Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. There are many excellent text books on general account ing and every manufacturing industry Of any size and complexity has an accounting literature of its own. But little if anything Of a comprehensive nature has been written about a system of accounting to fit the needs Of the con tractor. This lack is the more noteworthy for two reasons First, practically all building and construction work is carried out by estimate and contract and the size and importance of the business are self-evident; secondly, the basis Of accuracy in estimating depends upon accurate records and therefore the contractor even more than the manufacturer needs all the help that is to be obtained from a complete system Of accounts. The need for a comprehensive work on accounting for contractors was brought home to the author some years ago when engaged to take charge Of the accounting depart ment Of a large contracting concern. The faults of the system of records in use were many and glaring; the remedy had to be devised to fit the needs Of the case. After a period Of close Observation and experiment a system Of accounts and accounting control was evolved which ful filled the essential requirements by giving the contractor the information he required for the management Of his business promptly and at a time when he could make use Of it. This book in part contains a description Of the system to which is added a discussion Of the methods and account ing practice that have become the standard practice in those contracting businesses where adequate records are kept.

There are many excellent text books on general account ing and every manufacturing industry Of any size and complexity has an accounting literature of its own. But little if anything Of a comprehensive nature has been written about a system of accounting to fit the needs Of the con tractor. This lack is the more noteworthy for two reasons First, practically all building and construction work is carried out by estimate and contract and the size and importance of the business are self-evident; secondly, the basis Of accuracy in estimating depends upon accurate records and therefore the contractor even more than the manufacturer needs all the help that is to be obtained from a complete system Of accounts. The need for a comprehensive work on accounting for contractors was brought home to the author some years ago when engaged to take charge Of the accounting depart ment Of a large contracting concern. The faults of the system of records in use were many and glaring; the remedy had to be devised to fit the needs Of the case. After a period Of close Observation and experiment a system Of accounts and accounting control was evolved which ful filled the essential requirements by giving the contractor the information he required for the management Of his business promptly and at a time when he could make use Of it. This book in part contains a description Of the system to which is added a discussion Of the methods and account ing practice that have become the standard practice in those contracting businesses where adequate records are kept.