The following is a short account of the various records used and of the entries necessitated by the purchase of, and subsequent dealing with, Stock Exchange investments. In other words, it endeavours to trace so much of their history as is written in the books of that department of an insurance company which deals with Stock Exchange securities, which may be called for convenience the Investment Department.

Such a department would not keep the final books of account which provide the items for the Balance Sheet and other returns, all such information being obtained from the accountants' section. It would, however, decide upon the method of treatment of the many problems which arise in connection with security transactions.