Do I Need an Enrolled Agent If I Already Have a CPA? (Florida Edition)

If you already work with a CPA, you might be asking yourself:
“Do I really need an Enrolled Agent too?”
It’s a fair question—and the answer depends on your goals, your situation, and how much hands-on tax strategy or IRS support you actually need.

At Polaris Tax & Accounting, we work with clients throughout Florida who already have CPAs or bookkeepers but turn to us when their tax needs go deeper—especially when it involves IRS resolution, year-round planning, or aggressive tax-saving strategies.

This post will clarify when working with both a CPA and an EA makes sense, how their roles complement one another, and when an EA may be the more effective choice.

What’s the Difference Between a CPA and an EA?

Both Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and Enrolled Agents (EAs) are licensed professionals—but their licenses come from different agencies and reflect different areas of expertise.

CPAs are trained across many disciplines—some specialize in tax, others in audit, consulting, or forensic accounting. EAs focus 100% on tax law and IRS procedure, which often makes them the most efficient choice for tax-specific strategy or problems.

When Does It Make Sense to Work with Both?

You don’t need to choose between a CPA and an EA. In fact, many Florida clients work with both, especially when:

• A CPA handles their business bookkeeping or financials

• They want a second opinion or more aggressive tax strategy

• They face IRS issues that require dedicated representation

• Their CPA is great at compliance but doesn’t do long-term planning

At Polaris, we often collaborate with CPAs, not replace them. Our role is to handle the tax strategy side—quarterly planning, estimated tax projection, and audit defense—while their CPA may continue to handle internal financials or general accounting.

When Might an EA Be the Better Choice?

Some taxpayers may find that their current CPA isn’t offering the level of tax insight they need. That’s not a knock on the CPA—it may just not be their focus.

You may benefit from shifting to an EA if:

• You want more hands-on tax planning

• You’ve received IRS notices or audit letters

• You feel like you’re overpaying but not getting answers

• You need help with back taxes or penalties

• You’re self-employed or have rental/investment income that needs real strategy

EAs are not seasonal preparers—they’re year-round tax professionals who build long-term plans and represent you if things go wrong.

How We Work With Existing CPAs or Bookkeepers

Polaris doesn’t view other professionals as competition. We’re here to fill the tax strategy gap and bring IRS-level support to your team. We’ll work with your existing CPA, financial advisor, or bookkeeper if needed—especially if you’re already mid-year and don’t want to disrupt existing workflows.

Our focus is:

• Tax reduction strategies

• IRS resolution and audit representation

• Return reviews and projections

• Real-time planning around life events or major decisions

Related Reading

✔️ What Is an Enrolled Agent?
✔️ IRS Tax Problems in Florida?
✔️ Who Should You Trust: EA vs CPA vs Preparer
✔️ Top Florida Tax Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
✔️ Florida Enrolled Agent Tax Help

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to fire your CPA. But you might need more than what they’re offering—especially when it comes to proactive planning, IRS problems, or advanced tax-saving strategies.

Polaris Tax & Accounting provides:
✅ Licensed Enrolled Agents
✅ Transparent pricing and year-round access
✅ Strategic tax planning
✅ IRS representation if things go wrong

If your CPA does a great job on the books—but not on the tax plan—we’re here to fill that gap.

📍 Let’s Build Your Tax Team

✅ Schedule Your Consultation Now
✅ Explore Florida EA Services