Why Switch to Samera
Most dentists who switch to Samera are not necessarily unhappy with their current accountant or adviser. Often, their business has simply become more complex and they want support from people who specialise in dentistry. Samera brings dental accountancy, tax, commercial finance, practice acquisitions, start-ups, growth and practice sales together in one specialist group.
A specialist dental firm built across every stage of your career
Samera was founded in 2002 by Arun Mehra FCA and Dr Smita Mehra BDS. Arun has worked with dentists since 1999, and dentistry has remained at the centre of Samera ever since.
Five things make the relationship different:
Dentistry is at the centre of what we do
Samera was founded by Arun Mehra FCA and Dr Smita Mehra BDS, and has worked with dentists and healthcare professionals since 2002. Because the business was built around dentistry from the start, our teams regularly support dental associates, practice owners, groups, buyers and sellers, so the advice is grounded in the commercial and financial realities of the profession.
One firm across the dental business lifecycle
Accountancy, tax, commercial finance, practice acquisitions, start-ups, sales, growth advice and technology sit within the wider Samera group. That means you can work with specialists who understand where your business has come from, where it is now and what you are trying to do next.
We have built and run dental practices ourselves
Arun and Dr Smita Mehra also founded The Neem Tree Dental Group. Smita opened the first practice in Wandsworth in 2004, and the group now operates practices in Wandsworth and Esher. That gives Samera first-hand experience of many of the same decisions and challenges our clients face.
Regulated, accredited and professionally recognised
Samera is an ICAEW-accredited firm of chartered accountants and a Xero Partner. Samera Finance Ltd is FCA authorised (FRN 757431) and a member of the NACFB. Our finance team works through a panel of lenders, with no brokerage fee on most applications.
A track record built over decades
Since 2002, Samera has supported more than 1,000 UK dentists, including 700+ dental practice acquisitions and 750+ squat practices. Our dedicated commercial finance brokerage launched in 2016 and has since raised more than £250 million for UK dentists.
We are not trying to be the cheapest generalist provider. Samera is built for dentists who want specialist support that can follow them through different stages of their career and business.
If you are looking for the cheapest accountant, only want someone to file your accounts, or do not want an adviser asking questions about where the business is going, there may be a better fit elsewhere. See who Samera is, and isn't, for.
What changes when you work with a dental specialist
A generalist accountant or adviser can provide good support. The difference with Samera is that dentistry sits at the centre of what we do, so the accountancy, tax, finance and business advice is built around the way dental businesses actually operate.
| Topic | Generalist provider | Samera |
|---|---|---|
| Sector knowledge | Works across many different industries | Samera has worked with dentists since 2002, with specialist teams supporting associates, practice owners and groups |
| Tax planning | Advice based on general business and personal tax rules | Dental-specific tax planning, including associate structures, group structures, remuneration planning and exit considerations |
| Finance and lending | May refer finance to a bank or external broker | FCA-authorised commercial finance brokerage through Samera Finance Ltd, with access to a broad lender panel. No brokerage fee on most applications |
| Acquisitions | Accountancy and finance may be handled by separate advisers | 700+ dental practice acquisitions supported, with valuations, financial due diligence, finance and deal support available within Samera |
| Practice sales | May refer the sale to an external agent | Specialist dental practice sales support, including valuation, preparation for sale and transaction management |
| Growth advisory | Often focused mainly on accounts and tax compliance | Management reporting, profitability analysis, cash-flow forecasting, fee reviews, growth planning and support for dental groups |
| Practice ownership | May not have first-hand experience of running a dental practice | Samera's founders also built and operate The Neem Tree Dental Group |
| Technology | Usually relies on standard accounting and practice software | Clever Practice builds AI-powered software for dental practices, automating repetitive admin and finance tasks, including automated associate pay |
What changes at each stage of your career
The value of a specialist relationship becomes more visible as your career and business become more complex. Samera can support you as your needs change.
AAs an associate
- Specialist accounts and tax support for self-employed and limited company dental associates
- Tax and cash-flow planning around variable income and tax payments
- Support preparing financially to buy or start a practice
- Access to practice ownership guidance, boot camps and finance when needed
BBuying or starting your practice
- Buyer-side support, valuations, financial due diligence, business plans and deal support
- Start-up planning, projections, CQC, suppliers and support getting a squat practice ready to open
- Commercial finance through Samera Finance Ltd and its lender panel, with no brokerage fee on most applications
- Start-Up Dental Boot Camps for dentists preparing to open their first practice
CRunning your practice
- Bookkeeping, year-end accounts, payroll, tax planning and management reporting from one specialist team
- Cash-flow forecasting, fee reviews and profitability analysis to improve financial visibility
- Year-round tax planning rather than relying only on the year-end
- Access to the Dental Buying Group for savings across practice suppliers and services
DGrowing into a group or preparing to exit
- Group reporting, strategic finance support and CFO-level advice as the business becomes more complex
- Support with further acquisitions, restructuring and funding
- Practice valuations, exit planning and preparation for sale
- Sell-side support when you are ready to take a practice or group to market
Moving your accounts to Samera
Changing accountant can feel like a bigger job than it actually is. We manage the handover with your existing accountant, collect the records we need and agree the most sensible point for us to take over.
Start with a free consultation
We understand your current setup, what is and is not working, and what you need from your accountant going forward. If we do not think switching is right for you, we will tell you.
We contact your existing accountant
Once you appoint Samera, we request professional clearance and the records we need directly from your existing accountant, including previous accounts, tax filings and relevant working information.
We agree the best time to move
You do not necessarily need to wait until your year end. We look at your accounting, VAT and filing timetable and recommend the cleanest point to transfer responsibility. Sometimes that means moving now. Sometimes waiting until the end of a particular reporting period makes more sense.
We get you set up with the Samera team
We complete the onboarding, introduce the people responsible for your accounts and tax, and make sure the information and systems needed for your ongoing work are in place. From there, your normal Samera accountancy service begins.
Not sure whether now is the right time to switch? We will tell you if we think you would be better off waiting.
What can change when you come to Samera
These examples show how Samera has supported dentists at different stages of practice ownership, from improving profitability to buying, refinancing and solving more complex finance and tax problems.
For detailed case studies with timeline, structure and outcome, see the case studies section of the Learning Centre.
What dentists say about working with Samera
Choosing a new accountant or adviser is a long-term decision. Here is what dentists at different stages of their careers say about working with Samera. Reviews sourced from Google and Trustpilot.
Amazing, helpful and never made me feel silly for the million questions I had, and was always very accessible. 19/20 was my first year with Samera and I wish I had come to them sooner!
Been with Samera since 2008 when we bought our first dental practice. Their knowledge and expertise is second to none, not least because they also own their own dental practices, putting them in a unique position in terms of their knowledge and advice for the dental industry. Whether you're setting up from scratch or acquiring an existing practice, Samera have been there.
As a busy dental associate, I have been using Samera Accounting services for over 7 years now and have found them to be highly professional, prompt in correspondence and extremely helpful to any enquiries which I have had.
I am a dentist setting up my own private dental practice and Samera have been a great help as my accountants, giving lots of advice, especially in regards to all the complicated financial matters and tax. I have also attended the Samera setting up a dental practice course and would definitely recommend this.
What dentists ask before switching accountants
Can I switch accountants part-way through the year?
Yes. You can change accountants at any point, although some points in your accounting or VAT cycle may make the handover cleaner than others. We will review your timetable and tell you whether it makes sense to move now or wait until a particular filing period or year end.
How long does switching accountants take?
Usually a few weeks. Once you appoint Samera, we contact your existing accountant, request professional clearance and collect the records needed to take over. The exact timing depends partly on how quickly your existing firm provides the information.
Do I need to tell my old accountant myself?
No. Once you have appointed us, we can handle the formal professional-clearance and records-transfer process with your existing accountant. You can of course speak to them yourself if you want to.
Will Samera cost more than my current accountant?
Possibly. We are not positioned as the cheapest accountancy firm. Our fees depend on the size and complexity of your business and the level of support you need. You can see our current packages and pricing before deciding whether to speak to us.
Can you handle a practice with multiple companies or income streams?
Yes. We regularly work with dental practice owners and groups with more complex structures, including practice companies, property companies, holding companies and separate personal or associate income.
What if I already have an HMRC issue or investigation?
Speak to us before switching. We can review the position and tell you whether we can take over the ongoing accountancy and tax work and what additional specialist support may be required.
Start with a free consultation
Speak with the Samera specialist best suited to what you need. We will understand where you are, what is prompting the switch, and whether Samera is the right fit.
There is no charge and no obligation. If we think you would be better staying where you are for now, we will tell you.
Where to go next
Who Samera Is, and Isn't, For
See who tends to get the most value from working with Samera, and the situations where we may not be the right fit.
Learn moreDental Accountants
Specialist accountancy and tax support for dental associates, practice owners and groups, from day-to-day compliance to reporting and tax planning.
Learn moreOur Fees
See our published fees for accountancy, tax, valuations, finance, start-up support and other Samera services.
Learn moreWhat We Got Wrong, and What We Changed
A transparent look at problems we have faced over the years, what caused them and what we changed as a result.
Learn moreMeet the Team
Meet the people working across Samera's accountancy, tax, finance, growth, operations and advisory teams.
Learn moreLearning Centre
Free guides, case studies and resources covering every stage of building, running, growing and selling a dental business.
Learn moreBook a free virtual consultation with one of our specialists and discover what Samera can do for your practice.