PUBLISHER'S STATEMENT. This is a text-book on Bank Bookkeeping, made to fill the requirements of to-day. The material has been obtained from the leading banks of New York and Chicago, and the methods of doing business followed as closely as possible; the purpose being to give to schools and private learners the readiest and surest means of acquiring a practical knowledge of the subject. The plan was conceived, and has been carried out as faithfully as possible, of so classifying the work as to give to each recording officer or clerk his particular line of duties, and of so adjusting these duties that when each has done his part the complete record of the business to its minutest detail will have been made. This is the feature of the book to which attention is particularly called; and which it is believed will commend it not only to teachers but to bankers and practical accountants. The entire scope of the transactions is divided into four periods, representing four consecutive months, and sufficiently recognizing the movement of time to permit the maturity of paper and to illustrate the important feature of earning which comes through loans. In order to make dividends possible the single transactions have been made larger in volume than might ordinarily occur; but the natural sequence has been maintained, and no fictions or eccentricities resorted to. The work has been thoroughly tested, and has, in fact, grown out of the demands of the class room. It is feasible and practical throughout; and if followed according to its design, will accomplish its purpose. It has been found best to take one period at a time, completing the records of each department through that period, thus following the separate tranzactions through the various books and departments to the final result in the ledgers. This gives to the student a comprehensive view of the subject, and enables him to work the succeeding periods with comparatively little help. It is not necessary that the entire four periods should be written up, but no earnest student is likely to stop short of the whole. Complete results can be obtained, however, at the end of any period; and it may be advisable to close the ledger accounts and get these results at least once before the conclusion of the entire series. (See last paragraph, page 67.) In order to get directly at the work, the books are opened from a statement showing the condition of a running bank, instead of going through the slow processes of opening a bank and gradually bringing it to a paying condition. Care has been taken, also, to produce sufficient material for all necessary reports and statements, and to conform to all the requirements of a first-class bank. In presenting examples of forms, both as to papers and records, the point has been to make them business-like, in very truth. The absence of copy-book exactness in the script forms will be noted and appreciated. The publisher takes this occasion to express his earnest appreciation of the ready service rendered by the several bankers of New York and Chicago who have been freely consulted; and especially of the valuable aid given by James G. Cannon, Vice-President of the Fourth National Bank, New York, and H. H. Swasey, now Secretary of the Fifth Avenue Trust Company, New York, as also for the important assistance of Mr. E. M. Barber, in the detailed presentment of the matter. It is not presumed that the book is perfect or free from errors; and the publisher stands ready to accept criticisms and corrections, and to profit by them. 171251 |