As the amount and complexity of data acquired by businesses expand, so does the importance of successfully utilizing that data. This “untidy data” might be difficult to manage, let alone slice, analyze, and also refine to generate meaningful insights. This is where a business intelligence analyst can help. Let’s learn about business intelligence analyst jobs, certifications, job descriptions, and salary in this article.
Who is a Business Intelligence Analyst?
Business intelligence analysts are critical to making the vast amounts of data now available to businesses meaningful. Business intelligence analysts are able to collect and evaluate data to offer growth strategies for a company. They do so by straddling the realms of business and information technology.
After making recommendations for technology advancements in a company, a business intelligence analyst is frequently required to hold seminars for colleagues, including training managers to deploy and monitor these new systems.
Job Description for a Business Intelligence Analyst: Key Responsibilities and Qualifications
Though particular job descriptions differ, the position of a business intelligence analyst can be broadly divided into three parts:
#1. Breaking down critical business data:
A business intelligence analyst may collect, clean, and analyze data such as a company’s revenue, sales, market statistics, or customer engagement measures. BI analysts may also be required to create tools and data models to aid in the visualization of data.
#2. Data interpretation:
Finding patterns or regions in data that indicate a potential for change in company procedures. It is an important component of a BI analyst’s job. A BI analyst, for example, may examine market trends to determine how a company’s product might need to be modified.
#3. Sharing Discoveries
Sharing discoveries can range from visualizing data in graphs and charts to gathering reports as well as presenting them in front of other teams. Based on their findings, business intelligence analysts will give recommendations to improve or develop the business.
Other roles and obligations of a Business Intelligence Analyst:
- Creating and also managing business intelligence solutions for the organization
- Reporting via office software to improve business processes
- Collaborating with team members to acquire data and also carry out the company’s mission
- Analyzing business requirements and processes and suggesting them for execution to management and also to the executives
- Creating and maintaining documentation for the organization, such as design, requirements, and user manuals
- Identifying development needs in order to streamline and improve the organization’s operations for efficiency and profitability.
Example of a Job Description for a Business Intelligence Analyst:
Nationwide Mortgage Bankers, Inc. the fastest-growing mortgage firm in the country, is seeking a BI Analyst to assist in the transformation of our current reporting platform into a world-class analytics platform that our employees rely on to generate productivity and profitability-based insights.
The Job Description for a Business Intelligence Analyst
In charge of identifying reporting and analytical requirements with business leaders and BI users, independently producing business requirement documents as well as technical/functional specifications, and developing PowerBI reports and dashboards to suit these requirements.
Generally, if you have a strong understanding of parsing corporate data to produce meaningful insights and want to work with creative flexibility to create a developing platform in a fast-paced environment, this role may be for you.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Using Power BI, create, distribute, and also maintain world-class reporting for all aspects of the organization.
- Participates in business and executive meetings to gather requirements and offer recommendations for reporting and business intelligence solutions.
- Convert business requirements into high-level technical specifications and designs.
- Learn about the various business processes, data sets, and also the BI deliverables.
- To improve needs and provide relevant suggestions to business stakeholders, use knowledge of the specific data available, forecasting/analysis methods, and visualization capabilities.
- Preparing, ingesting, cleansing, and maintaining data in the data warehouse to ensure efficient delivery to Power BI.
- Prioritize, deliver, and maintain all Power BI reporting initiatives across the organization.
- Assists in the daily support of end-users capacity to use the reporting platform successfully and efficiently.
Business Intelligence Analyst Certification
The Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP) certificate, provided by Transforming Data with Intelligence (TDWI), is currently one of the only professional certifications available that is specially designed for business intelligence analysts. If you achieve a score of more than 50% on all three tests, you will be qualified as a practitioner. This level displays practical knowledge of key business intelligence principles, strategies, and technologies. You will be certified at the Mastery level if you achieve 70% or above on all three tests. According to TDWI, this level displays your “ability to effectively lead a team at the project and program levels,” as well as your capacity to mentor others.
You must have two or more years of full-time experience in CIS, data modeling, data planning, data definitions, metadata systems development, enterprise resource planning, systems analysis, application development, and programming, or IT management to obtain your CBIP certification. Candidates must additionally hold a BA or MA in information systems, computer science, accounting, business administration, engineering, mathematics, sciences, or statistics.
An analyst can also obtain certification in specialized business intelligence technologies such as Hadoop, SAS, Python, R, and other computer languages or software designed for data analysis and visualization. If you notice a specific tool or framework on the job descriptions you’re interested in as a business intelligence analyst, it can be worth getting a certification to increase your chances of receiving an interview.
Salary of a Business Intelligence Analyst in the United States
According to Glassdoor data, the typical compensation for a business intelligence analyst in the United States is $92,802 per year, with a $5,000 cash bonus per year.
Highest paying cities in United States for Business Intelligence Analysts
- The average salary for a business intelligence analyst is $93,340 per year in San Francisco, CA and $5,000 bonus yearly. Its same as the national average
- The average salary for a business intelligence analyst is $122,808 yearly in Phoenix, AZ and $5,000 cash bonus per year. 32% higher than the national average
- The average salary for a business intelligence analyst is $86,798 yearly in Indianapolis, IN and $5,000 cash bonus per year. 6% lowerthan national average
- The average salary for a business intelligence analyst is $105,866 yearly in San Antonio, TX, and a $6,000 bonus yearly. 14% higher than the national average
- The average salary for a business intelligence analyst is $85,035 yearly in New York, NY, and a $5,000 cash bonus yearly. Its 8% lower than the national average
- The average salary for a business intelligence analyst is $83,244 per year in Salt Lake City, UT, and a $5,000 cash bonus per year. Its 10% lower than national average
- The average salary for a business intelligence analyst is $68,417 per year in Bellevue, WA, and a $5,000 cash bonus yearly. Its 26% lower than the national average.
- The average salary for a business intelligence analyst is $76,472 per year in Atlanta, GA, and a $5,000 cash bonus yearly. 18% lower than the national average
Starting a Successful Career as a Business Intelligence Analyst:
There are various ways to become a business information analyst.
#1. Professional certificates or online courses:
Obtaining a professional certificate or course is an excellent approach to develop necessary skills such as data analysis or familiarity with Power BI. Certificates or online courses, which often do not require prior related expertise, can provide the flexibility needed to study a new area while not disrupting your life. On Coursera, the University of Colorado provides a Data Warehouse Business Intelligence Specialization that will teach you the fundamentals of business intelligence analysis.
If you have two or more years of experience in computer information systems, data modeling, systems analysis, or a related subject, you can also become a Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP).
#2. Bachelor’s degrees:
A bachelor’s degree can provide you with both the technical and critical thinking skills required of a business intelligence analyst. Concentrate your study on a quantitative subject such as finance, mathematics, or data science.
#3. Master’s degrees:
Basically, a master’s degree can help you advance your career as a business intelligence analyst by building on your past experience and education. When deciding on a field for your master’s degree, it’s a good idea to evaluate your previous experience.
If you’ve been in business for a while and need a stronger grounding in data, a master’s degree in data science may be right for you. If you have a solid understanding of data analysis but want to improve your business understanding, an MBA program with a concentration on business analytics could be the answer.
What is the future of business intelligence analysis?
The future of business intelligence analysis is an exciting one! With the continued growth of technology, data, and analytics, the role of business intelligence analysts will become increasingly important. Business intelligence analysts will be expected to not only analyze data but also interpret it, visualize it, and communicate insights to decision makers. With the rise of machine learning and AI, business intelligence analysts will also be expected to stay up-to-date with these developments and find ways to incorporate them into their work.
How does a business intelligence analyst use machine learning and AI?
Business intelligence analysts are increasingly using machine learning and AI to automate routine tasks, such as data cleaning and preparation, and to identify patterns and insights in large data sets. They also use these technologies to make predictions and identify trends that would be difficult to see otherwise. The goal is to help decision makers make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.
How can a business intelligence analyst add value to a business?
A business intelligence analyst can add value to a business in a variety of ways. They can help to uncover new insights, improve decision making, increase efficiency, and identify new opportunities. By leveraging data and technology, business intelligence analysts can help organizations to make informed decisions that drive growth and success.
What are the challenges faced by business intelligence analysts?
Business intelligence analysts face a variety of challenges, including the need to work with large and complex data sets, the need to keep up with the latest technology and trends, and the need to communicate insights to decision makers effectively. They also need to maintain the accuracy and reliability of data, and protect it from unauthorized access.
How does a business intelligence analyst interpret and communicate data insights?
Interpreting and communicating data insights is a critical part of a business intelligence analyst’s role. They use a variety of tools, such as data visualization, to help decision makers understand the meaning behind the data. They also need to be able to articulate their findings in a way that is clear, concise, and actionable, so that decision makers can make informed decisions.
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Analysts in business intelligence apply their critical thinking and quantitative skills to help firms develop and thrive. As data becomes more significant in our daily lives, BI analysts will undoubtedly be critical to corporate operations for many years to come.
Business Intelligence Analyst FAQs
Is business intelligence a good career?
Pursuing a position in Business Intelligence provides numerous prospects for a rewarding and fascinating career. Also, BI experts use data insights to highlight trends, opportunities, issue areas, and information that impacts the future of enterprises.
What skills do you need to be a business intelligence analyst?
It is a position that combines hard skills such as programming, data modeling, and statistics with soft skills such as communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.
What degree do you need to be an intelligence analyst?
Intelligence analysts must have a bachelor’s degree or higher to work in the area. Degrees in programming, computer science, and also intelligence studies are all relevant. A master’s degree in a relevant profession may be preferred by some hiring managers.
What are the three components of a business intelligence system?
The three main components of business intelligence are data warehouse, business analytics and business performance management, and user interface.
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