Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Heathfield
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Opticians, Optometrists and Optical 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 combine clinical work with retail, which makes the numbers more involved than they first appear. Income can arrive from several sources at once, and the way optical goods and professional services are treated differs for accounting and VAT purposes.
- Multiple income streams: NHS and private eye test fees, locum work and product sales each need recording separately and accurately.
- Stock and inventory: spectacle frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up cash, so stock levels and supplier invoices need consistent tracking.
- Equipment and professional expenses: testing equipment, calibration, indemnity cover and CPD costs need correctly categorised records to support claims.
- Premises and practice costs: rent, utilities and fitting-room overheads add up quickly, making cash flow forecasting and accurate cost allocation essential.
- VAT on mixed supplies: professional services and optical goods can have different VAT treatments, so each supply should be reviewed on its own circumstances.
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
They handle the day-to-day accounting and tax work optical professionals and practices need, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where applicable. Because they work regularly with optical businesses, they understand income from eye tests, locum work and the sale of spectacles and contact lenses.
Support is available for independent opticians, self-employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, locums, practice partners and limited companies running optical practices. The exact work depends on how each professional or business is structured, how income is earned and whether optical goods are supplied alongside professional services.
Yes. Locums and self-employed optometrists or dispensing opticians typically need help with record keeping, expenses and Self Assessment, including how professional fees, travel and equipment costs are recorded. Whether a particular cost is allowable depends on individual circumstances, so each case is reviewed on its own facts.
VAT may apply, and the treatment is not always straightforward. Professional optical services and supplies of optical goods such as spectacles and contact lenses can be treated differently, and the position depends on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business. It is worth reviewing properly rather than assuming.
Frames, lenses, contact lenses and consumables should be recorded consistently so stock levels and costs match what the practice actually holds. Equipment, professional indemnity, CPD, premises costs and staff wages also need categorising correctly, since the accounting and tax treatment of each can vary.
Yes. Payroll support can cover optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants and reception staff, including PAYE, payslips and reporting obligations. Where practices engage locums or other contractors, the correct treatment depends on the working arrangements, so the status of each engagement should be reviewed carefully.
Switching accountants is usually a straightforward process. Your existing records and requirements are reviewed, the information needed for the handover is confirmed, and ongoing deadlines for accounts, payroll and tax reporting can continue without unnecessary disruption. It often helps to time the move around your year end.
Get in touch with a summary of your work, your business structure and what you need help with — bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll or VAT support. From there, the appropriate services can be identified and a clear, transparent arrangement agreed.