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Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
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 £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
Turnover
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates and sales taxes.
Turnover from the sale of goods is recognised when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
• the company has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer;
• the company retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;
• the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
• it is probable that the company will receive the consideration due under the transaction; and
• the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.
Rendering of services
Turnover 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.
Where a contract has only been partially completed at the Balance Sheet date turnover represents the fair value of the service provided to date based on the stage of completion of the contract activity at the Balance Sheet date.
Where payments are received from customers in advance of services provided, the amounts are recorded as deferred income and included as part of creditors due within one year.
Finance lease and hire purchase charges
The finance element of the rental payment is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of charge on the net obligation outstanding in each period.
Foreign currencies
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction.
Exchange differences are recognised in the Profit and Loss Account in the period in which they arise except for:
* exchange differences on transactions entered into to hedge certain foreign currency risks; and
* exchange differences arising on gains or losses on non-monetary items which are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
Taxation
Current tax, including UK corporation tax and foreign tax, is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the Balance Sheet date.
Dividends
Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim equity dividends are recognised when paid. Final equity dividends are recognised when approved by the shareholders at an annual general meeting.
Proposed dividends are only included as liabilities in the financial statements when their payment has been approved by the shareholders prior to the balance sheet date.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets (including purchased goodwill and patents) are amortised at rates calculated to write off the assets on a straight line basis over their estimated useful economic lives. Impairment of intangible assets is only reviewed where circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be fully recoverable.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of unincorporated businesses over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 5 years.
For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, are stated at historical cost or valuation less depreciation and any provision for impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following basis:
| Plant and Machinery | 25% Reducing Balance | | Motor Vehicles | 25% Reducing Balance | | Computer Equipment | 25% Reducing Balance | | Office Equipment | 25% Reducing Balance |
Assets on finance lease and hire purchase
Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts and finance leases are capitalised as fixed assets at the fair value of the leased asset (or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments as determined at the inception of the lease). Assets acquired by finance lease are depreciated/amortised over the shorter of the lease term and their useful lives. Assets acquired by hire purchase are depreciated/amortised over their useful lives. Finance leases are those where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership are assumed by the company. Obligations under such agreements are included in creditors net of the finance charge allocated to future periods.
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads.
Employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.
Long-term employee benefits are measured at the present value of the benefit obligation at the reporting date.
Termination benefits are recognised as an expense when the Company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Interest income
Interest income is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. Interest income is accrued on a time basis and taken to profit and loss account, by reference to the principal outstanding at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset's net carrying amount on initial recognition.
Finance costs
Finance costs are charged to the Profit and Loss Account over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so 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.
Trade and other debtors
Short-term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts, except where the effect of discounting would be immaterial. In such cases the receivables are stated at cost less impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.
Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in creditors: amounts falling due within one year.
Trade and other creditors
Short-term creditors are measured at the transaction price. The other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, unless the effect of discounting would be immaterial, in which case they are stated at cost.
Loans and borrowings
Loans and borrowings are initially recognised at the transaction price including transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less impairment.
Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the fair value of cash or other resources received or receivable, net of direct issue costs. If payment is deferred and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the Company.
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