Annual Report 2004/05 - Special Investigating Unit
Annual Report 2004/05 - Special Investigating Unit
Annual Report 2004/05 - Special Investigating Unit
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ANNUAL REPORT <strong>2004</strong>/<strong>05</strong><br />
SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES<br />
for the year ended 31 March 20<strong>05</strong><br />
The following are the principal accounting policies of the <strong>Unit</strong> which are<br />
consistent in all material respects with those applied in the previous<br />
year, except as otherwise indicated.<br />
Basis of preparation<br />
The fi nancial statements have been prepared on the historical cost<br />
basis in accordance with South African Statements of Generally<br />
Accepted Accounting Practice.<br />
Moveable property and equipment<br />
Moveable property and equipment are stated at historical cost less<br />
depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line method<br />
to write off the cost of each asset over its estimated useful life as<br />
follows:<br />
Cash flows<br />
For purposes of cash flow statement, cash includes cash on hand,<br />
deposits held on call with banks, investments held in money market<br />
instruments and bank overdrafts.<br />
Capital reserve<br />
Reserves equal to the book value of moveable property and equipment<br />
is reflected as capital reserve.<br />
Post-employment benefit costs<br />
The <strong>Unit</strong>’s contributions to the defined contribution provident plan are<br />
charged to the income statement in the year to which they relate.<br />
Financial instruments<br />
Offi ce furniture and equipment<br />
Computer equipment<br />
Books and law reports<br />
Motor vehicles<br />
Computer software<br />
5 years<br />
3 years<br />
5 years<br />
4 years<br />
2 years<br />
Financial instruments carried in the balance sheet include cash and<br />
bank balances, receivables and payables.<br />
Measurement<br />
Financial instruments are initially recognised at trade date and<br />
measured at cost.<br />
Rented assets<br />
All costs relating to rental agreements are charged against income as<br />
incurred.<br />
Revenue<br />
Revenue comprises the annual grant from the Department of Justice<br />
and Constitutional Development, income from other departments in<br />
terms of partnership agreements to carry out specifi c engagements<br />
accounted for on an accrual basis. Incidental grants and donations are<br />
accounted for on a cash basis.<br />
Interest received<br />
Interest received is recognised on a time proportion basis.<br />
Inventory<br />
Consumable stores are valued at average cost.<br />
Subsequent to initial recognition, these instruments are measured as<br />
set out below:<br />
• Trade receivables are stated at their nominal value as reduced by<br />
appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts.<br />
• Cash and cash equivalents measured at cost plus interest income<br />
as it accrues.<br />
• Trade and other payables are stated at their nominal value.<br />
Offsetting of financial assets and liabilities<br />
Financial assets and liabilities will not be offset, as there is no such<br />
legally enforceable right, and it will not be settled on a net basis nor<br />
will the asset be realised or the liability settled simultaneously.<br />
Gains and Losses<br />
Gains and losses that arise from a change in the fair value of financial<br />
instruments are included in the income statement in the period in<br />
which they arise.<br />
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