Our Team
Cherie D. Putman CPA, CFP, Founder
Drawing from over two decades of experience and across nearly all financial disciplines, Cherie Putman currently advises on strategic planning matters for clients in the areas of personal financial and tax planning, accounting and financial reporting, business entrepreneur consulting, and investment management.
Prior to establishing her practices, Cherie held positions at both international and local CPA firms. Her positions specialized in tax, financial planning and business consulting.
Cherie received her degrees in Accounting and Finance from the University of Southern California in 1987. In addition to her license to practice as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California, she has earned her CFP® certification, and has passed the FINRA Series 7 and 66 exams. She is also licensed to sell insurance in California and Texas. A longtime member of the Cal State Society of CPAs (CSCPA), she served as technical reviewer for several continuing education courses from 2005 – 2018. Cherie believes in giving back to her community, and to that end, she has served as finance chair of her Church and as a former board member of the Trojan League of South Bay.
The Putman Family enjoys the awesome sport of ice hockey as fans, past coaches, and players. Long weekends will find the Putman Family enjoying the local Channel Islands boating, fishing, hiking and water play.
Cherie D. Putman CPA, CFP®
Michela Melamed, Client Service Associate / Bookkeeper
Michela is the Client Service Associate and Bookkeeper at Putman Financial Group. As the primary point of contact for clients she provides exceptional communication skills and follow through from the initial call or email through documentation for both the accounting and Wealth Management firms. She provides bookkeeping services in both QuickBooks Online and Desktop handling payroll, postings, reconciliations and even client technical support. Michela utilizes her deep knowledge of each client to
provide efficient and exceptional service with each call, email, or meeting. Her unique combination of communication skills and accounting background are valuable to every client.
Born and raised in Israel, Michela earned her bachelor’s in communication and Management from the College of Management in Tel Aviv and rose to the rank of Lieutenant in the Israeli Defense Forces. She spent time between Israel and the United States, completing a certificate in Entertainment Media at UCLA Extension before moving permanently in 2012 while working as the Director of Accounting for the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles. Michela also completed her Bookkeeping Specialist certificate from the U.S Career Institute in 2021.
Michela lives in the South Bay with her husband and two children. An avid fitness enthusiast and trainer, she also loves the outdoors and takes advantage of all that the nearby areas have to offer. She finds great satisfaction in being able to bring her extensive experience and education to bear in assisting clients with their financial needs.
Silvia Hanhart, Client Accounting Services
Silvia Hanhart comes to Putman Financial Group with experience acquired over many years in a variety of businesses. Silvia is part of Client Accounting Services and enjoys working with many of our clients meeting their needs from bookkeeping to reporting and everything in between.
Prior to joining the Group, Silvia worked as financial reporting consultant. Her past experience in finance stems from working in local CPA firms to Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. Her roles as bookkeeper, auditor and consolidations manager led her to work with small businesses looking to improve and prioritize their financial reporting.
Silvia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting Theory & Practice from California State
University, Northridge.
Silvia is a long-standing member of the South Bay community and keeps active with family and friends.
The beach cities allow her to take advantage of long walks and hikes along the beautiful coastline. Local organizations that have benefitted in the past from her volunteer work are Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, Boy Scouts of America, and King Harbor Yacht Club.
Matthew J. Putman, Sr Analyst
Post university, Matthew has worked with Ultra High Net Worth Individuals and Fortune 100 C-Suite Executives as a Senior Financial Analyst in the Executive Counseling Division of a prominent Wall Street firm for more than 3 years. He since has returned to Putman Financial Group bringing expertise in personal/trust income tax planning and implementation, investment management, estate planning, insurance, benefits and compensation, and retirement planning. He also has experience in business
entrepreneur consulting.
Matthew received his degrees in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and Economics from Chapman University in 2016. In addition to his California Tax Education Council certification, he has passed the FINRA Series SIE, 7 and 66 exams. In the works, he is actively studying for further professional designations and certifications.
Born and raised in Redondo Beach, Matthew enjoys all variety of the waterman’s lifestyle. Often during the summer, you will find him Scuba Diving and Spearfishing in the local Channel Islands. He also grew up playing and refereeing Ice Hockey. His short refereeing career spanned from giving back to young hockey players in the U6 division all the way to NCAA D3, Junior, and Minor Professional experience.
Matthew has had the opportunity to work with Wounded Warriors, Veterans, and the disabled community extensively volunteering with USA Sled Hockey and the Special Olympics.
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”