Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
An optical practice earns from three very different places at once: NHS sight test fees and GOS vouchers, private eye examinations, and retail sales of frames, lenses and contact lenses. Each is treated differently for VAT. Our accountants for opticians in London handle that split properly, along with stock, payroll and tax. CruseBurke has advised British businesses since before the Second World War.
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We act across the optical sector, and the accounting priorities are different in each case:
GOS income reconciliation, VAT apportionment between exempt sight tests and taxable dispensing, stock control and owner profit extraction.
Self-assessment, IR35 status on agency work, GOC and professional fees, mileage between practices and equipment claims.
Management accounts per branch, partial exemption calculations, payroll for optical assistants and funding for new sites.
Ophthalmology and refractive surgery providers: company accounts, VAT on cosmetic versus medical treatment and capital allowances on equipment.
Every service below is built around optical practice economics — GOS income, dispensing margin, stock and clinical staff cost — not a generic retail template.
Incorporation reviews, capital allowances on OCT scanners and consulting room fit-out, and profit extraction planning for practice owners.
Payroll for optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical assistants, plus auto-enrolment, statutory pay and locum payments.
Cloud bookkeeping that reconciles GOS payments, private fees and retail till takings so your figures are accurate all year.
Sight tests are exempt while frames and lenses are taxable, so a mixed supply needs apportioning. We use an HMRC-acceptable method and defend it if queried.
Reports showing tests per day, dispensing conversion, margin per branch and profit trends, so decisions are based on real numbers.
An optical practice is a clinic and a retailer in one building, which makes the accounting harder than either alone. NHS sight test fees and voucher values are set nationally under the General Ophthalmic Services scheme. These are the issues we solve:
VAT apportionment between exempt sight tests and taxable dispensing
GOS voucher income that never quite matches the till
Frame and lens stock tying up cash and distorting profit
Payroll and locum cover for clinical and retail staff
IR35 status on locum optometrist engagements
Deadlines for VAT, accounts and payroll all at once
Financing equipment such as OCT scanners and fit-out costs
The right accountant makes a real difference to an optical business, because most of the value sits in the VAT treatment and the margin analysis. Here is what you get with us:
GOS income, voucher values, partial exemption and dispensing margin — no explaining required.
Independents, multiples and locum optometrists each get a different service, not a template.
We use a defensible apportionment method and keep the workings ready in case HMRC asks.
One agreed monthly fee with no hourly billing and no surprises at year end.
Management accounts that show where the profit actually comes from, test by test and branch by branch.
You deal with the same qualified person every time, by phone or email, not a call centre.
We make the finances easier by taking on the bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and year-end work. Here is how it starts:
We begin by getting to know your practice and understanding your unique needs. This step ensures we have a clear picture of your operations and your goals.
Based on our initial discussion, we create a personalised plan designed specifically for you. The aim is to keep everything organised and easy to follow. You can rest assured that your numbers are being handled with expert precision.
From there, we take care of the ongoing work and keep you updated with reports. You’ll always know what’s happening, and we’re always here to answer your questions, ensuring you have a clear picture of your financial health at all times.
Our roots go back further than the Second World War and our team is built around healthcare. Here is what working with us looks like:
Using the latest technology to offer customised financial strategies that help healthcare practices grow and thrive.
A dedicated accountant for opticians who understands GOS income, stock and dispensing margin.
Our team is here whenever you need guidance. We offer unlimited support to ensure your financial management is always on point.
Our team has over 100 years of combined accountancy experience.
Never Miss any deadline with our automated email reminders.
We’re an ICAEW, ACCA & AAT accredited Firm.
Take a back seat and let our optical accountants handle everything. Switching mid-year is simple and you never need to contact your old accountant:
Reach out to us, and we’ll discuss your needs and how we can help your healthcare practice thrive.
We’ll send over a simple letter to formalise our partnership and get everything in motion.
If you're switching, we’ll take care of contacting your previous accountants to make the transition smooth.
From there, sit back and relax. We’ll manage your accounts, taxes, and everything in between, keeping your practice running smoothly.
Our optician accountants help optometry businesses with bookkeeping, tax planning, financial reporting, and strategic advice.
Yes, our expert Accountants for Locum Optom offer specialist services for locum optometrists, including income tracking, expense management, and self-assessment tax payments.
An optometrist accountant makes sure that your VAT calculations are correct and that you follow HMRC rules. This helps you avoid fines and get the most out of your taxes.
We provide regular financial reports tailored to your business needs and give you a comprehensive picture of your cash flow.
Yes, we ensure all your queries are answered professionally and guide you through the process to maintain compliance and minimise stress.
A sight test is an exempt supply of medical care, while frames, lenses and contact lenses are taxable. When you charge a single price for both you must apportion it. HMRC accepts several methods, including a cost-based or a separately disclosed charge basis, and we set up whichever gives the fairest result for your practice and keep the workings on file.
Yes, NHS General Ophthalmic Services fees and voucher reimbursements are trading income and must be recognised in your accounts. The VAT treatment differs between the exempt test element and the taxable dispensing element, which is where most errors arise.
Usually GOC registration, professional indemnity, College of Optometrists membership, CPD, trial frames and equipment, travel between practices, and a proportion of phone and home office costs. We review each engagement so nothing allowable is missed.
It depends on your profit level and whether your engagements fall inside IR35. A company can be more tax-efficient at higher profits but brings extra filing. We compare both options on your real figures first.
Yes. Diagnostic equipment, consulting room fit-out and IT usually qualify for capital allowances, and the Annual Investment Allowance often gives full relief in the year of purchase. We plan the timing so the relief is worth the most.
Yes. We prepare and review the financial information, advise on goodwill and asset versus share purchase, model the funding and handle the tax planning on a sale.
