An optical practice is a genuinely unusual business to run. On any given day you might be providing an NHS funded eye test, selling a pair of designer frames, fitting contact lenses on a private plan, and processing a claim through a corporate scheme all before lunch. Each of these things is treated differently for VAT and accounting purposes. Most accountants do not fully understand this mix. We do, and we help independent opticians and optical practice owners make sure their finances reflect how their business works.
We take care of all the financial and compliance work so you can concentrate on running your practice.
We keep a clear record of your NHS income, private dispensing, retail sales and plan income separately, so your accounts accurately reflect how your practice earns its money.
We calculate the correct VAT position each quarter, considering the exempt and taxable split that is specific to optical practices, and submit your return to HMRC on time.
Whether you employ one receptionist or a team of optometrists and dispensing opticians, we run your payroll each month and handle all HMRC submissions, so your staff are paid correctly and on time.
We prepare your annual accounts and corporation tax return, make sure all your practice costs are claimed correctly, and plan so your year-end tax bill is never a surprise.
From stock and equipment costs through to professional registration fees, GOC compliance costs and premises expenses, we make sure every legitimate cost is recorded and reduces your tax bill.
We manage all your deadlines and make sure every submission is accurate and on time. You will never face a late filing penalty or an avoidable fine because something was overlooked.
A clear view of your practice profitability and where the money is going
Accounts that accurately separate your NHS, private and retail income
Someone to call when you have a question, not just a once a year check in
VAT returns that are correct for an optical practice, not just a generic business
We work alongside your practice throughout the year, not just when a deadline is due.
Eye examinations carried out by a registered optometrist are exempt from VAT. But the frames, lenses and accessories you sell alongside them are not. Contact lens plans and private dispensing fees sit somewhere in between depending on how they are structured. If your VAT return does not reflect these distinctions correctly, you can end up either overpaying VAT on exempt services or underpaying on taxable sales both of which create problems with HMRC.
We make sure your VAT returns are calculated correctly every quarter, with the right split between exempt and taxable income. If you have been doing this yourself or using a general accountant who is not familiar with optics, it is worth having your last couple of years reviewed. Errors in this area are more common than most practice owners realise.
Something we often find optical practices where NHS sight test income and retail income have been lumped together in the accounts without the correct VAT treatment applied to each. This looks fine on the surface but can create a significant liability if HMRC looks closely at your returns.
A straightforward review of your current setup can identify whether this is an issue and what needs to be corrected.
Beyond VAT and year-end accounts, opticians come to us for the parts of the job that a generalist accountant usually gets wrong.
NHS GOS reconciliation against your practice management system (Optix, Ocuco, i-Clarity or Focus), so pre-visit fees, sight-test fees and domiciliary uplifts are never missed.
Associate optometrist payroll and IR35 status reviews for locum and self-employed dispensing arrangements.
Stock control and deferred revenue accounting for frames, contact lenses and monthly CL direct-debit plans.
Capital allowances on OCT scanners, autorefractors and practice fit-outs — often tens of thousands of pounds of AIA missed by previous accountants.
Practice sale, purchase and succession planning, including goodwill valuation and Business Asset Disposal Relief.
Our optical practice packages start at £215/month for a single-branch limited company doing up to £500k turnover — year-end accounts, corporation tax, quarterly partial-exemption VAT, monthly bookkeeping, PSD reconciliation and payroll for up to 5 staff. Multi-branch groups typically £450–£1,200/month. Fixed fee, no hourly surprises.
Yes — it’s one of our core specialisms. We apply HMRC’s recommended method for opticians and, where beneficial, agree a Special Method with HMRC. We review every quarter whether the current method is still optimal as your practice mix changes.
Yes. We reconcile your monthly PSD schedule against your practice management system (Optix, Ocuco, i-Clarity, Focus etc.) so nothing is missed — pre-visit fees, sight-test fees, voucher values, domiciliary uplifts and adjustment claims are all tracked to invoice.
Xero for the accounts, with your existing practice management system feeding daily takings and CL direct-debit revenue via a scheduled export. If you’re on Sage 50 or paper and want to modernise, we run the migration end-to-end in about 6 weeks with no disruption to the practice.
Yes. Since April 2021, medium and large practices are responsible for making status determinations for off-payroll workers. We review your locum and associate contracts, issue Status Determination Statements where required, and set up correct payroll deductions where the engagement is inside IR35.
Yes. We handle goodwill valuation, tax-efficient deal structuring, Business Asset Disposal Relief qualification and HMRC clearance. We’ve advised on sales to national groups and independent buyers alike.
Yes. R&R is regulated by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). All work is signed off by an ACCA-qualified accountant.
Our head office is in Blackburn, and we work with independent opticians in Preston, Burnley, Accrington, Chorley, Leyland, Bolton, Wigan, Bury and Manchester. Xero and cloud-first means we can work with you wherever your practice is based — face-to-face meetings available at our Blackburn office when you need them.
Related specialities: Accountants for doctors · Accountants for dentists · Accountants for pharmacies · Accountants for locums · VAT returns & MTD · Payroll & CIS
Book a free consultation. We’ll review your last VAT return, your PSD reconciliation and your management accounts, and give you three concrete things to change — whether or not you switch. Call 01254 839543 or Book online.
Expert Chartered Certified Accountants helping North West businesses protect and grow their income.
Friendly support from a local team that understands your business. Book your free consultation today and take the first step towards financial clarity and peace of mind.
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74 St James Road, Blackburn, BB1 8ET
We work with clients in Blackburn and across the North West, so you can get support wherever you are.
