Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain fixed assets, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015).
Turnover
Turnover represents amounts invoiced during the year, exclusive of Value Added Tax and trade discounts. Turnover is recognised when the seller obtains the right to consideration in exchange for its performance, usually on dispatch of the goods.
Current tax
Current tax is recognised in the profit and loss account, except to the extent that it is attributable to a gain or loss that has been recognised directly in the statement of total recognised gains or losses. In this case, tax is recognised in this statement. Current tax is measured at the amounts of tax expected to be paid or recovered using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and are subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.
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:
Land and buildings |
At Valuation
|
Plant and machinery |
20% straight line
|
Gains and losses on the revaluation of assets that have been recognised in the statement of total recognised gains and losses are credited, or debited, to a separate revaluation reserve. When amounts are realised, an annual transfer is made from the revaluation reserve to the profit and loss account over the useful economic life of the asset.
Investments
Investments held as current assets are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Stocks
Stocks and work in progress are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Pension costs
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company. The annual contributions payable are charged to the profit and loss account.
Financial instruments
Financial instruments are classified and accounted for according to the substance of contractual arrangements, as either financial assets, financial liabilities or equity instruments.
Operating leases
Leases are classified as operating leases where substantially all the benefits of ownerships remain with the lessor. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the profit and loss account on a straight-line basis over the lease term.