Top 11 Research Analyst Certifications

Certifications are important for research analysts in the job market because they demonstrate expertise and knowledge in specific areas. They also provide assurance to employers that the analyst is competent, qualified, and up-to-date on industry trends and practices. Certifications can help research analysts stand out from the competition and make them more attractive to potential employers. Additionally, certifications may be required for certain positions or career paths. For example, a financial analyst may need a CFA certification or an IT analyst may need an ITIL certification in order to proceed with their career advancement. In short, certifications are essential for research analysts as they can help them gain access to better job opportunities and advance their careers.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Research Analysts and explains how they can help advance a research analyst's career.

What are Research Analyst Certifications?

Research analyst certification is an educational program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful research analyst. Research analysts are responsible for conducting market, industry, and financial research, as well as analyzing data in order to make informed decisions about investments, business strategies, and other financial matters. Certified research analysts have a comprehensive understanding of the principles of economics, finance, accounting, law, and quantitative analysis.

The certification program typically consists of courses that cover topics such as basics of finance and accounting; fundamentals of economics; financial statement analysis; quantitative methods; portfolio theory and management; securities regulation; derivatives markets; behavioral finance; corporate governance; venture capital investments; equity valuation techniques; fixed income analysis; mergers and acquisitions activity; macroeconomic forecasting techniques. Additionally, many courses include hands-on projects or case studies to provide students with practical experience in researching companies or industries.

Having a certified research analyst credential can be beneficial for those looking to pursue a career in this field. It demonstrates expertise in the principles of economics, finance, accounting, law and quantitative analysis which can be highly valued by employers. It also provides access to professional networks that can help create job opportunities or further career growth. Furthermore, having the certification may lead to higher salaries or better job prospects due to its recognition among employers who want experienced candidates who understand the complexities of market research.

Pro Tip: When considering a research analyst certification, make sure to research the relevant accreditation standards and requirements. This will help ensure that the certification you choose is respected and recognized within your industry.

Related: What does a Research Analyst do?

Top 11 Research Analyst Certifications

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

1. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in business analysis.

The CBAP certification requires a minimum of 7,500 hours of business analysis experience within the past 10 years, as well as 35 hours of training in business analysis. The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions, and it takes approximately four hours to complete.

To get the CBAP certification, you must first apply online and submit your application along with proof of your business analysis experience. Once approved, you can register for an exam date and pay the exam fee. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges between $325-$400 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CBAP certificate and be recognized as a Certified Business Analysis Professional by IIBA.

2. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to competently practice analytics in a business environment. The CAP credential is offered by the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS).

The CAP exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as data mining, predictive modeling, machine learning, statistical analysis, optimization techniques, and data visualization. It takes approximately three hours to complete the exam.

To get certified as a Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), you must first pass the CAP Exam. You can register for the exam online through INFORMS. The cost of taking the exam is $495 USD. After successfully passing the exam, you will be awarded your CAP credential from INFORMS.

You may also need to meet additional requirements depending on your location or profession. For example, some states may require that you hold a certain degree or have experience working in analytics before being eligible for certification.

3. Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)

Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) is a professional designation given by the CFA Institute, a global association of investment professionals. The CFA program is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious and respected credentials in finance and investment management. It is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively analyze investments, manage portfolios, and make informed decisions about financial markets.

The CFA program consists of three levels of exams that must be passed in order to earn the designation. Level I focuses on ethical and professional standards, quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting, corporate finance, and equity investments. Level II covers fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, portfolio management, and wealth planning. Level III covers asset allocation strategies as well as portfolio management techniques.

It typically takes between two and four years to complete all three levels of the CFA program depending on how much time a candidate can dedicate to studying for the exams each year.

To get started with the CFA program you will need to register with the CFA Institute online or through their regional offices. You will also need to pay an enrollment fee which varies depending on when you register but generally ranges from $450-$650 USD per exam level. Once registered you will receive study materials from the institute which will help you prepare for each exam level.

In addition to registration fees there may be other costs associated with taking the CFA exams such as travel expenses for attending review courses or purchasing additional study material such as textbooks or practice tests.

4. Chartered Market Technician (CMT)

Chartered Market Technician (CMT) is a professional designation awarded by the CMT Association to individuals who have successfully completed a series of rigorous examinations covering topics such as technical analysis, portfolio management, and risk management. The CMT designation is widely recognized as the highest standard of excellence in technical analysis and portfolio management.

The CMT program consists of three levels: Level I, Level II and Level III. Each level requires passing an exam that tests knowledge and understanding of various aspects of technical analysis and portfolio management. To become a CMT, candidates must pass all three exams within a five-year period.

To get started on the path to becoming a CMT, you must first register with the CMT Association and pay the registration fee. After registering, you can begin studying for the Level I exam. Once you have successfully passed this exam, you can move on to Levels II and III. You will need to pass each level within two years in order to be eligible for the final certification exam.

The cost of taking each level of the CMT program varies depending on your country or region but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD per level. Additionally, there are fees associated with registering for each exam and renewing your membership with the CMT Association every year.

5. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is a professional certification in the field of management accounting. It is offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and is recognized around the world as a mark of excellence for professionals in management accounting, financial planning, and analysis.

The CMA program consists of two parts: Part 1 focuses on financial planning, performance, and control; Part 2 focuses on financial decision-making. To become certified, you must pass both parts of the exam. The exams are administered by Prometric Testing Centers worldwide.

It typically takes between 6-18 months to complete the CMA program depending on how much time you have available to study. You can study at your own pace or take classes through IMA or other approved providers.

The cost of the CMA program varies depending on which materials you choose to use for studying and whether or not you take classes. The cost includes exam fees and a one-time registration fee. The total cost for all materials and fees ranges from $1,000-$2,500 USD.

Once you have passed both parts of the exam, you will be awarded your CMA designation and become part of an exclusive group of professionals who have achieved this level of expertise in their field.

6. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is an internationally recognized certification for professionals who audit, control, monitor and assess information technology (IT) and business systems. It is administered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).

The CISA certification requires a comprehensive understanding of IT auditing principles, practices, standards and procedures. It also requires a deep knowledge of IT governance, risk management and compliance. The CISA certification is intended for IT professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in the field of IT auditing.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to prepare for the CISA exam depending on your background and experience. To become certified you must pass the CISA exam which consists of 200 multiple choice questions that are divided into five domains: The Process of Auditing Information Systems; Governance and Management of IT; Information Systems Acquisition, Development & Implementation; Information Systems Operations, Maintenance & Support; Protection of Information Assets.

To get started with studying for the CISA exam you should review ISACA's official study guide as well as other recommended resources such as practice exams and study materials from third-party vendors. Additionally, attending a training course or seminar may be beneficial in helping you understand the material better.

The cost to take the CISA exam varies depending on your country/region but typically ranges from $575-$725 USD plus applicable taxes. After passing the exam you will need to pay an annual membership fee which ranges from $50-$125 USD plus applicable taxes to maintain your certification status.

7. Data Science Certification from Johns Hopkins University

Data Science Certification from Johns Hopkins University is a professional certification program designed to equip learners with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful data scientists. The program consists of nine courses that cover topics such as programming, statistics, machine learning, data visualization, databases, and big data. It takes approximately 12 months to complete the program and obtain the certification.

To get the Data Science Certification from Johns Hopkins University, you must first apply online. Once accepted into the program, you will need to complete all nine courses within 12 months in order to receive your certificate.

The cost of the Data Science Certification from Johns Hopkins University varies depending on how many courses you take at once. If you take all nine courses at once, it costs $2,500; if you take two courses per term (three terms total), it costs $2,100; if you take one course per term (nine terms total), it costs $1,800.

8. SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9 is a certification program that tests the knowledge and skills of individuals who use the SAS programming language to access, manipulate, analyze, and present data. The certification is designed to demonstrate proficiency in using the SAS language to create and debug programs, write efficient code, access databases, manage files, and generate reports.

This certification requires an individual to pass an exam that covers topics such as accessing data from various sources; manipulating data with functions and statements; creating custom formats; working with arrays; summarizing and presenting data; debugging programs; and more.

The exam typically takes about 3 hours to complete. In order to take the exam, you must first register for it through the SAS website. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $180 - $250 USD.

9. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics (MCSE: Data Management and Analytics) is a certification designed to validate the knowledge and skills of IT professionals who design, build, deploy, and maintain data solutions. It is intended for those who have experience working with Microsoft SQL Server, Azure Data Services, and related technologies.

It takes approximately 3-6 months to prepare for the MCSE: Data Management and Analytics exam. To get the certification, you must pass one or more exams that cover topics such as database administration, data warehousing, business intelligence, analytics, Azure data services, machine learning models, and more.

The cost of taking the MCSE: Data Management and Analytics exam depends on which exams you take. The cost of each exam ranges from $165 to $200 USD.

10. Google Analytics Individual Qualification

Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ) is a certification program from Google that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the use of Google Analytics. It is designed to help digital marketers, webmasters and other professionals who use Google Analytics to understand how to measure website performance, analyze data, and optimize their efforts.

The GAIQ exam consists of 70 multiple choice questions about the features and capabilities of Google Analytics. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete the exam and you must score 80% or higher in order to pass.

To get your GAIQ certification, you must first create a free Google account and then sign up for the GAIQ exam on the Google Partners website. Once you have registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the exam.

The cost of taking the GAIQ exam is $50 USD. You can take it as many times as needed until you pass, but each attempt will cost $50 USD. Once you have passed the exam, your certification will be valid for 12 months before needing to be renewed.

11. Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate

Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate is a certification program offered by Tableau, the leading data analytics and visualization software provider. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their proficiency in using Tableau to create interactive visualizations, dashboards, and reports. The certification requires individuals to pass an exam that tests their knowledge of Tableau’s features and capabilities.

The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and covers topics such as data manipulation, calculations, chart types, dashboard design, and more. To get certified, individuals must register for the exam online and pay a fee of $100 USD. After registering for the exam, individuals will receive an email with instructions on how to access the exam. Once they have completed the exam successfully, they will be awarded a certificate of completion from Tableau verifying their achievement.

The certification is valid for one year after which time individuals must retake the exam if they wish to maintain their status as a qualified associate.

Do You Really Need a Research Analyst Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your career goals. A research analyst certificate can be beneficial for those who want to work in the field of data analysis or market research. The certificate may provide evidence that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform in such roles. Additionally, having a certificate could make you more attractive to potential employers as it demonstrates that you are serious about pursuing a career in these areas.

However, having a research analyst certificate is not essential for all jobs within the data analysis and market research fields. Many employers prefer candidates with relevant experience rather than those with certificates. Therefore, if you already have experience or qualifications that demonstrate your ability to work in these roles, then a research analyst certificate may not be necessary. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not to pursue a research analyst certificate based on your own career goals and interests.

Related: Research Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Research Analyst Certifications

Q1. What is the purpose of a research analyst certification?

A1. A research analyst certification is designed to demonstrate an individual's knowledge and skills in the field of market research analysis. It provides employers with assurance that the holder has the necessary qualifications to understand and interpret data, identify trends, and draw meaningful conclusions from research findings.

Q2. What are the benefits of becoming a certified research analyst?

A2. Becoming a certified research analyst can provide numerous benefits including increased earning potential, professional recognition, career advancement opportunities, and greater job security. Additionally, it can help you to stay up-to-date on industry best practices and trends as well as develop your skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

Q3. What qualifications do I need to become a certified research analyst?

A3. To become a certified research analyst you will typically need an undergraduate degree in market research or related field such as business or statistics. You may also need to have experience in conducting market research or working with data analysis software packages such as SPSS or SAS.

Q4. How long does it take to become a certified research analyst?

A4. The amount of time required to become a certified research analyst will vary depending on your existing qualifications and experience level but typically ranges between six months to two years of study and training.

Q5. Where can I find out more information about becoming a certified research analyst?

A5. There are numerous resources available online which provide information about becoming a certified research analyst including professional organizations such as the Market Research Society (MRS) which offer courses and certifications for aspiring analysts as well as other sources such as books, websites, blogs, etc., which provide useful information about different aspects of market research and analysis.