In today’s society, the business systems analyst job is more and more popular because every business is always looking for ways to develop according to trends to match and meet customers’ needs.
Business systems analysts are the ones who will solve your problems. They do research and analysis to support businesses towards new goals.
The importance of systems analysts can be in all areas of business. However, some people still do not understand this job position. So in the following article, we will share with you interesting information about this position.
Job Description
The main job of these specialists is to analyze the business system and evaluate the company’s growth. When they see the company’s problems, they will find ways to solve and improve efficiency in each department of employees.
Business systems analysts are also responsible for increasing profits. Unlike other departments, their working method is to analyze current data to increase income and reduce costs for the company.
Business systems analyst skills have 6 tasks to be in charge of, including communicating with departments, researching business procedures, preparing reports, setting budgets, coming up with change plans, and improving efficiency.
Communicating with departments
When communicating with all departments, they will talk to the management of each department. The topic of discussion is all the issues that arise that affect the group’s work progress.
A business systems analyst will summarize why the team is late and does not meet the target to analyze the business system. As such, they will have to hold regular meetings to discuss and disseminate changes in the plan.
Studying business procedures
When taking on this role, the business systems analyst will have to consider the company’s current procedures and practices. They then need analysis to determine their effectiveness.
Are they working correctly, or are there any problems? In case the point of the current plan is not good, you need to research to find a solution to overcome and come up with a plan for the company to continue to develop.
Prepare report
The business systems analyst will prepare a detailed report to present to the supervisor based on the research.
Reports include charts and graphs that represent large amounts of data. Or you can use any other format that employees or customers can understand.
Set a budget
On financial matters, business analysts are also in charge of analysis. They will find a way to save costs for the business. They will track and verify if the parts are within budget.
Make recommendations for changes
When facing any problem, the business systems analyst will suggest supporting the company itself and the customers. They are responsible for answering any questions from customers about proposed changes.
Increase quality
When reviewing the company’s situation, they will develop options to solve problems and improve efficiency.
Education Requirements
Of course, working in such an important position will require a business system analyst in education and training. As follows:
Currently, for the position of business systems analyst, employers all require a high school diploma.
Besides, a bachelor’s degree in business administration or related fields is also mentioned in the JD of most employers. These include a bachelor’s degree in management, financial economics or accounting, or psychology.
Some large company employers even require you to have a master’s degree in business administration.
It’s not hard to see why they’re so demanding because business systems analyst is an important position that significantly influences the working efficiency of all departments and company profits.
So if you’re a business systems analyst aspiring to apply to big companies, consider learning and taking an analytics class. What you need to cultivate is the analytical way to understand the factors to consider.
Once you have analyzed the right direction and understand it, you can quickly develop a good strategy for the company. Your change plan that brings good results affirms your ability and qualifications to your superiors and the company.
Training
A candidate’s work experience has always been an issue that employers aim for.
Not just a degree, some employers require a minimum number of qualifications already in the industry. Usually, they need a minimum of 5 years.
Candidates with more experience will leave a good impression on employers.
Usually, when new employees start working at the company, they will attend an international training institute. This training will introduce you to the process and specific tasks of the job.
However, the fact that the candidate has experience is clear proof of their ability to work. That’s why employers love people who have worked in this industry.
Essential Skills
Business system analysts require several skills as an essential position that significantly influences a company’s finances and profits. Because this profession is not only technical but also strategic in business.
In this position, the employer requires both hard and soft skills from you. First, the business systems analyst must know how to collect data and analyze the data set’s characteristics.
From there, you can point out the problem and point out practical solutions. Not only do you understand, but you also have to share information with others to develop a plan to apply in business practice.
Not all business systems analysts need to know about IT. In some positions, you need to have background knowledge in the field. What you need is an understanding of how the company’s systems, tools, and products work.
According to statistics, most employers are looking for candidates with the following 5 skills:
- Business system
- System analysis
- Business process mapping
- SQL (structured query language)
- Project management
You must have also noticed, and when working in such an important position, you will need to hone as many skills as possible.
Great if you have logical systems analysis skills and IT knowledge. However, communication skills are also the key to your success.
In addition, to do the job well, as a business systems analyst, you need to have the qualities of a leader with communication skills. As follows:
Self-motivation
To meet strict deadlines, business systems analysts need to set their own goals. Work under minimal supervision to push yourself to meet your daily quota.
Hard skills
Hard skills include mathematical ability, use of computer systems, and business analysis.
Because the nature of your job is to collect data for business analysis, you need to consider vast amounts of data every day.
So, it is necessary to use computer science to enter and organize data. From there, you can analyze and calculate the profit and loss the company may face.
After business analysis, you will find the appropriate solution to solve the problems. At the same time, applying the change increases profits for the company.
Teamwork skills
Business systems analysts often have to communicate with internal company management and customers. So to work well, you need to be able to communicate and work in a team with others.
Creative
When a company encounters any problems affecting profits and efficiency, the business systems analyst will analyze them. From there, to come up with a new plan to ensure efficiency as well as work progress.
Software and Tools
To do well as a business systems analyst, you need the help of some tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Access, excel, google analytics.
They assist you in collecting and organizing vast amounts of data. Hence, those formats are as a chart or design visualization for analysis and reporting.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint is a tool to help business systems analysts generate reports and present their change ideas.
You should have this software on your computer, and it allows you to compose and design slides in a neat way to deliver the best ideas. The job of a business systems analyst requires a lot of presentations.
They must present the change idea to the many stakeholders in the project. Therefore, it is best to learn a PowerPoint design course to have minimalist slides but still convey content.
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access has the function of collecting and sorting data according to aggregated information. It includes a database of information about people, products, orders, or anything else.
The job of a business systems analyst is to collect and analyze data. So when sorting data with access software, different types of databases will be in the form of a spreadsheet or text list. It helps you to create subfiles for easy pulling open in case of excessive data and control lock.
The interface of access includes many windows. In particular, direct access will consist of the following 6 management tools: tables, Queries, Forms, Reports, Macros, Modules. All 6 objects are located in separate windows for users to perform operations efficiently.
Microsoft Excel
Like PowerPoint, Excel is an essential tool for business systems analysts, especially for those in the position of information technology research, data research, etc. All your work is associated with spreadsheets.
So to do your job well, you need to know how to format functions in excel.
Besides, you need to know how to read tasks from which to draw logical inferences and describe and rebuild systematically. If you haven’t mastered this tool yet, I don’t think you’re ready to be a business systems analyst.
Google Analytics
Another tool that business systems analysts often use is Google Analytics, and it is one of the most popular tools today that helps users measure website performance. It is a free tool and is also a good assistant for business analysts.
Google Analytics allows you to monitor and evaluate the overall status of your website. It includes metrics on visitor numbers and bounce rates.
Business systems analysts will evaluate and offer appropriate solutions to increase efficiency in reaching customers by looking at these website statistics.
Job Outlook and Salary
If you already have experience through several years of work, you can choose a promising path to career development. Here are 6 career prospects that you can consider.
IT Business Analyst
In this position, you will manage and open up advantages for technology projects. An IT analyst will apply all knowledge of IT, software, and business components to find the best way to develop a business project.
Compared to the role of a business analyst, this job is a big turning point. Not only stopping at business management and analysis, IT business analysis requires you to have in-depth knowledge of technology.
You also need good communication skills. It will make it easier for stakeholders to accept your analysis. According to our research, the average 1-year salary for this position is $97,321.
Data Scientist
If you have strengths in combining different data points, then consider this position. The average data scientist salary is over $120,000, which is very attractive.
You need to master statistical operations from the machine to extract the data. From there, see the connection between seemingly unrelated points and then analyze to provide helpful information for decision-makers.
Usually, data scientists will have a high level of education in mathematics, statistics, computer science, etc.
Many employers require data scientists to have experienced solid engineering. They will use all their technical knowledge and experience to peer through complex data to derive tangible results.
Quantitative Analyst
They have another name as financial engineers even though their job is quantitative research. They will look at data to represent them in terms of mathematical models. From there, they make a backup of financial decisions.
In other words, quantitative analysts will research to develop a plan to ensure the lowest level of risk and provide solutions for businesses to accept it intelligently.
The Certified Business Analysis Professional salary of low-level assignors is around $98,000. Meanwhile, skilled people can earn $116,000 per year.
Management Analyst
They are like management consultants. As the name suggests, they have a consulting role for business leaders or managers.
They are no different from IT analysts, but they don’t tend to work internally. People in this position will advise many companies; they help managers have ways to improve processes more effectively.
In this profession, you will choose a specialized area to work in. You will look like an expert in that field. According to the Department of Labor Statistics, you can earn 83,000 sometimes working at this position a year.
Information security analyst
Your job will be to interpret the confidential data. It also protects the company from cyber-attacks by monitoring its network.
Usually, to apply for this position, you need a bachelor’s degree related to IT. Comes with network security certified business data analysis and work experience in a related field, an information security analyst will earn about $127,336 per year.
Solution architect
As a solutions architect, you are responsible for implementing solutions to solve the business problems of construction. Besides, you also have to meet the technical requirements of the business.
Working in this position requires knowledge and understanding of how different existing systems work. In addition, determining the impact of changes to the infrastructure is also part of the solution architect’s job.
Most candidates for this position hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and some even have a master’s degree. So their annual average salary is $122,000.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Any job has its pros and cons, so are the business systems analyst duties.
Here is an overview of this position.
Advantages
A business systems analyst is a great job. In this position, you will find the causes and provide solutions to increase profits and reduce risks for the business.
In general, when you start your career as a business systems analyst, you will see the following positive aspects.
- Firstly, you have the flexibility to work and can spend time on personal business. With experience working in a business analyst position, you can start to try it on a small scale.
You don’t have to have capital, shops or offices. You can comfortably manage all aspects of your ‘business’ from the comfort of your home.
If you grow better, you can invest in an office and expand your business.
- Secondly, the nature of your job is to interact with many businesses. It is a good condition for you to learn and experience more experiences. Thus, your resume will have more exciting lines to attract employers.
- Finally, the salary you earn. On average, you get up to 90% gross margin for systems analysts. It is quite a high fee.
Moreover, some companies pay very high hourly wages. In other words, your customers have superior quantity and quality requirements.
Disadvantages
- When working as a business systems analyst, your work tends to be inconsistent. Thus, the level of remuneration will depend on the volume of work in the period.
Moreover, the level of competition in this industry is very high. So to have a strong foothold and develop a successful career, you need to spend a lot of time analyzing the market.
Thus, when you understand your customers’ needs, you will come up with an effective change plan.
- Because this work affects the interests of the business itself and the customers, they have high expectations of you, and work pressure is inevitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What subjects do you need?
The entry-level of a business systems analyst job is usually a bachelor’s degree.
According to the BLS, there are no specific requirements for what you study.
However, employers often prioritize candidates with knowledge in finance, business, marketing, and related fields.
Yet, this position is highly competitive; it is best to take the time to equip yourself with in-depth knowledge of support tools and business areas. Surely they will help you in the working process.
2. What is business analyst training?
The business analyst training course will cover how to exploit company data to develop valuable solutions. However, coming up with a good solution based on data and requires experienced business analysts.
3. Is a business analyst a good career?
Yes, business systems analysts are a good job; the salary is also relatively high.
Although you often face stress at work, you have the opportunity to interact with business customers. So, you can gain experience and add interesting things to your resume.
Moreover, based on work experience, you can also freely run a personal business in your free time to increase your income.
4. Is a business analyst an IT job?
Yes. When working as a business systems analyst, you need to have IT knowledge. In other words, this job is closely related to the IT field.
The business systems analyst will do technical work at some companies and sit in the IT department office.
In a more specialized position as IT business analysts, their work includes business administration and IT. Their primary mission is to analyze business while improving IT services.
5. Is it hard to become a business analyst?
If you already have a basic knowledge of information technology, you need to hone your systems analysts skills. With many people, becoming a business systems analyst is more complicated. However, it is easier than other technical jobs.
Conclusion
Above is the information we want to share with you about business analysts. In addition to educational certifications, you also need perseverance and strength to cope with difficulties and competition in the industry.
However, we cannot deny the benefits of this profession. With a reasonably high income, contact with many customers is a good condition for you to learn.