Introduction

Degree in business analysis usually covers the intersection between business administration and economics. A person who wants to become a business analyst may have to work as a financial analyst, budget analyst, or management analysts, etc. A job in any of these fields requires at least a graduate degree, and financial analysts should be licensed. The job growth for management and financial analyst is much faster when compared to budget analysts.

A business analyst assists stockholders, clients, and management executives by analyzing business processes deeply. He identifies potential business problems and provides meaningful solutions for the same. Many of business analyst prefer specialization in financial analysis, management analysis, and budget analysis, etc.

Analysts are utmost important to a business because it reduces costs and streamlines business processes. However, the bachelor degree is must to become an analyst while some organizations may demand master degree too.

Career Options Education Requirements Other Requirements Projected Growth Average Salary Budget Analyst Bachelor degree is minimum; master degree is often required. Getting government certification will increase job options. 3% $75,150 Financial Analyst Bachelor degree is minimum, master degree is required for career advancements. Get a license through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. 12% $95,320 Management Analyst Bachelor degree is minimum, master degree is required for career advancements. Get a management consultancy certification to maximize job prospects. !$% $91,770

Popular Career Options for a Business Analyst

Students who earn a bachelor or master degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or any other similar field to work as a business analyst, three most common business analyst profiles for those students are given as below.

1). Budget Analysts

Budget analysts study the Company data and data of public institutions to check how capital should be spent to ensure the maximum profitability. They are not taking final decisions related to Company budget, but their experience is strongly valued by government officials and managers.

It is generally required a bachelor degree to apply for the post of budget analyst while the master degree is recommended for career advancements.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a budget analyst was calculated as $75,150 in May 2015.

And the job growth is approximated 3 percent which is much slower than the national average.

2). Financial Analysts

A Financial Analyst is also named as the investment analyst often makes investment related decisions. They usually focus on specific products, industries or markets to make their decisions more accurate.

It is generally required a bachelor degree to apply for the post of financial analyst while master degree makes you eligible for higher positions.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a financial analyst was calculated as $95,320 in May 2015.

And the job growth increased by 12 percent which is attractive and suitable as per the national average.

3). Management Analysts

Management Analysts work with business heads to improve the efficiency and profitability of your business. Unlike the other two analysts, management consultants or analysts usually work as freelance consultants.

It is generally required a bachelor degree to apply for the post of management analyst while most successful ones have a master degree in management.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a financial analyst is calculated as $91,770 in May 2015.

And the job growth increased by 14 percent which is most attractive out of all three profiles.

Business Analyst Education Requirements

A business analyst initiates changes and responds to enhance the overall success of a Company. A business analyst gathers information about the Company based on the daily routines of employees, observing Company finances, and reading Company documents thoroughly.

He recommends how to reduce the overall cost to a Company and increase profitability. He may suggest how to modify an existing program or job position. He suggests the best ways to implement ideas strategically without disturbing Company operations. And the education prepares him to make the ultimate decisions in favor of a Company and increase the bottom line.

What to study to become a business analyst?

A). The online BA training program

In today’s environments when there are so many learning options that range from self-study to online training and degree programs etc. The education cost for different modes generally varies based on different parameters like time investment, instructors, classrooms, etc. It is common finding an online BA training program at $300 to $500. On the higher end, you may spend thousands of dollars in a degree program to cover all aspects of business analysis in depth.

B). Bachelor Degree Programs

The potential business analyst program starts with a bachelor degree in business administration or related fields like finance or accounting. The other range of courses may include taxation, investment management, cost accounting, mathematics fundamentals, economics, statistics, etc. Finance student at a higher level may learn risk management while accounting students may learn to audit.

C). Master Degree Programs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, big Companies prefer hiring candidates with a master degree in business administration. According to research, most successful business administrators had a master degree in management, marketing, statistics, economics, finance, etc. MBA programs usually take two years to complete and quite expensive too. There is a wide range of courses available, and you may choose the best one that suits your skillset the most.

D). Professional Development Training

Some colleges or industries offer personality development programs to accelerate the student’s career graph. The business arena changes rapidly and ongoing training and education is a must requirement to stay updated in the field. Students who take advantage of additional training or education programs have an edge on the competitive job environment.

E). Doctorate Degrees

Business analysts seeking employment in research or teaching field may consider earning a Ph.D. degree in the business administration domain that majorly focuses on human resources and strategic management. Students should provide the original research dissertation to graduate. A doctorate generally takes four to six years to complete. It is quite time-consuming so you should make choices wisely.

F). BA Certificate Programs

Few universities offer an online certification program that consists of basic and advanced BA concepts. Candidate should pay certification fee in advance that is non-refundable. There are no prerequisites to join this program but a two to four years of professional experience in business operations is recommended.

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Online Training Selection Requirements for Business Analyst

Selecting the right IT training provider is difficult especially when there are several host providers available online. Here are the steps to consider before you choose the online training provider and get certified.

Make sure that instructors at the training Company are qualified enough to support you with the right education and practical knowledge.

You have to make sure which learning option is best for you either self-paced or instructor-led training. There are signification cost differences too between both learning modes.

There a few online training providers who offer training at discounted prices. You should not register for a course that you cannot afford.

Don’t forget to check the reputation of training Company before you pay the final fee. You should check past review and instructors’ profiles in depth to get the right idea.

The next important thing to focus on is course content. It will make sure either your objectives are fulfilled in depth or not.

You should check the overall period to complete the course. It would be great to choose the schedule as per your convenience especially when you are working.

You should check the level of support given during or after the course. Most students prefer certifications after the course and the placement assistance too.

Don’t forget to check how much the training sessions are interactive. Are there any practice sessions, real-time projects for the knowledge assessment after the course completion?

Skills Required to Become a Business Analyst

A business analyst is someone who analyzes business domain, business documents, business processes or business models etc. IIBA describes business analyst as a liaison among stakeholders to understand the business structure, business operations and recommend solutions that help an organization to achieve its ultimate goals.

A business analyst is an agent of change that follows the disciplined approach to introduce and manage changes to organizations if they are profitable to the business. He identifies the need for change and how to facilitate those changes. A business analyst defines solutions that maximize the value delivered by an organization to its stakeholders.

Business Analysts usually work at different levels of an organization and involved into different things like defining strategy, enterprise architecture, leadership role, etc. by considering the Company goals and requirements for the continuous improvements in its technology and processes.

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Skills/Knowledge/Experience Requirements

The bachelor degree or college diploma

Excellent communication skills either oral or written

Good consultative or interpersonal skills

Good analytical thinking and consultation skills.

Facilitation Skills

Highly committed to achieving the highest level of accuracy

Detailed organization skills

Depth knowledge of the business structure and organization models

Expertize in business rule analysis, stakeholder analysis, cost-benefit analysis, decision analysis, and data analysis, etc.

The basic idea of network structures like databases, communications, internet, networks, etc.

These skills and knowledge area help business analysts to meet business objectives and goals. He understands how work is being conducted and determines solutions through analysis. The solution includes training, process changes, business rules modifications, new technology implementations or combination of all. The business requirements analyst works with stakeholders to conduct the feasibility test and a business case to justify the investment in change.

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Business Analyst Requirements: Career Roadmap

Business analysts, business consultants, or management consultants advise organizations on how to improve the efficiency, finances and different aspects of the business. He consults with management to plan or implement solutions based on the needs of a Company.

A business analyst is hired either permanent, or they can be hired on a contract basis to evaluate the organization models and submit recommendations. He has to travel frequently and longer working hours are included to meet deadlines. The job is quite stressful as meeting the demands in the given timeframe is not always easy.

1). Get the Right Education

AS discussed, business analysts should have a minimum of bachelor degree in business administration or any other related filed at the beginning level. A bachelor degree program generally covers the coursework in accounting, communications, business laws, or any other specialized classes. A few universities or business schools offer specialization option like accounting, management, marketing, etc.

Success Tip:

It is great if you can join the summer internship program. Few schools offer internships for aspiring business analysts to gain hands-on expertize and a depth understanding of the subject. It is highly valuable for students and employers.

2). Get the Right Experience

The entry-level professionals may look for positions in business management, information technology, human resources or any other related fields to gain the right experience for the business analyst position. Once enough experience is attained, candidates become highly eligible to work as a business analyst. They usually work under the direction of the senior analyst with a team of consultants until they don’t gain enough experience to work independently.

Success Tip:

Try to get a master degree or complete the MBA program to become more successful in the business administration domain. A few organizations prefer candidates with master degrees although some accept graduates as well.

3). Get Certified

The certified business analysts are more in demand when compared to other candidates. They have more work experience and practical knowledge of different aspect in business administration domain. Additionally, certification helps candidates to stand out in the field and provide the right level of competence.

Success Tip:

It is recommended to join some Online BA certification program where training is given first before you attempt for the certification exam. The course content is usually prepared to keep popular certifications in mind, and popular training providers offer placement assistance too.

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Final Words:

The blog gives you a clear idea of education and skills requirements to become a business analyst. We have given the simple career roadmap to help you in the right direction when you are planning to start your career in the business administration domain.

To make yourself enough skilled and educated, you should choose the right training mode either online and offline. With the right education, you can always succeed in your domain and become a prominent business analyst as demanded by modern Companies. We wish you good luck for a bright future.



