Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Okehampton
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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 fit a single financial pattern. Professional income, retail sales of optical goods, stock, equipment and staff costs all interact, which is why accounting for an optical practice can be more involved than it first appears.
- Mixed income streams — Sight test fees, professional charges and retail sales each need recording separately for accurate reporting.
- Stock and inventory — Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up cash, so stock levels, ordering and write-offs need regular review.
- Optical equipment and expenses — Equipment, diagnostic instruments and professional costs may be allowable expenses where they meet the relevant rules.
- VAT on different supplies — Professional optical services and optical goods can be treated differently for VAT, so each supply needs reviewing individually.
- Payroll and practice staff — Employed optometrists, dispensing opticians and support staff bring payroll, pension and contractor payment considerations.
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.
Built Around the Needs of 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 accounting and tax work that optical professionals and practices need, from bookkeeping and financial record keeping to Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where relevant. The focus is on income from professional optical services and the sale of optical goods.
Support can be provided to independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed practitioners and locums, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies running optical businesses. The accounting work differs depending on how each professional earns income and how the business is structured, so the approach is tailored rather than identical for everyone.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists, locums and dispensing opticians often need help with bookkeeping, Self Assessment and recording business expenses such as equipment, travel and professional fees. If you also sell optical goods alongside your professional work, your records and any VAT considerations may need a different approach.
It depends on the practice. Many need bookkeeping, annual accounts, Corporation Tax or partnership tax returns, payroll for staff and management accounts that separate professional income from sales of spectacles and contact lenses. Tax planning, VAT support and financial record keeping may also be relevant. Not every practice requires every service.
Frames, lenses, contact lenses and other optical goods are usually treated as trading stock, so purchases, stock levels and sales should be recorded accurately and reviewed regularly. Day-to-day expenses such as equipment, professional fees, premises costs and staff wages also need supporting records, with treatment depending on your circumstances.
Possibly. VAT treatment depends on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business. Professional optical services and the sale of optical goods such as spectacles and contact lenses can be treated differently, and registration depends on taxable turnover, so it is worth reviewing your particular mix of supplies.
Payroll support can cover employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants and admin staff, including payslips, PAYE and pension duties. Where practices use locums or other contractors, those payments need separate treatment from employee payroll, so it helps to keep both clearly recorded.
Yes. Switching is usually straightforward, and the main step is making sure your records, deadlines and outstanding filings are handed over properly. Once your circumstances are understood, the accounting, tax and payroll work that applies to your optical business can be picked up and kept on track.