The Chicago Manual of Style, the Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers is designed to give professionals a style guide for writing.  The 1993 edition is located in the Steely Library on the third floor in the reference section.  The books call number is Z253.U69 1993.  The publisher is the University of Chicago Press.

The Manual is divided into three parts.  Part one is titled ‘Bookmaking’; it consists of four chapters. The chapters in part one provide detailed information on the functions and appearances of the different parts of a book, such as the appendix and text.  Part one also gives information on what publishers expect out of authors, how to proof a book, and copyrights.  Part two is titled ‘Style’ and consists of 13 chapters.  It provides detailed information on punctuation, treatment of certain words, how to use tables in text, and other style issues.  Part three is titled ‘Production and Printing’ and consists of two chapters.  It gives information on the design, topography, composition, printing, and binding of a document.  The Manual also has a glossary of terms, a bibliography, and an index.

Most accountants are going to have to prepare a report at some time or another and the Chicago Manual of Style can be used as a guide in writing it.  The manual would be very important to an accountant who publishes textbooks or writes articles in magazines.