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Accounting policies
Significant accounting policies
Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102 – The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of land and buildings and certain financial instruments measured at fair value in accordance with the accounting policies.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the company.
Turnover
Turnover comprises the invoiced value of goods and services supplied by the company, net of Value Added Tax and trade discounts.
Government grants
Government grants received are credited to deferred income. Grants towards capital expenditure are released to the income statement over the expected useful life of the assets. Grants received towards revenue expenditure are released to the income statement as the related expenditure is incurred.
Operating lease rentals
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the lease term.
Finance lease and hire purchase charges
The finance element of the rental payment is charged to the income statement on a straight line basis.
Research and development expenditure
Research and development expenditure is charged to the income statement in the period in which it is incurred.
Website cost
Planning and operating costs for the company's website are charged to the income statement as incurred.
Foreign currencies
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the statement of financial position date. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. All foreign exchange differences are included to the income statement.
Taxation
Taxation represents the sum of tax currently payable and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the statement of income, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in capital and reserves.
The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted
Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the reporting date.
Deferred tax is measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.
Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.
Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted.
Dividends
Proposed dividends are only included as liabilities in the statement of financial position when their payment has been approved by the shareholders prior to the statement of financial position date.
Preference dividends
Where preference shares are classed as liabilities rather than equity any preference dividends paid are included in interest payable and similar charges within the income statement.
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
Acquired goodwill is stated at cost less amortisation. Amortisation is calculated on a straight line basis over the estimated expected useful economic life of the goodwill of years.
Licences and patents
Licences and patents are stated at cost less amortisation. Amortisation of licences is calculated on a straight line basis over the life of the licence. Amortisation of patents is calculated on a straight line basis over the estimated expected useful economic life of the patents of years.
Development expenditures
Research and development expenditure is charged to the income statement in the period in which it is incurred. However, where the directors are satisfied as to the technical, commercial and financial viability of individual projects, development expenditure is deferred and amortised over years during which the company is expected to benefit.
Computer software development costs
Development costs of computer software are capitalised once a detailed program design has been established and are amortised on a straight line basis over years.
Franchise Fees
Franchise Fees is stated at cost less amortization. Amortization is calculated on a straight line basis over the estimated expected useful economic life of the Franchise Fees of years.
Trade Mark
Trade Mark is stated at cost less amortization. Amortization is calculated on a straight line basis over the estimated expected useful economic life of the Trade Mark of years.
Copy Rights
Copy Rights is stated at cost less amortisation. Amortisation is calculated on a straight line basis over the estimated expected useful economic life of the Copy rights of years.
Software License
Software License is stated at cost less amortisation. Amortisation is calculated on a straight line basis over the estimated expected useful economic life of the Software License of years.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, are stated at cost or valuation less depreciation and any provision for impairment. 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:
Investment properties
Investment properties are properties held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation.
Investment properties should be recognised initially at cost and subsequently investment properties are measured at fair value. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of investment properties are included in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.
Assets on finance lease and hire purchase
Assets held under finance lease or hire purchase contracts i.e. those contracts where substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the company, are included in the appropriate category of tangible fixed assets and depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their estimated expected useful lives.
Future obligations under such contracts are included in creditors net of the finance charge allocated to future periods.
Fixed asset investments
Fixed asset investments are stated at cost less provision for any permanent diminution in value.
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.
Factored debts
The company includes factored debts within trade debtors since most of the risks and rewards of ownership of the factored debts have not passed to the factors. A corresponding liability is included in liabilities in respect of the proceeds received from the factor.
Current asset investments
Current asset investments are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the company has a present obligation as a result of a past event which it is more probable than not will result in an outflow of economic benefits that can be reasonably estimated.
Preference shares
The company's preference shares are treated as a financial liability since they are subject to mandatory redemption for a fixed or determinable amount at a fixed or determinable time and are thus included in creditors in the statement of financial position rather than as part of the company's issued share capital.
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.
Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with 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.
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