Johann Felser, Advisor for Financial Management

Photo: Aksana Varela (Young Africa) with Hans Felser (horizont3000)

Improvement of structures and processes in the financial management.

Johann Felser studied business administration in Graz. Before and after his studies, he was already drawn to faraway places: he served in the UN peacekeeping mission in Syria and worked as an IT programmer in Mumbai/India. The last 15 years he worked as CFO for a shopping centre division. His professional focus is on accounting, controlling, financing and organisation.

• The advisory assignment focuses on improving financial management structures and processes within the partner organisation Young Africa. The advisor works closely with staff to assess existing systems, identify weaknesses, and develop practical, sustainable solutions tailored to the organisation's operational needs. A key goal is to strengthen the organisation's financial health and transparency to enhance its credibility and capacity to deliver on its mission.
• The advisor provides on-the-job coaching, conducts training sessions on budgeting, reporting, and financial planning, and supports the creation or revision of internal financial policies. Emphasis is placed on participatory processes to ensure the ownership and long-term viability of improvements. By building staff capacity and embedding sound financial management practices, the assignment contributes to the organisation's overall development and operational resilience.
• In addition, the advisor supports strategic planning by aligning financial systems with broader organisational goals, thereby improving the organisation's ability to manage donor funds, attract new funding opportunities, and ensure effective use of resources. The advisory services thus play a crucial role in enabling the partner organisation to grow in a structured and sustainable manner.
• SDG targets: 16.6; 17.9