Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists

Accountants for Opticians in St Helens

CruseBurke provides practical accounting and tax support for opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical practices across St Helens, with clear, transparent fees and no hidden surprises.

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 the same, and neither are their accounts. An independent optician running a limited company with retail premises, a self-employed locum optometrist claiming travel and equipment costs, and a dispensing optician working in partnership each face different reporting and tax positions. Accountants for Opticians in St Helens can support sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, adapting the work to how income is earned, whether through professional eye examinations, the supply of spectacles and contact lenses, or a mix of both.

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

Accounting work for an optical practice depends on how the business is set up and where its income comes from. Self Assessment may be the priority for a self-employed optometrist or dispensing optician, while a limited company will also need annual accounts and Corporation Tax. Bookkeeping keeps professional fees, spectacle and contact lens sales, stock, equipment and premises costs recorded accurately, and payroll covers practice staff and associate optometrists. Depending on circumstances, support may also include management accounts, tax planning, VAT guidance where relevant, and help choosing or reviewing a business structure. Not every optical business needs every service, so the scope is agreed around your actual circumstances.

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 combine clinical work with retail sales, which makes record keeping less straightforward than it first appears. Several areas regularly cause confusion, from separating income streams to deciding how different supplies should be treated.

  • Mixed income streams — Professional fees and spectacle or contact lens sales should be recorded separately so each income stream is reported accurately.
  • Stock and inventory — Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money, so stock levels and purchases need tracking to support margins and cash flow.
  • Equipment and expenses — Optical equipment, testing instruments and professional costs must be recorded correctly so allowable expenses and capital items are treated properly.
  • Payroll and associate cover — Practice staff, locums and associate optometrists bring payroll, tax and payment questions, depending on how each person is engaged.
  • VAT on mixed supplies — Professional services and optical goods may have different VAT treatments, so the position depends on the nature of each supply.

Why Specialist Accounting Support Matters for Optical Businesses

An optical practice rarely earns income in one way. Professional eye examinations, the supply of spectacles and contact lenses, and any additional services each bring different bookkeeping, stock and tax considerations. That mix matters because practices hold stock, invest in testing equipment, pay practice staff and manage premises costs, which is different from a business that only sells time and expertise. Accounting support that understands those differences can help keep records accurate, make tax administration less stressful and give a clearer view of how the practice is performing throughout the year.

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

The process is straightforward and designed around you. It starts with listening to how your optical business actually works, then identifying the accounting and tax requirements that apply, and continues with support that can adapt as your practice or role develops. Step 1 – Tell Us About Your Business: we look at the services you provide, how you are structured, where your income comes from, and how you handle optical goods or stock. Step 2 – Review Your Accounting Needs: we identify the relevant requirements, which may include bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where applicable. Step 3 – Receive Ongoing Support: support continues in line with your needs, whether that means routine bookkeeping, year-end accounts, tax returns or advice as your optical business changes.

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

Optical practices rarely fit a standard template, so accounting support tends to work best when it is shaped around the practice itself. That can mean recording professional fees alongside spectacle and contact lens sales, keeping stock figures sensible, tracking equipment purchases and premises costs, and making sure payroll for practice staff and associates is handled on time. Bookkeeping, tax administration and financial records all sit together, and VAT considerations may need reviewing where services and goods are supplied together. The aim is practical support: clear records, deadlines met and a better understanding of how the practice is performing financially.

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 work of optical professionals and practices, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT guidance. They also help with practical questions such as how to record spectacle sales, contact lens stock and equipment costs accurately.

Support can cover independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed optical professionals, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies. Their roles and business models differ, so the accounting work is tailored to how each person or practice earns income and is structured.

Yes. Self-employed optometrists, locums and dispensing opticians often need Self Assessment, records of professional fees and allowable expenses, and clarity on payments received from practices. Depending on your circumstances, there may also be VAT and record-keeping points worth reviewing.

It depends on the practice. Common requirements include bookkeeping, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll for staff and associates, management accounts and tax planning. Practices selling spectacles, contact lenses and other optical goods may also need VAT support, because different supplies can be treated differently.

Frames, lenses and contact lenses are usually recorded as stock or as sales of goods, with purchases tracked so margins and stock levels stay accurate. The exact treatment depends on how the practice buys, holds and sells them, and on whether it is a sole trader, partnership or limited company.

Possibly. VAT treatment depends on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business, and optical businesses often deal with a mix of professional services and optical goods. Because the rules are not identical for every item or service, it is worth reviewing your position rather than assuming one treatment applies throughout.

Switching accountants is usually a straightforward process. Once you get in touch, practical steps such as handing over records and confirming your current position can be worked through, with support continuing for bookkeeping, accounts, tax returns or payroll as needed.

Get in touch and tell us about your role or practice, how you are structured and what you need help with. From there, an appropriate scope can be agreed, whether that involves bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll or VAT support.

Speak to an Expert

Need Accountants for Opticians in St Helens Who Understand Your Business?

If stock, mixed income streams and looming filing deadlines are making your accounts harder to manage, CruseBurke can help. From bookkeeping and Self Assessment to annual accounts, Corporation Tax and payroll, our team works with optical professionals and practices to keep the figures clear and the deadlines met.