¶ In the belief that a demand exists for a library which shall embrace the best practice in all branches of business—from buying to selling, from simple bookkeeping to the administration of the financial affairs of a great corporation—these volumes have been prepared. Prepared primarily for use as instruction books for the American School of Correspondence, the material from which the Cyclopedia has been compiled embraces the latest ideas with explanations of the most approved methods of modern business. ¶ Editors and writers have been selected because of their familiarity with, and experience in handling various subjects pertaining to Commerce, Accountancy, and Business Administration. Writers with practical business experience have received preference over those with theoretical training; practicability has been considered of greater importance than literary excellence. ¶ In addition to covering the entire general field of business, this Cyclopedia contains much specialized information not heretofore published in any form. This specialization is particularly apparent in those sections which treat of accounting and methods of management for Department Stores, Contractors, Publishers and Printers, Insurance, and Real Estate. The value of this information will be recognized by every student of business. ¶ The principal value which is claimed for this Cyclopedia is as a reference work, but, comprising as it does the material used by the School in its correspondence courses, it is offered with the confident expectation that it will prove of great value to the trained man who desires to become conversant with phases of business practice with which he is unfamiliar, and to those holding advanced clerical and managerial positions. ¶ In conclusion, grateful acknowledgment is made to authors and collaborators, to whose hearty coöperation the excellence of this work is due. Table of Contents VOLUME V WHOLESALE, COMMISSION, AND STORAGE _By James B. Griffith_[1] Page [2]11 ACCOUNTS Wholesale Business—Controlling Accounts—Sample Transactions— Order and Sales Record—Abstract of Sales—Sales Expense—Trial Balance Book—Commission and Brokerage Business—Merchandise Broker—Manufacturer's Agent—Shipments—Agents' or Factors' Account—Principal's Account—Commission Account—Produce Shipper's Books—Commission Merchants' Books—Consignment Ledger Account—Storage Accounts—Special Records SINGLE ENTRY BOOKKEEPING _By James B. Griffith_ Page 91 Distinctive Features—Books Used—Debit and Credit—Posting— Proprietor's Account—Proving Work—Model Set—Determining Profit—Closing Books—Changing to Double Entry—Trial Balances and Comparative Statements—Comparative Statements—Proof without Trial Balance—Book Inventories—Demonstration of Proof—Reverse or Slip Posting—Special Accounting Forms—Cash Books—Cash Journals—Tabular Sales Books—Pay-Roll Records