Financial instruments are recognised in the company’s statement of financial position when the company become party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets which include trade and other receivables and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs.
Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Where financial assets are classified as receivable in more than one year, they are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured as the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial instruments and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings within current liabilities.
Classification of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.