"CPA near me" gets thousands of searches in Macomb County every month — but not every tax situation actually requires a CPA. Some need an Enrolled Agent. Some need a bookkeeper. And some need all three. Stout Tax Strategies provides the full range of tax, accounting, and bookkeeping services that most people are really looking for when they search "CPA near me" — including the Michigan-specific expertise that makes the credential matter in the first place.
When people search "CPA near me," they usually mean "someone qualified to handle my taxes properly." But there are three credential levels in tax, and the right one depends on your situation:
| Credential | Licensed By | Can Prepare Returns | Can Represent You Before IRS | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPA (Certified Public Accountant) |
State of Michigan (LARA) | ✓ | ✓ Full — audits, appeals, collections, Tax Court | Business financial statements, audited financials, complex entity structuring, SEC filings, estate/trust work |
| EA (Enrolled Agent) |
IRS (federal license) | ✓ | ✓ Full — identical IRS representation rights as a CPA | Tax preparation, IRS notice resolution, audit defense, tax planning — anyone whose primary need is tax, not financial-statement auditing |
| PTIN-Only Preparer | IRS (registration only) | ✓ | ✗ Limited — cannot represent in audits or appeals | Simple W-2 returns with no complications |
Key fact most people don't know: An Enrolled Agent has exactly the same IRS representation rights as a CPA. The difference is scope — CPAs can also perform financial audits and attest to financial statements (which matters for business loans or investors). For pure tax work — returns, planning, IRS notices, audits — an EA is equally qualified. When you search "CPA near me" for tax help, an EA may actually be the better fit.
There are situations where only a CPA will do. Here are the actual use cases:
We're a full-service tax, accounting, and bookkeeping firm on Harper Ave in St. Clair Shores. We handle the work most people are actually looking for when they search "CPA near me":
Individual (Form 1040 + MI-1040), self-employed (Schedule C), S-corp (1120-S), partnership (1065), and C-corp (1120). Federal and Michigan returns filed together. Michigan homestead credit, retirement exemption, and FTE election evaluated on every applicable return.
Quarterly liability projections, estimated payment calculations, entity structure review (LLC vs. S-corp vs. C-corp), FTE election analysis, retirement contribution timing, and year-end deduction strategy. Proactive — not reactive.
Transaction categorization, bank and credit card reconciliation, P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statement — delivered monthly on a flat-fee basis. Cleanup bookkeeping available for businesses that have fallen behind.
Weekly/biweekly/semi-monthly runs, federal + Michigan 4.25% withholding, quarterly 941 filing, annual W-2/W-3. City income tax split for employees working in Detroit (2.4%) or other Michigan taxing cities.
CP2000, CP14, CP3219A, audit letters, Michigan Treasury assessments. Transcript pull, response drafting, and filing — all before the 30-day deadline. First-Time Penalty Abatement evaluation included when applicable.
LLC formation, S-corp election (Form 2553), EIN registration, Michigan annual report filing, and initial bookkeeping setup. We advise on the right structure based on your revenue, self-employment tax exposure, and FTE election eligibility.
Michigan Department of Treasury, April 2026. General reference only.
| Service | Typical Range | Key Variables |
|---|---|---|
| Individual return (W-2, standard) | $150 – $350 | Number of income sources, itemized vs. standard |
| Self-employed / Schedule C | $300 – $600 | Expense volume, vehicle, home office |
| S-corp / partnership return | $600 – $1,500+ | Revenue, K-1 count, FTE election, multi-state |
| Monthly bookkeeping | $200 – $800/mo | Transaction volume, bank accounts, payroll |
| Tax planning engagement | $500 – $2,000/yr | Entity complexity, quarterly projection needs |
| IRS notice response | $300 – $1,000+ | Notice type, documentation volume, amendment needs |
We quote a specific price during your free consultation — no hourly surprises, no scope creep.
Whether you hire us or someone else, run through this checklist:
Our office is at 32008 Harper Ave, between Masonic Blvd and 13 Mile — minutes from the Nautical Mile and Lake St. Clair. We work with individuals and businesses across:
If you're comparing CPA firms locally: St. Clair Shores has several established practices along Harper Ave and Greater Mack Ave. The right fit depends on whether you need a full CPA for financial-statement work, or a tax-focused firm for returns, planning, and IRS resolution. We're transparent about what we do — schedule a free consultation and we'll tell you which services fit your situation.
A CPA is licensed by the state of Michigan and can perform financial audits, attest to financial statements, and provide the full range of accounting and tax services. An Enrolled Agent is licensed by the IRS and specializes specifically in tax — with identical IRS representation rights (audits, appeals, collections). For pure tax work, both are equally qualified. CPAs offer additional services like audited financials that EAs cannot perform.
You specifically need a CPA when a lender or investor requires audited or reviewed financial statements, when you need a business valuation for a buyout or legal proceeding, when filing estate or trust returns (Form 1041), or when forming complex multi-entity structures. For individual tax returns, business tax filing, bookkeeping, payroll, IRS notice resolution, and tax planning, a qualified EA or licensed tax firm handles the work equally well.
Individual returns typically range from $150–$350. Self-employed filers pay $300–$600. S-corp or partnership returns run $600–$1,500+ depending on complexity. Monthly bookkeeping ranges from $200–$800. Tax planning engagements run $500–$2,000 per year. Prices vary by firm — always get a quoted scope before work begins.
Search the Michigan LARA (Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) online license lookup at michigan.gov/lara. Enter the individual's name to confirm active CPA license status. For Enrolled Agents, use the IRS Return Preparer Office directory at irs.gov. If a firm claims CPA status but can't provide a verifiable license number, consider that a warning sign.
The Flow-Through Entity (FTE) tax lets S-corps, partnerships, and multi-member LLCs pay Michigan's 4.25% income tax at the entity level. Members receive a refundable credit on their personal returns. The primary benefit is bypassing the federal $10,000 SALT deduction cap. It requires annual election and quarterly estimated payments when liability exceeds $800. Any CPA or tax professional in Michigan should be evaluating this for every eligible client — if they haven't mentioned it, ask.
No. St. Clair Shores does not levy a city income tax. However, 24 Michigan cities do — including Detroit (2.4% for residents, 1.2% for nonresidents), Grand Rapids, Flint, Lansing, and Pontiac. If you live in St. Clair Shores but work in one of those cities, or if your business has employees there, separate city income tax filings are required.
Yes. We handle CP2000 (income mismatch), CP14 (balance due), CP3219A (Notice of Deficiency), and formal audit letters. We pull IRS transcripts, identify the discrepancy, prepare the response documentation, and file it before the deadline — typically 30 days from the notice date. If penalties were assessed, we evaluate First-Time Penalty Abatement and reasonable-cause arguments.
Yes. We review your current tax setup, identify your filing requirements, flag any missed opportunities from prior years, and provide a clear scope and price quote — all before any paid work begins. No obligation.
Schedule a free consultation. We'll review your situation, tell you exactly what level of service fits, and give you a clear price — whether that's with us or a referral to a CPA for specialized work.
Schedule a Free Consultation Call 586-757-6116