What is a SAP Consultant?
An SAP consultant is an expert in using SAP software solutions for businesses. They help clients to identify their needs, suggest solutions, and offer advice.
An SAP consultant sets up SAP modules according to client requirements, checks system performance, and trains end-users.
They may also be involved in project management, budgeting, and ongoing support. A successful SAP consultant has communication skills, technical expertise, and a good understanding of business processes and requirements.
A skilled SAP professional will have the following benefits:
- SAP consultants are in high demand in the market
- They get to work with diverse clients and industries
- They have opportunities to grow and advance in their career
- They have the option to work independently or start their own consulting business
- They enjoy a collaborative and supportive team environment
Roles and responsibilities of an SAP Consultant
An SAP consultant analyzes, designs, and configures new software and systems for clients or employers based on their specifications. They also create programs, interfaces, and forms that are user-friendly and efficient.
They test the new interfaces and ensure they work well with the system workflows and the end-users needs. They also make changes as requested and get feedback from the users. An SAP consultant has a complex and challenging task, so they must be patient and flexible, as the users may change their requirements often.
Some of the tasks that an SAP consultant may perform in their role are:
- Communicate with the business, SMEs, and the development team to manage the requirements.
- Work on small-scale projects to improve and automate AP and FI processes, OSDB migration, fiscal year changes, and upgrades.
- Manage the extractors and make the necessary enhancements.
- Design and implement a strategy to manage e-procurement IDOC transmission and handle failures or errors.
- Evaluate new PeopleSoft functionality and suggest improvements to achieve optimal system performance and streamline processes.
- Make master data changes and reconcile them with the consolidation process to generate BPC reports.
- Implement ABAP end and field routines to add additional fields for SRM reporting in BW.
- Develop new house bank payment processes, including ACH payment, Lockbox auto-posting, and check issuance.
- Configure order-to-cash (OTC) process, including inquiry, quotation, sales order, shipping, and billing information system.
- Coordinate with the ABAP development team by providing functional specifications for customization according to user requirements.
- Work on EBS, APP, and ACH bank payments.
- Resolve the TTPs raised by the clients based on the SLA.
- Resolve issues in COPA, COPC, CCA, AP, and PCA modules.
- Work with configuration changes and test the CCA, IO, PCA, and COPA settings.
- Implement full life cycle project including G/L, AP, AR, AA, and CFM modules.
Important skill needed to become an SAP Consultant
Some of the skills that SAP Consultants have are Sap Successfactors, Prototyping, and Business Processes.
These skills are important for their job, as they help implement and maintain SAP software solutions for businesses.
However, here are the most important skills for a SAP Consultant
SAP Successfactors (6%): They used SuccessFactors to implement Employee Central, following the 14-step sequence recommended by SAP.
Prototyping (6%): They participated in SAP implementation design and prototyping stages using SAP tools and methodologies.
Business Process (5%): They followed the ASAP implementation methodology, designed the business processes, wrote the blueprint phase documentation, and completed the configuration during the realization phase.
Master Data (5%): They supported the generation and analysis of real property master data reports and the processing and analysis of real property inventory reporting.
SAP Hana (4%): They created SAP HANA data models with SAP HANA Studio, using Attribute View, Analytic View, and Calculation View.
MM (4%): They set up the organizational data configuration related to MM storage locations and purchase organizations.
How do SAP Consultants work?
SAP consultants keep their skills up-to-date and in demand by constantly learning new technology and software updates. This enables them to provide creative solutions to clients from different industries and cultures.
SAP consultants also have the chance to travel for projects and meetings, which helps them to expand their horizons and develop a global perspective. They combine technical expertise with business acumen to deal with complex systems and processes within large organizations, making their role both stimulating and satisfying.
What is the average salary of a SAP Consultant?
The annual salary of a SAP consultant in the United States is $88,806 on average. The yearly pay of SAP consultants can vary from $67,000 to $117,000, depending on their experience and skills. The hourly rate of SAP consultants is $42.7 on average.
Career opportunities for a certified SAP Consultant
SAP consultants have a promising career path, as they are in high demand in the market. SAP is one of the world’s leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) firms, and its software is used by many businesses to optimize their operations and processes.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of SAP consultants will grow by 9% from 2016 to 2026, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This reflects the need for skilled professionals who can help organizations use SAP software efficiently.
SAP consultants can work in various roles, such as project managers, process analysts, system administrators, or functional consultants. They can also specialize in different SAP modules like finance, human resources, logistics, or sales.
Their role and specialization may affect their job prospects and salaries. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that computer systems analyst roles, which often include people specializing in an IT-based field, will grow by 7% from 2020 to 2030.
However, here are the job roles you can take on:
- SAP ABAP Consultant - $91,390
- Junior Consultant - $99,198
- SAP Consultant - $88,806
- Functional Consultant - $85,317
- Team Leader - $68,817
Best certifications for SAP Consultants
SAP Certified Application Professional - Service with SAP EHP1 for SAP CRM 7.0
To prove your expertise in CRM Service, consider taking the SAP Certified Application Professional - Service with SAP EHP1 for SAP CRM 7.0 certification exam. This exam will test your deep knowledge and skills in CRM Service, which covers service contracts, service orders, service confirmations, service billing, and service analytics. This certificate will show that you have an advanced understanding of this profile and can apply your skills in practical situations and provide guidance in project implementation.
SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP S/4HANA for Management Accounting Associates (SAP S/4HANA 1709)
The SAP S/4HANA Management Accounting Associates (SAP S/4HANA 1709) certification exam validates the candidate’s essential knowledge and skills in SAP S/4HANA Management Accounting.
The exam assesses the candidate’s overall comprehension of this consultant profile and their ability to apply this knowledge in real-world projects under the supervision of an experienced consultant. This certification is recommended as a foundational qualification for consultants who want to familiarize themselves with Management Accounting projects.
SAP Technology Consultant
SAP Consultant Certification is a prestigious credential in the e-business world. It shows that the holder has acquired skills through intensive study or hands-on experience and has demonstrated competence by passing challenging, process-based exams.
Certified consultants also benefit from access to the rich resources of the SAP Information Network, which keeps them updated with the latest knowledge and skills. Candidates who have attended the relevant Solution Academy or SAP standard curriculum classes can take the SAP Technology Certification exam. Consultants with significant experience can also take the exam without attending classes.
Certified Management Consultant (CMC)
The Certified Management Consultant (CMC) certification is a professional credential for management consultants who have met global education standards, experience, examinations, ethics, and skills.
The CMC certification is recognized in over 50 countries and administered by the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI) and its member institutes. The CMC certification badge shows that the consultant has high competence, integrity, and commitment to the profession.
To earn the CMC certification, you must undergo a challenging training program covering various areas of knowledge, skills, and ethics.
The closing thoughts
SAP consultants help businesses optimize their operations and processes using SAP software solutions. They have various roles and specializations, such as project managers, process analysts, system administrators, or functional consultants.
They also have different SAP modules that they can work on, such as finance, human resources, logistics, or sales. SAP consultants are in high demand in the market, as SAP is one of the world’s leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) firms. They can also enjoy traveling and working with diverse clients and industries.
If you want to become a certified SAP consultant, you can start by earning a SAP certification. To help you to make the right decision, CBT Proxy is here! We have been in this field for over a decade now, helping IT professionals earn their certification goals.
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