Offshoring to the Philippines: A Guide for ERP and IT Consulting Firms

ERP and IT consulting firms are under pressure. 

Clients want faster delivery. Salaries for NetSuite, SAP, and Microsoft specialists keep climbing. And good luck finding senior consultants who aren’t already locked into long contracts.

The talent gap isn’t going away. 

That’s why more firms are turning to the Philippines—not just as a cost-saving measure, but as a way to secure specialized ERP and IT professionals who can extend their delivery teams, keep clients happy, and protect margins.

This isn’t about replacing your onshore consultants. It’s about building blended teams where offshore talent supports, stabilizes, and scales your practice.
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What Is Offshore Staffing in the Philippines?

Offshore staffing for consulting firms means hiring long-term ERP and IT professionals in the Philippines who integrate directly into your projects. 

Unlike outsourcing, you’re not sending a whole process away—you’re building dedicated extensions of your delivery team.

• ERP consultants: NetSuite functional experts, SAP FICO specialists, and Oracle administrators who understand both systems and finance.
• Developers and engineers: Technical staff who build integrations, customizations, and automation inside ERP platforms.
• Finance–IT hybrids: Accountants who upskilled into ERP roles, bridging compliance, reporting, and system workflows.
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Why Do ERP And IT Firms Look To The Philippines?

Consulting leaders aren’t just chasing lower labor costs—they’re after talent they can’t source locally. The Philippines has become a hub for ERP-focused professionals who offer both technical depth and business acumen.

• ERP specialization: Many Filipino consultants start in finance or accounting before moving into NetSuite or SAP roles, giving them skills that combine compliance knowledge with technical ERP expertise.
• Talent availability: While US firms struggle to fill roles in 6+ months, the Philippines produces new cohorts of ERP and IT professionals every year, ready to step into consulting projects.
• Strong communication fit: With English proficiency among the highest in Asia, consultants collaborate easily with US and European teams.
• Extended coverage: Offshore teams let ERP projects progress overnight—especially valuable during testing and go-live when deadlines are tight.
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What Industries Benefit Most From Offshore Staffing?

Offshoring is most effective in sectors that rely on repeatable processes, compliance, and technical precision. ERP and IT consulting firms see the strongest results in:

• IT and software development: Filipino developers handle ERP integrations, QA testing, and DevOps pipelines that keep consulting projects on schedule.
• ERP and accounting: Specialists who pair accounting backgrounds with NetSuite or SAP expertise—roles that are nearly impossible to fill affordably in the US.
• Technical support: Tier 1 and Tier 2 ERP support teams free up senior consultants, providing 24/7 responsiveness without draining your core staff.
• Project delivery support: Coordinators, analysts, and documentation specialists who ensure ERP projects run smoothly from requirements gathering to client handover.
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What Are The Advantages Of Offshoring For ERP And IT Consulting Firms?

For consulting firms, the real advantage of offshoring isn’t about short-term savings—it’s about building delivery capacity that scales with client demand.

• More predictable margins: Offshore consultants cost 40–60% less than onshore hires, but the bigger advantage is consistency—stable teams reduce rework and protect project profitability.
• Hybrid skill sets: Filipino ERP professionals often combine accounting certifications with ERP experience, making them uniquely valuable for finance-driven projects.
• Scalable delivery without burnout: Offshore teams help firms handle surge phases—like testing or go-live—without exhausting local staff.
• Faster client responsiveness: Overnight progress on configurations, test scripts, or reports keeps projects moving, even across time zones.
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What Are The Common Challenges And Misconceptions?

Consulting firms sometimes hesitate to offshore because of misconceptions—or worse, they dive in without the right structure and end up frustrated. 

Common pitfalls include:

• Equating “cheap” with “smart”: Firms that chase the lowest hourly rates often end up with underqualified hires, leading to technical debt and missed deadlines. The top 5% of Filipino ERP talent is still affordable, but not bargain-basement.
• Rigid workflows: When offshore staff are boxed into ticket-taking roles with no flexibility, client issues pile up. Empowering consultants to problem-solve prevents bottlenecks.
• Retention struggles: Talented ERP consultants won’t stay in dead-end roles. Firms that offer training, certifications, and career paths report much lower turnover.
• Client optics: Some firms worry clients will push back on offshore staffing. The key is transparency: position offshore consultants as certified ERP professionals who extend the team, not as second-tier backups.
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What Best Practices Make Offshoring Work?

The difference between offshore success and failure for consulting firms comes down to execution. Leaders who make it work follow these practices:

• Treat offshore staff like core consultants: Involve them in standups, retros, and even client calls when appropriate. Integration builds accountability.
• Hire for expertise, not just price: Pay competitively for certified ERP professionals. It’s still far less than US rates, but avoids the costly churn of bad hires.
• Build strong onboarding: Offshore consultants need clear SOPs, playbooks, and knowledge-sharing to deliver consistently without constant supervision.
• Invest in career paths: Certifications and professional growth opportunities turn offshore staff into long-term partners who stay and scale with your firm.
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How Should Firms Evaluate Offshore Providers?

Not all providers are equipped to support ERP and IT consulting. Vetting is critical.

• ERP depth: Ensure the provider can staff certified NetSuite, SAP, or Microsoft ERP consultants—not just generic IT or BPO staff.
• Retention rates: Ask about average tenure. High churn usually signals underpaying or poor management.
• Transparency and reporting: Look for providers that offer dashboards, role visibility, and progress tracking.
• Consulting alignment: The best providers understand how consulting firms work—billable hours, client timelines, and delivery pressures—not just staffing basics.
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Why Does Offshoring Matter For ERP And IT Firms Right Now?

ERP adoption is accelerating, but the talent pipeline isn’t keeping pace. Offshore staffing is becoming less of a competitive edge and more of a survival tactic.

• Onshore shortages: US firms struggle to fill even mid-level ERP roles at $75k+ salaries, leaving projects delayed or understaffed.
• ERP demand outpacing supply: NetSuite, SAP, and Oracle implementations are rising globally, straining local talent pools.
• Margin pressure: Offshore staffing helps firms stay competitive on pricing while protecting delivery quality and consultant well-being.
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The Clock Is Already Ticking

Every month you spend chasing local hires is another month your competitors are getting ahead with offshore teams. 

They’re cutting project delays, scaling ERP and IT talent faster, and giving their senior staff the freedom to focus on strategy instead of scrambling to fill roles. 

The gap between firms that act now and those that wait only gets wider, and once you’re behind, it’s tough to catch up.

Don’t wait it out. Start building your offshore team today. 

Schedule your call with Atticus and get a clear plan for tapping into the Philippines’ deep talent pool before your competitors do.