INTERACTIVE PURSER SYLLABUS & STUDY MATERIAL

    A purser is the person on a ship responsible to handle money, but concurrently with all the administration on board a merchant (passenger) ship or commercial yacht.

    The title itself relates to a bursar or a treasurer. A bursar is a professional administrator in a school or university, often with a financial role. As it may be, the title of purser by etymology derives from “bursa”, which in Latin is purse.

   The purser rank traces its roots back to the 14^th century and until the late 17^th century operated, receiving no pay. Simultaneously, having to obtain a warrant, and still being expected to make a profit. In latter time, the rank title in navy changed into "paymaster and purser". In contemporary time is identified as paymaster, financial officer, or even classified as logistic officer. However, merchant navies, even today, still use the title/rank of a purser, which is even distributed in ranking scale (e.g. USCG: Jr. Assistant Purser, Sr. Assistant Purser, Purser, and Chief Purser).

      It’s a career that requires knowledge and understanding of finances, accounting/book-keeping, maritime and business law, administration, etc., all in one person. Simply, purser (administrative-financial officer) that is responsible for all the administration and finances, including the ship’s cargo, and passenger manifests, and supply.