Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Brighton And Hove
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Optical Professionals and Practices We Support
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
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 businesses rarely have a single, simple income stream. Combining professional services with product sales, stock, equipment and staff can make bookkeeping, tax and VAT more involved than many owners expect.
- Separating income streams — Eye examinations, spectacles, contact lenses and repairs often need separate recording so income and costs stay clear.
- Stock and inventory control — Frames, lenses and consumables tie up money, so inaccurate stock records can distort margins and year-end figures.
- Equipment and professional costs — Diagnostic instruments, testing equipment, calibration, insurance and continuing professional development are treated differently from ordinary day-to-day running costs.
- VAT on mixed supplies — Professional services and goods such as spectacles and contact lenses can have different VAT treatments depending on the nature of each supply.
- Payroll and practice overheads — Employing optometrists, dispensing opticians and support staff brings payroll, pension and premises costs that need consistent, timely handling.
Why Specialist Accounting Support Matters for Optical Businesses
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
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
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 administration of optical professionals and practices. That can include bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where applicable, along with tax planning and help keeping records for professional income and optical goods in order.
Support is available for independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, locum and self-employed professionals, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies in Brighton And Hove. The services provided depend on how each person or business operates, earns income and is structured, so arrangements are tailored rather than fixed.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists and locum opticians often need help with bookkeeping, expense records and Self Assessment, particularly where income comes from several practices or contracts. The exact requirements depend on individual circumstances, including whether you also have employment income or operate through a limited company.
Yes. Limited companies in the optical sector usually need annual accounts and a Corporation Tax return, prepared from accurate records of income, stock, equipment and practice costs. Deadlines and reporting requirements vary depending on the company's circumstances, so it helps to plan ahead rather than leaving everything until the year end.
Sometimes. VAT registration depends on turnover and the nature of what is supplied. Optical businesses may provide professional services as well as goods such as spectacles and contact lenses, and these supplies can be treated differently for VAT, so the position should be reviewed on the facts of the business rather than assumed.
Frames, lenses and consumables should be tracked so stock figures and margins are realistic, while equipment such as testing instruments is usually treated differently from everyday running costs. Keeping purchases, supplier invoices and asset details organised throughout the year makes accounts and tax returns more straightforward to prepare.
Yes. Where a practice employs optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants or reception staff, payroll support can cover pay, deductions and pension duties. The right approach depends on how many people you employ and whether any work is paid through contractors rather than employment.
Yes. Moving accountants is usually a straightforward process, and we can help with the practical steps, including obtaining the information needed from your previous adviser. Once records are in place, support can continue in the areas most relevant to your optical work or practice.