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Speaking as a CPA -
Depends on your return. Simple W-2, maybe some interest and dividends, sure, do it yourself.
Some rental activity, some stock sales and mutual fund sales, home purchase this year, maybe some basis/gifting issues, better have a pro look at it.
As for comparing, make sure you do the following:
When you get your return, go over it line-by-line. Don't skip items, and if you have a question but are afraid to ask for fear of looking foolish, ask.
Make sure you get them your information before 3/15. Face it, we have more time to get things done earlier in the season than for some schmo who drops something off at the last minute and expects us to spend hours on it.
Be organized ahead of time. If they send you an organizer, fill it out. Keep all your tax related info that you get in the mail during the year.
If you do the above steps, than go ahead and compare. But sometimes your accountant will catch things that software won't, and if you do it yourself later, you might not know what went into your original calcs.
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