Professions in the IT world within a company are currently quite sought after and in demand, one of which is a Business Intelligence Analyst.
Then, what are the duties of this profession and what skills are required of a Business Intelligence Analyst? Find the answer in the following explanation!
Business Intelligence Analyst Overview
Business Intelligence Analyst can be interpreted as a profession that deals with data analysis. In other words, a BI must analyze data that can be used as information and knowledge. This information and knowledge are used as a reference in driving business value in a company.
For example, BI must be able to make the data and information obtained for marketing and financial needs. They also make what method to use based on existing market trends.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the profession of a BI has a fantastic salary range. This is due to their extensive duties and responsibilities because the results they analyze become material for company leaders in making decisions.
How to Become Intelligence Analyst
1. Education
For those looking to become a Business Intelligence Analyst, it is recommended to pursue undergraduate studies in fields such as information systems, computer science, data science, business administration, engineering, economics, or a related area that provides a strong foundation in business processes and organizational operations.
To succeed in the profession, it is crucial to have a strong understanding of data, so consider taking classes in subjects such as data architecture, database design, data mining, and data visualization.
Additionally, it is also important to develop proficient skills in Excel and SQL before graduating.
2. Get Exeperience
Gaining work experience is essential for those looking to become a Business Intelligence Analyst. While some employers may consider candidates with a Master’s in Business Administration as a substitute, most prefer candidates with relevant work experience.
A great way to gain experience is by completing an internship in the financial industry, which provides a valuable opportunity to learn about the inner workings of a business.
After completing your undergraduate degree, consider starting your career in roles such as data analyst, business analyst, or data report writer.
Seek out opportunities to work with SQL, analyze and model data, and manage project scope. These experiences will not only provide you with valuable industry contacts, but also give you a better understanding of the end-to-end process of the types of projects that a Business Intelligence Analyst typically handles on a regular basis.
3. Get A Professional Certification
The best professional certification for business intelligence analysts is Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate. This certification proves that you have the skills necessary to design and use SQL to deliver data-based solutions.
The exam includes querying and administering SQL databases, implementing a data warehouse and data models, and designing business solutions.
Another option is TDWI’s Certified Business Intelligence Professional, which you can test for and receive at the levels of either “practitioner” or “mastery.”
You’ll need at least 2 years of relevant work experience to register for this exam. You may also want to get a certification in specific computer languages, like SAS.
These are the recommended certification to become a Business Intelliegence Analyst:
Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate: This certification demonstrates that you possess the necessary skills to design and utilize SQL for delivering data-based solutions.
TDWI Certified Business Intelligence Professional: This certification is available in “Practitioner” or “Mastery” levels and requires at least 2 years of relevant work experience to register.
SAS Certified Data Scientist: This certification is for Data Scientists and Business Intelligence professionals who use SAS software to extract insights from big data.
Tableau Desktop Specialist: This certification validates your ability to use Tableau to visualize, analyze and share data.
Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist: This certification covers the Oracle BI Foundation Suite, including Oracle BI Enterprise Edition, Oracle BI Applications, and Oracle BI Mobile.
4. Transition to Become Business Intelligence Analyst Professional
A Business Intelligence Analyst role is not typically entry-level, however, having an MBA can be considered as a substitute for some years of experience by certain employers according to Indeed.
After developing the necessary skills, gaining work experience, and obtaining professional certifications, you can apply for Business Intelligence Analyst positions.
These positions typically require an average of 4 to 5 years of work experience, but some roles may require up to 8 years of experience.
Additionally, having 1 or 2 years of supervisory experience within an organization is also often preferred, as Business Intelligence Analysts are often project managers and may have hiring responsibilities.
5. Advanced Education
While an advanced degree is not always required to become a Business Intelligence Analyst, it can be beneficial.
A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) is often preferred for this role, but other advanced degrees such as a Master’s in Information Technology or a Master’s in a specific industry may also be considered.
However, it should be noted that having a Master’s degree may not be necessary if a candidate has sufficient work experience and professional certifications.
Business Intelligence Analyst Salaries
The average salary for a Business Intelligence Analyst, as per payscale.com, is $69,597, however, this can vary depending on location. For example, BuiltInNYC lists the average salary for a Business Intelligence Analyst in New York City as $92,800. Having skills in data warehousing, data modeling, and data mining is associated with higher pay than the average. Besides New York, some of the highest-paying cities for Business Intelligence Analysts include the Bay Area in cities such as San Francisco and San Jose, as well as Washington D.C., Portland, Seattle, and Boston.
Business Intelligence Analysts often move into higher-level roles within a decade, such as Analytics Manager, Business Intelligence Manager, Business Intelligence Architect and Analytics Manager.
Job Description and Responsibilities
A business intelligence analyst is a role that is responsible for exploring data owned by a company and turning that data into valuable insights.
Business intelligence analysts assist companies in making business decisions that can affect how a company operates based on the business metrics of a company.
Simply put, a business intelligence analyst is a role that functions in a business intelligence system and works to analyze data for the benefit and progress of the business.
To become Business Intelligence Analyst, here are the things you should do:
1. Processing data
One of their primary roles and responsibilities is processing the data held by the business by collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data, writing data collection and collection procedures, and ensuring that data is adequately captured, aggregated, and analyzed.
The data can be:
- sales result in data,
- income or revenue,
- Content reach, engagement,
- Leads and conversions, etc.
2. Interpreting data
The second role and responsibility of the second business intelligence analyst are to find patterns in areas that have the potential to improve business performance, such as:
- Monitor data collection
- Analyze and interpret market trends to help businesses adapt
- Develop methodologies to improve data analysis processes
3. Share findings
The next role and responsibility of the business intelligence analyst are to share the findings from the data processing process in visual form using graphs and charts to present insights to clients or teams and report the results of data findings to management.