Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Handcross
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 often combine professional services with the sale of optical goods, and that mix can make bookkeeping, tax reporting and record keeping more involved than it first appears. A handful of recurring issues tend to come up.
- Mixed income streams — Eye examinations, contact lens fittings and retail sales of spectacles can each sit differently in your records, so separating income types matters.
- Stock and inventory records — Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money, and inaccurate stock records can distort margins and year-end figures.
- Equipment and professional expenses — Testing equipment, calibration, software and professional fees need to be recorded correctly and treated consistently.
- Premises and staff costs — Rent, utilities and payroll for optometrists, dispensing opticians and support staff add complexity to routine bookkeeping and reporting.
- VAT on mixed supplies — Professional services and optical goods can be treated differently for VAT, so the position depends on the nature of each supply and your circumstances.
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 optical professionals and practices. That can include bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support, along with tax planning and help keeping records for professional fees, optical goods, stock, equipment and premises costs in good order.
Support can be provided to independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed optical professionals, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies. Because roles and business models differ, the accounting needs of a locum optometrist are not the same as those of a practice employing several staff and holding significant stock.
Yes. Sole traders and self-employed optometrists or dispensing opticians typically need Self Assessment, clear records of professional income and expenses, and guidance on allowable costs. If you also sell spectacles, contact lenses or other optical goods, your bookkeeping needs to separate those sales from professional fees so your figures stay accurate.
It depends on the practice. Common services include bookkeeping, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll for optometrists, dispensing opticians and support staff, management accounts and VAT support where it applies. Some practices need help tracking stock, equipment and premises costs, while others mainly need year-end accounts and tax compliance. The right mix depends on your circumstances.
Yes. Bookkeeping and Self Assessment are core services for optical professionals. Accurate records of professional fees, optical goods sales, stock purchases, equipment and practice expenses make Self Assessment and annual accounts far more straightforward, and they help you see how the business is performing rather than simply meeting deadlines.
Stock such as frames, lenses and contact lenses should be recorded consistently, with purchases and sales matched so margins are clear. Business expenses, including equipment, software, professional fees and premises costs, need to be recorded accurately and supported by documentation. What is allowable depends on your individual circumstances, and mixed personal and business spending should be kept separate.
Possibly. Optical businesses can supply both professional services and goods, and different supplies can have different VAT treatments depending on the nature of the supply and the circumstances of the business. Registration thresholds, exemptions and liability all need to be considered, so it is worth reviewing your position rather than assuming a single answer applies.
Switching is usually straightforward. It helps to have details of your current accountant, recent accounts and tax returns, and access to your bookkeeping records. We can talk through what you need, agree clear fees with no hidden extras, and take it from there.