Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in St Andrews
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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 accounting mould. Income can come from professional services, optical goods, or both, and each brings its own record keeping and reporting considerations.
- Separating Professional Income and Sales — Professional fees and optical goods sales should be recorded separately, as VAT and reporting treatment can differ.
- Stock and Inventory Control — Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money, so accurate stock records help prevent over-ordering and keep figures reliable.
- Optical Equipment and Practice Costs — Testing instruments, equipment and premises costs must be recorded correctly, with capital and revenue spending treated differently for tax.
- Payroll for Staff and Contractors — Employed staff and self-employed locums are treated differently, affecting payroll, pension duties and how payments are reported.
- VAT on Mixed Optical Supplies — Professional services and optical goods can fall under different VAT rules, so records must support the treatment applied.
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 need, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax and payroll. Because optical businesses often combine professional services with the sale of optical goods, records need to separate different income streams and reflect each one correctly.
Support is available for independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed locums, optical practice owners and limited companies running an optical business. Requirements differ depending on role, structure and income, so the services put in place are based on how each professional or practice actually operates.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists and locums typically need Self Assessment, clear records of fees and expenses, and straightforward bookkeeping. Those who also sell spectacles or contact lenses may have additional considerations around stock and VAT, depending on the nature of the supplies they make.
It varies. A small independent practice may need bookkeeping, payroll and annual accounts, while a limited company also needs Corporation Tax and possibly VAT support. Services such as management accounts, tax planning and help with business structures can be added where they suit the practice's circumstances.
Stock such as frames, lenses and contact lenses should be tracked so that purchase costs, closing stock and cost of sales stay accurate. Practice expenses, including equipment and premises costs, need supporting documentation, and capital purchases are generally treated differently from day-to-day running costs.
Possibly. Optical businesses may supply professional services as well as optical goods, and these supplies can have different VAT treatments depending on their nature and the circumstances of the business. It is worth reviewing registration and treatment carefully rather than assuming a single rule applies to everything.
Switching accountants is possible, and the process usually involves reviewing your existing records before taking over the relevant accounting and tax work. Once in place, ongoing bookkeeping, accounts and returns can stay on track.
Get in touch and tell us about your practice, how it is structured and the services you provide. We will discuss what you need, and you can ask questions about fees and timescales before anything is agreed.