Company registration number 04481613 (England and Wales)
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
PAGES FOR FILING WITH REGISTRAR
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Accountants' report
1
Balance sheet
2 - 3
Notes to the financial statements
4 - 9
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THE PREPARATION OF THE UNAUDITED STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 1 -
In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the financial statements of Courier Express Limited for the year ended 30 November 2024 which comprise, the balance sheet and the related notes 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 https://www.icaew.com/regulation.
This report is made solely to the board of directors of Courier Express Limited, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the financial statements of Courier Express Limited and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the board of directors of Courier Express 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 Courier Express Limited and its board of directors as a body, for our work or for this report.
It is your duty to ensure that Courier Express Limited has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory financial statements that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and loss of Courier Express Limited. You consider that Courier Express 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 financial statements of Courier Express 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 financial statements.
Carpenter Box
1 August 2025
Chartered Accountants
Amelia House
Crescent Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 1RL
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
30 NOVEMBER 2024
30 November 2024
- 2 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
4
551,535
630,748
Current assets
Stocks
19,180
17,580
Debtors
5
1,166,228
1,264,070
Cash at bank and in hand
51,643
22,612
1,237,051
1,304,262
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
6
(1,347,569)
(1,434,160)
Net current liabilities
(110,518)
(129,898)
Total assets less current liabilities
441,017
500,850
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
7
(199,594)
(164,376)
Provisions for liabilities
(131,783)
(112,049)
Net assets
109,640
224,425
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
8
2
2
Profit and loss reserves
109,638
224,423
Total equity
109,640
224,425
The directors of the company have elected not to include a copy of the profit and loss account within the financial statements.true
For the financial year ended 30 November 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
These financial statements have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)
AS AT
30 NOVEMBER 2024
30 November 2024
- 3 -
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 1 August 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mr B Lloyd
Director
Company registration number 04481613 (England and Wales)
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 4 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information
Courier Express Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1RL.
1.1
Accounting convention
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The disclosure requirements of section 1A of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2
Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The directors have considered relevant information, including the company’s principal risks and uncertainties and the impact of subsequent events in making their assessment. true
At the balance sheet date the company is in a net current liabilities position. The company is reliant on the ongoing support of its bank and is meeting its liabilities as they fall due. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that would result in the withdrawal of their support.
Based on these assessments and having regard to the resources available to the entity, the directors have concluded that there is no material uncertainty and that they can continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and financial statements.
1.3
Turnover
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration receivable for services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.
1.4
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Short leasehold property
20% straight line per annum
Plant, machinery & computer equipment
15% diminishing balance & 33.3% straight line per annum
Fixtures, fittings & equipment
25% diminishing balance per annum
Motor vehicles
20% diminishing balance per annum
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to profit or loss.
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 5 -
1.5
Stocks
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.
1.6
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets 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 in current liabilities.
1.7
Financial instruments
The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest
1.8
Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.
1.9
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
Current tax
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
1.10
Employee benefits
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
1.11
Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 6 -
1.12
Leases
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.
2
Exceptional item
2024
2023
£
£
Expenditure
Loss on sale of tangible assets
55,859
-
The exceptional loss on disposal of fixed assets has arisen as a result of refinancing some of the company's vehicle fleet. To facilitate the company's cash flow the directors felt it necessary to refinance a number of the unencumbered motor vehicles used for carrying out the company's trade. The nature of the finance was that of a sale and then hire purchase refinance. Due to the lower than market value applied to the vehicles by the finance company, this triggered a large loss when compared to the vehicles' carrying value in the accounts. It is expected that due to the current market value of the vehicles, the company will make a profit when the vehicles are sold in the future.
3
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was 52 (2023 - 50).
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 7 -
4
Tangible fixed assets
Short leasehold property
Plant, machinery & computer equipment
Fixtures, fittings & equipment
Motor vehicles
Total
£
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 December 2023
8,145
359,839
236,867
728,899
1,333,750
Additions
92,366
6,620
110,790
209,776
Disposals
(35,567)
(302,832)
(338,399)
At 30 November 2024
8,145
416,638
243,487
536,857
1,205,127
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 December 2023
6,983
276,584
137,427
282,008
703,002
Depreciation charged in the year
410
27,446
26,234
71,539
125,629
Eliminated in respect of disposals
(23,017)
(152,022)
(175,039)
At 30 November 2024
7,393
281,013
163,661
201,525
653,592
Carrying amount
At 30 November 2024
752
135,625
79,826
335,332
551,535
At 30 November 2023
1,162
83,255
99,440
446,891
630,748
5
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
1,020,634
1,123,913
Other debtors
133,217
127,692
1,153,851
1,251,605
2024
2023
Amounts falling due after more than one year:
£
£
Other debtors
12,377
12,465
Total debtors
1,166,228
1,264,070
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 8 -
6
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Bank loans
10,354
10,098
Trade creditors
303,129
310,205
Taxation and social security
224,874
247,154
Other creditors
809,212
866,703
1,347,569
1,434,160
Included in other creditors is £664,390 (2023: £691,869) relating to an invoice factoring account, this balance is secured on the assets of the company.
Also included above in other creditors is £123,659 (2023: £148,399) relating to hire purchase contracts secured on the underlying assets.
7
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2024
2023
£
£
Bank loans and overdrafts
6,160
16,514
Other creditors
193,434
147,862
199,594
164,376
The bank loans and overdrafts included in notes 6 and 7 above are secured on the assets of the company.
Other creditors above represents hire purchase contracts secured on the underlying assets.
8
Called up share capital
2024
2023
2024
2023
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £1 each
2
2
2
2
9
Operating lease commitments
Lessee
At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, as follows:
2024
2023
£
£
2,017,932
2,321,400
COURIER EXPRESS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
- 9 -
10
Directors' transactions
Advances or credits have been granted by the company to its directors as follows:
Description
% Rate
Opening balance
Interest charged
Closing balance
£
£
£
Director loan
2.25
38,851
874
39,725
38,851
874
39,725