Choosing the right tax professional in Wesley Chapel or Tampa Bay can be a tough call. This guide explains when to choose an Enrolled Agent (EA) vs. a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)—and how our team at Henriquez Accounting & Tax Services can help with tax preparation & planning, IRS representation, and accounting & bookkeeping.

What Does an Enrolled Agent (EA) Do?

EAs are federally licensed tax specialists who can represent taxpayers before the IRS in all 50 states. They focus on tax strategy, filings, notices, and audits. For individual filings, see Personal Tax Preparation; for companies, visit Business Taxes.

What Does a CPA Do?

CPAs are licensed by state boards and offer a broader financial scope—tax, accounting, financial reporting, and advisory. If you need clean books plus tax strategy, our Accounting & Bookkeeping and Controller/CFO services work hand-in-hand with tax planning.

Major Differences: EA vs CPA

Scope of services: EAs focus on tax; CPAs cover tax and accounting, reporting, and advisory.
Licensing & oversight: EAs are credentialed by the IRS; CPAs by state boards.
Cost structure: CPAs often charge higher rates due to a wider service mix—match cost to complexity.
Representation power: Both EAs and CPAs can represent you before the IRS (not court). Court-level disputes require an attorney.
Best use cases: EA for tax-centric needs and IRS issues; CPA when you also need accounting, audits, or strategic finance.

When to Choose an Enrolled Agent

Primary need is tax preparation, notices, or audit support — start with Tax Preparation.
Personal or business taxes are relatively straightforward.
You want a cost-effective expert focused purely on taxes.

When to Choose a CPA

You need integrated bookkeeping, reporting, and tax.
Your business has complexity (multiple entities, audits, forecasts/KPIs).
You want ongoing advice—consider Controller/CFO and Business Consulting.

Need Help Deciding?

We’ll assess your situation and recommend the right fit—EA, CPA, or a blended approach—then coordinate everything from filing and IRS notices to books and dashboards. Schedule Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an EA and a CPA work together?

Yes. Many clients use a CPA for accounting/reporting and an EA for tax resolution or specialized filings—our team coordinates both.

Is a CPA always more expensive?

Generally yes, due to the broader scope. For complex needs, the added value (controls, reporting, advisory) can outweigh the cost.

Who handles IRS audits?

Both EAs and CPAs can represent you before the IRS. For legal disputes or court matters, we’ll loop in a tax attorney as needed.

Enrolled Agent or CPA: Which Tax Professional Fits You?