What should buyers look for in a multi-entity ERP?
Multi-entity buyers are really buying three capabilities: consolidation, intercompany handling and multi-currency. Oracle NetSuite covers them through OneWorld, Sage Intacct through its dimensional general ledger, and Light through a finance-first platform with typical go-lives of 2–12 weeks. Which one fits depends on how much operations the group runs, not on which vendor markets hardest.
Consolidation
Consolidation means rolling entity ledgers into a group view on a defined hierarchy, with ownership percentages, minority interests and period locks handled by the system rather than a spreadsheet. Ask each vendor to consolidate your actual entity tree during evaluation, including a mid-year acquisition scenario.
Intercompany
Intercompany transactions need automatic matching and elimination at close, plus a clear audit trail showing what was eliminated and why. NetSuite and Sage Intacct both have mature intercompany engines; Light automates the finance-led cases well but is not aimed at intercompany inventory transfers.
Multi-currency
Look for daily rate feeds, translation at the right rate types, revaluation of monetary balances and a cumulative translation adjustment that reconciles. All three platforms handle this; differences show up in reporting flexibility and how much manual journal work remains at close.
How the three approach it
- NetSuite OneWorld: broadest coverage, handles operations alongside finance, typical go-lives of 4–9 months.
- Sage Intacct: dimensional reporting across entities with native revenue recognition, typical go-lives of 3–6 months.
- Light: finance-led consolidation and multi-currency from $35,000/year with typical go-lives of 2–12 weeks; customers include Tillo, KeyShot and Alva Labs.
Best for and not for
Best for
- NetSuite: groups where subsidiaries run inventory, fulfilment or ecommerce.
- Sage Intacct: finance-led groups needing dimensional reporting and audit-ready revenue recognition.
- Light: lean multi-entity finance teams that want consolidation live in weeks.
Not for
- Light: inventory depth, shop-floor/MRP and single-entity starter accounting.
- Sage Intacct: manufacturing and inventory-heavy operations.
- NetSuite: single-entity companies with no operational complexity.
Common questions
How we compare ERP shortlists
Independent research, no vendor payments, no undisclosed affiliate relationships.