Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Cobham
4.9/5.0
Google Reviews
⭐ What Clients Say About Us
See what doctors, dentists, and care providers say about working with us.
Optical Professionals and Practices 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 simple mould. With professional fees, goods sales, stock and equipment all in the mix, keeping the numbers straight takes care, and records can easily fall behind.
- Multiple income streams — eye examinations, spectacle sales and contact lens plans each need clear, separate recording in your accounts.
- Stock and inventory management — frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up cash, so valuation and stocktake records shape your figures.
- Equipment and professional expenses — testing equipment, calibration, insurance and continuing professional development costs all need the correct treatment.
- Payroll and staff costs — optometrists, dispensing opticians and support teams bring varying pay, pension and contractor arrangements to manage.
- VAT on mixed supplies — professional services and optical goods can carry different VAT treatment, so it 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.
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 day-to-day financial administration of an optical business, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax and payroll. They also help with VAT questions on mixed supplies, tax planning and keeping accurate records of stock, equipment and optical goods. Support is tailored to how your practice or professional work is structured.
They typically work with independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed practitioners, practice owners and partnerships or limited companies running optical businesses. Because accounting obligations differ between sole traders, partnerships and companies, the support is shaped around your structure, your income streams and how you provide both services and goods.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists, locums and dispensing opticians often need help with Self Assessment, expense records, professional fees and keeping income from different engagements clear. If you also supply optical goods or hold stock, that needs recording accurately too, and the tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances.
Many practices need bookkeeping, payroll for optometrists, dispensing opticians and support staff, annual accounts, Corporation Tax and management accounts. Stock records, equipment costs, premises expenses and VAT support are often relevant as well. Not every practice needs every service, as the right combination depends on how the business is structured and what it trades.
Yes. Limited companies operating as optical practices usually need annual accounts and a Corporation Tax return, along with payroll where staff are employed, including optometrists, dispensing opticians and reception teams. Sole traders and partnerships have different filing requirements, so the exact work depends on your structure and circumstances.
Frames, lenses, contact lenses and consumables should be tracked as stock, with purchases, sales and closing stock figures kept up to date so your accounts reflect reality. Equipment, premises costs, professional fees and staff expenses should be recorded separately and supported by receipts. How each item is treated depends on whether it is revenue or capital in nature.
Possibly. Optical businesses often make a mix of supplies, combining professional services with spectacles, contact lenses and other goods, and these can carry different VAT treatment. Whether you need to register, and how each supply should be treated, depends on your turnover, the nature of the supply and your circumstances.
Yes. Switching accountants is usually straightforward, and CruseBurke can liaise about the handover of your records and any outstanding filings. It helps to have details of your current accountant, your business structure and recent accounts to hand. We will confirm exactly what is needed once we understand your optical business.