No man should undertake to prepare for this vocation who has not the use of both hands, good hearing, and at least a fair degree of general good health. The other qualifications required are much the same as those required for any type of office work.
Pen Art
Men who have special aptitude for penmanship and lettering will find a wide field for the practice of this commercial art. Sign lettering, filling in insurance policies, diplomas, and other important documents, engrossing resolutions, teaching the subject, and supervising others in this department of business education are among some of the occupational opportunities open to men who excel in this line.
Training can be obtained in special schools, and positions for those who are qualified will not be hard to find.
PART II.—PROFESSIONAL COMMERCIAL SERVICE
The occupations described in Part I are the more elementary commercial employments for which excellent training is provided by both public and private commercial schools. This training lays a foundation for the more advanced business education which will be discussed in Part II. It is hoped that men who possess the necessary general education and physical health, supplemented by elementary business education or business experience, will consider these more advanced courses as they lead on surely to successful business careers.
Men who need the foundation courses should take them, and if necessary secure positions suited to their abilities at once. Such men should, however, immediately plan for an extensive course in one of the higher forms of commercial education. Promotion may result from successful office work without supplementary training, but it will surely follow the completion of such advanced business courses as are outlined herein. None should be satisfied until the last educational resource that will help in his progress upward is exhausted.
PLAN No. 1088. ACCOUNTING
Accountancy has been raised to a professional basis during the past few years. Business has grown to enormous proportions and expert accountants are required as heads of the bookkeeping departments of big business. Then, too, public accountants are necessary for the public audit work required by law, the periodical inspection of books by a disinterested expert, the organization and reorganization of inadequate bookkeeping systems, and the preparation of financial reports desired for special purposes.