Business Analytics Certifications and Certificates

If you’re looking for a way to demonstrate your skills in business analytics, you might be overwhelmed by the different certifications and certificate programs available. You might also have many questions, such as whether pursuing a certificate can improve your chances of getting a job and if there’s a difference between certificate study and certification in this field. 

This article aims to answer these questions so you can efficiently choose the right path toward business analytics certification. Keep reading to find out more.

What is Business Analytics?

Business Analytics is a group of technologies and disciplines, such as quantitative methods, statistical models, and data analysis, which are used to solve business problems. It relies on iteratively and methodologically exploring an organization’s data using statistical analysis techniques to make better, data-driven decisions. This involves a practical application of statistical analysis geared toward uncovering actionable recommendations.

Many companies view their data as a business asset and continue to explore ways to use it for a competitive advantage. To be successful with business analytics, an organization must have good quality data, as well as Business Analysts who not only understands the business but also the technologies needed to transform its data into insights. Business Analysts seek to draw concrete conclusions about a company by finding answers to questions such as why certain events happened, what is expected to occur in the future, and what actions can be done in the present.

Most business analytics tasks are descriptive, predictive, or prescriptive. Descriptive analytics involves analyzing historical data to discover how an organization could respond to specific variables. Predictive analytics examines historical data to predict the likelihood of specific future outcomes. Prescriptive analytics is a combination of descriptive and predictive analyses; it involves formulating a process with which users can anticipate what is expected to happen, when it will occur, and why it will transpire. Business Analysts rely on tools and skills such as data mining, association and sequence identification, text mining, data aggregation, forecasting, optimization, and data visualization to gather and present these data-driven insights.

Read more about what business analytics is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Business Analytics?

Business analytics is one of the most versatile skill sets you can bring to the professional arena. All businesses, from small startups to multinational companies, seek those with a background in business analytics who can work with data to solve complicated problems, devise useful business strategies, and clearly communicate with stakeholders. Most Business Analysts have a background working with technology and programming languages like C++ and Java, as well as various databases and testing methods. These individuals typically possess technical and business skills, making them high-demand among recruiters and employers. 

Business Analysts are typically good problem solvers. They can analyze problems and apply critical thinking to propose innovative solutions that consider variables such as market trends. These individuals also tend to have an analytical mindset, which allows them to apply statistical models to analyze large datasets. Their analytic skills help Business Analysts perform tasks like understanding consumer buying decisions and behaviors and using this information to formulate a marketing strategy.

Business Analysts are usually expert communicators. They can clearly communicate their data findings and present these insights to different teams on both the business and technical sides. This often requires adapting their communication style to best reach different audiences. These individuals also possess time-management skills to balance multiple project deadlines and perform under pressure.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

If you’re interested in learning more about business analytics, you may be considering study options like certificates and certifications. While both learning paths can be helpful for pursuing a career in business analytics, you may not be certain what the difference is between them. Certifications typically require that you sign up for an exam, which will be administered by a third party. Those who pass this exam receive certification in business analytics, which demonstrates mastery of this subject. On the other hand, certificates are completion-based programs spanning weeks or months. They generally provide rigorous training with core business analytics tools and skills, such as Excel, SQL and Tableau, among others. Individuals who complete the program earn a certificate in business analytics.

Top Certifications & Certificates for Business Analytics

Certifications in the field of business analytics are a relatively new feature. That said, many organizations have begun to offer exams that certify the skills needed to be a Business Analyst. The following are some of the top certifications and certificates currently available in the field of business analytics:

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) prepares students to extract important insights from large datasets so that they can be used to fuel business decisions. This vendor-neutral certification requires that students have a master’s degree in a field related to business analytics, as well as at least five years of experience or a bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of five years of work experience. Those interested in sitting for this exam can also qualify if they have a master’s degree and three years of training working with data or analytics.
• IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is designed for those who are new to the field of business analytics. This exam is the first certification level of three offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis. It requires completing a minimum of 21 hours of professional training within four years.
• IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (AAC) is geared toward those who work in agile business environments. This exam tests individuals on how well they adapt to rapid change in their work environment. This standalone certification is separate from all other IIBA Business Analyst certifications. This 85-question exam is available through remote online proctoring. Although there are no eligibility requirements to sit for the exam, it’s recommended that those who sign up have at least two to five years of training with agile-related business tasks.
• IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA) is available from the International Qualifications Board of Business Analysts. This entry-level certification is recognized at training centers around the world. The exam covers core business analytics skills, such as requirements analysis, innovation and design, enterprise analysis, requirements elicitation, and solutions validation, among others.
• NYIM Training’s Business Analyst Certificationis available to those who don’t have prior technical training. This step-by-step curriculum provides participants with instruction on fundamental business analysis concepts in both the Agile and Waterfall methods. Students receive instruction from a PMI Certified Agile, Project, Program and Risk Manager with more than 17 years of experience.
• Noble Desktop’s Business Analytics Certificate is a 58-hour program that provides instruction on a range of tools common to business analytics. Participants in this hands-on program learn how to work with data analysis and data visualization so that they can present data findings to stakeholders. Throughout this rigorous course, students receive expert instruction on working with PowerPoint, Tableau, SQL, and Excel.

Should I Get Certified in Business Analytics?

The decision of whether to pursue business analytics certification depends on your employer, as well as your professional goals. For the most part, certification isn’t required to become a Business Analyst. However, it can provide valuable training to help you excel in your current Business Analyst career or pursue new job opportunities. One benefit of pursuing certification is that it offers a way to validate your business analytics skills and credibility. Hiring managers appreciate real-world examples of how business analytics training can be applied, and certification is one way to indicate that an objective source has confirmed your training. 

Another reason some choose to pursue certification is that it can lead to higher pay. Some estimates indicate those who pursue certification can earn 11 percent or more than those without this training. In addition to higher pay, another reason some individuals elect to become certified as Business Analysts is that it’s a great way to network. Individuals who participate in a study group enroll in an exam prep course can meet others in their field with the same learning objectives.

How to Get Certified in Business Analytics

Certification in Business Analytics is available from many institutions, such as the IIBA and IIBQA. Those interested in becoming certified should consult with these providers to see their specific requirements. Some exams require a certain number of years of training in business analytics or related fields; others require bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Regardless of which certification you choose, earning certification in business analytics will require signing up for an exam and passing the test. 

Learn Business Analytics with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

If you want to study business analytics, Noble Desktop offers several excellent classes to prepare you to work as a Business Analyst. Noble’s Business Analyst Certificate is available in both the in-person and live online format. Participants in this hands-on course learn how to work with tools such as Tableau, SQL, PowerPoint, and Excel to analyze and visualize data. All participants receive live, project-based instruction from industry experts and can retake the course for up to one year to revisit the material.

For those who want to learn more about working with big data, Noble also has an in-person and live online Data Analytics Certificate. All participants receive one-on-one mentoring with tuition. This course is available in the full-time format that spans six weeks, as well as the part-time format of 24 weeks of evening classes. This project-based course covers core data analytics concepts and skills like collecting, wrangling, analyzing, and visualizing data. In addition, participants prepare for a career in business analytics or data analytics by reviewing case studies that incorporate both predictive and prescriptive analytics.

Those interested in comparing learning options can also browse Noble’s in-person and live online data analytics and data science classes to find the perfect class.

Key Insights

• Those who want to learn more about business analytics while at the same time improving their professional skillset may consider signing up for a certificate or certification in this field. Whereas certificate study is a completion-based program, certification involves passing an exam proctored by a third party.
• Although certification isn’t required by most employers to become a Business Analyst, it’s a good way to demonstrate to employers that you have received training in core business analytics concepts. It can also lead to higher pay.
• Some of the top certifications available in business analytics are the Certified Analytics Professional and the various certifications offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis.
• You can receive comprehensive business analytics training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.