Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Shildon
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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 blend clinical work with retail sales, which can make the numbers less straightforward than they first appear. Mixing professional fees with product revenue, stock and equipment creates accounting questions that need careful handling.
- Mixed income streams — Professional fees from eye examinations and lens fittings behave differently from retail sales of spectacles, so records should separate them.
- Stock and inventory — Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up cash and need accurate valuation, especially where certain lines sell slowly.
- Equipment and professional expenses — Optical equipment, testing instruments and professional development costs need correct treatment, and capital allowances may apply to qualifying purchases.
- VAT on different supplies — VAT treatment can differ between professional optical services and goods such as spectacles, so supplies should be reviewed rather than assumed.
- Payroll and staffing — Payroll for optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants and locums brings varying pay arrangements, pensions and contractor status questions that need consistent handling.
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
They handle the accounting and tax work that optical professionals and practices face, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where relevant. The focus is on income from professional services and optical goods, plus stock, equipment and premises costs.
Support can be tailored to self-employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, locum and part-time optical professionals, independent practice owners, partnerships and limited companies. Each has different income, stock, staffing and reporting arrangements, so the accounting approach is shaped around how that individual or business actually operates.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists and dispensing opticians often need help with Self Assessment, records of professional fees and expenses, and clarity on what can be claimed. Where someone also sells spectacles or contact lenses, income and costs may need separating so the figures are accurate.
Yes, for optical practices and companies trading as limited companies. This can include preparing annual accounts, calculating Corporation Tax, and keeping statutory records in order. The exact position depends on your structure, income streams and any equipment or stock owned by the company.
Stock such as frames, lenses and contact lenses should be tracked and valued consistently, with purchases and sales recorded as they occur. Business expenses, including equipment, testing instruments, premises costs and staff costs, should be supported by records. Keeping this organised through the year makes accounts and tax returns far more straightforward.
VAT can apply to optical businesses, but treatment is not uniform. Professional optical services and supplies of goods such as spectacles or contact lenses may be treated differently, and the position depends on the nature of each supply and your circumstances. Thresholds and what is standard-rated, reduced or exempt should be reviewed individually.
Yes. Switching accountants is usually straightforward, and the process starts with sharing details of your current arrangements, records and deadlines. Once the position is understood, the appropriate accounting and tax support can be put in place for your optical business.
Start by telling CruseBurke about your optical business or professional role, including how you are structured, how you earn income and what accounting support you need. From there, the relevant requirements can be reviewed and ongoing support arranged.