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REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421 (England and Wales)












STRATEGIC REPORT, REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

FOR

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)






CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023




Page

Company Information 1

Strategic Report 2

Report of the Directors 5

Report of the Independent Auditors 7

Income Statement 10

Other Comprehensive Income 11

Balance Sheet 12

Statement of Changes in Equity 13

Notes to the Financial Statements 14


SMARTSOURCING LIMITED

COMPANY INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023







DIRECTORS: A R Martin
J M Hall
L J Boulton-Brown
J E Grossick
J Hemmings





REGISTERED OFFICE: Tanglewood
90-92 Vicarage Hill
South Benfleet
Essex
SS7 1PE





REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421 (England and Wales)





AUDITORS: Goldwyns Limited
Statutory Auditors and Chartered Accountants
Rutland House
90-92 Baxter Avenue
Southend on Sea
Essex
SS2 6HZ

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

REVIEW OF BUSINESS
The results for the year and financial position of the company are shown in the annexed financial statements.

- Turnover decreased in the year by 2.5% to £24m.

- Operating profit decreased in the year by 68.87% to £0.2m.

- Shareholders' funds increased to £3.59m.

The UK experienced a continuation of the economic downturn of 2023 impacting both public and private sector. The market has lacked confidence both economically and politically, stifling growth and opportunity in both the permanent and contract areas of the recruitment sector. Many client organisations have resorted to reducing headcount to cut costs or meet reduced budgets.

Political instability with the expectation of an imminent election in 2024 had a severe impact on public sector clients, resulting in limited opportunity for new project work. Many projects were cut or reduced and 2023 saw more contractors on the market, with rates reducing as supply exceeded demand.

Clients in the permanent sector this year have more heavily relied on their internal recruiters during 2023 as a preference over agency support, minimising external spend. This has stifled opportunity.

Although demand for consultancy services was also reduced, there were some opportunities for long term assignments during 2023.

Our strategy is to continue to expand our client base and look to grow both agency and consultancy business as the market picks up during 2024 and 2025. Compared to our competitors our reputation in the market remains strong and we aim to excel in our service levels, supplying high quality contract and permanent resource in both the public and private sector. Additionally, we review all current business costs to ensure spending can be reduced wherever possible, without adverse impact on our service or business.

SmartSourcing have continued to be successful on the major public sector frameworks such as Gcloud, NCS and DSP and remain a top performing supplier to public sector, well positioned once growth returns.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The management of the business and the successful execution of the company's strategy are subject to a number of key risks:
- political uncertainty
- economic downturn;
- high interest rates; and
- IR35 remains a risk to the industry as legislation targets the fee payer in the event of an investigation.


SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

SECTION 172(1) STATEMENT
SmartSourcing Limited: Stakeholder engagement
As the board of directors at SmartSourcing Limited we have a legal responsibility under section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 to act in the way we consider in good faith to promote the company's success for the benefit of its members as a whole and to have regard to the long-term effect of our decisions on the company and its stakeholders. This statement addresses the ways in which we as a board support this responsibility.

Promoting the company's success for its members
SmartSourcing Limited, founded in 2002, set up as a dynamic and innovative recruitment agency specialising in the provision of freelance contractors, independent consultants, fixed term and permanent resource across ICT, digital, project and programme management and functional business disciplines. In 2018 we expanded into consultancy services provision and since have successfully delivered many managed service projects.

Our industry knowledge and inhouse IT capability enabled our investment in our own bespoke technology which uniquely supports our operation increasing productivity. We are building a new look recruitment system using the latest technologies for greater functionality and to futureproof our inhouse capability, remaining leading edge.

SmartSourcing operate in both the public and private sector supporting our clients all over the UK from our Midlands based national recruitment centre. We are proud to support the Social Value Act providing employment in an area of high unemployment.

In 2021 we have established our Carbon Neutral plan which is now visible on our website and continue to promote this approach working with our third-party Supplier for ongoing support and guidance.

The directors run the business with considerable professionalism, honesty and integrity and our staff are all highly experienced and supportive of our service lead approach. It is notable that unlike others in our market we experience an exceptionally low rate of attrition.

The board at SmartSourcing continue to make decisions based on long term objectives and our enviable reputation in the market shows that we have become a trusted supplier synonymous with professionalism, honesty and integrity.

ENGAGEMENT WITH EMPLOYEES
SmartSourcing benefit from a highly skilled recruitment and business development team with significant years of working in our industry. We also have our own inhouse IT capability which enables us to further develop our own recruitment system as needs evolve. Our highly skilled accounts team are highly commended for our fast and efficient payment services to all our contractors. Recruitment and retention of staff is therefore a critical business activity. We help to engage with team members by:

- good levels of remuneration, job security, and rewarding performance with bonuses at all levels;
- providing training and career development support;
- issuing (parent) EMI options to all existing staff members; and
- ensuring that staff from each department are present and involved in all management meetings and
are consulted for significant decisions.


SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

ENGAGEMENT WITH SUPPLIERS, CUSTOMERS AND OTHERS
Our customers and suppliers
We pride ourselves on our exceptional knowledge of the market, our delivery capability and our focus on the highest levels of customer service. The SmartSourcing team build strong supportive relationships with our contractors, consultants and clients and much of our business has evolved from recommendations. We aim to be different, more service lead in our approach and our reputation in the market for our excellent customer service, honesty and integrity shows that this is recognised.

Our community
SmartSourcing are proud to be an SME who takes care of our staff offering job security, a supportive environment, a rewarding career and remuneration package. We are committed to the Social Value Act offering employment in an area of high unemployment and as a company taking part in supporting both local and national charities such as donations to the local hospice, crisis supporting the homeless, dementia, MS and many more.

Our planet
Smartsourcing have been awarded ISO 14001 and are proud to consider the environment in all that we do. Our aim is to store our records electronically and to only print if essential. Our paper is recycled and our waste is securely shredded and disposed of by suppliers who also carry the environmental accreditation. Meetings wherever possible are carried out through video conferencing in order to lower our carbon footprint. We are also proud to have in place a Carbon Neutral Plan, partnering with Positive Planet to meet our ongoing obligations.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
SmartSourcing continues to invest in our bespoke, E-resourcing technologies and systems to increase our capabilities and market edge and underpin accreditation to ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental) and ISO 27001 (Information Security Management). We have also increased our Cyber Essentials status to Cyber Essentials Plus.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:





J M Hall - Director


29 August 2024

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 December 2023.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY
The principal activity of the company in the year under review was that of a specialist recruitment and consultancy organisation.

DIVIDENDS
No dividends will be distributed for the year ended 31 December 2023.

DIRECTORS
The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from 1 January 2023 to the date of this report.

A R Martin
J M Hall
L J Boulton-Brown
J E Grossick
J Hemmings

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Report of the Directors and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

-select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS
So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) of which the company's auditors are unaware, and each director has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information.

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


AUDITORS
The auditors, Goldwyns Limited, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:





J M Hall - Director


29 August 2024

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF
SMARTSOURCING LIMITED

Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of SmartSourcing Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the Income Statement, Other Comprehensive Income, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:
-give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2023 and of its profit for the year then ended;
-have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information
The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information in the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors, but does not include the financial statements and our Report of the Auditors thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF
SMARTSOURCING LIMITED


Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Report of the Directors.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out on page five, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.

In order to address the risks of misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud, we have:

- obtained an understanding of the key laws and regulations applicable to the company, including the Companies Act 2006 and applicable taxation legislation;
- assessed the company's own internal controls and systems for the prevention and detection of irregularities and particularly the control environment within which they operate;
- determined a materiality level and audit approach sufficient to identify most irregularities, including fraud, that may occur;
- considered our own involvement in the preparation of the company's statutory financial statements and taxation returns;
- conducted audit verification work, on a sample basis, on the key audit areas and risks we have identified; and
- reflected on the outcome of our work, and the likelihood that conclusions drawn may be indicative of other areas of potential irregularity.

We therefore consider our audit approach has been sufficient to detect material irregularities, including fraud.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Auditors.

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF
SMARTSOURCING LIMITED


Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in a Report of the Auditors and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.




S T Blundell FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Goldwyns Limited
Statutory Auditors and Chartered Accountants
Rutland House
90-92 Baxter Avenue
Southend on Sea
Essex
SS2 6HZ

29 August 2024

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
Notes £    £   

TURNOVER 3 24,080,364 24,695,572

Cost of sales 22,125,979 22,270,395
GROSS PROFIT 1,954,385 2,425,177

Administrative expenses 1,749,098 1,765,670
OPERATING PROFIT 5 205,287 659,507

Interest receivable and similar income 152 -
205,439 659,507

Interest payable and similar expenses 6 24,198 3,544
PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION 181,241 655,963

Tax on profit 7 41,144 119,250
PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 140,097 536,713

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
Notes £    £   

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR 140,097 536,713


OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - -
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR

140,097

536,713

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

BALANCE SHEET
31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
Notes £    £    £    £   
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets 9 - -
Tangible assets 10 7,111 7,520
Investments 11 - -
7,111 7,520

CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 12 5,248,383 5,077,652
Cash at bank and in hand 159,456 64,030
5,407,839 5,141,682
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 13 1,826,223 1,700,572
NET CURRENT ASSETS 3,581,616 3,441,110
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES

3,588,727

3,448,630

CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called up share capital 15 156,250 156,250
Share premium 16 43,750 43,750
Retained earnings 16 3,388,727 3,248,630
SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 3,588,727 3,448,630

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 29 August 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:





J M Hall - Director


SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Called up
share Retained Share Total
capital earnings premium equity
£    £    £    £   
Balance at 1 January 2022 156,250 2,961,917 43,750 3,161,917

Changes in equity
Dividends - (250,000 ) - (250,000 )
Total comprehensive income - 536,713 - 536,713
Balance at 31 December 2022 156,250 3,248,630 43,750 3,448,630

Changes in equity
Total comprehensive income - 140,097 - 140,097
Balance at 31 December 2023 156,250 3,388,727 43,750 3,588,727

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. STATUTORY INFORMATION

SmartSourcing Limited is a private company, limited by shares, registered in England and Wales. The company's registered number and address can be found on the Company Information page.

The place of business differs to the registered office address. The company's place of business is in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Financial Reporting Standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions
Exemption has been taken from preparing a cash flow statement on the grounds that the parent company includes the subsidiary in its published financial statements.

Turnover
Turnover represents the value of services provided to the extent that there is a right to consideration and is recorded at the value of the consideration due. Partially completed services are recognised on a proportion of the total expected consideration at completion.

Intangible assets
Acquired intellectual property rights are recognised on the balance sheet as intangible assets at cost, and are amortised evenly over their estimated useful life of five years.

Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Office equipment - 33.33% on cost

Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiary undertakings are recognised at cost less any provision for impairment.

Foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result.

3. TURNOVER

The turnover and profit before taxation are attributable to the one principal activity of the company.

An analysis of turnover by class of business is given below:

2023 2022
£    £   
Contract fees 23,878,467 24,267,115
Permanent placement fees 201,897 428,457
24,080,364 24,695,572

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

4. EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS
2023 2022
£    £   
Wages and salaries 1,261,247 1,259,903
Social security costs 144,293 156,804
Other pension costs 55,466 52,044
1,461,006 1,468,751

The average number of employees during the year was as follows:
2023 2022

Directors 5 5
Administration 22 23
27 28

2023 2022
£    £   
Directors' remuneration 370,920 397,557
Directors' pension contributions to money purchase schemes 16,494 15,425

The number of directors to whom retirement benefits were accruing was as follows:

Money purchase schemes 4 4

Information regarding the highest paid director is as follows:
2023 2022
£    £   
Emoluments etc 107,614 119,968
Pension contributions to money purchase schemes 5,346 5,090

5. OPERATING PROFIT

The operating profit is stated after charging:

2023 2022
£    £   
Other operating leases 16,332 16,117
Depreciation - owned assets 3,975 3,702
Auditors' remuneration - audit fees 5,500 5,000
Auditors' remuneration - tax compliance services 1,530 1,430
Auditors' remuneration - taxation advisory services - 1,820
Auditors' remuneration - other non-audit services 1,000 1,000

6. INTEREST PAYABLE AND SIMILAR EXPENSES
2023 2022
£    £   
Discounting interest 24,198 3,544

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

7. TAXATION

Analysis of the tax charge
The tax charge on the profit for the year was as follows:
2023 2022
£    £   
Current tax:
UK corporation tax 41,144 119,250
Tax on profit 41,144 119,250

Reconciliation of total tax charge included in profit and loss
The tax assessed for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The difference is explained below:

2023 2022
£    £   
Profit before tax 181,241 655,963
Profit multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of
25% (2022 - 19%)

45,310

124,633

Effects of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes (841 ) (2,516 )
Capital allowances in excess of depreciation (6 ) (1,339 )
Group relief (733 ) (1,528 )
Effects of small company rates (2,586 ) -
Total tax charge 41,144 119,250

8. DIVIDENDS
2023 2022
£    £   
Ordinary shares of £1 each
Final - 250,000

9. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Patents
and
licences
£   
COST
At 1 January 2023
and 31 December 2023 125,000
AMORTISATION
At 1 January 2023
and 31 December 2023 125,000
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2023 -
At 31 December 2022 -

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

10. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Office
equipment
£   
COST
At 1 January 2023 84,630
Additions 3,566
At 31 December 2023 88,196
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2023 77,110
Charge for year 3,975
At 31 December 2023 81,085
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2023 7,111
At 31 December 2022 7,520

11. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Shares in
group
undertakings
£   
COST
At 1 January 2023
and 31 December 2023 100
PROVISIONS
At 1 January 2023
and 31 December 2023 100
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2023 -
At 31 December 2022 -

The company's investments at the Balance Sheet date in the share capital of companies include the following:

E-Smartsourcing Limited
Registered office: United Kingdom
Nature of business: Dormant
%
Class of shares: holding
Ordinary 100.00
2023 2022
£    £   
Aggregate capital and reserves 100 100

Due to the immaterial nature of its subsidiaries, the company is exempt from preparing consolidated accounts under Section 405 of the Companies Act 2006.

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

12. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£    £   
Trade debtors 2,620,840 2,961,436
Amounts owed by group undertakings 2,507,501 2,084,084
Other debtors 3,336 5,630
VAT 72,604 -
Prepayments 44,102 26,502
5,248,383 5,077,652

At 31 December 2023 £1,267,582 (2022 - £1,480,311) of the trade debtor balance was subject to financing agreements by HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited. Although there was no usage of the facility at the year, cash advances made against these agreements are included separately under creditors.

Although there are no formal terms deferring repayment, the majority of the balance owed by group undertakings is unlikely to be recovered within the next twelve months.

13. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£    £   
Trade creditors 1,716,624 1,403,857
Tax 38,911 119,250
Social security and other taxes 43,363 54,289
VAT - 16,193
Other creditors 159 159
Invoice discounting advances - 71,341
Accrued expenses 27,166 35,483
1,826,223 1,700,572

14. SECURED DEBTS

The following secured debts are included within creditors:

2023 2022
£    £   
Invoice discounting advances - 71,341

The company has granted a fixed charge and a floating charge to HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited and HSBC UK Bank plc. The company has also assigned its rights under its contract with HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited to HSBC Bank plc as security for all of its debts and liabilities owed to HSBC UK Bank plc.

15. CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL

Allotted, issued and fully paid:
Number: Class: Nominal 2023 2022
value: £    £   
156,250 Ordinary £1 156,250 156,250

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04359421)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

16. RESERVES
Retained Share
earnings premium Totals
£    £    £   

At 1 January 2023 3,248,630 43,750 3,292,380
Profit for the year 140,097 140,097
At 31 December 2023 3,388,727 43,750 3,432,477

17. PENSION COMMITMENTS

During the year the company made contributions of £55,466 (2022 - £52,044) to stakeholder pension schemes. At the balance sheet date there were contributions amounting to £159 outstanding (2022 - £159).

18. ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY

The ultimate parent company is SmartSourcing Group Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. Group accounts are available from Companies House.

19. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

During the year, the company's total compensation to key management personnel (including directors) amounted to £387,414 (2022 - £412,982).

20. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

There is no ultimate controlling party.