Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists

Accountants for Opticians in Armagh

CruseBurke provides practical accounting and tax support for opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical businesses, with clear, transparent fees and no hidden surprises.

4.9/5.0

Google Reviews

⭐ 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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Optical Professionals and Businesses We Support

Optical professionals do not all work the same way. An independent optician running a practice with retail sales faces different accounting questions from a locum optometrist moving between clinics, or a dispensing optician working on spectacle fitting and supply. Accountants for Opticians support sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, along with self-employed optical professionals and practice owners. Because income sources, stock, equipment and staffing vary so much between businesses, the way records, tax returns and financial reporting are handled should reflect how you actually operate rather than a one-size-fits-all template.

Independent Opticians

GOS income reconciliation, VAT apportionment between exempt sight tests and taxable dispensing, stock control and owner profit extraction.

Locum Optometrists

Self-assessment, IR35 status on agency work, GOC and professional fees, mileage between practices and equipment claims.

Optometry Clinics & Multiples

Management accounts per branch, partial exemption calculations, payroll for optical assistants and funding for new sites.

Private & Specialist Eye Care

Ophthalmology and refractive surgery providers: company accounts, VAT on cosmetic versus medical treatment and capital allowances on equipment.

Our Accounting Services for Optical Practices

Support for optical businesses usually centres on the practical side of running a practice. That can include bookkeeping for professional fees, spectacle and contact lens sales, annual accounts, Self Assessment for sole traders and partners, and Corporation Tax for limited companies. Payroll often matters where practice staff or associates are paid, while VAT support may be relevant where supplies of optical services and optical goods need separate consideration. Management accounts and tax planning can help owners understand stock levels, equipment costs, premises overheads and cash flow. Not every practice needs every service, so the appropriate mix depends on your structure, income streams and circumstances.

Optical Tax Planning

Incorporation reviews, capital allowances on OCT scanners and consulting room fit-out, and profit extraction planning for practice owners.

Payroll & Pensions for Optical Staff

Payroll for optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical assistants, plus auto-enrolment, statutory pay and locum payments.

Bookkeeping for Optical Practices

Cloud bookkeeping that reconciles GOS payments, private fees and retail till takings so your figures are accurate all year.

VAT Apportionment for Opticians

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.

Management Accounts & Reporting

Reports showing tests per day, dispensing conversion, margin per branch and profit trends, so decisions are based on real numbers.

Key Accounting Challenges for Optical Businesses

Optical practices are rarely straightforward businesses. With clinical work, retail sales, stock and equipment all in the mix, keeping accurate records and staying on top of tax obligations takes more planning than many owners expect.

  • Mixed Income Streams — Professional fees and income from selling spectacles or contact lenses need separating so your records reflect each stream accurately.
  • Stock and Inventory — Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up cash, and closing stock values directly affect your annual accounts.
  • Equipment and Professional Costs — Testing equipment, calibration, software and professional indemnity costs need recording and, where possible, claiming correctly.
  • Payroll and Contractor Payments — Practice staff, locums and associates can be paid in different ways, each with its own tax and filing requirements.
  • VAT on Mixed Supplies — Professional services and optical goods can carry different VAT treatments, so the nature of each supply needs checking rather than assumed.

Why Specialist Accounting Support Matters for Optical Businesses

Optical businesses sit somewhere between a clinical service and a retail operation. Alongside professional income from eye examinations, many practices also sell spectacles, contact lenses and other optical goods, which means stock, purchasing and margins all feed into the numbers. Equipment, premises, staff and contractor costs add further layers. Accounting support that understands these areas can help keep records accurate, tax filings on time and business decisions better informed, because the financial picture being reviewed actually reflects how an optical practice earns money. The right approach depends on how each practice operates.

Real Optical Expertise

GOS income, voucher values, partial exemption and dispensing margin — no explaining required.

Built Around Your Practice

Independents, multiples and locum optometrists each get a different service, not a template.

VAT Apportionment Done Right

We use a defensible apportionment method and keep the workings ready in case HMRC asks.

Fixed, Transparent Fees

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

Clear Margin Reporting

Management accounts that show where the profit actually comes from, test by test and branch by branch.

Named Accountant, Real Answers

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

Our Simple 3-Step Process for Optical Businesses

Getting the right accounting support should not be complicated. The process starts with understanding how your optical business or professional work actually operates, then moves on to identifying the accounting and tax requirements that apply, before ongoing support begins. 1. Tell Us About Your Business — We look at the services you provide, how you are structured, where your income comes from, and how optical goods or stock fit into the practice. 2. Review Your Accounting Needs — From there, the relevant requirements are identified, which may include bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll or VAT support where applicable. 3. Receive Ongoing Support — Support then continues according to your circumstances, whether you are a sole trader optometrist, a partnership or a limited company practice with staff and stock.

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.

Accounting Support Built for Optical Practices

Accounting support for optical practices works best when it is shaped around the way the business runs. That means treating professional income, sales of spectacles and contact lenses, stock movement, equipment purchases and premises costs as distinct items rather than a single lump of turnover. Bookkeeping, payroll for practice staff, tax administration and financial records can then be kept in a way that suits your structure. Where VAT applies to a mix of optical services and optical goods, those considerations can be reviewed alongside your accounts. Regular reporting also makes it easier to spot stock issues, cost pressures or cash flow concerns early.

Technology Driven

Using the latest technology to offer customised financial strategies that help healthcare practices grow and thrive.

Named Optical Accountant

A dedicated accountant for opticians who understands GOS income, stock and dispensing margin.

Ongoing Support

Our team is here whenever you need guidance. We offer unlimited support to ensure your financial management is always on point.

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 Join/Switch

Take a back seat and let our expert accountants handle everything. Here’s how easy it is to get started with us:

Get in touch

Reach out to us, and we’ll discuss your needs and how we can help your healthcare practice thrive.

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

Accountants for Opticians handle the day-to-day financial side of an optical business, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, tax returns, payroll and VAT where it applies. They also help with tax planning and financial record keeping, tailored to how your practice actually earns income.

They can support sole trader optometrists, self-employed dispensing opticians, partnerships, independent optical practices and limited companies. The right support depends on how you are structured, how you earn income and whether you sell optical goods alongside professional services.

Yes. Self-employed optometrists and dispensing opticians often work across several practices or as locums, which means income, expenses and Self Assessment need careful tracking through the year rather than being pieced together at the deadline.

It varies. Many optical practices need bookkeeping, annual accounts, payroll and support with tax returns, while others also need VAT advice, management accounts or help with business structures. The appropriate mix depends on your services, staff and turnover.

Frames, lenses, contact lenses and consumables should be tracked as stock, with purchases and closing stock figures kept accurate. Equipment, testing gear and premises costs are generally treated as business expenses, though the correct treatment depends on the item and your circumstances.

Often yes, but it is not straightforward. Professional optical services and the supply of spectacles, contact lenses and other goods can have different VAT treatments depending on the nature of the supply and your circumstances. Registration and liability should be reviewed individually.

Yes. Limited company optical practices need annual accounts and a Corporation Tax return, along with supporting records. Self-employed opticians and partnerships instead deal with Self Assessment, so the filing requirements follow your business structure.

Yes, switching is usually straightforward. We can review your current records, confirm what needs to be transferred and keep your filings on track during the changeover. The process depends on your existing bookkeeping and how your records are held.

Speak to an Expert

Need Accountants for Opticians in Armagh Who Understand Your Business?

If you are juggling professional fees, spectacle and contact lens sales, stock records and payroll deadlines, keeping the financial side in order can feel like a second job. CruseBurke can help with bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax and VAT support, giving you clear, practical guidance you can rely on.