Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists

Accountants for Opticians in South Shields

CruseBurke provides practical accounting and tax support for opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical businesses in South Shields, with clear, transparent fees and straightforward advice.

4.9/5.0

Google Reviews

⭐ What Clients Say About Us

See what doctors, dentists, and care providers say about working with us.

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Jamie Fletcher profile picture
Jamie Fletcher
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It was a pleasure working with Anum on our accounts. The whole process was swift and effortless, and it was one less thing to worry about. I'd highly recommend them.
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Mansur Liman profile picture
Mansur Liman
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Accotax have been our accountants for many years now. We maintained them, because of their professionalism. In the last coiple of years, i have working with Imran, who has been very professional and helpful in guiding us through the whole process explaining and clarifying every aspect of it. Very prompt in responding to questions and patient with us even when we seem to be slow. I really enjoy working with him. Thank you
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Muna Mohamoud profile picture
Muna Mohamoud
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I highly recommend Imran to anyone looking for a reliable and knowledgeable accountant. He helped me sort out a very complicated backlog of accounts and prepared my overdue tax returns with professionalism and attention to detail. Throughout the process, he was incredibly patient, took the time to answer all of my questions, and explained everything clearly. He guided me through each step and helped rectify issues that had built up over time, making what felt like an overwhelming situation much more manageable. I'm very pleased with the service I've received and truly appreciate his support. If you need help with your accounts or taxes, I would highly recommend Imran.
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Sergey M profile picture
Sergey M
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I had a positive experience with Accotax. The work was completed promptly, my tax return was successfully filed, and I received a refund of overpaid tax. I found the cooperation efficient and helpful. Special thanks to Muhammad Saifullah for his assistance.
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Ebba Qureshi profile picture
Ebba Qureshi
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Fabulous team at ACCOTAX - very efficient and good response time . Honest and professional with their work. I would highly recommend them even if you’re a young start up - or a large business they have it covered .
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Mael Leboucher profile picture
Mael Leboucher
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We worked with a few different accountants before finally settling with Accotax, and we’re really glad we did. Their team is great. Abdul is responsive and easy to reach whenever I have a question, which makes a big difference. They take the time to understand how our business works and what our needs are. They are very knowledgeable, and when they don’t have the answer straight away, they take the time to look into it and get back to us quickly. Anum, who looks after our account on a day-to-day basis, including reconciling invoices and preparing the annual accounts, is amazing. She is professional, efficient, and follows the processes we have put in place together. She's also very quickin getting back to us whenever needed. We’re very happy to work with her and hope to continue doing so for as long as possible. Overall, Accotax has made our accounting experience much smoother and easier. We see them as a long-term partner as our business continues to grow. I would 100% recommend them.
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3rd Hub profile picture
3rd Hub
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Imran provides a very dependable and straightforward accounting service. He is always responsive and professional when managing our accounts. Excellent support.
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Martin Tyrrell profile picture
Martin Tyrrell
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I have really impressed to date with all dealings with Accotax highly enough. From day one, they've made what can often be a complicated and stressful part of running a business feel straightforward and hassle-free. A special mention has to go to Anum, who has been friendly, incredibly responsive, and genuinely cares about providing the best possible service. No question is ever too much trouble, and she consistently goes above and beyond to make sure everything is dealt with efficiently. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone looking for an accountant they can genuinely trust.
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Matthew Lyon profile picture
Matthew Lyon
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Great speedy service and very personable. Anum dealt with my income certificate and did everything quickly and helped me out massively. Very happy with the service provided.
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Optical Professionals and Practices We Support

Optical businesses are not all alike, so accounting support needs to fit the way each one actually operates. An independent optician running a high street practice, an optometrist working as a sole trader, a dispensing optician combining employed work with locum sessions, and a limited company with several practices can each have very different income streams, costs and reporting duties. Accountants for Opticians in South Shields can help sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, tailoring bookkeeping, tax and compliance work to the structure, services and optical goods involved in each case.

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 practices rarely have a single, simple income stream. Professional fees, spectacles, contact lenses and other optical goods, plus any NHS or insurer-related work, all need to be recorded clearly. CruseBurke can support self-employed opticians and practice owners with bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll for practice staff, management accounts, financial record keeping and tax planning. VAT support may also be relevant where supplies are made, though treatment depends on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business. Not every optical business needs every service, so support is shaped around your structure, equipment, premises and stock.

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 or professional work with retail-style trading, and that mix can make the numbers harder to manage. Stock, equipment, staff costs and varying VAT treatment all add layers that a straightforward service business may never encounter.

  • Mixed Income Streams — Professional fees, spectacle sales and contact lens supply often need separating so each is recorded and reported correctly.
  • Stock and Optical Inventory — Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up cash and need accurate stock records to keep margins and accounts reliable.
  • Equipment and Practice Costs — Optical instruments, testing equipment and premises costs need appropriate treatment, including whether they are capital or revenue items.
  • Payroll and Staff Costs — Optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants and locum cover can create complex payroll and contractor reporting obligations.
  • VAT on Different Supplies — Professional services and optical goods can have different VAT treatments, so each supply should be reviewed on its own facts.

Why Specialist Accounting Support Matters for Optical Businesses

Optical businesses can face a wider range of accounting considerations than firms that only sell professional time, because they also buy, hold and sell optical goods. Spectacles, contact lenses and equipment affect stock values, cash flow and capital allowances, while professional income, premises costs and staff wages all need accurate recording. Support that understands these moving parts can help keep bookkeeping tidy, tax administration on track and financial decisions grounded in real figures rather than guesswork, whatever stage the practice has reached.

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

Our process is built to suit self-employed opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, partnerships, independent practices and limited companies. It starts by understanding how you work and earn, then identifies the accounting and tax requirements that apply, before providing ongoing support. Step 1 – Tell Us About Your Business: Step one is a conversation about your services, structure, income streams, optical goods or stock, and the accounting arrangements you already have in place. Step 2 – Review Your Accounting Needs: We then identify which requirements apply to you, which may include bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll or VAT support where relevant, depending on your circumstances. Step 3 – Receive Ongoing Support: From there, accounting and tax support continues in line with your needs, whether you are a sole trader, partnership or limited company running an optical practice.

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

Every optical practice has its own mix of professional work, retail sales and overheads, so accounting support works best when it is shaped around that reality. For an independent practice, that might mean keeping clear records of professional income, spectacle and contact lens sales, stock levels, equipment purchases and premises costs. Payroll for optometrists, dispensing opticians and support staff, along with tax administration and VAT considerations, can form part of the same picture. The aim is straightforward: accurate financial records, sensible tax planning and reporting that reflects how the practice genuinely operates.

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 that optical professionals and practices need, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and management reporting. Because optical businesses sell both professional services and goods such as spectacles and contact lenses, the work often involves keeping these different income streams accurately separated.

Support is available for independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed optical professionals, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies. Requirements differ depending on how you trade, how you earn income and how the business is structured, so the accounting work is tailored rather than applied in identical ways to everyone.

Yes. Sole traders and self-employed optical professionals typically need help with record keeping, expenses, Self Assessment and tax planning. Where income comes from more than one source, such as locum work alongside employed practice sessions, those streams need to be recorded clearly. What applies in your case depends on your individual circumstances.

It varies. Many practices need bookkeeping, annual accounts, payroll and tax or VAT support, while others mainly need management accounts or help reviewing their business structure. The right mix depends on whether you are a sole trader, partnership or limited company, and on the type and scale of optical work you carry out.

Frames, lenses, contact lenses and other optical stock should be tracked so the accounts reflect what is genuinely held and used, with purchases recorded consistently. Equipment, premises costs, professional fees and staff expenses each need appropriate treatment, which may differ depending on whether an item is a running cost or a longer-term investment.

Possibly. VAT treatment depends on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business. Professional optical services and the supply of optical goods can be treated differently, and registration depends on turnover and other factors, so it is worth reviewing your specific position rather than assuming one answer applies to everything.

Yes, switching is usually straightforward. It helps to have your recent accounts, tax returns and bookkeeping records to hand so your position can be reviewed and any outstanding filings identified. From there, ongoing support can be arranged around the needs of your practice or professional work.

Get in touch with CruseBurke and explain how your optical business or professional work is set up. Once the relevant accounting and tax requirements have been identified, the appropriate support can be put in place, whether you operate as a sole trader, partnership or limited company.

Speak to an Expert

Need Accountants for Opticians in South Shields Who Understand Your Business?

Running an optical practice or working as a self-employed optician brings plenty of financial detail, from stock and equipment to payroll and mixed income streams. CruseBurke can help with bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts and Corporation Tax, so your records stay accurate and your reporting stays clear. Clear fees, practical advice, no jargon.