Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Gravesend
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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 often combine clinical work with retail, which makes record keeping more involved than in many other professions. The challenges below are common where professional income, goods, stock and practice overheads all need to be tracked and reported correctly.
- Mixed income streams — earnings from eye examinations, retail sales and specialist services may each need to be separated clearly for reporting.
- Stock and inventory — frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money, so accurate stock records support margins and cash flow.
- Equipment and practice costs — testing equipment, fitting tools, premises and utilities all need to be recorded and treated correctly.
- Staff and contractor payments — payroll for optical staff and payments to locums or associates each carry their own reporting requirements.
- VAT on mixed supplies — professional services and goods such as spectacles can have different VAT treatments depending 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 behind an optical business, including bookkeeping, payroll, annual accounts and tax returns. They also help owners and self-employed professionals understand how income from eye examinations, spectacles and contact lenses should be recorded, reported and planned for.
We support independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed optical professionals, practice owners and limited companies working in the optical sector. Because roles, income streams and business structures differ, the support provided is shaped around how each professional or practice actually operates and earns money.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists and locum opticians often need Self Assessment, clear records of professional fees and expenses, and help keeping income and costs organised. The right approach depends on whether you work as a sole trader, through a partnership or via a limited company, so individual circumstances always matter.
It varies from practice to practice. Many optical businesses need bookkeeping, payroll, annual accounts, Corporation Tax and VAT support, while others need only some of these. Practices selling spectacles and contact lenses alongside professional services usually have more involved record keeping than those providing services alone.
Possibly. Optical businesses often deal with a mix of professional services and supplies of goods such as spectacles and contact lenses, and these can be treated differently for VAT. Whether VAT applies, and how, depends on the nature of each supply and your circumstances, so it is worth reviewing properly.
Stock such as frames, lenses and contact lenses should be tracked so purchases, sales and remaining inventory are clear. Business expenses, including equipment, premises costs and professional fees, should be recorded accurately with supporting documents. Good records make annual accounts and tax returns easier and show practice performance more clearly.
Yes. Moving to a new accountant is usually straightforward, and CruseBurke can take on the handover of information from your existing adviser. It helps to have recent accounts, tax returns and bookkeeping records available so your position can be reviewed and the transition handled smoothly.
Getting started begins with a conversation about your practice, its structure and the income you receive. From there, your bookkeeping, tax and payroll needs can be reviewed and a clear, transparent package agreed, with no hidden fees.