The SAP FICO consultant is responsible for developing and implementing SAP-based ERP solutions, focusing on the finance and controlling areas. They work closely with the client’s finance team to analyze and design SAP FI/CO solutions, perform testing and ensure the stability of the solution.
The SAP FICO module is one of the most widely used SAP modules and includes SAP FICO configuration and usage. Therefore, aspiring SAP FICO consultants should have a strong foundation in all aspects of the SAP FICO module to succeed in their role.
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SAP FICO is a functional component of SAP ERP, used in many large companies to generate and manage financial statements. It is used for reporting, but also for analysis for decision-making. Explore the role of the SAP FICO Consultant
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Above all, we are talking about two modules: SAP FI (Financial Accounting) for the Finance part and SAP CO (Controlling) for the Management control part:
As a consequence, the SAP FICO consultant is an expert on these specific modules. Before installing the software, their primary role is to analyze and define the needs of the company. They can then have an advisory or support role.
Before installing the solution, the SAP FI / CO consultant must analyze and understand user needs. As a result, they will be able to precisely define which functionalities to configure.
Once the assessment is completed, the role of the consultant is to implement the solution. His knowledge of business case allows him to develop tailor-made functionalities to fully cover the needs of the company.
After installing the solution, the SAP FICO consultant must ensure that future users can handle the software. They then train future users and play a support role in the event of any problems.
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How to become a SAP FICO consultant? Here is a list of the skills needed to succeed in this career.
As an expert, mastery of the SAP FICO modules is obviously essential. The consultant must have very good technical knowledge in order to be able to fully meet the client’s needs and to develop suitable functionalities. But also to validate and document the project requirements.
Firstly, business knowledge is essential for the FICO consultant: they must master and understand the end user’s problems, as well as the business processes involved, to set up suitable workflows in the information system.
Soft skills are also essential the SAP FICO consultant must be able to better analyze the processes and business lines of the company, to determine if the necessary functionalities fall under a standard use of SAP FICO or if they require custom development. They also often act as an intermediary between technical teams and trades.
Then, to better understand the needs of the company, the SAP FICO consultant must have good interpersonal skills and always remain attentive to their client and future users to assess their needs. Likewise, once the solution has been implemented, the consultant will have to provide training for future users: being a good communicator and teacher is therefore very useful.
Also read the 5 key benefits of hiring a SAP FICO Consultant
SAP FICO consultants can work either in-house or externally.
In-house consultants work for the organization during and after the implementation phase, while external consultants are only involved in the implementation.
Moreover, consultants are responsible for system configuration and execution, based on business requirements, GAAP analysis, process improvement, and identifying new opportunities or products. Thus, their role is more significant than that of end/power clients since they are accountable for successful execution of the system. Becoming an SAP FICO consultant is a major career advancement.
In addition, the SAP FICO consultant plays an important role during a digital transition. It is usually the large companies that use this type of profile. Recently, some SMEs have integrated this tool into their activity to gain competitiveness. Today, the needs of companies in SAP FICO expertise are numerous.
How much does a SAP FICO Consultant make?
The salary of a SAP FICO Consultant can also vary depending on several factors such as location, years of experience, industry, and company size. According to Payscale, the average salary for a SAP FICO Consultant in Europe is around €61,000 per year, with the range typically falling between €40,000 to €89,000 per year.
While according to Glassdoor, the average salary for a SAP FICO Consultant in the United States is around $97,000 per year, with the range typically falling between $75,000 to $120,000 per year.
However, the actual salary can differ based on the country and specific location within that country.
The FICO functional consultant can come from a business school with a finance option, an engineering school, or even from an accounting background. However, it is generally necessary to pass the various SAP certifications concerning the SAP FI and SAP CO modules, as well as to have several years of experience in the implementation and support projects.
In conclusion, a SAP FICO consultant typically evolves by taking on increasingly important integration missions and supervising a team. As they gain more experience and expertise in the field, they may be entrusted with critical integration projects that have a significant impact on the organization’s financial systems and operations. Thus, this offers opportunities for growth and advancement in the field of finance and technology.
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