Specialist Accountants for Dentists & Dental Practices
Specialist Accountants for Dentists in Cranfield
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Accounting Support for Dentists, Associates and Dental Practice Owners
Associate & Private Dentists
Self-assessment, allowable expense claims, lab fees and superannuation reconciliation for self-employed associates and private dentists.
Dental Practice Owners & Principals
Practice accounts, payroll for nurses and receptionists, UDA income monitoring, cash flow and profit extraction planning.
Orthodontists & Specialists
Accounting for referral-based and specialist practices, including capital allowances on equipment and VAT on cosmetic treatment.
Squat Practices & Dental Start-Ups
Cash flow forecasts for lenders, company formation, cloud software set-up and registration for new and squat dental practices.
Our Accounting and Tax Services for Dentists
Bookkeeping for Dental Practices
We reconcile NHS schedules, private takings, plan income such as Denplan and card receipts so you always know what the practice is really earning.
VAT for Dental Practices
Most dental treatment is VAT exempt, but cosmetic work, teeth whitening and product sales are not. We handle partial exemption and get your returns right.
Self-Assessment for Associate Dentists
We prepare associate tax returns, claim every allowable expense from GDC fees and indemnity to CPD and lab costs, and reconcile superannuation deductions.
Dental Payroll, Auto-Enrolment & NHS Pension
Payroll for nurses, hygienists and reception staff, plus auto-enrolment, statutory pay and NHS Pension submissions handled on time every month.
Practice Accounts & Profitability Reporting
Management accounts that show profit per surgery, per associate and per income stream, so you can see exactly where the practice makes money.
Accounting Considerations That Dentists Often Face
Dental accounting tends to involve a few recurring themes, although how much each one matters depends on whether you are employed, self-employed, a practice owner or some combination of these.
- Separating and reporting NHS and private dental income clearly, particularly where both make up part of the same working week
- Managing associate dentist arrangements, including session-based billing, practice deductions and the correct treatment of self-employed status
- Tracking professional expenses such as indemnity cover, GDC and professional body subscriptions, clinical clothing and continuing professional development
- Accounting for dental equipment, surgery fit-outs, laboratory work and other capital or revenue expenditure, and how each is treated
- Handling practice payroll and employment costs where staff, hygienists, therapists or reception teams are employed
- Keeping bookkeeping and financial records organised across multiple income streams, bank accounts and payment platforms
- Understanding VAT registration and how it applies to mixed NHS and private dental services and any associated retail sales
- Managing practice cash flow, drawing levels and tax payments so that liabilities do not arrive unexpectedly
- Choosing and maintaining the right structure, whether sole trader, partnership, limited company or limited liability partnership
- Keeping Self Assessment, payment on account and filing obligations on track alongside a demanding clinical diary
Why Dentists Work With CruseBurke
Genuine Dental Expertise
We know UDAs, superannuation, associate agreements and GDC costs without being told.
Built Around Your Practice
Associates, principals and multi-site groups each get a different service, not a template.
Fixed, Transparent Fees
One agreed monthly fee with no hourly billing and no surprises at year end.
Proactive Dental Tax Planning
Incorporation reviews, capital allowances on equipment and profit extraction planned in advance.
Named Accountant, Real Answers
You deal with the same qualified person every time, by phone or email, not a call centre.
A Track Record Since Before WWII
Our roots go back further than the Second World War and we act for dental clients across London.
Our Simple Three-Step Process
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.
Professional Standards, Practical Support
Technology Driven
Cloud accounting linked to your practice software so your figures are current, not six months old.
Named Dental Accountant
A dedicated accountant for dentists who knows your practice, your contract and your plans.
Ongoing Support
Unlimited support by phone and email, including quick answers on UDA and superannuation queries.
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 Switch to Our Dental Accountants
Take a back seat and let our London dental accountants handle everything. Switching mid-year is straightforward and you do not need to speak to your old accountant:
Get in touch
Reach out to us and we will discuss your practice, your contract and how we can help.
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
A self-employed dentist, including many associates, is responsible for reporting income and expenses through Self Assessment and for paying the correct tax and National Insurance. There is no legal requirement to appoint an accountant, but the calculations can be more involved than they first appear, particularly where income comes from more than one practice, where NHS and private fees are mixed, or where expenses such as indemnity cover, professional subscriptions and equipment need to be treated correctly. An accountant can prepare and file the return, maintain the underlying records and help you understand what is claimable in your circumstances.
Associate dentists are usually self-employed and report income and allowable expenses personally, which means Self Assessment, record keeping and possibly payments on account. Practice owners often have an additional layer: the practice itself may need annual accounts, a partnership return, Corporation Tax filings or payroll for employed staff, plus VAT considerations where relevant. Some dentists also hold a mixture of roles, such as an associate post alongside a share in a practice, and in those situations the reporting requirements can overlap and need to be coordinated carefully.
Yes. Many dentists receive NHS dental payments and private treatment fees, and these can be recorded and reported in different ways depending on how they are received and what structure you use. The practical work usually involves keeping clear records of each income stream, matching them against the correct accounting period and making sure the figures in your accounts and tax return are consistent. Where income passes through a practice before being paid to you, it is worth reviewing the arrangement so that the reporting is accurate.
As a general rule, you should keep records that support everything reported on your tax return, including income statements or schedules from each practice, bank and card statements, invoices and receipts for expenses, payroll information if you employ staff, and details of equipment or practice purchases. Digital records tend to make life easier, especially where income arrives from several sources. How long records need to be retained can depend on your circumstances and the taxes involved, so it is worth confirming the position that applies to you.
VAT treatment for dental services is not uniform. Many dental care services are exempt from VAT, but related supplies such as certain cosmetic treatments, retail products or other non-exempt sales can fall within the scope of VAT, and registration obligations depend on taxable turnover and the nature of what you provide. Because the rules interact with the mix of NHS and private work, and with any retail or laboratory activity, it is worth reviewing your position rather than assuming a single answer applies to every dental business.
If you employ receptionists, dental nurses, hygienists, therapists or other team members, the practice will generally need to operate PAYE, calculate and report payroll, deduct the correct tax and National Insurance, and account for pension obligations where they apply. This is often handled alongside the practice accounts and bookkeeping so that wages, PAYE liabilities and staff costs are recorded consistently. The exact requirements can vary with the size and structure of the practice.
Switching is usually more straightforward than dentists expect. Your new accountant typically contacts your existing accountant to request professional clearance and the information needed to take over, then confirms the position with HMRC and picks up the records from an agreed date. The main thing is to have your bookkeeping, previous accounts and returns reasonably accessible. If your records are behind, it is still possible to move across — the priority is establishing what needs to be brought up to date and by when.
Fees are normally based on the scope of work involved rather than a single flat figure, because a self-employed associate with one income source needs a very different level of support from a practice owner with employees, VAT and company accounts. Factors that tend to influence the fee include the number of income streams, whether bookkeeping is included, how many returns are required, whether payroll and VAT are involved, and how organised the records are. It is sensible to ask for the basis of the fee and what is included before appointing anyone.