Becoming a commercial analyst

Commercial analyst positions can provide junior accountants with valuable skills and experience in business partnering and analysis.

In this article we take a look at what is required to secure a role in this highly in demand area and provide tips on how to prosper in this role.

Popularity of the role

Securing a role as a commercial analyst means that you will not only bring technical expertise to the role but you will also be valued for your opinions, potentially making such roles very rewarding. While you will still be expected to perform the basic technical elements such as reconciling and closing, you will also have the opportunity to review the business and make informed recommendations about the market.

As businesses continue to invest in the future, we are seeing an increase in the number of positions coming into the market at the part-qualified level.

Availability of positions

As businesses continue to invest in the future, we are seeing an increase in the number of positions coming into the market at the part-qualified level. Employers are looking to maximise on their investment and we expect this to continue for quite some time.

A day in the life of a commercial analyst

This role can be highly varied, depending on the organisation you find yourself in. However the main objective of the role is to maximise business savings and minimise outgoings. You will be involved in stakeholder meetings and reviewing daily and non daily KPI’s as well as monitoring the cashflow of the business. 

Confidence is key

Even for the most experienced analysts, predicting the future isn't an exact science. Given this, you will need to act as a trusted adviser and have confidence in your instincts. These forecasts need to be underpinned by a strong understanding of the current market, including competitor performance and external regulatory developments while factoring in shareholder pressure and dividends.

Top skills for a commercial analyst

To succeed in this role, you will not only need strong systems and analytical abilites, but the soft skills to compliment them. Employers are now placing significant amounts of emphasis on securing candidates who can influence the business and obtain buy-in from some of the most senior decision makers. If you have relevant examples of this in your experience, make sure that it’s noted on your CV, including where you have played a part in maximising savings for the business.

Propel your career

For part-qualified candidates looking to take the next step in their career, these roles can be a fantastic springboard for success. From here you can progress into a business analyst position where there is nothing stopping you from specialising within exciting niche areas such as M&A.