Legal Fees as an asset?

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Emma1708
Emma1708 Registered Posts: 217 Dedicated contributor 🦉
in General accounting discussion
A friend of mine is a sole trader and has asked me to look at her accounts as she would like me to do them next year rather than the accountancy company she has been using.

On the schedule of fixed assets it has 'Legal fees etc' and a figure for this as part of the fixed assets

Can anyone please explain why this would be?



Thank you

Comments

  • T.C.
    T.C. Registered, Tutor Posts: 1,448 Beyond epic contributor 🧙‍♂️
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    Current assets would imply legal fees paid in advance, but I can't think why they would be fixed assets! Sorry.
  • Bluewednesday
    Bluewednesday Registered Posts: 1,624 Beyond epic contributor 🧙‍♂️
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    Just an off the wall thought, could it be legal fees relating to bringing an asset into use (although in that case it I would have thought it should be capitalised as part of that asset) or something to do with an intangible asset?
  • Wayneo157
    Wayneo157 Registered Posts: 15 New contributor 🐸
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    Bluewednesday wrote: »
    Just an off the wall thought, could it be legal fees relating to bringing an asset into use...

    Hi,

    I would think that this is highly likely as legal fees incurred on the purchase or construction of new assets are not deductible from trading income but can qualify for capital allowances so they should be capitalised.


    Regards

    Wayne
  • peugeot
    peugeot Registered Posts: 624 Epic contributor 🐘
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    FRS 15 states that all costs incurred in bringing a fixed asset to its present state and location should be capitalised. In the case of (lets say) a building, legal feels incurred in connection with the purchasing of the leasehold title or freehold would be capitalised. Legal fees incurred, also,in connection with intangible assets - for example goodwill - would also be capitalised.

    Kind regards
    Steve
  • Bluewednesday
    Bluewednesday Registered Posts: 1,624 Beyond epic contributor 🧙‍♂️
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    That's what I thought but would legal fees be listed separately - or included in the cost of the asset? I thought they would be included in the cost of the asset, intangible or tangible.
  • peugeot
    peugeot Registered Posts: 624 Epic contributor 🐘
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    On the fixed assets schedule within the accounts file they could be shown separately, however, in the financial statements themselves you would normally include them within tangible/intangible fixed assets.

    Steve
  • Emma1708
    Emma1708 Registered Posts: 217 Dedicated contributor 🦉
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    Thank you for the helpful replies.

    The only things in the fixed assets are: -

    Property
    Release of covenants
    Alterations and improvements
    2 x company cars
    Legal fees

    So the most likely reason would be that they are fees in relation to the property purchase?


    Thanks
  • peugeot
    peugeot Registered Posts: 624 Epic contributor 🐘
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    More than likely, yes. The completion statement when the property was acquired should tell you. They could relate to the covenants also.

    Kind regards
    Steve
  • Emma1708
    Emma1708 Registered Posts: 217 Dedicated contributor 🦉
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    Thanks Steve

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