Business analyst

As a business analyst you will be analysing an organisation’s processes and systems (how things get done) and suggesting ways of improving them. You will often be providing a link between an organisation’s management and its IT structure – a link between business problems and IT solutions. You will be looking to change and improve how a business works and operates.

Also known as

Business change analyst
Business process analyst
Process change analyst

Work activities

Your job will be to examine how an organisation manages its processes and systems (how things get done) and suggest ways of improving them. You will need to help the organisation link its management and IT structure in an efficient way; and make connections between business problems and IT solutions so that the business can change and improve how it works and operates.

You could be working in any area of business, or in the community, including:

Not-for-profit organisations, e.g. charities, county councils.
School, colleges and universities.
Small, medium and large businesses.
Finance-based businesses, e.g. insurance.
Retail businesses.
Hospitals.

Any organisation or business looking to improve the way it operates could employ a business analyst. The role you play could be very varied. Your duties might include:

Identifying areas of a business that could be improved.
Developing solutions to any problems identified within a business.
Working closely with software developers, project managers, software testers and management teams.

You could:

Help to develop new or improved systems.
Explain proposed new systems and processes.
Collect and analyse data regarding the performance of your organisation and its systems.
Produce detailed reports on business processes and systems and present them to management.

Personal qualities and skills

As a business analyst, you will need to:

Understand how businesses work and operate.
Have great IT skills.
Have good analytical skills.
Be good at solving problems.
Have project management skills.
Be able to work to deadlines.
Pay attention to details and accuracy.
Have great teamworking skills.
Have excellent communication skills, and to be able to explain technical issues, to non-technical people.
Have great negotiation skills.

Technical skills are highly important in this industry. However, employers have also highlighted future needs for the following non-technical skills:

Teamworking skills.
Good communication skills.
Business skills.

Pay and opportunities

As a business analyst, your salary will often depend on your experience and ability. Pay rates give are appropriate and can vary from a starting salary of £23,000, with experience up to £55,000.

Business analysts usually work 37-39 hours from Monday to Friday, but might work some late evenings when deadlines require, or work out of hours if systems fail.

Employers are in every sector of industry and commerce, including banks, building societies, insurance companies and others in the finance sector, and in public service (for example, local and central government departments). Opportunities for business analysts occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.

There are self-employment opportunities in this industry; you could set up your own company and work freelance.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on specialist IT and business job boards and employers’ websites, in computing magazines and professional journals, in local/national newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

A level 4 (higher) apprenticeship is available in this role. This way, you will undertake most of your training on the job, while you work towards relevant higher-level qualifications alongside work.

Or you could choose to go onto university, to study a relevant degree. At university you will learn some of the skills, techniques and technologies, that employers need. IT and business studies-based subjects at GCSE and A-level would help you to stand out from the crowd. Many employers require you to have a degree before you apply for a role as a business analyst. Degrees in relevant subjects are available at many universities.

Qualifications

You could do a college course, which may lead onto more advanced qualifications to help you to get a trainee position with a company.

To do a higher apprenticeship, you will need two A-levels plus GCSEs in English and maths. Subjects such as business studies or economics may be beneficial.

For entry to a relevant degree course, the usual requirement is:

Two to three A-levels.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two to three other subjects.
English and maths at GCSE.

Alternatives to A-levels include:

Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications.
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. However, course requirements vary so check prospectuses carefully.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have a background in computers and IT or office administration. Relevant work-related qualifications in IT or business would be useful. You might be able to get a job in this industry if you already have some experience in project management or IT consulting.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Related careers

Account manager
Data analyst