Data analyst

Job profile:

Digital

Career zone:

The transformation driver

Related capabilities

Suggested CPD

Big Data: a guide for accountants

Robotics in finance: the future

Certificate in Data Analytics (CertDA)

Certificate in Digital Innovation for Finance (CertDIF) 2021 Edition

What is a data analyst and what do they do?

Data analysts have an important role in developing and maintaining the integrity of data across an organisation. They use the data to provide insights to the business to assist in its performance. Analysis may be descriptive (what is happening), diagnostic (why is it happening), predictive (what is likely to happen) or prescriptive (what do I need to do).

Accountants are uniquely placed to use their business sills to undertake the best data analysis to help a business in realising its goals.

Key responsibilities

Data analysts:

develop management processes and policies
identify areas to increase efficiency and automation of processes
set up and maintain automated data processes
identify, evaluate and implement external services and tools to support data validation and cleansing
produce and track key performance indicators
develop and support reporting processes
monitor and audit data quality
liaise with internal and external clients to fully understand data content
gather, understand and document detailed business requirements using appropriate tools and techniques
design and carry out surveys and analyse survey data
manipulate, analyse and interpret complex data sets relating to the employer's business
prepare reports for internal and external audiences using business analytics reporting tools
create data dashboards, graphs and visualisations
provide sector and competitor benchmarking
mine and analyse large datasets, draw valid inferences and present them successfully to management using a reporting tool.

Why are they important?

Data is increasingly important to the success of organisations. Data analysts have a responsibility for the quality and integrity of the data, both internal and external as well as structured and unstructured.

They use data analytical tools to analyse and interpret the data. They are able to able to provide insight and analysis through clear visual, written and verbal communication.

Person specification

Data analysts have strong digital skills that include:

excellent numerical and analytical skills
knowledge of data analysis tools including advanced skills in Excel and the use of at least one relational database
familiarity with other relational databases (e.g. MS Access)
knowledge of data modelling, data cleansing, and data enrichment techniques
Hadoop open-source data analytics and other NLP techniques
Apply machine learning algorithms to address business problems
the capacity to develop and document procedures and workflows
the ability to carry out data quality control, validation and linkage
an understanding of data protection issues
experience of statistical methodologies and data analysis techniques
the ability to produce clear graphical representations and data visualisations.

In additional, data analysts have critical thinking and collaboration skills. They will also use their accounting qualification to provide business acumen.