A PRACTICAL SYSTEM OF BOOK-KEEPING, BY DOUBLE AND SINGLE ENTRY, BOTH IN SINGLE AND COPARTNERSHIP BUSINESS; EXEMPLIFIED IN THREE SETS OF BOOKS: WITH THE MOST APPROVED FORMS OF EXCHANGES, CALCULATIONS, &c., USED DAILY IN THE BEST ORGANIZED HOUSES IN THIS COUNTRY. BY B. WOOD FOSTER, PRACTICAL ACCOUNTANT. "Deliver all things in number and weight; and put all in writing that thou givest FIFTH EDITION. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY SAXTON AND HUNTINGTON. NEW YORK: SAXTON AND MILES. EducT 6438.45, 410 MARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY GIFT OF .EORGE ARTHUR PLIMPTO JANUARY 25, 12 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1843, by B. WOOD FOSTER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. TESTIMONIALS. THIS may certify that we have employed Mr. B. WOOD FOSTER in arranging and regulating accounts, and have found him competent, and well versed in the practical forms of doing business. THOMAS H. PERKINS, JR. HALL BROTHERS, [Importers of British and German Dry Goods.] BOSTON, November, 1842. BOSTON, April, 1843. We have examined "FOSTER'S PRACTICAL BOOK-KEEPING," and feel no hesitation in recommending it as a valuable text-book for those who may wish to become familiar with the forms of practical business. May 18, 1843. I entirely concur in the above opinion. M. BRIMMER, [Mayor of the City of Boston]} STEREOTYPED AT THE BOSTON TYPE AND STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY. PREFACE. THE author was induced to prepare the following work, principally by the necessity of having a system, which he could use as a Practical System of Book-Keeping, in the manner followed by accountants. What is needed, is a practical, not a theoretical work; one which will give the forms of doing business, as it is actually done by mercantile men. It is necessary for all persons engaged in business, to any extent, to have some method of keeping an accurate record of their transactions; and that method which our most intelligent merchants have tried and approved, may fairly be allowed to be the best. In preparing this work, which is intended for business men, the author has endeavored to conform to this established course; and an examination of the book will enable them to judge with what success he has done so. The various books which are used in business are introduced, with practical explanations of their use and design. The entries are written out in plain mercantile language, and not encumbered with unnecessary rules, to overload the mind of the learner. The author has endeavored to give definitions of entries, so conclusive in the principles, and so particular in the practice, as to render rules of mercantile business intelligible, concise, and easy of acquisition. He trusts that a work, constructed on these practical principles, will be received with favor by an intelligent public. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE THIRD EDITION. THE liberal encouragement which the former editions of this work have met with, has encouraged the author and publisher to spare no pains in rendering it a complete text-book for schools and the counting-room. In its general appearance, it is the same as in the second edition, and it has been carefully revised, with additional explanations for the use of teachers and learners. BOSTON, January, 1844. |