Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Mildenhall
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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 combine professional advice with retail, so the numbers are rarely straightforward. Income, stock, equipment and staffing behave differently from a purely service-based practice, and tax treatment often follows the type of supply.
- Mixed income streams: Examination fees, lens plans and spectacle sales may sit alongside locum or NHS work, each needing clear records.
- Stock and optical goods: Spectacles, frames and contact lenses must be tracked as inventory, so cost of sales and margins stay accurate.
- Equipment and professional expenses: Testing equipment, fitting tools and continuing professional development costs need correct treatment for tax and record-keeping purposes.
- Payroll and practice staff: Employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, reception and support staff bring PAYE, pensions and contractor payment questions.
- VAT on mixed supplies: Professional services and optical goods can be treated differently, so VAT depends on the nature of each supply.
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 behind an optical business, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where applicable. Because opticians combine professional services with optical goods, records need to keep professional income and product sales distinct, and the right approach depends on your circumstances.
They can support independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed optical professionals, practice owners and limited companies. The accounting requirements differ depending on how income is earned and how the business is structured, so sole traders, partnerships and limited companies are usually handled in different ways.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists often need Self Assessment, records for locum sessions and clear tracking of professional expenses. Dispensing opticians working independently may have similar needs, while those running a registered practice usually require a broader set of services. The right approach depends on how you work.
Yes. Bookkeeping keeps income and expenses organised, including professional fees, optical goods, stock purchases and practice costs, while Self Assessment covers your personal tax position. How much detail is needed depends on whether you trade as a sole trader, a partnership or through a limited company.
Yes. Limited companies and some partnerships need annual accounts and Corporation Tax returns, prepared from accurate records. Where a practice holds stock, equipment or premises, those figures form part of the accounts. Deadlines and requirements vary with your structure, so it is worth confirming what applies to you.
Possibly. VAT depends on turnover and on the nature of each supply. Professional optical services and optical goods such as spectacles and contact lenses can be treated differently, and exemptions or standard-rating may apply in different circumstances. It is worth reviewing your position rather than assuming one rule covers everything.
Switching is usually straightforward. With your permission, the new accountant can contact your existing one, obtain the records needed and pick up filing deadlines. Timing around year end, VAT periods or payroll can help, but the process is generally manageable.