Today’s businesses are complex and need robust digital systems that help them run smoothly and efficiently. That’s why many use software known as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) to run crucial back-of-house operations like finance, HR, e-commerce, supply chains, manufacturing, and inventory management.
ERP systems have come a long way, and the products available on the market can do a lot to help businesses manage their processes in simpler, smarter ways. They combine critical processes into a single solution, so businesses have better visibility into their overall operations and how all those moving parts work together. Many ERP systems now utilize AI and machine learning, allowing businesses to uncover useful insights into their performance, and even recommend more effective ways of working.
But before an organization can start reaping the benefits of an ERP system, they need help to properly select, implement, and launch it. And that’s where Business Central Functional Consultants come in.
We’re going to take a look at what a Business Central Functional Consultant does day-to-day, how much they earn, and how you can start a career in this growing field!
Use the links below to jump to the section you’re most interested in:
- What is Microsoft Dynamics 365?
- Why work with Microsoft Dynamics 365?
- What does a Business Central Functional Consultant do?
- What skills does a Business Central Functional Consultant need?
- Overview of Business Central Certifications
- What is a typical Business Central Functional Consultant salary?
- How to get started as a Business Central Functional Consultant?
What is Microsoft Dynamics 365?
Let’s start with the basics. What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?
A long-time leader in business technology, Microsoft offers a suite of products to help businesses run both their back-end and customer-facing operations. This suite is collectively known as Dynamics 365 and provides both ERP and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software for all kinds of businesses.
The Dynamics 365 stable contains two ERP solutions: Dynamics 365 Finance, which is designed for large, enterprise-level businesses, and Business Central, which is specifically tailored to meet the needs of mid-sized companies.
Why work with Microsoft Dynamics 365?
Going digital is a must for any business looking to deliver the kind of services that allow them to both compete and grow in today’s markets. As a result, a fast-growing number of organizations are implementing ERP solutions to help them be more connected, more agile, and more efficient.
And Microsoft Dynamics 365 is proving particularly popular among businesses in a multitude of industries, with Dynamics 365 revenue up by 27% in 2023. As a product, it’s both innovative and mature, having been around in its various iterations since the 1980s. Now imbued with AI, automation, and other cutting-edge functionality, Dynamics 365 is an obvious choice for businesses looking for a well-designed product from a trusted vendor.
As demand for the product increases, so does the need for professionals who can help businesses make the most of them. In fact, half of Microsoft Partners say that the number of customers wanting to implement Dynamics 365 has spiked within the last year. At the same time, almost 60% of IT leaders say that there’s a skills gap in the field, with too few professionals to fill the roles being created—and that means plenty of exciting new career opportunities in the Dynamics 365 space.
What does a Business Central Functional Consultant do?
Essentially, a Business Central Functional Consultant’s job is to help businesses work out exactly what they need from Dynamics 365 Business Central, and then implement and configure the system to meet those needs.
A Business Central Functional Consultant will typically work for a Microsoft Partner: an independent, Microsoft-approved organization that supplies Microsoft products and services to customers. If a business wants to implement Dynamics 365, they’ll often go to a Microsoft Partner for support in deciding which product is right for them and help to install and set up the product once they’ve selected the best fit.
As part of this process, a Business Central Functional Consultant will work closely with the business to get to know their needs and requirements. Then, they’ll translate those requirements into a Business Central-based solution, dictating how the product should be configured and, if necessary, customized so that it does the things that the client wants it to do. The client says, ‘these are the things we need’, and the Functional Consultant works out the best way to deliver those things using Business Central.
Once the solution has been designed and approved, the Functional Consultant will also support the client throughout the implementation of Business Central, helping to set everything up, carry out testing, and train new users.
Here’s a basic run-through of what a Functional Consultant might do on a Business Central project:
- Gather requirements and information from the client
- Analyze the client’s current business process and look for opportunities to improve it with Business Central
- Design and present the recommended Business Central set-up and configurations
- Outline any customizations that are necessary to meet the client’s requirements
- Test the solution before going live
- Provide support during go-live, address any issues, and make any needed changes
- Provide user training, documentation, and post-implementation support
What skills does a Business Central Functional Consultant need?
A good Business Central Functional Consultant acts as a bridge between the client and the product, taking business-focused requirements from human stakeholders and coming up with tangible, technical solutions.
To succeed in the role, you’ll need a combination of product know-how and soft skills that allow you to both understand Business Central and communicate its functionality to people in a range of roles, and with varying levels of technical experience.
Technical skills for Business Central Functional Consultants
- Knowledge of Business Central: To be able to recommend the right solutions for clients, you’ll need to have a thorough understanding of the inner workings of Business Central, what it can do, and how to configure it
- Functionality: You need to know how to perform core administrative tasks within Business Central like creating new companies and ledgers, managing users and security features, generating reports, building workflows, and setting up dimensions
- Data management: Often, businesses will migrate to Business Central from other ERP systems and need to transfer their existing data, so knowledge of data migration processes and best practices is essential
- Integration: You’ll need to know how Business Central connects to other products like Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Power BI, and other Dynamics 365 apps to give businesses more visibility into their operations
Consultancy skills for Business Central Functional Consultants
- Communication: Communication is a massive part of the Functional Consultant role. You’ll need to be able to effectively communicate with stakeholders throughout the process, from clients and end users to technical consultants and developers
- Requirements gathering: As a Functional Consultant, your job is to decipher what your client needs and create solutions, so you’ll need to be great at gathering and processing information to get a complete picture of both the client’s current operations and their goals
- Problem-solving: You’ll need to be able to think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions to client challenges using Business Central, including analyzing their processes and recommending ways their operations can be optimized for better performance
Overview of Business Central Certifications
If you’re looking to build your skills, or showcase your proficiency to a potential employer, then earning a certification is a great way to go about it. Microsoft offers many Dynamics 365 certifications, with many focusing on specific products. Discover all you need to know about Business Central certifications in this guide.
What is a typical Business Central Functional Consultant salary?
Software consultancy can be a rewarding career, with starting salaries for Functional Consultants in the US averaging $96,250 and climbing to around $151,000 for senior roles.
In the UK, junior Functional Consultants can expect to earn around £45,000 per year, rising to an average of £70,500 for experienced professionals.
How to get started as a Business Central Functional Consultant
Think a career as a Functional Consultant might be right for you? There are plenty of routes you can take to get started. Let’s take a look at some of these!
The best way to kick off your journey is to get stuck in and start learning about Business Central. There’s a huge amount of free learning content that you can access to get to know the product, from Microsoft Learn courses to certification preparation courses and study guides.
First-hand experience is invaluable when learning about Dynamics 365, so it’s a good idea to get a free trial of Business Central, so you can take a look around and get acquainted with its features.
Or if you prefer to learn on the job, you can join our innovative ReSKILL Program!
Developed in partnership with Microsoft, the ReSKILL Program pairs you up with a Microsoft Partner, where you’ll be employed full-time from day one while you train as a Business Central Functional Consultant. Alongside your work, you’ll complete self-paced training and earn an official Microsoft certification, as well as expert coaching and mentorship to help you succeed in your new role. What’s more, we’ll make sure you’re embedded into the wider #BCTalent community. During regular sessions, you’ll be able to meet other ReSKILL participants and hear from key speakers from the wider Business Central community on exciting topics like AI and the future of Business Central.
The best part is that you don’t have to have used Dynamics 365 or Business Central before to get started—all you need is experience in Finance, Manufacturing, or Supply Chain and a passion for helping others harness the transformative power of tech!
Ready to get started?
