Choosing a CPA begins with the work you need: an accurate return, a tax-planning decision, reliable accounting records or a response to an IRS notice. CPA Firm South Florida provides accounting and tax services from its Fort Lauderdale office, with the engagement defined around your records, deadlines and filing obligations.
Use this guide to compare credentials, understand IRS authorization and prepare for a discussion of scope and fees.
Credentials and Engagement Scope
CPA Firm South Florida is led by Peter Rudolph, CPA. Verify the professional’s current credential using the Florida DBPR record for license AC0030738, and discuss experience relevant to your particular tax matter.
Review the firm overview, then ask who will perform the work and which services are included in the written engagement.
Why Choose a Local Fort Lauderdale CPA?
A local office can make in-person meetings convenient. The more important questions are whether the professional has the relevant experience, can meet your deadline and will explain the proposed work clearly. Ask how bookkeeping, tax preparation, planning and notice responses will be coordinated when more than one service is needed.
Discuss any out-of-state activity or international filing requirement before assuming it is covered by a local tax engagement.
Preparing for an IRS Representation Engagement
Bring the notice, relevant returns, payment records and earlier correspondence. Identify the response deadline, the tax periods involved and any upcoming collection action.
Confirm the representative, covered matters, fees and communication plan before authorizing work.
What IRS Representation Authorizes
IRS representation allows an eligible professional to act for a taxpayer within the authorized matters and periods. CPAs, attorneys and enrolled agents have broad representation rights, while other preparers may have limited rights. See IRS Publication 947 and the IRS guidance on powers of attorney and other authorizations.
The engagement and authorization should identify the specific work. Representation does not remove the taxpayer’s responsibility to provide accurate information, monitor notices or meet obligations.
How We Communicate with the IRS on Your Behalf
- Authorization: Form 2848 names eligible individual representatives and the tax matters, forms and periods covered. Additional acts and restrictions must be addressed as the form requires.
- Notice copies: Receipt of copies is selected on the authorization. The IRS generally continues sending original notices to the taxpayer. Forward new correspondence promptly; representation does not eliminate every direct contact.
- Communication and records: Agree on responsibilities, response dates and document submission methods. Use the channels approved for the particular IRS matter and confirm the firm’s document-transfer process.
- Response options: The representative can evaluate records, explain applicable procedures and present a supported position within the engagement. A power of attorney does not itself suspend collection or guarantee a settlement.
See the Form 2848 instructions for the scope of authority, notice-copy choices and taxpayer responsibilities.
How We Evaluate Audits, Penalties and Collection Options
We review the notice, tax periods, account history and supporting records before recommending a response. Outcomes depend on the facts and the applicable IRS rules.
- Audit response: Organize records, reconcile the return and substantiate the items the IRS questions.
- Administrative penalty relief: First Time Abate is based on qualifying compliance history, not a reasonable-cause explanation. The IRS began transitioning to Automatic Exemption from Penalty in summer 2026 for eligible return types and periods. Review the current IRS FTA and AEP eligibility rules for the specific assessment.
- Reasonable cause: This is a separate, fact-based route. For filing and payment penalties, the IRS considers whether the taxpayer exercised ordinary business care and prudence but still could not comply. Illness or a disaster is not an automatic waiver; the evidence and the penalty-specific rules matter. See IRS reasonable-cause guidance.
- Collection options: Evaluate payment arrangements, an offer in compromise, currently-not-collectible treatment or other relief where the requirements are met. Representation alone does not stop collection or guarantee approval.
We can prepare and support an appropriate relief request. The IRS decides whether a penalty is removed or another collection option is available; no particular dollar reduction is promised.
Related Accounting and Tax Services
- Tax preparation: Prepare the agreed individual or business returns from the relevant records, applying the deductions, credits and reporting rules supported by the facts.
- Bookkeeping and payroll: Coordinate accounting records, payroll information and related filings when included in the engagement.
- Business tax planning: Review projected tax, entity classification, owner payments and proposed transactions as separately agreed.
See the service overview and pricing and scope guidance. Additional returns, bookkeeping, planning or representation are not automatically included in a quoted preparation fee.
To discuss an IRS matter, contact CPA Firm South Florida with the type of notice and the response deadline. The initial conversation can identify the records needed and whether the firm can accept the proposed engagement.