The company was formed in November of 1951.

Murray Cohen, CPA, was born in New York and moved to Arizona in 1934. Murray is the founder of Cohen, Rife & Jutzi, P.C. Prior to starting his own business 50 years ago, he worked for a few local accounting firms and the City of Phoenix for three and a half years. While employed by the City of Phoenix, Murray became the first sales tax auditor in the city. He graduated from Phoenix College in May 1944, the University of Arizona in January 1948 and the University of California in May 1948.

Paul C. Rife, CPA,
was born in Elmira, New York and has been a partner with Cohen, Rife & Jutzi, P.C. for more than 42 years. Before he began working with Murray, he was employed by Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. for six years. Paul graduated from Fairleigh Dickenson College in Rutherford, New Jersey with a B.S. degree in Accounting in 1953.

Nelson S. Jutzi, CPA, 1939-1997, was born in Gadshill, Ontario, Canada. He grew up on a dairy farm and moved to Arizona in 1961 for health reasons. Upon his arrival in Arizona, Nelson worked as a bill collector and later for General GMC as a bookkeeper. Nelson joined the firm in July of 1967. Nelson earned a B.S. degree in Accounting from Arizona State University in 1972 and was licensed as a CPA in the State of Arizona in 1973. Nelson was a Partner in the firm until the date of his death in February 1997. Nelson was a very valuable member of Cohen, Rife & Jutzi and is fondly remembered for his contributions.