SAP Consultants are skilled professionals who analyze, design and configure new computer software according to their client’s specifications. They also test new interfaces in order to maintain the workflow and also get feedback from the end users. SAP Consultants are responsible for solving complex business problems in the areas of finance, operations, human capital, customer and governance.
To become a SAP Consultant, candidates must pursue SAP certifications or other related courses such as B.E in Computer Science, BA in Economics, B.Com and many other relevant courses from top Finance, Management or Computer Science colleges in India. For advanced knowledge, candidates can also pursue a master’s degree.
Post the completion of the course, candidates have multiple opportunities to explore in the private sector and various public sector undertakings. The average salary of a SAP consultant in India is INR 7.60 LPA. Some of the top recruiters of SAP consultants in India are Tata Consultancy Services, Capgemini, Deloitte, Infosys, Accenture, IBM, Cognizant, Tech Mahindra. Read More: Salary of a SAP Consultant
Table of Content
- How to Become an SAP Consultant: Quick Facts
- Qualifications Required to Become an SAP Consultant
- Types of SAP Consultants
5.1 How to Become a SAP Consultant After 12th
7.1 India
7.2 Abroad
How to Become an SAP Consultant: Quick Facts
| Eligibility | Candidate must have completed 10+2 from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above Candidate must have completed 10+2 preferably Commerce, Economics with Computer Science |
| Required Skills | Good Communication skills, presentation skills, advanced knowledge of SAP, Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Office |
| Starting Salary | INR 3.50 LPA |
| Average Salary | INR 7.60 LPA |
| Highest Salary | INR 14.7 LPA |
Qualifications Required to Become a SAP Consultant
There aren’t any specific qualifications required for candidates to pursue a career as a SAP Consultant. Some of the basic educational prerequisites that are necessary are mentioned below for your reference,
- Candidates must clear their class 12 board exams in Commerce or Science stream with subjects preferably business management, economics along with computer science.
- Candidates must enrol themselves for an undergraduate program such as B.Tech, B.Sc or B.Com, which would eventually help them to become a SAP consultant
- It would be very helpful for the candidate to complete a certification in SAP which are available online as it will help to understand the functionality of the program
- Candidates can also pursue a relevant master’s degree to get an idea about the program and its functioning and uses.
Types of SAP Consultants
There are different types of SAP Consultants who have different roles to play in an organization. Discussed below are some of the types of SAP consultants and what part they play to ensure effective and efficient work in an organization.
Business Consultant
| Definition | Business consultants are expert professionals who provide expert advice in regards to security, management, accountancy, financial control etc in order to achieve their goals and also work towards the maximization of profits |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 11.5 L |
SAP Functional Consultant
| Definition | A SAP Functional Consultants are trained professionals who assist their clients to upgrade SAP solutions by supporting project teams and also align business modules. Their main work includes providing technical support for particular projects |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 6.46 L |
Developer Consultant
| Definition | A Developer Consultant is a skilled professional who uses organization principles for the purpose of implementing changes which will help the organization in improving their business and also aim towards maximization of profits |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 8.50 L |
SAP Basis Consultant
| Definition | SAP basis consultants are professionals who basically provide backend technical support in SAP systems. They implement standards, look after the upgrades and also improve the performance of SAP |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 5.90 L |
Steps to Become a SAP Consultant
The below-mentioned steps would help students to know what needs to be done to become a SAP Consultant.
| Pursue Bachelor’s Degree | This is the first and foremost important step to becoming a SAP Consultant. Candidates need to pursue a bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible for the position. It would be beneficial for the candidates to earn a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or another relevant field along with that other SAP-related course. |
| Pursue SAP Training | SAP training can be pursued along with a bachelor's degree or even after the course. There are several relevant certification courses available, which the candidate can opt to understand the basics such as CRM, SD, MM and even technical areas. This will also help candidates to choose their area of specialization. |
| Gain Relevant Experience | It would be very beneficial for the candidates to pursue internships as it will help in understanding the job role better and help to understand the process. This will help the candidate to get SAP training. Candidates can get into Financial companies or IT sectors where SAP is mostly used |
| Pursue Master’s Degree | Pursuing a relevant Master’s degree would be very advantageous for the candidates. However, it is not mandatory but it would help the candidate in landing a high-paying and advanced position. Candidates can pursue a Master’s degree in computer science, business administration etc. |
How to Become an SAP Consultant in India
To become a SAP Consultant in India, candidates must clear their 10+2 board exams from a recognized board. They must pursue relevant streams such as Commerce or Science along with Computer Science as mandatory subjects. Post higher secondary, the candidates can choose to pursue an undergraduate degree such as B.Com, B.E, or BSc in computer science etc. Candidates can also choose other areas such as Statistics, Information Technology, and Management Information Systems.
There are no undergraduate or postgraduate SAP courses. Although, there are relevant SAP modules or SAP certification courses from authorized SAP training partners which will also help in the development of skills. To land a high-paying job, candidates can also pursue postgraduate degrees such as M.Com, M.Sc etc.
School Level Preparation: In order to become a SAP Consultant the steps that are to be followed are mentioned
- Post the completion of class 10th, candidates need to choose a relevant stream which will help them to create a base and will also help them in getting the required knowledge.
- Candidates can choose either science, commerce or business management stream and candidates must also take computer science as one of their main subjects.
- Candidates to get into top colleges for the purpose of pursuing undergraduate degree need to first appear for the entrance exam
- Candidates can prepare for the entrance exam by taking admission in coaching centres or even taking the help of the various entrance books which are available in the market.
How to Become an SAP Consultant After 12th
Undergraduate Preparations: Some of the crucial steps that must be followed in order to be a SAP Consultant are as follows:
- Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board in either science, commerce or economics stream.
- Candidates must appear for the entrance exam such as JEE Mains, BITSAT, and CUCET.
- Candidates must choose their undergraduate course, if the candidate has chosen a science field, they can pursue B.E or B.Sc etc, while candidates who want to pursue commerce courses can pursue B.Com or BA Economics etc.
- Apart from that, candidates can also pursue SAP Module or SAP Certification courses which are of 30 days to 3 months in duration.
Post-Graduation Preparation: The key steps to be followed after completing Undergraduate courses in order to become a SAP Consultant are as follows;
- Post the completion of an undergraduate degree, it would be very advantageous for the candidates to pursue a master’s degree.
- Candidates need to appear for the entrance exam such as GATE, DUET, etc
- Candidates also need to choose their area of specialization depending on their strengths and knowledge.
- On-field experience also plays a very important role in understanding the job role better. So, candidates must do internships or attend workshops which will help them to understand their role while working as a SAP Consultant.
SAP Courses
Tabulated below are some of the courses which can be pursued in order to become a SAP Consultant. There are various certifications as well which will help them to understand the concept of SAP and its uses.
Some of the SAP Certification courses are mentioned below for your reference,
- SAP Certified Associate- SAP Activate Project Manager
- Certified SAP Business Suite 7 Professional
- Certified SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence Professional
- SAP ERP Manager Government Certification.
| Parameters | Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science | B.Sc In Computer Science | Bachelor of commerce (B.Com (Hons.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years | 3 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility | Candidates must complete 10+2 from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above Candidates must have a science stream along with computer science in class 12th |
Candidates must clear10+2 with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above Candidates must have physics, chemistry and Mathematics as well as computer science compulsory subjects |
Candidates must complete 10+2 with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks or above from a recognized institute Candidate must have completed 10+2 in a commerce stream |
| Top Colleges | BITS Anna University Jadavpur University Chandigarh University | Delhi University Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Amity University | Shri Ram College of Commerce Amity University Miranda College Indraprastha university |
| Entrance Exams | JEE Main WBJEE BITSAT |
JEE AIEEE NATA |
DU JAT NPAT SET MHT CET |
| Average course fees | INR 1,00,000 - 7,00,000 | INR 1,00,000 - 2,50,000 | INR 10,000 - 40,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,00,000 - 8,00,000 | INR 3,00,000 - 6,00,000 | INR 2,50,000 - 4,00,000 |
Best SAP Institutes
There are several top colleges in India which offer several courses such as B.Sc, B.E, and B.Com. There are around 8840 B.com Colleges and 3500 engineering colleges in India and also there are a total of 16 best SAP training institutes in India which offer certification courses.
There are also several colleges offering SAP Certification courses abroad. Tabulated below are some of the top colleges in India as well as abroad for your reference.
India
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science | PIlani | 5.41 L |
| College of Engineering, Anna University | Tamil Nadu | 50,000 |
| Parul University | Vadodara | 2.50 L |
| IIEBM- Indus Business School | Pune | 3.75 L |
| Victoria University | Ahmedabad | 6.88 L |
| Amity University | Uttar Pradesh | 70,000 |
| Christ University | Karnataka | 60,000 |
| Shri Ram College of Commerce | Delhi | 13,400 |
| Banaras Hindu University | Uttar Pradesh | 2407 |
Abroad
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | Canada | 33.91 L |
| University of British Columbia | Canada | 31.67 L |
| McGill University | Canada | 33.62 L |
| University of Southern California | United States of America | 44.75 L |
| University of Chicago | United States of America | 48.17 L |
| University of Pennsylvania | United States of America | 53.74 L |
| University of Edinburgh | United Kingdom | 38.10 L |
| University of Manchester | United Kingdom | 33.78 L |
| Columbia University | United States of America | 25.90 L |
| Indiana University | United States of America | 42.05 L |
Skills Required to Become an SAP Consultant
There are several technical skills that are required to pursue a career as a SAP Consultant. A combination of soft as well as technical skills will help the candidates to excel in the profession.
Tabulated below are some of the top skills that are required to become a successful SAP Consultant in India,
| SAP Material Management | Good Communication Skills | Knowledge of Microsoft office |
| SAP Basis | Extensive SAP Knowledge | Ability to work in teams |
| Display good interpersonal Akills | Domain Knowledge | Presentation Skills |
Pros & Cons of Becoming a SAP Consultant
There are several pros and cons to each profession. Some of the pros and cons are discussed below for your reference,
Pros of Becoming a SAP Consultant
- Higher Salary - The salary of a SAP Consultant is much higher than of other non-certified professionals. The average salary of a SAP consultant is around INR 7.60 LPA and the salary increases with experience and knowledge.
- Good Reputation - SAP Consultants are professionals who enjoy a good reputation in the market. Getting an advanced certification also distinguishes them from other colleagues which brings a sense of respect.
- Promotional benefits - SAP Consultants have higher chances of getting promotions as the certification helps them to perform better resulting in higher positions and salaries.
Cons of Becoming a SAP Consultant
- Monotonous Job - The job of a SAP Consultant can become monotonous at times. Due to long working hours, it can become boring sometimes and also increase the pressure of work.
- Overburdened - SAP Consultants have a lot of roles to perform which at times can overburden them with a lot of work pressure and also it might also be difficult to understand the SAP in the beginning.
Top Recruiters for SAP Consultants
SAP has been used by many top firms in India as well as abroad. There are several top companies looking to hire fresh as well as experienced candidates who have knowledge of SAP and want to pursue their careers as SAP consultants.
Some of the top recruiters are mentioned below for your reference.
| IBM | TATA Consultancy Services | Accenture |
| Capgemini | Infosys | Cognizant Technology Solutions |
| Deloitte | Wipro | Tech Mahindra |
Salary of an SAP Consultant
According to Ambitionbox, The average salary of a SAP Consultant in India is around INR 7.6 LPA. However, there are a number of factors affecting the salary of a SAP Consultant such as experience, company profile, location, skills and many more. Fresh graduates can expect a starting salary of INR 3.60 LPA while candidates with 5 - 6 years of experience can expect a starting salary of INR 8.40 LPA.
Tabulated below is the salary of SAP Consultants based on their specialization.
| Job profiles | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| SAP MM Consultant | 5.10 L |
| SAP SD Consultant | 6.40 L |
| SAP Abap Consultant | 6.00 L |
| SAP Basis Consultant | 6.00 L |
| Senior Consultant | 14.5 L |
| Lead Consultant | 17.0 L |
| Associate Consultant | 6.60 L |
How to Become an SAP Consultant: FAQs
Ques. Who are SAP Consultants?
Ans. SAP is also known as System, application and products in data processing. It helps in creating information warehouses, design, access data tables to maintain the work flow and also helps in optimum utilization of resources.
Ques. What are the options after completing a SAP related course?
Ans. The options after completing SAP Course are:
- SAP basis Consultant
- SAP functional Consultant
- SAP Consultant
- Lead consultant
Ques. What is the salary of a SAP Consultant after completing Master’s?
Ans. The Salary of a SAP consultant after completing a Master's degree is around INR 8.5 LPA. Candidates who have completed undergraduate degree can expect a starting salary of INR 3.60 LPA.
Ques. What are the Skills required to be an SAP Consultant?
Ans. The main skills required to be a successful SAP Consultant are:
- Extensive knowledge of SAP
- Knowledge of Microsoft Excel
- Good Communication skills
- Inventory management
Ques. What are the certificate courses required to be a SAP Consultant?
Ans. The certification course to be a SAP consultant are:
- SAP Business Information Warehouse
- Enterprise software
- Sales and Distribution
- ABAP Programming
Ques. What is the highest salary of a SAP Consultant?
Ans. The highest salary of a SAP Consultant is around INR 23 LPA.
Ques. What are the topics covered in SAP Course?
Ans. Some of the topics covered in SAP Course are as followed:
- SAP modules for sales and development
- Finance and controlling
- Supply chain management
- Production and planning
Ques. What are the SAP Course fees ?
Ans. SAP courses are expensive as compared to other certification courses. The course fees usually range between INR 2.5 L - 3 L. It is also dependent on the module picked by the candidate.
Ques. Is SAP Consultant a good job?
Ans. Yes, the demand of SAP consultants are growing at a very fast rate. The salary package and the scope are also very good for SAP Consultants along with other monetary benefits.
Ques. Do SAP Consultants have a scope in the Government sector?
Ans. Yes, The demand of SAP Is very high and is usd in both private as well public sector. Not only private sector companies but top 500 fortune companies are using this software as well as top public sector undertakings as well.
Comments