Top 11 Reporting Analyst Certifications

Certifications are important for a reporting analyst in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and proficiency in the field. Certifications can also open doors to more job opportunities, as employers often look for candidates with certifications when considering applicants for positions. Additionally, certifications can give reporting analysts an edge over other applicants who may not have them. Moreover, certifications can provide recognition from employers and peers within the industry and help build credibility as a reporting analyst. Finally, certifications are often seen as a sign that the analyst has taken their career seriously by investing in their own professional development.

This article reviews the various certifications available to Reporting Analysts and explains how obtaining one or more of these certifications can help enhance their career.

What are Reporting Analyst Certifications?

Reporting Analyst Certification is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge to effectively analyze, interpret, and report on data. The certification program covers topics such as data analysis techniques, data visualization, database design and implementation, business intelligence software tools and more. This certification can help individuals who are seeking employment in the field of business analytics or reporting analyst roles. It can also be beneficial for those already employed in these positions who want to demonstrate their expertise and stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends. With this certification, individuals will gain an understanding of how to accurately interpret data from different sources and create actionable reports that lead to better decision-making within organizations. Additionally, this certification can give employers confidence that their employees have the necessary skills needed to analyze data effectively and make informed decisions.

Pro Tip: When reporting analyst certification, make sure to include the name of the certifying body and the exact date of the certification. This will provide supervisors and peers with a clear understanding of the analyst's qualifications.

Related: What does a Reporting Analyst do?

Top 11 Reporting Analyst Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Reporting Analysts today.

1. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is an internationally recognized certification for business analysts. It is designed to recognize the knowledge and experience of business analysis professionals who have achieved a level of expertise in the field. The CBAP certification is awarded by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), a non-profit professional association dedicated to advancing the discipline of business analysis.

To become certified, individuals must meet certain prerequisites and pass an exam that covers six core knowledge areas: business analysis planning and monitoring, elicitation and collaboration, requirements life cycle management, strategy analysis, solution assessment and validation, and underlying competencies. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the CBAP exam. Candidates should plan on studying at least 10 hours per week during this period in order to adequately prepare for the exam. There are several resources available to help candidates prepare for the exam including books, online courses, practice exams, study groups and mentorships.

The cost of taking the CBAP exam varies depending on whether or not you are an IIBA member. For non-members, the cost is $325 USD; for members it is $275 USD. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $100 USD for all applicants regardless of membership status.

2. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) is a certification program that recognizes professionals who have the knowledge and skills to manage, analyze, interpret and communicate data in an effective and ethical manner. It is the only professional certification for analytics practitioners that covers the entire analytics life cycle from framing business and analytics problems to obtaining results and communicating recommendations.

The CAP exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions that are divided into five domains: Business Problem Framing, Data Understanding, Data Preparation, Modeling & Algorithm Selection, Evaluation & Deployment. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

To get started on your journey to becoming a Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), you will first need to register for the exam with INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and Management Science). You can do this through their website or by calling their customer service center. The cost of registration is $595 USD.

Once registered for the exam, you will need to prepare for it by studying the relevant material provided by INFORMS. This includes reading textbooks related to analytics techniques, attending webinars or workshops offered by INFORMS or other organizations, taking online courses related to analytics topics, practicing with sample questions provided by INFORMS or other organizations, and participating in study groups or forums where you can discuss topics related to analytics with other professionals.

Once you feel ready to take the CAP exam, you can schedule your test date through Prometric Testing Centers located throughout North America and select international locations. After passing the exam with a score of at least 70%, you will receive your certification certificate from INFORMS within 8-10 weeks of completing your test date.

3. Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP)

Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP) is an industry-recognized certification program that validates a professional’s knowledge and experience in the field of business intelligence. It is administered by the International Institute for Analytics and endorsed by the International Data Warehouse Association.

The CBIP certification requires a minimum of three years of experience in the business intelligence field, as well as passing a comprehensive exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as data analysis, data warehousing, data mining, reporting and visualization tools, and more.

To get certified, you must first apply to take the exam. This can be done online or through mail. After submitting your application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to register for the exam. You must then pay the fee for taking the exam (currently $495 USD). Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CBIP certificate from IIA.

The cost of getting certified includes both the application fee and the cost of taking the exam ($495 USD). However, there are discounts available for members of certain organizations such as IDWA and IIA.

4. Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)

Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) is a professional certification offered by the Data Management Association International (DAMA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of data management principles and practices.

The CDMP certification requires passing two exams: the DAMA Foundation Exam and the DAMA Practitioner Exam. The Foundation Exam covers topics such as data governance, data architecture, data modeling, metadata management, and master data management. The Practitioner Exam focuses on practical application of these topics in real-world scenarios.

The entire process typically takes between 6-12 months to complete depending on the individual’s experience level and preparation time. To get started, applicants must first register for the exams through the DAMA website. Once registered, they can begin studying for the exams using study materials provided by DAMA or from other sources such as books or online courses.

The cost of taking the exams varies depending on where you take them and whether or not you are a member of DAMA. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$500 for both exams combined if you are not a member of DAMA, and around $300-$400 if you are a member.

5. Microsoft Power BI Certification

Microsoft Power BI Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals prove their expertise in the Microsoft Power BI platform. It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to design, develop, and maintain solutions using the Power BI service.

The certification process consists of two exams: Exam DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI and Exam DP-200: Implementing an Azure Data Solution. The exams are designed to test knowledge of data analysis, data visualization, and data modeling concepts as well as implementation skills related to the Power BI service.

The exams can be taken online or in person at a Pearson VUE testing center. The cost for each exam is $165 USD. It typically takes about two hours to complete each exam.

In order to receive the Microsoft Power BI Certification, you must pass both exams with a score of 700 or higher on each exam. After passing both exams, you will receive your official certificate from Microsoft via email within 5-7 business days.

6. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification

Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification is a professional certification program offered by Tableau Software. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of Tableau Desktop users who are responsible for creating, managing, and maintaining interactive data visualizations. The certification requires that candidates demonstrate their proficiency in using Tableau’s powerful data visualization tools to build interactive dashboards, create meaningful insights from data, and share those insights with others.

The Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions covering a range of topics related to working with Tableau Desktop. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and can be taken online or at an authorized testing center. To become certified, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost for taking the Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs between $200-$250 USD per attempt.

In order to prepare for the exam, Tableau offers several free resources including self-paced training courses and practice exams. Additionally, there are many third-party training programs available that provide comprehensive instruction on how to use Tableau’s tools and features.

7. SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9 is a certification program offered by the SAS Institute. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who use SAS software to access, manage, and explore data; generate reports; create analytics; and develop applications.

The certification program consists of one exam that tests your knowledge of the fundamentals of SAS programming. The exam covers topics such as data manipulation, data exploration, report creation, and application development. The exam also tests your ability to use the SAS language to write programs that solve problems.

It typically takes about four hours to complete the exam. To get certified, you must score at least 70% on the exam.

To register for the exam, you must first create an account on the SAS Certification website. Once registered, you can purchase an exam voucher from the website for $180 USD (as of 2021). After purchasing your voucher, you will be able to schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.

Once you have passed the exam and become certified, you will receive a digital badge that can be shared on social media or included in your resume or CV. You will also receive a certificate from SAS Institute confirming your certification status.

8. IBM Cognos Analytics Certification

IBM Cognos Analytics Certification is a professional certification program offered by IBM to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who use their software. This certification demonstrates that you have the skills needed to design, build, deploy, and maintain an effective business intelligence solution using IBM Cognos Analytics.

The duration of the certification depends on which level you are pursuing. The entry-level IBM Certified Specialist in Cognos Analytics requires only one exam and can be completed in as little as two weeks. The more advanced levels require multiple exams and may take up to six months or longer depending on your experience and study time.

To get certified, you must pass all required exams for your chosen level. You can find the exams available for each level on IBM’s website. The cost of each exam varies depending on the country in which it is taken; however, the average cost is around $200 USD per exam.

In addition to passing the required exams, you must also agree to abide by IBM’s Code of Conduct for Certification Candidates before you can receive your certification. Once all requirements are met, you will receive an official certificate from IBM confirming your achievement.

9. Qlik Sense Data Architect Certification

Qlik Sense Data Architect Certification is a professional certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills and knowledge in designing, developing, and deploying Qlik Sense applications. The certification is intended for experienced data architects who have a thorough understanding of the Qlik Sense architecture and its components.

The Qlik Sense Data Architect Certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions assessing an individual’s knowledge of the Qlik Sense architecture, its components, and how to design and develop effective applications. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

To obtain the certification, individuals must pass the Qlik Sense Data Architect Certification exam with a score of 70% or higher. Individuals can register for the exam online at the Qlik website or through Pearson Vue. The cost of taking the exam is $150 USD.

Once certified, individuals will receive a digital badge that they can share on their professional networks (e.g., LinkedIn) as well as a certificate from Qlik that can be printed out or downloaded for display on websites or other digital media.

10. Oracle Hyperion Financial Management Certification

Oracle Hyperion Financial Management (HFM) Certification is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who work with Oracle HFM. It covers topics such as financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, and more.

It takes approximately 10-15 hours of study to complete the Oracle HFM Certification exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover various aspects of Oracle HFM including setup, data integration, security, reporting, analysis and more.

To get certified in Oracle HFM you must take and pass the Oracle HFM Certification Exam. This exam can be taken at any authorized testing center or online through an approved provider such as Pearson VUE.

The cost for the Oracle HFM Certification Exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD to take the exam at a testing center or online via an approved provider.

11. Yellowfin BI Analyst Certification

Yellowfin BI Analyst Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their expertise in the Yellowfin Business Intelligence platform. The certification is offered by Yellowfin, a global provider of analytics and data visualization software.

The certification program consists of two levels: Yellowfin Certified Analyst and Yellowfin Certified Advanced Analyst. The Certified Analyst level requires candidates to pass an online exam that covers topics such as data modeling, reporting, dashboard design, and data analysis. To become a Certified Advanced Analyst, candidates must have already achieved the Certified Analyst level and then complete two additional exams covering advanced topics such as predictive analytics and data mining.

The entire certification process typically takes around 4-6 weeks to complete depending on the individual’s experience level and availability for study time. To get started with the certification process, interested individuals should first register for an account on the Yellowfin website. After registering for an account, they will be able to purchase the appropriate exam package from the website and begin studying for the exams.

The cost of the Yellowfin BI Analyst Certification varies depending on which exam package is purchased. The basic package includes access to both exams and costs $299 USD while the advanced package includes access to all three exams and costs $399 USD.

Do You Really Need a Reporting Analyst Certificate?

Whether or not you need a reporting analyst certificate largely depends on the type of job you’re looking for. If you are looking for an entry-level position, then a reporting analyst certificate may not be necessary. However, if you are looking to move up in the field or pursue more advanced roles, then a reporting analyst certificate may be beneficial.

A reporting analyst is responsible for collecting and analyzing data to help make decisions and solve problems within an organization. A certificate in this field will demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform these duties effectively. It can also help open doors to more advanced opportunities in the field such as management-level positions.

Additionally, having a certification can give you an edge over other applicants who do not possess one. Employers often look favorably upon candidates who have taken the time and effort to obtain additional qualifications beyond their educational background. It shows that you are committed to your career and willing to go the extra mile to ensure success.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a reporting analyst certificate depends on your individual goals and career aspirations. If you are looking for an entry-level position, then it may not be necessary; however, if you are interested in pursuing more advanced roles or moving up in the field, then obtaining a certification could be beneficial for your career prospects.

Related: Reporting Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Reporting Analyst Certifications

Q1. What certifications are available for reporting analysts?

A1. Common certifications include Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP), Tableau Desktop Specialist, Microsoft Power BI, and IBM Cognos Analytics.

Q2. How do I become a certified reporting analyst?

A2. To become a certified reporting analyst, you will need to complete relevant courses or exams in the specific software you wish to be certified in, as well as gain experience in the field of data analysis.

Q3. How long does it take to get certified as a reporting analyst?

A3. The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on your prior experience and knowledge of the software you are attempting to get certified in. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from two weeks up to a few months depending on how quickly you can learn the material and pass the exam(s).

Q4. Is certification required for reporting analysts?

A4. Certification is not always required for reporting analysts; however, obtaining certification may give you an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions within the field of data analysis.

Q5. Are there any online resources available for learning more about becoming a certified reporting analyst?

A5. Yes! There are many online resources available such as tutorials, webinars, and online courses that provide comprehensive guidance on how to become a certified reporting analyst.