3 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The
financial statements
have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.
The
financial statements
are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company.
Consolidation
The entity has taken advantage of the option not to prepare consolidated financial statements
contained in Section 398 of the Companies Act 2006 on the basis that the entity and its subsidiary undertakings comprise a small group. Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the period. However, the nature of estimates means the actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements:
Revenue recognition
The key judgements made by management in respect of revenue is the pint at which that revenue should be recognised. management consider the underlying contract terms and conclude upon the most appropriate pointy of the cycle at which to recognise revenue based upon these terms and in particular where the risks and rewards of ownership transfer.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are depreciated over their useful lives taking into accounts residual values, where appropriate. The actual useful lives of the assets and residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors. Residual value assessments consider issues such as the remaining life of the assets and the projected disposal value.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially measured at cost, and are subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses or at a revalued amount.
Any tangible assets carried at a revalued amount are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation is recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in capital and reserves. However, the increase is recognised in profit or loss to the extent that it reverses a revaluation decrease of the same asset previously recognised in profit or loss. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation is recognised in other comprehensive income to the extent of any previously recognised revaluation increase accumulated in capital and reserves. If a revaluation decrease exceeds the accumulated revaluation gains accumulated in capital and reserves in respect of that asset, the excess is recognised in profit or loss.
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Land and buildings | 2% Straight line |
Fixed asset investments
Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures accounted for in accordance with the cost model are recorded at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures accounted for in accordance with the fair value model are initially recorded at the transaction price. At each reporting date, the investments are measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognised in other comprehensive income or profit or loss. Where it is impracticable to measure fair value reliably without undue cost or effort, the cost model will be adopted. Impairment
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
Taxation
Current tax is recognised on taxable profit for the current and past periods. Current tax is measured at the amounts of tax expected to pay or recover using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.