I have seen to many people try to do taxes themselves and then we have to go back 3 years and amend the returns because the taxpayer either is exposing themselves to audit risk or missed out on a great deduction that would have resulted in a larger refund 

It falls under the automatic consent procedures, so it does not need approval - it could still be audited though 3.

- I realize that this maneuver will likely increase the risk of audit....curious to get a sense of how much more risk of audit I will face and does the IRS typically just audit the one year or would they dig into previous years as well?

Unfortunately, their deduction was disallowed following an IRS audit and a subsequent visit to Tax Court.

You don't necessarily need a CPA licensed in those states to provide you with tax planning, tax advice or to help prepare your return.licensure for CPA's by states are normally important when you want to provide assurance / auditing related assurance

I pay the extra 80 bucks or whatever it is for audit representation if it ever happens.

Just make sure it's a reputable company and that their documentation will hold up in the event of an audit. 

Keep in mind if you do get audited, your receipts from grocery stores, local entertainment, etc could substantiate your claim.

This cost is often justified by the value added through their expert advice, ensuring compliance, optimizing your tax return, and potentially saving you from costly mistakes.Audit Support: Another significant advantage of a CPA is their ability to represent you in the event of an IRS audit.

The accountant said my business (real estate)and the number of properties I have is just growing too fast to be handled in the fashion I was and to protect myself in the potential case of an audit I needed to take that step going forward.