Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Ottery St Mary
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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 often mix professional services with the sale of optical goods, stock and equipment, which can make bookkeeping, tax and VAT more involved than in a purely service-based business, before staffing and premises are even considered.
- Mixed Income Streams — Professional fees, locum work and retail sales of spectacles or contact lenses each need recording separately so income stays clear.
- Stock and Inventory — Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money, so accurate stock records and valuations directly affect your reported margins.
- Equipment and Practice Costs — Diagnostic equipment, testing room costs and premises expenses need correct treatment, including capital allowances where they apply.
- Payroll and Staff Costs — Employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants and locum payments each carry different payroll and tax obligations.
- VAT on Different Supplies — Professional services and goods such as spectacles can be treated differently, so VAT depends on the specific 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
Accountants for Opticians handle the day-to-day financial side of optical work, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where it applies. They also help with tax planning, record keeping and business structure questions, so professional income, optical goods sales, stock and practice costs are recorded accurately.
Support is available for independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed optical professionals, optical practice owners, partnerships and limited companies running optical businesses. Requirements differ depending on how you earn income, whether you hold stock and how your business is structured, so advice is tailored to your own circumstances rather than applied generically.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists, locum opticians and dispensing opticians working alone often need help with Self Assessment, straightforward bookkeeping and keeping business expenses separate from personal spending. If your income comes from several sources, such as locum sessions and retail sales, we can help make sure each income stream is recorded clearly and reported correctly.
It depends on the practice. A limited company may need annual accounts, Corporation Tax returns, payroll for staff and management accounts, while a sole trader may only need bookkeeping and Self Assessment. Practices selling spectacles, contact lenses or equipment may also need VAT support, depending on the nature of those supplies.
Optical stock such as frames, lenses and contact lenses should be recorded as business purchases and tracked so you know what you hold and what it cost. Equipment and practice expenses can often be claimed where they are used wholly for business, but treatment varies, so it is worth confirming how each item applies to your circumstances.
Possibly. VAT treatment depends on the nature of each supply and your business circumstances. Professional optical services and the supply of goods such as spectacles or contact lenses can be treated differently, and registration thresholds or exemptions may apply. It is worth reviewing your specific mix of services and products before deciding what applies to you.
Yes, switching is usually straightforward. We can review your existing records, accounts and tax position, then take over the relevant filings and ongoing work. It helps to have details of your current accountant, your business structure and any outstanding returns to hand, and the change can be planned around your accounting dates.