Managing your NetSuite system effectively represents one of the most consequential operational decisions your business will make. 

The question of whether to handle administration in-house or bring in specialists impacts everything from your monthly budget to your competitive advantage.

It's a decision with measurable consequences. Businesses with strategically optimized NetSuite administration report 40-60% improvement in order process efficiency and 40-55% reduction in reporting times according to ROI studies. 

The right approach transforms your ERP from a necessary expense into a genuine business accelerator.

Both paths, DIY and professional administration, offer viable solutions depending on your unique circumstances. Choose wisely and you unlock efficiencies. Choose poorly and you risk thousands in unnecessary costs and missed growth opportunities.

What follows is a decision framework that cuts through the complexity. 

So, when exactly does handling NetSuite internally makes financial sense? When does outside expertise becomes essential? And how do you structure a solution perfectly calibrated to your business requirements?
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Understanding NetSuite Administration Expenses

When budgeting for NetSuite, most businesses focus on licensing fees and implementation. But the ongoing administration costs? Those often catch companies by surprise.

In major US markets, NetSuite talent commands premium compensation:

• NetSuite Consultants: $9,000-$12,000 monthly (New York, San Francisco, Austin)
• Implementation Specialists: $10,000-$12,500 monthly (New York, Chicago, Dallas)
• Technical Consultants: $10,800-$13,300 monthly (San Francisco, Seattle, Boston)

These figures align with market research showing the average annual salary for NetSuite Administrators in the US ranges from $110,000-$127,000 according to leading salary aggregators, substantially higher than the US median income.

But these figures only tell part of the story. There are also costs you won't see on any invoice:

• Time delays: Without proper administration, even minor configuration changes can stretch from hours to weeks.
• Opportunity costs: What could your IT team accomplish if they weren't troubleshooting NetSuite issues?
• Business disruption: System problems often cascade into operational inefficiencies across departments.

Studies indicate that companies using proper NetSuite administration can accelerate their financial close process by automating manual tasks and reducing reliance on spreadsheets. 

In fact, organizations with dedicated NetSuite expertise can implement a continuous or "rolling" close process, allowing accounting teams to keep accounts updated daily rather than scrambling at month-end.
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When DIY NetSuite Administration Makes Sense

Despite the challenges, there are clear situations where keeping NetSuite administration in-house is the right call:
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Consider the DIY approach when:

• Your implementation is relatively straightforward with minimal customization and few third-party integrations.
• Your business processes are stable and unlikely to require significant changes to your NetSuite configuration.
• You have tech-savvy staff who can dedicate time to learning the platform.
• Your data volume and complexity are manageable without specialized optimization.
• Your reporting needs are standard and covered by built-in NetSuite capabilities.

The DIY approach can work well, but it requires having the right skills on your team. At minimum, you'll need:

• Basic understanding of SuiteScript and SuiteFlow.
• Familiarity with NetSuite's security model and user permissions.
• Experience with data imports and exports.
• Troubleshooting capabilities for common system issues.

Research indicates that successful NetSuite self-administration typically requires at least one team member with SuiteFoundation certification to handle day-to-day administration tasks effectively.
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When to Hire a NetSuite Administrator

Sometimes, bringing in specialized help isn't just smart; it's necessary for your business to get full value from NetSuite.
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Consider hiring help when:

• You're implementing complex customizations that require advanced SuiteScript development.
• You're integrating multiple third-party applications with your NetSuite environment.
• You're migrating large volumes of data from legacy systems.
• You're experiencing performance issues that are affecting business operations.
• Your business is scaling rapidly and needs NetSuite to evolve alongside it.
• You lack in-house expertise in NetSuite administration.

The right expertise makes a significant difference. 

According to implementation specialists, companies with dedicated NetSuite administration support can automate account reconciliation, transaction matching, and other repetitive tasks, eliminating inefficiency and reducing errors significantly.

When it comes to getting help, you have options:

• Full-time dedicated administrators: Ideal for larger enterprises with complex NetSuite environments.
• Part-time specialists: Good for mid-sized businesses with moderate customization needs.
• Project-based consultants: Best for specific implementation projects or system overhauls.
• Remote administration services: Can provide expertise at lower cost than local hires.
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Navigating the NetSuite Talent Market

The landscape for NetSuite expertise has evolved significantly in recent years. Beyond just understanding costs, businesses need strategic approaches to build the right NetSuite team.
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Talent acquisition strategies

Traditional hiring models often fall short in the specialized NetSuite market. Consider these alternative approaches:

• Build-operate-transfer: Partner with NetSuite specialists who implement your system, train your team, then gradually transfer operations to your internal staff.
• Hybrid team structure: Maintain a small core team for day-to-day operations while engaging specialists for complex customizations and upgrades.
• Center of excellence: Develop an internal NetSuite knowledge hub with documented best practices, standardized processes, and training resources.
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Required expertise profile

When evaluating NetSuite professionals, look beyond general ERP experience:

• Technical depth: SuiteScript capabilities separate truly valuable administrators from basic users.
• Business process knowledge: Understanding how accounting, finance, and operations integrate within NetSuite is crucial.
• Problem-solving skills: The ability to troubleshoot complex system interactions matters more than memorized procedures.
• Certification roadmap: Look for professionals with a planned certification path, not just current credentials.
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Emerging talent trends

The NetSuite professional landscape continues to evolve:

• Remote-First Talent Pools: Geographical barriers are disappearing as more companies embrace fully-remote NetSuite teams.
• Specialization: Many professionals now focus on specific NetSuite modules rather than general administration.
• Automation Expertise: The most valuable administrators today focus on building scalable, automated processes rather than manual maintenance.
• Cross-Functional Skills: Administrators with knowledge in adjacent areas like data analytics or CRM integration command premium opportunities.

Strategic staffing approaches can reduce your NetSuite administration costs while maintaining or improving quality and performance.
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Create a Winning NetSuite Admin Plan

Whether you choose the DIY route or hire specialists, you need a clear strategy:

1. Assess your needs honestly: Catalog your customizations, integrations, and reporting requirements.
2. Inventory your internal skills: Determine if you have the right expertise on staff already.
3. Consider a hybrid approach: Many businesses use in-house staff for day-to-day tasks while bringing in specialists for complex projects.
4. Create clear documentation: Develop standard operating procedures for common administration tasks.
5. Establish governance: Define who can request changes to the system and how those changes are approved.
6. Plan for knowledge transfer: If using external help, ensure they document their work thoroughly.

For most mid-sized businesses, the ideal approach combines some level of internal capability with access to specialized external resources when needed.
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Prepare Your NetSuite System for Tomorrow

The NetSuite platform continually evolves. Your administration strategy needs to account for:

• Bi-annual NetSuite updates: Someone needs to test your customizations against each new release.
• Changing business requirements: As your company grows, your NetSuite configuration will need to adapt.
• Technology advancements: New integration options and features regularly become available.
• Staff turnover: Knowledge transfer processes prevent disruption when team members leave.

NetSuite deployments that implement automation and utilize leading practices can accelerate the financial close by reducing manual tasks, enabling more frequent account reconciliation, and creating a standardized close process. 

This approach allows companies to maintain a continuous view of their financial position rather than scrambling at period end.
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Choose Your Ideal NetSuite Admin Approach

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to the NetSuite administration question. The right approach depends on your:

• Business complexity
• Available internal resources
• Budget constraints
• Growth trajectory
• Technical requirements

Companies that implement proper NetSuite administration strategies report tangible ROI, with studies showing 40-60% improvement in order process efficiency and 40-55% reduction in reporting times. 

The true value comes from streamlined operations, faster financial closes, and the ability to make data-driven decisions with accurate, real-time information.

What works for you today may not be right tomorrow. The most successful NetSuite users regularly reassess their administration strategy as their business evolves.

The good news? You don't have to figure it all out alone. Whether you choose the DIY path, bring in help, or blend both approaches, having a clear strategy is what matters most.

Not sure which NetSuite administration path is right for your business? 

Let's talk through your specific needs with a free 30-minute consultation. Book a consultation with Atticus today!