Specialist Accountants for Dentists & Dental Practices

Accountants for Dentists in Ashford: Specialist Tax and Accounting Support for Dental Professionals

Choosing the right accountant can make a genuine difference to how smoothly a dental career or practice runs, and that is what our work as accountants for dentists in Ashford is built around. Dental income rarely arrives from one simple source. An associate dentist may be paid through a combination of NHS and private work, a principal may draw profits from a practice alongside other income, and a practice owner may be managing payroll, equipment purchases and premises costs at the same time. Each of those elements can carry its own tax and bookkeeping implications, and the way they are recorded affects everything from Self Assessment returns through to annual accounts and, in some cases, VAT. We support self-employed dentists, associate dentists, principals and practice owners with bookkeeping, tax returns, business accounting and forward-looking tax planning, shaping the level of support around how you actually work rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. As specialist dental accountants, our role is to keep the numbers clear and the deadlines manageable so that you can concentrate on clinical work with confidence. On this page you can see the services that are typically relevant to dental professionals, the accounting and tax issues that commonly arise, and how to get started if you would like practical, straightforward help with your finances.

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⭐ What Clients Say About Us

See what doctors, dentists, and care providers say about working with us.

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Jamie Fletcher profile picture
Jamie Fletcher
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It was a pleasure working with Anum on our accounts. The whole process was swift and effortless, and it was one less thing to worry about. I'd highly recommend them.
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Mansur Liman profile picture
Mansur Liman
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Accotax have been our accountants for many years now. We maintained them, because of their professionalism. In the last coiple of years, i have working with Imran, who has been very professional and helpful in guiding us through the whole process explaining and clarifying every aspect of it. Very prompt in responding to questions and patient with us even when we seem to be slow. I really enjoy working with him. Thank you
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Muna Mohamoud profile picture
Muna Mohamoud
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I highly recommend Imran to anyone looking for a reliable and knowledgeable accountant. He helped me sort out a very complicated backlog of accounts and prepared my overdue tax returns with professionalism and attention to detail. Throughout the process, he was incredibly patient, took the time to answer all of my questions, and explained everything clearly. He guided me through each step and helped rectify issues that had built up over time, making what felt like an overwhelming situation much more manageable. I'm very pleased with the service I've received and truly appreciate his support. If you need help with your accounts or taxes, I would highly recommend Imran.
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Sergey M profile picture
Sergey M
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I had a positive experience with Accotax. The work was completed promptly, my tax return was successfully filed, and I received a refund of overpaid tax. I found the cooperation efficient and helpful. Special thanks to Muhammad Saifullah for his assistance.
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Ebba Qureshi profile picture
Ebba Qureshi
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Fabulous team at ACCOTAX - very efficient and good response time . Honest and professional with their work. I would highly recommend them even if you’re a young start up - or a large business they have it covered .
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Mael Leboucher profile picture
Mael Leboucher
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We worked with a few different accountants before finally settling with Accotax, and we’re really glad we did. Their team is great. Abdul is responsive and easy to reach whenever I have a question, which makes a big difference. They take the time to understand how our business works and what our needs are. They are very knowledgeable, and when they don’t have the answer straight away, they take the time to look into it and get back to us quickly. Anum, who looks after our account on a day-to-day basis, including reconciling invoices and preparing the annual accounts, is amazing. She is professional, efficient, and follows the processes we have put in place together. She's also very quickin getting back to us whenever needed. We’re very happy to work with her and hope to continue doing so for as long as possible. Overall, Accotax has made our accounting experience much smoother and easier. We see them as a long-term partner as our business continues to grow. I would 100% recommend them.
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3rd Hub profile picture
3rd Hub
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Imran provides a very dependable and straightforward accounting service. He is always responsive and professional when managing our accounts. Excellent support.
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Martin Tyrrell profile picture
Martin Tyrrell
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I have really impressed to date with all dealings with Accotax highly enough. From day one, they've made what can often be a complicated and stressful part of running a business feel straightforward and hassle-free. A special mention has to go to Anum, who has been friendly, incredibly responsive, and genuinely cares about providing the best possible service. No question is ever too much trouble, and she consistently goes above and beyond to make sure everything is dealt with efficiently. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone looking for an accountant they can genuinely trust.
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Matthew Lyon profile picture
Matthew Lyon
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Great speedy service and very personable. Anum dealt with my income certificate and did everything quickly and helped me out massively. Very happy with the service provided.
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Accounting Support for Dentists and Dental Practices

Self-employed dentists, associate dentists, principal dentists, private practitioners and dental practice owners can all face different accounting requirements, even when they work in similar clinical settings. An associate working under an agreement with a practice has a very different tax position from a principal who owns the premises and employs a team, and operating through a limited company brings a different set of reporting duties again. Because income sources, working arrangements and business structures vary so much, the sensible starting point is usually a proper look at your own circumstances rather than an assumption about how dental work is organised.

Associate & Private Dentists

Self-assessment, allowable expense claims, lab fees and superannuation reconciliation for self-employed associates and private dentists.

Dental Practice Owners & Principals

Practice accounts, payroll for nurses and receptionists, UDA income monitoring, cash flow and profit extraction planning.

Orthodontists & Specialists

Accounting for referral-based and specialist practices, including capital allowances on equipment and VAT on cosmetic treatment.

Squat Practices & Dental Start-Ups

Cash flow forecasts for lenders, company formation, cloud software set-up and registration for new and squat dental practices.

Our Accounting Services for Dentists: Tax, Bookkeeping and Practice Support

Depending on how you work, support may include Self Assessment tax returns, bookkeeping, preparation of annual accounts, Corporation Tax computations for incorporated practices, payroll for practice staff and VAT help where it applies. For practice owners, we can also assist with management information, cash flow planning, partnership or limited company accounts, and tax planning around profit extraction, equipment purchases and practice premises. Not every dentist needs every service, so the scope of work is usually agreed around your income sources, your business structure and how much of the record-keeping you want to hand over.

Bookkeeping for Dental Practices

We reconcile NHS schedules, private takings, plan income such as Denplan and card receipts so you always know what the practice is really earning.

VAT for Dental Practices

Most dental treatment is VAT exempt, but cosmetic work, teeth whitening and product sales are not. We handle partial exemption and get your returns right.

Self-Assessment for Associate Dentists

We prepare associate tax returns, claim every allowable expense from GDC fees and indemnity to CPD and lab costs, and reconcile superannuation deductions.

Dental Payroll, Auto-Enrolment & NHS Pension

Payroll for nurses, hygienists and reception staff, plus auto-enrolment, statutory pay and NHS Pension submissions handled on time every month.

Practice Accounts & Profitability Reporting

Management accounts that show profit per surgery, per associate and per income stream, so you can see exactly where the practice makes money.

Accounting Considerations for Dentists and Dental Practices

Dental accounting is rarely a case of simply adding up what came in. The way dentists earn income and structure their work tends to create a mix of tax, payroll and record-keeping issues that need to be handled consistently through the year. The points below are common considerations rather than a fixed checklist, and which ones apply to you depends on your working arrangement, income sources and business structure.

  • Separating NHS and private income: keeping NHS, private and any other dental income clearly recorded can make Self Assessment, VAT checks and practice reporting far easier to follow.
  • Associate dentist arrangements: the terms of an associate agreement influence how income is taxed, which expenses may be claimed and whether PAYE or self-employment reporting is relevant.
  • Professional costs and indemnity: indemnity cover, professional subscriptions and other costs connected with practising can be treated differently depending on whether you are employed, self-employed or trading through a company.
  • Equipment, materials and capital expenditure: larger purchases such as dental equipment may need to be accounted for differently from routine consumables, which can affect both your accounts and the timing of any relief.
  • Payroll and staff costs: practices employing receptionists, dental nurses, hygienists or associates under PAYE need accurate payroll records, payslips and reporting to HMRC.
  • Structure, VAT and cash flow: partnerships and limited companies bring different reporting, profit-sharing and VAT considerations, and irregular income patterns can place pressure on practice cash flow.

Why Dentists and Practice Owners Choose CruseBurke

Dentists often want an accountant who understands the shape of dental income rather than someone who treats them like any other small business. CruseBurke works with self-employed dentists, associates and practice owners to keep records organised, explain tax positions in plain language and manage deadlines in a structured way, so you are not chasing paperwork between clinics. The emphasis is on practical, tailored support that adapts as your working arrangements, income mix or practice change over time.

Genuine Dental Expertise

We know UDAs, superannuation, associate agreements and GDC costs without being told.

Built Around Your Practice

Associates, principals and multi-site groups each get a different service, not a template.

Fixed, Transparent Fees

One agreed monthly fee with no hourly billing and no surprises at year end.

Proactive Dental Tax Planning

Incorporation reviews, capital allowances on equipment and profit extraction planned in advance.

Named Accountant, Real Answers

You deal with the same qualified person every time, by phone or email, not a call centre.

A Track Record Since Before WWII

Our roots go back further than the Second World War and we act for dental clients across London.

Our Simple Three-Step Process for Getting Started

We begin by understanding how you work, looking at your income sources, business structure and any existing accounting arrangements, so that the advice is based on your actual position rather than assumptions. From there we organise the accounting and tax work that applies to you, whether that means bookkeeping, payroll, annual accounts, VAT or Self Assessment. We then continue to provide support through the year where that is useful, keeping the process clear at each stage and avoiding unnecessary jargon along the way.

1. Initial Consultation (It’s Free):

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.

2. Customised Plan:

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.

3. Ongoing Support & Updates:

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.

Professional Accounting Support Built Around Dental Work

You can expect clear explanations of what is due, what information we need from you and how a tax position has been worked out, rather than a set of figures with no context. CruseBurke focuses on practical communication and well-organised records, so that conversations about your practice or your self-employed income are based on accurate, up-to-date information. Where a decision could affect your tax position, we set out the available options and the considerations attached to each one, so you can decide with confidence.

Technology Driven

Cloud accounting linked to your practice software so your figures are current, not six months old.

Named Dental Accountant

A dedicated accountant for dentists who knows your practice, your contract and your plans.

Ongoing Support

Unlimited support by phone and email, including quick answers on UDA and superannuation queries.

Experienced Team

Our team has over 100 years of combined accountancy experience.

Free - Email Reminders

Never Miss any deadline with our automated email reminders.

Yes, We Are Chartered!

We’re an ICAEW, ACCA & AAT accredited Firm.

How to Switch to Our Dental Accountants

Take a back seat and let our London dental accountants handle everything. Switching mid-year is straightforward and you do not need to speak to your old accountant:

Get in touch

Reach out to us and we will discuss your practice, your contract and how we can help.

Letter of Engagement

We’ll send over a simple letter to formalise our partnership and get everything in motion.

Previous Accountants

If you're switching, we’ll take care of contacting your previous accountants to make the transition smooth.

We Do the Rest

From there, sit back and relax. We’ll manage your accounts, taxes, and everything in between, keeping your practice running smoothly.

FAQs

It is not a legal requirement, but many self-employed dentists find professional support useful because their income rarely comes from a single, straightforward source. NHS work, private treatment, laboratory fees, indemnity costs and practice-related expenses all need to be recorded correctly for Self Assessment, and mistakes or omissions can lead to queries from HMRC. An accountant can help you keep records in a usable format, work out what may be deductible depending on your circumstances, and file your return on time.

Associate dentists are usually treated as self-employed for tax purposes, which means income received from the practice is reported through Self Assessment rather than taxed under PAYE. The agreement you hold with the practice, and the way payments are structured, can affect how that income should be recorded. We can help you keep the paperwork for each practice separate where you work at more than one, track expenses such as indemnity cover and professional subscriptions, and prepare your tax return so that the position is clear.

Yes. Many dentists earn from NHS contracts, private treatment, or a combination of both, and the records for each stream may need to be kept separately for reporting and VAT purposes. We help you organise that income clearly so that your accounts and tax returns reflect the full picture. Where a practice holds an NHS contract alongside private work, we can also help with the reporting and management information that sits behind it.

It depends on your employment status, business structure and what the cost was genuinely incurred for. Costs such as indemnity insurance, professional body subscriptions, continuing professional development and certain equipment or materials may be allowable in some circumstances, while other costs are treated as personal or capital in nature. Because the rules differ between employed, self-employed and company arrangements, we look at your specific position rather than applying a general list.

If your practice employs dental nurses, receptionists, hygienists, trainees or associates paid through PAYE, then payroll obligations apply, including accurate payslips, real-time reporting and the associated payments to HMRC. Payroll for dental practices often involves a mix of full-time, part-time and variable-hours arrangements, which makes consistent record-keeping important. We can manage the payroll process for you or work alongside your existing practice systems.

There is no single answer that suits every dentist, because the right structure depends on your income level, how many practices you work with, whether you own a practice, and your longer-term plans. Sole trader and partnership arrangements are common among self-employed and associate dentists, while practice owners sometimes find a limited company brings different tax and administrative considerations. We can explain the implications of each option so you can decide what fits your situation.

VAT treatment can vary depending on the type of service provided and the way it is delivered, so it is worth checking rather than assuming a position. Clinical dental care and certain cosmetic or elective treatments may be treated differently, and a practice's VAT position can also depend on its turnover and other business activities. We can review your income streams and help you understand whether registration or a particular treatment applies to you.

Switching is normally more straightforward than people expect. Once you decide to move, we can contact your existing accountant for the relevant records and professional clearance, then review what has been done previously and identify anything that still needs attention. All we usually need from you is confirmation that you are happy for us to act, along with access to your accounting records, bank information and details of your income sources so we can pick things up without disrupting your year.

Speak to an Expert

Not sure your current accounting keeps up with everything dental work involves? CruseBurke can bring it all into order.

Juggling NHS and private income, associate payments, practice payroll and a Self Assessment deadline that always seems to land in your busiest week can quickly become unmanageable, particularly when receipts and figures are spread across spreadsheets, practice systems and a drawer of paperwork. CruseBurke can take on the bookkeeping and tax return work that sits behind your clinical day, and help bring practice accounts or payroll into a clear, consistent routine. If you would rather spend your time treating patients than chasing records, our team is ready to talk through how your dental income and practice finances can be handled properly. Get in touch and we will take it from there.