Modern Accounting Systems (Paperback)

MODERN ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS BY WILLIAM D. GORDON, B. S. in Econ., A. M., Ph. D., LL. D. President, Mid-City Bank and Trust Company Executive V ice-President and Treasurer, City Stores Company, Philadelphia AND JEREMIAH LOCKWOOD, B. S. in Econ., A. M., C. P. A. Pa. Late Professor of Accounting, Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania SECOND EDITION FIFTH PBINTINQ NEW YORK JOHN WILEY SONS, INC. LONDON CHAPMAN HALL, LIMITED COPYRIGHT, 1924, 1926, 1933, 1987 BY WILLIAM D. GORDON AND 3REMIAH LOCKWOOD All Rights Reserved book or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publish. SECOND EDITION Fifth Printing, January, 1948 PRINTED IN U. A. TO EDWARD P. MOXEY, JB. PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION SECOND PRINTING, REVISED THE basic principles of the accounting systems discussed in this book have not changed in the few years since the issuance of the second edition. The experience gained from the depression which followed the excessive business activi ties of the latter years of the last decade brought about the passage of many laws affecting the social, political, and eco nomic life of the nation. Many of the new laws and edicts of newly created as well as older regulatory bodies have had a profound effect in the field of accountancy. These legal requirements and the orders of commissions having regulatory powers over accounting practices have accentuated the tendency to standardize accounting methods in the various fields. The systems discussed hi this book have not been immune from this tendency. Building and loan association accounting is being influenced by the standardized practices of the Federal Savings and LoanAssociations insurance company accounting centers around the require ments of state reports banking and brokerage practices have been restricted by regulations of the Federal Reserve Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission. A new account classification for gas companies has been issued by the National Association of Railroad and Utilities Com missioners, and the classification of accounts for steam rail roads has been revised. In this revised printing no change has been made in the basic method of presenting the accounting principles applica ble to the systems discussed. The new laws and regulations affecting accounting practices have been noted, changes in account classifications have been introduced, and some alterations have been made hi statistical data. All sections of the book, with the exception of the section on municipal accounting, have been revised. vii PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION IN THE preparation of this book so many persons have given of their time and experience that it is impossible to thank everyone individually. The authors have received the fullest co-operation of the officers of the various institutions and enterprises studied. Many of them have reviewed the manuscript and have made helpful suggestions. The authors especially wish. to acknowledge the help so willingly extended by S. Russell Smith, Auditor, and Charles Wood, Assistant Secretary, of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company Robert J. Finley, Jr., Assistant Comptroller of the Insurance Company of North America George A. Cook, Jr., Auditor of the First National Bank of Philadelphia Edward A. Pierce, of Edward A. Pierce Co. Dr. Birl E. Shultz, Dean, New York Stock Exchange Institute, New York EdwardA. Marchant, of John Wanamaker, Philadelphia L. Gaylord Andrews and Albert S. Lewis, of Strawbridge and Clothier, Philadelphia Albert B. Bierck, late Comptroller of the Reading Company William B. Kraft, Assistant Comptroller of the Pennsylvania Railroad Frank J. Galisdorfer, of the Department of Audit and Control of the City of Buffalo. To Professor Hiram T. Scovill the authors are especially indebted for valuable suggestions. The authors express their gratitude, for material con tained in the Introduction, to Professor Edward P. Moxey, Jr...