Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists

Accountants for Opticians in St Andrews

CruseBurke provides practical accounting and tax support for opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical businesses, delivered through clear, transparent packages with no hidden fees.

4.9/5.0

Google Reviews

⭐ What Clients Say About Us

See what doctors, dentists, and care providers say about working with us.

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Jamie Fletcher profile picture
Jamie Fletcher
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It was a pleasure working with Anum on our accounts. The whole process was swift and effortless, and it was one less thing to worry about. I'd highly recommend them.
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Mansur Liman profile picture
Mansur Liman
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Accotax have been our accountants for many years now. We maintained them, because of their professionalism. In the last coiple of years, i have working with Imran, who has been very professional and helpful in guiding us through the whole process explaining and clarifying every aspect of it. Very prompt in responding to questions and patient with us even when we seem to be slow. I really enjoy working with him. Thank you
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Muna Mohamoud profile picture
Muna Mohamoud
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I highly recommend Imran to anyone looking for a reliable and knowledgeable accountant. He helped me sort out a very complicated backlog of accounts and prepared my overdue tax returns with professionalism and attention to detail. Throughout the process, he was incredibly patient, took the time to answer all of my questions, and explained everything clearly. He guided me through each step and helped rectify issues that had built up over time, making what felt like an overwhelming situation much more manageable. I'm very pleased with the service I've received and truly appreciate his support. If you need help with your accounts or taxes, I would highly recommend Imran.
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Sergey M profile picture
Sergey M
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I had a positive experience with Accotax. The work was completed promptly, my tax return was successfully filed, and I received a refund of overpaid tax. I found the cooperation efficient and helpful. Special thanks to Muhammad Saifullah for his assistance.
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Ebba Qureshi profile picture
Ebba Qureshi
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Fabulous team at ACCOTAX - very efficient and good response time . Honest and professional with their work. I would highly recommend them even if you’re a young start up - or a large business they have it covered .
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Mael Leboucher profile picture
Mael Leboucher
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We worked with a few different accountants before finally settling with Accotax, and we’re really glad we did. Their team is great. Abdul is responsive and easy to reach whenever I have a question, which makes a big difference. They take the time to understand how our business works and what our needs are. They are very knowledgeable, and when they don’t have the answer straight away, they take the time to look into it and get back to us quickly. Anum, who looks after our account on a day-to-day basis, including reconciling invoices and preparing the annual accounts, is amazing. She is professional, efficient, and follows the processes we have put in place together. She's also very quickin getting back to us whenever needed. We’re very happy to work with her and hope to continue doing so for as long as possible. Overall, Accotax has made our accounting experience much smoother and easier. We see them as a long-term partner as our business continues to grow. I would 100% recommend them.
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3rd Hub profile picture
3rd Hub
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Imran provides a very dependable and straightforward accounting service. He is always responsive and professional when managing our accounts. Excellent support.
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Martin Tyrrell profile picture
Martin Tyrrell
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I have really impressed to date with all dealings with Accotax highly enough. From day one, they've made what can often be a complicated and stressful part of running a business feel straightforward and hassle-free. A special mention has to go to Anum, who has been friendly, incredibly responsive, and genuinely cares about providing the best possible service. No question is ever too much trouble, and she consistently goes above and beyond to make sure everything is dealt with efficiently. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone looking for an accountant they can genuinely trust.
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Matthew Lyon profile picture
Matthew Lyon
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Great speedy service and very personable. Anum dealt with my income certificate and did everything quickly and helped me out massively. Very happy with the service provided.
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Optical Professionals and Practices We Support

Accountants for Opticians work with a broad range of optical professionals. That includes independent opticians, optometrists carrying out eye examinations and clinical work, dispensing opticians focused on fitting and supplying spectacles, self-employed locums and optical practice owners. Accounting requirements differ depending on how someone operates. A sole trader locum has different reporting needs from a partnership running a practice, and a limited company employing staff and holding stock has different obligations again. Whether income comes from professional services, optical goods, or a mix of both, the right structure and record keeping matter.

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

Accounting support for optical practices can cover Self Assessment for self-employed optometrists and locums, annual accounts and Corporation Tax for limited companies, and day-to-day bookkeeping that keeps professional income and optical sales properly separated. Where a practice holds spectacles, contact lenses and frames, stock records and equipment costs need sensible treatment, alongside payroll for practice staff and management accounts to track performance. VAT support may also be relevant, depending on the nature of each supply. Tax planning and advice on business structures are available where they help, but the right mix of services depends on how each optician, optometrist or dispensing optician operates.

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

Optical businesses often combine clinical or professional work with retail. That mix means accounting has to handle more than a straightforward service income: spectacles, contact lenses and other goods bring stock, supplier costs and different VAT considerations into play. Equipment purchases, premises costs, staff wages and locum payments all need recording properly too. Support that understands this blend can help keep bookkeeping accurate, tax administration on track and financial records clear, so an optician, optometrist or dispensing optician can see how the practice is really performing rather than relying on guesswork.

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

Our process is designed to understand how your optical professional or practice operates, identify the accounting and tax requirements that actually apply, and then provide ongoing support that keeps everything in order without unnecessary complexity. 1. Tell Us About Your Business: you tell us about your services, how the business is structured, your income streams, and whether you hold or sell optical goods. 2. Review Your Accounting Needs: we identify the relevant requirements, which may include bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where applicable. 3. Receive Ongoing Support: support then continues according to your needs, whether you are a sole trader, partnership, independent practice or limited company.

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

Accounting support for optical practices should reflect how the practice actually earns money. That means keeping professional income separate from sales of spectacles, contact lenses and other optical goods, and maintaining stock and equipment records that make sense at year end. Bookkeeping, payroll, tax administration and financial records can all be tailored to the practice’s structure, whether it operates as a sole trade, partnership or limited company. VAT considerations are reviewed where relevant, recognising that professional services and optical goods may be treated differently. The aim is straightforward, practical support that fits the way the practice operates and grows.

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.

Speak to an Expert

Need Accountants for Opticians in St Andrews Who Understand Your Business?

Whether you are juggling Self Assessment alongside locum work or trying to keep Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support in order for a busy practice, CruseBurke can help. Clear bookkeeping and reliable annual accounts give you a firmer view of how your optical business is performing. Support that fits your practice is within reach.