I tried it out this year for my taxes. Did it both online on hr block and turbo tax software. Didnt submit but got pretty much the same return. Then i did go to a actual CPA and had her do it and she ended up getting 200 more back. So obviously she knew something to deduct that i didnt.
Did you bother trying to figure out what she "knew". Do you understand what it was? You sign the return - you accept that responsibility. A CPA will throw you under the bus if the IRS asks.
You don't know how fine of a line the CPA walk when he/she does your return.
For the average person that can not itemize; there are only two places that can easily be fudged.
Tuition/interest and moving expenses. Moving expenses usually require a couple of W2s with different addresses that are distant.
Tuition can be cross checked.
When you itemize, the charity and misc open up to be fudged. Taxes paid can be cross referenced. Medical expenses can be used, but they have a small impact and again can easily be check on. Same goes with catastrophic losses.
Anyone that has a CPA/Tax pro doing your taxes needs to look very closely at line items to ensure that everything is legit and able to be backed up.
Look at the results that you get for yourself, see what the differences are line by line and ask why?
The CPA can not add in anything that you do not provide to them; they can ask you questions to help your memory but that it all.
The CPA can help with the Schedule B,C,D,E by combing through the information
you provide.
At that point you are paying for their time vs yours.
business returns are an entirely different story.