Job description

Systems Analysts work closely with clients (or with colleagues) to understand business needs and then to evaluate existing systems against these imperatives. They then propose new or improved systems and ultimately oversee the implementation of new systems.

Typical duties include:

• Working closely with clients.
• Reviewing clients' existing systems.
• Understanding clients' businesses and how these fit into their IT systems.
• Proposing improvements to existing systems or the implementation of new systems.
• Producing business cases for new systems.
• Designing new systems.
• Close involvement with system implementation and often managing implementation projects.
• Training client users of new systems.
• Writing manuals for new systems.
• Establishing best practice.
• Maintaining an up to date knowledge of relevant IT systems.

Qualifications

Systems Analysts may not require specific qualifications, although many are computing graduates who have also received training as part of their degrees, or post graduation training from employers.

Salary Snapshot

Recent salaries advertised online (December 2009) include:

• £45-50,000 per annum for a Senior Systems Analyst working for a telecoms company in Surrey.
• £35-42,500 per annum for a Business/Systems Analyst working in the West Midlands for a social housing organisation.
• £29,000 per annum for a Systems Analyst working in Dundee.
• £35-50,000 per annum for Systems Analyst working in the South East of England for a financial services software solutions provider.

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