Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Totton Southampton
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Opticians and Optometrists 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 accounting mould. Professional fees, frame and lens sales, stock, equipment and practice overheads all behave differently, so recording income and costs accurately takes more than a standard bookkeeping approach.
- Professional Income and Mixed Income Streams – Eye examination fees, dispensing income and product sales often arrive on different cycles, so cash flow and records need careful tracking.
- Stock and Inventory Management – Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money in stock, so accurate inventory records support margins and year-end figures.
- Equipment and Practice Costs – Diagnostic instruments, testing room equipment and premises costs need to be recorded carefully, as their treatment can differ from everyday running expenses.
- Payroll and Contractor Payments – Practice staff, locums and self-employed associates may be paid in different ways, which affects payroll, tax and record keeping.
- VAT on Different Supplies – Professional services and optical goods can have different VAT treatments depending on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business.
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 financial administration that optical professionals and practices need, including bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where it applies. They also help with record keeping for stock, equipment and premises costs, so year-end reporting reflects how the business actually trades.
Support is available to self-employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, locums, independent opticians, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies. Because roles and business models differ, accounting requirements are reviewed individually rather than assumed to be the same for everyone.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists, dispensing opticians and locums usually need Self Assessment, organised records of professional income and claims for allowable expenses such as equipment, travel and professional fees. Where they also sell optical goods, those sales need to be recorded separately.
That depends on your circumstances. A sole trader may mainly need Self Assessment and straightforward bookkeeping, while a limited company will usually need annual accounts, Corporation Tax and payroll. Management accounts, tax planning and VAT support can also be relevant, particularly where professional fees and product sales sit alongside each other.
Frames, lenses, contact lenses and solutions form part of your trading stock, so purchases, stock levels and sales should be recorded accurately to show true margins. Equipment, premises costs and staff expenditure should be kept separately and supported by documentation, as their treatment can vary.
Possibly. VAT registration depends on turnover and the nature of your supplies, and optical businesses can have different VAT considerations for professional services and for goods such as spectacles and contact lenses. Because treatment depends on the facts, it should be reviewed rather than assumed.
Yes. Payroll support can cover practice teams, and where locums or self-employed associates are involved, their payment arrangements need to be treated correctly. Getting this right matters for tax, records and, where relevant, reporting obligations.
Get in touch with CruseBurke and tell us about your role, how your business is structured and the accounting areas you need help with. From there, the relevant requirements can be reviewed and ongoing support arranged to suit how you work.