Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists

Accountants for Opticians in Stevenage

CruseBurke provides practical accounting and tax support for opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical businesses in Stevenage, with clear, transparent advice and 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 can support a wide range of optical professionals and businesses, from independent opticians and optical practice owners to optometrists, dispensing opticians and self-employed optical professionals. Accounting requirements differ depending on how you work, how income is earned and how the business is structured. A self-employed optometrist providing sight tests faces different considerations from a limited company selling spectacles, contact lenses and professional services together. Sole traders, partnerships and limited companies each bring their own reporting, tax and record-keeping requirements, so support should reflect the way your optical work is actually organised.

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 Opticians and Optical Practices

Our accounting support is shaped around the way optical businesses actually trade. That can include bookkeeping for professional fees alongside spectacles, contact lenses and other optical goods, annual accounts, Self Assessment for sole traders and partners, Corporation Tax for limited companies, payroll for practice staff, management accounts and tax planning. VAT support is available where it applies, since the VAT treatment of professional optical services and optical goods can differ depending on the nature of each supply. We also help with business structure decisions, financial record keeping for stock and equipment, and keeping track of several income streams. Not every optical business needs every service — the right mix depends on your circumstances, so we agree the appropriate support with you.

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 have a single, simple income stream. Professional fees, retail sales, stock movement and practice overheads all interact, which can make bookkeeping, tax reporting and cash flow planning more involved than they first appear.

  • Separating income streams: professional fees, contact lens plans and spectacle sales arrive through different channels, so records need to distinguish each type of income clearly.
  • Stock and inventory: frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money in stock, so valuation, shrinkage and reordering affect margins and year-end figures.
  • Equipment and practice costs: testing equipment, fitting instruments, premises and staff costs are significant, and how each is treated affects the overall tax position.
  • VAT on mixed supplies: VAT treatment can differ between professional optical services and optical goods, so each supply needs reviewing on its own facts.
  • Structure and record keeping: sole trader, partnership and limited company structures each bring different reporting deadlines, tax rules and record-keeping responsibilities.

Why Specialist Accounting Support Matters for Optical Businesses

Optical businesses are not straightforward service businesses. Alongside professional work such as sight testing and contact lens fitting, many practices also buy and sell optical goods, hold stock and invest in testing equipment and fitting instruments. That mix of professional income and retail activity creates accounting considerations a general approach can miss — from how stock and equipment are recorded to how different income streams are tracked, how payroll for practice staff is handled and how tax administration is kept under control. Support that understands these day-to-day realities makes it easier to keep records accurate, plan for tax and see how the practice is performing.

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 work or practice operates, identify the accounting and tax requirements that actually apply, and then provide ongoing support as your business changes. It stays straightforward, whether you work alone or run a practice with employees. Step 1 — Tell Us About Your Business: we start by understanding your services, structure, income streams, optical goods or stock and the accounting requirements you already have. Step 2 — Review Your Accounting Needs: we then identify the relevant accounting and tax requirements, which may include bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where applicable. Step 3 — Receive Ongoing Support: appropriate support continues according to your needs, so your records stay organised, your questions get answered and tax deadlines are managed without unnecessary fuss.

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 should fit the way an optical practice actually runs. That means working with professional income from sight tests and contact lens fitting alongside retail sales of spectacles, frames and lenses, and keeping stock, equipment and premises costs properly recorded. Practical support can cover bookkeeping, payroll for practice staff, financial records, tax administration and VAT considerations where they apply, with reporting that reflects the different sides of the business. Because the VAT treatment of professional services and optical goods can differ, it helps to have support that looks at each supply on its own facts. The aim is straightforward: accurate records, fewer surprises and a clearer view of how the practice is performing.

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, payroll and VAT support where it applies. A specialist approach also accounts for the mix of professional fees and optical goods sales that many optical businesses have.

Support can be tailored to self-employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, independent opticians, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies. The right approach depends on how you are structured, how you earn income and whether the business also sells spectacles, contact lenses or other optical goods.

Yes. Sole traders and partners typically need Self Assessment support, organised records of professional fees and any goods sold, and help calculating taxable profits. The figures involved depend on your individual circumstances, so the treatment of income and expenses is reviewed against your own position.

Yes. Bookkeeping can cover professional income, spectacle and contact lens sales, stock purchases and practice costs, while Self Assessment support deals with reporting your taxable profits and meeting the related deadlines. What needs recording, and how it should be classified, depends on your circumstances and business structure.

Yes. Limited companies need annual accounts and a Corporation Tax return, and optical practices often have several income streams, plus stock and equipment to account for. The exact treatment of costs such as equipment or premises depends on the nature of the expense and your circumstances.

They are generally treated as trading stock or goods sold, which is distinct from professional fees earned from sight tests or fittings. How purchases, sales and remaining stock are recorded affects your profit figures, and the amounts involved vary considerably from one practice to another.

Possibly. VAT treatment can differ between professional optical services and the supply of optical goods, so it depends on the nature of each supply and your circumstances. Whether registration is required, and how different supplies should be treated, is best reviewed on the facts rather than assumed.

Get in touch and tell us about your optical work or practice, including how you are structured, how you earn income and any immediate concerns. From there, your accounting and tax requirements can be reviewed and the appropriate level of ongoing support agreed.

Speak to an Expert

Need Accountants for Opticians in Stevenage Who Understand Your Business?

Between professional fees, stock, payroll and mixed supplies, optical finances can become complicated quickly. CruseBurke helps with bookkeeping, annual accounts and VAT support where it applies, so your records stay accurate and your tax position stays clear. Clear fees, practical advice and no hidden surprises.