Specialist Accountants for Opticians & Optometrists
Accountants for Opticians in Woolwich
4.9/5.0
Google Reviews
⭐ What Clients Say About Us
See what doctors, dentists, and care providers say about working with us.
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 sit between two worlds: professional healthcare services and the retail sale of goods. That combination creates accounting questions that a generalist adviser may rarely encounter, particularly around stock, equipment and how different supplies are treated.
- Mixed income streams — Test fees, contact lens fittings, frame sales and NHS or private work all behave differently in the records, so income needs to be categorised accurately from the outset.
- Stock and frame inventory — Frames, lenses and contact lenses tie up money and move at different rates, so stock valuation and shrinkage need careful, consistent recording.
- Equipment and professional expenses — Test room equipment, optical instruments and continuing professional development are treated differently depending on whether they are capital items or day-to-day costs.
- VAT on mixed supplies — Professional optical services and the supply of spectacles, contact lenses or other goods can carry different VAT treatments, so the position depends on the nature of each supply and the circumstances of the business.
- Payroll and contractor costs — Practices often mix employed staff with self-employed locums or associates, and getting the status and payments right matters for tax and compliance.
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 work that optical professionals and practices need, including bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT support where applicable. The focus is on recording professional income and optical goods correctly and meeting deadlines, with advice tailored to how your business is structured.
Support can be provided to self-employed optometrists, dispensing opticians, locum practitioners, independent optical practices, practice owners, partnerships and limited companies across the optical sector. Because roles and business models differ, the accounting requirements are reviewed individually rather than assumed.
Yes. Self-employed optometrists and locum practitioners typically need help with record keeping, expenses and Self Assessment, including how professional fees and any goods or equipment costs are treated. Tax treatment always depends on individual circumstances, so figures are reviewed before anything is submitted.
Bookkeeping can be maintained throughout the year so figures are ready when needed, with Self Assessment prepared from accurate records. Separating professional income from sales of spectacles, contact lenses and other goods makes the numbers clearer and reduces the risk of last-minute scrambling before the filing deadline.
Limited company practices need annual accounts and a Corporation Tax computation, and both can be prepared from properly maintained records. Allowable expenses, stock treatment and director remuneration are all considered, although the exact position depends on the company's circumstances and the supplies it makes.
They are generally recorded as trading stock or goods sold, with purchases, stock on hand and cost of sales tracked separately from professional fees. That separation matters because it affects margins, stock valuation and, potentially, VAT treatment depending on the nature of each supply and the business's circumstances.
VAT can be relevant, but treatment is not uniform. Professional optical services, spectacles, contact lenses and other optical goods may fall under different rules, and whether registration is required depends on taxable turnover and the specific supplies made. Individual circumstances always need to be reviewed.
Switching accountants is usually straightforward. Records, filings and any outstanding correspondence can be transferred, and the changeover is handled so that deadlines and compliance obligations are not disrupted. It helps to plan the move around your accounting period and filing dates.