Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Hove
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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 rarely fit a single mould. Professional fees, retail sales of spectacles and contact lenses, stock movements and equipment costs all sit together, which can make bookkeeping, tax and VAT more involved than for a purely service-based practice.
- Mixed income streams — Professional eye examination fees, retail sales, contact lens subscriptions and locum work can be recorded differently, so income needs clear separation.
- Stock and inventory — Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up cash, and accurate stock records matter when calculating profit and preparing year-end accounts.
- Equipment and premises costs — Testing equipment, fitting tools, practice rent, utilities and insurance may be claimable, but only when correctly recorded and apportioned.
- Payroll and contractor payments — Practice staff, optical assistants and locum optometrists can be engaged on different terms, so PAYE and contractor treatment need careful handling.
- VAT on mixed supplies — Professional services and optical goods can fall under different VAT treatments, so records need to reflect 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
They handle the accounting and tax work behind an optical business, from bookkeeping and Self Assessment to annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where relevant. Because optical practices combine professional services with the sale of goods, they also help keep income, stock and expenses properly separated.
Support is available to self-employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, locum opticians, independent practices, partnerships and limited companies. Each has different reporting obligations, so the work reflects how you are structured and how you earn income rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists and dispensing opticians often need help with Self Assessment, allowable expenses and record keeping, particularly when they work across more than one practice. Income and expenses are reviewed individually, since what can be claimed depends on your own circumstances.
That depends on the practice. Many need bookkeeping, annual accounts and tax returns, while incorporated practices also need Corporation Tax and payroll support. Practices carrying stock, equipment or staff often need management accounts and VAT support where applicable. We identify what is genuinely relevant rather than applying everything.
Yes. Day-to-day bookkeeping keeps professional fees, retail sales, stock purchases and practice costs organised, which makes Self Assessment far more straightforward. The exact records required vary depending on whether you trade as a sole trader, in a partnership or through a limited company.
Frames, lenses and contact lenses should be tracked so stock levels and cost of sales stay accurate, particularly around year end. Equipment, rent, utilities and professional costs are recorded separately so they can be reviewed properly. What is allowable depends on individual circumstances and how the expense relates to the business.
Possibly. VAT treatment depends on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business. Professional optical services and the supply of optical goods such as spectacles and contact lenses can be treated differently, and registration thresholds and exemptions vary by situation. A review of your specific supplies is the sensible starting point.
Yes, moving accountants is usually straightforward. We would look at your current position, identify anything outstanding and agree how records will be handed over. Timing around your year end can make the transition smoother, and the process is managed so nothing is missed.