Summary: Companies with several legal entities, currencies or countries need an ERP built for consolidation. Here is what to look for.
As businesses grow internationally, they often add new companies, currencies and tax rules. Spreadsheets and single-entity accounting tools struggle to keep up.
Must-have capabilities
- Multi-entity accounting with inter-company transactions
- Multi-currency with automatic revaluation
- Consolidated reporting across the group
- Local compliance for each country
- Shared inventory and purchasing where relevant
Platform options
NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, Odoo and SAP Business One all support multi-entity operations to different degrees. Custom ERP suits unusual structures.
Plan the rollout
Start with the parent company and one subsidiary, prove the processes, then add other entities.
Data and integrations
Map how data flows between entities and other systems such as ecommerce, CRM and payroll.
FAQs
Can we keep local accounting tools?
Yes, some groups consolidate data from local systems into a central ERP.
How long does a rollout take?
It depends on the number of entities and processes; phased rollouts reduce risk.
Is cloud ERP secure?
Leading cloud ERPs offer strong security and access controls.
