Training & Certifications
Training and certifications remain a key driver for pretty much every person in the NetSuite community.
So, how does the NetSuite community feel about training and certification? Do they actually add value to you as a professional? And are employers on board with supporting their teams?
Training & Certifications
Training and certifications remain a key driver for pretty much every person in the NetSuite community.
So, how does the NetSuite community feel about training and certification? Do they actually add value to you as a professional? And are employers on board with supporting their teams?
Training & Certifications
For professionals, they are seen as a way to verify and expand their knowledge base, increasing their earning potential and career prospects in the process. Whereas for employers, it’s a way to keep those employees engaged and support their development—which makes training and certifications such an essential part of both attracting and retaining great NetSuite talent.
And while it’s been seen as an expendable expense within some organizations in the past, many businesses have now woken up to just how important they are. Under the shadow of the increasing digital skills gap, certifications help expand a teams’ knowledge without having to recruit further—and also ensure talent remains under your roof for longer, too.
What percentage of candidates hold a NetSuite certification?
The number of certified professionals has increased from 29% in our last survey to 43% this time.
15%
NetSuite certifications held by candidates
Given that the NetSuite SuiteFoundation certification is a prerequisite for all others, this certification was not included in the analysis for this section. However, it is worth noting that 22% of respondents held only this certification.
| NetSuite Administrator Certification | 52% |
| NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification | 22% |
| NetSuite SuiteAnalytics User Certification | 22% |
| NetSuite Financial User Certification | 20% |
| NetSuite SuiteCloud Developer II Certification* | 5% |
| Older NetSuite certifications | 4% |
*NetSuite has changed its certifications since this guide’s survey was run. The NetSuite SuiteCloud Developer II Certification was replaced by the SuiteCloud Developer Certification, and there was also the introduction of the Application Developer and Web Services Developer certifications—both of which are now prerequisites alongside the SuiteFoundation cert to gain the SuiteCloud Developer certification.
Does holding a NetSuite certification make you a more valuable professional?
Why do you believe that certifications make candidates more valuable to employers?
- Certification provides companies with the assurance that the person has met the minimum requirements needed to work with a specific area of NetSuite
- They are desired by hiring managers and recruiters
- Certifications are useful for those with limited experience
- Certification demonstrates that you have experience with the different features of NetSuite
Account Executive/Account Manager, United States
Why don't you believe that certifications make candidates more valuable to employers?
- Technical experience with NetSuite is more important
- Years of experience and exposure to NetSuite products and solutions make a candidate more credible
What are the top 10 benefits professionals have gained since undertaking a certification?
| 1. Better career progression opportunities | 47% |
| 2. Increased efficiency at my job | 42% |
| 3. Added skills and value to my organization | 41% |
| 4. Better marketability to employers/enhanced my professional profile | 35% |
| 5. A way to verify my skills with NetSuite products | 34% |
| 6. Recognition from my employer that my skills adhere to a professional standard | 32% |
| 7. More respect from co-workers | 27% |
| 8. The ability to perform complex tasks more confidently | 26% |
| 9. A promotion | 24% |
| 10. More trust from my employer | 20% |
How does gaining a certification impact on your salary?
I believe my salary has increased since gaining a certification
I haven’t noticed a change in my salary since gaining a certification
Are employers contributing towards the cost of certifications?
Yes, they paid for my certifications in full
Yes, they partially paid for my certifications
No, I paid for my certifications
Factors that motivate professionals to get certified
We also asked those professionals who are not presently certified or actively pursuing one, what would encourage them to take a certification. The promise of a pay increase upon completion is the number one motivator for non-certified candidates to get certified, followed by the main reason from our last survey, employer-funded certs.
| The promise of a pay increase after gaining certification | 59% |
| Employer funding for certifications | 48% |
| The incentive to learn new skills | 44% |
| The incentive of a promotion or a new role after gaining certification | 41% |
| Paid time off to attend training or study | 39% |
| If it was a requirement of my role | 32% |
| Discounted certifications | 28% |
| Other | 4% |
Conclusion
Every year sees NetSuite-certified professionals boast of the benefits that come from undergoing qualification and this time around is no different—in fact, 82% of respondents in this edition reported a pay increase as a result, a significant increase on last year’s survey.
With 87% of employers paying for employee certs in some shape or form, failing to invest in your NetSuite team’s development is becoming a riskier strategy than it’s ever been before. Helping your team gain these qualifications doesn’t just enable them to boost their own market value, it increases the skillset they bring to your own organization while they’re with you. And, chances are they’ll stay longer while you’re demonstrating your commitment to their development.
For candidates, earning a certification clearly comes with several benefits—the added value you bring to your existing employer is generally rewarded financially, as well as making you stand out to other organizations further down the line.
At a time when the skills gap remains a hot topic for employers and employees alike, threatening to strangle digital innovation in the process, certifications remain a vital part of the global NetSuite ecosystem.
Our key findings report contains highlights from this year’s Careers and Hiring Guide, plus our salary tables allow you to compare your salary or benchmark your teams’ salaries no matter their role in the NetSuite ecosystem.
