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Registered number: 11947978









VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD









DIRECTORS' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
COMPANY INFORMATION


Directors
M Graf 
S Meyer 
R Pfaffen 
M Rütsche 
G Vitarelli 




Company secretary
M Graf



Registered number
11947978



Registered office
21 Clerkenwell Green

London

EC1R 0DX




Independent auditors
BKL Audit LLP
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor

35 Ballards Lane

London

N3 1XW





 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 

CONTENTS



Page
Directors' Report
 
 
1 - 2
Independent Auditors' Report
 
 
3 - 7
Statement of Comprehensive Income
 
 
8
Statement of Financial Position
 
 
9
Statement of Changes in Equity
 
 
10
Notes to the Financial Statements
 
 
11 - 22

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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

Directors' responsibilities statement

The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' 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 applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. 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 for the Company's financial statements and then apply them consistently;

make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

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

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 to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006They 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.

Principal activity

The principal activity of the Company in the year continued to be the provision of research service activities.

Directors

The directors who served during the year were:

M Graf 
S Meyer 
R Pfaffen 
M Rütsche 
G Vitarelli 

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are directors at the time when this Directors' Report is approved has confirmed that:
 
so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditors are unaware, and

the director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a director in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditors are aware of that information.

Page 1

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Auditors

Under section 487 (2) of the Companies Act 2006, BKL Audit LLP will be deemed to have been reappointed as auditors 28 days after these financial statements were sent to members or 28 days after the latest date prescribed for filing the accounts with the registrar, whichever is earlier.

This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
 





M Graf
Director

Date: 28 August 2025
Page 2

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 

Opinion


We have audited the financial statements of VZ Investment Research Ltd (the 'Company') for the year ended 31 December 2024, which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policiesThe 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 December 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 Auditors' 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 United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council'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 financial statements are 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.


Page 3

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD (CONTINUED)


Other information


The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual ReportOur 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. 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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.


Opinion 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 Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the Directors' Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.


Matters on which we are required to report by exception
 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors' Report.


We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which 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; or
the directors were not entitled to take advantage of the small companies' exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report.


Page 4

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD (CONTINUED)


Responsibilities of directors
 

As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 1, 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.


Page 5

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD (CONTINUED)


Auditors' 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 Auditors' 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.


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:

Enquiring of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims;
Enquiring of management and those charged with governance to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;
Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
Reviewing the general ledger detail for all transactions with related parties;
Performing walk through testing to ensure systems and controls are operating as recorded where appropriate;
Performing audit work over the risk of management override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for bias. 


Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.


As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:


Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.
Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our Auditors' Report to
Page 6

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD (CONTINUED)


the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our Auditors' Report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.


We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.


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 2006Our 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 Auditors' 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.





David Landau FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
  
for and on behalf of
BKL Audit LLP
 
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
  
London

3 September 2025
Page 7

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2024
2023
Note
£
£

  

Turnover
 4 
550,577
405,569

Gross profit
  
550,577
405,569

Administrative expenses
  
(489,569)
(355,059)

Operating profit
 5 
61,008
50,510

Interest receivable and similar income
  
2
-

Interest payable and similar expenses
 9 
(771)
-

Profit before tax
  
60,239
50,510

Tax on profit
 10 
(16,364)
(13,067)

Profit for the financial year
  
43,875
37,443

There was no other comprehensive income for 2024 (2023:£NIL).

The notes on pages 11 to 22 form part of these financial statements.
Page 8

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
REGISTERED NUMBER: 11947978

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

2024
2023
Note
£
£

  

Current assets
  

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
 11 
161,821
110,084

Cash at bank and in hand
  
417,109
400,623

  
578,930
510,707

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 12 
(141,132)
(121,810)

Net current assets
  
 
 
437,798
 
 
388,897

Total assets less current liabilities
  
437,798
388,897

Provisions for liabilities
  

Deferred tax
 13 
(362)
(362)

  
 
 
(362)
 
 
(362)

Net assets
  
437,436
388,535


Capital and reserves
  

Called up share capital 
 14 
100,000
100,000

Other reserves
 15 
26,984
21,958

Profit and loss account
 15 
310,452
266,577

  
437,436
388,535


The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by: 




M Graf
Director

Date: 28 August 2025

The notes on pages 11 to 22 form part of these financial statements.
Page 9

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024


Called up share capital
Capital contribution
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£
£


At 1 January 2023
100,000
13,701
229,134
342,835


Comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the year
-
-
37,443
37,443
Total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
37,443
37,443


Contributions by and distributions to owners

Share based payments - fair value charge
-
8,257
-
8,257


Total transactions with owners
-
8,257
-
8,257



At 1 January 2024
100,000
21,958
266,577
388,535


Comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the year
-
-
43,875
43,875
Total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
43,875
43,875


Contributions by and distributions to owners

Share based payments - fair value charge
-
11,452
-
11,452

Exercising of share options
-
(6,426)
-
(6,426)


Total transactions with owners
-
5,026
-
5,026


At 31 December 2024
100,000
26,984
310,452
437,436


The notes on pages 11 to 22 form part of these financial statements.
Page 10

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1.


General information

The principal activity of VZ Investment Research Ltd ("the Company") is the provision of research service activities.
The Company is limited by shares and is incorporated in England and Wales.
The Registered Office and principal place of business is 21 Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0DX.

2.Accounting policies

 
2.1

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102") and the Companies Act 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies (see note 3).

The following principal accounting policies have been applied:

 
2.2

Financial Reporting Standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by the FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland":
the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
the requirements of Section 3 Financial Statement Presentation paragraph 3.17(d).

This information is included in the consolidated financial statements of VZ Holding AG as at 31 December 2024 and these financial statements may be obtained from VZ Group's website.

 
2.3

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which assumes that the Company will continue to trade for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements, and will be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
The directors are confident that the Company's access to working capital and future profit generation is sufficient to support the business in the foreseeable future, and accordingly, consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Page 11

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.4

Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

The Company's functional and presentational currency is Sterling
The level of rounding applied in this set of financial statement is to zero decimal places.

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the spot exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and non-monetary items measured at fair value are measured using the exchange rate when fair value was determined.

Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation at period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss except when deferred in other comprehensive income as qualifying cash flow hedges.

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowings and cash and cash equivalents are presented in the Statement of Comprehensive Income within 'finance income or costs'. All other foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in the Statement of Comprehensive Income within 'other operating income'.

 
2.5

Revenue

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:

Rendering of services

Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
it is probable that the Company will receive the consideration due under the contract;
the stage of completion of the contract at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and
the costs incurred and the costs to complete the contract can be measured reliably.

Revenue is calculated on a cost-plus percentage of expenditure, and accrues when the relevant expenditure is incurred.

Page 12

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.6

Interest income

Interest income is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income using the effective interest method.

 
2.7

Finance costs

Finance costs are charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so that the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.

 
2.8

Pensions

Defined contribution pension plan

The Company operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the Company has no further payment obligations.

The contributions are recognised as an expense in the Statement of Comprehensive Income when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Statement of Financial Position. The assets of the plan are held separately from the Company in independently administered funds.

 
2.9

Share-based payments

Where share options are awarded to employees, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income over the vesting period. Non-market vesting conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each reporting date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually vest. Market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of the options granted. The cumulative expense is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition.
The fair value of the award also takes into account non-vesting conditions. These are either factors beyond the control of either party (such as a target based on an index) or factors which are within the control of one or other of the parties (such as the Company keeping the scheme open or the employee maintaining any contributions required by the scheme).
Where the terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the increase in the fair value of the options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is also charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income over the remaining vesting period.

Page 13

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.10

Current and deferred taxation

The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income except that a charge attributable to an item of income and expense recognised as other comprehensive income or to an item recognised directly in equity is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.

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 income.

Deferred tax balances are recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed by the reporting date, except that:
 
The recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits; and
Any deferred tax balances are reversed if and when all conditions for retaining associated tax allowances have been met.

Deferred tax balances are not recognised in respect of permanent differences except in respect of business combinations, when deferred tax is recognised on the differences between the fair values of assets acquired and the future tax deductions available for them and the differences between the fair values of liabilities acquired and the amount that will be assessed for tax. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.


 
2.11

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.

 
2.12

Financial instruments

The Company only enters into basic financial instrument transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other debtors and creditors, loans from banks and other third parties, loans to related parties and investments in non-puttable ordinary shares.
(i) Financial assets
Basic financial assets, including trade and other debtors, and amounts due from related companies, are initially recognised at transaction price, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest.
Such assets are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. At the end of each reporting period financial assets measured at amortised cost are assessed for objective evidence of impairment. If an asset is impaired the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprensive Income.
 
Page 14

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)


2.12
Financial instruments (continued)


Financial assets are derecognised when (a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or (b) substantially all the risks and rewards of the ownership of the asset are transferred to another party or (c) control of the asset has been transferred to another party who has the practical ability to unilaterally sell the asset to an unrelated third party without imposing additional restrictions.
(ii) Financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other creditors and accruals, 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 receipts discounted at a market rate of interest.
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 payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the liability is extinguished, that is when the contractual obligation is discharged, cancelled or expires.
(iii) Offsetting
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.


3.


Judgments in applying accounting policies 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 amounts 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.
There are no key judgements or estimation uncertainties which materially impact the financial statements.

Page 15

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

4.


Turnover

The whole of the turnover is attributable to intercompany parent recharge

All turnover arose within the United Kingdom.


5.


Operating profit

The operating profit is stated after charging:

2024
2023
£
£

Exchange differences
11,011
1,174


6.


Auditors' remuneration

During the year, the Company obtained the following services from the Company's auditors and their associates:


2024
2023
£
£

Fees payable to the Company's auditors and their associates for the audit of the Company's financial statements
5,750
6,250

Fees payable to the Company's auditors and their associates in respect of:

All non-audit services not included above
7,296
6,140


7.


Employees

Staff costs, including directors' remuneration, were as follows:


2024
2023
£
£

Wages and salaries
249,000
257,999

Social security costs
36,341
32,883

Cost of defined contribution scheme
17,700
17,680

303,041
308,562


The average monthly number of employees, including the directors, during the year was as follows:


        2024
        2023
            No.
            No.







Directors
5
5

Page 16

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

8.


Directors' remuneration

2024
2023
£
£

Directors' emoluments
249,000
249,000

Company contributions to defined contribution pension schemes
17,700
17,400

266,700
266,400


During the year retirement benefits were accruing to 1 director (2023 - 1) in respect of defined contribution pension schemes.

The highest paid director received remuneration of £297,298 (2023 - £249,000).

The value of the Company's contributions paid to a defined contribution pension scheme in respect of the highest paid director amounted to £17,700 (2023 - £17,400).

During the year 1 director exercised options in the ultimate parent undertaking, VZ Holding AG, under the long-term incentive scheme (2023 - 0). The shares were then sold at a gain of £48,298.


9.


Interest payable and similar expenses

2024
2023
£
£


Bank interest payable
771
-

771
-

Page 17

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

10.


Taxation


2024
2023
£
£

Corporation tax


Current tax on profits for the year
16,364
13,625


16,364
13,625


Total current tax
16,364
13,625

Deferred tax


Origination and reversal of timing differences
-
(558)

Total deferred tax
-
(558)


Tax on profit
16,364
13,067

Factors affecting tax charge for the year

The tax assessed for the year is higher than (2023 - higher than) the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2023 - 23.52%). The differences are explained below:

2024
2023
£
£


Profit on ordinary activities before tax
60,239
50,510


Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2023 - 23.52%)
15,060
11,880

Effects of:


Expenses not deductible for tax purposes, other than goodwill amortisation and impairment
2,904
1,187

Other permanent differences
(1,607)
-

Movement in deferred tax not recognised
7
-

Total tax charge for the year
16,364
13,067


Factors that may affect future tax charges

There were no factors that may affect future tax charges.

Page 18

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
 
10.Taxation (continued)




11.


Debtors

2024
2023
£
£


Amounts owed by group undertakings
157,653
106,233

Other debtors
1,159
1,043

Prepayments and accrued income
3,009
2,808

161,821
110,084



12.


Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2024
2023
£
£

Trade creditors
475
-

Corporation tax
29,990
13,625

Other taxation and social security
7,818
7,666

Other creditors
2,065
2,108

Accruals and deferred income
100,784
98,411

141,132
121,810



13.


Deferred taxation




2024
2023


£

£






At beginning of year
(362)
(920)


Charged to profit or loss
-
558



At end of year
(362)
(362)

Page 19

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
 
13.Deferred taxation (continued)

The provision for deferred taxation is made up as follows:

2024
2023
£
£


Tax losses carried forward
(362)
(362)

(362)
(362)


14.


Share capital

2024
2023
£
£
Allotted, called up and fully paid



100,000 (2023 - 100,000) Ordinary shares of £1.00 each
100,000
100,000



15.


Reserves

Capital contribution

Comprises accumulated fair value charges for share-based payments granted to employees in the ultimate parent undertaking, VZ Holding AG.

Profit and loss account

Comprises current year and accumulated profits and losses.

Page 20

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

16.


Share-based payments

The parent company, VZ Holding AG, has granted share options to which FRS 102 Section 26 (Share-based Payments) is applicable. The charge is treated as an expense in this Company's figures as the relevant option holder is an employee of this Company.
The fair value of the share options granted during the period was determined using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:

Weighted average exercise price (CHF)
2024
Number
2024
Weighted average exercise price (CHF)
2023
Number
2023

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

81.52

4,226

81.93
 
2,930
 
Granted during the year

107.10

970

80.6
 
1,296
 
Forfeited during the year


-

 
-
 
Exercised during the year

70.65

(750)

 
-
 
Outstanding at the end of the year
92.45

4,446

81.52
 
4,226
 

2024
2023

Option pricing model used


Black Scholes

Black Scholes
 
Fair value at grant date (CHF)


111

71.4
 
Exercise price (CHF)


107.10

80.6
 
Weighted average contractual life


6

4.76
 
Expected volatility


25.17

25.79%
 
Expected dividend yield rate


2.38

3.04%
 
Risk-free interest rate


1.09

1.84%
 

A charge of £11,452 (2023: £8,257) has been recognised as an expense in the Statement of Comprehensive Income and as a Capital Contribution by the ultimate parent undertaking, VZ Holding AG.



17.


Pension commitments

The Company operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Company  in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Company to the fund and amounted to £17,700 (2023: £17,680). Contributions totalling £2,065 (2023: £2,030) were payable to the fund at the reporting date and are included in creditors.

Page 21

 
VZ INVESTMENT RESEARCH LTD
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

18.


Related party transactions

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption conferred by FRS 102 section 33.1A from the requirement to disclose transactions with other wholly owned group undertakings.


19.


Controlling party

The ultimate controlling party is VZ Holding AG, a company incorporated in Switzerland.

 
Page 22