These seven qualities help you evaluate an Enrolled Agent or an appropriately licensed CPA. Review relevant experience and confirm the preparation, planning and bookkeeping services included in your engagement. If you’re in Lakeland, FL (or nearby), use this checklist to evaluate expertise, security, and fit. At Henriquez Accounting & Tax Services, we pair monthly bookkeeping with quarterly planning and year-end filing for individuals and small businesses. Explore our Tax Preparation, Accounting & Bookkeeping, and Business Consulting.
Table of Contents
The 7 Qualities That Matter Most
- Verify current EA enrollment or the relevant U.S. CPA license independently and confirm experience with your return types. A current PTIN is required for paid federal return preparation, but is not an EA or CPA credential and does not by itself establish IRS representation rights.
- Year-round planning cadence. Monthly close, quarterly estimates, and annual strategy—not just April filings.
- Security & compliance. Secure portal, MFA, encryption, engagement letter, privacy policy, and documented review workflow.
- Clear, fixed-fee pricing. Transparent scope (states/schedules, e-file, notices) plus defined response times.
- Local fluency. Familiar with Central Florida industries and common issues (multi-state remote work, sales tax, S-Corp reasonable comp).
- Decision-ready reporting. Monthly P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow with variance notes and KPI dashboards.
- Proactive communication. Dedicated contact, portal messaging, and SLAs for questions and notices.
Possible Reporting and Tax Work to Discuss
Monthly
- Complete reconciliations and the review process before closing the period. Use the available closing-date controls, restrict access, and document approved later adjustments. A closing date is a control, not a guarantee that historical transactions can never change.
- Publish financials with variance notes; maintain W-9/1099 tracking and sales tax (where applicable).
Quarterly
- Review estimated-payment requirements, withholding and cash plans; confirm payment responsibility and deadlines. Estimates are not a guarantee of penalty relief.
- Adjust payroll/entity items (e.g., S-Corp officer comp); KPI dashboard review.
Annually
- Prepare and e-file 1040 / 1120S / 1065 as needed; coordinate business & personal returns.
- Year-end planning: depreciation, timing strategies, elections, and entity changes.
Questions About Professional Qualities
- Will you review last year’s return for missed opportunities?
- How do you handle notices and representation if the IRS/state contacts me?
- What’s included in your fee and what counts as an add-on?
Deliverables to Confirm in Writing
- Accurate books and reconciliations—every month.
- Quarterly vouchers, reminders, and safe-harbor targeting.
- Return prep (1040/1120S/1065) plus 1099 e-file and notice support.
- Executive dashboard: margins, cash runway, A/R & A/P, and tax-ready KPIs.
Professional Qualities FAQs
Do you work with Lakeland clients remotely?
Henriquez Accounting serves Lakeland clients from its Zephyrhills office and through agreed remote arrangements. Confirm meeting methods, approved document transfer and response expectations before starting.
Can you review last year’s return for missed savings?
A review of a prior-year return can assess reported items and available supporting records. Any correction depends on eligibility, applicable procedures and deadlines; savings or a refund are not guaranteed.
What records do you need to start?
Prior returns, W-2/1099s, bank/credit statements, QuickBooks access, and any IRS/state notices.
Ready to choose the right EA/CPA in Lakeland?
Discuss bookkeeping, planning and filing needs with our office and agree on scope, fees and responsibilities. Schedule a consultation.
Confirm qualifications using the IRS guide to preparer credentials and, when a Florida CPA license is relevant, Florida license verification. Henriquez Accounting’s U.S. tax services are led by Pedro Henriquez, EA, MBA, CAA; his CPA credential is held in the Dominican Republic.