Differences Between IT Consultants and SEs: Required Skills and How to Make the Transition

“What’s the difference between an IT consultant and a systems engineer?” “Are there any useful certifications or differences in salary?” If you have these questions, this article is for you.

In this article, we’ll cover the following topics to help answer those questions:

• Differences in job responsibilities between IT consultants and SEs
• Recommended certifications useful for IT consultants and SEs
• Average salaries for IT consultants and SEs

in that order.

This article is useful for anyone interested in IT consulting and systems engineering. Please read to the end.

What Is an IT Consultant?

An IT consultant is a professional who helps clients solve business management challenges through the use of IT technology.

IT consultants identify and analyze the challenges a client faces, consider how IT can best be used to resolve them, and propose solutions.

Once the proposed solution is approved, they manage the project and oversee the development and implementation of IT systems and tools. Since the job involves solving business problems through IT, IT consultants need knowledge in both technology and business.

Differences Between IT Consultants and SEs (Systems Engineers)

A systems engineer (SE) is an IT engineer and technical professional who designs, develops, and operates IT systems as requested by clients.

While an IT consultant’s job is to resolve clients’ management challenges, an SE’s job does not include resolving management challenges.

SEs may provide technical suggestions and advice regarding IT systems proposed by IT consultants, but they generally do not make proposals related to solving management challenges.

Differences in Job Responsibilities Between IT Consultants and SEs

Here we explain the differences in job responsibilities between IT consultants and SEs.

IT Consultant Job Responsibilities

IT consultants conduct interviews with clients about the management challenges they face. When necessary, they carry out market research to identify and analyze those challenges.

They then consider what IT technologies would be most suitable for solving the problem and present their proposed solution.

Once the client approves the proposed solution, the IT system development project begins—and project management is also part of the IT consultant’s responsibilities.

They manage budgets, deadlines, and appropriate staffing, paying close attention to ensure the project runs smoothly.

SE Job Responsibilities

The SE’s job is to design and develop the IT systems that clients request.

First, they carry out requirements definition—determining what level of performance is needed and what features to implement. After that, they perform basic and detailed design of the IT system, then move into development.

Once development is complete, they conduct operation tests to confirm the system works as intended, check for any issues, and then put the system into actual operation.

The work doesn’t end with a successful launch—ongoing maintenance is also part of the SE’s responsibilities.

Types of IT Consultants

IT consultant is a general term for consultants who provide consulting services using IT technology. The main types of IT consultants are as follows:

CRM Consultant

CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management—an IT system designed to centrally manage customer information such as names, addresses, and purchase history, with the goal of improving a company’s sales activities, marketing, and customer service efficiency.

A CRM consultant is an IT consultant specializing in selecting and proposing the most suitable CRM system for a client’s needs and advising on its implementation.

ERP Consultant

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) refers to a system that comprehensively manages a company’s core business operations including finance, human resources, inventory, and sales.

An ERP consultant, specializing in ERP systems, advises clients on selecting and implementing the most appropriate ERP system for their needs.

SAP Consultant

An SAP consultant is an IT consultant specializing in the ERP systems provided by SAP SE, a German software company.

Consulting focused on a single vendor may seem narrow in scope, but SAP’s ERP systems hold a high share of the global market. When it comes to SAP products, SAP consultants possess more specialized knowledge than general ERP consultants.

SCM Consultant

SCM (Supply Chain Management) refers to the entire flow from procurement of raw materials, through manufacturing and distribution, to sales to consumers.

An SCM consultant identifies issues within these operations and advises on improvement methods, selection of new SCM systems, and implementation. This can lead to optimized inventory levels, shorter lead times, and reduced procurement costs.

Skills Required of IT Consultants and SEs

Here we introduce the key skills required of IT consultants and SEs respectively.

Skills Required of IT Consultants

The main skills required of an IT consultant are the following eight:

General IT Knowledge

General IT knowledge can be considered foundational knowledge essential for working as an IT consultant.

Without knowledge of which IT technologies are best suited for solving a given problem, and what time and costs are required to introduce IT systems and tools, it is impossible to propose optimal solutions. It is also necessary to understand what each IT system and tool can do, and how long development takes.

Business and Management Knowledge

Knowledge of business and management is also essential. Even if an effective solution is devised, high costs may cause the client to hesitate.

Develop your knowledge of business and management in order to formulate solutions that are commercially viable.

Knowledge of the Client’s Industry and Business

Knowledge of the client’s industry and business operations is also important. By gathering information and conducting research to understand the characteristics of an industry or sector, you can propose more effective solutions.

Even if you lack expertise in a client’s specific industry, be sure to gather information in advance.

Logical Thinking

Logical thinking is a fundamental skill for any consultant. The ability to think through problems in a logical, structured way makes it easier to understand cause-and-effect relationships and develop problem-solving capabilities.

By cultivating the habit of digging deeper into issues—asking “why did this outcome occur?”—you can gradually strengthen your logical thinking skills.

Proposal Skills

Even the best solution will not gain client approval if your proposal skills are weak. Explaining why you are making a proposal and what benefits it offers makes it easier for the client to understand.

Using concrete examples to help the client visualize the outcome is an effective approach.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are also one of the fundamental skills required.

They are essential for building good relationships with clients and all others involved in a project. They are also critical for drawing out information that may be difficult to share—such as management challenges or concerns—and for accurately conveying your own ideas to others.

Management Skills

Management skills are indispensable for keeping a project running smoothly.

Management skills are called upon in a variety of situations, including deadline management, cost control, and handling unexpected issues. Even if you struggle at first, these skills can be developed through experience.

English Proficiency

Consultants may have opportunities to work with foreign companies and international firms, so English proficiency can broaden your professional opportunities. Since many new IT technologies are developed in English-speaking countries, English is also useful for gathering the latest information.

Skills Required of SEs

The skills required of SEs are as follows:

Programming Skills

Without programming knowledge and skills, it becomes difficult to concretely visualize the system being developed, making process management and quality control challenging.

It may also become impossible to handle technical issues when they arise, so programming skills are essential.

Business Knowledge

Since SEs frequently interact with clients, general business knowledge is necessary.

Punctuality, reporting and communication practices, appropriate language, and business document writing are all considered fundamental skills and behaviors for any professional.

Logical Thinking

IT systems are built by layering logically structured instructions to a computer. If there is any contradiction in those instructions, it can cause operational failures.

Logical thinking is an indispensable skill both for building IT systems and for resolving issues quickly when they occur.

Proposal Skills

Proposal skills are necessary to clearly explain to clients what an IT system can do and help them understand its value. Since SEs interact frequently with clients, this is a skill worth developing.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are important for building good relationships with clients and project members, accurately conveying your own ideas, and correctly understanding the opinions of others. Since SE work is rarely completed by a single person, communication skills are essential.

Management Skills

Management skills are necessary to complete projects by their deadlines.

A project that relies too heavily on specific individuals—becoming overly dependent on key people—is not in a healthy state. Skills in appropriate staffing and workload distribution, client negotiation, and schedule and cost management are all required.

English Proficiency

Developing English proficiency is also beneficial so you can gather information about the latest overseas technologies quickly.

If you acquire English skills at a level that allows you to communicate with international professionals, it can also help boost your internal evaluation and advance your career.

Recommended Certifications for IT Consultants and SEs

While neither IT consultants nor SEs require specific certifications to work in their respective roles, certifications serve as proof of knowledge and skills, and can be leveraged for career advancement.

Here we introduce certifications useful in practice for each role.

Recommended Certifications for IT Consultants

The recommended certifications for IT consultants are as follows:

Certified Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant (SME Consultant)

The SME Management Consultant (Chusho Kigyo Shindanshi) is a national qualification that certifies the holder has the knowledge and skills needed to solve management challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises. Management knowledge is essential regardless of the type of consulting work.

It helps develop knowledge applicable to formulating specific IT-driven solutions and IT strategies.

Project Manager Examination

The Project Manager Examination is a national qualification certified by the Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA) of Japan. It certifies that the holder is a highly skilled IT professional capable of leading schedule and cost management, strategy formulation, and other aspects of IT system development projects in a leadership capacity.

IT Coordinator

The IT Coordinator certification, recognized by the NPO IT Coordinators Association, certifies that the holder is capable of formulating IT strategies necessary for the ongoing survival and growth of an organization, and of driving the introduction of IT systems.

It serves as proof that the holder possesses the essential knowledge required of an IT consultant.

IT Strategist

The IT Strategist is a national qualification certified by IPA. It certifies that the holder has the knowledge and skills to formulate and implement business strategies utilizing IT.

While it is a valuable certification for IT consultants, it is also considered ideal for CIOs (Chief Information Officers) and CTOs (Chief Technology Officers).

Obtaining this certification demonstrates that the holder is a professional with advanced knowledge of both IT and management.

PMP (Project Management Professional)

PMP is a certification recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in the United States.

It is an international credential that certifies knowledge and skills in project management, and is valued across a wide range of industries beyond IT. As a globally recognized certification, it is also effective for career advancement.

Recommended Certifications for SEs

Next, here are the recommended certifications for SEs.

Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination

The Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination is a national qualification certified by IPA. It certifies that the holder has applied IT knowledge and the skills to put that knowledge to practical use. Since the exam covers a wide range of topics, even experienced professionals need to secure sufficient study time.

One level below this is the “Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination,” which is known as the gateway certification for IT engineers.

Systems Architect Examination

The Systems Architect Examination is a national qualification that certifies the holder has the knowledge and skills to lead the upstream processes of system development.

It is an advanced certification aimed at senior engineers, as it features challenging questions covering specialized knowledge required for system development as well as problem-solving abilities for common issues in development environments.

Network Specialist Examination

The Network Specialist Examination is a certification that demonstrates broad knowledge and skills covering everything from the design and construction of optimal network systems to their operation.

It is ideal for network engineers and infrastructure engineers, as it covers technical knowledge of networks as well as trends in related services.

The Network Specialist Examination is also a national qualification certified by IPA.

Oracle Master

Oracle Master is a vendor certification that certifies the holder’s knowledge and skills in Oracle Database, provided by Oracle Corporation. There are four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

As it follows a globally standardized framework and is recognized internationally, it is also effective for career advancement.

Average Salaries for IT Consultants and SEs

Here we explain the average salaries for IT consultants and SEs based on data from the job listing site “Kyujin Box.”

IT Consultant

The average annual salary for a full-time IT consultant was approximately 6.21 million yen. Salaries vary widely based on experience, skills, and the consulting firm, ranging from approximately 4 million yen to approximately 13.7 million yen.

By prefecture, Tokyo had the highest average at approximately 6.92 million yen, followed by Hokkaido at approximately 6.47 million yen, while Saitama Prefecture had the lowest at approximately 4.43 million yen. The approximately 2.5 million yen gap between Tokyo and Saitama suggests that working in Tokyo is the better choice for those aiming for higher earnings.

Source: Kyujin Box

SE

The average annual salary for SEs was approximately 5.19 million yen. The salary range spans from approximately 3 million yen to approximately 9 million yen, suggesting considerable variation depending on the employer.

By prefecture, Tokyo had the highest average at approximately 5.71 million yen, while Miyazaki Prefecture had the lowest at approximately 4.05 million yen.

While figures vary by skills, experience, and employer, comparing average salaries shows that IT consultants can generally expect higher earnings than SEs.

Source: Kyujin Box

Differences Between IT Consultants and Systems Consultants

In addition to IT consultants, there are several other job titles in IT-driven consulting. One of them is the systems consultant.

Here we explain the job responsibilities and average salary of a systems consultant.

Systems Consultant Job Responsibilities

Like IT consultants, systems consultants are in a consulting role, meaning they propose and advise on solutions to clients’ management challenges.

The difference from IT consultants is that systems consultants explore solutions specifically from an IT systems perspective.

While IT consultants seek solutions through the use of IT technology broadly, systems consultants specialize in IT systems, making their scope of work narrower than that of an IT consultant.

However, there is no clear definitional distinction between the two. At some companies, the titles differ while the actual job content is the same.

Average Salary for Systems Consultants

Research into the average salary for systems consultants found it to be approximately 5.68 million yen.

The salary volume zone ranges from approximately 4.07 million yen to approximately 5.15 million yen, with the overall range spanning approximately 4 million yen to approximately 12.6 million yen.

In general companies, years of service are also factored into reaching peak salary levels. However, the consulting industry is a performance-driven world, so those who deliver strong results can realistically aim for annual salaries exceeding 10 million yen, even in their 20s or 30s.

By prefecture, Tokyo had the highest average at approximately 6.94 million yen, while other prefectures ranged from the late 4 million yen range to the late 5 million yen range.

Source: Kyujin Box

Differences Between IT Consultants and Digital Consultants

Here we explain the job responsibilities and salary of a digital consultant.

Digital Consultant Job Responsibilities

A digital consultant proposes and advises on ways to leverage technology to advance the digitalization of organizations such as businesses. The “DX (digital transformation)” initiatives that many companies have been pursuing in recent years also fall within the scope of a digital consultant’s work.

The term “digital” covers a broad domain with no precise definition. Both IT and the internet are included within cutting-edge technologies that utilize digital technology.

While IT consultants are often involved in downstream processes such as IT system development and implementation, digital consultants cover a wide range from upstream processes—such as formulating business strategy—all the way through downstream processes. This is a key difference between the two.

Average Salary for Digital Consultants

The average annual salary for digital consultants was approximately 6.5 million yen. While detailed salary range figures were not available, digital consultants have a broader scope of work than IT consultants, including DX-related initiatives.

For companies facing pressure to respond to the “2025 Digital Cliff” issue, the expertise of digital consultants is highly valuable. Given the expected high demand for digital consultants, the salary range may match or exceed that of IT consultants at a similar average level.

Differences Between IT Consultants and General Consultants

Here we explain the job responsibilities and average salary of a general consultant.

General Consultant Job Responsibilities

As the name “general” suggests, general consultants guide companies toward resolving management challenges from a wide range of perspectives.

General consultants typically belong to large-scale consulting firms, where teams are assembled from specialized departments within the firm—such as finance, HR, and marketing—or from group companies, and consulting services are provided based on the needs of each project.

General consultants are required to have broad knowledge in order to determine which areas of expertise—such as finance or HR—are best suited to resolve a client’s management challenges.

Average Salary for General Consultants

The average annual salary for general consultants at major consulting firms is between 6 and 10 million yen, and it is quite possible to earn over 5 million yen in your early 20s.

Major consulting firms such as Accenture and Deloitte Tohmatsu report average salaries exceeding 8 million yen, surpassing the averages for IT consultants and other types of consultants.

This is because general consultants have more opportunities to work on large-scale, high-value projects for major and well-known corporations, resulting in higher performance-based incentive payouts.

Can You Transition to IT Consulting Without Prior Experience?

The short answer is yes—it is possible to transition into IT consulting without prior experience. The consulting industry actively recruits mid-career candidates, and in recent years, strong demand for consultants has left many firms shorthanded.

However, it’s important to note that career changers without experience are primarily those in their 20s. This is because hiring in that age group centers on potential-based recruitment, where companies hire based on expectations of future growth.

Candidates in their 30s are expected to have relevant work experience. Transitioning to IT consulting typically requires experience as an IT engineer such as an SE. For those in their 40s and beyond, consulting experience or management experience is usually required, making a career change without prior experience significantly more difficult.

SEs Are Well-Positioned to Transition to IT Consulting

SEs are in a favorable position to make the transition to IT consulting. Having experience in designing, developing, and implementing IT systems means you can be evaluated as an “IT professional” with both technical knowledge and hands-on experience—someone who can contribute immediately.

However, even if your IT knowledge and experience are recognized, if you are seen as lacking the knowledge and skills necessary for consulting work, your chances of being hired will diminish.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the business skills, logical thinking ability, and presentation skills mentioned earlier. While these can be highlighted in interviews, obtaining relevant certifications is also an effective way to showcase them.

How to Transition to an IT Consulting Role

There are three main ways to transition into an IT consulting role:

Apply Directly to a Consulting Firm

Applying directly to a consulting firm is the first method.

The advantage of a direct application is that you handle all negotiations yourself, reducing the risk of miscommunication. The disadvantage is that, unlike working with a recruitment agency, you won’t receive support with scheduling interviews or negotiating terms.

Job searching while employed can be time-consuming when it comes to scheduling. If you’d rather not deal with that hassle, direct applications may not be the best option.

Search Through Job Listing Sites

Searching for positions through job listing sites is the second method. By registering with a job site, you can browse listings for free. This approach may turn up job postings that are only listed on those sites.

The disadvantage is the same as with direct applications—you won’t receive support or assistance. Job listing sites offer listings to browse, but generally don’t provide personalized support. While the site may offer sample resume formats, you can’t expect the kind of differentiated guidance that helps you stand out from other candidates.

Search Through a Recruitment Agency

If you want to improve your chances of a successful transition, using a recruitment agency is recommended. You’ll be assigned a dedicated consultant who will search for positions that match your preferences. A major benefit of using a recruitment agency is access to non-public job listings—opportunities that aren’t advertised openly, often with favorable terms.

Additional benefits include resume and application document review, interview practice, and access to useful information about target companies. These advantages make recruitment agencies the most effective of the three methods for achieving a successful career transition.

Summary

We have explained the key differences between IT consultants and SEs, as well as the differences between IT consultants and other consulting roles.

While both roles involve the use of IT technology, an IT consultant’s job is to solve business management challenges, whereas an SE’s job is to design, develop, and operate IT systems. Both are rewarding careers, so if you’re interested, why not consider making the transition?

Consulnext.jp features job listings in the consulting industry. In addition to various IT consulting roles, we also post positions for other types of consultants, including general consultants.

If you’re interested in the consulting industry, we’d love for you to register with Consulnext.jp.