Review.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XIII, 26 March 1904, Page 45

Review.

"The New Zealand Manual of Accountancy and Commercial Law,” by F. H. Thompson, F.N.Z.A.A., public accountant, Dunedin, and P. S. K. Maeassey, solicitor,, Dunedin.

The second edition of this work is now to hand, and we observe that several slight additions and amendments have been made therein. So many books treating of the science and art of bookkeeping are already in existence, that for the first edition of one thousand to have already been distributed throughout the colony clearly demonstrates the fact that the work is being looked upon as a practical colonial treatise on bookkeeping. The various articles in Part I. deal with single entry, double entry, company book-keeping. Notes on bookkeeping for various classes of business. Notes on auditing, adjustment of partnership accounts, various forms of account etc. At the first glance it would appear as if the author had devoted too much space to single entry; but seeing that the system suits a small ready-money business, and that single entry is so much in vogue throughout the c ri' it’s imperative that the best advice i counsel should be given, but always with the object of inducing the small business man to adopt as soon as possible the double entry system. An American author has rightly said: "The system of book-keeping by double entry is perhaps the most beautiful one in the wide domain of literature and science; were it less common it would be the admiration of the learned world.”

Whether dealing with the single or double entry system, Mr. Thompson’s explanations and examples are expressed in a simple and lucid manner, which, if carefully attended to,, will assist the accountant to “attain to the desideratum of all good book-keeping, viz., the maximum of perspicuity with the minimum of labour.” Part 11., commercial law, will no doubt appeal to many as being the most important part of the work, especially when we bear in mind the stringency of the Bankruptcy Court, and other Acts ®n our Statute Book. Nearly half the book is devoted to this aspect of accountancy work, and this excellent summary must indeed prove a boon, not only to accountants,, secretaries of companies, etc., but to all commercial men, who wish to arrange and conduct their business in a systematic and up-to-date manner. It is a splendid work of reference, and is marked throughout by sound common sense.