Registration number:
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Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Contents
Accountants' Report |
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Balance Sheet |
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Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements |
Chartered Accountants' Report to the Board of Directors on the Preparation of the Unaudited Statutory Accounts of
Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
for the Year Ended 30 April 2024
In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the accounts of Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited for the year ended 30 April 2024 as set out on pages 2 to 13 from the company's accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.
As a practising member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at http://www.icaew.com/regulation.
This report is made solely to the Board of Directors of Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter dated 9 December 2022. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the accounts of Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the Board of Directors of Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited, as a body, in this report in accordance with ICAEW Technical Release 07/16 AAF. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited and its Board of Directors as a body for our work or for this report.
It is your duty to ensure that Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory accounts that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited. You consider that Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year.
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the accounts of Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory accounts.
Chartered Accountants
Montgomery Way
Rosehill Estate
CARLISLE
CA1 2RW
Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
(Registration number: 05132590)
Balance Sheet as at 30 April 2024
Note |
2024 |
2023 |
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Fixed assets |
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Intangible assets |
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Tangible assets |
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Investments |
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Current assets |
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Debtors |
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Other financial assets |
777,542 |
370,637 |
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Cash at bank and in hand |
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Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year |
( |
( |
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Net current assets |
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Total assets less current liabilities |
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Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year |
( |
( |
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Provisions for liabilities |
( |
( |
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Net assets |
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Capital and reserves |
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Allotted, called up and fully paid share capital |
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Capital redemption reserve |
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Profit and loss account |
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Total equity |
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For the financial year ending 30 April 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
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• |
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. |
Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
(Registration number: 05132590)
Balance Sheet as at 30 April 2024 (continued)
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
These financial statements have been delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. As permitted by section 444 (5A) of the Companies Act 2006, the directors have not delivered to the registrar a copy of the Profit and Loss Account.
Approved and authorised by the
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Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024
General information |
The company is a private company limited by share capital, incorporated in England and Wales.
The address of its registered office is:
Accounting policies |
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.
Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 Section 1A - 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention except that as disclosed in the accounting policies certain items are shown at fair value.
Revenue recognition
Turnover comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods and provision of services in the ordinary course of the company’s activities. Turnover is shown net of sales/value added tax, returns, rebates and discounts.
The company recognises revenue when the amount of revenue can be reliably measured; it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity; and specific criteria have been met for each of the company's activities.
Tax
The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except that a change 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.
Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024 (continued)
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are stated in the balance sheet 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 |
Land and buildings |
10% on cost |
Motor vehicles |
25% reducing balance |
Furniture, fittings and office equipment |
25% reducing balance |
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of an entity represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the company’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the entity recognised at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is amortised over its useful life, which shall not exceed ten years if a reliable estimate of the useful life cannot be made.
Intangible assets
Separately acquired trademarks and licences are shown at historical cost.
Trademarks, licences (including software) and customer-related intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recognised at fair value at the acquisition date.
Trademarks, licences and customer-related intangible assets have a finite useful life and are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.
Amortisation
Amortisation is provided on intangible assets so as to write off the cost, less any estimated residual value, over their useful life as follows:
Asset class |
Amortisation method and rate |
Goodwill |
20 years straight line |
Software |
8 years straight line |
The directors reviewed the valuation of goodwill on 1 May 2015, the date on which Financial Reporting Standard 102 was implemented. At that date the directors were of the opinion that the goodwill had remaining useful economic lives to the company of at least the ten years and one month and sixteen years and five months they had remaining under their estimated useful lives of twenty years. Goodwill therefore continues to be amortised over its original twenty year estimated useful economic life.
Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024 (continued)
Investments
Fixed asset investments are stated at historical cost less provision for any diminution in value.
Current asset investments are included in the balance sheet at fair value and the gain or loss is recognised in the profit and loss account.
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.
Trade debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for the sale of goods or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
Trade creditors
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Trade creditors are classified as current liabilities if the company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method where due after more than one year.
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 profit and loss account 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.
Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024 (continued)
Leases
Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee.
Assets held under finance leases are recognised at the lower of their fair value at inception of the lease and the present value of the minimum lease payments. These assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease term. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation.
Lease payments are apportioned between finance costs in the profit and loss account and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
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.
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.
Staff numbers |
The average number of persons employed by the company (including directors) during the year, was
Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024 (continued)
Intangible assets |
Goodwill |
Software |
Total |
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Cost or valuation |
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At 1 May 2023 |
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At 30 April 2024 |
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Amortisation |
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At 1 May 2023 |
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Amortisation charge |
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At 30 April 2024 |
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Carrying amount |
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At 30 April 2024 |
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At 30 April 2023 |
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Tangible assets |
Land and buildings |
Motor vehicles |
Furniture, fittings and office equipment |
Total |
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Cost or valuation |
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At 1 May 2023 |
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Additions |
- |
- |
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Disposals |
- |
- |
( |
( |
At 30 April 2024 |
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Depreciation |
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At 1 May 2023 |
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Charge for the year |
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Eliminated on disposal |
- |
- |
( |
( |
At 30 April 2024 |
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Carrying amount |
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At 30 April 2024 |
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At 30 April 2023 |
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Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024 (continued)
Investments |
2024 |
2023 |
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Investments in subsidiaries |
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Subsidiaries |
£ |
Cost or valuation |
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At 1 May 2023 |
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At 30 April 2024 |
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Provision |
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Carrying amount |
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At 30 April 2024 |
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At 30 April 2023 |
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Other financial assets (current and non-current) |
2024 |
2023 |
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Current financial assets |
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Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss |
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Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss |
Total |
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Current financial assets |
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Cost or valuation |
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At 1 May 2023 |
370,637 |
370,637 |
Additions |
398,000 |
398,000 |
Fair value adjustments |
8,905 |
8,905 |
At 30 April 2024 |
777,542 |
777,542 |
Carrying amount |
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At 30 April 2024 |
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777,542 |
Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024 (continued)
Debtors |
2024 |
2023 |
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Trade debtors |
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Other debtors |
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Less non-current portion |
( |
( |
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Details of non-current trade and other debtors
£21,177 (2023 - £26,831) of other debtors is classified as non-current. This relates to an interest bearing loan repayable over 6 years.
Creditors |
Note |
2024 |
2023 |
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Due within one year |
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Loans and borrowings |
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Trade creditors |
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Amounts owed to group undertakings and undertakings in which the company has a participating interest |
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Taxation and social security |
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Corporation tax liability |
111,245 |
199,265 |
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Other creditors |
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Due after one year |
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Loans and borrowings |
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Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024 (continued)
Loans and borrowings |
2024 |
2023 |
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Current loans and borrowings |
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Finance lease liabilities |
8,756 |
8,756 |
Other borrowings |
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Current loans and borrowings includes the following liabilities, on which security has been given by the company:
2024 |
2023 |
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Finance lease liabilities |
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Finance lease liabilities are secured on the assets to which they relate.
2024 |
2023 |
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Non-current loans and borrowings |
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Finance lease liabilities |
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Non-current loans and borrowings includes the following liabilities, on which security has been given by the company:
2024 |
2023 |
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Finance lease liabilities |
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Finance lease liabilities are secured on the assets to which they relate.
Financial commitments, guarantees and contingencies |
Amounts not provided for in the balance sheet
The total amount of financial commitments not included in the balance sheet is £
Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024 (continued)
Related party transactions |
Transactions with directors |
2024 |
At 1 May 2023 |
Advances |
Repayments |
Other payments |
Dividends credited |
Interest |
At 30 April 2024 |
C E Birtles |
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Loan |
- |
|
( |
- |
(30,892) |
245 |
- |
L Brogden |
|||||||
Loan |
|
|
( |
- |
(37,500) |
1,210 |
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M J Rogers |
|||||||
Loan |
- |
|
( |
- |
(32,903) |
284 |
- |
D Tew |
|||||||
|
- |
|
( |
- |
- |
269 |
|
2023 |
At 1 May 2022 |
Advances |
Repayments |
Other payments |
Dividends credited |
Interest |
At 30 April 2023 |
C E Birtles |
|||||||
Loan |
- |
|
( |
- |
(30,784) |
282 |
- |
L Brogden |
|||||||
Loan |
- |
|
( |
- |
(37,500) |
379 |
|
M J Rogers |
|||||||
Loan |
- |
|
( |
- |
(31,161) |
226 |
- |
Directors' advances are repayable on demand.
Interest has been charged at a rate of 2% to 5 April 2023 and at 2.25% thereafter on advances to directors.
Arnison & Company Solicitors Limited
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024 (continued)
Financial instruments |
Financial assets measured at fair value
Investment Bond
The fair value of the bond is based on the number of units held multiplied by the unit price as determined by the bond provider.
The fair value is £777,542 (2023 - £370,637) and the change in value included in profit or loss is £8,905 (2023 - £18,487).
Off-balance sheet arrangements |
Client monies
At 30 April 2024 the company held client monies totalling £10,495,219 (2023 : £8,545,602). These were held in various client accounts in accordance with the SRA Accounts Rules.