Application Fee (non-refundable and non-transferable)Exam FeeMember, Non-Member, Corporate MemberMemberECBA™$60$110CCBA®$125$325CBAP®$125$325

Communicating and negotiating well are essential for them. Good at using a variety of business intelligence tools to create interactive reports. It would be extremely beneficial to obtain a certification from the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), such as Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP).

A shrewd business professional looks for ways to move up (or over) to Excellerate their salary, benefits and job opportunities. One way to reach that goal is by getting a business certification.

It’s tricky to nail down what constitutes a “business certification.” Think about the sheer number of lines of business (LOBs) in U.S. companies, and that most LOBs can have multiple associated certifications. To narrow our focus, we looked at general business and management credentials, as well as customer resource management, supply chain, sales and purchasing certifications. Although most of the certifications we selected are vendor-agnostic – not tied to a specific system or application – we researched several credentials from SAP, SAS and similar companies that specialize in business applications.

These are the certifications we examined:

• Certified Associate in Project Management
• Certified Business Analysis Professional
• Certified Supply Chain Professional
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• SAP Certified Application Associate – Business Planning and Consolidation
• Salesforce Certified Administrator
• HubSpot Inbound Marketing
• Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Whether you’re just starting out in a professional track or have been at it for a while, you should find one or more of the certifications described in this article of interest and value.

Top 8 certifications, by the numbers

The following table lists the top business-related certifications based on the number of open positions on a single day that call for the certification specifically. This isn’t a scientific analysis in which every job description is examined (especially when the numbers reach into the hundreds or thousands); it’s just an overall glance at search numbers as of Dec. 23, 2020.

Job site search results

The following sections provide details on the top business certifications according to job site searches, as well as other certifications from their various organizations.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has been around since 1969, helping business workers develop careers in project management, mainly through professional development and certifications.

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is ideal for up-and-coming project managers. You need to show proof of a high school diploma, associate degree or global equivalent. The single exam has 150 questions, costs $225 for PMI members or $300 for nonmembers, and is available through Pearson VUE. By the time you take the exam, you need to have attained 1,500 hours of project experience or 23 hours of project management education. The certification is valid for five years, and you must retake the exam to maintain the credential.

PMI has other certifications aimed at the business community, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA), Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP) and PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP).

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

If you’re interested in analyzing business needs and coming up with solutions, take a look at the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). The CBAP is an advanced certification aimed at managers and leaders with more than five years of business analysis experience. More precisely, you need at least 7,500 hours of business analysis experience over the last decade, and 900 of those hours must directly relate to four of the six BABOK Guide knowledge areas. On top of that, you need at least 35 hours of professional development credits (earned over the last four years), plus two references.

The CBAP exam has 120 multiple-choice questions, based on scenarios and case studies, and is available through PSI. The exam costs $325 for IIBA members or $450 for nonmembers, and a $125 application fee is required. To maintain the CBAP, credential holders must earn at least 60 continuing development units within three years of achieving certification.

The IIBA offers related credentials, such as the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA), Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA), Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC) and Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA-CBDA).

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

APICS is all about supply chain management. As part of its goal to develop qualified operators, supervisors and leaders, it offers the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and a few other certifications. The CSCP covers supply chain concepts and technology, plus strategies for end-to-end operations, from provider to company to consumer.

To earn the CSCP, you need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, at least one other approved certification, and at least three years of related business experience. You also need to pass an exam that costs $695 to $965, depending on your APICS membership status.

Project Management Professional (PMP)

The Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI is among the most recognized and sought-after certifications for both business and IT. The requirements are stiff. Option one requires a high school diploma, associate degree or global equivalent; 7,500 hours of experience leading projects; and 35 hours of project management education. Option two is a four-year degree, 4,500 hours leading projects and 35 hours of project management education. [Read related article on our sister site Business News Daily: Best Project Management Certifications]

You must pass a 200-question exam to earn the PMP, which is available through Pearson VUE. The exam costs $405 for PMI members and $555 for nonmembers. You maintain the PMP certification by earning 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. 

SAP Certified Application Associate – CRM

Are you SAP savvy? SAP, a European multinational software program, stands for “systems, applications and products.” The software is used by companies around the world to manage business operations and customer relationships across several lines of business, including human resources, marketing, sales, manufacturing and supply chain.

The SAP Certified Application Associate – CRM recognizes a consultant’s skills in understanding and using SAP CRM software, including how it integrates with other SAP solutions like NetWeaver. SAP recommends that candidates have a combination of experience and training before sitting for the certification exam; training courses are available if needed. The exam has 80 questions and costs $571. You can take the exam through the SAP Certification Hub.

Salesforce Certified Administrator

If you’ve ever worked with or considered using a customer relationship management (CRM) platform, you’ve likely heard of Salesforce. From help desk and lead management to sales and customer service, Salesforce is an all-in-one CRM platform that scales with a business’s needs as it grows. The platform has become so popular since its launch in 1999 that it’s considered an industry leader and won our best pick for enterprise CRM usage.

If you’re looking to leverage the platform at an administrative level, Salesforce offers a certification program to increase your knowledge of the platform. The program requires you to take several classes and workshops before completing a proctored credential exam. The classes and exam typically cost a few thousand dollars.

Salesforce suggests that anyone seeking this certification should already have a decent handle on the platform, since the certification seeks to build upon their understanding of existing features and functions. Once you complete this program, the company also offers the Advanced Administrator certification to further your knowledge of the platform.

HubSpot Inbound Marketing

HubSpot is a CRM platform that helps businesses handle their marketing, sales and help desk needs. While the platform covers various specialties, the HubSpot Inbound Marketing certification teaches how to use content creation, social media and other inbound marketing methods to your advantage.

This is a free certification course comprising seven lessons, complete with 34 videos and eight quizzes, that takes slightly over four hours in all.  

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Oracle is a leading cloud database software company that helps apply the nebulous digital concept to numerous business functions. More than 2.2 million people have earned their Oracle Certified Professional credentials, and our initial research found over 2,000 job openings for the designation.

With numerous certification paths spanning the platform’s cloud-based and on-premises software and hardware solutions, Oracle offers free learning courses in a wide range of specialties. Once you’re ready for an exam, you must purchase a voucher at prices ranging from $95 to $245. These vouchers are good for six months, giving you enough time to hone your skills with the Oracle platform before committing to a test.

What else?

The American Purchasing Society is the membership organization behind the Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM), Certified Green Purchasing Professional (CGPP), Certified Professional in Distribution and Warehousing (CPDW), and Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant (CPPC) programs.

If your career involves the creation, use, retrieval and disposal of business records, check out the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM), Certified Records Analyst (CRA) and Certified Records Manager (CRM) programs.

On the global front, the Institute of Management Consultants offers the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) certification, and NASBITE’s Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) focuses on global business management and marketing, supply chain management, and trade finance.

Finally, the Business Relationship Management Institute has two certifications: the Business Relationship Management Professional (BRMP) and Certified Business Relationship Manager (CBRM).

Andrew Martins contributed to the writing and research in this article.

Develop the applied skills you need to launch or advance your career as a business analyst. Endorsed by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), our online certificate program provides essential tools and techniques for developing lasting solutions to pressing organizational challenges. It’s designed for entry or mid-level professionals looking for highly marketable skills and credentials.

BUSINESS ANALYST (PMI /IIBA)

LOCATION Sandton
POSITION TYPE PERMANENT
CLOSING DATE 2 February 2023
SALARY R 800 000 CTC Per Annum
TO APPLY Call or WhatsApp message to Shashi on the Cell number listed in the Ref above for email address.

JOB PURPOSE
– To coordinate, review, undertake and implement the supply chain demandmanagement framework and policies through research, analysis and planning ofprocurement requirements, the collating of information for the annualprocurement plan ensuring that funds are available and the compilation ofspecifications.

MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN:

• Loans Management (Financial services industry) and Business model Analysis,
• Project management and
• System analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS
– A Degree in IT (Computer Science / Information Systems or equivalent).
– Diploma in Business Analysis would be an advantage
– Business Analysis Certification (PMI / IIBA).

EXPERIENCE
– 7+ years Business Analysis experience
– 4+ years experience in Financial Services (Loan Management)
– 4+ years in Systems Analysis experience
– Agile environment experience
– Project Management experience highly recommended
– Business model analysis
– Process design
– SQL or development knowledge advantageous

JOB DUTIES /RESPONSIBILITIES
– Facilitate workshop sessions to extract requirements with multiple stakeholdersby setting up and facilitating workshops via Teams or in person to extractinformation.
– Investigate and define requirements for business processes.
– Document business cases – Effectively document business processes, businessrequirements.
– Present business cases to the IT Steering Committee for approval.
– Effectively document Functional requirements specifications.
– Analyses systems and business processes to determine problems, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
– Facilitates the implementation of new or enhanced processes.
– Reviews processes and conducts process audits, as required.
– Documents business procedures.
Documents requirements including data modelling, interface layouts, data flows, screen and report layouts, etc.
– Execute change management that will be required for a project where there are multiple change units
– Application design, development inputs, testing and system pilots where necessary.
– Being detail-oriented and capable of delivering a high level of accuracy.
– Costs benefit analysis, processes modelling.
– Communicate requirements with service providers, process requests for quotations, approvals and validate invoices for work completed.
– Implement improvements in the loan management, CRM and ERP systems.
– Identify and implement business automation solutions.
– Provide training on business systems

COMPETENCIES
– Strong analytical skills
– Attention to detail
– Determination to deliver quality
– Excellent verbal and written communication
– Sense of urgency and target driven
– Ability to identify risks and impact on system changes and calculations
– Focus & Sustained Attention
– Take initiative and be pro-active
– Confident, professional, and quick learner
– Work under pressure
– Team-oriented worker

Desired Skills:

• Loans Management (Financial services industry) and Business model Analysis

Desired Work Experience:

Desired Qualification Level & Accreditations:

• Degree
• Institute of Business Advisors Southern Africa
• Project Management Institute

About The Employer:

LOCATION Sandton
POSITION TYPE PERMANENT
CLOSING DATE 2 February 2023
SALARY R 800 000 CTC Per Annum
TO APPLY Call or WhatsApp message to Shashi on the Cell number listed in the Ref above for email address.

Learn more/Apply for this position

Are you looking to gain new skills in business analysis?

Even if you’re not in a role as a Business Analyst (BA), skills in data analytics and enterprise and strategic analysis are needed in many roles across the university and beyond. Skills in business analysis help organizations increase efficiencies by successfully using resources and understanding how high-priority processes work. They investigate the current business processes, products, services, and use of IT through the analysis of data and Excellerate upon everything.  

The role of the BA is constantly evolving, and the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) has made some updates to accommodate for this by expanding the scope of the BABOK. Now the scope extends “beyond business analysis in projects to address agile development, business process management, business intelligence, and business architecture.” What hasn’t changed is the six knowledge areas and the business analysis competency model, but each area has been enhanced to include a wider scope. 

As a result of these updates, the Certificate in Business Analysis offered at the Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development has been revamped by our partner, Procept Associates (an IIBA Endorsed Education Provider). The revised certificate aligns with the changes made to the BABOK so that you receive the most current and relevant training. Completion of the certificate will help prepare you to write the IIBA’s Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®) exam.  

If certification is not your goal, you will have gained firsthand experience, and learned the latest skills, concepts, tools, and frameworks to allow you to add value to your own work as a BA while bringing enhanced expertise to your organization.

The certificate includes five courses starting with an introductory Business Analysis Essentials course beginning in March. If you want to sign up for courses by taking advantage of the university’s tuition wavier program, you can learn more about the program here.  

The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.

TORONTO, Feb 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE via COMTEX) -- TORONTO, Feb. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Institute of Business Analysis(TM) (IIBA(R)) is leading the global business analysis community to achieve better outcomes through better analysis. IIBA is excited to announce the launch of the enhanced career center and job board to support members' professional journeys around the world.

The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.

TORONTO, Feb. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®) is leading the global business analysis community to achieve better outcomes through better analysis. IIBA is excited to announce the launch of the enhanced career center and job board to support members’ professional journeys around the world.

“Providing members with opportunities for professional development and career growth is at the core of our mission to serve the business analysis profession,” said Jared Gorai, Director of Chapter & Member Engagement at IIBA. “IIBA members have demonstrated a commitment to both high standards and to the profession of business analysis, so they are naturally sought after by employers. The career center will allow professionals to highlight their business analysis skills, expertise, and certifications in an offering that targets relevant industries.”

Serving as a robust source of over 10,000 business analysis job opportunities with plans to grow international job opportunities for our global community, the IIBA Career Center will be set apart by several benefits it offers to business analysis professionals and employers, including:

• The ability for business analysis professionals to post anonymous resumes, allowing them to be recruited while remaining in complete control over which employers view their complete information
• Complimentary resume review by qualified career coaches
• Integration of career resources, skill assessments, and other benefits offered to IIBA Members
• The ability to be alerted every time a new job becomes available that matches the professionals’ personal goals and interests
• A mobile-responsive environment ensures job seekers have an optimal experience, regardless of the device being used
• A variety of options for employers to expose jobs to a targeted but passive job-seeking audience that are a part of IIBA’s global network, including Job Flash emails and other supporting communications
• Integration of job content into social media channels to engage business analysis professionals and provide valuable job exposure through relevant social media audiences
• Extensive employment advertising opportunities for employers

“'Jobs' is one of the top search terms on IIBA's website. Our members want to find opportunities with world-class organizations at the forefront of advancing the profession of business analysis,” said Keith Ellis, Chief Engagement and Growth Officer at IIBA. “IIBA’s Career Center is an innovative gateway that enables employers to find the right business analysis talent and supports business analysis professionals’ careers moving along a professional path that meets their goals.”

For more information, please visit IIBA Career Center and get started with a complimentary resume review at careercenter.iiba.org.

About IIBA

International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®) is a professional association leading the global business analysis community to achieve better outcomes through better analysis. With over 30,000 Members and certified professionals, and more than 120 Chapters, 1,200 volunteers, and 500 partners worldwide, IIBA supports the recognition of the profession within organizations, enables networking and community engagement, provides foundational standards and resources, and offers internationally recognized certification programs for career advancement. For more information, visit iiba.org.

Media Contact

Shyra Wells, Communications & Media Specialist
IIBA
Shyra.Wells@iiba.org
+1 (289) 212-3657