The right tax professional can protect your cash flow, reduce audit risk, and save hours every month. If you operate in Wesley Chapel, Tampa Bay, or anywhere in Florida, this guide shows how to evaluate an accountant, when to hire an Enrolled Agent (EA) vs a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and the questions that matter before you sign an engagement.
Personal & Business Taxes IRS Notices & Audits Bookkeeping Cleanup Florida Sales & Use Tax S-Corp Optimization
What Services Should Come First?
Tax Preparation & Planning
Accurate filing + proactive strategies for credits, elections, and timing.
Explore tax preparation & planning
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Clean, reconciled books that support smart decisions and smooth tax seasons.
IRS Representation
Notices, payment plans, penalty relief, audit defense—handled for you.
Controller/CFO Support
Forecasts, KPIs, pricing, and cash management for growing businesses.
EA vs CPA: Which Credential Fits Your Situation?
- Enrolled Agent (EA): federally licensed tax specialist; represents you before the IRS nationwide; ideal for filings, notices, audits, and amendments. Start here for most tax-centric needs.
- CPA: state-licensed; broader scope including financial reporting and attest work. Required for audits, reviews, and compilations.
Need both? Our team coordinates tax and accounting so your books, returns, and strategy stay aligned. Personal taxes | Business taxes | Business consulting
How to Vet a Tax Accountant (7 Questions)
- Credentials: Are you an EA or CPA, and in which areas do you specialize?
- Industry fit: Experience with my entity type (LLC/S-Corp/C-Corp) and industry?
- Process: How do you collect documents, reconcile books, and communicate status?
- Review: What internal review/quality checks do you use before filing?
- Planning: Do you offer year-round tax planning and quarterly estimate support?
- Technology: Can you integrate with QuickBooks, payroll, and my bank feeds?
- Representation: Will you handle IRS notices or audits if they arise?
Pricing & Value
Expect transparent pricing tied to complexity and scope. A solid accountant should explain what’s included (e.g., reconciliation, depreciation schedules, state filings) and where add-on work begins (e.g., prior-year cleanup, multi-state returns). In many cases, proactive planning offsets fees through savings and reduced penalties.
Florida Considerations
- Sales & Use Tax: If you collect taxable sales, ensure correct nexus, rates, and filing cadence. We can help with FL sales tax.
- Entity Structure: Many small businesses benefit from S-Corp elections—review salary, distributions, and reasonable comp.
- Multi-city growth: Keep clean separations by location, class, or job costing within your books.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Book a discovery call. We’ll assess your goals and recommend the right mix—EA, CPA, or a blended approach—then handle bookkeeping, filing & planning, IRS notices, and dashboards via Controller/CFO. Schedule Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CPA for audited financial statements?
Yes. Audits, reviews, and compilations require a CPA firm. We coordinate these alongside your tax planning.
Can an EA fully represent me before the IRS?
Yes. EAs can represent you nationwide for returns, notices, appeals, and audits (not court litigation).
What’s the difference between bookkeeping and tax prep?
Bookkeeping records and reconciles transactions; tax prep uses accurate books to file compliant, advantage-maximized returns.
How far in advance should I start tax planning?
At least once per quarter. Adjust estimates, entity elections, and deductions before year-end for the biggest impact.
Do you work with startups and sole proprietors?
Absolutely. From first registrations to S-Corp transitions and growth KPIs, we tailor scope to your stage.
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