Job description

In financial companies or organisations, Business Analysts are usually qualified finance professionals who work on project or programme teams focussed on designing and implementing new systems and processes.

Business Analysts must be skilled all round business professionals who are able to quickly understand how departments function, how to resolve their problems and how they will be affected by proposed changes.

Although Business Analysts may be called upon to carry out varied projects, some typical duties include:

• Developing a thorough understanding of business areas and functions.
• Working closely with business function leaders.
• Identifying problem areas and designing and implementing improvement programmes.
• Producing detailed documentation to support analysis and solutions.
• Managing projects.
• Liaising with external suppliers - for example software development teams.
• Keeping senior managers updated with project progress.

Qualifications

Within the finance sector, Business Analysts are usually part qualified, qualified or chartered accountants who have an excellent working knowledge of finance systems and processes.

Salary Snapshot

Recent salaries advertised on TopFinancialJobs (November 2009) include:

• £51-60,000 per annum for a qualified Finance Business Analyst working for a leading bank in London.
• £45,000 per annum for a Business Analyst working for an international business based in the North West of England.
• £31-35 per hour for a qualified temporary Business Analyst working for a world class media organisation in London.
• £500-550 per day for a qualified temporary Business Analyst working on a product migration project for an investment bank in London.

Are you a Business Analyst? Would you like to contribute to our "Day in the Life of..." series? Email us at info@topfinancialjobs.co.uk for more details.