Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Wickham
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Who We Support Across the Optical Sector
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 simple accounting mould. Clinical work, retail sales, specialist equipment and a mix of staff and contractors create financial detail that needs careful handling if the numbers are going to be reliable and tax is to be managed properly.
- Multiple Income Streams — Professional eye examinations, dispensing and product sales can arrive through different routes, so each income type needs accurate, separated recording.
- Stock and Goods — Frames, lenses, contact lenses and accessories tie up money, and slow-moving stock can distort reported margins if records are not kept current.
- Equipment, Premises and Payroll — Specialist optical equipment, practice premises and staff wages bring capital, overhead and payroll considerations that affect cost control and tax.
- Self Assessment and Corporation Tax — Obligations differ depending on whether the professional trades as a sole trader, within a partnership or through a limited company.
- VAT on Mixed Supplies — Professional services and optical goods can be treated differently for VAT, so the position depends on each supply and the business circumstances.
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 optical professionals and practices need. That can include bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where it applies, along with help recording professional income, optical goods, stock, equipment and practice costs accurately. The exact work depends on how the individual or business is structured and what it supplies.
Support is available for optometrists, dispensing opticians, independent opticians, self-employed locums, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies. Because these roles and structures differ, so do the accounting requirements. A sole trader selling frames alongside eye examinations faces different reporting and record-keeping needs from a limited company employing several staff.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists and dispensing opticians often need help with record keeping, expense tracking and Self Assessment, including how income from different practices or locum work is recorded. Payment timing, allowable expenses and how the business is structured can all affect the position, so individual circumstances matter.
It varies. Many practices need bookkeeping, payroll, annual accounts and Corporation Tax support, plus help tracking stock such as frames, lenses and contact lenses. Management accounts and tax planning can be useful where equipment purchases, premises costs or expansion are involved. VAT support may also be relevant depending on what the practice supplies.
Stock such as frames, lenses and contact lenses should be recorded consistently, with purchases, sales and closing stock reflected in the accounts. Expenses need to be genuinely business related and supported by records, with equipment, premises costs, professional fees and staff wages common examples. What counts as allowable can depend on individual circumstances.
Possibly. VAT treatment depends on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business. Professional optical services and optical goods such as spectacles and contact lenses can be treated differently, so registration, invoicing and record keeping need to reflect what is actually being supplied rather than a single blanket rule.
Yes, switching accountant is usually straightforward. It helps to have your latest accounts, tax returns and bookkeeping records to hand so the changeover is clean. CruseBurke can discuss how your current arrangements work and what support would suit your optical work or practice going forward.