Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Stortford
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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 template. Professional fees, retail sales, stock, equipment and staff costs all interact, which means the numbers can become harder to track and harder to plan around as a practice grows.
- Mixed income streams: Fees from eye examinations, dispensing work and retail sales all need tracking separately so the figures stay meaningful.
- Stock and inventory: Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money, so accurate stock records matter for margins, ordering and year-end figures.
- Equipment and professional expenses: Testing equipment, diagnostic tools and professional development may be allowable, but entries need proper supporting records.
- Payroll and practice staff: Employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants and locum payments each carry different payroll and reporting obligations.
- VAT on mixed supplies: Professional services and optical goods can be treated differently, so VAT depends on 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 accounting and tax work that sits behind an optical business or professional career, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where it applies, while keeping records aligned with how optical income, stock and equipment actually work.
Independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, locum and self-employed professionals, practice owners and optical businesses structured as sole traders, partnerships or limited companies. The appropriate support depends on how you earn income, what you supply and how the business is set up.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists and locum opticians often need help with bookkeeping, expense records and Self Assessment, covering professional fees, travel, insurance, equipment and continuing professional development. What counts as allowable depends on individual circumstances, so good records and tailored advice matter.
Yes. Bookkeeping can be kept in a format that separates examination and professional fees from retail sales of spectacles or contact lenses, which makes Self Assessment, tax returns and year-end figures far easier to prepare accurately.
Frames, lenses, contact lenses and consumables should be tracked so stock levels, purchases and cost of sales stay accurate. Equipment, premises costs and professional expenses need supporting records, since the treatment of each item depends on the rules and on the circumstances of the business.
It depends. Optical businesses may supply professional services as well as goods such as spectacles and contact lenses, and different supplies can carry different VAT treatment. Registration thresholds, exemptions and the makeup of your sales all affect the position, so advice should be based on your circumstances.
Payroll support can cover employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants and administrative staff, including PAYE, National Insurance and pension duties. Payments to locums and other contractors are treated differently from employee wages and should be documented correctly.
Yes. Moving accountants is usually straightforward. We would review your existing records, confirm what needs to be brought up to date and take over the relevant filings and deadlines so nothing is missed during the transition.