... 502 Leeds Estate Building and Investment Society, Lim. Lee v. Neuchatel Asphalte Company, Lim. (Appeal) New Oriental Bank Corporation, Lim. Edinburgh United Breweries, Lim., and others v. James A. Molleson (Nicholson's Trustee) and another (Scottish Appeal) 526 531 ... ... ... ... PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. A LTHOUGH the present volume has considerably exceeded the limits originally arranged between myself and the publishers, I cannot but feel that the vast subject to which I have addressed myself is very far from being exhaustively treated in the following pages. In particular, I feel that the chapter dealing with the audit of different classes of undertakings is in spite of its considerable length, very far from complete; and, further, I regret that space has altogether failed me for a more full discussion of the various legal decisions that affect the duties and responsibilities of the profession. On the other hand, I venture to hope that the present attempt to combine, within the limits of a volume of convenient size and reasonable price, the leading principles that should guide the Auditor in the course of his investigations, together with the special points that require his consideration in the case of any particular concern, will be found not only of considerable value to the Accountant Student-whose opportunities of gaining experience are, naturally, somewhat limited-but also of some utility to practising members of the profession, both in the ordinary course of their daily routine, and also--more especially -when they find themselves face to face with the accounts of a business with which they have hitherto been unfamiliar. viii. PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. If it should be thought that the standard I have throughout advocated is somewhat Utopian in character, and unattainable in practice, I can only reply that I maintain that, to me, an incomplete investigation seems worse than useless; and I am. convinced that it is only by voluntarily accepting, and even increasing, the responsibilities of our position that we can hope to maintain and to increase the large measure of public conidence we at present enjoy. It would be impossible for me to specifically acknowledge my indebtedness to all the various members of the profession whose valuable opinions have so materially assisted me in the production of this work; but none the less, I desire to thank them most cordially for the benefits I have received from their experience. In conclusion, I would wish to add that, as I have laid no. claim to completeness in this work, so also do I wish to disclaim any assumption of absolute finality; and, accordingly, I shall consider myself greatly indebted to my readers for any suggestions and opinions with which they may be pleased to favour me, which, I need hardly add, shall receive every attention upon the publication of a new edition. LAWRENCE R. DICKSEE. Cardiff, 13th July 1892. |