How to become a Business Intelligence Analyst – A complete career guide

Business intelligence analysts help a company put the data it already collects to use in order to increase the company’s efficiency and maximize profits. They comb through large amounts of data by querying databases effectively, and then produce reports and identify trends to generate actionable business insights. Business intelligence analysts must have a range of skills in big data, especially data analysis, as well as keen business understanding. 

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Five steps to launching a successful Business Intelligence Analyst career:

Step 1: Earn your undergraduate degree

Undergraduates should look for degrees in information systems, computer science, data science, business administration, engineering, economics, or a related field that gives you insight into business processes and organizational operations. You’ll need to understand as much as you can about data before entering the profession, so look for classes in data architecture, database design, data mining, data visualization, and so on. You’ll also want to have strong Excel and SQL skills before graduating.

Step 2: Complete an internship and gain entry-level work experience

Business intelligence analysts are expected to have work experience before entering the job. One good way to begin your training is to get an internship in the financial industry, which will give you the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of a business. 

After you graduate, consider a job as a data analyst, business analyst, or a data report writer. Look for chances in these jobs to query SQL, model and analyze data, and define and manage the scope of projects. All of these experiences will give you vital contacts in the industry, as well as a better sense of the end-to-end process of the kind of projects that a business intelligence analyst completes

Step 3: Get a professional certification

The best professional certification for business intelligence analysts is Microsoft’s Certified Solutions Expert in business intelligence. 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.

Step 4: Become a business intelligence analyst

Once you have developed the necessary skills, gained work experience, and gotten certified professionally, you can apply for business intelligence analyst positions. You will be required to have an average of about 4 years of work experience, though some roles require up to 8 years of work experience. You will also likely need 1-2 years of supervisory experience within an organization, as business intelligence analysts are often project managers and can sometimes have hiring responsibilities.

Step 5: Pursue an advanced degree

A master’s degree in business administration (MBA) is preferred for this role, though master’s are generally not required if a candidate has sufficient work experience and professional certifications. You can also get a master’s in information technology, or a master’s in the industry you want to specialize in. 

What is a Business Intelligence Analyst?

Business intelligence analysts are a necessary part of making the vast amount of data now available to companies useful. Business intelligence analysts straddle the worlds of business and information technology, having a firm grasp of each, and are able to mine and analyze data to recommend growth strategies for a company. 

Once a business intelligence analyst makes recommendations for technological advances in a company, they are often needed to lead seminars for colleagues, including training managers to implement and monitor these new systems. 

What does a Business Intelligence Analyst do?

The business intelligence analyst evaluates a company’s data, as well as competitor and industry data, to discover ways to improve their own company’s market position. They will look into their company’s systems, procedures, and functions, and find areas in which the company can increase efficiency and profit margins.

Business intelligence analysts also must consider ways in which a company can develop new policies regarding data collection and data analysis methodologies, including ensuring integrity of data use. Business intelligence analysts may also be charged with hiring other data specialists, such as data architects.

Business Intelligence Analyst job description

• Meet with clients to identify needs and concerns
• Conduct information-gathering interviews and obtain feedback from clients and customers
• Collect data and extract data from warehouses for reporting, using querying techniques
• Analyze current data with software applications
• Create summary reports of a company’s current standings 
• Present recommendations to senior management about ways in increase efficiency 
• Oversee implementation of technological initiatives
• Develop new analytical models and techniques for a company to standardize data collection

Skills needed to become a Business Intelligence Analyst

Business skills:

• Excellent communication and presentation skills in order to share recommendations with colleagues 
• Superior leadership abilities, as well as ability to work with team members on a data science project
• Creative problem-solving skills and critical thinking
• Ability to work within a diverse, global workforce that is oriented around customer satisfaction

Technical skills:

• Database design and data architecture
• Data mining and analytics 
• Data security and privacy 
• Data visualization, including tools such as Tableau and Qlik
• Handle all variants of SQL
• Proficient in ETL (extract, transform, load)
• Understand which situations need Hadoop, R, and SAS and use these effectively 
• Cloud computing and data storage technology, such as BigQuery and Redshift

Business Intelligence Analyst salary

The average salary for business intelligence analysts, according to payscale.com, is $66,000. Skills in data warehousing, data modeling, and data mining are associated with higher-than-average pay. The best-paid business intelligence analysts are in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Houston, Seattle, and Boston all offer numerous well-paid positions as business intelligence analysts as well.

Business intelligence analysts often move into higher-level jobs within 10 years, including roles such as analytics manager, business intelligence manager, business intelligence architect, and analytics manager. 

Business Intelligence Analyst job outlook

The job market for business intelligence analysts is expected to grow by 21% from 2014 to 2024, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. They are required in many different fields, from healthcare to education to finance to law enforcement. Organizations in all of these fields and more are looking for ways to compete and stand out, and business intelligence analysts can provide necessary insights using data to create these advantages. Thus, they are highly sought-after individuals. Provided you have the right skills, experience, and interest in solving problems you will be able to set yourself apart in this competitive, yet thriving job market.