Top 10 Sales Analyst Certifications

Certifications are important for a sales analyst in the job market because they demonstrate that the candidate has a certain level of knowledge and expertise in their field. Certifications provide employers with an assurance that the individual is qualified to perform the job duties required. Additionally, certifications can help a sales analyst stand out from other candidates and give them an edge when applying for positions. Finally, certifications can open up opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries since employers recognize them as a sign of professional competence.

This article reviews the most important certifications for Sales Analysts and explains how they can help enhance and improve a Sales Analyst's career.

What are Sales Analyst Certifications?

Sales analyst certification is a professional certification program designed to develop and validate the knowledge and skills of sales analysts. Sales analysts are professionals who use data to identify trends, assess customer needs, and make recommendations that support an organization’s sales strategy. The certification program typically involves coursework in topics such as marketing analytics, financial analysis, customer segmentation, market research, and strategic planning.

By completing a sales analyst certification program, professionals can demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field. This can help them stand out from the competition when applying for jobs or seeking promotions within their current organization. It also helps to build credibility with employers and customers by demonstrating a commitment to continued learning and development. Additionally, certifications can provide access to exclusive industry events or publications that may not otherwise be available. Finally, it serves as a reminder of best practices for individuals who are already working in the field and provides an opportunity for growth through additional education or training courses.

Pro Tip: To become a certified sales analyst, it is important to have a basic understanding of the principles of sales analysis and possess strong analytical skills. Additionally, take advantage of online courses or certifications that offer an in-depth look at the techniques used in sales analysis and the various data sets used to make informed decisions.

Related: What does a Sales Analyst do?

Top 10 Sales Analyst Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Sales Analyst (CPSA)

Certified Professional Sales Analyst (CPSA) is a certification program offered by the Institute for Professional Selling (IPS). It is designed to help sales professionals become more effective in their roles and to demonstrate their knowledge of sales analytics. The program consists of two exams: the CPSA Exam and the Advanced Sales Analytics Exam.

The CPSA Exam covers topics such as sales process optimization, customer segmentation, pricing strategies, forecasting, and data analysis. The Advanced Sales Analytics Exam focuses on advanced analytics topics such as predictive modeling, machine learning algorithms, and artificial intelligence applications.

To obtain the CPSA certification, applicants must pass both exams with a score of 70% or higher. The exams can be taken online or at an IPS-approved testing center. Each exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost of obtaining the CPSA certification varies depending on whether you take the exams online or at a testing center. Taking both exams online costs $299 USD; taking them at a testing center costs $399 USD.

2. Certified Sales Analytics Professional (CSAP)

Certified Sales Analytics Professional (CSAP) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in sales analytics. It is designed to help sales professionals, business analysts, and data scientists understand the fundamentals of sales analytics and how to apply them to their organization. The CSAP certification requires individuals to demonstrate their knowledge of sales analytics through a series of exams and practical exercises.

The CSAP certification program consists of four courses: Introduction to Sales Analytics, Advanced Sales Analytics, Data Visualization for Sales Analytics, and Applied Sales Analytics. Each course has its own set of requirements and exams that must be completed in order to receive the certification. The entire program takes approximately 18 months to complete.

In order to get the CSAP certification one must first register with the American Marketing Association (AMA). Once registered, individuals can purchase the courses from AMA or from any other provider offering the courses. After completing all four courses, individuals must pass three exams in order to receive the certification.

The cost of getting Certified Sales Analytics Professional (CSAP) varies depending on which provider you choose for your courses. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $1,500-$2,500 USD for all four courses plus exam fees.

3. Certified Salesforce Analytics Cloud Administrator (CSAC)

Certified Salesforce Analytics Cloud Administrator (CSAC) is a certification designed for professionals who have experience in working with Salesforce Analytics Cloud. It validates an individual’s ability to configure, manage and deploy Salesforce Analytics Cloud solutions.

It takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete the CSAC certification exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. In order to obtain the certification, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

To get the CSAC certification, you need to register and pay for the exam through Webassessor. The cost of the exam is $200 USD. After registering for the exam, you will receive an email from Webassessor with instructions on how to access your account and schedule your test date.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Salesforce that confirms your status as a Certified Salesforce Analytics Cloud Administrator (CSAC).

4. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is a certification program offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is designed for experienced business analysts who want to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to the profession.

The CBAP certification requires applicants to have at least 7500 hours of business analysis experience in the last 10 years, as well as 35 hours of professional development in the past 4 years. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 4 hours.

To get the CBAP certification, you must first apply to take the exam through IIBA's website. After your application is approved, you will need to pay an exam fee, which varies depending on your country of residence. Once you have paid the fee, you can register for an exam date and location. You will then need to study for and pass the exam in order to receive your CBAP certification.

The cost of taking the CBAP exam depends on where you live and whether or not you are a member of IIBA. For non-members in North America, it costs $435 USD while members pay $325 USD. For non-members outside North America, it costs $495 USD while members pay $385 USD.

5. Certified Marketing Analyst (CMA)

Certified Marketing Analyst (CMA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze and interpret market data, identify trends, develop insights, and create strategies for success in today’s competitive business environment. The CMA program is offered through the American Marketing Association (AMA).

The CMA program consists of three courses and an exam:

1. Foundations of Marketing Analytics

2. Advanced Market Analytics

3. Applied Market Analytics

The courses are self-paced online learning modules that can be completed within six months. After completing the courses, candidates must pass a comprehensive exam administered by the AMA to receive their CMA certification. The cost of the entire program is $995 USD.

6. 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 designation is widely recognized and sought-after in the finance industry, and it signifies expertise in financial analysis, portfolio management, and ethical standards.

It typically takes four years to complete the CFA Program. Candidates must pass three levels of exams that cover topics such as economics, accounting, ethics, corporate finance, portfolio management, equity investments, fixed income investments, derivatives instruments and alternative investments.

In order to become a CFA charterholder, candidates must have four years of professional work experience in the investment decision-making process and must agree to abide by the CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

The cost to register for the CFA Program varies depending on when you register. The early registration fee is $1,100 USD per level while the standard registration fee is $1,380 USD per level. Additionally there are fees for exam preparation materials which can range from $300-$500 USD per level.

7. Certified Market Research Professional (CMRA)

Certified Market Research Professional (CMRA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the principles and practices of market research. It is offered by the Marketing Research Association (MRA), a professional association for market research professionals.

The CMRA certification requires successful completion of an exam that covers all aspects of market research, including data collection methods, analysis techniques, and report writing. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

To qualify to take the CMRA exam, applicants must have at least three years of full-time experience in the field of market research or related fields. They must also complete an MRA-approved training program or demonstrate equivalent knowledge through a portfolio review process.

The cost for taking the CMRA exam is $750 USD for MRA members and $950 USD for non-members. The fee includes access to study materials and practice exams as well as one attempt at taking the actual exam.

8. SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional (SASCAP)

SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional (SASCAP) is a certification program offered by SAS Institute that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the use of SAS software for advanced analytics. This certification is designed to validate the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively analyze data with SAS software.

The SASCAP exam consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam covers topics such as data analysis, predictive modeling, optimization, text mining, and machine learning. The practical exam requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to use the SAS software to solve real-world analytics problems.

It typically takes between 6 months and 1 year to prepare for the SASCAP exam, depending on your experience level with SAS software. To get started, you should first become familiar with the basics of using SAS software, such as how to read in data from various sources and manipulate it into desired formats. Additionally, you should become familiar with the different types of analytics available in SAS software and practice using them on sample datasets. Finally, you should review any relevant course material or books related to advanced analytics topics covered by the exam.

The cost of taking the SASCAP exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs around $400 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with registering for the exam or purchasing study materials such as books or online courses.

To register for the exam, you must first create an account on the official website of SAS Institute and then sign up for an available test date at a testing center near you. Once registered, you will receive further instructions regarding how to prepare for and take the test.

9. Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales Certification

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales Certification is a professional certification for individuals who want to demonstrate their expertise in selling and managing customer relationships with Microsoft Dynamics 365. This certification is designed to validate the skills necessary to successfully implement, configure, customize, and maintain a Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales solution.

The certification exam consists of 40-60 questions that test your knowledge on topics such as:

• Configuring and customizing Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales
• Managing sales processes
• Integrating with other applications
• Developing solutions using the Common Data Service
• Implementing security and privacy features
• Deployment of Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales.

It typically takes about 4-6 weeks to prepare for the exam depending on your experience level. You can get certified by taking an online course or attending a training program offered by Microsoft or its partners. The cost of the certification varies depending on the type of course you take, but it generally ranges from $200-$500 USD.

10. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification

Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification is a certification program offered by Tableau, the leading data visualization and analytics platform. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in using Tableau Desktop to create effective visualizations and dashboards. The certification covers topics such as connecting to data sources, creating views, formatting worksheets, and building interactive dashboards.

The certification exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To be eligible for the certification exam, you must have at least six months of experience working with Tableau Desktop. The cost of the exam is $250 USD.

To get certified, you will need to register for an account on the Tableau website and schedule your exam at a testing center near you. You will then need to purchase the exam voucher from Tableau before taking the test. Once you have completed the exam successfully, you will receive an email with your certificate within two weeks of passing.

Do You Really Need a Sales Analyst Certificate?

Sales analysis is a key role in any company, as it helps to identify trends and patterns in the sales process. By understanding these patterns, a sales analyst can make informed decisions that will benefit the company’s bottom line. With this in mind, many people wonder whether or not they need to obtain a Sales Analyst Certificate in order to pursue a career as a sales analyst.

The answer to this question depends on the individual's circumstances and goals. If an individual already has experience working with data and analytics, then they may be able to find work without obtaining any additional certification. However, if someone is looking to get their foot in the door of the sales analysis industry, then having a Sales Analyst Certificate could help them stand out from other applicants. The certificate shows employers that the individual has dedicated time and effort into learning about the field of sales analysis and has demonstrated an understanding of key concepts related to it.

In addition, having a Sales Analyst Certificate can also provide individuals with potential opportunities for advancement within their current job or when applying for new positions. It can also give them access to exclusive training programs that they may not have been eligible for otherwise. Lastly, having a certificate may open up more job opportunities since some companies prefer candidates who have specialized certifications in their chosen field of study.

Overall, whether or not an individual needs a Sales Analyst Certificate ultimately depends on their particular circumstances and goals. For those looking to specialize in sales analysis or break into the industry, obtaining a certificate may prove beneficial for both short-term and long-term success.

Related: Sales Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Sales Analyst Certifications

1. What is a Sales Analyst Certification?

Answer: A Sales Analyst Certification is an official recognition of an individual's knowledge and skills in the field of sales analysis. It typically includes coursework, exams, and practical work experience to demonstrate mastery of key concepts.

2. How do I become certified as a Sales Analyst?

Answer: To become certified as a Sales Analyst, you must complete approved coursework, pass relevant exams, and have at least two years of professional experience in the sales analysis field.

3. Are there any prerequisites for certification?

Answer: Yes, some certifying organizations may require applicants to have a bachelor's degree or higher in order to be eligible for certification. Additionally, some may also require applicants to have prior work experience in sales analysis or related fields.

4. What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Sales Analyst?

Answer: Becoming a Certified Sales Analyst can help enhance your career opportunities by demonstrating your expertise in the field and giving employers confidence that you have the necessary skills and knowledge required to perform effectively as a sales analyst. Additionally, it can also lead to higher salaries and better job prospects.

5. How long does it take to obtain certification?

Answer: The amount of time needed to obtain certification varies depending on the certifying organization but typically takes anywhere from 6 months to 1 year to complete all requirements for certification.