A business intelligence analyst assists managers in making informed business decisions in order to maintain or improve the competitive position of a company. He or she mines a company’s data warehouse for important facts and statistics that can help paint a true picture of an organization’s performance and market position. To improve an organization’s business intelligence, the analyst may also develop processes and design reports.
A typical task for a business intelligence analyst is to gather historical and current data in order to identify trends in an organization’s operations. Based on historical data, the data can be analyzed and used with statistical tools to develop a projection on the outcome of implementing certain business strategies. The analyst’s abilities are likely to be put to use in determining a company’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as threats and opportunities.
Someone in this position is usually methodical and meticulous with details, and as a result, they are often adept at turning large amounts of data into useful information. He or she is an excellent communicator and has strong business analysis skills. He or she is usually expected to be adaptable and work both independently and in groups.
Most companies prefer to hire an analyst who has a thorough understanding of the company’s business processes as well as the industry in which it operates. Employees who can work with databases and understand information technology-driven business intelligence tools like data mining, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and online analytical processing may be desirable to a company (OLAP). A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree or certification as a certified public accountant (CPA) can assist in obtaining this position. A seasoned analyst has a minimum of five years of experience.
A business intelligence analyst could be hired from within the company where he or she works. Some employers believe that grooming someone who has already been exposed to the organization’s business processes and the industry in which it operates will effectively reduce familiarization time. He or she could also be hired from outside the company and come from the same industry as his or her prospective employer.