Business Systems Analyst

Education and Training: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary: $75,000
Job Outlook: Very good

A business systems analyst is responsible for communicating the needs of business people to computer programmers, and if they do their job correctly the project should meet the exact specifications required by the company. It is their job to communicate with the IT department and the business department, and a good business systems analyst will ensure that resources are used correctly and to the greatest benefit.

The job of a business analyst is to analyze a business model and break it down into smaller pieces of information as they plan the system. These smaller pieces of information are then put into documents alongside visual diagrams which enable the computer programmers to understand exactly what is required. It is likely that these documents will undergo several changes during the development of the project, as it is often impossible to put down every single detail. The main point of this initial documentation is to provide a good overview for the software developers. Once they have planned out a system they will frequently test it to make sure it works and that it is easy to use.

They will then liaise with the developers as the project progresses to discuss any potential problems that arise. They can then communicate these problems with the business team and figure out ways of overcoming them. It is also the job of the business systems analyst to make sure that they get the most cost efficient software. They should also be able to recommend suitable servers and hardware, and must be able to weigh up the costs and benefits of various solutions.

Education and Training Requirements

The majority of business systems analysts will have a degree in computer science, and many have additional qualifications in business accounting or management. A good analyst will be able to think laterally to solve problems. It’s essential that they are good at math, and they must also be great communicators both verbally and through the written word.

Getting the Job

Business systems analysts jobs can be found in a large variety of environments. If you are considering this career you may tailor your search towards industries which interest you. Business systems analysts are employed by banks and other financial institutions, but they are also employed by hospitals as well as in many other industries. Having an interest in a particular industry will definitely help you enjoy your job much more, especially if you have some sort of specialist training which could be useful such as accounting or health management.

Most employers will be looking for at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, and they will also be looking for people who have strong problem-solving skills, and who are able to prove they can think logically and communicate well. Showing that you have an interest in your prospective employers business may give you an edge over other candidates, as having a good understanding of an industry is essential for an analyst to plan the most efficient software development.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

The job prospects for a business systems analyst are expected to be very good as this is a growing industry, and the need for specialists is expected to increase substantially. One of the areas which is expected to see good growth is healthcare, and there is also the increased demand for computer networking and Internet services within firms. The use of personal mobile computers is also expected to create substantial demand. More experienced business systems analysts could go on to be promoted into leadership positions, and some could advance to executive positions. Others may find it profitable to become independent consultants or to start their own consultancy firm.

Working Conditions and Environment

Working conditions for business systems analysts are good as they will generally be working in comfortable office environments and will only be expected to work a regular 40 hour week.

Salary and Benefits

The average salary for a business systems analyst is around $75,000, although some will earn less than $45,000 and some will earn more than $118,000. If a business systems analyst is employed by a large company they can probably expect to gain good benefits such as comprehensive health and dental insurance, contributions towards retirement plans, paid vacations and possibly profit-sharing or bonuses.

Where to Go for More Information

Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science
5000 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh PA 15213-3891
(412) 268-8525
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/

Center of Excellence for Information & Computing Technology
3000 Landerholm Circle SE
Bellevue, WA 98007
(425) 564-4229
http://www.coeforict.org/

Ferris State University
1201 S State St.
Big Rapids, Michigan 49307
(231) 591-2434
http://www.ferris.edu