3 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The
financial statements
have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.
The
financial statements
are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the company's accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Turnover
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods supplied, net of discounts and Value Added Tax.
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the buyer, usually on despatch of the goods; the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; it is probable that the associated economic benefits will flow to the entity; and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transactions can be measured reliably.
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
Purchased goodwill arises on business acquisitions and represents the difference between the cost of acquisition and the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired.
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. Where a reliable estimate of the useful life of goodwill cannot be made, the life is presumed not to exceed five years.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets are initially measured at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses or at a revalued amount. However, Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination are only recognised separately from goodwill when they arise from contractual or other legal rights, are separable, the expected future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value can be measured reliably.
Any intangible assets carried at a revalued amount are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation, as determined by reference to an active market, less any subsequent accumulated amortisation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation is recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in capital and reserves. However, the increase is recognised in profit or loss to the extent that it reverses a revaluation decrease of the same asset previously recognised in profit or loss. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation is recognised in other comprehensive income to the extent of any previously recognised revaluation increase accumulated in capital and reserves. If a revaluation decrease exceeds the accumulated revaluation gains accumulated in capital and reserves in respect of that asset, the excess is recognised in profit or loss.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially measured at cost, and are subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses or at a revalued amount.
Any tangible assets carried at a revalued amount are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation is recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in capital and reserves. However, the increase is recognised in profit or loss to the extent that it reverses a revaluation decrease of the same asset previously recognised in profit or loss. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation is recognised in other comprehensive income to the extent of any previously recognised revaluation increase accumulated in capital and reserves. If a revaluation decrease exceeds the accumulated revaluation gains accumulated in capital and reserves in respect of that asset, the excess is recognised in profit or loss.
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Plant and machinery | 25% reducing balance |
Fixtures, fittings and equipment | 33% straight line and 25% reducing balance |
Motor vehicles | 25% reducing balance |
Impairment
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
Finance leases and hire purchase contracts
Assets held under finance leases are recognised in the statement of financial position as assets and liabilities at the lower of the fair value of the assets and the present value of the minimum lease payments, which is determined at the inception of the lease term. Any initial direct costs of the lease are added to the amount recognised as an asset.
Lease payments are apportioned between the finance charges and reduction of the outstanding lease liability using the effective interest method. Finance charges are allocated to each period so as to produce a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the transaction price and are subsequently measured as follows: Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost and commitments to receive a loan and to make a loan to another entity are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Where investments in non-convertible preference shares and non-puttable ordinary shares or preference shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.
All other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, which is normally the transaction price and are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in profit or loss.
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 or 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.
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.
Government Grants
Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Grants are not recognised until there is reasonable assurance that the entity will comply with the conditions attaching to them and the grants will be received. Government grants are recognised using the accrual model and the performance model. Under the accrual model, government grants relating to revenue are recognised on a systematic basis over the periods in which the entity recognises the related costs for which the grant is intended to compensate. Grants that are receivable as compensation for expenses or losses already incurred or for the purpose of giving immediate financial support to the entity with no future related costs are recognised in income in the period in which it becomes receivable. Grants relating to assets are recognised in income on a systematic basis over the expected useful life of the asset. Where part of a grant relating to an asset is deferred, it is recognised as deferred income and not deducted from the carrying amount of the asset. Under the performance model, where the grant does not impose specified future performance-related conditions on the recipient, it is recognised in income when the grant proceeds are received or receivable. Where the grant does impose specified future performance-related conditions on the recipient, it is recognised in income only when the performance-related conditions have been met. Where grants received are prior to satisfying the revenue recognition criteria, they are recognised as a liability.