Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Steyning
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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
For optical businesses, accounting is rarely just about adding up sales. Professional fees, retail goods, stock, equipment and staff costs all behave differently, and the way each is recorded affects your tax position and your margins.
- Mixed Income Streams: Eye examination fees, contact lens schemes and spectacle sales need separating to show which parts of the practice are profitable.
- Stock and Inventory: Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up cash, so accurate stock records matter for margins and year-end figures.
- Equipment and Practice Costs: Optometry equipment, testing room kit and premises costs need correct treatment, with some costs spread over time.
- Payroll and Locum Payments: Wages, pensions and payments to self-employed locum optometrists each carry different tax and reporting obligations.
- VAT on Mixed Supplies: Professional services and optical goods may follow different VAT treatments, so records must reflect the nature of each 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
They handle the day-to-day accounting and tax administration behind an optical business or professional career. That typically includes bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment or Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where it applies, with records structured to reflect professional fees, optical goods and practice costs accurately.
Support is available for independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed practitioners, locum optometrists, practice owners and limited companies running optical practices. Because roles and business models differ, the accounting and tax requirements are reviewed individually rather than assumed to be the same for everyone.
Yes. Sole traders and partners typically need Self Assessment, accurate records of professional income, and clear separation of business costs from personal spending. Locum work, several practice contracts and mixed professional and retail income can all be reflected in how the accounts are prepared and submitted.
Yes. Bookkeeping can be kept up to date throughout the year, which makes Self Assessment far less stressful at the deadline. How the figures are recorded depends on your circumstances, including whether you sell optical goods alongside professional services or work purely on a locum or employed basis.
Stock such as frames, lenses and contact lenses should be tracked so cost of sales and year-end figures are accurate. Equipment, premises costs, professional indemnity and other expenses need correct treatment too, and whether an expense can be claimed depends on the individual circumstances of the practice or professional.
They are usually treated as goods held for resale, so purchases, stock levels and sales margins should be recorded separately from professional fees. This separation matters for understanding profitability and, in some cases, for how VAT applies to different supplies within the same business.
They may. Optical businesses often provide professional services alongside goods such as spectacles, lenses and contact lenses, and different supplies can have different VAT treatments. Whether registration is required, and how each supply should be treated, depends on turnover, the nature of the supply and the specific circumstances of the business.
Yes, switching is generally straightforward. Existing records, accounts and tax filings can be transferred, and the first step is explaining how your optical work or practice operates so the right support is put in place. Timing around year-end and filing deadlines is worth discussing early.