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.
Transition to FRS 102
The entity transitioned from previous FRS 105 to FRS 102 as at 1 September 2023. Details of how FRS 102 has affected the reported financial position and financial performance is given in the transition to FRS 102 note.
Turnover
Turnover represents the amounts receivable for goods supplied or services rendered in the normal course of business, net of trade discounts, VAT, and other sales-related taxes. Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the company and the revenue 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.
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:
| Fixtures and fittings | 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.
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.