Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Portishead
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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 professional services with retail sales, which means income, stock, expenses and tax can be more layered than they first appear. Add premises, equipment and staff into the mix, and keeping accurate records becomes considerably more involved.
- Mixed income streams: Professional fees, spectacle and contact lens sales, and repairs sometimes need tracking separately for accurate reporting and tax.
- Stock and inventory: Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money, so stock levels, purchases and write-offs need consistent recording throughout the year.
- Equipment and professional costs: Test equipment, optical instruments and professional fees are treated differently from everyday running costs and need careful categorisation.
- Payroll and practice staff: Optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants and locums may be paid in different ways, so payroll and contractor records matter.
- VAT on mixed supplies: Optical goods such as spectacles and contact lenses, and professional services, can carry different VAT treatments depending on the 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 accounting and tax work that optical professionals and practices need. That typically includes bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where it applies, alongside practical advice on stock, equipment, premises costs and business structure. The exact scope depends on how your business operates and what it earns.
Support is available to independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed and locum professionals, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies. Because roles and business models differ, the accounting approach is tailored to how you practise and earn income rather than applied in the same way to everyone.
Yes. Sole traders and partners often need Self Assessment support, clear records of professional income and day-to-day bookkeeping, plus guidance on expenses such as equipment, travel between sites and professional fees. If your work is mixed, with some employed and some self-employed income, the tax position can be more nuanced and worth reviewing.
It varies. A practice selling spectacles and contact lenses alongside professional services may need bookkeeping that separates income streams, stock records, payroll for staff, management accounts and VAT support. Others may only need annual accounts and Corporation Tax. The right combination depends on your structure, turnover and how your supplies are treated.
Sales of spectacles, contact lenses and other optical goods are business income and should be recorded through your accounts like any other trading activity, with the associated stock and costs reflected too. VAT treatment is a separate question, as different supplies can be treated differently depending on the nature of each supply and your circumstances.
Possibly. Some optical businesses are not VAT registered, while others are and need to account for VAT on their supplies. Professional optical services and optical goods may not always follow the same VAT treatment, so it is worth checking how each element of what you provide is classified rather than assuming one rule covers everything.
Yes. Payroll support can cover employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants and administrative staff, including real-time reporting and payslips. Where you use locums or other contractors, it is worth understanding the difference between employment and self-employment, as that affects tax and record keeping.
Yes, moving accountants is usually straightforward. The main steps involve letting your current accountant know, transferring your records and making sure any outstanding filings are up to date. It helps to plan the change so that deadlines for accounts, Self Assessment or VAT returns are not missed.