When to hire CPA vs use Turbo tax for small business?

[Sosina M.]

I am at the early stage of my real estate investment journey with total of 4 properties and looking to add a couple this year. I have single member LLC and still have my W-2 wages. Until last year I was doing my taxes on Turbo tax but this year I am on the hunt for a new CPA to help me with my taxes and strategize my real estate investement going forward. My question is: is this the right time to add a CPA into my team versus using Turbo tax for small businesses?

If so, what qualities should I look for in a CPA? What is the average (fair) price to pay CPA at this stage? 

Also this might be a little bit out-of-topic, But is it also the time for me to start looking for a business attorney?

[Pat L.]

After 30 years of DIY, my wife insisted I go to her CPA after my first IRS Audit. They finally nailed me for $9,800 & two years later they sent it all back with interest. 

My second IRS audit (for tax yr 2019) dragged out for 6months of back & forth phone calls, emails & volumes of scanned documents/ledgers. It was initiated because the new young CPA assigned to my return made a subtle, lazy, stupid mistake in recording a carry forward loss. The IRS agent then went back from 2019 to 2012 (the year of my last audit) dwelling on numerous random petty expenses, the many property purchases/sales, partnership %'s etc etc. My wife was convinced it was a training exercise for the agent. 

Again I handled the entire audit myself & managed to come out unscathed, but ONLY because we keep excellent detailed records.