3 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements
have been prepared on the historical cost basis.
The financial statements
are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Turnover
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for services rendered, net of discounts and Value Added Tax.
Revenue from the rendering of services is measured by reference to the stage of completion of the service transaction at the end of the reporting period providing that the outcome can be reliably estimated. When the outcome cannot be reliably estimated, revenue is recognised only to the extent that expenses recognised are recoverable. Current tax
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.
Goodwill
Goodwill is initially recorded at cost, and is subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. It is amortised on a straight-line basis over the useful economic life of the asset. Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially measured at cost, and are subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.
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:
Fixtures, fittings and equipment | 25% reducing balance |
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the transaction price, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where it is recognised at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the reporting date. Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.
Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that would apply in the periods in which timing differences are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws enacted at the statement of financial position date.
Provisions for liabilities
Provisions are recognised when the entity has an obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event; it is probable that the entity will be required to transfer economic benefits in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably. Provisions are recognised as a liability in the statement of financial position and the amount of the provision as an expense.
Provisions are initially measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date and subsequently reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate of the amount that would be required to settle the obligation. Any adjustments to the amounts previously recognised are recognised in profit or loss unless the provision was originally recognised as part of the cost of an asset. When a provision is measured at the present value of the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation, the unwinding of the discount is recognised in finance costs in profit or loss in the period it arises.
Defined contribution pension plan
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
Long term contracts
Amounts recoverable on long term contracts, which are included within debtors, are stated at the net sales value of the work done after provision for contingencies and anticipated future losses on contracts, less amounts received as payments on account. Excess payments are included as creditors in payments on account.