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What does an Operations Analyst do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted Expert
Erik Johnson Ph.D.
What does an Operations Analyst do

Operations analysts serve an essential role within the operations team that supports data management, trade processes, client reporting, and problem resolution. They have to ensure data systems integrity by working closely with the operations team and the client support services manager. Their work focuses on several areas, including maintaining trading systems and portfolio accounting, creating and verifying client performance files, and performing electronic operations reconciliation. To be qualified for this position, one should possess several qualities, including proficient computer skills, excellent communication skills, and attention to detail.

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Operations analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real operations analyst resumes:

  • Manage EDI error processing and exception reporting and interface with the state exchanges to facilitate resolution.
  • Excel in liaising between business and technical areas to achieve on-time, on-budget and on-spec project completions.
  • Develop VBA macros to automate various data intensive processes
  • Manage IP distribution services domestically and globally to enterprise and broadband customers.
  • Manage small-scale projects from inception to implementation following BCUS SDLC project methodology.
  • Manage the month-end financial statement reporting process, including journal entry preparation, and account reconciliations.
  • Handle SR/IR tickets for all support applications within prescribe SLA.
  • Design and develop web page for department using front-page and JAVA script
  • Participate in project wide functional and technical training (JAVA, UNIX).
  • Resolve any batch cycle or network problems, including JCL or programming issues.
  • Develop and schedule SAS queries and database extracts for management requests; create reports.
  • Assist with system maintenance/overhauls, handling the recycling of IBM (AIX Linux) servers.
  • Perform the user acceptance testing for a large, complex data warehouse migration utilizing SAS.
  • Send out communication notifications per define SLA (initial, ongoing, and resolution).
  • Monitor and assist in troubleshooting Unix, Linux, Intel and AS400 development and productions servers.

Operations analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Operations Analysts are proficient in Customer Service, SQL, and Data Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Writing skills, Math skills, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Operations Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 10%

    Developed and implemented policies, procedures and materials to assure compliance with governmental regulations and to maximize efficiency and customer service

  • SQL, 6%

    Collaborated with customers to create or modify complex customized Crystal Reports and SQL queries for rapid distribution to individual customer locations.

  • Data Analysis, 6%

    Monitored, maintained, and enhanced FC operations through various reporting tools using data analysis and measured business performance metrics.

  • Project Management, 5%

    Researched, consulted and advised senior management on operations improvements, focused on product and project management, and customer engagement.

  • Process Improvement, 5%

    Prepare and publish proposals that clearly define current system/process issues and provided analysis and recommendations that lead to process improvement initiatives.

  • Strong Analytical, 4%

    Utilized strong analytical, organizational and time management skills to research and resolve complex issues.

Common skills that an operations analyst uses to do their job include "customer service," "sql," and "data analysis." You can find details on the most important operations analyst responsibilities below.

Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling operations analyst duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "the models and methods used by operations research analysts are rooted in statistics, calculus, linear algebra, and other mathematics disciplines." According to an operations analyst resume, here's how operations analysts can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "analyzed line by line data and highlighted relevant statistics to stakeholders within hr service delivery. "

Interpersonal skills. operations analysts are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to operations analyst responsibilities, because "operations research analysts typically work on teams." An operations analyst resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "utilized excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism to forge productive business relationships. "

Problem-solving skills. operations analyst responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "operations research analysts need to be able to diagnose problems and study relevant information to solve them." This resume example shows what operations analysts do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "conducted research, data entry and analysis, and evaluation and studies for innovative project solutions. "

Analytical skills. Another common skill required for operations analyst responsibilities is "analytical skills." This skill comes up in the duties of operations analysts all the time, as "operations research analysts use a range of methods, including forecasting and data mining, to examine and interpret data." An excerpt from a real operations analyst resume shows how this skill is central to what an operations analyst does: "utilized data visualization techniques to develop competitive intelligence reporting, delivering new insights for the account. "

Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what an operations analyst does. Operations analyst responsibilities require this skill because "operations research analysts write memos, reports, and other documents and often present their data and conclusions to managers and other executives." This resume example highlights how operations analyst duties rely on this skill: "streamlined cross-functional communication by utilizing vba skills to create excel forms to create support tickets. "

Most common operations analyst skills

The three companies that hire the most operations analysts are:

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Compare different operations analysts

Operations analyst vs. Analyst internship

An analyst internship is a student program where an intern is assigned to assist analyst professionals by analyzing business goals, objectives, and needs. Analyst interns assist in the planning and designing of business processes and suggest recommendations for improvement. They conduct research and analysis to support business operations and resolve issues using systems and data. They also help estimate the costs and benefits of multiple business actions and help the business organization launch new initiatives.

The annual salary of analyst interns is $24,513 lower than the average salary of operations analysts.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between operations analysts and analyst interns are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like data analysis, strong analytical, and windows.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between operations analysts and analyst internship. For instance, operations analyst responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "sql," "project management," and "process improvement." Whereas a analyst internship is skilled in "python," "r," "c++," and "analyze data." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Analyst interns tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,723. In contrast, operations analysts make the biggest average salary, $66,582, in the finance industry.The education levels that analyst interns earn slightly differ from operations analysts. In particular, analyst interns are 5.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an operations analyst. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Operations analyst vs. Analyst lead

The duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials. Through the results, an analyst lead can provide advice, devise strategies for business optimization, spearhead the development of processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer recommendations on areas in need of improvement. All of this is done while in adherence to the company's vision and mission.

A career as a analyst lead brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an operations analyst. In fact, analyst leads salary is $32,182 higher than the salary of operations analysts per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both operations analysts and analyst leads have skills such as "customer service," "data analysis," and "project management. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, operations analyst responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "sql," "windows," "salesforce," and "work ethic." Meanwhile, an analyst lead has duties that require skills in areas such as "analytics," "powerpoint," "cloud security," and "c #." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Analyst leads earn a higher average salary than operations analysts. But analyst leads earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $110,488. Additionally, operations analysts earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $66,582 annually.In general, analyst leads achieve higher levels of education than operations analysts. They're 6.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Operations Analysts in the next 3-5 years?

Erik Johnson Ph.D.Erik Johnson Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College

Two technologies are likely to become more critical in the next 3-5 years: First, much more videoconferencing and remote meetings are likely here to stay. Be sure you can communicate effectively through these mediums. Secondly, using large amounts of numerical and textual data will become increasingly crucial for businesses and policy analysis. Learning how to sift through these data and glean insights from them are likely essential skills to develop and will allow you to grow in your career.

Operations analyst vs. Finance analyst

A finance analyst is responsible for evaluating a company's financial data and historical reports to assess investment opportunities and provide accurate financial statements in support of business strategies and company performance prediction. A financial analyst's duties also include suggesting recommendations to boost operations efficiency and grow revenues, researching the current market performance and economic trends to adjust budget goals as needed, and managing client portfolios. Finance analysts must have excellent critical and analytical thinking skills to identify the best actions for the company's profitability.

On average scale, finance analysts bring in higher salaries than operations analysts. In fact, they earn a $6,805 higher salary per year.operations analysts and finance analysts both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "sql," and "data analysis," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, operations analysts are more likely to have skills like "project management," "windows," "salesforce," and "data entry." But a finance analyst is more likely to have skills like "financial models," "financial data," "variance analysis," and "hyperion."

Finance analysts earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $92,446. Operations analysts earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $66,582.Most finance analysts achieve a similar degree level compared to operations analysts. For example, they're 4.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Operations analyst vs. Analyst

Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.

Analysts tend to earn a higher pay than operations analysts by an average of $9,925 per year.While their salaries may vary, operations analysts and analysts both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer service," "data analysis," and "project management. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between operations analysts and analysts, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an operations analyst might have more use for skills like "sql," "power bi," "windows," and "salesforce." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of analysts require skills like "digital transformation," "dod," "excellent troubleshooting," and "real estate. "

In general, analysts earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $79,330. The highest-paying industry for an operations analyst is the finance industry.In general, analysts hold similar degree levels compared to operations analysts. Analysts are 1.3% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of operations analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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