MBA Strategic Consulting Project with Sage

Suraj Sharma uses market research evaluating the role and impact of vendor certifications in the accounting and payroll software industry. 

MBA alumnus Suraj Sharma, from New Delhi, India chose to do his Strategic Consulting Project with Sage, market leaders in cloud accounting and business management software. Before studying his MBA at the Business School, Suraj worked at several IT companies including, Infosys, Cognizant and Encora Inc. Since graduating, Suraj has taken up an IT Consulting role with DHL. Read on to hear more about Suraj’s experience of working on his project. 

Describe your Strategic Consulting Project

My business consulting project focused on evaluating the role and impact of vendor certifications in the accounting and payroll software industry, primarily offered by Sage, Xero, and QuickBooks. The objective was to analyse which certifications are most sought after by employers and potential employees, assess the content and delivery of Sage’s certification programs in comparison to its competitors, and understand the perceived benefits and drawbacks of vendor-provided training programs. Through qualitative research, including job postings analysis and semi-structured interviews with both entry-level and experienced professionals, this consulting project aimed to provide actionable insights for Sage to enhance the value and market relevance of its certification offerings.

What was your experience of choosing the project and working with the company?

I chose this project because of my interest in professional development, employability, and industry-specific training programs. I wanted to explore a topic that had both academic significance and real-world impact. Working with Sage gave me a chance that provided direct industry exposure and a practical understanding of how vendor certifications shape employment readiness. The collaboration was important because it offered access to industry professionals and recruiters who shared valuable perspectives on hiring trends and certification preferences. Despite challenges such as limited access to company databases due to security concerns, I successfully gathered meaningful data through independent research and professional networks.

Why did you choose Sage?

Sage was a natural choice for this project due to its strong market presence in the UK’s accounting and payroll software industry as well as its global presence. Compared to its competitors, Sage has a well-established reputation for offering comprehensive financial management solutions, making it an ideal case study. Moreover, Sage certifications play a very important role in skill validation (a pre-requisite of almost all SMEs posting jobs related to accounting) especially for SMEs, making it important to assess their effectiveness and market demand. The opportunity to work with a leading vendor also allowed me to contribute insights that could directly influence their certification strategy and market positioning.

What were the project outcomes?

The project led to several key findings in relation to demand for certifications linked to their ability to enhance employability, a comparative analysis of the offering in the market, and an examination of the changing perception of certifications as professionals advance in their careers. These findings then supported my strategic recommendations for Sage aimed at strengthening partnerships with employers to increase the long-term relevance of its certifications. 

Did you find it beneficial to undertake the project, and if so, how?

Yes, undertaking this project was highly beneficial both academically and professionally. Academically, it allowed me to present a comprehensive study on an underexplored area of professional certifications in the accounting industry, earning a distinction in my MBA. Professionally, it provided valuable insights into industry hiring trends, employer expectations, and the evolving role of vendor certifications in employability. Additionally, engaging with industry professionals and recruiters expanded my professional network, opening up future career opportunities. The project also strengthened my analytical and consulting skills, which are essential for strategic roles in business development and workforce planning.