EA OR CPA Whats the best in your opinion?

[Kylie A.]

I've never hired an EA or CPA before and need advice on vetting them to avoid being taken advantage of. I feel capable of handling my accounting in general, but I primarily need help with taxes for my real estate and small investments. I want the best professional who can save me the most money, someone who’s real and honest and doesn’t use too many big words. I’m a huge fan of keeping things simple since it takes me longer to understand complex topics, especially taxes. What should I watch out for, and is there a significant advantage to choosing an EA over a CPA?