Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Bournemouth
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Opticians and Optical Businesses 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 sit neatly in one box. Professional fees, retail sales and clinical work can all behave differently, which means the accounting picture is seldom as simple as it first appears.
- Mixed income streams — examination fees, professional services and retail sales often need tracking separately so that performance and profitability stay visible.
- Stock and inventory — frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money in stock, so accurate records matter for margins, reordering and year-end figures.
- Equipment and practice costs — instrumentation, testing equipment, premises costs and maintenance are significant, and how they are treated affects both tax and cash flow.
- Payroll and staff — optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants and locum cover can create varied pay arrangements that demand accurate payroll and record keeping.
- VAT on mixed supplies — professional services and optical goods such as spectacles or contact lenses can carry different VAT treatments, so the position depends on the nature of each 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.
Built Around the Needs of 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 look after the accounting and tax needs of optical professionals and businesses, including bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where relevant. They also help keep records for professional fees, spectacle and contact lens sales, stock, equipment and practice costs accurate and consistent.
Support can cover independent opticians, self-employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, locum professionals, partnerships, practice owners and limited companies running one or more practices. The right approach depends on how you work, how you earn income and how the business is structured, so requirements are always reviewed individually.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists, locum opticians and dispensing opticians often need Self Assessment, help identifying allowable expenses and a clear record of income from different practices or contracts. The exact requirements depend on your circumstances, including how many separate sources of income you have.
It varies. Many practices need bookkeeping, payroll, annual accounts and Corporation Tax, plus support with management accounts and VAT where it applies. Practices with significant retail sales of spectacles and contact lenses may also want closer tracking of stock, margins, equipment and premises costs throughout the year.
Frames, lenses, contact lenses and equipment should be recorded accurately and consistently, with purchase costs, stock levels and professional expenses supported by proper documentation. Keeping these records separate from professional fee income makes it easier to understand margins and to complete tax returns accurately.
Possibly. Optical businesses may make supplies with different VAT treatments — professional services and optical goods such as spectacles or contact lenses are not automatically treated the same way, and the position depends on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business. Registration thresholds should be reviewed regularly.
Yes, switching is usually straightforward. With your permission, we can take over the relevant records and correspondence, review what is already in place, and clarify which services you need going forward. The timing may depend on where you are in the tax year.