipts.

150. Assume that W. C. Browning & Co. pay by check their
bill of 26th ult., $121.85, less 6f c . We record the whole settle-
ment in the Cash-book, charging Cash with the amount of check
received, charging Discount with the $% which we lost, and credit-
ing their account by total of both by entering on the debit side
ofC. B. as follows :

W. C. Browning & Co., Jan'y 26, 121.85 7.31 114.54.

In space for explanations we write Jan'y 26, $121.85, which
means they paid that bill. We place the $7.31 in the Discount
column,, which means less that much discount, and the differ-
ence in the Sundries column, which means the amount they paid.

151. Assume that J. C. Brown & Co. also pay by check their
bill of 26th ult., $140.45, less 6$, $8.42. We dispose of it in
every way the same.

We deposit the two checks in bank, charging the bank account
as usual.

152. As fast as money accumulates on our hands we use it to
the best advantage in paying bills not yet due, and thereby avail
ourselves of a larger rate of discount than we would be allowed
by deferring payment, and in so doing we offset the discount we-
lose by the rapid accumulation ot unsolicited funds.

153. We therefore make out a check to the order of Earle &
Co. for $470 in payment of their bill of 20th ult., $500 less 6$,.
first making the necessary memorandum on the stub from which
the check will be torn, as usual, and deduct it from the last bal-
ance in bank.

154. We record this whole transaction in the Cask-book, credit-
ing Cash by the amount of check given, crediting Discount by
the 6% made, and charging the total of both to Earle & Co., in
the following entry on the credit side of C. B. :

Feb'yl, By Earle & Co., Jan'y 20, 500.00 30.00 470.00.

Arranging the explanations, the Discount and Cash figures on the
same principles just explained in connection with the entries or>
the debit side.

204 A THREE 'WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

155. Suppose our cartman brings in his bill for cartage for last
month, an account of which he has kept on a small pass-book
which has been checked and OK'd by our shipping-clerk, who
would also have an account of the number of loads hauled by
the cartman, also where they were delivered, making it an easy
matter for him to pass upon the correctness of the cartman's ac-
count ; after which it would be presented to and paid by the cash-
ier, out of the drawer money, We credit Cash and charge Mdse.
on the credit side of C. B., thus,

Mdse., Cartage for Jan 'y, 7,50,

placing the figures in the Sundries column, because we have no
special column for Mdse. on that side.

156. The student would naturally conclude that it should be
charged to Expense and not Mdse., but when reminded of the
fact that the cartage, just paid for was charged to our customers
on the bottom of their bill (Case and Cartage), and was credited
in the Mdse. at the end of the month in the footing of the out-
side column, which included the cartage, they can readily under-
stand why Mdse. should be charged with its cost, as it has been
benefited by its incurrence. If it had not been charged to our
'Customers and thereby sold, as it were, the cost of carting w r ouid
be an expense. In fact the number of loads hauled that we had
not charged our customers for should be charged to Expense
-anyway, to be just with the Mdse. account.

157. Suppose we receive a case of goods from the "Wright Mfg.
Co. on which there is $1.50 freightage and 40 cents cartage, which
we pay out of the cash drawer to the Transportation Co.'s cartman.
We credit Cash and charge Expense, by making the following
entry on the credit side of C. B. :

,, Expense, Freight, 1.50

Cartage, .40

putting the figures in the special Expense column.

158. To the inexperienced it would seem to be inconsistent tc
charge cartage to Mdse. in one instance and in the next to Ex-
pense, but in the latter case the cartage was on incoming goods,
and is an outlay of money that will in no way be recovered, and
is therefore really an expense to the business.

TWELFTH LESSON. 205

159. The next item of cartage may be charged to any other
account that may have been benefited thereby, and which wrrnray
consider responsible for it; hence it is always necessary to look
into the previous conditions, or causes, of such things to be able
to know what account to charge them to.

160. We enter the retail sales for the day, charging Cash and
crediting Mdse. in its special column, as usual, say $62.50. Then
prove the cash for the day, disregarding the figures in the two
Discount columns, as they do not represent any part of the cash.
Balance and close, as w r e have done each day.

161. Charge up more goods, that is, charge the same four
customers on Sales-book with goods supposed to have been sold to
them, as follows: J. C. Brown & Co., $175.90; W. C. Browning
& Co., $140.45 ; Miller & Bros., $166.45 ; and Davis & Co.,
$240.50, omitting case and cartage in their case ; repeating the
terms and address of each firm, also the items necessary to make
the amounts, which will be found in previous charges of the
same amounts to other customers ; if not, create them from
others.

162. In posting from the Cash-book this month, we must con-
sider the figures in the Discount columns in connection with those
in the Sundries columns, which gives us an entry necessarily af-
fecting three accounts.

163. For instance, our first entry on the debit side affects W. C.
Browning & Co.'s account, also the Cash and the Discount ac-
counts; hence our first double-entry proposition on that side must
be stated thus : Cash and Discount both debtor to W .C. Browning
<& Co., which means they are debited in the first entry in positions
whereby they will be debited in the final entry at the end of the
month, and for that reason are passed for the present. Then turn
to W. C. Browning & Co.'s account in the Ledger and reverse
the proposition, and say : Their account must be credited by both
Cash and Discount. We enter on the credit side of their ac-
count, as follows :

114.54 7.31

Feb'y 1, Cash, Dis., 6, 121.85

writing Cash and Discount both on the same line, with the figures
directly over each word, and extend the total into the column.

206

164. If we were posting the two items from the Journal we
would use the word Sundries in place of the two words Cash and
Discount / but as they are differently arranged in the Cash-book,
it is necessary to have each appear in the transfer to enable us to
retrace them to the original entry.

165. We read the next entry the same way, and turn to J. C.
Brown & Co.'s account and credit it thus:

13203 8.42

Feb'y Cash, Dis., 6, 140.45.

arranging the figures the same way as in W. C. B. & Co.'s
case.

166. We read the next entry as we read others of the same
kind last month, and pass it for the same reason.

167. The first entry on the credit side of Cash-book also affects
three accounts, Earle & Co., Cash and Discount. Hence our
double-entry proposition must be stated thus : Cash and Discount
are both credited by Earle & Co., at least, they are credited in the
first entry, and will be in the final entry at the end of the month.
.So they are passed for the present, and Earle & Co.'s account con-
idered by reversing the proposition from their standpoint, thus,
Earle & Co.'s account must be debited to both Cask and Discount,
hence we write on the Debit side,

470.00 30.00

Feb'y Cash, Dis., 7, 500.00

disposing of the figures as explained in the case of W. C. Brown-
ing & Co.

168. We read the next entry on that side, Cash credited by
Mdse.; then turn to Mdse., and post it at once, because it is not
n a Special Column. Write on the Debit side,

Feb'y Cash, 7, 7.50.

We read the next entry and pass it same as such entries were
read and disposed of last month.

169. We then read the first entry in the Journal, Mdse. Dr. to
Sunds., and as the first two accounts in the entry are in special
columns, we pass and check them thus, f/, and post the next two in
-every way the same as last month.

We also post from the Sales-book the same way as before.

THIRTEENTH LESSON. 207

THIRTEENTH LESSON.

170. Reopen the Cash on February 2, as usual. By reference
to our Bills Payable book we will notice that our first note is due
to-day, and the amount is $475.00. We also notice that it is pay-
able at First National Bank, which means it would be presented
there by whoever holds it, and that the bank will pay it with our
funds, providing we have that much at our credit in bank ; and
if we did not have enough to meet the note, the bankers would
-advance whatever balance was necessary, providing they considered
us good for the amount and worthy of the accommodation. If they
did not so consider us the note would not be paid by them, but
would be presented at our office.

171. We presume that the note was paid on presentation at
the bank; hence we must give the bank credit by the amount by
deducting it from last balance.

172. On looking at our Check-book we notice we have only a
small balance of $41.89, and therefore the bank had to advance
$433.11 of their own money to protect the note. We therefore
make the following memorandum on stub of the Check-book,

Feb'y 2, Less Note due to-day, 475.00

placing the $475.00 under last balance; draw a line and deduct the
upper figures ($41.89) from the lower ($475.00), leaving $433.11,
which must appear in red-ink figures, and will mean overdraft,
or due the bank. Many book-keepers would say: " I can't de-
duct $475.00 from $41.89, consequently will make no memo-
randum of it until I have added enough to the bank account to
pay the note ; then deduct it."

173. That would not be satisfactory, as we must show the ac-
tual condition of the bank account every time it is changed, be it
good or bad, and for that reason we deduct the note at once, giv-
ing us a minus quantity, as it were ; then we can see how much
we are overdrawing, and therefore know what amount to raise
to make it good.

208 A THREE WEEKS' COUESE OF PRACTICE.

174. Furthermore \ve would receive a notification from the
bank, by special messenger, that our account was overdrawn
$433.11, and that they expect us to make it good before 3 o'clock,
which we would do by exchanging checks with a neighbor possi-
bly in some instances and depositing it, but in this instance we
will attend to it in another way, hereinafter explained. Ex-
changing checks would not change the condition of the bank
account according to our version, but would set it aright accord-
ing to the bank's version, as the check we deposit reaches the
bank at once, whereas the check w r e give in exchange would be
deposited by our neighbor in his bank and would have to go
through the clearing-house and therefore not reach our bank tin-
til next day, and by that time we will have funds there to meet
it.

175. We make a double entry in the Cash-book of having paid 1
our note, crediting Cash and charging Bills Payable, because we
receive our note back when we pay the cash for it. On the
credit side of C. B. we make the following record :

2, By Bills Payable, Note due to-day, 475.00.

We also mark it Paid on the Bills Payable book in the space
for remarks.

176. Our bank account being in bad condition, we must raise
the money to make good the overdraft, and having $431.54 in
other people's notes on hand, according to our Bills Receivable
book, we offer them for discount at the bank, and assume that the
bank accepts and passes them to our credit, less Qfc discount for the
unexpired time. See THIRD AFTERTHOUGHT on page 226.

177. We must see if the amount they give us credit by is cor-
rect. We find the date of maturity of each note, also the amount
of each, by reference to the Bills Receivable book; then calculate
the number of days from now to the due date of each and reckon
the 6$ for the unexpired time on the amount of each separately^
as the time is different, and find the total discount to be $3.27 y
which, deducted from the total of all the notes, must agree with
the net proceeds by which the bank gives us credit on their books,
also on our Bankbook or Pass-book, fora description of which see
page 58; also see Miniature Pass-book, pages 124 and 125.

THIRTEENTH LESSON. 209

We charge the bank on stub of Check-book, thus,

Feb'y 2, Proceeds of Notes, 428.27

219.19
209.08

428.27

178. We show in our memorandum the net amount of each
note on the supposition that each has been entered on our Pass-
book by the discount clerk ; if he had entered only the total, as
is often the case, then we would have only the total in our mem-
orandum. The main idea is to have ours agree with his, as a mat-
ter of convenience in checking up the bank account when the
Pass-book has been balanced at the end of the month. We place
the total proceeds in the column under the red-ink figures and de-
duct'the lower (black-ink figures) from the upper, which will leave
a small overdraft still, which must also appear in red-ink figures.

179. We take $100 out of the Cash-drawer and deposit it to
cover the shortage in bank, and charge the bank, thus :

Feb'y 2, Deposited Currency, 100.00.

If it had been a check instead of currency, we would have writ-
ten simply Deposited 100.00.

180. We deduct the upper amount (in red ink) from the $100
deposited, and the difference will indicate the balance at our credit
in bank, and must, therefore, appear in black ink, restoring the
bank account to its normal condition.

181. We charge Cash with the amount received for the notes,
and credit Bills Receivable by making the following entry on the
the debit side of C. B.:

Bills Receivable, Discounted at First Natl.

Bank the following Notes,
211.22
W. C. B. & Co., 2.14 209.08

220.32
J. C. B. & Co., 1.13 219.19 428.27

182. We name the notes by the initials of the firm and place
the amount of each just above the line, and the discount of each:
on the line under the amount in the order of subtraction, and:

COURSE OF PRACTICE.

extend the net amount of each near the Discount column in the
order of addition, and extend the total into the Sundries column.

183. The Discount, $3.27, we lose, and enter in the Journal,
charging it to Interest and crediting Bills Receivable by it, in the
First Form of entry, and explain thus :

6? dis. on Notes, see C. B. 6,

referring to Cash-book page 6, where we have the details already
stated, which will save repeating them.

184. "We also make the following memorandum on the Bills
Receivable book under Remarks:

Disctd. at 1st Natl. Bk. Feb'y 2,

including the two notes in a brace (\).

185. Assume that the man who furnishes us with cases that
we pack our goods in for shipment to customers, brings in his
bill for cases delivered to us in January, say $6.50. We pay him
out of the cash-drawer, credit Cash, and charge Mdse., for the
same reason we charged the cartage to Mdse.

186. Assume that the collector for the gas company presents his
bill for gas consumed last month. We pay him out of the cash-
drawer also, say $4.50, credit Cash, and charge Expense in the
special Expense column*

187. Charge Cash and credit Mdse. with the amount of retail
sales for the day as usual, say $67.50. Prove the cash, balance,
and close it for the day.

188. Assume that we receive $500 worth of goods from Wright
Mfg. Co. We enter it in the Journal, charging Mdse. in its
special column, and credit their account in their special column,
neither of which will be posted at present, but passed and checked
thus ( |/ ) on the left of each name where the post-mark would be.

189. We make no entries in the Sales-book this lesson, but
conclude by posting from the Cash-book, and, as there are no
figures in either Discount column, the entries will all be read and
posted same as last month.

* It will be noticed that this payment did not pass through petty C. B. The
amount is sufficiently large to entitle it to a place in principal C. B ; further-
more it is a matter we may want to refer to, and it is easier traced when thus
entered.

FOURTEENTH LESSON.

190. Eeopen the Cash-book February 9.

Assume that Miller & Bros.' note, which was due on the 3d,
was protested for non-payment, which means they could not pay
it, and therefore it was placed in the hands of & notary public,
who would notify everybody whose name appeared on the note
as indorsers, of the fact that it had not been paid and that they
were looked to for making it good. The notification he sends to
each is called a Protest, and his services in the matter usually
cost $1.50, which is called protest fee.

191. By referring to our Bills Keceivable book we will see that
we discounted the note at our bank January 12, at which time
we indorsed it wrote our name across the back of it which
meant that we would guarantee the bank against loss in the event
it was not pai3 ; hence the note would reach us again via First
National Bank, to whom we would give a check on themselves
for the amount of the note, including protest fees, first making
the following memorandum on the stub from which the check
will be detached :

No. 12. Feb'y 9, 1888.

First National Bank.
For Miller & Bros. Note, 128.11

Protest fees 1.50 129.61

192. It would be necessary to give them a check, which would
authorize them to charge our account with the amount, which
they would have no right to do without such authority, although
they hold our funds on deposit.

193. We deduct the $129.61, from last balance, which will
again overdraw our account, hence the difference must appear in
red ink again.

194. We enter the amount of check in the Cash-book, crediting
Cash and charging Miller & Bros., because we hold them account-
able for the amount we advanced to meet their obligation. We
enter on the credit side of the C. B. as follows : *

9 By Miller & Bros. Note due 3d, 128.11

Protest fees 1.50 129.61

* See FIRST AFTERTHOUGHT on page 226.

212 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

195. Assume that we receive a remittance from Davis & Co.
to pay their bill of 31st ult. $213.25, less 60. We make the fol-
lowing entry on the debit side of C. B.:

Davis & Co., Jan'y. 31, 213.25 - 12.79 = 200.46.

disposing of the matter as already explained in the case of W. C.
Browning & Co., paragraph 150.

196. We would deposit the check and charge the bank ac-
count with it as usual, which would settle the overdraft and leave
a balance at our credit, which must appear in black ink figures.

197. Assume that our neighbor and friend, A. F. Benson,
solicits the loan of $100 from us for 42 days, agreeing to pay us
7$ for the use of it. We will lend him the money on bank prin-
ciples ; that is, we will require his note for the amount, deduct the
7$ for 42 days, and give him a check for the balance.

198. We make this memorandum on stub before making out
check :

No. 13. Feb'y 9, 1888.

A. F. Benson,
Loaned 100.00

42 days 1% .88 99.12

Deduct it from balance in bank

199. We enter it in the Cash-book, crediting Cash and charg-
ing Bills Receivable on the credit side of Cash-book thus : *

Bills Receivable. Loaned A. F. Benson
On Ms note 100.00
42 days 1% .88 99.12

Make an extra memorandum on Bills Receivable book according
to the facts in the case.

200. The 88 cents we make, and in a strict sense of the
word is discount, but we credit interest by it, and charge it to
Bills Receivable in the Journal according to First Form, and
make the following explanation :

1% discount on A. F. Benson's note at 42 days for 100.00.

201. In the explanation we must allude to it as discount to
make sense, because it was deducted from the face of the note,
and to say 7$ interest would mean that it was added to the face

* See FIRST AFTERTHOUGHT on page 226.

FOURTEENTH LESSON. 213

By referring to paragraph 69 you find a full explanation of the
matter, and the seeming incongruities reconciled.

202. Supposing it to be regular pay-night, we hand the porter
$20 and the office-boy $7, credit Cask and charge Expense, same
as before ; also enter the retail sales for the day, charging Cash
and crediting Mdse., ay $72.50. Prove the cash, balance, and
close it as usual.

203. Suppose we receive an apologetic letter from Miller &
Bros., explaining how it happened that their note went to protest,
stating that Mr. Miller was out of the city and forgot to leave a
check signed with the book-keeper, which would doubtless be a
fabrication from whole cloth, designed to impose on our credulity ;
at the same time they request an extension of 30 days for the
amount of protested note, and enclose a new note with interest
added at 6$ per annum, covering the protest fees also ; hence the
new note would be for $130.26.

204. We record the facts in the Journal, making two entries

* 5

of First Form. We charge Bills .Receivable, and credit Miller &
Bros.' account with the amount of note, and and explain as follows :

Received their note of Feb-'y 3d at 30 days in
renewal of note due Feb'y 3, 128.11 including
protest fees 1.50 aud 30 days' interest @. 6$ = .65.

We also make the necessary memorandum on the Bills Receiv-
able book.

205. We make another entry charging Miller & Bros, and
crediting Interest 65c., which we made, and explain as follows:

% interest on 129.61 for 30 days ; see above entry.

The 6$ in this case was really interest, being a percentage added
to the face cf the amount ; hence we allude to it as interest in the
explanation.

206. Our Commercial College professors (?) would never have
disposed of the matter in two entries, but would have made one
entry charging Bills Receivable with the amount of note, credit-
ing Miller & Bros, by $129.61 and Interest by 65 cents, which
would have been theoretically correct, but practically incorrect, as
in business we desire that Miller & Bros.' account must show the
full transaction, which it would not do if we had credited them

214 A THKEE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

only by the amount they were previously charged with in the
Cash-book, in which case the interest would not appear in their
account, nor would their account have shown the amount of note
received from them, as it should.

207. Assume that we receive $800 worth of goods to-day, $450
from Earle & Co., $350 from Sanford & Co. We enter it in the
Journal, charging Mdse. in its special column $800, and crediting
Earle & Co. and Sanford & Co. in the Sundries Cr. column by
the amount of their respective bills, and explain,

As per bills on file.

The Mdse. would be passed in posting and checked as usual, and
the two firms would be dealt with same as before.

208. Charge on Sales-book as follows: Davis & Co. $213,
duplicating the items in next to last entry on page 89, omitting
case and cartage. Charge J. C. Brown & Co. $204.50, duplicat-
ing last entry on page 87. Charge W. C. Browning & Co,
$206.10, duplicating first entry in February on page 89. We would
decline to ship any more goods to Miller & Bros., since they failed
to meet their note.

209. We conclude this lesson by posting from all three books
as usual. The first entry on debit side of Cash-book will read
Cash and Discount both debtor to Davis <& Co., which means,.
their account must be credited by both Cash and Discount. On
the credit side of their account we write,

200.46 12.79

Feb'y9, Cash. Dis., 6, 213.25,

all on one line, arranging the figures as already explained in a
similar case. First entry on credit side reads, Cash credit by
Miller <& Bros. $129.61, which means, their account must be
debtor to cash $129.61. We therefore write on the debit side,
9, Cash, 7, 129.61.

210. The next entry reads Cash credit by Sills Receivable
$99.12, and therefore Bills Receivable must be debtor to Cash
$99.12. Hence we write on the debit side,

Feb'y9, Cash, 7, 99.12.

The next entry on both the debit and the credit side we read, pass..

t/ j L

and check as we have others of the same kind.

FIFTEENTH LESSOJX". 215

FIFTEENTH LESSON.

211. February 12. Suppose we receive a 4 mos. note from
Davis & Co. for $240.50 to settle their bill of 1st inst. We
would enter it in the Journal, First Form^ charging Bills Receiv-
able and crediting their account by the same amount, and explain
thus :

Received their note of Feb'y 1st at 4 mos.

in settlement of bill of same date, 240.50.

Also make the usual memorandum on Bills Receivable book.

212. Reopen the Cash-book February 12. Suppose J. C.
Brown & Co. desire to take up, in other words call in, their note
which they gave us January 18, $220.32, and for that purpose
send us their check to pay it 19 days before its maturity (count-
ing 29 days in February), deducting 6$ per annum for the time
yet to run.

213. By reference to Bills Receivable book it will be noticed
that we discounted the note at bank February 2; hence we would
have to withdraw it from the bank, which would cause them to
lose the discount, and for that reason they would not like to give
it up until due, but would do so as a matter of business courtesy.
We would give them the note just received from Davis & Co.
as a substitute for the withdrawn note to protect them from loss,
and as an act of reciprocal favor.

214. Would-be professors or proprietors of so-called business
colleges who vaingloriously style themselves presidents ( ?) would
not dispose of this matter properly or as it would be done in a
business-like way by a practical bookkeeper. Their first thought
would be to journalize it ; the burden of their song is journalize
everything. They deal in theories, not conditions ; in shadows,
not substances. They have no knowledge of the many exigencies
arising in business which their theories do not encompass, a fact
that has brought their teaching and methods into disrepute and
desuetude.

216 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

215. The money received from J. C. Brown & Co. we enter
at their credit on debit side of C. B., thus:

J. C. Brown & Co. For iiote due Mar. 4. 220.32

Less 6$ dis. 19 days .69 219.63

We deposit the check and charge the bank in the usual way; then
make out a check to the order of the bank on themselves, first
making the following memorandum on stub :

No. 14. Feb'y 12, 1888.

First Natl. Bank.
For J. C. B. & Co.'s Note 220.32
Less 6$ for 19 days .69 219.63.

Deduct it from bank account.

216. Then enter it on the credit side of Cash-book, charging it
to J. C. Brown & Co., thus :

By J. C. Brown & Co. For note due Mar. 4, 220.32

Less 6$ for 19 days .69 219.63.

We take no notice of the discount in either case, as one offsets
the other, and in no way affects onr Interest account. The two
entries of Cash also offset each other, and neither increase nor
diminish our balance; but it is entered on the books for the pur-
pose of having J. C. Brown & Co.'s account show the transaction
as it should.

217. The note we give the bank as a substitute would be sub-
mitted as a new matter for discount, and the proceeds charged to
the bank account in the usual w r ay, and then entered on the debit
side of Cash-book at the credit of Bills Receivable in the follow-
ing manner :

12 ,, Bills Receivable. Discounted at 1st Natl.

Bank D. & Co.'s Note 240.50
i @ 6^ 113 days 4.53 235.97.

218. We make the following remarks on Bills Receivable book;

Disctd. at 1st Natl. Bank Feb'y. 12.

The 6$ ($4.53) w r e lose, and enter it in the Journal, charging
Interest and crediting Bills Receivable, and explain it as follows:

Qfc dis. on Davis & Co.'s Note 240.50
for unexpired time 113 days.

219. By referring to the Bills Payable book we notice that we

* See SECOND AFTKKTHOUGHT on pa<re 226.

FIFTEENTH LESSON. 217

liave another note due to-day, $150, which we deduct from the
bank account, because it would be presented there and pai4-by
the bank with our funds. We say, on back of stubs where we
put the deposits,

Less note due to-day, 150.00

220. We then enter it on credit side of C. B., charging it to
Bills Payable, thus :

Bills Payable. Note due to-day, 150.00

and mark it paid on Bill-book under Remarks.

221. Last thing in the day we credit Cash and charge Expense
by the amount in Petty Cash book, say $4.50. Also charge Cash
and credit Mdse. by the amount of retail sales, say $75. Prove,
balance, and close the cash.

222. Charge on Sales-book T. Y. Cannon, a transient cus-
tomer, $31.80, duplicating last entry on page 88.

Also charge A. F. Benson, our neighbor, $18.50, duplicating

third entry from bottom of p. 88, adding 35 cents to cost of Cuffs.

Charge W. S. Jenkins, our salesman, with one-half doz. shirts,

say

at cost, 8.50,

also one doz. collars,

at cost, 1.15, 9.65.

extending the total into the outside column.

223. We then post the few entries from the Sales-book. Hav-
ing no account on the Ledger with either Cannon or Benson, and
.as they are not likely to buy of us anything in the future, we
would not open a regular account with them, but place their
names under the Ledger heading, PETIT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
(see page 103), and dispose of them accordingly, as explained on
pages 110 and 111, which read thoroughly.

224. We have an account already open with W.S.Jenkins;
.hence we will enter on the debit side of it.

Feb'y 12, Mdse. 7, 9.65.

225. We also post from the Cash-book and the Journal, pro-
ceeding as usual, posting every item found in the Sundries col-
umns in both books, passing and checking those found in all the
special columns.

218 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE OF PRACTICE.

SIXTEENTH LESSON.

226. Reopen the Cash-book, February 15. We have another
note due Feb'y 17, for $500, according to our Bills Payable book,
and it is for money borrowed of our ~bank. As we have not
enough money to pay it with we will renew it for 45 days, assum-
ing that it is satisfactory to them.

227. We therefore make a new note for $500, having 45
days to run, and give it to the bank, and they will deduct 6# per
annum for the time, and give us credit by the balance (see para-
graph 68).

228. We enter the money received for the note on the debit
side of Cash-book, crediting Bills Payable, thus:

Bills Payable. Renewed at 1st Natl.

Bank our Note of 500.00

for 46 days 6 4.00 496.00.

Charge the bank account on back of stub as follow*:
Feb'y 15, Proceeds of Note, 496.00.

Also make memorandum on Bills Payable book as usual.

229. We now have money enough at our credit in bank to
cover the old note, which will be charged to our account by the
bank, and hence we must give them credit by it, as follows :

Feb'y 15, Less note due Feb'y 17th, 500.00,

deducting it from the balance in bank. We credit cash, and
charge Bills Payable on credit side of C. B., thus :

15, By Bills Payable. Note due Feb'y 17th, 500.00.

Then mark it paid, under remarks, on Bill-book.

230. The fact of renewing a note at bank, therefore, simply re-
solves itself into borrowing money from them to pay them again,
and to borrow money from the bank requires the note to pass
through the regular routine of being discounted, and the old note
passes through the regular routine of a prompt payment.

231. If the note had been held by private parties, we could
have renewed it by giving them the new note in exchange for
the old one, and paid them in cash the 6$ for the time the new
note has to run, or included it in the face of new note. If the

* The $4 00 Discount we lose and charge it to INTEREST in Journal entry,
First Form, and explain same as in paragraph 84

SIXTEENTH LESSON. 219

interest had been paid in cash, we would have credited Cash and
charged Interest, but if it had been included in the new-note^
we would have made the following Journal entry :

Sundries Dr. to Bills Payable, 504.00

Bills Payable, 500.00

Interest, 4.00

This would have been necessary to keep the Bills Payable ac-
count straight, and have it show all the notes we had issued, also-
those redeemed.

232. Assume that we receive a check from First National
Bank, St. Louis, for $99.75, as returns for Miller & Bros., accept-
ance due on the llth, $100.00, which was left in their (the bank)
hands for collection. We charge Cash, and credit Bills Reseiv-
able as follows :

Bills Receivable, Miller & Bros. 'acceptance, 100.00

Less Exchange, 25 99.75

we mark it

Paid

on Bill-book, under remarks, and make a Journal entry for the
Exchange, which we lose, First Form, making Exchange Dr. to
Bills Receivable, and explain,

For collecting Miller & Bros. ' acceptance.

233. Assume that we receive a remittance from W. C. Brown-
ing & Co., covering their bills of February 1st and 9th, less
6#. We enter it on the debit side of Cash-book, crediting their
account thus :

,, W. C. Browning & Co., Feb'y 1st and 9th, 346.55, 20.79, 325.76.

disposing of it in every way the same as in paragraph 150.

Assume that we receive a check from Miller & Bros., for $150,
part of what they owe us, we enter it on the debit side of Cash-
book, at their credit-, thus,

Miller & Bros., On acct., 150.00.*

234. The money received from Browning, caused us to lose
$20.79 in discount, which we can counteract by paying San ford
& C.o's bill of 20th nit., less 5$ which they would allow us.
Hence, we make a check to their order for $475.00, proceeding as

* Deposit the three checks just received and charge the Bank as explained
in paragraph 10.

220

usual in such cases, deducting the amount from bank account,
and entering on the credit side of Cash-book, crediting Cash
$475.00, crediting Discount $25.00, and charging San ford &
Co. $500 (see paragraph 154).

235. Enter the retail sales for the day, charging Cash and
crediting Mdse., say $77.50 ; also enter the amount from Petty
Cash-book, crediting Cash and charging Expense, say $4.60.
Prove the cash balance, and close it for the day.

236. Charge up more goods on the Sales-book, that is, charge
our regular customers as follows : W. C. Browning & Co.,
$217.75.; Davis & Co., $208.50; J.C. Brown & Co. $240.50, dupli-
cating their first bill, omitting case and cartage in Davis & Co.'s
entry, which make under date of 29th, and close the book for the
month same as last month.

237. Assume that we receive $250 worth of goods from
Wright Mfg. Co., and $300 worth from Sanford & Co. We en-
ter it in the Journal, Second Form, charging Mdse. $550 in its
special debtor column, and crediting the two firms by their re-
spective bills, the former in their special credit column, and the
latter in the Sundries credit column, making the usual explana-
tion.

We conclude the lesson by posting from all three books.

SEVENTEENTH LESSON.

238. February 29. Reopen the Cash-book. Assume that
Miller & Bros, have failed, and effected a settlement with their
creditors at 40 cents on the dollar, in cash. We find out how much
they owe us by referring to their Ledger account; then look
through the Cash-book, Sales-book, and Journal to see if there
have been any entries made affecting their account which are not
yet posted ; then look on the Bills Receivable book to see if there
are any notes against them not yet paid, either on hand or nego-
tiated, and those not yet due, of course, have not been paid. We
find one due March 7, $130.26 ; so we add the amount to what
they owe in open account, and calculate 40$ of the total, which

SEVENTEENTH LESSON.

221

we enter on the debit side of Cash-book, at their credit, as
follows :

Miller & Bros., 40$ of their acct. 170.96 68.38.

239. The difference between what the} 7 pay and what they owe
we lose, and charge it direct to the Prcfit and Loss account, and
credit their account by making a Journal entry of First Form,.
and explain as follows :

60$ of their account, 170.96, lost by their failure.

240. As they have settled the amount of their note, we must
return it to them, charging their account and crediting Bills Re-
ceivable in the Journal First Form, and explain as follows :

Returned to them their note, due March 7th.*
Also mark it under remarks on Bills Receivable book,
Returned Feb'y 29th. (See question 486, Appendix.)

241. Suppose Austin Ross has returned, and hands us back
$50 in cash of the money we gave him for travelling expen-
ses, and accounts for the balance, $150, by handing us an item-
ized statement of his expenses during the trip, amounting to
$125, and the remaining $25 he used for his own private mat-
ters.

242. The $50 we enter on debit side of Cash as follows :
A. Ross' Travelling Acct. Refunded, 50.00,

and make a Journal entry, Third Form, for the other part, charg-
ing Expense $125, charging A. Ross personal $25 and crediting
A. Ross' Travelling Account $150, and explain :
As per Expense report on file.

243. When too much money accumulates in the drawer from
retail sales and other payments received in currency, we deposit
it ; and as we now have over $300 in the drawer, we will deposit
that amount and charge the bank account, thus :

Feb'y 29, Deposited Currency, 300.00,

giving us a balance in bank of over $500, which we will use in.
paying Earle & Co.'s bill of February 1, $500, less 5#.

244. We prefer to pay all large sums by check, as the check
must be indorsed by the party we give it to before they can

* See FIFTH AFTERTHOUGHT, page 227.

222 A THREE WEEKS' COUESE OF PRACTICE.

negotiate it, and when indorsed and paid it would be returned
to us by our bank with other vouchers at the time of balancing
the Bank-book, and it would be the best possible receipt for the
amount paid the party. If we had the currency in the drawer,
we would deposit it, and then draw a check for the amount we
.wish to pay, for that reason.

245. We therefore make a check to the order of Earle & Co.
for $75, making the usual statement of the facts on the stub, and
deduct it from the bank account ; then enter it in the Cash-book,
together with the discount we made in the settlement, as follows:

By Earle & Co., Feb'y 1, 500.00 25.00 475.00.

246. We assume that the junior partner draws $50 in cash.
We charge it to his account and credit Cash, disposing of it as we
did in the case of P. A. Wright, paragraph 110. We also hand
the porter $20 and the office boy $7, their wages in cash for two
weeks, charging it to Expense on credit side of C. B. Enter the
retail sales for the day, charging Cash and crediting Mdse. as
usual, say $75. Enter the amount of Petty Cash book, say $5.50,
crediting Cash and charging it to Expense, and as Expense was
the last account on the credit side of Cash-book, we must not re-
peat it, but simply write in the space for explanation :

See Petty Cash book, 5.50.

Prove the cash balance, and close it for the last time, thus, in
red ink :

74.37 81.13

Balance, Bank, Drawer, 155.50

247. We post from the Cash-book first by turning to Miller &
Bros, account and entering on the credit side simply,

29 Cash, 7, 68.38.

Also the same way with Austin Ross' Travelling Account. We
have already had an entry like the first on the credit side of Cash-
book, and will dispose of it the same way. In fact, every item
found in the Sundries column, either side, must be posted, but
those in specials we pass and check as heretofore.

248. In posting from our Journal, the first account to dispose
of is Profit and Loss, which has not yet been opened in the
Ledger. We always give it a top-heading and never a sub-head-

SEVENTEENTH LESSON. 223

ing, as it is one of the most important accounts on the books, and
is, therefore, entitled to the distinction of being placed at the-top
of the page and not half-way down the page.

249. We open Profit and Loss account on page 12, and enter
on the debit side,

Feb'y 29, To Miller & Bros., 7, 102.58.

Then on the credit side of Miller & Bros.' account we enter,
29 P. & L., 7, 102.58.

Austin Boss' Travelling Account is the first in next entry, and we
credit it thus:

29 ,, Sundries, 7, 150.00.

Then dispose of Expense by entering on the debit side,
Feb'y 29. A. R. Trav. / 7, 125.00.

Also on the debit of A. Ross' account we enter,

Feb'y 29, A. R. Trav. %, 7, 25.00.

250. Being at the end of the month, the books must all be closed
to get the monthly results from each. The closing of our Cash-
book will be different to last month, owing to the fact of having
the two Discount columns. The line extending across the page on
each side will be produced across the Discount columns only, and
on the next line we rule across the other two specials, Mdse. on
the left hand Expense on the right of the page, and on the next
line we rule across the two Sundries columns on each side; then
omit one line and rule across the two amount columns, and finally
rule a double line across each page on the next line, beginning at
the column for months on each side. The idea is not to have
two columns on either side added on the same line. See the
closing of Miniature Cash-book, pages 68 and 69.

251. The footings of the columns on the debit side of the Cash-
book will be explained as follows :

1/29 Dis., Dr. ToSunds., Total dis. all'dbyus, 49.31

Mdse., Cr. By Cash, Total Retail Sales, 430.00 430.00

Cash, Dr. To Sunds., Total Receipts, 2950.79 2950.79

Balance, From Jan'y 31, (This line red ink.) 337.07

3287.86

224 A THREE WEEKS' COURSE or PRACTICE.

252. On the credit side of Cash-book the footings of the
columns will be explained as follows :

1/29 Dis., Cr. By Sunds., Total dis. all'd us, 80.00

Expense, Dr. To Cash, Total Cash Expense, 75.00 75.00

Cash, Cr. By Sunds., Total Disbursements, 3132.36 3132.36

Balance, Carried to Mar. 1, (This line red ink.) 155.50

3287.86

253. This being the end of our season, that is, the time for ad-
justing the profit or loss of the business, as we explain in another
place, we must adjust the interest on P. A. Wright's additional
investment of $500, as per agreement, which will require a Jour-
nal entry of the First Form, charging Interest and crediting his
account, and explain as follows :

6# Interest on additional investment of $500 from Jan. 20,
to date (40 days), as per copartnership agreement, $3.33.

254. We make the usual entry in the Journal that is made
every month on the last day, crediting the clerks by their services
$100 each, crediting the landlord by $125 for rent, and charging
the total to Expense, duplicating the last entry in the Journal for
January.

255. Having special columns in the Journal, we close it on the
same principle as we did the Cash-book, by extending the line that
is ruled across the main part of the book, across the Mdse. Dr.
column, and on the next line rule across the Wright Mfg. Co.'s
special credit column only, and o-n next line rule across both the
Sundries columns, which add ; and, finally, on next line, rule a
double line across the page, beginning at the column for the
month on the left.

256. The footings of the two special columns will be explained
thus :

Mdse., Dr. To Sunds., Total purchases, 4850.00 4850.00

W. Mfg. Co., Cr. By Mdse., Purchases of them, 2750.00 2750.00

See closing of Miniature Journal, page 81.

257. In posting the footing of the Discount column on the
left in the Cash-book, we write on the debit side of Discount,

Feb. 29. 1/29 " " 8, 49.31

EIGHTEENTH LESSON. 225

and that on the right we enter on the credit side,
1/29 Sundries, 7, 80.00

The footings of the other columns will be posted same as last
month.

258. In posting the footings of the two special columns in the
Journal, we dispose of Mdse. first, by entering on the debit side,

1/29 Sundries, 7, 4850.00

and on the credit side of Wright Mfg. Co.'s account we enter,
1/29 Mdse., 7, 2750.80

EIGHTEENTH LESSON.

259. Make a Trial Balance, showing the condition of every
unbalanced account in the Ledger from the beginning of the ac-
count to the present time, proceeding in the same manner as last
month.

260. If it balances we then assume that we have gone over
twelve months, and therefore we are now at the end of the year, as
the next ten months would be a repetition of entries and closings
of the last month; then close the Ledger accounts to see whether
we have made or lost, and to see what our Resources and Liabili-
ties are, also Net Capital, proceeding according to Rules for Clos-
ing Books, pages 43 and 44, assuming our Stock on hand as per
inventory to be $7300.

261. After completing that operation, we reopen the Ledger
accounts according to Rules for Reopening Books, page 45, and
conclude the course by making a &i\&\~Balance Sheet, like the one
on page 116, according to the rules on page 50.

262. If the books are written up correctly, the final result will
show each partner's net gain to be $57.08^. As we cannot consider
halves in Ledger accounts, we give the senior one cent more than
the junior when the profits do not divide equally. The senior's
Net Capital will be $1,510.42, the junior's Net Capital $1,007.08;
the Total Assets $9,182.85; Total Liabilities, $6,665.35.

226 A THKEE WEEKS' COURSE OF PKACTICE,

FIRST AFTERTHOUGHT.

263. On page 211, paragraph 194, and on page 212, paragraph
199, are two instances in which we pay out money and receive
notes in exchange (Miller Bros.' note in one instance and A. F.
Benson's in the other), but do not charge Sills Receivable in both
cases, which would be in harmonious accord with our theory to
debit whatever we receive. In the first instance, Miller Bros.'
note has been invalidated by having been protested, and is there-
fore no longer recognized as Bills Receivable hence we charge
Miller Bros.' account, because we receive nothing of value for
money expended for their benefit. Paying out money for one's
benefit is same thing as paying it to them.

SECOND AFTERTHOUGHT,

264. On page 216, paragraph 216, there is another instance in
which practice differs from theory. Theoretically we would charge
Bills Receivable, because we receive Brown's note in exchange
for the money ; but that would necessitate another entry in the
Journal, in which the account of J. C. Brown & Co. would be
charged and Bills Receivable credited when the note was for-
warded to them. It is easily understood to be practically best to
charge the money directly to their account, thereby dispensing
with the Journal entry, as the whole matter finally resolves itself
into an issue between J. C. Brown & Co. and Cash. If we buy any-
thing, no difference what it may be, for another person, we charge
their account with its cost, if it was done for accommodation.

THIRD AFTERTHOUGHT.

265. In discounting notes at Bank, they must first be Offered
for discount, as it is termed in business phraseology ; hence the
notes would be submitted in a letter written to the Cashier, like
the one on page 134, which see. The Cashier brings them before
the hoard of directors at their next meeting, and they, as a body,
pass their judgment upon them, authorizing the Cashier to accept
the notes if satisfactory to them, or reject if the notes are not
considered good. The next day, when we present our pass-book

A THREE WEEKS' COTJESE OF PEACTICE. 227

at the Discount Clertfs desk, he enters at our credit the pro-
ceeds of those accepted, and hands us those that were rejected,
without explanation. "When we are in a hurry to realize on the
notes and cannot wait for the Bank's regular discount day, the
Cashier assumes the responsibility of passing upon the notes and
gives us credit at once by their present worth.

FOURTH AFTERTHOUGHT.

266. Accommodation paper should be treated as our own
obligation ; that is, if a friend gives us his note, or accepts our
time draft, with the understanding that we meet them at matur-
ity a de facto Bills Receivable becomes a dejure Bills Payable,
When they are afterwards discounted, we credit Bills Payable
with the proceeds in the Cash Book, and with fae Interest (or dis-
count) in the Journal, and make the usual extra memoranda on
Bills Payable Book. Another instance in which practice differs
from theory : in business we deal with realities, noi formalities.

FIFTH AFTERTHOUGHT.

267. If we hold a customer's note at its maturity, say for $150,
and he can pay only a part of it, say $50, we charge Cash and
credit Bills Receivable with the amount received and endorse
it on back of the note ? also make pencil memoranda on Bills-
Receivable Book to that effect The balance will properly adjust
itself and no notice is taken of it.

268 If, however, he gives us a new note for the balance, we
would carry the whole matter through his account by charging
Cash and crediting his account with the money he gave us, then
make the following Journal entry :

Sundries Dr, to Bills Receivable $150.00

Bills Receivable $100.00

. . . o (Customer's name) 50.00

This would balance his account again, and set the Bills Receiv-
able straight, showing new note on hand and that the old note
had been disposed of, in other words, returned.

269. If at maturity the note is in the hands of another who
would not accept such a settlement but require payment in full,
we would come to our customer's relief and advance him what-
ever amount he needed to meet the obligation, say $100, by

228 A THREE WEEKS' COUESE OF PRACTICE.

sending him our check or permitting him to draw on us at sight,
in which case we would credit cash and charge his account with
the money advanced, $100. Then upon receipt of his note for
one hundred dollars plus the interest we would make two
Journal entries, as in the case of Miller Bros., page 213, para-
graphs 204- and 205.

SIXTH AFTERTHOUGHT.

2TO. After the books of original entry have all been closed and
posted, the next thing is to ma~ke statements of Customer's ac-
counts and mail them so as to facilitate collections. The state-
ments should be made before the Trial Balance as the latter may
have errors, in locating which many days may be consumed and
we could not defer sending statements indefinitely if we were in
need of money. It is a good idea to make press copy of all
statements (see page 22), in fact of every written communication
or document.

2T1. The fact of sending statements to a customer is not neces-
sarily a dun unless the account is past due, as each customer
should receive an account current monthly in order to compare
accounts and rectify any existing discrepancies.

272. As many small merchants throughout the country are
over-sensitive on this point, the bookkeeper would not be per-
mitted to send statements indiscriminately to every one, but after
all are made he submits them to the financier or the credit man,
who withholds those not to be sent that would likely give
offence.

A pencil memoranda, " Do not send Statement," or in fact of
every special thing to be observed in dealing with such customers
should be made in their Ledger account.

273. The statement each month should show every item of the
unsettled account and not begin with " Balance as per last state-
ment," as is often the case, as it would save the delay consequent
upon the customer writing back to inquire what the " balance"
was tor, the last statement having been consigned to the waste
basket immediately upon its receipt.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 229

MANUFACTURING.

274. This is one branch of the Mercantile business, and the
books are conducted according to the same routine already ex-
plained in our Eighteen Lessons of Practice, and exemplified in
our Miniature Set.

275. The only difference being that instead of buying goods
from other firms, the material is bought and labor employed to
manufacture it into salable articles. Merchandise would be the
principal account, and would be charged with the cost of material
and labor, no manufacturing account being necessary, as stated in
a recently-published scrap-book, or compilation of borrowed ideas,
the writer of which, not knowing himself, and being misguided
by what some one told him, unless other goods (regular goods)
are bought and sold besides those we manufacture, in which case
Mdse. would represent the former and Manufacturing the latter,
if it was desired to know how much was made on each kind.

276. In that case, two Sales Books would be required : one for
each kind of goods, or a general Sales Book with three columns,
one column being for regular goods, one for manufactured goods,
and one for the total of both.

277. The Manufacturing account would be credited monthly
with the footing of Sales Book kept for manufactured goods, and
be treated in every way the same as a Merchandise account in
closing and reopening the books.

278. A few extra auxiliaries would be necessary, such as a
Book of Costs, journal form, in which would be kept an itemized
account of the various kinds of material and labor used in making
each article of different grades, like the following.

279. It will be noticed that there are thirty-three items of cost
in the manufacture of a cheap corset, the omission of either of
which would be serious in an extensive business.

230 MANUFACTURING.

Cutting

.08

2nd Exp.

.02

Gores

.02

Stitching Lace

.03^

Stitching

.85

Lashing

.01

" Gores

.10

Rolling and Boxing

.02

Closing

.28

Frt. and Cases

.06

1st exp.

.OSi

Coutil @ 7*

1.05

Stitching Steels

.05

Jean @ 7*

.65*

Hand Embroidering

1.00

Clasps

.20

Shaping

.07

Busk Steels

.10

Boning

.25

Backs

.12

Binding

.04*

Side Steels

.07

End Fastening

.05

Bone

.65

Eyeleting

.02

Binding

.08

Pressing

.11

Lace

.20

Boxes

.25

Ribbon

.13

Labels

.02

Eyelets

.04

Printing

.03

Net cost per doz.

6.70

280. To the net cost we add our percentage of profit whatever
we wish to make. If we manufacture a specialty in which we
have a monopoly, our profit percentage would be greater than if
others were manufacturing same kind of article, causing strong
competition ; then add another percentage to cover office expenses,
another to cover cost of selling, also small percentage to cover
possible losses through failures and bad debts ; finally we add 6f#
to cover cash discount of 6 fa the last result showing the list price
of goods. It is, of course, understood that 6$ added to any amount
would not be the same thing as Q% deducted from the result, hence
the object of adding a fraction more.

281. There is another mathematical principle that few are
familiar with, that is, a half added to any amount is the same as
a third deducted from the result ; a third added equals one quarter
deducted, one quarter added being equivalent to one fifth of the
result deducted, and so on ad i/nrjmitum. As an example, take
10, add half (5), making 15 ; one third of 15 is the original half.

282. It is often convenient to have the cost price as well as
the selling price marked on the goods, in which case the former
would be indicated by characters representing each numeral from
1 to 10, or a word containing ten different letters, as follows:

123456789 10
Buckingham

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 231

283. The word Paris having five different letters makes a
.private mark hard to decipher by others, but easily read by the
seller, using capitals for the first five figures and small letters for
the next five, and *' X" as a repeater of either letter when the
came figure occurs twice together. "Black Horse" and "Brick
House" are tirneworn, and are of such common usage that it
would be almost equivalent to marking with the numerals they
Represent.

284. A payroll book would be indispensable, owing to the
fact of having many employees in the factory department besides
the regular clerical and office help ; this would also suggest the
keeping of a salary account, which would be charged instead of
expense, with the money used in meeting pay-roll weekly ; also
salaries of salesmen and bookkeeper, whose name would not
appear on the pay-roll, as they would have a Ledger account.

285. Money advanced in small sums to the hands should be
marked against their names on pay-roll with pencil ; also on a
small slip of paper, which should be kept in the cash-box, repre-
senting the money, until it disappears at the time of settling
with the employee.

286. At the end of the season, that part of salary account ap-
pertaining to hands in the factory would be charged to Manu-
facturing account in a Journal entry as follows :

Manufacturing Dr.

To Salaries

The debit balance in the latter account would then show the cost
of general help ? which ordinarily would have been charged to
Expense.

287. A Machinery and fixture account would also be neces-
sary, in addition to Office Furniture account, owing to the fact of .
having many machines and general machinery. This account
would be charged with the cost of all kinds of machinery used in
the Factory, and would be revalued yearly, and a certain per cent
charged through the Journal (see entry below) to Manufacturing
account for wear and breakage of machinery in use,

Manufacturing Dr.

To Machinery and Fixtures

232 MANUFACTURING.

Tlie debit balance in the latter account representing present
valuation of everything charged to it.

288. Where there are a score or more of employees, punctu-
ality would be required of each, as a few minutes lost by each of
many would form into days during the year, and entail consid-
erable loss to the business. To ensure punctuality, a fine is im-
posed when one is late. It would seem picayune, or small, to
notice a few minutes lost in one instance, but in many instances
of lost time the importance of reckoning it can easily be seen and
appreciated.

'289. The time each employee enters is registered on a time-
book by a time-keeper, and whenever one leaves the establishment,
Ms time is taken, and if absent beyond regular allowance, the de-
linquency is noted on pay-roll and deducted from his dues at the
time of paying off.

290. In many establishments the wddksjyerk ends Friday
evening, instead of Saturday, of each week, so as to get the full
time put in by each workman, and enable the cashier to figure up
the pay -roll Saturday forenoon, and provide the necessary funds
to meet it, which must be drawn from the bank, which could not
be done if paying off took place Saturday evening, as the time
would not be turned in until too late to draw money out of bank.

291. It is often the case that outside workmen are employed
to do piece work, which they do not care to be paid for as fast as
turned in, but wait until they have finished other work they may
have on hand.

292. Where this state of affairs exists at the end of the year,
and the Inventory is taken, it, of course, includes Mdse. that has
not been charged with its full cost; hence it becomes necessary to
make a Journal entry charging Manufacturing or Mdse., which-
ever account is kept, and crediting an account that would have to
be opened to represent the amount due on finished work.

293. The following entry would be in order :

Manufacturing (or Mdse.) Dr.

To Workmen

See Hands Ledger,

The last-mentioned book meaning an auxiliary in which is kept

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

233

by single entry an account with each outside workmaru .This
would necessitate an account in the Main Ledger, entitled Work-
men, showing a liability, and which would be balanced by charg-
ing it when the workmen were paid.

CONVENIENT TEMPORARY FILE.

For description see page 129.

FIG. 1.
Showing
complete
disorder.

Order

Heaven's
first law.

FIG. 2.

Showing

perfect

order.

COMMISSION BUSINESS.

294. The essential difference between the Mercantile and the
Commission business consists in the fact that in the former the
goods are bought outright, and in the latter they are received on
consignment, to be sold for the account and risk of others, there
being no difference necessarily in the manner of selling or means
of disposing of them.

295. To explain how to keep books for a commission busi-
ness, we must take into consideration which of the three branches
of the business is meant : First, The Produce Commission, which
includes flour, grain, poultry, fruit, butter, eggs, etc. Second,
The Cotton and Tobacco Commission, called heavy produce, be-
cause handled in large bulk called bales for the former and
hogsheads for the latter. Third, The Dry Goods Commission,
which would mean any kind of goods usually sold in the mercan-
tile business, groceries excepted. Strange to say, we never heard
of a Grocery Commission Business.

296. Our experience as a bookkeeper began in the second
mentioned, and terminated sixteen years thereafter in the third
named ; hence we give the reader the benefit of our experience,
and not an extract of something read elsewhere.

234

COMMISSION BUSINESS.

297. When the consignments of Cotton and Tobacco are small
but frequent, and soon closed out, no Consignment Book is needed,
as the Bill of Lading that accompanies each shipment is kept
on temporary file (see page 233) until the goods are disposed of,
then filed permanently. Those remaining on temporary file will
account for the goods unsold.

298. As the goods are arranged for sale, each Bale or Hogs-
head would be numbered and entered on a mem. sales book, about
5|- x 12^-, specially designed (see diagram below).

No.

Gross.

Tare.

Net.

Price.

Amount.

Name.

1001
W3

1840

1825

182

Viele

1002
G10

1920

1905

Nesbit

299. The date of sale would be written at the top of each
page. The first space on the left being warehouse number, also
the shipper's private number and mark ; the next spaces in order
explain themselves, the last being for the buyer's name. The
goods do not have to be described on this book as Bale or Hogs-
head, Cotton or Tobacco, as the weight will indicate which it is,
the former usually weighing from 300 to 600 Ibs., and the latter
from 1800 to 2200 Ibs.

300. A book would be kept for each and have a warehouse
number of its own not in numerical order with the other. The
bill would be made from this book, and as it would be presented
to and paid by the purchaser at once, no copy is required. The
money received would be entered on the debit side of Cash Book,
thereby charging cash, and crediting the special consignment
account that the goods belonged to ; the name of the purchaser
being entered in the space for explanations.

301. From this book the Account Sales would also be made
according to the form herewith given, and a press copy made, as
explained on page 22, then the original memoranda cancelled.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OP BOOKKEEPING.
FORM OF AN ACCOUNT SALES.

235

Account Sales of
for account

2 Hhds. Tobacco by $. <&. torigljt # 0.,
of E. H. E. Wright, Evansville, Ind.

Marks.

Ware-
house
No.

Gross.

Tare.

Net.

Rate.

Extension.

Amount.

W No. 1 . .
2....

1001
1002

1790
1620

155
170

1635
1450

8
5

80
55

143

224
18

35
00

Charges.

Freight and charges.
Dravane

5
1
1

1
5

00
00
25
00
50
60

Insurance

Cooperage and Inspe
Storage

ction .

Commission (

E. & 0. E.

New Yoi

7j) viti

Net Proceeds

rk, January 21st, 1890.
Jp. a.

torigljt <

206

& 0.

The blank form would be the size of half sheet of letter-paper,
8x10.

302. From the press copy of Account Sales we make the fol-
lowing Journal entry.

Wright's Consignment Dr. To Sundries 219.35

" Commission 5.60

" Dray age 1.00

" Insurance 1.25
" Cooperage and Inspection 4.00

" Storage 1.50

" E. H. E. Wrigut 206.00

303. The Freight and Charges having already been charged
to Wright's Consignment on the credit side of the Cash Book at
the time it was paid on receipt of the goods, it of course does
not appear in the Journal entry.

236 COMMISSION BUSINESS.

304. The above entry necessitates a Ledger account for
Wrights Consignment, Commission, Dray age, Insurance,
Cooperage and Inspection, and Storage,

305. If the full amount of net proceeds is remitted promptly,
no account would be opened with E. H. E. "Wright, and for that
reason it would not appear in the Journal entry reducing the
debit against the Wright Consignment to $13.35, the $206.00
being charged to it on the credit side of Cash Book at the
time of remitting the money to consignor which would balance
that account. The various other accounts belong to the Specula-
tive Class and show profits.

306. It is often necessary to advance money to a shipper to
control or secure his consignment, possibly before the goods have
been received, in which case he would be permitted to draw at
sight on Bill of Lading, which would accompany draft and show
that the goods were in transitu.

307. In that case, the money would be charged to his account
on credit side of Cash Book, which would make it necessary to
credit him in the foregoing journal entry with the net proceeds.
If he had the money any length of time to speak of before his
goods were sold, he would be charged with Interest on the
amount advanced.

308. In an extensive business where the consignments are
large and from many shippers, and goods likely to be stored for
many days, a Consignment Book, which would be nothing more
than a stock book, would be a necessity to keep track of the goods.

309. It would be specially ruled with spaces showing date
received, private mark and number, warehouse number, shipper's
name, shipper's address, description of goods, date sold, to whom
sold* when delivered, any other particulars being altogether un-
necessary.

310. The conventional forms usually found in publications
compiled by people who never saw the inside of a commission
house are wholly impracticable and exist only in their disordered
or perverted imagination.

311. It is a double page book, the left-hand page being made
to show the goods received and the charges thereon. The right-
hand the goods sold and the amount realized therefor, also the

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 237

purchaser's name, the difference being the net proceeds, which
would appear on the left-hand page to balance.

312. The Commission Sales account, showing amount of all
goods sold on commission, exists in theory only, in lieu of which
a special consignment account with each consignor is kept, which
will balance by concurrence of entries when the consignment is
closed out.

313. The Dry Goods Commission business has many peculiar
features, which make the accounts decidedly intricate and difficult
to explain. It is generally an office business, no goods being
kept besides a line of samples, all orders being filled at the
FACTORY (usually and erroneously called the MILL, as a Mill is a
place where grinding is done, and Factory a place where any-
thing is made).

314. The commission merchant conducts his business after
the mercantile methods in disposing of the goods and making col-
lections. He receives his orders, numbers them, and enters them
on order book, see page 128, makes a copy, and forwards it to
the Factory, filing the original order, which must be numbered
to correspond with order book and copy.

315. The Factory (which we will use in the third person
plural, meaning those in charge of affairs at the factory) fills the
orders and reports by number, also name of customer as goods
are shipped ; in fact, renders a bill to the Commission Merchant,
which bill is copied on a Sales Book, one for each factory, if he
represents more than one ; and if he buys goods, which we will
call regular goods, on his own account, he would also have another
Sales Book for such goods.

316. The manufacturers make the prices their goods must be
sold at, which are usually subject to various trade discounts, also a
cash discount for prompt payment.

317. The Commission Merchant being allowed a percentage
called Commission on the net amount of Factory bill, he makes
all collections and adjusts all differences with the trade, as cus-
tomers are called, but he is not supposed to derive any benefit
apart from his regular Commission. Customers taking/W time
(see page 84) on their purchases before paying, naturally pay
more for their goods, and give a, better profit to manufacturers.

238 COMMISSION BUSINESS.

318. To adjust all these matters on the books gives rise to
complication, which will require much study and retentive thought
to inculcate the idea and carry it from one explanation to another
to a final conclusion.

319. The manufacturer must have full benefit of the amount
paid by customers, but is entitled to credit by interest on the net
amount of his bill only ; hence it will be necessary to adjust the
difference between the long price as paid by customers and net
price charged by the Factory.

320. An account must be kept with each manufacturer, which
would be credited by the monthly footing of his Sales Book, and
charged with all discounts deducted on his goods by customers as
they settle.

321. An extra Account Sales Book must also be kept for each
Factory in which to make a copy of their bills, and if they make
different grades of goods, on which they allow a different rate of
Commission, there must be a column for each grade headed by
the rate of Commission it is subject to.

322. On the total monthly footing of each column the Com,
mission would be calculated, and the total Commission on all
the grades would be charged to the manufacturer's account and
credited Commission in the following Journal entry.

(Manufacturer's name) Dr.

To Commission

323. The various dates of bills on Account Sales Book must be
averaged (see rule, page 145) monthly, and average date written
opposite the total of all the columns after Commission has been
deducted, on which amount Interest can be figured from average
date to date of settlement for the benefit of the manufacturer,
who would, on the other hand, be charged with Interest on all
payments on account from the date they were made (which should
be averaged also) to time of settlement.

324. If, however, the manufacturers expect only the net
amount of their bills, waiving all claim to discounts that would be
forfeited by customers taking full time, the Commission Mer-
chant makes the discount in addition to his regular Commission,
which he would be justly entitled to for carrying his customers,
as it is termed, until full time expired.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 239

325. In that case no Sales Book would be needed for each
Factory, but all goods would be charged on a general Sale*- Book
with the regular goods, the total monthly footing of which would
be carried to the credit side of Mdse., and Mdse. would be charged
through the Journal with total footing of Account Sales Book
before Commission was deducted in the following Journal entry.

Mdse. Dr. To Sunds.

,, Commission

,, (Manufacturer's name)

The latter being credited by net amount after Commission was
deducted.

326. The Manufacturers in some instances makes the price at
which their goods must be retailed by the trade (patented articles
especially), so that the consumer can buy the same article at the
same price in any part of the country, and in any store.

327. To compass the desired result, the goods are billed to all
purchasers at the long or retail price, and a trade discount allowed
each customer according to the amount of his purchases, which
would be his profit, and secured by deducting it at time of set-
tlements.

328. To guarantee maintenance of the price, and prevent those
buying in large quantities from under-selling others, the large
dealers would be allowed an extra discount, on the condition
that they maintain the price, the extra discount not to be deducted
at the time of settling each bill, but at the end of the season, when
it would become a rebate or drawback, which could all be deducted
from next settlement, or if account had been paid in full, the
drawback would be remitted to them. The penalty for under-
selling regular price would be a forfeiture of rebate, for which
reason it is withheld, and further orders declined.

329. This would necessitate an extra memorandum drawback
book of ordinary Journal form. The customer's name being
written at top of the page, an itemized account below of rebatable
goods. This book would be journalized, and a Drawback account
kept, which would be charged with total amount of rebate, and
customers credited with their respective rebate.

330. Drawback account would represent a loss, and therefore
would be closed into Profit and Loss at the end of the Season.

240 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

FORM OF SHIPPING TICKET.

(The name of the firm should be printed here.)

Date 189..

Name

Address

Shipping directions

or where to send to be packed.

By whom charged

By whom packed

Packages to enclose from.

The ticket would be of various lengths according to the num-
ber of items. No goods should be permitted to leave the estab-
lishment unless directed by a shipping ticket properly signed by
the Entry Clerk and the packer. The simplicity of it recommends
it in preference to a complicated form given in a recently pub-
lished scrap-book, the Compiler of which never had any experi-
ence in matters of this kind.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 241

OFFICE ROUTINE ILLUSTRATED.

The chart within shows the origin, progression, and finish of
the various and special duties performed by each member of the
clerical staff in a model modern office. The proprietor is seen at
his desk, opening his morning mail (just delivered by the post-
man, who is represented as taking his departure with letter-pouch
swung over his shoulder) ; he has assorted his letters in four
lots, Orders, Notes, Remittances, and General Correspondence*
On the opposite side of the room are represented three men
standing at a long high desk, with stool and waste-basket beside
each, and three swinging signs, one over each, indicating their
different clerkships to be Bookkeeper, Cashier, and Order Clerk.
Immediately on the right of the proprietor is seen a female Cor-
respondent, seated at a typewriter ; farther on, is seen the Office
Boy, standing at letter-press, in the act of copying letters. The
distribution of the work among the clerks is indicated by various
darts. One arising at the Orders on proprietor's desk describes a
graceful curve and lands at Order Clerk another, arising at
Remittances, skyrocket style, follows the other, touches at Cash-
ier, and passes on to Bookkeeper. A third, arising at Notes,
follows in the wake of the other two, also lands at Bookkeeper.
The General Correspondence is attended to by the Typewriter,
as indicated by another dart ; after leaving her, the Office Boy
takes charge of it to make press copy of letters, after which he
deposits them in the postman's pouch, which will of course show
the postman in a double capacity, first as a Carrier, last as the
Collector of mail matter. In another room above are five other
clerks, all at work. Seated on a high stool on either side of a short;
standing desk may be seen the Entry Clerk and the Bill Clerk;
near them a long counter full of goods, on the opposite side of
which is seen the Call Clerk, holding aloft a piece of goods as if
examining the mark and description, which he calls off to the
two clerks at the desk, thus completing the entry and the Ull at
the same time.

These three clerks technically call themselves " a team." In
large establishments there are many teams all at work in the

rafflB|i w <^ I '"'

244 A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

same entry room, hence many call clerks would be speaking at
the same time in mellifluous and sonorous monotones, enriched
by constant calling, although making a perfect Babel of con-
fusion. A stranger entering the room could not distinguish one
voice from another, nor understand a single word ; but each clerk
hears only his respective Caller, whose familiar voice has a
peculiarly musical intonation, by which he recognizes it even in
the midst of chaotic din. After the goods have all been entered
they are called back, that is, the entry clerk reads aloud his entry
and is echoed by the Caller as he rehandles each article, to
ensure that none have been omitted.

The goods are distributed on the counter in lots separated by
a shipping ticket (for form see page 240) showing customer's
name and address, followed by itemized list of articles sold to
him. From this ticket the Call Cleric and Shipping Cleric learn
the name and address, and the Porter learns what goods to pack.
On the right of this room we see the Porter, with sleeves
rolled up and uplifted hand, holding a hatchet in the act of driving
a nail in a large box over which he is leaning ; near by is seen
the Shipping Cler~k, with brush in one hand and marking-pot in
the other, in the act of marking the case for shipment. The
connection of the work in this room with that of the main office
is indicated by darts. One, arising at the Order Cleric, goes
directly upward to the Entry Cleric / one arises at the Entry
Clerk and goes directly downward to the Bookkeeper; another,
arising at Bill Clerk, finally lands at postman's pouch.

It will be noticed that the work finally concentrates at the
Bookkeeper s desk after the various other clerks have performed
their part of it, thus making him CHIEF OF THE CLERICAL FOKGE.
This pen picture is true to life and shows that we have been
there' in other words, shows the source of our inspiration.
" It seems like a dream when we recall

The misty memories back to the light;
The joys and sorrows, the faith through all

That God sets all things right;
Though the wheels of commerce must never cease,

But continue rolling onward through countless years,
The weary toilers will find release
Above ! where there are no tears. 1 '

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 245

SEVENTH AFTERTHOUGHT.

333. At the end of the year the amount of Accounts
Receivable shows the face value or the actual debit balance in the
Customer's accounts and will be subject to a cash discount when
paid, which would reduce the resources, also the net gain that
much, but as this will adjust itself in the next year's business
no notice need be taken of it at the time of closing unless parties
interested at that time will not be interested in the next year's
business, in which case the discount on outstanding accounts
must be adjusted before closing so that the retiring parties may
be made to stand their part of it, hence the following journal
entry :

Discount Dr.

To Accounts Receivable.
For 6$ cash dis. on unpaid accounts as per Ledger.

This will necessitate a Ledger account called Accounts Receiv-
able, representing a temporary liability, but in the Balance Sheet
it should be deducted from the amount customers owe which is
represented by Accounts Receivable. After the books have been
closed and reopened make a counter entry, reversing the above
Journal entry which will set the book straight and not interfere
with the regular routine.

EIGHTH AFTERTHOUGHT.

334. The inexperienced have an idea that double entry requires
much more work than single entry, but this is erroneous ; further-
more, the advantages of double entry more than repay for the
little extra work it entails.

As an illustration we will cite an actual occurrence in our own
experience. Our employers were doing an extensive wholesale
business, and were consequently handling many notes which it
was necessary to turn into cash as soon as consistent at a reason-
able discount, and for that reason they were left in the hands of
note-brokers for sale. This required no entry on the books, but
a list was made of the notes like the one on page 134 in the letter
to the cashier of the bank when notes were offered for discount,

246 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

and a press copy made which kept track of the notes in their
hands for the time being.

The brokers were a rich firm, the result of 40 years' successful
business on Wall Street, hence they were prepared to advance
us nearly the face value of the notes and hold them until they
found a suitable customer, rendering us a statement as soon as
a sale was consummated.

One month they had advanced us $30,000, in sums of $2500
and $3000 at a time, as we asked for it. When they sent in
their statement the writer compared it, a3 usual, with his books,
and found that each item therein contained was also on the books,
but he did not push the investigation far enough to ascertain if
every item on the books was also on statement, presuming that a
firm of their reputation was very capable of looking out for their
own interest in the matter and surely would not make an omission
detrimental to themselves.

Upon making our Trial Balance we found $2500 at their
credit, when, according to their statement, we owed them nothing'
hence the writer reported this fact to his employers, who
said that the $2500 would probably appear in their next state-
ment. Upon receipt of the next accounting that was the first
item we looked for, but failed to find it, hence it was again re-
ported to our employers, who became alarmed at what they
thought was the unreliability of our ~boo~ks, which they said in
this instance must be incorrect, as a "Wall Street firm doing
millions of dollars' worth of business was not likely to overlook
an item of $2500 they had loaned.

The writer reassured his employers that his ~books -were abso-
lutely correct, as his Trial Balance proved it, and that the error
was with the brokers whose Tjooks were evidently kept by single
entry, a fact he did not know at the time but afterwards found
out was the case.

They had charged us with the $2500 on their cash book
which, of course, kept their cash straight, but they failed to post
it, and having no Trial Balance had no means of detecting the
existence of the expensive omission, hence they would have lost
$2500 if we had not called their attention to it.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 247

NOT INFALLIBLE.

335. A Trial Balance is not an infallible proof, however, "that
books are correct; it only assures us that we have not given a man
credit by an amount that should have been charged to him, or
vice versa. It also assures us that we did not omit part of an
entry in posting. It does not even prove that we have charged
(or credited) the right account in posting. As, for instance, we
may have charged Jones on the salesbook with $100 worth of
goods, and posted it to the debit of Smith's Ledger account which
would not affect the Trial Balance, but Smith would discover this
error for us upon receiving our statement by denying that he
owed it. If we should credit Jones in Cash-book by any pay-
ment he makes, and post it at the credit of Smith, in that case
Jones would detect our error for us by notifying us that he had
paid the amount when we again dunned him for it. If we post
an item in Bills Receivable that belonged in Bills Payable or
vice versa, neither of those accounts would agree with the Bill
Books; hence the discovery of the error. If we post in Discount
an item that belonged in Interest or any other speculative account
that error would never be detected, but would in no wise affect
our profit, hence could do no harm. If the entry against Jones
on Sales-book for $100 should be posted on the debit side of any
speculative account which nray be on the same page, the error
would never le discovered unless Jones pays it unsolicited ; hence
the $100 would be a clear loss to us. This is a satisfactory
reason for not mixing speculative accounts with personal ac-
counts in the Ledger, thereby precluding the possibility of such
an error.

NO SINGLE-ENTRY TRIAL BALANCE.

One evidence that books have been kept by double entry is
the fact that a Trial Balance has been made at some stated time r
even though it has not been repeated with periodical regularity.
This evidence must be produced when a new incumbent assumes
charge of books that are in arrears, or when an expert is called in
to disentangle accounts that have been badly kept. If kept by
double entry, however, and no Trial Balance has ever been

248 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

made, it is necessary to make one ; hence the origin of the phrase
Trial Balance, which is simply a contraction of the statement,
a trial is made to ascertain if the Ledger will balance. A Sin-
gle-Entry Ledger does not balance, at least it would be a strange
coincidence if it did, hence it would be futile to make a trial to
prove a state of affairs which it is safe to say does not exist.

Those who keep books by Single Entry therefore escape this
monthly bugbear, which usually haunts conscientious young
bookkeepers like a spectre, especially those who for any reason
feel insecure in their position, the tenure which they seem to
think is contingent upon a paucity of errors.

There are very few Trial Balances that are correct in their
first figures, because bookkeepers who are pushed to their
utmost capacity in keeping up the current work cannot observe
the rule of going slow but sure. Those who are proverbial in
getting off Trial Balance that is right first time are either slow
workers or have but little to do, giving them ample time to
check back their work each day. We always take it for granted
that our work is correct, and do not believe in looking for errors
until we have first seen the evidence of their existence, and if
perchance our Trial Balance comes out right we have saved the
time that would have been unnecessarily wasted in checking.
We resort to that as a last expedient. Never borrow trouble,
because sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

IN LIQUIDATION.

After all the books have been closed and the partnership
dissolved, it would be mutually agreed that one partner assume
charge of the affairs of the business until wound up; hence he
would be permitted to sign the firm name in liquidation of its
debts. For that reason the books would be reopened and con-
tinued until the assets were all converted into cash and the lia-
bilities were all discharged, in doing which the accounts would
be balanced by concurrence of regular entries, then closed in the
usual way.

JOINT STOCK ACCOUNTS.

336. The growing tendency among leading concerns through-
out the country to reorganize on the incorporated plan has given
a new impetus to the research for information relative to this
subject.

We are free to admit in the outset that our version of the
matter is in many respects different from the usual stereotyped
way of discussing it, but in view of the fact that this is an age of
improvements, and that all are seeking more light and better
methods, we are nothing daunted.

337. Formerly the little grains of wheat were thrashed from
the husks by means of ^ flail ^ this laborious method was greatly
improved by riding over the sheaves until the grains were dis-
lodged from their cereal strongholds or petite homes; finally an
inventive genius gave us the Thrashing Machine.

There was a time when remittances came by the slow and
rickety old stage coach ; now requests to please remit come by
lightning express. We would be zealous advocates of the pio-
neer way in this case if the occasions could be reversed !

In years agone our way was illumined by the dim light of
the candle-wick ; now we think we are in the dark unless every'
thing is ablaze with myriad electric jets.

These illustrations of course have no bearing on the subject
under discussion, but they illustrate felicitously the old fashion,
slow way of doing things and emphasize by contrast the onward
march of improvements.

It should not be a question as to how things are usually done
by others who may not know the best way, but how they can
be accomplished in a letter way and with less work without im-
moiating correctness on the altar of brevity.

338. On the principle that there is strength in union and
that it requires much capital to operate on an extensive scale or
carry on colossal enterprises, a number of persons form a Cor-

250 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

poration called Joint Stock Company, with a view of combining
the capital of many, the interest of each being represented by
what is technically called Shares, thus securing the advantage of
a maximum profit producing fund with a minimum individual
risk, which is distributed according to the amount in Shares held
by each.

339. There are two kinds of Stock Companies, one being
distinguished from the other by the word "limited" appearing
after and in connection with the corporation name and which
signifies that each Stockholder's liability is limited by the amount
of stock he owns. The omission of the word " limited " means
that it is a full liability Company : in the event that the Company
cannot, for lack of resources, be enforced by process of law to
meet its obligations, action can be brought against the Stock-
holders individually and the amount recovered to the full extent
of their entire worth.

340. The different States have different laws regulating the
formation of such companies, what that law is does not come
within the scope of a work of this kind to define; in fact the
writer is unequal to the task of expounding the law or undertak-
ing a forensic dissertation, the only law that engrosses his atten-
tion being the irrepealable law of double entry, which governs
the science of accounts alike in Joint Stock Companies and ordi-
nary Copartnerships.

341. A slight digression here is pardonable to establish the
fact that there is out one system of double entry that of debits
and credits known as the Italian System. There are many dif-
ferent ways of applying this system, however, each of which may
be termed a ROUTINE or METHOD. It is supremely egotistical and
fallacious for any one to state that he has a new system.

342. Keeping books simply means keeping accounts properly
debited or credited as the case requires, according to the only
known system of double entry. What accounts to keep is
one thing, and how to keep them is another ; hence keeping
books for Joint Stock Companies is no more difficult than for
single copartnerships, as they are conducted according to the
same routine already explained in our eighteen lessons, dif-

A COMMON-SENuE VIP^W OF BOOKKEEPING.

251

fering only in the manner of opening and final adjustment of
the profit or loss.

343. The difficulty seems to arise in determining what ac-
counts to keep, not in keeping them. There will be accounts
with persons who owe the Company and whom the Company owes,
the former showing resources and the latter showing liabilities,
accounts for property owned by the Company also showing
resources. There will also be accounts representing percentages
of gain or loss.

Thus we have/bw known representations : assets, liabilities,
losses, gains, separate and distinct in their nature. Each account
must show definitely one of the four: the appearance of any
other name on the books in the position of an account would be
nil, hence should not be there.

344. The names of accounts are suggested by those in au-
thority and not created at the option of the bookkeeper as ex-
plained on page 32 (see italics), unless by virtue of his technical
knowledge he is appealed to to decide what the technical names
are that would be most appropriate to the occasion. The accounts
once decided upon the initial entries next demand attention, and
they will depend upon many contingencies relative to the capital
of the Concern and the plan of its organization as follows :

STOCK ALL TAKEN AND PAID FOR.

345. In this case the principal account would be Capital
Stock and the initial entry would be made on the debit side of
the Cash Book thereby charging cash and CREDITING the CAPITAL
STOCK accounts as follows:

DR. CASH.

1891 folio Discount, Mdse., Sunds. Amts,

Oct.

To Capital Stock.

On this side of the

line within this space

each Sto c k h o 1 d e r's

name will appear, each

on a line by itself with

the number of shares,

rate per share and

amount paid by each

on same line with name

and the total paid by

all extended here.

000000

252

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

This would open the Ledger with Cash as a resource and
Capital Stock as a liability.

346. The Stockholders' names would not appear in this
Ledger, but in the

STOCKHOLDERS' LEDGER

an account would be opened with each and credited by the
number and amouut of Shares belonging to him. This book is
of the same general plan as an ordinary Ledger with an extra
column introduced after date column for No. of Certificate. The
usual space for descriptive matter can be used for Number of
Shares and to whom transferred, the folio Column for rate per
share, and the Amount Column being already properly arranged.
The extra column can be ruled in regular Ledger by the book-
keeper. This book is kept by single entry and has no connec-
tion with the double entry books.

347. If part of the money is subsequently paid for a Patent,
Plant, or Franchise, that would give rise to a new account called
by one of those names, that is if it was a patented article it would
be called Patent, if it was property consisting of real estate and
improvements thereon, it would be called Plant, if it referred to
a right conceded and acquired by law it would be called a Fran-
chise.

The new account would be charged with the money given in
exchange for that which it represents on the credit side of the
Cash Book thus :

CASH.

1891 Folio.

CR.

Discount, Expense, Sunds., Amts.

Sept.

By Patent.

On this side of the
Hue within this space
describe the Patent.
Extend the amount
paid for it here.

000

The new account thus created would represent an asset, no
liability being incurred by the transaction which simply changes
the assets from Cash representation to the new account.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

253

STOCK NOT ALL TAKEN.

348. This gives rise to three known quantities, viz. : Stock
sold, unsold and the total, each of which must have a name to
represent it (see 1st contingency on page 31). Hence the dif-
ficulty encountered by the inexperienced in deciding upon a
name that will appropriately represent each (see paragraph 343).
Some have very little regard for appropriateness in the selection
of names, as it appears from their methods. True enough, a rose
would smell just as sweetly by any other name.

349. According to one method which, at least, has the re-
deeming characteristic of originality, the Stock Sold is repre-
sented by Capital Stock, which is appropriate and proper, and is
credited. Unsold Stock is represented by Working Capital, a
grievous misnomer, and is also credited. It seems that nothing
but a dearth of synonyms could suggest a title so inappropriate
as Working Capital for unsold stock. The total of both or the full
amount of capitalization is represented by franchise, and is
debited. This account is supposed to remain a permanent debtor
on the Ledger, we know not why, and the promulgator of this
theory has failed to enlighten us. This necessitates the creation
of a fictitious account called Contingencies, which is credited
when the money is received and CHARGED (debited) to Cash.
Now what can this Contingencies account represent ? Let us see.
All credits must represent either a gain or a liability (see para-
graph 343), and yet here is a permanent credit that means neither ;
it cannot mean a gain, as the money was not for percentage made,
but for certificates given in exchange for it, for which reason we
owe no one, and hence it cannot mean a liability (see 2d and
7th principles on page 33). The fact is, no such account should
be on the books ; its appearance there is an unpardonable infrac-
tion of the laws that govern the science of accounting.

350. Another method represents the Stock Sold by a Sub-
scription account which is debited, and the unsold stock is repre-
sented by Treasury Stock, and is also debited, ; the total of both is
represented by Capital Stock, and is credited.

351. The latter representation is, to say the least, incorrect, as

254

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Capital Stock literally means the fund represented by certificates
that have been issued. Subscription is entirely superfluous and
should not be used. Treasury Stock, if used at all, should rep-
resent a credit. It will be noticed that according to the former
method there is one debtor and tivo creditors and according to the
latter method there are two debtors and one creditor, as one is
just the reverse of the other, we must be permitted to think,
with all due respect for each, that both cannot be right.

352. "We would make the following journal entry, unless re-
quired by the management to do otherwise :

Stock Certificates Dr. To Sundries.

To Capital Stock.

For Shares @ $ per share of the authorized capital of the

Co., sold to and to be paid for in cash at par by the following

stockholders (name them here).

To Surplus Stock.
For Shares @ $ per share on hand to be sold.

353. As the above Stockholders pay for their shares we would

V^lJcll iivy \S\JVOIV ClllVl \J 1 \J\AJVV A-/t'V/V/t/ \_/V/ V VlV^j\JVVi^/U CAO J.V/1AV/ VV O

DR. CASH.

1891 Folio. Disc't. Mdse. Sund's Amt's.

Oct.

To Stock Cekificates

On this side

of the line with-

in this space

give the name

of the stock-

holder, each on

a line by itself,

number of

shares deliver-

ed to each, rate

per share, and

amount on

same line with

his name, ex-

tending total

here.

000

Thus we dispense with the objectionable Contingencies
account.

354. As the surplus stock is sold, and certificates are issued,

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 255

it becomes part of the Capital Stock, hence this journal
entry.

Surplus Stock, Dr.

To Capital Stock.

For Shares @. $ per share of the Surplus Stock sold to and to be

paid for at par by the following Stockholders (name them here).

As the new Stockholders pay for their Shares and receive
their certificates, we would charge cash and credit Stock Certifi-
cates as before.

When the Surplus Stock is all sold and certificates are issued
for it, both the Stock Certificates and the Surplus Stock accounts
will balance and the Capital Stock will show a credit for the full
amount of capitalization.

355. In justification of our entry we call attention to the fact
that the certificates of Stock are the property of the Company
and therefore assets. The full amount of authorized Capital
represented by these certificates is a liability either while they
are on hand subject to sale or as they disappear by issuance to the
Stockholders. By our entry we dispense with the superfluous
permanent Franchise debtor, also the equally superfluous Sub.
scription account, and substitute for Working Capital a name
that is far more appropriate, because it shows upon its face what
it represents surplus Stock, because it shows excess beyond what
is wanted of the Stock at present, whereas Working Capital mis-
leads us or implies as a natural sequence that the Capital Stock
which is supposed to be the real working Capital, is to be idle.
Our Capital Stock account shows the actual amount for which
certificates have been issued and represents the profit producing
fund on which dividends will be declared.

356. If the patentee or any vender accept Stock in lieu of
their right or transfer to the Company that would require an
entry in the journal as follows :

Patent (Plant or Franchise) Dr.

To Stock Certificates.
[Explaining here the number of Shares that were given in exchange for it.'J

No new liability has been or can be incurred in disposing of
the Certificates, but the assets change in their representation.

357. To set at rest the mooted question whether Capital Stock

256

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

should show authorized capital or paid up capital, it is only neces-
sary to take into consideration the fact that keeping books means
recording facts, and as authorized capital and paid-up capital
are both established facts, both must be represented on the books
in some shape ; not to do so would be to pervert the record to
that extent. The Capital Stock account, however, does not
necessarily show either paid-up capital or authorized capital, but
the actual amount for which Certificates have been issued and
which may not be paid for at the time of opening the Capital
Stock account.

STOCK ALL TAKEN AND TO BE PAID BY
INSTALLMENTS.

358. This would require a journal entry as follows :
Stockholders, Dr.

To Capital Stock.

Give the number of shares, the name of the Company, rate per share, fol-
lowed by each stockholder's name and the number of shares sold to each; then
explain how the payments are to be made that is, how many installments and
when they are due.

359. Then in the Stockholder's Ledger each stockholder will
be charged with the number of shares subscribed for. It is cer-
tainly better to call the account Stockholder's than to call it Sub-
scription or by any subterfuge, as it will show upon its face the
actual debtors.

360. When the installments are paid an entry is made on the
debit side of the Cash Book as follows :

Dr. CASH.

1891 Folio. Disc't. Mdse. Sund's. Am 1

Oct.

To Stockholders

On this side

give the num-
ber of Install-

ment, followed

by each stock-

holder's n&^ie,

each on a sepa

rate line with

amount paid by

each on same

line and total

paid by all ex-

tended here.

000

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

257

361. When the installments have all been paid the Stock-
holder's account will balance and as each Stockholder-ledger ac-
count will be credited at the time each payment is made their
accounts will also balance with last payment and then should be
closed by underlining and the full amount brought down on the
credit side of each account duplicating the first entry on the
debit side. There could be no advantage in opening three or
four Installment accounts as debtors when the stockholders are
the debtors, and their account can just as well be credited by the
various payments as they are made as to be credited by Install-
ments through a journal entry.

REORGANIZING AS A STOCK COMPANY.

362. When it is desired to change an ordinary copartnership
into a joint stock company the books of the old concern must be
closed and the profit or loss adjusted according to the rules on
pages 43, 44, and 45, then the assets, liabilities, and net capital
must be transferred to the new books, requiring one journal
entry each on the old and new books. See THIRD ENTRY.

363. We assume that the firm of P. A. Wright & Co. re-
organize as The Noble M'f g Co. with an authorized capital of
$25,000 divided into 250 shares of $100 each, 200 of which
have been placed and are to be paid for, half in cash and balance
within 30 days, as follows : P. A. Wright, 50 ; T. P. JSToble, 50 ;
W. D. Showalter, 25 ; A. J. Kinmonth, 25 ; Emerson De Puy,
25 ; Joseph Sheridan, 25 ; the other 50 remaining unsold and in
the treasury. We would open the new books with the following
journal entries :

FIRST ENTRY.

Stock Certificates, Dr. To Sundries

To Capital Stock

For 200 shares of the Capital Stock of The
Noble M'f'g Co., to be paid for at par value,

$100 per share, distributed as follows :

P. A. Wright, 50, W. D. Showalter, 25,
Jos. Sheridan, 25, T. P. Noble, 50,
A. J. Kinmonth, 25, E. De Puy, 25.

To Surplus Stock

For 50 shares unsold stock. .

$25000

$20000

5000

258

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.
SECOND ENTRY.

Stockholders, Dr ,

To Stock Certificates

For 200 shares of the Capital Stock of The

Noble M'fg Co. sold at par, $100 per share,

to be paid in cash as follows :

P. A. Wright 50 shares @ 100, $5000

T. P.Noble 50 " @ 100, 5000

W. D. Showaller 25 " @ 100, 2500

A. J. KinmoQth 25 " @ 100,

J.Sheridan 25 " (& 100,

E. De Puy.

,25

2500
2500
@100, 2500

20000

2000

As the stockholders pay the money it would be entered the
same as in paragraph 360.

364. In transferring the accounts from the old books of P.
A. Wright & Co., as shown by their Balance Sheet, page 117, to
the books of the new Company we would make the following
Journal Entry :

THIRD ENTRY.

Sundries Dr. To Sundries :

Accounts Receivable

Bills Receivable

Cash

Mdse

Office Furniture

To P. A. Wright. . . .

"T. P. Noble

" Accounts Payable
" Bills Payable

$1382 35

10000

15550

7300 00

24500

$151042

1007i08

616535

50000

The above being a correct statement of the affairs of the
late firm of P. A. Wright & Co., which have been trans-
ferred to and assumed by The Noble M'f'g Co.

365. In order to close the old books of P. A. Wright & Co., we
would make a Counter Entry to the above, that is reversing the
debits and the 'credits, thus dispensing with the superfluous
account of The Noble Mfg. Co. on the old books, having but one
debit and one credit which would fulfil its purpose and then it
would be practically retired by underlining.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

259

FOURTH ENTRY.

Sundries Dr. To Stockholders,
P. A. Wright, 15 Shares @ $100,
T. P. Noble, 10 Shares @ $100,

2,500.00,
1,500.00,
1,000.00

For their interest in the old concern of P. A. Wright & Co.,
the balance of which will be paid them in cash. After posting
this entry also the entries that will be made on the credit side of
the Cash Book when P. A. W. is paid $10.42 and T. P. JST. is
paid $7.08, their accounts will balance and should be closed on
the main Ledger as they appear on the Stockholders' Ledger with
the others. This will leave a debit balance of $17,500 in the
Stockholders' account and show the amount of actual cash to be
paid in, which when done will balance that account, after which
it should be closed.

366. We believe it is the custom according to other methods
to make the two following entries in closing the old books:

The Noble Mfg. Co.

Dr To Sundries

9182

1510
1007
6165
500

42
08
85
00

1382
100
155
7300
245

9182

85
00
50
00
00

" Acct's Receivable . ...

'* Bills Receivable

"Cash

" Mdse

" Office Furniture

Sundries Dr. To The
P A Wright. .

5 Noble Mf g Co

T P Noble

Acct's Payable

Bills Pa3 r able. . .

367. Thus it will be seen that in posting it necessitates the
superfluous account of The Noble Mfg. Co., in which there
can be no possible advantage as the balance of the Entry is
conveyed to its proper places just as it would be according to our
THIRD ENTRY. The intelligent reader can easily decide which
method is apace with the lightning express and in the light of
electricity, ours or the usual stereotyped method.

260 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

REDUCING OR INCREASING CAPITAL STOCK.

368. All companies are managed by a board of directors who
draught their own by-laws, which must be in accord with the laws
of the State. When it is decided to increase or decrease the
Capital Stock, there is a call meeting of the board of directors.

If the Noble Mfg. Co. conclude to cancel the certificates for
the 50 Shares of unsold Stock, thereby reducing their Capital to
$20,000, the following Journal entry is in order ;

Surplus Stock, Dr., 5,000.00

To Stock Certificates, 5, 000; 00.

or if on the other hand they conclude to increase the Capital to
$30,000, we would reverse the above entry, in which case there
would be 100 shares remaining in the treasury for sale, and
represented by a debit balance of $10,000 in the Stock Certificates
account.

BONDS AND MORTGAGES.

369. If at any time the Company executes a mortgage on its
property to secure the payment of borrowed money it would
also be accompanied by the company's note, and to keep it apart
from the regular Bills Payable account a Mortgage account
would be opened and credited by the amount received requiring
an entry on the debit side of the Cash Book, thus :

To Mortgage (giving name of mortgagee here.)

370. If the Company issues interest-bearing bonds and places
them in the hands of a trustee for sale, that would give rise to a
Bond account which must be credited, also an account in the name
of the trustee which must be charged in the following Journal

Entry.

(Name here) Trustee Dr.

To Bonds.

Describing here the bonds left in his custody.*

To call the account Trustee, simply, as suggested in other
publications would be inadequate, partaking of the nature of an

* A better way is to make no entry when the Bonds are left with the
Trustee, but treat the matter the same as in case of notes in paragraph 334 until
the Bonds are sold, then charge Cash and credit Bonds with the money.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

261

algebraic quantity, that is the name of the custodian of the bonds
would be unknown when it became necessary to commirrricttte
with him, hence his name must appear in the blank space shown
in the entry and thereby become part of the Ledger title.

371. As he turned in money for the bonds his account would
be credited requiring an entry on the debit side of Cash Book,
thus (Dr. Cash at top of page. See paragraph 345).

To Trustee (giving description of bonds sold liere).

As the bonds matured and were paid the Bowls account would
be charged (debited) requiring an entry on the credit side of the
Cash Book thus (Cash Cr. at top of page. See paragraph 347).
By Bonds (stating here what bonds were redeemed.)

In fact the Bonds account would be treated in every respect
the same as Bills Payable.

STOCK SOLD AT A PREMIUM OR BELOW PAR.

372. If part of the surplus stock is sold above par, Sinking
Fund gets the benefit of the premium through the Cash Book,
but we must first make this journal entry to keep Capital Stock
straight.

Surplus Stock, Dr.

To Capital Stock.

shares of the Capital Stock sold at $ for cash to the following

Stockholders (name them).

373. Then, upon receipt of the money, we make two entries
in the Cash Book as follows :

Dr. CASH.

1891 Folio. Disc't. Mdse. Sund's. Am'ts.

Oct.

To Stock Certificates
" Sinking Fund

Par value
of shares
sold to
@. $ per
share . . .

000
00

00
00

per cent
premium on
shares above.

262

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

374. If sold below par Sinking Fund would have to stand
the loss bj being charged with the discount on the credit side of
Cash Book as though that much had been refunded to the buyer.
First make the same journal entry as above (except as to ex-
planation, of course), because Capital Stock must show par value,
which throws the Surplus Stock into actual Capital Stock when
the certificates are issued ; then, upon receipt of the money, it
would be entered on the debit side of Cash Book as though full
face value of the certificate had been received, in order to keep
the Stock Certificate account straight, explaining, of course, that

per cent was deducted and entered on credit side of Cash

Book as follows :

1891 Folio.

CASH. Or.

Disc't. Expense. Sund's. Am'ts.

Oct.

By Sinking Fund

per cent
discount on

shares sold to

. See other

side.

STOCK GIVEN AWAY.

375. If part of the Surplus Stock is given away, that would
require two journal entries as follows :

Sinking Fund, Dr.

To Stock Certificates.

shares of the Capital Stock of Co. given to .

Surplus Stock, Dr.

To Capital Stock.

shares of Surplus Stock given to . See above.

Sinking Fund, was provided for emergencies, hence can be
made to cover a multitude of things.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 263

NOMINAL AND ACTUAL CAPITAL.

376. Suppose a Company is formed with a nominal capital
of $100,000, but an actual capital of only $75,000; that is, it is
agreed that upon payment of 75^, certificates for full amount are
to be issued, stock all taken by the incorporators. This gives
rise to two accounts, one representing resources and the other
liabilities, which are disposed of in the following simple journal
entry :

Stockholders, Dr., 100,000.00.

To Capital Stock, 100,000.00.

Giving here the names of all the Stockholders and the number of shares
taken by each, stating that 75$ only is to be paid in.

When the $75,000 is paid it will be entered on the debit side
of the Cash Book and reach the credit side of the Stockholders'
account in the Ledger, leaving a debit balance in that account of
$25,000 representing nominal assets until finally extinguished by
a credit from a sinking fund that would be provided out of the
profits of the business.

377. It is amusing to witness the unskilled fencing tvith en-
tries indulged in by others, involving numerous unnecessary ac-
counts, in disposing of this matter. For example, one following
the beaten track of his predecessors suggests charging the 75$
to a Subscription account and the 25$ to a Commission account,
the former being credited and balanced when the $75,000 is
paid, the latter remaining a mysterious debit of $25,000 neces-
sarily mysterious because of the mappropriateness of the name
adopted to represent it, making it appear as a loss when it is in
fact an asset.

378. The Stockholders owe themselves the $25,000, arid
eventually pay it indirectly out of accrued profits which would
have been $25,000 greater and paid to them in dividends had no
sinking fund been created ; hence it is better represented under
the heading of Stockholders' than a subterfuge or misnomer.

There could be no possible advantage or object in having two
debtors in this matter.

264 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

DIVIDEND AND SINKING FUND.

379. DIVIDEND is a pro rata division of profits among Stock-
holders. The rate per cent is determined by multiplying the
sum to be distributed by 100 and dividing the product by the
amount of Capital Stock; then by multiplying the amount of
Stock held by each by the rate, will give his pro rata of the
profits. SINKING FUND is a special sum set apart from the
profits for special purposes or possible emergencies.

380. The universal custom again ushers us into a labyrinth of
superfluities at the time of closing Joint Stock Books. It ad-
raits us at Profit and Loss, then conducts us through the wind-
ing passage of many unnecessary entries to reach an exit at Sur-
plus. We refuse to thus mislead OUT readers, but rather assist
them to make their escape at the place of entrance.

381. In other words after the Speculative accounts have
all been closed into Profit and Loss according to rules on pages
43, 44 and 45, we argue that the matter should rest there until the
amount of dividend is decided upon, and not be carried into a
Surplus account, which would certainly be a surplus proceeding.
If the credit side of the Profit and Loss account is the greater, it
will show a surplus and is properly represented where it is as
much so as if it appeared under a Surplus heading. If the debit
side of Profit and Loss is the greater it would show a deficit, and
is also properly represented where it is. A distinguished Secre-
tary of the Treasury once said, it was easier to handle a surplus
than a deficit.

382. That part of the surplus or profits which is needed to
pay dividends should be carried to the credit side of a Dividend
account and the balance of the surplus, which was to be held in
reserve for emergencies such as making extensions to the prem-
ises, repairing, etc., should be carried to the credit side of a Sink-
ing Fund account (or in this case Surplus account would be just
as appropriate) which would require the following Journal

Entry :

Profit and Loss Dr. To Sundries :
" Dividend,
" Sinking Fund.
To balance Profit and Loss account.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

265

383. As the dividends are paid it would be entered in Cash
Book as follows :

1891.

CASH. CR.

Disc't. Expense. Sund's. Amt's.

Oct.

By Dividend

On this side of the line
each Stockholder's name
will appear on a line by
itself with the amount
paid each within this
space extending the total
here .

000

384. It is not at all necessary to carry their names to the debit
side of Dividend account, as the original entry will show their
names. After all have been paid this account will balance and
should be closed by underlining. There will be no debit in the
Sinking Fund account until part or all has been appropriated for
some purpose for which it was provided.

385. If no dividend should be decided upon before another
closing, even then no Surplus account is needed to keep the profits
of the previous year separate from the profits of the next year as
the Profit and Loss account will show at a glance by its footing
the two results just as clearly as if carried to the superfluous
account whatever it may be called.

386. If another dividend should be reached before previous
ones had been disposed of, we argue that it should be carried to
the credit of the Dividend account already opened, and not to
another designated as Dividend No. 2, unless the management
requires it. We can conceive of no possible advantage in having
more than one account to represent a fund set apart for one
special purpose.

We once succeeded a man in a position who was keeping the
books of two firms at his desk, and we were amused to see that he
also kept two Cash drawers, one for each firm. When he could
not make change from one he would borrow from the other and
often forget to pay it back. The result was he never could keep
either straight. When he turned the keys and money over
to us he was horrified to see us dump the contents of one drawer

260 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

into the other, and he declared that we would never be able to
keep our Cash straight. We never experienced any trouble,
however, in proving our Cash. Keeping two or three Dividend
accounts seems to us to be about as sensible as keeping two Cash
Drawers. In case of Preferred Stock and Common Stock one
Dividend account for each is necessary.

387. If the Sinking fund should become greater than there
was necessity for, it would revert to Profit and Loss, or more
directly to Dividend account, whence it would be distributed
among the Stockholders through another declaration of profits,
in which case the following Journal Entry would be proper :

Sinking Fund Dr.

To Dividend.

WATERED STOCK.

388. Water, in one sense of the word, means to overflow ;
hence the phrase Watered Stock to represent the excess of Stock
over authorized Capital to issue which is a breach of the law
that gave the Company being but in perfect harmony with Nat-
ure's first law self-preservation, or, in this case, self-interest.
The object of watering stock is to increase the divisor and dimin-
ish the rate (see paragraph 379), to prevent showing enormous
profits, and thus keep within the limit prescribed by law without
forfeiting to the State any part of the profit.

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON STOCK.

389. A business that had been very prosperous and promised
continual large profits would incorporate with a very large Capi-
tal Stock and thus keep within the prescribed limit, whatever it
may be in the State, under the laws of which the Company is
formed.

In disposing of the Stock in this case the incorporators can
safely hold out the inducement of a guaranteed percentage on
say half of their Stock, which would be entitled Preferred Stock
and the other half would be denominated Common Stock. In

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 267

declaring dividends, therefore, the former must be provided for
first by setting apart enough of the profits to cover the prefer-
ential percentage, after which the surplus profits would go toward
a dividend on the Common Stock. In the event that the profits
of any year do not even cover the guaranteed percentage on Pre-
ferred Stock the shortage would stand charged against the net
earnings of the Company prior to all rights of the Common
Stock ; that is, it must be made good out of the succeeding year's
profit over and above the guaranteed percentage of that year,
before the Common Stock dividend can be declared. The Pre-
ferred Stock is also entitled to rank against the property and
assets of the Company in preference to the Common Stock.
Those who purchase Common Stock understand the conditions
and are at a disadvantage in case the business does not prosper,
but it is a good risk which they think worth taking as the chances
are that money thus invested will bring a larger rate of interest
than other investments attended by greater risk.

390. In fact it is often the case that the Common Stock
pays the best percentage that is, when the net earnings are so
large that the surplus, after providing for the Preferred Stock,
is sufficient to afford a larger dividend on the Common Stock.
For example, we assume that the net gain of the Company will
justify a 20$ dividend on the total Capital Stock arid that 8$ of
it is required to satisfy the Preferential dividend ; the remaining
12$ goes to the Common Stock. In opening books where there
are two kinds of stock two Stock Certificates accounts would be
necessary, one for each kind, also two Dividend accounts.

STOCK BOOK.

391. This book is made on the plan of a Check Book, usually
three or six certificates to a leaf, with a detachable part called
Stub. The language in the certificate will vary with different
companies, but the stub should always show No. of Certificate,
Date issued, No. of Shares, To whom issued. Address, there be-
ing one line fo\ each. It is not at all necessary to have in the
printed form a line for transfer number, or date of transfer, as

268 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

it is better to endorse these facts crosswise of the stub in red ink
if the certificate should be returned for cancellation preparatory
to issuing new certificates in case of transfer. The old certifi-
cates should be marked cancelled in red ink and filed away same
as cancelled checks it would certainly make a dilapidated look-
ing book to paste them on the old stub as some do. Ordinary
blank books will do for other auxiliaries.

IMPORTING BUSINESS.

392. In this business we buy our goods in another country ;
hence they are billed to us according to the monetary system
prevailing in the country whence they were imported. That is,
goods bought in England are invoiced in . s. d. Invoices from
Germany are rendered in marks, and from France they come in
francs and centimes. Upon receipt of the foreign invoices we
reduce them to their equivalents in our money, adopting a uni-
form rate as an approximate value because of the impracticability
of getting the exact rate at which we will buy exchange when re-
mitting, owing to the constant fluctuation in the price of foreign
exchange, as it is called.

393. For example we assume that we get an invoice from E.
L. Nelson, London, for 125 9s. 6d., which is equivalent to
$610.97 at our uniform rate ($4.87) ; but when we go to foreign
exchange brokers to buy 125 9s. 6d. for remitting to E. L.
Nelson, it costs us $612.27, as we must abide by their rates;
thus it will be seen that the account of E. L. Nelson in foreign
money will balance, but in our money there is a difference of
$1.30 in favor of the debit side. Differences of this kind should
be adjusted monthly, at least when the foreign money balances
the account should be made to balance throughout by the follow-
ing journal entry :

Mdse. Dr 1.30

To E. L. Nelson, 1.30

394. In an importing business, therefore, our Ledger should
be specially ruled with one more spaces on each side next to the

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OP BOOKKEEPING. 269

amount columns for the foreign figures. The space need not be
in columns ; in fact, the usual space for descriptive matter-eatt-
be utilized, making an ordinary Ledger answer the purpose,
as follows :

Dr. E. L. NELSON, Or.

1891 .s.d. 1891 .s.d.

Sept.

To Cash... 125. 9. 6

612

Aug.

By Mdse... 125.9.6

610

395. This kind of business gives rise to a Duties account
which is tributary to the Mdse., as the duties are a part of the
cost of the goods. Hence, at the end of the season the Duties
account must be closed into the Mdse. either by a transfer in red
ink or by making the following journal entry :

Mdse. Dr.

To Duties.

The figuring of duties is not entrusted to the bookkeeper as
a rule, owing to the complicated rates which vary according to
the different kinds of dutiable goods. The proprietor usually
looks after the duties, or it is attended to by Custom House
brokers who make it their business.

396. All goods sent to or received from European countries
must be accompanied by a duplicate invoice which is retained by
the Custom authorities at the port of delivery. If we receive an
invoice without duplicate, it becomes necessary to make a copy
of it before we can get the goods out of the Custom House.

OUR REWARD.

397. We have consecrated many years to the cause of book-
keeping, and although our bank account is very unsatisfactory
our reward will be ample if through the instrumentality of our
book we may be permitted to lighten the burden of the over-
worked and underpaid man at the desk with whom it is often the
case of a heavy load and a sorry team.

270 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

A BOOKKEEPER'S PREROGATIVES.

A bookkeeper likes a hearty slap on the shoulder unawares,
especially when engaged with pen and ruler over the Ledger.

His functions being altogether more ornamental than useful,
he will feel offended if you confine yourself to business; his
favorite topixj naturally remains the weather, but he also keenly
relishes politics, your own inventions, the cunningness of your
dogs and children, and the general business of mankind. Do
not omit the slightest details in your narration; he is eminently
fond of them.

You will always be surest of his attention when he is mak-
ing out a long statement for somebody, by drumming with hands
and feet to retard his last train. When you catch him footing
up a heavy column, just give him a chance for rest by confi-
dentially whispering a nice string of assorted anecdotes into his
ear, the older and longer the better, and he will never forget
you ! To fire his imagination let him smell your breath and
other exhalations, by leaning well over him; he doesn't feel so
lonely then, poor fellow!

Don^t neglect to deposit your cigar stumps, ashes, and dis-
missed quids on and around his inkstand ; it will surround him
with an atmosphere of sociability, which makes him very proud.

A bookkeeper being a gentleman, you should never be
ashamed to ask him for the loan of his umbrella, rubbers, pencil,
or money, though he dislikes being troubled for less than two
dollars at a time, and prefers round sums. Put the pencil into
your mouth before using it, to assure the owner that you con-
sider him your equal.

Leave packages with him, to be called for in a fortnight or
to be sent somewhere with a verbal message, and he will feel
flattered by your confidence; never mind making the address
distinct or the message precise ; he will fix it all right for you,
having absolutely nothing else to attend to.

A bookkeeper is an enthusiastic buyer of tickets for fairs,

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 271

picnics, balls, and private moonlight and fishing excursions;
you will tickle his commercial vanity by offering them-a4-a
reduced figure by the dozen, confidentially.

If you have occasion to receipt a bill or do other writing at
his desk, be sure to use his red-ink pen, as it always looks
cleaner and fresher, and it affords him an agreeable surprise
when he again uses the red ink to find it has been steeped in
black.

No difference what your calling in life has been, if you are
without means, although looking mean enough for anything and
your looks do not belie you, approach him and say: " I am an
old bookkeeper in hard luck!" He will take warning by your
awful fate, and you can take time by the forelock and seek safety
in flight before your departure is unduly accelerated by a sud-
den precipitation through the window.

METHOD.

It is method that provides a place for everything and puts
everything in its place; it has a way of doing everything and
does everything the right way; it is a safeguard against disaster
and is very essential in bookkeeping. For instance, it matters
not which side of an account is considered first, as both sides
must be added to get the difference or net result, which is the
objective point; but a methodical person would add the debit
side of certain accounts first and the credit side of certain other
accounts, depending altogether upon the nature of the inquiry or
information sought. If it is desired to know how much one
owes us, we would figure the debit side of his account first, be-
cause that side furnishes the information; on the other hand, if
it is a question as to how much we owe another, the credit side
would be considered first for the same reason. If the inquiry
is as to how much we have gained, the credit side of the account,
representing gain or loss, would be reckoned first, thereby going

272 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

directly to the point in question ; the reverse would be true if
it was a question of loss.

In proving the cash or posting from the Cash Book method
would impel us to consider the debit side first, as cash must be
received before it can be paid out, and we are prone to begin at
the beginning and would be extremely averse to crawfishing, that
is, going backward. The debit side of Bills Eeceivable would
be added first and the credit side of Bills Payable for the same
reason, that is, begin at the beginning. In summing up the gains
and losses for the year we would, turn our attention to the credit
side of the Profit and Loss account first, it being more agreeable to
contemplate our gain than it would be to know our loss. Defer
the evil as long as possible. In recapitulating the resources and
liabilities we would irresistibly begin with the former, because
it is an inherent principle in the nature of the genus homo to
be more concerned about our own than that which belongs to
another.

UNIFORMITY.

All superfluous lines, that is, lines not written upon, above
the closing on either side of an account should have an oblique
red line drawn across them, beginning on the left at the bottom
line, terminating at the right of the paper where the last line
used intersects the first perpendicular line. As a matter of uni-
formity and good taste all oblique lines appearing on one page
should run in the same direction, that is, have the same angle
but not necessarily terminate at the same perpendicular line;
therefore, after the first oblique line occurs it establishes the
angle, and the terminus of all other lines on that page will be
governed by the depth of the space to be covered. If a very
deep space occurs after the angle has been formed, it will be
necessary to rule more than one oblique line across it, the ter-
minus of the additional cross lines being at the right of the
space, of course, at the same line where the first one above it

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 273

began on the left. See diagram below representing the credit
half of a Ledger page inclined to the right :

UP-END DOWN.

In performing the same task for years, a person having a
philosophical mind will in time conceive a plan for doing it
with the least physical exertion. Archimedes said, " Give me
a fulcrum on which to rest a lever and I will move the world."

If we see ponderous books resting in the safe with the north
end upward, we know that the person who placed them there was
neither a philosopher nor an experienced bookkeeper; we know,
moreover, that in removing them to the desk he will lift them
bodily into position by main strength and awkwardness (just
as the hen cracked the hickory nut [?]).

Experience has taught us to put them away south end (that
is, the end next to us when in use) upward ; then, by taking them
by the latter end with a swinging motion, we easily land them
on the desk in the right position for use.

The moral is, put the look away up-end down.

274 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

IMPERFECT ARTICULATION.

In mammoth establishments there are many departments, es-
pecially in the dry -goods business, each of which is represented
on the Sales Book by a letter A, B, C, D, E, etc., and as the
last four sound very much alike when imperfectly articulated
many errors would arise in calling; hence to prevent such errors
the departments are called by their numerical location in the
alphabet. For instance, the call clerk would say fourth letter in-
stead of " D, " second letter instead of " B, " and so on with others
except A.

CONTINGENT LIABILITY.

Anything said or done in the name of a firm is regarded as
an expression or act of the firm ; for that reason employes are
not entrusted with correspondence involving delicate or impor-
tant matters. Again, anything said in our presence derogatory
to a firm by which we are employed, although it may be culpa-
ble and indefensible, we would resent as a personal affront or
insult.

Fidelity is the noblest trait of human beings.

Signing the firm name by an employe would be impotent in
effect, in other words, not binding on the firm, if it is repudiated,
unless he is empowered with attorneyship. If, however, any
member of a firm subscribes or endorses the firm name to or on
an obligation it is binding alike on each and all the members
thereof, and for that reason a stipulation is usually made in the
copartnership agreement that neither partner will sign or endorse
in the name of the firm without the consent of all its members.
Endorsements of this kind would constitute a contingent liability
having no representation on the books; hence the firm could be
deeply involved in debt, or, in fact, be totally insolvent and yet
seem to be rich because opulent in resources. There is an un-

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 275

avoidable contingent liability, however, that should not be -lost
sight of, although without special representation on the hooks that
is, endorsed notes which have been discounted or otherwise negoti-
ated. In the ordinary course of business, liabilities of this kind
are small and can easily be ascertained by reference to the Bills
[Receivable book. If, however, the nature of the business
should depart from the ordinary by the discounting of many
notes having long time to run, whereby the amount under dis-
count would necessarily grow into a prodigious sum, there should
be a Ledger account to represent it. Such an account could ap-
propriately be called ENDORSEMENTS or CONTINGENCIES. When
notes are discounted or otherwise disposed of, instead of crediting
Bills Receivable it would be better to credit Contingencies (or
Endorsements) account, and as fast as the notes become due and
it was assured that they had been paid, charge Contingencies and
credit Bills Receivable through the Journal as follows :

CONTINGENCIES, Dr.

To BILLS RECEIVABLE
Explaining here what notes are paid.

The credit side of the latter account in that case would show
notes actually paid, the debit side would show amount not paid,
but not necessarily on hand, as they may have been negotiated.
The credit side of the Contingencies account would be the greater
if there is a difference and would represent a contingent liability.

The large financial institutions of the eastern continent, also
of this country, look upon this as an important matter, as evinced
by the fact that it is given prominence in their annual state-
ments.

It dawned upon our mind early in our experience that this
was important, but evidently it had never occurred toothers with
whom we had come in business contact either as our employer
or fellow bookkeeper. It was never agitated by us, as our field
of operation at that time was limited and liability of that kind
was small. As a youth we did not have the courage of our
conviction to herald a new theory which probably would not

376 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

meet with favor; furthermore, we knew that "No man is a
prophet at home." *

Liability of this kind has never been alluded to by any other
writer on the subject of bookkeeping. In treating of it here
we bring it to the light for the first time, a fact in perfect accord
with the entire contents of our book, which is the result of the
writer's own experience of a quarter of a century in the midst
of the smartest figuring heads of the commercial world, and not
the result of interviews with a few old fogies, whose opinions
have no weight because they are not backed up by judgment
or reason. One must be able to give a reason for the hope that
is within him if he would gain credence.

ERASURES.

A rule of the old school is, never make erasures ; with us that
rule is the exception, that is to say, we always make erasures
when the occasion requires them. It is true that an erasure is
an evidence of fraud in the eyes of the law, hence a record in
which there is an erasure would not be accepted as evidence in
a court of justice. If the old school makes erroneous figures
it draws a pen through them and makes correct ones above; if
it has blots on its books they are permitted to remain. We do
not keep books in anticipation of a law-suit, hence we do not
see the necessity of permitting our books to remain defaced in
order to be prepared for that which may never take place.
Furthermore, we believe in taking the bull by the horns, in

* Digressing from the main subject, we may add that this is a true say-
ing and goes to show that merit is not everywhere rewarded. For exam-
ple : John Howard Payne was of little consequence where he was known,
because he was homeless and friendless, hut he was famous abroad. He
knew nothing about home, sweet home, from experience, but by the
promptings of the inner man, and it inspired him to write the most popu-
lar song that was ever written, and which is still sung throughout the
civilized world a requiem chanted in every tongue.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 277

other words, meeting the issue squarely. Consequently, if we
make erroneous figures we erase them and substitute correct
ones in lieu thereof. If by accident or otherwise our books be-
come blotted, our remedy for such an eyesore is erasing. The
necessity for erasures is of daily occurrence, whereas the neces-
sity for a legal tilt may never occur. It is sheer nonsense to sub-
ordinate the pressing importance of issues already upon us to im-
probable, but possible, emergencies, probably far remote. We would
dislike to make erasures on the cash book, as it might arouse
suspicion in the minds of our employer that we were tampering
dishonestly with his money. One cannot be too careful in
handling money belonging to another; although perfectly honest,
circumstantial evidence may condemn him to a felon's cell.

There are two instances in which we would not make era-
sures one is in the Trial Balance and the other is in the Balance
Sheet. The latter should be rendered without a blemish or im-
perfection, and if an error or blot occurs during its prepara-
tion, even near its completion, we would destroy it and begin
anew.

Every good business man expects a Trial Balance between
the 1st and 10th of each month, and when it is not forthcoming
he inquires for the cause of delay, and if informed that it is due
to error he then becomes anxious as to the nature and extent of
such error or errors. Hence we would not erase the erroneous
figures in a Trial Balance, but cancel them by a red line, and
place the correct figures over them or wherever they belonged,
thus showing wherein the error consisted and that it was hon-
estly corrected, and that the Trial Balance ivas not forced. The
comments relative to erasures have reference to work done by
ourselves and do not apply to work performed by others. If
we were to assume charge of books that had been kept by others
and should find errors in them, we would not erase but cancel
by a red line, so as not to destroy their identity or discernible -
ness, and place the correct figures or words over them.

We do not recommend erasing, however, as a fine art in the
face of the following good story, viz. :

278 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Three clerks applied for a position as bookkeeper and were
examined on erasing only, when the following colloquy ensued:

Old man to first applicant: "How are you on erasures?"
First applicant: " I can make a passable erasure, sir, but it may
not be satisfactory to a connoisseur."

Old man to second applicant: ''Young man, how are you on
erasures?" Second applicant : " I am out of sight (his way of ex-
pressing a superlative degree of expertness) ; that is, I can make
an erasure so that it would require a microscopical observation
to discover it." Old man, somewhat impressed by this forcible
slang, could not resist the overpowering impulse for getting in
his slang too, and said in the language of the club: " Your skill
ought to make you a cinch or an air tight, and you ought to get
all the money if the game last long enough, but for you the game
is now closed. You may cash in and retire. "

Old man to third applicant: "Well, sir, how are you on
erasures?" Third applicant: " I never make erasures. I have
the reputation of being very correct, hence have had no expe-
rience in that respect." Old man: "You are the man I am
looking for. Consider yourself engaged. "

A MISUSED ABBREVIATION.

The letter " a" encircled thus, @, represents the four words,
at the rate of, and is the brief way of writing them. The
monosyllable " at" has another significance and is as brief in
itself as the commercial or encircled @, but is in nowise synony-
mous with it, although by the great majority even of experi-
enced people the abbreviation " @" is used incorrectly for " at. "
The very fact that the former is not briefer than the latter proves
that we are right in the premise. A short word should never
be abbreviated, in fact no word, if space will admit of its being
written in full. There are many words in brevier abbreviated
throughout our eighteen lessons, but that is done to show the

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 279

necessary abbreviations to resort to in writing so as to get them
within the limited space.

THREE DAYS OF GRACE.

The long-established and time-honored custom of allowing
notes and acceptances three days longer to run than the specified
time has recently been abolished in the States of New York and
New Jersey.

It was deemed no longer wise or necessary to continue it in
the present age of rapid transit, as the great facilities for com-
municating with distant points now more than counterbalance
the advantage gained by the three days of grace at the time they
became a law.

ANOTHER SO-CALLED "SYSTEM."

We refer to a new way of conducting accounts. It impresses
only inexperienced bookkeepers and novices in such matters, but
we can see nothing in it to even suggest or justify such an
appellation. It leads us to infer that we may feel secure from
some unspeakable danger and that no harm can befall us while
we have such protection.

Safeguard method of the double-entry system would be a
better way to put it, as it is not a system in itself but a peculiar
method of double entry. Instead of the names of accounts ap-
pearing at the top of the page in the usual way, they appear on
the left of it.

A number of lines, say ten, are assigned to each account.
The first one begins on first line and runs to the tenth, the sec-
ond begins on the eleventh line and runs to the twentieth, and so
on throughout the page. The lines are numbered. If more en-
tries are necessary during the month than there are lines, they
are sandwiched in between the entries already made, which to
say the least, makes a botch of it, and for that reason it is de-
cidedly objectionable.

280 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Instead of ooe set of columns for dates, folios, and amounts,
and two spaces for entries on each page, there are twelve such
sets to a page, one for each month, each of which is headed by
its respective month from January to December. There is an
extra column on the right of each set for balances, but no space
for entries. The columns are all added at the bottom of each
page, and the footing of the balance column must be equal to
the difference between the footings of the two amount columns,
thus proving the page. The same thing could be done with the
ordinary Ledger, but we fail to see a single advantage in such a
proof. In making the Trial Balance, therefore, page results are
taken by this method, which does not accomplish a secondary
object of the Trial Balance, that is, to show at a glance the stand-
ing of each account, which is important and for which the pro-
prietor desires it more than for any other purpose. Instead of
being simple, as all books of accounts should be, it is rather com-
plex, so much so that bookkeepers in general cannot understand it
at first sight. Its advocates claim that it diminishes the work and
saves time, when, on the contrary, it increases the work if any-
thing, and requires more time than with the usual form of a Led-
ger. It saves at the spigot and wastes at the bung. It may
have some redeeming features which we have failed to discover,
but it has others already alluded to which condemn it, and be-
tween the two, pro and cow, it is more than a stand-off in favor
of the latter. We never give praise where there is no merit.
"With all due respect for the originator and promoter and his
followers, we must confess that we would not use it nor would
we permit it to be used in any business over which we had
control.

BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED. 281

PARADOX.

Finding a remainder by addition seems to be a perversioa of
arithmetical terms and a revolution of mathematical principles, as
a remainder is usually found by subtraction and the result of ad-
dition is termed total. Below, however, we give the result of an
addition which is a remainder.

It will be noticed that there are three rows of figures in the
minuend, but it matters not whether there are one or many, although
but one row is allowable in the subtrahend, whereas in the
usual method of subtraction but two rows of figures are permissible,
which are arranged with the smaller under the greater, units under
units, and tens under tens, etc.

7,102 Subtrahend.
4,253

396 \- Minuend.
1,140

1,313 Eemainder.
DEMONSTRATION.

Remainder.

+ 6 + 3= 9 + 3 = 12

1 + 4 + 9 + 5 = 19 + 1 = 20

2 + 1 + 3 + 2= 8 + 3 = 11
1+1+0+4= 6+1= 7

EXPLANATION.

Add the units column of the minuend, the result is 9, lacking 3
of making first figure in units place of subtrahend, with 10 over or
1 to carry to the tens column in minuend, making 19 which lacks
1 of making second figure in. subtrahend with 20 over or 2 to carry
to the hundreds column in minuend, making 8 and lacking 3 of
producing third figure in subtrahend with 10 over or 1 to carry to
the thousands column in minuend which, when added, makes 6 and
lacks 1 of equalling last figure in the subtrahend. The lacking
figures are those found in the remainder, see demonstration.

This is the surest way of getting a correct remainder and is the
method pursued by experienced cashiers in making change.

For instance, if we are handed a piece of money from which to
take what is coming to us, we begin with the amount we are to re-
ceive and add to it enough to equal the piece handed to us, thereby
assuring ourselves of getting our part.

282 A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

THE BEST WAY TO SUBTRACT.

There are two ways of subtracting. One way is when it is neces-
sary to add 10 to any place in the subtrahend, deduct 1 from the
next higher place, that is the next place on the left. This way is ob-
jectionable because as we have seen in our experience that it was
most difficult for the majority to get a correct remainder owing
to the fact that they become entangled when the cipher occurs.
Another and better way is when it is necessary to add 10 to any
place in the subtrahend, add 1 to the next higher place in the minuend,
as 10 in any place is equal to 1 in the next place on the left, that is
ten units equal one ten, and ten tens equal one hundred, and so on
to infinity. It is a well understood mathematical principle that if
any two numbers be equally increased their difference, will be equal.

THEORY MUST PRECEDE PRACTICE.

Compilers or soi-disant authors who assume to be en rapporte or
all- wise in matters appertaining to accounts and whose "articles,"
as they call their jumble of words, are more remarkable for puerility
than for astuteness, say that " Dr.," " Or.," " To," and " By," should
be omitted because they are understood. These fledgelings in mat-
ters of accounts or would-be oracles on the subject of bookkeeping
are evidently just from the shell, or still in the crude state and not
informed as to the polished methods of scientific accounting. To
follow their advice, to say the least, would be to court dismissal for
incompetence. They furnish us with the laughable exhibition of
vaulting egotists overleaping themselves. One should mount not
too high in self-esteem lest the fall be greater in the estimation of
others. Birds that soar the highest fall the heaviest. We admit
that such signs as " Dr.," " Cr.," etc., are presumably understood by
some, but to state them in writing leaves no room for doubt in the
mind of any, it makes assurance doubly sure; furthermore "Dr.
To" must appear on the left of a ledger account and " Cr. By" on
the right of it as important links to complete the chain of thought
connecting the account with the words that follow it on either side.
If this chain of thought is interrupted or disconnected by the omis-
sion of the important links, the work becomes mechanical, as it

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 283

were, and not being governed by reason is just as likely to be done
wrong as right, a fact we have seen demonstrated repeatedly in_pur
experience as instructor.

Common sense teaches us that theory must precede practice,
at least in this field of industry, notwithstanding the fact that
Herbert Spencer, the English philosopher, says that practice
must precede theory. To our mind it is clear that we must
come to a theoretical conclusion as to what we are going to do;
then put it into practical execution by doing it accordingly, not
do anything by chance or accident and then undertake to theo-
rize as to why it was thus done, " don't you know?"

Our book is the pioneer exponent of expert accounting and
modern business methods of bookkeeping in general, other
recent publications being very poor imitations of it. It has
been the source of much information found in the compilations
of others, who make constant allusion to themselves ad nauseam
to all as " The Author," when in fact they are not authors at all,
nor do they rise to the dignity of ordinary compilers, their (?)
ideas having been transplanted from native soil to one entirely
barren and non-productive of original ideas.

SALES SHEETS.

Many concerns have abandoned the use of the Sales Books,
giving preference to a Sales Sheet, making it the permanent origi-
nal entry of goods sold.

The fact that some of the largest houses use the new method
proves its practicability and justifies its usage. The only ad-
vantage gained by it, as far as we can see, is the saving of
expense in binding a great many Sales Books, there being no
saving in expense of paper. It is more convenient, too, in
handling only the few sheets already in use than it would be to
handle large books, only a portion of which are used for the
time being.

284 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

The Sales Sheets are also bound, that is, once a month, and
put away conveniently for ready reference. The binding con-
sists in driving small \vires through the margin, the expense of
which is a bagatelle compared to the leather or heavy canvas-
covered binding of voluminous Sales Books. The Sales Sheets
seem to be nothing more than an elaboration of our shipping -
ticket shown on page 240.

The salesman takes down the order on the Sales Sheet by
describing the articles sold and the prices. The stock clerk
selects the goods according to Sales Sheet, making a single check
mark ( y/) opposite each article. The goods are taken to the
packing-room accompanied by the Sales Sheet, and as fast as they
are put in cases the packer cross-checks or makes a double
check mark (\^^)- The Sales Sheet is then turned over to the
bill clerk, who makes the extensions and footing on Sales Sheet
and duplicates it on billhead, then turns the Sales Sheet over to
the bookkeeper, who examines the calculations and then posts
directly from the Sales Sheet, after which a transcript is made
into a book, as explained on page 85, for the purpose of totaliz-
ing the sales and giving each department its proper credit in
posting. The Sales Sheet is initialled by each clerk, through
whose hands it passes, which vouches for the fact that every
part of the transaction has received proper attention.

A HINT IN WRITING LETTERS.

In writing for the press only one side of the paper should
be used, but in business or other correspondence this rule does
not apply.

Business letters requiring two pages should be written on
both front and back of a single sheet and not on front and third
page of a folio, as is often done by unbusinesslike people, there-
by causing unnecessary bulk of paper in filing letters.

All correspondence requiring more than two pages should

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING.

285

be written on front and back, then third page and back that
is, one-two-three order, the same as the matter is arranged in
books. It is extremely bad taste to use third page for second -
page matter, then return to second page for matter belonging on
third, thereby separating by the intervention of a page the mat-
ter on fourth page, which should make close connection with
third-page matter, making very awkward reading, which to say
the least is annoying to the reader.

DISCIPLINE.

In a large establishment, where there are many employe's
there must be a superintendent or head man, who is presumably
endowed with superior skill, judgment, or qualifications as to
the business, by virtue of which he is entitled to the most ex-
alted position.

In all controversies or issues arising between him and his
subordinates his word should be law and his decisions final,
subject to no appeal to higher authority in the establishment in
the person of his employer.

He should be sustained right or wrong, that is, sustained if
right and removed if wrong, at all events also sustained even
if wrong, if retained in his position. Not to do so would be to
bring his authority into disrespect and to render his power for
doing good impotent.

If he is too valuable to dismiss for an error of judgment, he
should be told wherein he is wrong by being called aside in
star-chamber conference, as it were, and not in the presence of
those whom he is expected to keep in line of duty, for any dere-
liction of which he would be held responsible.

When convinced that he is wrong, he can and will in his
own way make the amende honorable to those whom he has done
an injustice, and thus cement the mutual bond that binds all to
a common cause.

286 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

STAND ALOOF.

One should not permit himself to become too intimate in
other words too fresh with his employer, either in his business
or social relations; never presume to make free with him because
a favorite, but keep in your own place at a becoming and re-
spectful distance, and thus by a dignified subordination and
submissive disposition always command his respect and merit
his favors, and when the occasion arises, as it surely will,
when you are called to account for some real or seeming short-
coming, you will feel less keenly the lash of authority.

We may feel that we are superior intellectually and in busi-
ness ability to those whom we serve, but the very fact that
they are our employers makes them our superiors in their busi-
ness relations toward us, which, if we failed to recognize, would
also make them our superiors in point of good sense and appre-
ciation of the right as well as disapproval of the wrong.

Another thing : one should not work by the clock, that is, not
leave a duty unperformed, drop everything and run, because
the clock indicates that the usual hour for quitting is at hand.

We always made it a point to remain at our post of duty as
long as the boss remained at his, unless he was pleased to excuse
us. It is a fatal error for a clerk to presume to dictate to his
employer as to what the duties were he was engaged to perform
and the time in which he was supposed to do them, as the employer
may require something else done not within the scope of the
employe's ordinary duties; hence he must hold himself in readi-
ness to do his bidding, or soon expect to hear that unwelcome
edict your services are no longer required.

One should never be above his business, never be ashamed
to have others know he is doing that which enables him to earn
an honest dollar.

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 287

FRAUD HOW DETECTED HOW PREVENTED."

Following an expose* of a recent defalcation in a bank of this
city, which started an investigation into the accounts of other
similar institutions throughout the country, a daily paper offered
a handsome premium for the best system of bookkeeping that
would be a safeguard against dishonesty. It is safe to say that
it is impossible to devise such a system. Opportunity makes a
thief and nothing but surveillance will prevent a dishonest book-
keeper from availing himself of such an opportunity when it is
afforded him; hence his books should be examined periodically,
say quarterly, by a disinterested auditor. This would be a con-
stant menace to him and assurance that he would be detected,
and as no sane person would be likely to jeopardize a good posi-
tion or imperil his liberty for the small sum of money he could
embezzle between these periods, surveillance of this kind would
be effective. The audit should be made by a different person
each time, so as to prevent possible collusion of the auditor with
the bookkeeper in case the former is susceptible of being cor-
rupted by sharing the spoils with the latter. It would certainly
be a mean person who would betray a confidence; for that
reason it is said, " To make a thief honest trust him." A com-
mon fraud perpetrated by bookkeepers who have natural pro-
clivities for letting other people's money stick to their fingers is
to falsify their footings, especially in the Cash Book, -that is,
put down a larger sum on the credit side or a smaller sum on the
debit side than the figures amount to, or possibly put down the
correct footing and carry forward the larger or smaller sum, as
the case may be, to the next page, which would be less liable to
be detected by a casual examination and thus enable him to
abstract the excess of money without throwing the cash out of
balance. If the erroneous figures occurred in the sundries credit
columns, they would make a single entry on the debit side of
some ledger account, most probably the merchandise, or add the
excess to some large amount already on that side, so as not to

288 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

interfere with the trial balance. Such a fraud could be de-
tected only by checking the posting. If the wrong figures ap-
pear in the special columns it would not affect the trial balance,
hence the fraud could be unearthed only by reviewing the ad-
ditions. No one would be foolish enough to be entrapped by
taking money put in the drawer as a decoy by their employer,
which is often done to see whether it will be accounted for as
cash over when proving the cash next time. A better and more
honorable way is for the proprietor to examine the footings
daily in the bookkeeper's absence until he has assured himself of
the latter's honesty, and thus be enabled to detect and stop in
its incipiency the peculations of one whom he had found to be
dishonest before it had involved him in ruin.

TWO PEN PICTURES.

OLD FOGY.

A bookkeeper of the old school: His days are of endless
toil, his nights are of 'sleepless unrest; his books are in arrears,
and are never otherwise, although he works early and late
often until midnight. He makes many errors which he can
never locate, hence his Trial Balance is never forthcoming when
asked for. His salary is consequently small, and no increase
can be expected under such distressing circumstances ; in fact
he is in constant dread of losing his situation. He is a worthy
man, but wofully incompetent. The business has outgrown
his capacity, which is limited and cannot be increased while
encumbered by his old-fogy methods. Instead of being pro-
gressive he is retrogressive, and like a crawfish goes backward
at everything he does. He trudges along at a paltry income,
just enough to supply pinching necessities for those who cling
to him in sweet dependence, but nothing to lay aside for a
rainy day, a poor pensioner upon the bounties of an hour. The
conditions that confront him are appalling, to say the least. He

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 289

ruminates, he ponders, and he dreams; suddenly he awakes to
the fact that he is far behind the times, a back number, ~as_it
were, and he resolves to emulate the example of the prosperous
young bookkeeper Wright's Protege who is looked upon as
the brightest star in the constellation of modern accountants,
which is due to the fact that he is abreast with the times and
follows the methods of his preceptor.

WRIGHT'S PROTEGE.

A few years ago he was only a useful man about the office
a factotum but knowing that the only road to advancement
was by gaining useful information, he bought a copy of
"WEIGHT'S BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED," and in a short time
mastered double entry. Soon thereafter the old bookkeeper
was summoned to appear at the main office on high to make a
final exhibit of his life's work that is, he was called hence to
return no more, leaving a vacancy that an ordinary machine
bookkeeper could not fill. As Protege wrote a good hand, he
was told to take charge of the books temporarily, until a new
and competent bookkeeper could be engaged. The proprietor
soon discovered that a better man than the new incumbent
would be hard to find, as he was really an improvement over
his predecessor. His salary was at once increased, and has been
advanced yearly. Next year he is promised a partner's interest
in the business. No wonder he sleeps sweetly and dreams in
ecstasy. He never has to work after business hours, but
always quits on regular time. He keeps his books posted to
date, although he has twice as much to do as old fogy, and has
plenty of time to read his morning paper, and an hour for
lunch. Why? Because he is a man of BUSINESS METHODS and
knows how to take advantage of his work. He leads where
others could only follow. He praises the bridge that bears him
safely over, and pins his faith to " WRIGHT'S BOOKKEEPING-
SIMPLIFIED," to which he attributes his success, and advises
you to do likewise.

290 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

EXAMINATION FOR BOOKKEEPER'S POSITION.

A firm in this city, say, Smith & Jones, wanted a bookkeeper.
Each applicant for the position was given a verbatim copy of the
following facts and figures, with " COMMENTS," showing what was
required, viz. :

BALANCES BROUGHT DOWN JANUARY i, 1900.

Cash and bank $4,618. 11

Jones $29,377.60

Smith 15,078.28

Stock of goods 10,901.25

Bills receivable 3,250.00

Bills payable 6,400.00

Keserve for bad debts 1,500.00

Reserve for discount 1,857.00

Customers' balances 37,142.12

Creditors' balances 10,348.60

Horses, carts, etc 2,400.00

Premises 6,250.00

CASH AND BANK TRANSACTIONS DURING THE YEAR.

RECEIPTS. From Customers, $55,449.02. For Notes, $32,112.89.

PAYMENTS. To Creditors, $40,783.55. Wages, $4,213.02. Horses' keep,
etc., $1,634.53. General expense, $1,212.53. Notes met, $21,600.00. Smith's
drawing account, $5,750.00. Jones' drawing account, $3,100.00. Salaries
(S. & J.), $2,675.00. Cash on hand, $11,211.39.

OTHER TRANSACTIONS DURING THE YEAR.

Purchases, $69,949.18. Sales, $81,608.62. Discount allowed customers,
$3,242.62. Discounts allowed by creditors, $1,062.55. Bad debts written off,
$2,177.55. Received notes from customers, $36,930. Gave notes to creditors,
$15,200. Stock on hand December 31, $5,695.

COMMENTS.

Raise Ledger accounts and make requisite entries to bring results of cash
account into the Ledgar. Make and post journal entries dealing with the
other transactions, also those necessary to credit partners with five per cent,
on their capital at first of new year and to charge ten per cent. , depreciation
in value of Horses, Carts, etc., and reserve same proportion for discount on
.outstanding balance, as in previous year. Prepare a Trial Balance December

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 291

31, 1900. Make and post journal entries requisite to make up Trading and
Profit and Loss accounts and distribute the net result between the partners,
two-thirds Smith, one-third Jones. Prepare balance sheet.

This is all perfectly businesslike and an ingenious test of abil-
ity, and was evidently the work of one familiar with accounts, but
there is an error of omission which proves that he was not an ex-
pert. An ordinary bookkeeper will not discover the omission, but
an expert accountant will notice it at once. We would render the
statement just as asked for, presuming the omission was inten-
tional ; but it would not be acceptable to us if we were a partner
and was going to retire from the business, as we would get much
the worst of it by settling on that basis. It is safe to say that
eighty per cent, of those who call themselves bookkeepers and apply
for such positions, cannot make a systematic and businesslike
statement from the foregoing exhibit.*

ANOTHER TEST OF ABILITY.

WRIGHT and NOBLE are equal partners in business. As the
business progresses they come into joint possession of Smith's note
for $2,000. In the mean time WRIGHT overdraws his account,
$500. In order to make good the overdraft and equalize their
interests again he forfeits at a sacrifice his half interest in SMITH'S
note of $2,000, whereby NOBLE becomes sole owner of it.

The bookkeeper is required to adjust the matter on the firm's
books.

Many years ago, when the writer was engaged as a young book-
keeper, he had an interesting interview with the late Professor
Marsh, who was then teaching bookkeeping according to old-
school methods.

With a view of testing our ability as a practical bookkeeper he
submitted the foregoing proposition to us. The fact that we were
not dreamers but wide awake to realities, accustomed to dealing

* If the reader will send us name and address and 30 cents in postage
stamps we will send by return mail a copy of the entries and statement we
made for the successful applicant in this case.

292 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

with substances and not shadows, made it easy for us to adjust the
matter which to him seemed complicated. The simple manner in
which we disposed of it was a surprise to the distinguished old pro-
fessor, who admitted that our method was most ingenious, but not
the way he would do it. He made more entries of it than we did.
Our way was practical and business-like ; his was theoretical and
school-like.

BRANCH HOUSES.

A branch house is treated as if it was a separate concern, and
the parent house is treated the same way by its branches. If a
firm in New York has a branch in Chicago, the account name for
it would be Westevn Department or Chicago store, and on the books
of the branch house the account name for the parent house would
be Eastern Department or New York Office (or store). Both ac-
counts would be treated same as other personal accounts that is,
would be subject to the same eight conditions and governed by the
same eight supplementary rules (see page 30).

EXPERT ACCOUNTANT.

Bookkeepers as a rule soon begin to call themselves expert ac-
countants when they can manage a small set of books in a way
that does not require even ordinary skill, and can make a trial bal-
ance successfully, containing probably less than one hundred ac-
counts. Such an assumption on their part is, to say the least, a
travesty upon the facts in the case, as they have no conception as
to the duties of an expert accountant.

" The oak tree was an acorn once and fell upon the earth
Until sun and showers nourished it and gave the oak tree birth. "

A bookkeeper sustains about the same relation to an expert
accountant that an acorn does to the oak sapling. One is embry-
onic of the other in both cases.

"In most people's mind the idea of an accountant is associated
with thief catching; he is considered a sort of Sherlock Holmes,
or Hawkshaw, a detective making a specialty of trapping default-

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 293

ing bookkeepers and cashiers ; others again consider him a sort of
higher grade of bookkeeper, but both conceptions are far from-the
truth. Catching thieves is only incidental to an accountant's busi-
ness life, and is the most unpleasant part of it, and while an ac-
countant, as a matter of course, must be an expert bookkeeper, this
knowledge is only an accessory, just the same as anatomy or path-
ology are only some of the many things a physician must know.

" The bookkeeper is one of the numberless wheels constituting
the complicated mechanism of modern commercial life. He is a
link in a chain, connecting other links. The accountant stands
outside of this mechanism somewhat like the consulting engineer
whose opinion is sought in the construction, mode of operation, or
improvement of the mechanism, who is called upon to locate dis-
orders or causes for the failure of a part or whole of the mechanism
to do its duty, and to suggest remedies. He is like the physician
in well-regulated families who is not only called when the disease
has appeared and has made incursions into the family's well-being,
but whose opinion is from time to time sought for the purpose of
keeping the health of the family up to the highest possible standard.

" Like the physician or the consulting engineer, the accountant
must not be a specialist ; he must not only be thoroughly acquaint-
ed with one organ of the body or with the nature of a particular
part of the mechanism, but he must know all of it. The true re-
lation of each part to the other must be an open book to him. He
cannot and must not be a theorist or a pedant. He must be a
man of wide and varied experience, having the ability to apply his
experience on scientific principles, which are strictly denned, and
constitute the science of accounting. Such a man will be of the
greatest benefit, even to the healthiest business organism. No
matter how well selected, well appointed, and well directed the
parts of such an organism are, it is of the greatest value that they
should be, from time to time, inspected by some one whose com-
bined theoretical and practical knowledge enables him to scan a
wider horizon than is possible for the director or directors of a
particular business organization.

294 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

"It is not always dishonesty or ignorance on the part of the
coadjutors of the head of a business which brings it to grief, or, at
least, causes serious disorders. A modern business organization,
be it firm or corporation, is like the modern warships, a compli-
cated piece of machinery, needing protection in more than one
sense of the word. The crew, from captain down to the stoker,
are all engaged, or expected to be so, in one single pursuit, and
that is to lead the ship to victory, to success. The captain, stand-
ing on the bridge, directs the whole of the complicated machinery.
It is important for him to know that he can depend upon the effi-
ciency of every part and parcel of it, and to be conscious of not
having overlooked some detail one single loose screw, one single
bent pin may expose the ship to disaster. Therefore the parts of
this ship undergo frequent inspections ; first, to ascertain whether
everything and everybody is in working trim; second, whether
some appliances need to be improved or even substituted, so as to
keep the ship at the highest possible fighting standard.

" Let the stockholders of a corporation once suspect that there
is ' something rotten in the State of Denmark,' how fast the value
of the stock goes down! One breath affecting the standing or
methods of a business will wreck it."

NINTH AFTERTHOUGHT.

Receiving anything is a fact ; deriving a benefit from anything
is an qffect. The former has to do with tangible existence ; the lat-
ter with nominal existence. Without facts there can be no effects.

Unless one can discriminate between the meaning of the words
tangible and nominal the rules on page 29, that govern representa-
tive and speculative accounts, will seem to conflict.

The mind of the student naturally concludes that making, in
other words gaining, is equivalent to receiving ; but such is not
the case. A percentage can neither be received nor given out, be-
cause it is intangible, hence intransitive. Things can neither be
gained nor lost from a bookkeeping viewpoint.

Acquire the rules as they are ; not as you think they ought to be.

FIFTH PART.

WALL STREET

MATTERS.

WALL STREET TERMS.

ACTION. Execution of, or carrying orders into effect imme-
diately.

BEAR. A believer in lower prices, one who sells before he
buys.

BULL. A believer in higher prices, one who buys and holds
for an advance.

BUCKET SHOP. A place where the proprietor usually takes
the opposite side of a customer's deal instead of having it exe-
cuted on the Exchange. He coppers the customer's let. If the
customer wins, the proprietor loses, and when he is asked for
profits or an accounting he fails usually, that is, if the amount
justifies it. Moral. Do not trade in a bucket shop; in case you
do, never allow profits to accumulate but draw out as fast as made.

CALL. A privilege to demand stock any time within a speci-
fied time at market price above a fixed price.

COVERING. Buying back stock when short.

CORNER. A stock is cornered when it is owned or controlled by
a few, who can demand, and usually get, any price they wish for it.
Those short of the stock being required to deliver what they sold,
must pay the price, which forces tremendous rise. Following is
an example of the effect of a corner, the greatest in the history of
Wall Street. The closing price on Saturday, May 4, 1901, of
Northern Pacific Common ("Little Nip ") was $110 per share. It
opened on the following Monday morning at $114, and during
the day advanced to $133, closing at $127^. It continued to ad-
vance at the same rate for the next two days, opening Thursday
morning (May 9th) with 500 shares @ $170; it then went up in
leaps and bounds, 5 to 50 points, at a time to $1,000 per share
within one hour, or by 11 o'clock A.M. There was one deal of 300

298 WALL STREET MATTERS.

shares at the highest price. Reaction then set in and the down-
ward movement was equally violent with many fluctuations up-
ward and downward during the day, closing at $325 per share, a
net gain of $165 per share in one day. In order to raise the
money to meet these ruinous prices other stocks were thrown on
the market at sacrifices of from 5 to 60 points lower throughout
the whole list than closing prices on previous day, causing a panic
that made the famous " Black Friday " pale into insignificance for
the time being, although of shorter duration. Corners enrich a
few but impoverish many.

CURB. A certain locality on Broad Street where a few meet
in the open, that is, on the curb, to deal in stocks not listed on
the Exchange. One passing along Broad Street, between 10 .A.M.
and 3 P.M. any business day can see this little body of men hud-
dled together apparently in mysterious conclave. They are called
curb brokers. See illustration on page 296.

GRANGERS. Railroads running into Chicago, viz., Chicago,
Burlington, and Quincy : Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul; Chi-
cago, Rock Island, and Pacific ; Chicago and Northwestern.

GOULD STOCKS. Missouri Pacific, Texas Pacific, Manhattan,
Western Union, etc.

INSIDERS. Those who own controlling interest and regulate
prices to suit themselves.

INDUSTRIALS. Companies engaged in manufacturing, such as
American Sugar, American Tobacco, Continental Tobacco, U. S.
Steel, U. S. Leather, U. S. Rubber, etc.

LAMB. A greenhorn in the business. One who enters Wall
Street usually with plenty of money and no experience and, as a
rule, leaves the Street with plenty of experience and no money.

LIQUIDATING. Selling out part or all of an investment.

LONG. Holding stocks bought in anticipation of a rise.

MANIPULATION. Making prices to suit those who have con-
trolling interest.

MARGIN. Money or collateral deposited to cover fluctuation
in prices.

WALL STREET TERMS. 29$

POINT. One dollar per share. Fractional points -J-, J, |, , f ,
|, -J. If one buys 100 shares of stock on the Consolidated ~Ex^
change and the price advances two points, he makes $200, less
the charges, that is -J of a point com. $12.50, and two-cent rev-
enue stamp for each share $2; net, $185,50. If he sells 100
shares and the price declines two points, he>also makes $200, less
the^^^charges, $l#tH), or $1^.50 net./^^ A-^vfl^-

POOL. A combination of lookers, or kather a combination
their capital for the purpose of controlling certain stocks. Kind
of a distant relation to a corner, but less powerful and far-reaching
in effect.

PUT. A privilege to deliver stocks at market price any time
within a specified time below a fixed price.

PYRAMIDING. Investing profits as fast as they accumulate.
It is a very dangerous method and usually results in loss of margin
PARLAYING.

REACTION. Making lower prices, usually the result of realiz-
ing or taking profits.

RALLY. Making higher prices, the result of shorts covering.

REALIZING. Closing deals to take profits.

SHORT. Having sold stock one does not have, .expecting a
decline.

STOP ORDER. Fixing a price at which to close a deal and
thereby limit loss if one is on the wrong side.

SCALPERS. Professional traders who get in and out with
small gain or loss a point or less.

STRADDLE. A privilege covering both puts and calls.

TAPE. A white paper ribbon, f inch wide and about 300 feet
long, rolled so it can be adjusted to the ticker in such a way that
the latter can supply itself as fast as required for quotations or
news.

TICKER. A small electrical instrument or machine that auto-
matically registers in printed style on the tape every transaction that
takes place on the Exchange. The tape is an indispensable concomi-
tant of the ticker, without the former the latter would be useless.

300 WALL STREET MATTERS.

TRACTIONS. Street railroads, Metropolitan, Third Avenue,
Brooklyn Eapid Transit, Manhattan Elevated.

UNDER THE RULE. When a broker fails his commitments
;are closed out by the chairman according to the rules of the Ex-
change for the protection of other interested brokers. Such trans-
actions appear on the tape as U. E.

WASH SALES. Mutual agreement between brokers to buy
and sell among themselves to create false impression as to move-
ment in certain stocks, part of the agreement being that such
deals are declared off after the movement is thoroughly under way
and in the hands of others.

WALL STREET METHODS.

1. This is a subject prolific of thoughts worthy of engrossing the
pen of one more versatile than the writer assumes to be. We
write from our own experience and observation, which we admit is
limited, covering a period of but a few years. Hence our conclu-
sions may not be as correct nor our views as broad and comprehen-
sive as those of some who will no doubt peruse these pages, and
whom for that reason we do not presume to enlighten or interest.
Our main object is to explain later how books are conducted in a
broker's office; and in order to do that it is necessary to look into
the peculiarities of their business.

2. There are two great classes that do business in Wall Street,
viz., INVESTORS and SPECULATORS, the latter being subdivided into
two other classes commonly called BULLS and BEARS.

3. INVESTORS are those who buy stock outright at its intrinsic
value, and are satisfied to make a reasonable rate of interest on
their money without regard to fluctuations in the market prices.

4. It goes without saying that this class has ample means to
carry out its undertakings and eventually gets all the money.

5. SPECULATORS are those who buy or sell stocks on margin

WALL STREET METHODS. 301

with a view of benefiting alone by the fluctuations in market
valuations.

6. As an example we take a stock that paid 12 per cent per
annum for many consecutive years, the par value of which is $100
per share, the market value having fluctuated during the writer's
observation from $95 to $180 per share.

7. The INVESTOR who is satisfied to make 6 per cent per an-
num on his capital could afford to pay $200 per share for the
stock in question and consider it intrinsic value for his money, so
long as he felt assured that the 12 per cent rate would be main-
tained ; but inasmuch as there never has been a time when he
would have been required to pay $200 per share for this stock, his
pro rata of interest would have been as much more than 6 per cent,
as the price per share was less than $200.

8. The wide difference between the highest and the lowest
price of this stock and many others is what brings to the fore the
Speculator Bovine or Bruin as the opportunity would suggest.

9. At the minimum price the BULLS would be rampant or ag-
gressive, as they would feel assured that INVESTORS would pay
more than the current price for stocks; and as a matter of fact the
bidding which begins between the INVESTORS and the BULL specu-
lators (BEARS remaining under cover for the present) brings about
the advance that the Speculator expected.

10. When this state of affairs has continued for several days,
and as a consequence prices have advanced from ten to thirty
points, which often has been the case, even when the market is in
a normal state, it would then be a question in the mind of his Bo-
vine highness as to whether or not the INVESTOR would pay a still
higher price; and, believing that he would not, the speculator
begins to realize in other words, begins to sell the stock he is long
of and take his profit, which would be the difference between the
price at which he sells and at which he had previously purchased.

11. At this stage of proceedings the BEAR makes his advent
and begins to sell short, as it is called, because he believes he can
buy later at a much less price ; and as the INVESTOR has all he

302 WALL STREET MATTERS.

wants, buying ceases and a reaction sets in, that is, offering stock at
a fraction less, which starts a downward movement, often culmi
nating in a big break or decline in prices, possibly back to, or even
lower than, the last minimum which INVESTORS considered intrin-
sic value.

12. When any stock can be bought for less than it is worth,
new INVESTORS are ready to buy, a fact BEARS are well aware of;
hence they begin to cover, as it is called that is, turn buyer in-
stead of seller, thus gaining the difference between the price at
which they buy in and at which they previously sold.

13. The big BEARS, who are heavily short and desire to cover
at a lower price, will select a weak stock and raid it by offering
1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 5,000, 10,000 shares in bewildering succes-
sion. The result is a big break in that stock within a few min-
utes, which causes & sympathetic break throughout the whole list.
The money-powerful BULLS who desire to unload at higher prices,
and for that reason are determined to force prices upward, snap up
these big lots as quickly as a hungry trout would a minnow.

14. Here is where the real tug of war begins and rages furi-
ously for hours between the BULLS and the BEARS, the INVESTORS
remaining in the background as disinterested onlookers, that is they
do not participate in the buying or- selling but reap a rich harvest
in lending their holdings at high rates of interest which partly
accounts for the fact that they in time get all the money.

It is a battle royal between money giants, and fortunes are
often made and lost in a single day, thus proving the great possi-
bilities of Wall Street, such as do not exist elsewhere. Prices
are high and low alternately, fluctuating upward and downward
like the rise and fall of the tide. In wooing fickle fortune in Wall
Street go with the tide, and she will smile upon you ; but to go
against it is to cause smiles to give place to frowns. The great
secret is to know when the ebb and flow begins.

15. Water seeks its own level, which is fixed by its source. The
prices of stocks may not seek, but will in time find their level too,
which is also fixed by their source ; and the source in this case is

WALL STREET METHODS. 303

the promoters or insiders who know the real worth, which is meas-
ured by interest-earning capacity. It requires artificial force^ to
make anything rise above its level; and when that force is ex-
hausted, natural force will send it downward again. The higher
the ascent the greater the danger, and the more rapid the descent ;
there is but little danger at the level. The old and familiar saying,
"Everything that goes up must come down," is true when it relates
to material things that are governed by the law of nature ; but it
is often fallacious when applied to the price of stocks, although it
is the BEAR'S great watchword, and he gives it as a reason for the
hope that is within him that he is on the right side.

No artificial force has ever been put in motion that is perpet-
ual or inexhaustible. Natural force is perpetual, which would
make it seem that those who are oh the side governed by natural
force have the best of it. As the Bear's greatest opportunities are
when prices are the highest, they are on the safe side because it is
natural for -prices to go their way eventually. It is dangerous to
be long of stocks above the level ; it is equally dangerous to be
short of them below the level.

It does not follow necessarily that an advance in the price of
stocks is the result of artificial force called manipulation ; it may
be a natural result of improved conditions enhancing the value and
justifying a new and higher level. Professional speculators can
easily discriminate between the two causes of an upward move-
ment. The inexperienced public cannot so discriminate.

SURE WINNERS.

16. It is safe to say that INVESTORS are the only sure winners,
because when they choose to speculate they, as a rule, take the
short side that is, sell short only when prices are higher than
when they invested that is, higher than intrinsic value, as they
buy only at real worth. In case they go still higher beyond their
financial reach they can deliver the shares they own and still be a
winner, the difference between purchasing price and selling price
without regard to market price. In case the price decline imme-

304: WALL STREET MATTERS.

diately after they sell, they can luy in again at a profit without-
parting with their original investment.

17. Thus their chances of losing are reduced to a minimum,
inasmuch as they are not forced to sell their shares in case of a
decline, but always have what they paid for at intrinsic value;
and it is only a question of time when the tug of war, before al-
luded to, will force the price back to their purchasing price. It
takes several months to manipulate the price of stocks upward
from twenty to thirty points. It requires but a single day to
smash them or send them downward that much.

WHICH HAS THE BEST OF IT?

It seems to us as if the BEARS have the best of it.

18. Inasmuch as Investors get all the money in the long run,,
and the fact that they side with the Bears when they choose to
speculate for the reasons already assigned, is the best evidence that
BEARS have the lest of it. Professional speculators are too smart
as a rule to sell anything below its real value.

19. It does not follow that one must go short to be on the side
with the BEARS, as they do not always sell but also "buy when the
conditions favor a protracted high market. The sellers in such a
market are not BEARS only but also BULLS themselves, who sell to
secure profits.

20. A movement in stocks either way is governed by the law
of supply and demand. The greater the demand the less the sup-
ply and the higher the prices. When the demand ceases, a new
supply is suddenly discovered by the BEARS, and prices take a
tumble.

BEARS' ADVANTAGES.

21. Conditions often outweigh capital in this matter, and there
are more conditions that favor the BEARS than there are favorable
to their opponents, such as war and rumors of war ; over-produc-
tion in manufactured articles ; strikes among the great army of
employees ; closing factories ; bad crops ; reducing or discontinuing

WALL STREET METHODS. 305

dividends ; death of some prominent man ; high rates of interest ;
inflated prices ; approaching elections, etc., all of which- cause
stocks to decline.

BULLS' ADVANTAGES.

22. Universal prosperity ; low rates of interest ; oversold
market ; participation of the inexperienced public; increased
earnings which justify a belief in larger dividends all conduce
to higher prices.

23. In order to speculate with any degree of safety one must
study the causes and conditions that favor both sides; also must
know something about the intrinsic value of the stock he chooses-
to deal in, which would be governed by its earning power.

24. It is a well-known fact that the great majority of specu-
lators lose their money ; it is also a well-known fact that the ma-
jority buy stocks instead of sell, which proves the correctness of
the conclusion that BEARS have the best of it. It is only a ques-
tion of time when the BULLS are left with the lag to hold and both
ends open.

25. One's first experience in Wall Street is on the long side,
which is due partly to the fact that he is loath to sell that which
he does not own. Furthermore, he knows that the limit of a
downward movement is the bottom, whereas an upward movement
is practically unlimited and the top may be beyond his financial
reach (see Corner, page 297). "OLD COMMODORE," the great-grand-
sire of the present generation of Vanderbilts, to whom they owe
their colossal fortune and financial supremacy, said: "NEVER SELL

WHAT YOU DO NOT OWN and NEVER BUY WHAT YOU CANNOT PAY

FOR." That was the SECRET of his success and the GREAT SECRET
OF WALL STREET BUSINESS in a nutshell.

26. We know of a certain bank stock (not listed on the ex-
change) that could have been bought a few years ago at 10 per
cent above par; it could not be bought now for 3,000 per cent ad-
vance, and the end is not yet. If one had sold or been short 1,000
shares of that stock at par, his ruin would have been inevitable. On

306 WALL STREET MATTERS.

the other hand, if he had bought 1,000 shares at par, his fortune,
at this writing, would have been over $3,000,000, a certainty un-
surpassed even by the possibilities of a Klondyke. In the face of
such startling facts who can doubt the wisdom of judicious invest-
ment and cautious speculation?

DANGER IS UBIQUITOUS.

27. One often reads about defalcations and ruin the result of
speculating in stocks ; hence arises the hue and cry of danger in
Wall Street. The same causes ignorance and inexperience
would produce the same effects losses and failures in any other
field of industry. To invest capital in any kind of business one
does not understand would be just as dangerous as speculating in
Wall Street.

28. It is safe to say, however, that one can do more business
in the market with less capital than any other place, not because
-less money is involved but because he needs to advance only
enough capital to cover possible fluctuations in prices, the balance
or market value being taken care of by the broker with whom the
deal is made.

29. In buying or selling stocks on margin the actual transfer
or delivery of shares does not take place. All that is necessary is
to adjust the difference between the buying and selling price,
which is done by the broker.

30. One great danger that menaces those inexperienced in such
matters, is falling into the hands of irresponsible brokers, who
swindle them out of their capital, to say nothing of the possible
profits ; hence the importance of finding out who can be trusted
with impunity or rather WITH MONEY.

31. If afoot entrusts his money with a knave, to be invested
according to the latter' s judgment, he will surely lose and the
knave just as surely win. When fools renounce their folly knaves
will be without occupation.

32. The greatest leader Wall Street ever knew, whose skill in
juggling with millions was without a parallel, now gone to his

WALL STREET METHODS. 307

reward, once said that one should not speculate in stocks until he
had first studied them for at least three years. The fact that^he
entered Wall Street a comparatively poor man, and at his demise
he was a multimillionaire, proves that he was eminently capable of
giving good advice.*

33. One is supposed to learn during that time how to weigh
conditions ; also learn how much stocks are worth and the possible
fluctuations in prices.

34. When thus equipped with prerequisites to success, if con-
servative and patient enough to await opportunities, it seems to us
that one has as good a chance to make money in speculation as he
would have in any other kind of business.

35. Without some risk there can be no gain in any advent-
ure, and the place to get money is where it is to be found most
plentifully.

THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

36. This is an association of men of great wealth, whose word
is good for millions of dollars, and whose reputation for honesty
and probity is of highest order. It began business in the year
1792, with twenty-four members; to-day, the beginning of the
twentieth century, its membership is about eleven hundred.

37. It costs a small fortune to become a member now, as seats
(memberships) have been sold for $76,000 each. Their building
is situated on Broad Street near Wall. Its close proximity to the
latter accounts for the fact that Wall Street gets credit for, or is
charged with, everything good or bad that results from speculating
in stocks. Business begins at 10 A.M. and closes at 3 P.M. Sat-
urdays it closes at 12 M. The bulk of business is done on this

* When the ticker announced the last bid and asked, his next thought was
of his home on the Hudson. To see him on his beautiful lawn playing " leap
frog " with his boys for their amusement, as he often did, even when his mind
was burdened with weighty matters involving hundreds of millions of dol-
lars, was to look upon a charming picture of home life and domestic felicity
that would irresistibly win the beholder's admiration.

308 WALL STREET MATTERS.

exchange and all the big deals are consummated there, the smallest
transaction involving not less than one hundred shares.

38. The commission is one-eighth for buying and one-eighth
for selling; that is, one-quarter on each deal. The minimum
change in price is also one-eighth of a point.

THE CONSOLIDATED EXCHANGE.

39. This is an independent and less important association, that
has for its clientage those who deal in small lots, ten shares being
the minimum, but no limit to the maximum, although rarely ex-
tending into a thousand shares. Their building is at 62 Broad-
way.

40. The commission is only one-eighth for completing each
deal. No less than one -eighth of a point is offered or accepted as
a bid.

41. Those who can afford to speculate in large lots would
rather pay the extra one-eighth commission on the big exchange
because of the advantage in prices.

ROUTINE IN SPECULATING.

42. If one desires to buy or sell twenty shares of the Granger
stocks he can do so on five points margin that is, he must deposit
$100 with his broker; but to deal in the Industrials or Tractions
(city), it would require from ten to twenty points margin, as the
fluctuations in prices are more violent in these classes, often vary-
ing five points or more within a few minutes.

If one chooses to BUY 20 shares, he fills out

WALL STREET METHODS. 309

FORM ONE.

New York 1901

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

148 WEST 14TH STREET.

BUY

Shares @

Stop loss @ (Approximate).

It is agreed that P. A. WRIGHT & Co. have the right to hypothecate or dispose of, with-
out notice to the undersigned, all stocks, bonds, petroleum, 'grain, and cotton, purchased
or sold, on margin, upon the approximate exhaustion of margin.

and hands it to the order-clerk, who wires or telephones the order
to the broker on the floor of the Exchange. When the order has
been executed, the clerk hands the purchaser a pencil memoran-
dum like

FORM TWO.

A MEMORANDUM ONLY.

BOUGHT

at.

and the next day he receives by mail an authenticated report of
the transaction like

310 WALL STREET MATTERS.

FORM FIVE.

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.,

148 WEST UTH STREET.

New YorTi 1901

M...

DEAR SIR:

We have this day BOUGHT for your account and risk

We have this day SOLD for your account and risk

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.,

Per.

It is further understood that on all marginal business, the right is reserved to close
transactions when margins are within a half per cent, of exhaustion, without further
notice, and to settle contracts in accordance with rules and customs of Exchange where
order is executed. P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

which is a combination of forms two and four.

If the price declines three or four points, more margin would be
asked for in case he desires to hold the purchase, otherwise he can
fill out

WALL STREET METHODS. 311

FORM THREE.

New York 1901

P. A. WRIGHT & Co.

148 WEST 14TH STREET.

SELL

, ..Shares. . @

loss @ (Approximate).

It is agreed that P. A. WRIGHT & Co. have the right to hypothecate and dispose of,
without notice to the undersigned, all stocks, bonds, petroleum, grain and cotton, pur-
chased or sold, on margin, upon the approximate exhaustion of margin.

ordering the 20 shares sold. When the order has been executed,
the clerk hands him a pencil memorandum like

FORM FOUR.

A MEMORANDUM ONLY.

SOLD:

at.

The following day he receives the authenticated memorandum like
FORM FIVE. In case the price advances he is $20 winner for each
point above his purchasing price. When satisfied with the amount
of profit one has, he fills out FORM THREE to sell, fixing the price
or at market price. To be sure of selling, he takes market price
as it may not be possible to get the price he names, and if a reac-
tion sets in his profit may soon melt away ; in fact he may have to
take a loss or produce more margin.

312 WALL STREET MATTERS.

In case one chooses to go short (sell), in the first place he fills
out FORM THREE just the same as selling long stock. If the price
advances three or four points, more margin would be called for, as
he would be $20 loser for each point advanced. He can put up
more margin in case he does not want to take a loss, otherwise he
fills out FORM ONE to buy, either fixing the price or at market price.

It is better to deal at market price if one's capital is limited,
for the reason already assigned, thereby limiting his loss or secur-
ing his profit ; otherwise he incurs the risk of increasing the former
and diminishing the latter.

If the price declined after one first sold, he would be one dollar
per share winner for each point declined, and when satisfied with
the amount of profit he fills out FORM ONE the same as in buying
long stock.

Speculators who can furnish unlimited margin can deal with
the same degree of safety as investors, as it would be only a ques-
tion of time when prices would get back to starting point, either
long or short.

It seems to us to be better to take small loss and get out when
one sees he is on the wrong side and get in again at a more ad-
vantageous price than to tie up his capital indefinitely, awaiting
return to starting point.

Those young in the business, when the market goes their way, are
inclined to plunge ; that is, when they get a profit they increase
their deal to the extent of profit. The result is, when the turning
point comes and the market goes against them, they lose twice as
fast as they won.

A better way would be to reduce the amount of deal in case of
profit, then when the turn comes one loses less and can get out
with some profit. If he starts with all he can carry and it goes
his way, he gets all there is in it for him; but if it goes against
him, he can close out half at a small loss and hold the other half.
The margin will protect half twice as far as the whole, or until
the remaining half recovers its own loss; also, possibly the loss
on the half sold, by going the right way beyond the starting point.

WALL STREET METHODS. 313

Those who have plenty of capital pursue the opposite course ; that
is, if they buy, say, 20 shares and the price declines two points they
buy 20 shares more, which makes their average one point lower
than first purchasing price. Then, when there is a rally of one
point in the price they close out the 40 shares without a loss,
except the incidental expenses attending both deals. The more
they buy on this scale the lower would be the average price, re-
quiring less rally for them to get out whole.

If the conditions favor either a protracted Bull or Bear market
it is not a bad idea to pyramid or parlay, as it is called, which
amounts to the same thing as plunging, but as the profits in-
crease invest only half of it instead of all, thus compounding the
gain in case it continues in the right direction, or saving part of
the gain in case it goes wrong. It is by this method of trading
that small fortunes are made on limited capital in a short time,
when it was possible to lose only the margin.

STATEMENTS.

On page 315 we give two different forms of statements. No. 1
will bear investigation in the matter of interest. No broker has any
right to charge interest on more money than he advances. In this
case interest was charged on total cost of 40 shares of stock,
$2,580, when it should have been on $2,380, as the margin, $200,
covered part of the cost. This is a big percentage in the brokers'
favor, and the interest alone would soon enrich him if he had cus-
tomers enough who would submit to that kind of figuring.

The first two items on credit side of statement ($200) were for
margin. The first item on debit side was 20 shares L. & N (Louis-
ville and Nashville) bought @ 86$ = $1,737.50, add com. =
$2.50, extension $1,740. In each case it will be noticed that the
extension covers $1.25 com. for each 10 shares. The second debit
item was 20 shares Co. T. (Continental Tobacco) bought @ 41$.
Next item was interest for carrying the 40 shares over Sunday,
and the last item on that side was 10 shares P. 0. (People's Gas
Light Company of Chicago) bought @ 115J.

314 WALL STREET MATTERS.

The third item on credit side were \\% quarterly dividend on
10 shares P. 0., declared while the customer still held them.
The other three items on that side were for the 50 shares sold at
the prices indicated, hence a net loss on the whole of $106.77. It
will be noticed that the first extension on the credit side is 20
cents less than it figures, and the other two 40 cents each less
which is the charge for revenue stamps (20 cents is deducted for
each ten shares).

In statement No. 2 it will be noticed that interest is credited
on the margin advanced, also on sales, and the balance of interest,
29 cents, adjusted properly, or 35 cents more in the customer's
favor than would have been accounted for by the broker who ren-
ders statement like form No. 1.

FORM OF A PUT.

For value received the bearer may DELIVER TO ME on one
day's notice, except last day when notice is not required,

.shares of the (common or preferred) stock

of the company, at any time,

within days from date.

All dividends for which Transfer Books close during said

time go with the stock. Expires 190 .

. . . . M. (time of day on this line) Signed

Dec. 31, 1900, Atchison Preferred was selling at 89. "A" is a
broker who does not believe the price* of this stock will be lower
than 86 within 15 days, hence is willing to sell for $85 all the
profit that can be made on 100 shares below 86 within the speci-
fied time. "B" buys the privilege, paying "A" $85 for it. All
he can lose is the $85, no difference how high the stock goes be-
fore the time expires, but his profit will be $100 for each point
below 86 within the 15 days. He can put the 100 shares any
time below 86 at market price, when he is satisfied with the

WALL STREET METHODS.

* - 4

H
C

1-5

rfS

COCO IH^H

8888888

315

: :H HJ i |o
:s s^|
1 H^3|
3 SSSSSw

H _;

tfi d3

pq ^p,,j^.

OOOOO^;

grrrrr,

316 WALL STREET MATTERS.

amount of profit. If he fails to put it within the limited time,
he loses all.

Say the price, after ten days, is 80, he can put it without wait-
ing the other 5 days, as his profit at 80 would be $500, less $85,
which he paid for the privilege. Within the remaining five days
the price may advance again and all his profit would melt away
unless he delivers the 100 shares below 86.

FORM OF A CALL.

For value received the bearer may CALL ON ME on one
day's notice, except last day, when notice is not required,

shares of the (common or preferred) stock

of the company, at any time,

within days from date.

All dividends for which transfer books close during said

time go with the stock. Expires 190 .

. . . . M. Signed

When St. Paul was selling at 125, a broker sold a call for $5
on 100 shares at 137, good for 30 days, believing it was not
within the bounds of a reasonable possibility for that stock to
advance 12 points in 30 days, or higher than it had ever sold
before. Before the expiration of the time the price was 149, or
12 points higher than the call price. The purchaser of the call
made $1,200 for his $5. All he stood to lose was his invest-
ment. The price of St. Paul had to advance over 12 points to
save his $5. To the maker of the call it looked like finding a five-
dollar bill. The price continued to advance in this movement
until it reached 162, without a reaction of any consequence. In a
short time afterward it advanced to 185. We have often heard it
said in silly rhyme, and have repeatedly seen it demonstrated in
distressing reality, that,

" We can never tell from where we sit
How soon our money will ' git up and git. ' "

WALL STREET METHODS. 317

WAYS THAT ARE DARK.

It is a common belief that the regular commission is not the
only source of gain of unscrupulous brokers on the Small Ex-
changes ; in fact, it is believed to be the smallest part of their profit
in a very active market. Our experience leaves no room for doubt
in our mind that such is the case with some of those who handle
the accounts of small speculators.

That which now concerns us is what disposition is made on the
books of the extra rake off or undue profit in this hypothetical
case, otherwise we would not allude to ways that are dark and
tricks peculiar to the unscrupulous. One way to cover such trans-
actions would be a dummy account, that is, an imaginary customer
represented by a fictitious name, or possibly the name of a clerk
to make it appear more realistic and on the level, also easier to
explain in case of an investigation.

Say a customer gives an order to buy 40 shares of Sugar at the
market price, which he observes by the tape is 135. The order is
executed promptly at 135, but before reporting the purchase, the
broker waits to see next quotation, and if it is lower, the customer
gets the Sugar at the actual purchasing price, 135, and is of course,
a loser; if, however, the next quotation to 135 is a fraction higher,
the broker still ivaits to see a few more quotations ; as to how long
he waits will depend upon whether he is dealing with an easy cus-
tomer or a kicker.

By an easy customer we mean one inexperienced in the busi-
ness, who believes that everything is on the level, usually called
a lamb.

A kicker is one who knows the tricks of the trade. He de-
mands immediate action, and will not submit to being gouged for
more than a quarter of a point, whereas an easy customer usually
abides the broker's pleasure and may get a point or more the worst
of it.

Say the price of Sugar advances to 140, and the movement
seems to be over, the broker reports to easy customer 40 shares of

318

WALL STREET MATTERS.

Sugar bought at 136. As he has no way of knowing the price at
which the Sugar was bought, and the fact that he has a profit of
four points, makes the deal very satisfactory and allays all sus-
picion as to being charged one point higher than the market price
when he gave the order to buy, which gives the dummy one point
clear profit.

The dummy would be charged with 40 shares of Sugar at 135,
and credited at 136, the price charged the customer, apparently
making two deals of it. Double dealing of this kind is a ruinous
percentage against speculators, and is probably one of the principal
reasons why the public cannot beat the game. The clerk must be
wide awake and quick to discern as to an easy customer and a
kicker, so as to avoid controversies and expose of little irregulari-
ties of this kind. Do not do business with unscrupulous brokers.

A FORTUNE-TELLER- THE TICKER.

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

It is now in evidence that the books used in a broker's office
are altogether different in design from those used in other lines of
business ; hence, even though one may have spent half of his life-
time handling the books hi all other branches, he could not suc-
cessfully manage a broker's books without the technical knowledge
contained in these pages.

The following forms are those used by New York Stock Ex-
change houses. We believe in meeting the issue squarely and
weighing facts as we find them, but if we were put in charge of
the books in a broker's office we would introduce what we conceive
to be the indispensable Cash Book, which would conserve its part
just as advantageously in this business as it would in any other
kind, at the same time not disturb the usual routine.

We find the ordinary Ledger, Check Book and Journal. The
special books are BLOTTEK, PURCHASE AND SALES, LONG AND
SHORT, MARGIN, BORROWED AND LOANED, CASH LOANS, SECURI-
TIES, STOCK LOANS, DIVIDEND and COUPON.

The Blotter is a general summary of each day's transactions
and includes the cash. It is the main 'book. The others are used
for the purposes indicated by their titles.

Assume that P. A. WRIGHT & Co. (T. P. NOBLE being the
"Co.") begin business as stock brokers Oct. 1, 1901. The profit
or loss to be divided equally. NOBLE invests in cash (represented
by check on his private bank) $10,947.16. WRIGHT invests 500
shares So. Eailway Com., 400 shares N. Y. Central, 10,000 Bonds
(U. S. Gov. 4's).

1st entry is made on the " Deliver " side of Blotter crediting
NOBLE with his check.

320 STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

2d entry is on back of stub of Check Book, charging UNION
BANK with the check $10,947.16.

3d entry appears on the " Receive " side of Blotter, noting se-
curities invested by WRIGHT without regard to prices or extensions.

4th entry on same side of Blotter shows securities deposited
with us by SMITH as margin, also without regard to what they are
worth. See Blotter on page 327. The top of page represents the
" deceive " (or left-hand) side and the bottom of page represents
the " Deliver " (or right-hand) side of Blotter. This gives rise to a
Capital account on the Ledger which is credited $10,947.16 and
Debited (prices and extensions blank) with the Securities belong-
ing to the firm. SMITH'S ledger account would be debited in
blank the same way with his securities. The Bank Ledger account
would be debited with $10,947.16. As a matter of fact this is
the usual way it is done, and we are assured has been in vogue for
twenty years. It is positively wrong in principle, nevertheless, to
debit a man's account with what he has, and if left to our judg-
ment in opening the books we would not follow the prevailing
custom, but we would introduce a way which seems to be un-
known in this business, although in perfect harmony with the
laws that govern the science of accounts.

We would show the market price and extension for each of the
Securities that appear on the "Keceive" side of the Blotter, the
total amount of which we would charge to Securities account in
the Ledger and so name it in the space designed for that purpose
in the Blotter. Then on the " Deliver " side of the Blotter we
would credit WRIGHT with the amount of his part of the securi-
ties, and credit SMITH in the same way with the amount of his as
shown on the " Eeceive " side. We would credit NOBLE in the
Ledger with $10,947.16, and have no Ledger account called Capital
Account.

This would not change the present order of things that are gov-
erned by the rule that all stocks coming in are long and those
going out are short. The fact of making extensions of those on
the " Eeceive " side and crediting the owners thereof with the

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS. 321

amount does not make the stocks short, no more so than when we
extended the St. Paul and U. S. Steel, which we bought for JONES
and SMITH.

However, we give the forms of the usual way, and not, as in
our judgment, would be the correct and better way.

DAILY ROUTINE.

1st. Enter the purchases and sales in the PURCHASE and SALES
BOOK.

2d. Write up LONG and SHORT book.

3d. Write up BLOTTER from PURCHASE and SALES BOOK.

4th. Make Clearing House Sheet from the exchanged tickets
so it will agree with the BLOTTER.

5th. Plan out the day's work, that is, make out a list of stocks
to be borrowed, loaned, or returned, and send it with Stock Loan
book to exchange member for proper attention; borrow money, if
necessary, to meet the requirements of the day, or pay off loans
if funds are sufficient to do so and still have usual balance in
Bank.

6th. Write up SECURITIES BOOK.

7th. Turn the BLOTTER over to the bookkeeper so he can make
his extensions, i.e., commissions and total amounts, after which
he posts the work of the day.

PURCHASE AND SALES BOOK.

The size of this book is 8 x 12 and contains 200 pages or more.
It is a double page book, purchases on page 2 and sales on page 3.

1st entry is 100 shares of St. Paul bought from KRUSE & Co.
@ 156^ for JONES. No extension necessary in this book.

2d entry is 50 shares Union Pacific, bought from VERMILLE
& Co., @ 97 for BROWN.

3d entry is 500 shares U. S. Steel, bought from FLOHR &
Co., @ 53 J for SMITH.

4th entry is 100 shares Pacific Mail, sold to PORTER & Co.,

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

@ 42-J for ADAMS. This order was executed for us by another
broker (MILLER), whose name appears on the left, for which he
gets $2.00, that being the regular rate ($2.00 per 100 shares)
brokers charge one another. Miller would send in his bill at the
end of the month, which we would pay and charge to Commis-
sion account.

BOUGHT, Oct. 2d, 1901.

Broker.

No. Shares.

Stock.

From

Price.

Account.

100
50
500

St Paul

Kruse

156M
97
53^

Jones.
Brown.

Smith.

Un. Pacific . . .

Vermille. . .

U. S. Steel

Flohr

SOLD, Oct. 8d, 1901.

Broke

No. Shares.

Stock.

Price.

Account.

Miller...

100

Pacific Mail

Porter

43^

Adams.

LONG AND SHORT BOOK.

This book is uniform in size with PURCHASE and SALES, but of
different design. The entries are made with lead pencil because
they are subject to many changes. The first half of this book is for
the stocks most popular with and dealt in by our customers, alpha-
betically arranged with several pages for each stock. On the left
side of the dividing line, on St. Paul page, is entered "100
Jones," that being the number of shares bought for his account,
which also explains the entries on pages for Union Pacific and
U. S. Steel.

On the right of the dividing line, on page for Pacific Mail, is
entered "100 Adams," that being the number of shares sold for
his account. When these deals are all closed by selling the long
stock and covering the short, the entries are erased.

In the other half of this book, on page indexed "A" we find

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

323

ADAMS on the right of the dividing line is entered "100 JPacific
Mail," being the sale made for his account. Any other sales made
for him would be entered immediately under on the next line or
lines.

On page indexed "S" we find SMITH, and on the left of the
dividing line is entered "500 U. S. Steel," being the number of
shares of that stock bought for his account. Any other purchases
made for him would follow in regular order under first entry,
which will also explain entries on pages indexed " B " and " J. "
As to how many pages would be left for each Customer will de-
pend upon whether he is an active operator or an occasional
dealer. When the deals are closed out for either stock, the entry
is erased for that particular stock, and those not erased on the left
would show long stocks still held, and on the right it would show
the shorts still out.

A
ADAMS.

100 Pacific Mail.

BROWN.

50 Un. Pacific.

JONES.

100 St. Paul.

SMITH.

500 U. S. Steel.

324 STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

LONG AND SHORT BOOK. (CONTINUED.)

PACIFIC MAIL.

100 Adams.

100 Jones.

50 Brown.

500 Smith.

ST. PAUL.

UNION PACIFIC.

U. S. STEEL.

BLOTTER.

This is a general summary of each day's business, and is the
all-important book of the specials. It contains 300 pages, 14 x
17, nearly square in dimensions. Two are required, one for Mon-
days, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the other for the alternate days,
so that the bookkeeper can use one while the other is in use by
the Cashier.

1st entry Oct. 2, 1901, is on the right, or "To Deliver" side,
and shows balance in Union Bank.

2d and 3d, on same side, are for checks received as margin
from JONES and BROWN.

4th is on the left, or "Receive" side, and is for 100 shares of
St. Paul, bought from KRUSE, @ 156J = $15,625, for JONES.
This part of the entry is made by the Cashier, and the balance is
made later by the bookkeeper.

5th, on the same side, is 500 shares U. S. Steel, bought from
FLOHR, @ 53 = $26,750, for SMITH.

6th is on the right and is for 100 shares of Pacific Mail sold
to PORTER @ 42-J = $4,212.50, for ADAMS. This part of entry
only is made by Cashier, the balance is made later by Bookkeeper.
As we did not have the 100 Pacific Mail, we borrowed it of
SELIG, @ 43 = $4,300, which required

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS. 325

7th entry on the left, and is posted later at the debit of Bor-
rowed and Loan account.

As a matter of courtesy we executed ADAMS' order before we
received his margin. If it was not forthcoming the following day,
we would call for it in short order, although we know him to be
good for his contracts. If he failed to respond promptly, we would
close out the deal at once for self-protection and hold him for the
difference. Brokers have great respect for nature's first law self-
preservation or self-interest.

8th entry is made in the Borrowed and Loan book and ex-
plains itself.

9th is on the left side of the Blotter, and is for 50 shares of
Union Pacific, bought from VERMILLE & Co. @ 97 = $4,850, for
BROWN.

At this stage of the day's work the Cashier begins to size up the
situation, to see if he will have ample means to meet his obliga-
tions. The firm's commitments amount to $51,525. See footing
of amount column on the "Receive " side ; and all there is in sight
to take care of them is $15,959.66. See footing of amount col-
umn on the " Deliver " Side.

It becomes necessary, therefore, to borrow enough money to
cover the deficiency and still maintain the average balance in
Bank ; hence he negotiates a loan with THE POWHATTAN TRUST
Co. for $45,000 @ 5$, which requires

10th entry, and is on the "Deliver" side, and the llth entry,
which appears in the Cash-Loans book. He makes his Deposit.
See stub of check book. He then balances and closes his part of
the Blotter for the day and turns it over to the bookkeeper, who
calculates the commission and makes the extension into the Total
Amount column on both sides. He aggregates the commission on
both sides, making $93.75, and the Kevenue stamps $2.00, which
he enters on the "Deliver" side in the Total Amount column,
then balances and closes his part of the Blotter. The extension
in commission column, $14.50 on the "Deliver" side, includes
$2.00 Revenue, which in summarizing appears separately. His

326 STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

balance must agree with the Cashier's balance. He then posts
the work of the day. The entries in Total Amount column on
the "Deliver " side are carried to the credit side of the Ledger ac-
counts named in the Account space on that side, and those on the
" Receive " side are carried to the debit side of the Ledger accounts
named in the similar space on that side of the Blotter.

Before the Cashier turns the Blotter over to the bookkeeper,
however, he makes an abstract from Blotter which he compares
with the Clearing House Sheet, and which must agree with it;
hence is a check on the correctness of the latter, which is made
by a junior clerk.

As the abbreviations for some of the stocks are very much alike
when carelessly written, a small rubber stamp is required by the
Clearing House to be used for certain stocks on the clearing sheet.

The necessity for this great precaution is due to the fact that
the Clearing House authorities impose a fine of $5.00 for each and
every error in the sheet.

The 50 shares of Union Pacific does not appear on the Clearing
sheet owing to the fact that the Clearing House does not recognize
deals for less than 100 shares. On both sides of Blotter we notice
P. 0. (Paired Off), which signifies that the 100 Pacific Mail is a
stand off as far as delivery is concerned.

STOCK BECKERS' BOOKS.

327

of
Dol

S I S

Numbers.

s s

S |

s s

1 I

To Whom Sold.

IN,

i i

328

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

S JSS

1 s
ell

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS. 329

After business closes on the Exchange, our clerk fills out the
Deliver tickets which the Clearing House furnishes in blank form,
3X7, printed in red ink, like

EXHIBIT A.

N Q 39 New York 190..

CLEARING-HOUSE OF THE (E^) EXCHANGE,
DELIVER TO..

share*.,

for account of the undersigned.

which he delivers to the brokers who bought stock of us during
the day, and receives in exchange a Eeceive ticket, which is also
furnished by Clearing House, in blank form, 3x7 canary-colored
paper, black print, like

EXHIBIT B.

N O 39 New Forfc, 190.

CLEARING-HOUSE OF THE (ExcK) EXCHANGE,

RECEIVE FROM

shares @

for account of the undersigned.

The reason for having different colors is to identify quickly and
facilitate assorting the matter.

The seller is the one who effects the exchange of tickets. The
time for delivery of stocks is 2 : 15 P.M. sharp. In case one fails
to be on time, and others cannot deliver for him, we have the
right to buy the stocks of another broker and hold the delinquent
broker for the difference.

As a matter of fact we did not receive from KRUSE & Co. the

330

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

100 St. Paul bought of them, nor did we receive the 500 Steel
bought of FLOHR & Co. direct from them, but we were informed
by the Clearing House that KUNE, Low & Co. would deliver the
former and VAN SLACK & Co. would deliver the latter, which facts
are noted on the Blotter in the space headed "Number " which
would also show the number of the certificates.

It is obvious, therefore, that we do not necessarily receive from
those from whom we buy, as the Clearing House people can match
the orders to suit their own convenience, it being immaterial to
us who delivers the stocks so long as we get them ; but if it came
to an issue of demanding the stocks, we hold the brokers from
whom we bought, as in the case of a stock that is Cornered.

The Clearing Sheet must be made at the price established by
the Clearing House (in whole numbers) at the close of the day,
which the tape indicates following last bid and asked and high

and low.

EXHIBIT C.

This is the form of ticket we fill out for stocks to be received
from others than those from whom we bought. This form is fur-
nished by the Clearing House and is the only kind brokers are
permitted to use. It is 3^ X 5^ canary-colored paper, black print.

CLEARING-HOUSE OF THE (&M.) EXCHANGE.

THE UNDERSIGNED

WILL nLUhlVL FOLLOWING DnLANllL OF STOCK AT
THE DELIVERY PRICE.

SHARES.

STOCKS.

RECEIVE FROM

100

St. P.
@ 157

Kune, Low & Co.

DATE
Oct. , 1901. NAME P. A. WRIGHT & CO. No 39

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

331

EXHIBIT D.

In case we have to deliver stocks we would fill out form, 3-^ X
5, red print, like this, which is also furnished by the Clearing
House.

CLEARING-HOUSE OF THE (^g&V EXCHANGE.

THE UNDERSIGNED

WILL UhLlvLn FOLLOWING BALnNlt. OF STOCK AT
THE DELIVERY PRICE.

SHARES.

STOCK.

DELIVER TO

DATE
NAME .. NO

EXHIBIT E.

This is the form of draft (usually tinted paper, to guard against
erasures; size, 3 X 8-J-) we make on the POWHATTAN Co., which
we assume is the Clearing House's depository, for balance due us
according to Clearing Sheet.

W 3! > tf<> Yrk 0cL2 1^01

Clearing -House
of the
(Name) Exchange
Approved.

^otoJjattan Company

Pay to the order of the undersigned
Two hundred and thirty -seven J)nljnf9

as advised this day by the Clearing-House of the (Name) Exchange.

Manager.

$23750_ p, A. WRIGHT & CO.

332 STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

CLEARING HOUSE SHEET.

These sheets are furnished by the Clearing House in blank form
like the following. The Clearing House assigns a number to each
patron. Our number, being 39, appears on this sheet, also on
other forms and books as will be noticed.

The price of St. Paul 156J and U. S. Steel 53 on the Receive
side of Clearing Sheet is the price at which we bought in each
case, and on the Deliver side the price of the former is 157 and
of the latter 54, which is the Clearing prices for each.

On the Deliver side of Sheet the price of Pacific Mail is 42-J-, at
which we sold 100 shares, but it advanced during the day and
closed at 43, which coincides with the Clearing House price and
appears on the Receive side for the 100 shares. This form is also
furnished by Clearing House.

A copy of each of the foregoing Exhibits (A, B, C, and E) must
be attached to Clearing Sheet before submitting it. Two tickets
like Exhibit C are required in this case, as we are to receive two
lots of stocks. We had no stocks to deliver on this date, hence
no ticket D would be attached.

The business of one day is cleared on the following day.

D Q
X *

u o

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

_g _ii_

=*:
='

333

I SP

8 88 8

^ss fe a

S83

334 STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

BORROWED AND LOANED BOOK.

This is also a double -page book uniform in size with the others.
On the left, or page 2, "Borrowing," and on the right, or page 3,
"Loaning."

BORROWING.

Date.

No. of Shares.

Stock.

Rate.

Price.

Amount.

Returned.

1901.
Oct.

100

Pacific Mail

$43

$4,300

LOANING.

Date.

No. of Shares.

Stock.

Rate.

Price.

Amount.

Returned.

CASH LOANS BOOK.

This book is also uniform in size with the others and contains
250 pages or more. The page is headed with the name of the
company from whom we borrow, the amount borrowed and the rate
of interest. The date on the extreme left, beneath follows the
number of shares of each stock hypothecated or put up as security,
also the number of each certificate.

Oct. 2, 1901. Powhattan Trust Co., 5$, $45,000.
100 St. Paul (Numbers).
500 Steel (Numbers).
50 Union Pacific (Numbers).
300 So. Railway (Numbers) .

SECURITIES BOOK.

This book is also uniform in size with the others and needs to
have only about 100 pages.

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

335

At the close of each day we show list of securities on hand,
which must be verified by the contents of our strong box, where
they are under lock and key. One member of the firm usually
attends to this matter of verification, thereby forestalling pecula-
tion of a dishonest cashier.

On closing the business for Oct. 2d we make another summary.

It will be noticed that the only change is in Southern Railway,
300 shares of which was used in negotiating loan with Powhat-
tan Trust Co., and appears in the CASH LOANS book with those
acquired during the day.

SECURITIES ON HAND, Oct. 1, 1901.

500 So. Railway.

10 m U. S. Gov. 4s.
450 N. Y. Central.

25 So. Pacific.

100 Jones.

Oct. 2, 1901.
ST. PAUL.

100 Cash Loan.

STEEL COMPANY.
500 Smith. 500 Cash Loan.

PACIFIC MAIL.
100 B. & L. 100 Adams.

UNION PACIFIC.
50 Brown. 50 Cash Loan.

SOUTHERN RAILWAY COMMON.
500 on hand. 300 Cash Loan.

500

200 Over.
500

SECURITIES ON HAND, Oct. 2, 1901.

10 m U. S. Gov. 4s.
450 N. Y. Central.

25 So. Pacific.
200 So. Railway Com.

When one side of the line is full we continue on the other siox

336 STOCK BROKEKS' BOOKS.

MARGIN BOOK.

This need not be a book, as a large silicon slate with, many
pages would answer the purpose. In case a book is used, the en-
tries would be made with a pencil, as they would be subject to
many changes during the day, when market is very active.

First entry on the right of the page would be the amount of
Margin the customer has. The next entry would show the stocks
bought or sold and the price, extensions being unnecessary.

JONES.

Margin, 500.
100 St. Paul, @ 156*.

As St. Paul advanced to 157 during the day, no change is nec-
essary in the margin, which can easily be seen remains intact.
All that is necessary is to watch the fluctuations in the price of
St. Paul, and in case it declines three or four points, more margins
would be required, as each point declined below 15 6 J would re-
duce his margin $100.

STOCK LOANS BOOK.

This is a small pocket memorandum sent over to the broker on
the floor of the Exchange in case we wish to borrow or lend stocks.
The figures at the head of the small spaces indicate the date bor-
rowed and the figures in the spaces are the interest rates for that
day. On Monday we borrow for Tuesday, and so on to Saturday,
when we borrow for Monday. No borrowing on Friday.

BORROWING. LOANING.

OCTOBER 12345

100

Pacific M.

Selig. 3

EXHIBIT F.

The following form and matter would be printed on a large
envelope, 4 X 10, in which would be enclosed the securities we

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS. 337

put up when negotiating a loan, which must be verified and
would be held until we paid off the loan and then returned te-4ia.

DEMAND LOAN.

P. A. WRIGHT & CO.
Borrow from . . . .???$^?..73!** .9:

/"/>+ g>

IQOI

amount.

....... ...rate.

100

500

300

St. Paul.
Steel.

Union Pacific.
So. Pacific.

COUPONS AND DIVIDENDS BOOK.

This is a small blank book without ruling in which would be
kept a list of dividend-paying stocks that our customers deal in.
It will show the date the dividends are payable, also the amount.

One half of this book will show the same facts in relation to
Coupons. When either or both are received, and all belong to
one customer, his account would be credited the day received on
the " Deliver " side of the Blotter. If either or both belong to
several customers, the amount of either would be credited to Divi-
dend or Coupon account, as the case may be, in lump sum, and
distributed among the customers' accounts through the Journal*
charging Dividend (or Coupon) account, and crediting each custo-
mer with his part of either or both. Coupons can be deposited!
same as a check.

JOURNAL.

This is an ordinary two-column book like the one on page 82.
Nothing has occurred thus far in this business that requires a
Journal entry.

338

Dr.

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

LEDGER.
CAPITAL ACCOUNT.

Or.

1901.
Oct.

500 So. Railway...

1901.
Oct

T P Noble

$10 947

400 N. Y. Central.
10m u. S. Gov. 4s.

UNION BANK.

Or.

1901.
Oct.

Balance

$10,947

1901.
Oct.

Sundries

$10,947

9,434

JOHN SMITH.

Cr.

1901.

Oct.

50 N. Y. Central.

25 So. Pacific. . . .

500 U.S. Steel....

53^

$26,812

J. JONES.

Cr.

1901.
Oct

100 St Paul

156J4

$15,637

1901.
Oct.

Check

$500

W. BROWN.

Or.

1901.
Oft

50 Union Pacific

$4856

1901.
Oct

Check

$300

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

339

LEDGER.

Dr. JOHN ADAMS. Cr.

1901.
Oct.

100 Pacific Mail...

42^

$4,198

Dr.

BORROWED AND LOAN.

Cr.

1901.
Oct.

100 Pac. M. Selig.

$4,300

Dr.

CASH LOAN.

Or.

1901.
Oct.

Loan Pow. T. Co.

$45,000

<K)

Dr. COMMISSION. Cr.

1901.
Oct.

Sundries

$93

Dr. INTERNAL REVENUE. Cr.

1901.
Oct.

Sundries

340

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

CHECK BOOK.

Filling out checks is an easy formality, hence the check part of
the book is omitted here. All we need for present purpose is the
stub. On the left of the dividing line is the entry of deposit on
back of stub, and on the right are the entries for checks issued.

CHECK BOOK.

DEPOSITS.

CHECKS DRAWN.

Oct. 1 P. A. Wright $10,947.16

" 2 Jones $500

Smith 300

Pow. Trust 45,000

C. H. Dft 237.50 46,OC7.50

$56,984.66

Oct. 2 Kune, Low & Co.

100 St. Paul $15,700

Van Slack & Co.

500 Steel Com 27,000

Vermille & Co.

50 Un. Pacific 4,850

$47,550

STATEMENTS.

New York Stock Exchange firms render monthly statements
like form No. 2 on page 315. Form No. 1 is peculiar to some of
the firms on the Consolidated Exchange. The former charges in-
terest for every day, that is, deals closed during the week bear
interest for each day until closed. The Consolidated Exchange
brokers charge interest only when long stocks are carried over
Sunday, but they charge for full week. In case a deal is made on
Monday and closed on Saturday or any other day of that week no
interest is charged, but if made on Saturday or any other day and
closed the following Monday it bears interest at the prevailing
rate for one week.

No interest is credited on the short sales while the stock is
carried, as that part of interest is a legitimate perquisite of the
broker, but in space for days appears the word flat. When the
deal is closed, the customer is entitled to interest on the amount
from the date closed to end of the month, or time of rendering his
statement.

STOCK BECKERS' BOOKS. 341

CONTINGENT POINTS.

If we sell any of the Securities which had been previously hy-
pothecated in negotiating loans, it becomes necessary to withdraw
them and substitute others of equal value ; this proceedure is called
" making substitutions. "

Suppose, for instance, that we borrowed $50,000 @ Q% from
New York Bank, Oct. 6, 1901, giving as collateral

500 Un. Pacific @ 96,

100 Anaconda @ 34,

100 So. Pacific @ 56,

100 So. Eailway @ 32.

We subsequently sell the 100 Anaconda and 100 So. Pacific
and issue a substitution form, 5J X 8^, like

EXHIBIT Gr.

P. A. WRIGHT & CO.,

148 WEST 14TH STREET.

New York, 190

To..

Loan ,

We wish to icitfidrqw the following securities :

and substitute in place thereof

Respectfully,

P. A. WRIGHT & CO.
Per...

Calling in these stocks of N. Y. Bank, and at bottom of same
form we name the stocks that we desire to substitute, say 100
Sugar @ 114. The Anaconda and So. Pacific are put in at value

342 STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

of $9,000, but the Sugar has a valuation of $11,400, hence strength-
ens the loan $2,400, which gives us more than the required 20$
margin. When we make another substitution, therefore, we can
withdraw $2,400 more than we put in at that time. The above
changes are noted in the Cash Loan book by drawing red line
through Anaconda and So. Pacific, writing on the left, "With-
drawn Oct. 7, 1901," and at the bottom of first list we add 100
Sugar @ 114, writing on the left, "Put in Oct. 7, 1901." When
the loan is eventually paid off, the list of securities will of course
be entirely different from the one showing those originally pledged.

When the market breaks or advances sharply, it is then a case
when borrowed or loaned stocks have to " marker to the market,"
as it is called. It is a Cashier's duty to keep a close watch of
prevailing quotations.

If he had borrowed 100 Pacific M. @ 43 and it declines to 38,
he must call upon the party from whom he borrowed to pay the
difference, $500.

If it reacts, he 'can be called upon to refund the difference be-
tween 38 and the present price. In case of a mark down or mark
up the entries on the BLOTTER would be the following (those on
the " Deliver " side in these cases are counter to those first made
on the " Keceive " side when we borrowed the stock in other
words, practically cancels first entries ; and the entries here on the
" Eeceive " side are the same as if new transactions at reduced
price in first instance and advanced price in the second instance) :

MARKING DOWN.

To RECEIVE.

Kruse, 100 PC. M., 38, 3,800, B. & L.

To DELIVER.
Kruse, 100 PC. M., 43, 4,300, B, & L.

Interest.

MARKING UP.

To RECEIVE.

Kruse, 100 PC. M., 47, 4,700, B. & L.

To DELIVER.

Kruse, 100 PC. M., 43, 4,300, B. & L.
Interest.

In these transactions checks for differences only are passed.
When marked up we issue check for $400 less the interest due us;

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

343

but if marking down is the order we receive check for $500 plus
the interest, due us. We would then mark off the old loan jn
" return " space in Borrowed and Loan book and enter new loan
therein, observing date in both cases.

WHEN THE MARKET BREAKS.

In case of a violent break Cash Loans must be re-margined to
maintain the required 20^, hence we hand in the additional mar-
gin without waiting to be called upon for it, thereby keeping our
reputation good with the lenders. It devolves upon the Cashier
to attend to such matters. He fills out form 5| X 8-J like

EXHIBIT H.

P. A. WRIGHT & CO.,

148 WET 14TH STREET.

New York, 190

Herewith we hand you additional margin account of our

loan dated, ,

P. A. WRIGHT & CO.

New York 190

deceived of P. A. WEIGHT & CO., additional margin account
of our loan dated,

DIVIDENDS.

When the books are closed for dividend purposes, the stocks
should be transferred, which deprives the firm of their use for 24

344 STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS.

hours, the time required by transfer office. Small concerns can-
not afford to do this, hence they call upon the party in whose
name the stock stands for a due bill for the dividend, like

EXHIBIT I.

3i X 7. Printed with large primer type, black ink.

New York, I

Due

or order, the Dividend declared by the

I , on Shares

of their Stock, payable when collected of the Company.

A collection charge of \% is usually exacted by the party that
Issues due bill, for his trouble, which is charged to Collection ac-
count.

Buying ten Government Bonds is equivalent to buying 100
shares of stocks, but the commission is only half as much on
Bonds. (Jg = $6.25 on 10 Bonds and -J- = $12.50 on 100 shares.)

EXHIBIT J.

When we desire to pay off loan or return borrowed stocks, we
submit the following form, 3^- X 8, properly filled out.

New York, 190

We will to-day

P. A. WRIGHT & CO.

STOCK BROKERS' BOOKS. 345

BUYER THREE DAYS.

Some transactions are made on the floor of the Exchange "at 3
days," which means the buyer has three days of grace in paying
for the stock.

For instance, we buy 200 shares of St. Paul on the 4th @ 154.
Instead of putting the deal through our books on the 5th we hold
it over until the 7th, thereby saving two days' interest to ourselves
and customer. The reason for these transactions is that the seller
is not willing to offer his stock -J- below prevailing price, but rather
than lose the sale he is willing to allow the extra three days in
paying for the stock.

This deal would appear on the tape as 200 St. P., 154, 3.

STOCK CERTIFICATES.

Certificates are made out with the name of the party to whom
issued on the face of them.

When they are to be carried as margin, however, it is cus-
tomary for them to be made out in the broker's name, so that he
may not lose control of them.

They must be endorsed on the back exactly as the name is
written on the face, witnessed, and dated.

If the certificate is made in the name of another party than a
broker, it is necessary to have a broker endorse it to make a good
loan.

Certificates in a woman's name are acceptable as collateral for
loans with a Stock Exchange name on them, but would not be
accepted as a regular delivery if sold. The stock must be trans-
ferred to a man's name, usually the name of the broker who offi-
ciates in the matter.

Certificates for 100 shares or less require a 2 5 -cent revenue
stamp, which must be cancelled with initials and date.

346 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

THE APPENDIX.

After reading the foregoing pages carefully, it will be an easy
matter to find answers to the following questions, as the
figures in parentheses on the right of each question indicate the
page on which the answer thereto is located, at least in sub-
stance, if not in so many words:

1. What is bookkeeping in its simplest sense? (23) 2.
What is an account ? (17) 3. What is meant by opening an
account ? (20) 4. What is meant by on account ? (20) 5. What
is an entry ? (19) 6. What is a double-entry ? (19) 7. Upon
what great principle is double-entry founded ? (29) 8. How
many classes of accounts have we ? (28) 9. Name them ? (28)
10. What is the difference between representative and specu-
lative accounts ? (28) 11. What do you understand by a tan-
gible existence ? (28) 12. What do you understand by a nomi-
nal existence? (28) 13. What are personal accounts? (28)
14. What are speculative'accounts ? (29) 15. What are repre-
sentative accounts ? (29) 16. What does the debit balance in
Personal and Eepresentative accounts represent? (28) 17.
What does the credit balance in these accounts represent?
(28) 18. What does the debit balance in speculative accounts
represent? (28) 19. What does the credit balance in specu-
lative accounts represent ? (28) 20. What is meant by Bal-
ance ? (18) 21. What is meant by the phrase To Balance
account ? (21) 22. What is meant by the phrase close account ?
(18) 23. What is the difference between the two phrases
balance account and close account ? See definition of each phrase.
24. What are the duties of an Entry Clerk ? (19), Bill Clerk ?
(18), Shipping Clerk ? (21), and Call Clerk ? (18) 25. What
is the first thing to be done upon assuming charge of a set of
books as a successor ? (26) 26. What is the next thing in or-
der ? (26) 27. If you find your cash does not agree with

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 347

Cash-book, what would you do? (27) 28. Why not learn
what accounts are open on the Ledger from the Index, wTiefe
they are alphabetically arranged, instead of the Ledger?
(27) 29. If, upon making out your Trial Balance, it does not
agree, what would be your conclusion after assuring yourself
your work was correct ? Ans. That the error originated in
some previous month. 30. What would you do in that case ?
Ans. Get the Trial Balance for the last month and prove
it, if possible. If not, then report the fact to the proprietor of the
books. 31. How many rules have we governing debits and
credits ? (29) 32. Repeat those governing debits (29) and those
governing credits. (29) 33. What is the first law of double-
entry ? (29) 34. Repeat the rules affecting Personal accounts
^29), also Representative (29) and Speculative accounts. (29)
35. What is double-entry book-keeping ? (30) 36. What are
the conditions under which Personal accounts are debited
(30), also those under which they are credited? (30) 37.
What other signs have we for debits and credits besides the
eight short rules and the conditions above alluded to? (30)
38. What is the usual acceptation of the meaning of the word
Journalizing ? (7) 39. What is our acceptation of its meaning ?
(20) In what do the principles of Journalizing consist ? (31)
40. How many accounts must necessarily be affected by every
Journal entry ? (31) 41. How many forms of Journal entries
have we? (31) 42. What do you understand by the con-
struction of an entry ? (31) 43. State how many accounts enter
into the first form, and give the construction thereof . (31)
44. State what constitutes each of the other forms, and give
the construction of each. (32) 45. How many contingencies
are to be considered in making Journal entries ? (31) What
are they ? (31) 46. What class of accounts would you dispose
of first in determining whether they are to be debited or credi-
ted? (31) 47. What class is next disposed of? (31) 48.
What do you understand by Sundries ? (21) 49. Does Sun-
dries as a figure-head ever appear on a line by itself in Jour-
nal entries ? (33) 50. What feature is peculiar to all Journal
entries? (33) 51. Would it be proper to write Mdse. Dr. to

34:8 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Sills Payable all on one line ? (33) 52. Name the four princi-
pal books ? (41) 53. Name the auxiliaries as given herein \ (41)
54. When would other auxiliaries be introduced ? (41) 55.
What do you understand by original entry ? 56. What are the
books of original entry? (41) 57. What does posting mean?
(20) 58. When could we keep all our records on one book ?
(41) 59. When would it be impossible to do so ? (41) 60.
What facts must a book-keeper be furnished with to enable
him to open a set of books properly ? (42) 61. In what book
or books would he make first entry or entries? (42) 62.
What accounts usually appear first in the Ledger ? (43) 63.
What is the first step preparatory to closing the Ledger, to
find out if we have made or lost money ? (43) 64. What class
of accounts are closed first ? (43) 65. Is it necessary to make
Jouanal entries to close them ? (44) 66. How are they closed ?
(43 & 44) 67. Into what account is Profit and Loss account
closed when the partners have both personal and stock ac-
ounts ? (44) 68. What do you understand by Resources (21).
also Liabilities? (20) 69. If Resources are greater than Lia-
bilities, what will the excess represent ? (45) 70. What proof
have we that this difference is correct ? (45) 71. If the liabil-
ities are greater than Resources, what will the difference
show ? (45) 72. What does it mean in a single word ? (20)
73. What class of accounts are reopened at the beginning of a
new season ? (45) 74. How are they reopened ? (45) 75. If
the Ledger will not last another season, what disposition is
made of the balance in those accounts to be reopened ? (45)
76. After using more than one Ledger, or in fact any other
book, how can you tell to which book the folio references
apply ? (45) 77. In opening a new Ledger, where would you
get the names of accounts to appear therein ? (46) 78. By
what system are Bank book-keepers enabled to refer to their
accounts without use of the index ? (46) 79. What is the
first step necessary in changing single into double-entry?
(46) 80. What is the next step in that direction ? (46) 81.
How would you ascertain by single-entry books what the
profits or losses of the business were ? (47) 82. What is a

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 349

Trial Balance ? (21) 83. What is the two-fold object of a
Trial Balance ? (47) 84. What is the usual form of a Trial
Balance ? (47) 85. When would & four-column Trial Balance
be advantageous ? Ans. In a large business where there are
many transactions every month, and many operations that would
have to be examined, in the event an error is made. 86. When
would the first form of Trial Balance serve the purpose best ?
Ans. In a small business in which but little time would be
required to locate any error that might exist. 87. When is it
proper to use red ink ? (50 & 51.) 88. What do you under-
stand by seeing a double red line under figures ? (51) 89.
What does capital account represent ? (105) 90. Is it neces^
sary to keep the partners' personal and their capital account
under different headings ? (105) 91. When they are so kept,
how is the personal account closed ? (105) 92. What does per-
sonal account represent ? (105) 93. What does Cash repre-
sent? (18) 94. What does the debit side of the Cash-book
show ? (51) 95. W T hat does the credit side of the Cash-book
show ? (51) 96. Which side must be the greater, if there is
any difference? 97. What does the difference show? (18)
98. Do the discount items on either side of the Cash-book
affect the Cash in any way ? Ans. Not as they are introduced
in our Miniature Cosh-book.

Many experienced book-keepers, hoivever, reverse the columns ;
that is, for discounts allowed by our firm they enter in discount
column on credit side of C. B., and the discounts we make they
enter in discount column on debit side, whereby the discount be-
comes part of the Cash. For example, let us suppose a customer
owes us $150, which he pays in cash less 6 per cent ($9.00) or $141
net : it would be entered as $150 on debit side of Cash ; and on
the credit side, Discount would be charged with $9.00, the net re-
sult being $141 in favor of debit side, or the actual amount Cash
received. If ive paid a bill less discount, the full amount of the
bill would be entered on credit side of Cash as though it was paid
in full, and the discount would be credited by entering it on debit
side of Cash in the discount column, as though that much had been
refunded.

350 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

This manner of keeping the discount columns falsifies our whole
Cash record, showing that ice receive and pay out hundreds of
dollars that ive never handle, although the cash ivill prove and the
net result be correct.

99. Is it necessary to keep & petty cash book ? (53) 100. How
can it be avoided ? (53) 101. When a petty cash book is kept
what does the difference between the two sides represent ? (53)
102. How often should the Cash-book be proved ? (54) 103.
What is the nature of the individual amounts on the Sales-
book are they debits or credits ? (54) 104. Where do you
get the counter" entry for the individual amounts on the S. B.
so as to have a double-entry ? (54) 105. Is it proper to render
a bill before making the entry on Sales-book ? (54) 106.
What is the official name of the clerk who makes the entry in
Sales-book 2 (19) . 107. Is it necessary to add the columns in
the Journal ? Ans. Not unless there are special columns, when
it would be necessary to add every column to prove their correct-
ness. 108. What would likely be the result of making entries
in the Ledger first ? (55) 109. How would you find out how
much any one owes us or how much we owe any one else 2
(55) 110. How often is the Ledger closed ? (55 <fc 56) 111.
What is meant by a season ? (55) 112. Is it proper to close
Ledger accounts when they balance by a concurrence of regu-
lar entries, or at bottom of the page when it becomes necessary
to transfer them to another page ? (56) 113. What is the
advantage in carrying the footing of each account to the close
of the season ? (56) 114. How many groups of perpendicular
red lines are there on a Ledger page ? (56) 115. What con-
stitutes each group ? (56) 116. What is the object of the
oblique red line on any book ? (57) 117. Is it necessary to
keep a bank account on the Ledger? (57) 118. Where do
we keep a record of all transactions with the bank ? (57)
119. Is it necessary to enter upon the stub of Check-book the
name of each check constituting the deposit ? (57) Why ?
(57) 120. Why deduct every check as soon as drawn, and
not wait until all the checks on that sheet are used, or pos-
sibly until the end of the day, as many do, and deduct the

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 351

total ? (57) 121. What facts should the stub from which each
check is detached show ? (57) 122. Why is it necessary to
enter the facts thereon before filling out the check ? 123.
What is the object of making a check payable to Bearer, Cash,
or Currency ? Ans. So that any one presenting it can get the,
money without being subjected to the inconvenience of identification.
124. If such a check is lost, how would you prevent its pay-
ment to the finder ? (58) 125. What is the object of having
a check certified ? Ans. To assure the party to ivhose order
it is payable that the money will be held for him by the bank.
126. If you decide not to use the check after certification, what
would you do with it ; if you destroyed it you could not claim
the amount it represented, nor could anybody else, without
trouble ? (58) 127. Is it not necessary to take the bank's
receipt for money deposited therein ? (58) 128. What book
is used for that purpose ? (58) 129. How often should the
Pass-book be balanced ? (58) 130. Will our balance in bank
as indicated by our Check-book agree with the actual balance
at our credit in bank as indicated by Pass-book ? (58) 131.
Which would likely be the greater, and why ? (58) 132. What
would you do with the Vouchers returned you by the bank ?
Ans. File them away for reference. 133. Is it necessary to
require a receipt for payments by check ? Why ? (60)
134. What do you understand by Vouchers ? (58) 135. What
does Bills Payable represent? (18) 136. What does the
credit side of Bills Payable account show? (109) Also the
debit side? (109) 137. Which side must be the greater, if
there is any difference? Why? (109) 138. What will the
difference represent? (109) 139. What facts should Bills-
Payable-book show? (60) 140. What superfluous columns
are usually found on ready-made Bills-Payable-books ? (60)
141. What is meant by Bills Eeceivable ? (18) 142. What
does the debit side of Bills Keceivable account show ? (107)
Also the credit side ? (107) 143. Which side must be the
greater, if there is a difference? Why? (107) 144. What does
the difference in Bills Receivable account represent ? (107)
145. What facts should Bills-Eeceivable-book set forth ? (61)

352 BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

146. In what particular does the Bills-Keceivable-book differ
from Bills Payable? (61) 147. What proof have we that
our Bills-Keceivable-book or account is correct? (61) 148.
What is meant by Accounts Receivable ? (17) 149. What is the
difference between Sills Receivable and Accounts Receivable ? (17
& 18) 150. Why is it to our advantage to get our Accounts
Keceivable converted into Bills Receivable ? (109) 151. Under
what date would you make entries in the Accounts-Receivable-
book, date of purchase or date of maturity ? (62) 152. What
do you understand by Accounts Payable ? (17) 153. What is
the difference between Bills Payable and Accounts Payable ?
(17 & 18) 154. What do you understand by the phrase on
file or filing papers ? (62) 155. When would an Invoice-book
be convenient ? (62) 156. Why would you require employes
to accept their dues weekly or periodically? (110) 157. If
you desire to draw on a customer, why correspond with
some bank in the town where he is located instead of
drawing through your own bank ? (108) 158. What record is
kept of drafts before they are paid? Ans. None but the
stub of draft-book, which should show date of draft, time to run,
to whom it was sent for collection, on ivhom it tvas draivn, and
the amount. 159. What is meant by Inventory ? (19) 160.
Should the Inventory show cost price, selling price, or present
valuation ? (19) 161. What is the operation of preparing an
inventory technically called ? (21) 162. What does the debit
side of our customers' account show (107), also the credit side
(107), and the difference which might be in favor of either side,
but most likely in favor of debit ? (107) 163. What does the
credit side of the account of those from whom we buy show
(107), also the debit side (107), and the difference? (107)
164. What does Merchandise represent ? (20) 165. What does
the debit side of Mdse. account show (106), also the credit
side ? (106) 166. What will the difference show before credit-
ing the inventory ? (106) 167. What will the difference show
after crediting the inventory? (106) 168. What becomes of
the difference upon closing the Ledger ? (43) 169. What be-
comes of the inventory ? (106) 170. Why would it be imprac-

A COMMON-SENSE VIEW OF BOOKKEEPING. 353

ticable to have a Balance account in the Ledger ? (112) 171.
When would Office Furniture account likely have a crediT?"
(105) 172. When would Expense account have a credit?
Ans. When we dispose of anything for a consideration that had
been previously charged to Expense. 173. Is Office Furniture
included in the inventory at close of the season ? Ans. Not
unless it was charged to Mdse. when purchased, instead of an
OFFICE FUKNITUKE account. If it had been charged to Expense
when bought, Expense account would be entitled to credit by the
present valuation of the furniture. 174. What is Interest (20),
also Discount ? (19) 175. What is the difference between In-
terest and Discount ? Ans. Interest means percentage added
and Discount percentage deducted; they are usually combined in
one account called DISCOUNT AND INTEREST, but can be used sepa-
rately to represent any special percentage. 176. What does
Profit and Loss account represent ? (Ill) Which side shows
profits, and which side Loss ? (Ill) 177. Is it not a misnomer
as it reads ? in other words, would not Loss and Gain be
more appropriate ? 178. When are Department accounts re-
quired ? (112) 179. How are Department Expense accounts
closed ? (113) 180. How are the Department accounts closed ?
(113) 181. How would the General Expense account be
closed in department books? (112) 182. State the propor-
tion. (112 & 113) 183. In long accounts, where there are
many payments, how would you identify the bills covered by
each payment? (113) 184. What would be the object of
identifying the items that enter into each settlement? (113)
185. What is a Balance Sheet ? (18) 186. What is the differ-
ence between a Trial Balance (21) and a Balance Sheet ? (18)
187. What is a note ? (20) 188. What is an acceptance ? (17)
189. What is the difference between a Note and an Accept-
ance ? (17 & 20) 190. What is a Check ? (18) 191. What is a
Draft? (19) 192. What is the difference between a Check
and a Draft ? (18 & 19) 193. What is the difference between
a Sight Draft and a Time Draft ? (135) 194. What is a Certifi-
cate of Deposit ? (18) 195. What is an Account Current ? (17)
196. What is an Account Sales ? (17) 197. What is meant bj

354: BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED.

Net Proceeds? (17) 198. What does Commission represent?
(17) 199. What is meant by Averaging Accounts ? (17 & 18)

200. What accounts show profits (or losses), also assets ? (27)

201. What does Expense represent? (19) 202. What is the
first thing to be done when another partner is admitted into
the firm? (54) 203. What is meant by taking stock? (21)

204. What is meant by the phrase " without recourse" ? (21)

205. When is it used ? (108) 206. What does Suspense account
represent? (21) 207. What are the fundamental principles
of a business education, that is, the necessary qualifications ?
(140) 208. What is the object of having Special Columns ? (51)
209. What is the difference between Date columns and Amount
columns ? (55) 210. What are the most essential qualifications
in a good book-keeper ? (24) 211. Why should everybody un-
derstand book-keeping ? (24) 212. What is the best way to
learn book-keeping ? (23)

TENTH AFTERTHOUGHT.

Acceptances having less than thirty days to run would be
kept on temporary file on the cashier's desk until due, then paid
and entered in Cash Book; hence no Journal entry would be
necessary at the time of accepting the draft.

The transactions stated in paragraph 98, page 186, and para-
graph 122, page 194, although both have less than thirty days to
run, are carried through the Journal and Bill Books to illustrate
how such matters would be treated when the time to run would
be longer than thirty days, which would make the acceptances as-
sume the nature of bills payable in the first case and bills receiv-
able in the latter.

APPENDIX. 355

FIRST LESSON.

213. How many principal books do we require? Name
them. 214. How many books of original entry ? Name them.
215. State what each book is used for. Describe each book
as to ruling, arrangement of columns, spaces, etc. 216. How
many auxiliary books are introduced in this course of practice ?
217. When would others be introduced? 218. What do we
use the Check-book for ? 219. For what purpose is the Bill-
book used ? 220. In which book did you make the first entry in
opening this set ? 221. What became of the two checks that
were presumably turned over to the Book-keeper by the two
partners ? 222. Where did you make a memorandum showing
what disposition had been made of them ? 223. What was
the object of depositing all the money in the bank, then im-
mediately drawing out part of it ? Ans. Because the money de-
posited ivas in two large amounts, ivhich would be unwieldy in mak-
ing small payments ; and the money dratvn out was in various
denominations, from pennies upward to $10 bills. 224. What
part of Cash-book represents the daily cash ? 225. What part
represents the monthly cash ? 226. How often should the
daily Cash-book be closed? 227. How often should the cash
be proven ? 228. After proving the cash each day, what is the
next process called ? 229. What is meant by Balancing the
Cash? 230. What is meant by Closing the Cash? 231.
What is the object of special columns? 232. Why is it
we have a special Expense column on the right hand side
of the Cash-book instead of the left ? 233. Why do we not
have a special Mdse. column on the credit side of C. B.,
as well as on the debit side? 234. How do you read the
entries on the debit side of C. B. ? 235. How do you read
those on the credit side? 236. In posting from C. B.,
what amounts are transferred to the Ledger? 237. Why

356 APPENDIX.

must checks be endorsed in the nrm name before depositing ?
Ans. So that the bank may know to whom to return them if not paid ;
besides, the check could not be negotiated without the endorsement,
if made payable to the firm's order. If the firm name is P. A.
Wright & Co., and the check reads ' pay to the order of P. A.
Wright,' ivith the < & Co.' omitted, the check must first be endorsed
P. A. Wright, as it is written in the body of the check, then thefull
firm name underneath. 238. Which is the proper way to en-
dorse checks. Ans. Turn downward the right hand end, then
write across the check about two inches from the upper end, PAY TO
THE OKDEE or (naming the person to whom it is transferred) or
FOB DEPOSIT IN (naming the bank). If the check should be turned
the other way, as they often are, and endorsed across the right hand
or signature end, it makes the receiving teller lose his patience, also
religion (?) in other words, swear to have to look in unusal places
for the endorsement. 239. Why should the cash be proven
every evening ? 240. How would you dispose of Cash over or
Cash short ? 241. Explain how the Cash-book is closed. 242.
Why did we add the cost of various articles of office furniture
before extending the figures into the column ? 243. Why not
also add the cost of the several items of expense into one
amount, instead of extending each line ? 244. Why would it be
wrong to charge the cost of the furniture in the office to Ex-
pense ? 245. After several years use of the furniture, it is cer-
tainly not w^orth as much as it cost us : what then must be done?
246. Which of the books introduced in this set is kept by sin-
gle entry ? 247. What sign havs we for debiting the bank-ac-
count ; also what sign for crediting it ? 248. What is the ob-
ject of repeating Dr. and Cr. on the same page in connection
with other Ledger accounts ? 249. In posting from the Cash-
book, do we complete the double entry in the Ledger with
each transfer ? 250. What part of the entry is posted from
the left hand page in the C. B.? 251. Which part is posted from
the right hand page ? 252. Is there really any difference in
the posting from C. B. and from the Journal : in other words,
is there anything antagonistic to the principle envncia^4 in
paragraph 23 ?

APPENDIX. 357

SECOND LESSON.

253. What is the first thing to decide about transactions
that must be recorded in the Journal ? Ans. The number of
accounts that ivill appear in tJie entry. 254. What is the next
thing to be known before we can formulate the entry ? Ans.
How the accounts will be affected; that is, which tvill be debited and
ivhich credited. 255. How do we conclude how many accounts
will be in the entry ? 256. Would it be safe to enter all in-
voices we find on our desk, without knowing whether they were
right or wrong ; that is, whether we had received the articles
the bills call for ? 257. How would we know the goods were
in store ? 258. How would we know the amount of the bill
was correct ? 259. After entering them, what distinctive mark
do we make on them, to show that they had been entered and to
prevent re-entering ? 260. When should the posting be done ?
261. What is our post-mark ? 262. How could you determine
which book of original entry the figures refer to in the folio
column in the Ledger. Ans. By the word used in the space
for descriptive matter that is, CASH in that space would indicate
that tJie item was posted from C. B. MDSE. on the debit side of
any account ivould indicate that the matter came from S. B.; and
MDSE., SUNDS., or any other word on credit side of any account, would
indicate that the figures meant Journal pages. 263. How would
you know how much space to assign each Ledger account?
264. How are Ledger accounts arranged for convenience ? 265.
What is the object of a Lock-ledger ? 266. What other kind
of Ledgers are kept in a large business? 267. In making
Trial Balance, will each Ledger balance in itself? 268. In
transferring figures from one page to another, what phrase
would we use ? 269. What phrase would we use on the page
to which the transfer was made ? 270. In entering sales, what
word do we use in fixing the obligation ? 271. What word is
synonymous with it ? 272. In posting from the Sales-book, do
we complete the double entry with each transfer? 273.
What part of the entry is transferred ? 274. When would the
counterpart be completed ? 275. Why do we put our custom-

358 APPENDIX.

er's address in the Ledger account ? 276. Why is it important
to keep the address of employees ? 277. Who are our cus-
tomers in this imaginary business ? 278. Who are our credi-
tors ? 279. How 'many forms of Journal entries have we ?
280. How can we determine which form to use ? 281. How
do we read each form ? 282. Which form would fee all that is
necessary? 283. What is the object of the others? 284.
Suppose we buy and receive goods from three firms on ac-
count, in what book would we record the facts ? 285. How
many accounts would there be in the entry ? Name them. 286.
Which form of entry would it be ? 287. What explanation
would you make, showing what had transpired ? 288. What
is meant by the phrase On file ? 289. What is meant by the
phrase On account ?

THIRD LESSON.

290. What is a note ? 291. W T hat is a note made by an-
other person or firm called ? 292. What is our note called ?

293. If we receive a note from a customer to settle his account,
less a certain discount, in which book would you enter it?

294. How many accounts would be in the entry ? 295. Which
form of entry would be required ? 296. How do you know ?
297. Give your reasons for your debits, also for your credits
in the entry ? 298. What is most important to state in every
entry relating to notes ? See ansiver to questions 139 and 145,
in Appendix. 299. What is the difference between an entry and
a memorandum ? 300. If we give a creditor our note to settle
his account less a certain discount, in which book would you
enter it ? 301. How many accounts would be in the entry ?
302. Which form of entry would be applicable ? 303. How do
you know ? 304. State your reasons for debiting some ; also for
those you credit. 305. Where do we make an extra memoran-
dum of all notes we issue ; also those we receive ? 306. How do
you fix the date of maturity. Ans. By counting the actual num-

APPENDIX.

359

ber of days remaining in that month, from the date of note, and
adding to it as many days in the next month or months as are re-
quired to make the full time of the note, and adding three days of
grace. If the note reads so many months after date, then count
the months without reference to days in each, adding three days to
the same date in the last month as the day indicating date in the
first month. 307. Name the first account in your entry of the
Third Form. 308. Name the second account in your entry of
the Second Form. 309. Would you put the Ledger folios or
post-marks in red ink or black ? When would it be proper to
use red ink? Seepage 50, Rules for Use of Red Ink. 310. Why
would it be objectionable to use red ink for post-marks ? Ans.
Because it would be bad taste, and be waste of time changing from
one pen to anotJier.

FOURTH LESSON.

311. W T hat is meant by re-opening the Cash-book ? 312.
Would you re-open it at night, or in the morning ? Ans. In
the morning, upon beginning tJie day's work; on the same principle
that ivhen we close our door at night, we do not re-open to have it
ready for entrance next morning, but leave it closed until ready
to enter, then re-open it. 313. Would you repeat the month or
ditto it (thus, ,,) each day ? Ans. No, because that month would
be understood until next month is written. 314. Would you re-
peat the day of the month or ditto it the same way with each en-
try ? Ans. No, because the book is closed by red lines daily, and
the same date would be understood for every entry between the clos-
ing lines. 315. If you receive a check from a customer to settle
his bill, less a certain discount, where do you enter the check
received ? 316. Where do you enter the discount ? 317. Would
the discount be lost or gained ? 318. In disposing of the dis-
count, which form of entry would be required ? 319. What dis-
position is made of all checks we receive ? 320. If we wish
to pay a creditor's bill of $500, less 6$ discount, how much

360 APPENDIX.

would we have to pay ? 321. How would we pay such a large
amount ? 322. Would you fill out the check or the stub first ?
323. What matter would be important to have appear on the
stub ? 324. Where would you enter the check issued ? 325.
Where would you -enter the discount ? 326. What form of en-
try would be required in disposing of it ? 327. Would the
discount be made or lost ? 328. How would you dispose of
little items of expense ? 329. If a salesman draws part of the
money due him, where would you enter it ? 330. What ac-
count would you charge it to? 331. What is usually the last
entry made on the Cash-book each day ? 332. How do we
arrive at the amount of retail sales ? 333. Where do we enter
the money received for retail sales? 334. Repeat the five
questions that arise in proving the cash, giving the answers to
each in order. 335. Repeat the five questions arising in
counting the money in the drawer ; also the answers thereto, in
order.

FIFTH LESSON.

336. We received a note from Miller Bros., in a previous
lesson : when is it due ? 337. Where will you look to find out ?
338. If we did not want to wait until due for the money, how
could we get it ? 339. What do you understand by unexpired
time ? 340. How do you figure discount ? 341. Where would
you enter money received for the note ? 342. Where would
you make an extra memorandum, showing where the money
was? 343. Where would you make an extra memoradum,
showing the note had been disposed of ? 344. Would we
make or lose by having the note discounted? 345. What
name do we adopt as an account, to represent the differ-
ence between the face value of the note and its present
worth? 346. In what book would we enter the difference
alluded to ? 347. Which form of entry would be required ?
348. What is a draft ? 349. If a creditor draws on us at sight,

APPENDIX. 361

what action would we take on presentation of the draft at our
office? 350. How would we pay a draft of large amount?
351. Where would we enter the money given in exchange
for the draft? 352. What account would we charge the
money to ? 353. If we hand the porter and office-boy their
pay in cash for services, where would we enter it ? 354. What
account would we charge it to ? 355. If we had many em-
ployees, how would we keep their account ? 356. How would
we dispose of the matter when they are paid ? 357. How
would their names be arranged when part of them are manu-
facturers, and part office-help ? 358. What account would the
money paid manufacturers be charged to ? 359. In deducting
checks from balance in bank, where would you locate the fig-
ures to be deducted ? 360. Why not close to last balance ?
361. If we buy goods and give our note in settlement, in which
book would we record the facts ? 362. How many accounts
would be in the entry ? Name them. 363. Which form of
entry would be reproduced? 364. If somebody with whom
we have no account buys goods of us, and settles by note,
how would the matter be disposed of ? 365. The proposition
is the reverse of the foregoing ; why not dispose of it in the
reverse order, therefore, and in the same way and place ? 366.
Our first Journal entry in this lesson is Interest Dr. to Bills Re-
ceivable, and must be disposed of first, in place of the entry in
paragraph 80. We open an Interest account on page 9, in the
Ledger opposite on the same line with Sills Payable, which is
on page 8, and on the debit side write

Jan'y. 12 to B. R. 1. 47,

then turn to the Sills Receivable account at top of page 8, and
write on the credit side

12 Int. 1. 47,

proceeding with the other Journal entries in order as directed.
In paragraph 81, we say, " Post from the Sales-book" etc., when
in fact there have been no entries made on that book, this les-
son, and for that reason there is nothing to post from that
book.

362 APPENDIX.

SIXTH LESSON.

367. How do we raise money when we are short of funds,,
and have no accounts due that we could draw against ? 368.
What regulates the rate of interest charged by Banks ? 369.
If we borrow money of our Bank, would we make or lose the
percentage they charge us for the use of the money ? 370. If
we wish to know at the end of the year what this particular
kind of percentage amounts to, how would we be able to find
out ? What is the difference between Discount and Interest, as
they have been introduced in this course ? 371. Where would
we enter the money received from the bank for our note ? 372.
What two accounts would be affected by the entry ? 373.
Where would we make an extra memorandum, showing where
the money was ? 374. Where would we make an extra memo-
randum of the note given to the bank ? 375. Where would
we record, having lost the percentage the bank charged us ?

376. How many accounts would be in the entry ? Name them.

377. Which form of entry would it be ? 378. Would you en-
ter in Cash-book each check as soon as issued ? 379. When
would you enter them? 380. What would be your object?
381. If a customer returns damaged goods, where would you
enter the matter ? 382. How many accounts would be affected
by the entry ? Name them. 383. Which form of entry would
it be ? 384. If a customer demurs against our charge for Case
and Cartage, and it is deemed advisable to allow it to him,
what account would you charge it to ? 385. Where would you
make your entry ? 386. What form of entry would you use ?

387. In paragraph 89, we say " Credit Davis & Co., $4.00 allow-
ance for Case and Cartage." It should be $2.50, as they were
charged $1.25 Jan'y 1 and not $1.50 ; and bill of Jan'y 12 was can-
celled and so not in their account, and therefore no case and
cartage is charged to them, on that date. In order not to in-
terfere with your final results, making them disagree with proof
figures, carry the $4.00 to their credit as though it was right.

388. What word is used in the first entry on the credit side of
every account in the Ledger ? 389. What word is used on the

APPENDIX.

debit side ? 390. Are they ever repeated in the same account
with subsequent entries? 391. What is always repeated^-

SEVENTH LESSON.

392. Suppose you receive notes from two firms at the same
time, to settle their account less discount : in what book would
you make a record of the facts ? 393. How many accounts
would be affected by the entry ? Name the debtors : also the
creditors. 394. Which form of entry would you use ? 395.
Why would not one explanation suffice for both notes ? 396.
Suppose we transfer one of the notes to our creditor on ac-
count, charging him its present wort'li : in what book would you
make an entry ? 397. How many accounts would be involved ?
Name the debtors : also the creditors. 398. Which form of en-
try would you use? 399. If a creditor draws on us at ten
day's sight for part of what we owe him, what action would we
take on presentation of draft ? 400. What is our acceptance
called ? 401. Where would you make a record of the accep-
tance given to another ? 402. Where would you mako an ex-
tra memorandum ? 403. How would you state the time to run
in centra-distinction to the time of an ordinary promise to-
pay?

EIGHTH LESSON.

404. If a customer requsts us to draw at sight for what he
owes us, less discount, how would you proceed in the matter ?
405. Upon receiving returns for the draft, would you immedi-
ately dispose of the discount and the deduction made by the
bank for collecting ? 406. When would you dispose of them ?
407. What do you understand by the phrase Exchange on New
York, or New York Exchange ? 408. What do you understand
by Exchange as introduced here ? 409. Where would you en-

364 APPENDIX.

ter money received in return for drafts ? 410. Where would
you make a double entry of all the differences arising in this
day's cash collections ? 411. How many accounts will be af-
fected by the entry ? 412. Name the debtors : also the creditors.
413. Which form of entry will serve your purpose best ? 414.
If we buy goods C.O.D., where would you make the entry?
415. What accounts would be affected? 416. What do you
understand by C. O. D.? 417. If we sell goods C.O.D., how
would you dispose of the matter ? 418. What is the impor-
tance of an explanation in every entry? 419. Suppose the
note we transferred in a previous lesson is returned to us,
where would you make a record of the facts ? 420. How many
accounts would be in your entry ? Name the debtors : also the
creditors. 421. What form of entry would you use ?

NINTH LESSON.

422. If a customer includes in his remittance to you, money
to be handed to another, how would you dispose of the matter
on the books ? 423. How would many book-keepers dispose
of it ? 424. What is another firm's acceptance called ? 425.
If another firm accepts our draft on them at 15 days sight, in
which book would you enter it ? 426. What accounts would
l>e affected by the transaction? 427. Which form of entry
would be used? 428. Where would you make an extra
memorandum of the acceptance ?

TENTH LESSON.

429. How often should we refer to our Bill-books ? 430.
When our notes are payable at our bank, does it require our
check to be sent there to meet it ? 431. Where do we make a
memorandum, showing the bank paid it ? 432. Where would

APPENDIX. 365

you make a record of having paid a note ? 433. What accounts
would be in your entry ? 434. In advancing money to a sales-
man for expenses, what is the object of giving him a check for
part of it ? 435. Why would it be wrong to charge to account
already opened in his name ? 436. What proof have we that our
figures are correct, upon adding the monthly cash columns ?

437. Explain the peculiar way of closing the monthly cash ?

438. Explain how the Sales-book is closed monthly ? Para-
graph 138 we say " omit case and cartage, $1.25." By referring
to the entry alluded to on the sales book we notice that case
and cartage was $1.50 ; we will omit it, however, and to make
the $213.25 correct, we charge the cuffs at $3.65 instead of
$3.60. 439. What entry is peculiar to the Journal on the last
day of every month ? 440. Is book-keeping sense, so to speak,
always in harmony with common-sense ? 441. Give an instance
where it is not.

ELEVENTH LESSON.

442. What is a Trial Balance ? 443. What is its two-fold
object ? 444. How would you proceed in making a Trial-bal-
ance ? 445. What would you consider the most difficult error
to find.

TWELFTH LESSON.

446. What distinctive feature in our Journal, the second month,
that it did not possess first month? 447. What is peculiar in
our second month Cash-book? 448. What is the advantage
of this peculiarity ? 449. Do you include the figures in the
discount columns, in proving your cash ? 450. Why locate the
Balance brought forward from last month in the Amount
column instead of Sundries column ? 451. If a customer pays
his bill, less discount, in what book would you record the facts ?
452. How many accounts would be affected ? 453. How

366 APPENDIX.

you state your proposition? 454. How could we use our
money to best advantage ? 455. If we pay a creditor's bill, less
discount, in what book would you record all the facts ? 456.
How would you state your proposition in a double entry way ?
457. Why do we charge cartage to Mdse. in one instance, to
Expense in another? 458. What is the first account to be
posted in the first Journal entry this month ?

THIRTEENTH LESSON.

459. If we did not have funds enough in bank to meet our
note, what would be the result ? 460. In what peculiar way do
we show that our account at bank is overdrawn ? 461. How is
the bank account often made good, temporarily? 462. Our
bank account being in bad condition, what did we do to make
good over-draft ? 463. What would govern us in the manner
of charging bank with proceeds of several notes ? 464. How
could we restore the bank account to its normal condition,
when the overdraft was small ? 465. To what account would
you charge the cash paid case-maker, for boxes furnished us ?
466. When would it be charged otherwise ? 467. To what ac-
count would you charge the money paid in liquidation of gas-
bill?

FOURTEENTH LESSON.

468. If a customer fails to pay his note when due, what
would be the immediate result ? 469. What would be the re-
mote result, if we had disposed of the note ? 470. What does
protest mean? 471. To what account would we charge the
money paid for protested note ? 472. If we lend money and
receive a note for it, in what book would you enter it ? 473.
How many accounts would be affected by the transaction ?

APPENDIX. 367

474. What accounts would you charge with the cash advanced,
and the interest made ? 475. If we receive a note from our
customer in renewal of his protested note, covering protest
fees and interest, how would you enter it ? 476. What would
be the theoretical method of disposing of it ? 477. Why would
it be incorrect ?

FIFTEENTH LESSON'

478. If a customer sends us money to pay his note before it
is due, and which we had previously discounted at our bank,
how would you set the matter straight on the books ? 479.
How would you dispose of transient customers' accounts on
the Ledger ?

SIXTEENTH LESSON.

480. If we had not the money to pay our note held by the
l3ank for borrowed money, what would we do ? 481. Explain
how we would renew a note held by an outside party. Ex-
plain how we would renew a note at bank. 482. If we re-
ceive a check for an acceptance, what account would you credit
by the money received ; also by the Exchange for collecting
it?

SEVENTEENTH LESSON.

483. If a customer fails and compromises by paying 40$ in
cash, what would become of the balance of his account ? 484.
What account would you charge with the 60$ of his account ?
485. When you return his note, in which book would you enter
it ? 486. If the note had been negotiated, and therefore not in
our hands, it must nevertheless be included in the settlement,
as we are liable as endorsers for its payment, and at maturity

368 APPENDIX.

we must remit the money to the place where the note is payable,
to meet it. 487. Name your Debtor account, also Credit account
in the entry. 488. If the travelling salesman returns and hands
you $50 in cash, ol the money advanced him, and also hands
you his expense report, showing his expenses had been $125.00
on the trip, and that he had used $25.00 for his own private
purpose, how would you adjust the matter on the books ? 489
When too much money accumulates in the drawer, what would
you do with it ? 490. Explain the peculiar way of closing the
Cash-book this month. 491. Explain how the Four-column
Journal is closed.

EIGHTEENTH LESSON.

492. What must we do before closing the Ledger ? 493.
What do you understand by "Taking Stock?" 494. At
what price would stock be figured? 495. What becomes
of the inventory after preparing it? 496. What class of
accounts do we dispose of first ? 497. How do we dispose
of them ? 498. What classes are next disposed of, and how
are they 'closed? 499. What will the speculative accounts
show ? 500. What will all other account show ? 501. What
is the object of closing the books ? Ans. To enable us to arrive
at the true state of our business ; that is, see if we have made or
lost during the year, and in what shape our capital is, if we are
solvent. Books are not closed, " to mark an era in the business,"
as claimed by the president (?) of one of New York's business
colleges, who evidently has more regard for a high-sounding
phrase than for the sense it conveys. We could mark an era
in the business without closing the books, by closing the store
instead, and taking a vacation : that would be an era long to be
remembered, but would by no means accomplish the result
arrived at by closing the books.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
BERKELEY

Return to desk from which borrowed
Tins book is DUE on the last date stamped below.

JAN 23 1948

LD 21-100m.9,'47(A5702sl6)476

BLANK BOOKS FOR PRACTICE,

Those desiring to make themselves
master of double entry in a practical way
by writing up a set of books, as explained
in our Eighteen Lessons, will be furnished
with a full miniature set of blank books,
consisting of Cash Book, Sales Book,
Journal, and Ledger, uniform size, all
properly ruled; also Check Book, Bills
Receivable and Bills Payable Book.
Price $1.50 for the set.

P.- A. WRIGHT, 148 W. 14th St.,

New York City.

LD 21-100m-9,'47(A5702sl6)476

YC 25026'

mm,

380310

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY