LOGISTICS
Flashback Part 24
20th- to 21st-Century Fashion Industry History: Los Angeles By Ron Friedman
Hello again! Spring is just around the corner, and football season has come to an end with the Seattle Seahawks winning in a defensive battle. New England could not handle the Seahawks’ great defense. I think the two best teams played together two weeks before the Super Bowl, when Seattle beat the Los Angeles Rams. These teams are favorites to make it to the Super Bowl next year. Now it is on to baseball season and the Dodgers getting their third World Series in a row. Best team money can buy! Now, on to the history of the apparel industry in Los Angeles. This month highlights the career of my partner, Marty Josephson, as the next icon. Marty Josephson: A Life of Leadership and Innovation in Public Accounting Marty Josephson is best known as a founding partner of Stonefield Josephson, an influential California-based accounting firm that ultimately merged with Marcum LLP, one of the largest independent public accounting and advisory services firms in the United States. Several years after Marty’s retirement, Marcum was acquired by CBIZ Inc. 32 | FM
March 2026
Early Career and Founding Stonefield Josephson Marty’s journey as a certified public accountant (CPA) began with a vision for personalized service and deep industry expertise, which he learned while working at a New York-based accounting firm focused on the apparel industry. Marty moved to Los Angeles in 1960, joining the small office the New York firm maintained there, which also served the apparel industry. In a prior article, I explored leaders serving the apparel industry in Los Angeles. Marty is one of those icons. In 1975, he teamed up with Joel Stonefield to establish a new accounting firm in Los Angeles. When it came time to decide whose name would appear first on the firm’s letterhead and who would occupy a corner office, the two partners took a lighthearted and democratic approach. They flipped a coin. The winner of the flip had first choice. The result— favoring Joel Stonefield—gave rise to the iconic name: Stonefield Josephson. This anecdote reflected the spirit of their partnership—a blend of professionalism, mutual respect and entrepreneurial energy that would define the firm’s culture. From
its inception, Stonefield Josephson served creative and entrepreneurial clients in the apparel industry, becoming recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to highgrowth businesses. Reputation and Accomplishments Throughout his career, Marty was widely respected for his technical expertise, dedication to client relationships and mentorship of young professionals. I was one of those young professionals. Under his leadership, Stonefield Josephson gradually grew to serve a variety of businesses in multiple economic sectors. The firm was recognized as a “best place to work” and as one of California’s top local accounting firms. It earned national attention for its industry specialization, innovative practices and commitment to community engagement. Marty believed in the importance of giving back to the community. He had a strong connection with the City of Hope through the professions and finance associates. He served as president and was honored in 2003 with the Spirit of Life Award by the City of Hope apparel industry group.
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