As more companies adopt NetSuite to manage operations and finance, one of the biggest early questions is: “Do we need to hire a full-time NetSuite Administrator?”
The answer? Not always.
Let’s break down the cost-benefit of a full-time hire vs. an Admin-as-a-Service model — and why more companies are choosing the flexibility of fractional or on-demand support.
Hiring a full-time NetSuite Administrator in Canada typically costs anywhere from $100,000 to $130,000+ CAD per year — not including bonuses, benefits, payroll tax, RRSP matching, vacation time, or overhead. All in, you’re likely looking at $140,000 to $160,000 CAD or more annually.
And that’s assuming you can find a good one.
Experienced NetSuite professionals are in high demand. Hiring takes time, and if you're scaling fast or troubleshooting today, that delay costs money and momentum.
With a model like NetSuite Admin-as-a-Service, you get senior-level expertise — often the same or better than what you'd get in a full-time hire — but without needing to commit to 40 hours per week.
Admin-as-a-Service gives you:
A set number of hours per month (or on-demand time)
Ongoing support, training, and optimization
Direct access to an expert embedded into your team
No recruiting, onboarding, or overhead delays
Plans can scale with your business. If you need more help during a project or audit, that’s built in. If you’re stable and just need oversight and light support, we scale down.
| Option | Estimated Annual Cost | Flexibility | Expertise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Hire | $140,000–$160,000+ CAD | Low | Varies |
| Admin-as-a-Service | $30,000–$60,000 CAD (based on hours) | High | High |
Admin-as-a-Service isn't about cutting corners — it's about getting the right support, at the right time, with less overhead. It’s a perfect fit for companies who want deep NetSuite expertise but don’t need or want the commitment of a full-time role.
Need help figuring out which option makes the most sense for your business?
Let’s talk — I’ll walk you through it.