Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Sutton Alresford
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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 often sit between two worlds: professional clinical services and retail supply. That combination creates accounting questions around income, stock, equipment and VAT that a generalist adviser may not anticipate.
- Mixed income streams: professional fees, eyewear sales and contact lens income may need to be tracked separately to give a true picture of practice performance.
- Stock and inventory control: frames, lenses and contact lens stock ties up cash and needs accurate recording to support margins and year-end figures.
- Equipment and professional expenses: testing equipment, diagnostic instruments and specialist tools may need careful treatment, including how costs are recorded and written down over time.
- Payroll and contractor payments: practices frequently pay a mix of employed staff, locums and associate optometrists, and each arrangement carries different tax and reporting obligations.
- VAT on mixed supplies: professional services and optical goods can be treated differently for VAT, and the position depends on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business.
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.
Built Around the Needs of 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 specific to optical businesses, including bookkeeping, annual accounts, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where relevant. Because optical practices often combine professional services with sales of spectacles, contact lenses and other goods, the work involves tracking several income streams rather than a single one.
Support can cover self-employed optometrists and dispensing opticians, independent opticians, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies operating in the optical sector. The right approach depends on how you are structured, how you earn income and whether you employ staff, so requirements are assessed on your individual circumstances rather than a standard package.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists, dispensing opticians and locums typically need Self Assessment support, a clear record of professional income and allowable expenses, and help with payments on account. Where you also sell optical goods, those records need to be kept distinct so your taxable profit is calculated correctly.
Most practices need bookkeeping, annual accounts and tax returns, with payroll where staff are employed. Depending on your circumstances, management accounts, tax planning and VAT support may also be relevant. Optical practices with significant stock in frames, lenses and contact lenses often benefit from tighter inventory recording to support margins and year-end figures.
Stock such as frames, lenses and contact lenses should be recorded consistently so closing stock figures are accurate at year end. Expenses like testing equipment, premises costs and professional fees need correct classification, and how items such as equipment are treated can depend on cost, use and ownership, so it is worth confirming the position for your business.
It depends on turnover and the nature of your supplies. Optical businesses may provide professional services as well as selling spectacles, contact lenses and other optical goods, and these can carry different VAT treatments. Whether you need to register, and how each supply is treated, depends on the specific circumstances of your business.
Yes. Payroll support can cover employed practice staff, and it is also important to get the treatment of associate optometrists, locums and other contractors right, since payments to them may follow different tax and reporting rules. The correct approach depends on the terms of each working arrangement.
Yes, switching is generally straightforward. We would review your current position, establish what needs to be handed over and agree the scope of support for your practice. Bringing clear records and access to previous accounts makes the transition smoother, and any outstanding filings can be dealt with as part of the process.