Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Stroud
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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 combine professional services with the supply of goods, which can make the numbers less straightforward than they first appear. VAT treatment, stock values and mixed income streams all need careful handling, and the right approach depends on how your practice operates.
- Separating income streams: NHS and private eye examination fees, contact lens plans and spectacle sales behave differently, so recording them separately keeps reporting meaningful.
- Stock and inventory: frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up cash, and slow-moving lines can distort margins if they are not reviewed regularly.
- Equipment and professional expenses: testing equipment, instruments and professional fees need careful treatment, since some costs are capital and others are day-to-day expenses.
- VAT on mixed supplies: professional services and optical goods can be treated differently for VAT, so the position depends on the nature of each supply and your circumstances.
- Payroll and practice costs: employing optometrists, dispensing opticians and support staff brings payroll, pension and premises costs that need consistent monitoring throughout the year.
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 day-to-day bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support for optical professionals, explaining how the figures relate to professional income, optical goods and practice costs. The services you actually need depend on your business structure, income streams and individual circumstances.
Independent opticians, optometrists, dispensing opticians, self-employed optical professionals, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies. Each has different reporting and tax obligations, so support is shaped around how the professional or practice operates, earns income and is structured.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists and locum opticians often need help with Self Assessment, expense records and payments on account, while those running a practice may also need bookkeeping, payroll and VAT support. Your exact position depends on how you work and what you supply.
It varies. Many practices need bookkeeping, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll for staff and VAT support, while smaller operations may only need Self Assessment or management accounts. The right mix depends on your structure, turnover, staffing and whether you supply optical goods alongside professional services.
Stock such as frames, lenses and contact lenses should be tracked so cost of sales and margins stay clear, while equipment purchases may need to be treated as capital or revenue depending on the item and your circumstances. Accurate records and sensible policies keep your accounts and tax position reliable.
VAT can be complex because professional optical services and the supply of goods such as spectacles and contact lenses can be treated differently. Whether you need to register, and how each supply is treated, depends on your turnover and the nature of the supply, so advice should reflect your circumstances.
Yes. Changing accountants is usually straightforward, and CruseBurke can review your existing records and take over the relevant filings and deadlines. Clearing up any outstanding bookkeeping or queries first helps the transition run smoothly.
Get in touch and tell us how you work, what you supply and what you need. CruseBurke will review your circumstances, suggest the appropriate accounting and tax support, and explain the next steps clearly with transparent fees and no hidden costs.