Annual Accounts 2010 - University of Abertay Dundee

University of Abertay DundeeAnnual report and financial statements31 July 2011Statement of principal accounting policiesBasis of PreparationThese financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the statement of recommended practice(SORP): Accounting in Further and Higher Education and in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards.They conform to the Accounts Direction for Scotland’s colleges and universities published by the ScottishFunding Council.Basis of accountingThe financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, as well as on an accruals basis and using thehistorical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of endowment investments, fixed asset investmentsand land and buildings. They have been prepared using the principle of “substance over form”.Basis of consolidationThe consolidated financial statements include the University and its subsidiary undertakings for the year ended31 July 2011. Income for the year is included in Other Operating Income and expenditure is included in OtherOperating Expenses in the Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account. The Balance Sheet reflects fullconsolidation. The accounting policies for the University have been applied uniformly for the group. Any intracompanybalances have been eliminated upon consolidation.The university has taken the exemption allowed from preparing its own income and expenditure account, andinstead discloses only the consolidated income and expenditure account.The financial statements of the Group do not include those of the University of Abertay Dundee Students'Association on the basis that the University has no significant influence over the Association's policy decisions.Recognition of IncomeIncome from Research Grants, Contracts and Other Services Rendered is included to the extent of completion ofthe contract or service concerned. This is generally equivalent to the sum of the expenditure incurred during theyear and any related contributions towards overhead costs.All income from short-term deposits and general endowment asset investments is credited to the Income andExpenditure Account in the period in which it is earned.Recurrent grants from the Funding Council are recognised in the period in which they are received. Nonrecurrentgrant from the Funding Council or other bodies received in respect of the acquisition or construction offixed assets are treated as deferred capital grants and amortised in line with depreciation over the life of theasset.LeasesRental costs under operating leases are charged annually to the income and expenditure on a straight line basisover the life of the lease.TaxationThe University is an exempt charity within the meaning of Schedule 2 of the Charities Act 1993 and as such is acharity within the meaning of Section 506(1) of the Taxes Act 1988. Accordingly, the University is potentiallyexempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Section 505 ofthe Taxes Act 1988 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that such incomeor gains are applied to exclusively charitable purposes. The University receives no similar exemption in respectof Value Added Tax.13