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Registration number: 01103988

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Brebners
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor
130 Shaftesbury Avenue
London
W1D 5AR

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Strategic Report

2 to 4

Directors' Report

5

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

6

Independent Auditor's Report

7 to 10

Statement of Income and Retained Earnings

11

Statement of Financial Position

12

Notes to the Financial Statements

13 to 26

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Company Information

Directors

A W Bruce

T K Jardine

S L Arnold

Registered office

130 Shaftesbury Avenue
2nd Floor
London
W1D 5EU

Auditor

Brebners
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor
130 Shaftesbury Avenue
W1D 5AR

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 31 January 2024.

Principal activity

The principal activity of the company that of the provision of design and consultancy services to the sound industry and the sale and hire of equipment.

Fair review of the business

After the very fast and positive bounce back in the previous year the view for 2024 was taken with some caution. However, it appears our industry has continued to recover well and in some cases, much better than was initially expected. The Board, under the circumstances, fully expected this year’s turnover to level off or possibly fall slightly. With this, the directors were also very confident that with this, a good profit was still possible. The group, of which the company is a member, continued to make some fundamental changes including adjusting critical overheads in line with the amount of work. By virtue of sound financial management, we have consistently met any financial responsibilities throughout the period. We continued to discuss long term contracts with producers to manage the long-term deals that were in place, protecting both us and our clients for the future. Again, the diversity of service provision we had put in place in previous years is now starting to pay off and the areas of growth are very evident. Gross profit margin over the past few years has been distorted by a number of factors, most notably the effects of COVID-19 on turnover. The group now expects the gross profit margin to become the new normal after initially believing it was a product of Covid 19 recovery.

The company's key financial and other performance indicators during the year were as follows:

Financial KPIs

Unit

2024

2023

Turnover

£

14,597,126

15,181,453

Gross profit

£

6,430,556

7,308,098

Gross profit margin

%

44

48

The Board of Directors is of the opinion that the benchmarks above are at an acceptable level and expect similar results in the forthcoming year.

Outlook

The Company and the group of which it is a member continue to occupy a key place within the market. The strength of our recovery has reinforced and in fact grown the respect we hold within our industry. We continue to source new work and we have diversified in certain areas of the industry to satisfy new customers. These changes and the foundations already in place will make the company stronger in the face of diversity in the future.

 

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Future developments

The new organisation structures mean that how we approach work has revolutionised the capability to do big projects, This will continue to help us grow and move forward. The introduction of new software for tracking and accountancy has also helped us manage future projects.

Continuing to be proactive on new projects and requesting information earlier is also helping the planning and organisation which in turn allows us to manage our financial positions in more detail.

Financial Instruments

The company uses basic financial instruments, other than derivatives, comprising bank balances, bank overdrafts, trade creditors, trade debtors, loans to the company and hire purchase agreements. The main purpose of these instruments is to raise funds for and finance the company's operations.

The company is also exposed to the group composite guarantee, in which it is potentially liable for the loans and overdrafts of other related companies.

It is, and has been throughout the year under review, the company policy that no trading in financial instruments shall be undertaken.
 

Principal risks and uncertainties

There are a few main factors which affect our current and future position in the current market. Although manufacturing lead times are improving, they still are not back to the schedules of pre Covid. The employing of skilled full-time labour or freelance labour is still a concern. There continues to be a lack of competent people in our industry post Covid, something we are internally working on constantly.

The company has exposure to three main areas of risk: liquidity risk, customer credit exposure and interest rate risk. Due to the nature of the financial instruments used by the company there is no exposure to price risk. The company's approach to managing other risks applicable to the financial instruments concerned is shown below.

In respect of bank balances the liquidity risk is managed by maintaining a balance between the continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of overdrafts at floating rates of interest. The company makes use of money market facilities where funds are available. With the change of Interest rates, the settling of CBIL has now become a priority

The company has entered into several hire purchase agreements. The liquidity risk in respect of these is managed in the same way as loans.

Trade debtors are managed in respect of credit and cash flow risk by policies concerning the credit offered to customers and the regular monitoring of amounts outstanding for both time and credit limits.

Trade creditors' liquidity risk is managed by ensuring sufficient funds are available to meet amounts due.

The global economic downturn could have an effect on turnover but the group feels able to manage this risk by virtue of the move into alternative areas of sound provision and experiences, and managing its access to equipment by way of proactive control over its own large stock resource enabling the continued provision of high quality equipment to its customers

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Summary

The Board continuously monitors for and responds to changes in the company's risk environment so ensuring that the company remains well placed to address operational, reputational, financial and business risks in a timely and appropriate manner.

Approved by the Board on 21 November 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

.........................................
A W Bruce
Director

.........................................
S L Arnold
Director

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Directors' Report for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2024.

Directors of the company

The directors who held office during the year were as follows:

A W Bruce

T K Jardine

S L Arnold

S J Cryer, a partner of Brebners until 5th April 2011, is a joint trustee of trusts holding 60,000 ordinary shares of £1 each in the parent undertaking, in which he has no beneficial interest.

Principal activity

The principal activity of the company continued to be the provision of design and consultancy services to the sound industry and the sale and hire of sound equipment.

Dividends

The directors do not recommend a dividend.

Disclosure of information in the Strategic Report

The company has chosen in accordance with s.414C(11) Companies Act 2006 to set out in the company's strategic report information required by Schedule 7 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 to be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of future developments and financial risk management and exposure.

Disclosure of information to the auditor

Each director has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information. The directors confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditors are unaware.

Approved by the Board on 21 November 2024 and signed on its behalf by:



 

.........................................
A W Bruce
Director

.........................................
S L Arnold
Director

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report 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 apply them consistently;

make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

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.

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Autograph Sound Recording Limited
for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Autograph Sound Recording Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 January 2024, which comprise the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings, Statement of Financial Position, 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 January 2024 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 Auditor’s 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 original financial statements were 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 included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report 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 there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Autograph Sound Recording Limited
for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

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 Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the Strategic Report and Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our 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 and the Directors' Report.

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 6), 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 is 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.

Auditor’s 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 an auditor’s report 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.

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Autograph Sound Recording Limited
for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

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

Based on our understanding of the company and the industry in which it operates, we determined that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to the reporting framework (FRS 102 and the Companies Act 2006) and UK corporate taxation laws, health and safety legislation, and data protection legislation. These risks were communicated to our audit team and we remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout our audit.

We understood how the company is complying with relevant legislation by making enquiries of management. We also considered the results of our audit procedures and to what extent these corroborate this understanding and assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement. This included consideration of how fraud might occur and evaluation of management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements.

We designed our audit procedures to identify any non-compliance with laws and regulations. Such procedures included, but were not limited to, inspection and understanding of legal costs; challenging assumptions and judgements made by management; identifying and testing journal entries with a focus on large or unusual transactions as determined based on our understanding of the business; and identifying and assessing the effectiveness of controls in place to prevent and detect fraud.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there remains a risk that a material misstatement may not have been detected, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance with laws and regulations and cannot be expected to detect all instances of non-compliance.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

The primary responsibility for the detection and prevention of fraud rests with those responsible for governance and management. The further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the auditor will become aware of it.

The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment, collusion, omission, misrepresentation or forgery.

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Autograph Sound Recording Limited
for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

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 an auditor’s report 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.

......................................
John Chamberlain (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of

Brebners, Statutory Auditor
130 Shaftesbury Avenue
W1D 5AR

25 November 2024

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Statement of Income and Retained Earnings for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Turnover

3

14,597,126

15,181,453

Cost of sales

 

(8,164,408)

(7,873,355)

Gross profit

 

6,432,718

7,308,098

Administrative expenses

 

(4,861,068)

(4,696,044)

Other operating income

4

-

99,402

Operating profit

5

1,571,650

2,711,456

Other interest receivable and similar income

-

13,713

Interest payable and similar charges

6

(34,958)

(57,994)

 

(34,958)

(44,281)

Profit before tax

 

1,536,692

2,667,175

Taxation

10

(193,937)

(649,012)

Profit for the financial year

 

1,342,755

2,018,163

Retained earnings brought forward

 

10,085,939

8,067,776

Retained earnings carried forward

 

11,428,694

10,085,939

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Statement of Financial Position as at 31 January 2024

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Fixed assets

 

Tangible assets

11

11,564,864

9,498,847

Current assets

 

Stocks

13

874,979

949,946

Debtors

14

3,391,525

1,965,699

Cash at bank and in hand

 

2,623,300

3,461,222

 

6,889,804

6,376,867

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

16

(5,568,433)

(4,428,485)

Net current assets

 

1,321,371

1,948,382

Total assets less current liabilities

 

12,886,235

11,447,229

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

16

(382,139)

(479,825)

Provisions for liabilities

17

(935,402)

(741,465)

Net assets

 

11,568,694

10,225,939

Capital and reserves

 

Called up share capital

140,000

140,000

Retained earnings

11,428,694

10,085,939

Shareholders' funds

 

11,568,694

10,225,939

Approved and authorised by the Board on 21 November 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

 

.........................................

A W Bruce

Director

.........................................

S L Arnold

Director

Company registration number: 01103988

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

1

General information

The company is a private company limited by share capital, incorporated in England and Wales.

The principal place of business is:
2 Spring Place
London
NW5 3BA

The address of its registered office is:
130 Shaftesbury Avenue
2nd Floor
London
W1D 5EU

The principal activity of the company is that of the provision of design and consultancy services to the sound industry and the sale and hire of equipment.

2

Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention except any items disclosed in the accounting policies as being shown at fair value and are presented in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Summary of disclosure exemptions

The company satisfies the criteria of being a qualifying entity as defined in FRS 102. As such, advantage has been taken of the following reduced disclosures available under FRS 102:

a) No cash flow statement has been presented.
b) Disclosures in respect of financial instruments have not been presented.
c) Disclosures in respect of key management personnel compensation in total have not been presented.

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Going concern

As at 31 January 2024, the group of which the company is a member had net assets of £11,032,730 including cash at bank of £3,013,549 and made a profit before tax for the year then ended of £1,101,784.

Having navigated through the hardest years in the group's history due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last two years have seen a strong recovery and return to profitability. The latest unaudited management accounts show that the group has continuing profitability subsequent to the year end. The cashflow position for the year ahead is strong and demonstrates that the group has sufficient working capital for a period exceeding 12 months from the approval of the financial statements.

After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

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. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events, that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Other than those involving estimations there are no judgements that management has made in the process of applying the entity's accounting policies that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Accounting estimates and assumptions are made concerning the future and, by their nature, will rarely equal the related actual outcome. The key assumptions and other sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are as follows:.


・Depreciation and impairment of fixed assets

The company exercises judgement to determine the useful lives and residual values of audio equipment and these assets are depreciated down to their residual values over their estimated lives. The company also exercises judgement in its review for indicators of impairment and the impact upon the useful economic lives and residual values (see depreciation policy below). When assessing the above management consider their knowledge of the market place, all commercial factors and historical experience.

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Revenue recognition

The company generate turnover from the sale of sound equipment, provision of design and consultancy services and royalties.

Turnover comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of sound equipment and provision of design and consultancy services in the ordinary course of the company’s activities. Turnover is shown net of value added tax, returns, rebates and discounts.

The company recognises revenue from the sale of sound equipment, normally on delivery of goods, when:

The significant risks and rewards of ownership of the sound equipment have transferred to the buyer;
The amount of revenue can be reliably measured, and;
It is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity.

The company recognises revenue from the rendering of design and consultancy services in the period to which
the services relate. Royalties are also recognised in the period to which they relate.

Government grants

Government grants are recognised when it is reasonable to expect that the grants will be received and that all related conditions will be met, usually on submission of a valid claim for payment.

Grants of a revenue nature are credited to income so as to match them with the expenditure to which they relate.

Foreign currency transactions and balances

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated into the respective functional currency of the entity at the rates prevailing on the reporting period date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rate on the date when the fair value is re-measured.

Non-monetary items measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.

Tax

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except that a charge attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the company operates and generates taxable income.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences between taxable profits and profits reported in the financial statements.

Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised when it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.

Deferred tax is measured using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are stated in the statement of financial position at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

The cost of tangible assets includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their acquisition and installation.

Depreciation

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, other than land and properties under construction over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Asset class

Depreciation method and rate

Plant & machinery

12.5% to 33.3% on cost

Fixtures & fittings

15% to 50% on cost

Motor vehicles

25% on cost

Audio equipment

8.33% to 50% on cost

Leasehold property

over the remaining life of the lease

Impairment of fixed assets

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.

For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

Where there is a subsequent increase in expected useful life, the impairment provision is reversed to the extent that the assets are restated at the net book value they would have been stated at should the relevant impairment loss not have occurred. An impairment review is carried out and provision made accordingly even if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value, being measured by applying discount factor of 2.5% above base to relevant cash flows of fixed assets, may not be recoverable.

Investments

Fixed asset investments are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Profits or losses arising from disposals of fixed asset investments are treated as part of the result from ordinary activities.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is determined using the average cost method.

The cost of finished goods and work in progress comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. At each reporting date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stocks are impaired, the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell; the impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the income statement over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the company has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

Provisions

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 as a finance cost in profit or loss in the period it arises.

Operating leases

Lease payments are recognised as an expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction to expense over the lease term, on a straight-line basis.

Hire purchase contracts

Assets held under hire purchase agreements are capitalised and disclosed under tangible fixed assets at cost. The asset is then depreciated over its useful life. Future payments are apportioned between finance costs in the income statement and reduction of the liability so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability using the effective interest method.

Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments are measured at the fair value of the cash or other resources received or receivable, net of the direct costs of issuing the equity instruments. If payment is deferred and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis.

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Defined contribution pension obligation

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

Financial instruments

Classification
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 Recognition and measurement
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. Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

 Impairment
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately.

All equity instruments, regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.

Any reversals of impairment are recognised in profit or loss immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.

3

Turnover

The analysis of the company's revenue for the year from continuing operations is as follows:

2024
 £

2023
 £

Sale of goods

4,220,235

4,111,668

Rendering of services

9,725,396

10,686,702

Royalties received

305,461

271,281

Design and consultancy services

346,034

111,802

14,597,126

15,181,453

The analysis of the company's turnover for the year by market is as follows:

2024
 £

2023
 £

UK

13,537,747

13,815,160

Rest of world

1,059,379

1,366,293

14,597,126

15,181,453

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

4

Other operating income

The analysis of the company's other operating income for the year is as follows:

2024
 £

2023
 £

Other operating income - insurance claim

-

99,402

5

Operating profit

Arrived at after charging/(crediting)

2024
 £

2023
 £

Depreciation expense

2,660,575

2,802,635

Foreign exchange (gains)/losses

(24,586)

245

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

2,161

12,202

Other operating lease costs

179,265

192,817

(Profit)/loss on disposal of audio equipment

(181,506)

(308,564)

6

Interest payable and similar expenses

2024
 £

2023
 £

Interest on obligations under hire purchase contracts

34,958

57,994

7

Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs (including directors' remuneration) were as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Wages and salaries

2,567,591

2,574,713

Social security costs

302,172

318,948

Pension costs, defined contribution scheme

117,827

102,782

2,987,590

2,996,443

The average number of persons employed by the company during the year, analysed by category was as follows:

2024
No.

2023
No.

Administration and support

43

41

Management staff

2

2

45

43

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

8

Directors' remuneration

The directors' remuneration for the year was as follows:

2024
 £

2023
 £

Remuneration

406,342

522,053

Contributions paid to money purchase schemes

51,935

46,855

458,277

568,908

During the year the number of directors who were receiving benefits and share incentives was as follows:

2024
 No.

2023
 No.

Accruing benefits under money purchase pension scheme

2

2

In respect of the highest paid director:

2024
 £

2023
 £

Remuneration

207,596

265,174

Company contributions to money purchase pension schemes

26,718

24,259

234,314

289,433

9

Auditor's remuneration

2024
 £

2023
 £

Audit of the financial statements

36,500

36,500


 

10

Taxation

Tax charged/(credited) in the income statement

2024
£

2023
£

Deferred taxation

Arising from origination and reversal of timing differences

193,937

649,012

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

The tax on profit before tax for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (2023 - higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK) of 24% (2023 - 19%).

The differences are reconciled below:

2024
£

2023
£

Profit before tax

1,536,692

2,667,175

Corporation tax at standard rate

369,269

506,763

Effect of expense not deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss)

8,537

9,060

Effect of tax losses

(884)

(858)

Deferred tax (credit)/expense

193,937

649,012

Tax (decrease)/increase from effect of capital allowances and depreciation

(57,734)

4,145

Tax decrease from other short-term timing differences

(74,589)

-

Tax decrease from effect of unrelieved tax losses carried forward

(39,408)

(519,110)

Tax decrease arising from group relief

(205,191)

-

Total tax charge

193,937

649,012

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

2024

Liability
£

Accelerated capital allowances

935,402

935,402

2023

Liability
£

Accelerated capital allowances

846,391

Tax losses carried forward

(104,926)

741,465

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

11

Tangible assets

Plant & Machinery
£

Fixtures & Fitting
£

Motor vehicles
 £

Audio Equipment
£

Leasehold Property
£

Total
£

Cost or valuation

At 1 February 2023

486,948

1,148,551

172,829

34,851,119

8,579

36,668,026

Additions

20,374

120,467

-

4,622,329

-

4,763,170

Disposals

(824)

(10,547)

-

(685,399)

-

(696,770)

Transfers

46,679

(2,847)

-

(43,832)

-

-

At 31 January 2024

553,177

1,255,624

172,829

38,744,217

8,579

40,734,426

Depreciation

At 1 February 2023

382,583

980,369

89,686

25,711,216

5,325

27,169,179

Charge for the year

48,755

119,067

31,020

2,460,846

887

2,660,575

Eliminated on disposal

(318)

(8,892)

-

(650,982)

-

(660,192)

Transfers

30,838

(2,509)

-

(28,329)

-

-

At 31 January 2024

461,858

1,088,035

120,706

27,492,751

6,212

29,169,562

Carrying amount

At 31 January 2024

91,319

167,589

52,123

11,251,466

2,367

11,564,864

At 31 January 2023

104,365

168,182

83,143

9,139,903

3,254

9,498,847

Assets held under hire purchase contracts

The net carrying amount of tangible assets includes the following amounts in respect of assets held under hire purchase contracts:

 

2024
£

2023
£

Audio equipment

539,992

663,768

Motor vehicles

-

76,812

 

539,992

740,580

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

12

Other financial assets

Investments
£

Total
£

Non-current financial assets

Cost or valuation

At 1 February 2023

5,000

5,000

At 31 January 2024

5,000

5,000

Impairment

At 1 February 2023

5,000

5,000

At 31 January 2024

5,000

5,000

Carrying amount

At 31 January 2024

-

-

13

Stocks

2024
£

2023
£

Finished goods and goods for resale

874,979

949,946

14

Debtors

Note

2024
 £

2023
 £

Trade debtors

 

1,422,261

1,296,814

Amounts owed by group undertakings

24

1,773,392

541,877

Other debtors

 

19,875

2,740

Prepayments

 

175,997

124,268

Total current trade and other debtors

 

3,391,525

1,965,699

15

Cash and cash equivalents

2024
£

2023
£

Cash on hand

2,623,300

3,461,222

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

16

Creditors

Note

2024
 £

2023
 £

Due within one year

 

Loans and borrowings

20

211,079

245,659

Trade creditors

 

832,195

873,592

Amounts due to group undertakings

24

333,607

333,607

Social security and other taxes

 

343,343

280,585

Other payables

 

50,301

86,671

Accruals and deferred income

 

3,797,655

2,607,789

Corporation tax liability

10

253

582

 

5,568,433

4,428,485

Due after one year

 

Loans and borrowings

20

145,537

361,415

Other non-current financial liabilities

 

236,602

118,410

 

382,139

479,825

Accruals and deferred income due within one year includes £1,128,000 (2023: £519,397) of pre-paid hire income attributable to the next twelve months, which is not refundable.

17

Provisions for liabilities

Deferred tax
£

Total
£

At 1 February 2023

741,465

741,465

Additional provisions

193,937

193,937

At 31 January 2024

935,402

935,402

18

Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the company to the scheme and amounted to £117,827 (2023 - £102,782).

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

19

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

2024

2023

No.

£

No.

£

Ordinary shares of £1 each

140,000

140,000

140,000

140,000

       

20

Loans and borrowings

2024
 £

2023
 £

Current loans and borrowings

Hire purchase liabilities

211,079

245,659


 

2024
 £

2023
 £

Non-current loans and borrowings

Hire purchase liabilities

145,537

361,415

21

Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts

Hire purchase contracts

Obligations under hire purchase obligations are as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Not later than one year

211,080

245,659

Later than one year and not later than five years

145,537

361,415

356,617

607,074

Net obligations under hire purchase contracts are secured on the assets concerned.
 

 

Autograph Sound Recording Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2024

Operating leases

The total of future minimum lease payments is as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Not later than one year

187,108

187,108

Later than one year and not later than five years

301,244

457,466

488,352

644,574

The amount of non-cancellable operating lease payments recognised as an expense during the year was £179,264 (2023 - £192,816).

Operating leases are in respect of rental commitments.

22

Transactions with directors

At 31 January 2024 an amount of £18,393 (2023: £2,425) was due from directors. Advances of £16,438 and repayments of £470 were made during the year. Interest has not been charged in the year and there are no set repayment terms.

During the year, property rent amounting to £360,000 (2023: £360,000) was paid to a director, under a tenancy at will.

23

Contingent liabilities

The company has given an unlimited guarantee in respect of the bank borrowings of the parent undertaking, which at 31st January 2024 amounted to £850,000. The bank holds a specific equitable charge over the assets and undertakings of the company.

24

Related party transactions

Transactions with group undertakings

In accordance with FRS 102 paragraph 33.1A, exemption is taken not to disclose transactions in the year between wholly owned group undertakings.

25

Parent and ultimate parent undertaking

The company's immediate parent is Autograph (Holdings) Limited, incorporated in England and Wales.

 The parent of the largest and smallest group in which these financial statements are consolidated is Autograph
(Holdings) Limited, incorporated in England and Wales.

These financial statements are available upon request from 130 Shaftesbury Avenue, 2nd Floor, London, W1D 5EU.