Business Analyst and Finance

It is common knowledge that Business Analysisterminologies for each sub sector, a good grasp
involves a clear understanding of the business oneand understanding of the various terms used in
operates in and then help in executing thethe day to day functioning of these sub domains
projects involved in the working of the company.will hold a Business Analyst in good stead.
Right from the word go, a Business Analyst ( BAKnowledge of performance metrics in the sub
) has to take care of the client requirements, enddomains is always advantageous to a good BA
user specifications, likely problems involved inand that shows he knows how the goals are set
development and execution, existing and proposedand performance is measured in the sub domains.
system modalities, and the functional processesBesides having basic knowledge of the front
involved in the project to be able to execute it tooffice and back office operations, the Business
the client's satisfaction. This is a requirement ofAnalyst should also have good communication
the very profession of a BA. This becomes theskills and great management skills to work well.
general description of the nature of work of aAs is known, a Business Analyst is a bridge
Business Analyst.between the technical team which comprises of
How does it differ or rather specify differentlysoftware developers and software engineers, and
for the Finance domain?the end user, which is the client of the project. If
The most important requirement for a BA is tothe bridge is not well-oiled and is rusty and shaky
understand the intricacies of the domain, he isbecause of lack of knowledge on part of the
working in. So, in case of the finance domain, aBusiness Analyst, the project shall fall apart. Hence
BA should know the functioning of the generalthe business analyst must ensure he is up to date
way of working of finance industry and of course,with the latest developments in the field that he is
the specific way of working of the particular subworking in, and the specific requirements of the
domain under the finance domain, that he isproject.
working in. examples of these particular subGood management skills will enable the Business
domains could be Asset Management, CapitalAnalyst to understand the requirements of the
Markets, Equity Markets, Wealth Management,end user as well the problems faced by the
Portfolio Management, Banking, Accounting,technical developers in achieving the requirements
Taxation, Treasury, Audits, Insurance, Risk,desired. The technical skills of programming and
Valuation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Mutual funds,coding and knowledge of latest software must be
Debt Markets, Foreign Exchange, Advisory,also be known to the Business Analyst so that he
Research, Corporate Finance etc.can understand the working of the technical team
Since these sub domains have different sets ofand be able to guide them appropriately to
rules and regulations, coupled with specificexecute the project to success.