Abstract Through the cooperation of some of the members of the accounting association a list of accounting theses for a master's degree has been compiled. Requests for titles approved during the past five years were sent to 46 universities represented in The American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business. Thirty-eight answers were received. Ten of those replying indicated that no graduate work in accounting, as a major field, has been done. Four more indicated that the thesis requirement has been abolished or waived. Twenty-four replies listed titles numbering more than 415, but the excess over that number represented subjects approved prior to 1919, doctors' dissertations, or bachelors' honors reports. Elementary, intermediate, and advanced or special courses such as cost accounting, auditing, income tax, budgeting, accounting systems and problem review must be made a part of the equipment of the graduate accounting student who would carry on research in his chosen field. Probably nothing, which the average graduate student must do is as difficult for him as the selection and statement of his thesis subject.

Reviews the book "Losses in Bank Earning Assets," by Frederick Mueller.

Abstract In any consideration or discussion of the methods of teaching in Auditing it would seem that the question of paramount importance, or at least the one causing the most difficulty, is what might be called one of realism or practicability and the developing in the student of the feeling that the course is not just a theoretical course but that it is tangible and practical and has a direct relationship to actual business procedure. There is no particular difficulty in connection with text material covering the theory of auditing. There is an overabundance of printed material explaining what to do in the course of any type of audit engagement, although much of this material consists principally of statements as to what the auditor should do. The chief difficulty is in giving the students an understanding and appreciation of the practical problems of audit procedure and the developing of a sense of realism in the course and in the work. The ideal and most satisfactory method of handling the situation would be to have actual accounting records and to have a wide enough selection to illustrate the variations in form and procedure that would be encountered in actual business and a sufficient number of sets of books so that students could work on these records individually under the supervision of the instructor.

Reviews the book "Corporate Profits as Shown by Audit Reports," by W.A. Paton.

Abstract In the teaching of accounting systems one finds that it is often difficult for the student to see the practical application of the accounting theories discussed in the classroom. No doubt this is due largely to the lack of practical experience on the part of the student. Some schools overcome this handicap by arranging for part time work in the accounting departments of local business concerns. Other schools find this arrangement impossible, due to the scarcity of such business concerns or the general policies of the college or university. This lack of experience may be at least partially overcome by means of the written report, which may be used to supplement the course in accounting systems. In this report the undergraduate may select a business concern either in the college community or elsewhere, usually near his own home, and make a first hand study of the accounting system of that business. The outline is given to the student early in the semester and soon afterwards he is asked to name the kind of business in which he is interested and on which he would like to make a report.

Abstract Regardless of the ultimate position, which the National Industrial Recovery Act may occupy on the political horizon, it has already succeeded in making the business world increasingly conscious of cost accounting. There is no reason to expect that the ground gained will ever be lost and every reason to believe that through trade associations and similar organizations cost accounting will gain additional importance in the United States' national business life. Therefore it is advisable to survey the cost courses given in the universities and colleges of the country to see whether they are designed to give the student the proper training in cost accounting. Probably it is safe to say that when the instructor approaches the cost course with such an attitude, the subject continues to remain a mystery to the student. In reality the study of cost accounting is simply an expansion of the study of one of the functional groups presented in financial accounting, the manufacturing function. In cost accounting the student learns how the information, which he used in financial accounting is obtained for a manufacturing concern.

Reviews the book "Glossary of Mediaeval Terms of Business: Italian Series 1200-1600," by Florence Edler.

Reviews the book "Principles of Foreign Trade," by C.E. Griffin.

Abstract In accordance with the request that this session be a discussion of practical problems of teaching elementary accounting, the author of this paper tries to be as practical as possible. Far from hoping to present anything entirely new, either as to problems or solutions, he treats of a situation which merits consideration chiefly because it is old, and consequently of common occurrence. It is a problem with which most instructors are only too well acquainted. The instructor of beginning accounting at most small colleges faces a dilemma. This dilemma is the necessity, and at the same time the difficulty, of teaching in one class two widely different types of students, those who are taking only the one course as part of their general education; and those who intend it as a groundwork for further study toward a major in accounting. The student, who is planning to continue with accounting as his field of work, needs above all else a solid foundation for the more advanced courses. Possibly if a group of accounting instructors were to name just two results as the most valuable to be desired from the beginning course, they would specify first, thoroughness, and second, accuracy.

Reviews the book "The Federal Tax Course."