7 In-Demand Data Analytics Certifications for Canadian Professionals

Equipping yourself with these data analytics certifications is the ideal way to adapt and grow in the age of automation.

To get started, check out this list of in-demand certifications in Canada that you can take right now and how they boost your career progression.

List of data analytics online certification courses

Data analytics certifications authenticate your skills, knowledge and experience as a data analyst, whichever industry you may belong. To find out which one is right for you, we shortlisted the in-demand data analytics certifications that can help enhance your credentials, make you more attractive to employers and reach your professional goals. The 7 data analytics certifications are divided into two categories: a) general data analytics certifications and platform-specific data analytics certifications. 

A. General data analytics certifications - for professionals who aim to gain broader knowledge and skills in the field of data analytics.

1. Associate Certified Analytics Professionals (aCAP) 
2. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)  
3. Open Certified Data Scientist (Open CDS) 

B. Platform-specific data analytics certifications - for professionals who aim to develop deeper knowledge and skills in using specific software.

4. SAS Certification 
5. Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analytics Certification 
6. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data  
7. Google Data Analytics Certification 

Read next: Importance & Uses of Business Intelligence in Accounting Firms

General Data Analytics Certifications

General data analytics certifications substantiate your knowledge of the key components of data analytics. Instead of focusing on a single software or platform, it aims to develop your understanding of the key areas, concepts and domains in this field. 

Below are the most sought-after general data analytics certifications that can make your resume stand out to employers.

1. Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP)

The Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP) is a data analyst certification for beginners offered by the Institute for Operation Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).  

INFORMS is an international society for operations research (O.R.) and analytics professionals and students.

This certification lasts for three (3) years and can be renewed only once. INFORMS also require all aCAP certification holders to transition to the CAP certification (more about this below) within six (6) years after receiving their first aCAP certification. 

Who is it for?

aCAP is ideal for beginners, specifically for: 

• Fresh graduates of analytics programs 
• Entry-level data analytics practitioners  
• Professionals who plan to get into the analytics industry 
• Professionals with any level of education and experience 

In its handbook, INFORMS clarifies that you can take this entry-level certification even if you don’t have any formal education in analytics, experience in the field or soft skills related to data analytics.

Why take this certification?  

As a data analytics professional, this certification can help you: 

• Develop superior knowledge of the entire analytics process. 
• Prove your mastery of the analytics process, especially to your employers. 
• Show your initiative to advance your data analytics skills. 
• Stand out to potential employers. 

Things to expect  

When you take the aCAP certification, you can get access to a program based on the findings of a job task analysis working group. It features platform- and vendor-agnostic content focused wholly on concepts and strategies. 

The exam covers the seven (7) key areas of analytics practice: 

• Business problem framing 
• Analytics problem framing 
• Data 
• Methodology selection 
• Model building 
• Deployment 
• Model life cycle management  

To finish this program, you must accomplish the following: 

• Formal credentialing requirements 
• Pass the standardized aCAP exam 
• Commit to the aCAP Code of Ethics for analytics practitioners 
• Go through the renewal process (every 3 years after getting your first certification) 

Check out this exam resources page to get more information about this data analytics certification. (Click aCAP Handbook under the Handbooks section.)  

Fees

As of August 2022, the updated fees for taking and renewing aCAP certification are as follows: 

For INFORMS members 

- Exam fee: $300 

- Reexamination fee: $150 

- Recertification: Waived  

For non-INFORMS members 

- Exam fee: $200 

- Reexamination fee: $245

- Recertification: Waived 

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2. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) certification is the more advanced version of aCAP. This credential is designed for analytics professionals in their early- to mid-level career. If you have already earned the aCAP certification, you can be eligible to transition to CAP once you meet its required educational, field and soft skills requirements.  

Analytics Certification Board (ACB), an independent standard-setting and assessment body for analytics professionals, oversees the CAP program.

Who is it for?

If you’re interested in taking the CAP certification, you must meet any of the following education/work criteria: 

• Master’s degree in an analytics-related field and at least 3 years of professional analytics experience. 
• Bachelor’s degree in analytics field and at least 5 years of professional analytics experience. 
• Bachelor’s degree in a non-analytics-related field and at least 7 years of professional analytics experience. 

For the complete list of eligible areas of study, read the CAP Handbook on the CAP exam resources page. 

On top of your education and professional experience, you must also display soft skills relevant to analytics practice. The abilities you must possess are as follows: 

• Communicate the framing of an analytics problem to a client/employer. 
• Good understanding of the client’s/employer’s organizational identity and industry focus. 
• Clear and easy-to-understand delivery of the findings of the analytics process to the client/employer. 

To prove that you’re proficient in these areas, you need to request confirmation from your current or previous client/employer. However, if you can’t reach a client/employer despite numerous attempts, you may opt to submit a summary of your recent analytics project to describe how you apply your soft skills for its successful completion and implementation. ACB may conduct further assessment through a phone call to determine if you’re fit for the CAP program. 

Why take this certification? 

Here are some of the reasons why you must consider taking the CAP certification: 

• It gives your clients/employers the confidence that you possess the critical technical expertise and soft skills to excel in the field of analytics. 
• It serves as a stepping stone to pursuing continued competence and success in analytics. 
• It helps you become more fluent in the art and science of leading successful data science initiatives. 
• It sets you up for better job opportunities and helps you stand out from your peers. 

The CAP certification is a premier professional certification recognized by different organizations worldwide, making it a worthwhile investment for professionals seeking career advancement. 

Things to expect

During the application process, you’re expected to submit proof of your educational and professional credentials. Your past/current client must also send a confirmation document about your soft skills. 

On top of these requirements, you must sign the Code of Ethics for Certified Analytic Professionals and have its effectiveness confirmed by a third party. 

After complying with these requirements, you can now take the CAP examination. 

While the eligibility requirements for CAP are more rigorous, its exam covers similar domains to that of aCAP’s.  

Fees

As of August 2021, the updated base/ fees on taking and renewing aCAP certification are as follows: 

For INFORMS members 

- Exam fee: $495 

- Reexamination fee: $300 

- Recertification: Waived  

For non-INFORMS members 

- Exam fee: $695 

- Reexamination fee: $400 

- Recertification: Waived 

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3. Open Certified Data Scientist (Open CDS)

Open CDS is an experienced-based, vendor-neutral certification that verifies a data scientist’s qualities and capabilities in producing effective data analysis for the overall improvement of an organization. 

Interested applicants must demonstrate skills and experience during its three-step process — applying for the certification, completing the experience application form, and attending a board review. 

Unlike other certification programs, Open CDS does not require applicants to take training courses and written exams. 

This certification is administered by The Open Group, a global certifying body dedicated to offering open and vendor-neutral technology standards and certifications. 

Who is it for?

This data analytics certification is best for data scientist professionals. 

Why take this certification? 

Taking this certification can: 

• Enhance and affirm your professional skills and knowledge in data science. 
• Help in accelerating your career progression. 
• Result in greater peer recognition in your field/organization. 

Things to expect

The Open CDS certification assesses your experience against a set of conformance requirements by recognized industry experts. This certification has three levels, namely: 

• Level 1: Certified Data Scientist 
• Level 2: Master Certified Data Scientist 
• Level 3: Distinguished Certified Data Scientist 

Instead of attending courses and taking exams to pass, Open CDS requires you to attend a board review once you complete your application. You’ll be awarded the certificate after you pass the board evaluation. 

Fees

To get updated information on Open CDS certification fees, contact the administrators of this certification. 

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Read also: Accounting Data Analytics: Why Should Firms Bother with Data?

 
Platform-specific data analytics certifications 

Platform-specific certifications are for professionals who aim to develop deeper knowledge and skills using a particular software. 

If you’re currently looking for a job, having a data analytics certification can help you stand out to employers who are already using the platform you’re specializing in. 

Here are the certifications offered by some of the most trusted and widely used platforms in the industry.  

4. SAS Certification

The SAS Global Certification Program offers a comprehensive list of certifications for analytics professionals. Among the credentials they offer include AI & Machine Learning, Visual Analytics, Data Management, Predictive Modeling Using SAS 9.4 and Forecasting and Optimization using SAS Viya 3.5.  

For the complete list, kindly visit their website here.  

Who is it for?

SAS certifications cater to a wider audience — students, educators, analytics professionals and other individuals who plan to transition to an analytics-focused career using SAS platforms. 

No degree or prior experience is required for most of the programs. Some of its more advanced programs, however, require candidates to obtain base credentials and have previous experience in using SAS tools.   

Fees

The exam fees can vary depending on the type of certification you’ll take. As an overview, check out these base prices. 

• Associate exams: $120 
• Predictive modeler exams: $250 
• All other exams: $180 
• Discounted student/educator fee: $75/exam (as of writing, this discount is still unavailable in China and India) 

Not yet ready to commit to a SAS certification due to financial constraints? If you’re a student, you can access free resources to build your analytics skills while you’re still studying.  

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5. Microsoft Certified: Power BI Analytics Certification 

Users of Microsoft’s Power BI can gain a competitive advantage within their organization when they become certified Power BI Data Analyst Associates. This certification verifies their skills in preparing, modeling, visualizing and analyzing data. It also measures their ability to deploy and maintain assets using Power BI.

Who is it for? 

This certification is best for data analysts, business professionals and other business users. 

Fees

Here are the prices associated with taking this certification: 

- Self-study (online): Free 

- Instructor-led: Paid 

Meanwhile, the PL-300 Exam costs $165. Prices may vary depending on your country or region.  

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6. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate

This certification verifies your knowledge in managing Azure resources for machine learning, running experiments and training models, deploying and operationalizing machine learning solutions, and implementing machine learning using Azure tools. 

Who is it for?

To take this certification, you must exhibit subject matter expertise in applying data science and machine learning to implement and run machine learning workloads using Azure (that is, Azure Machine Learning and Azure Databricks). 

Fees

Here are the prices associated with taking this certification: 

- Self-study (online): Free 

- Instructor-led: Paid 

Meanwhile, the DP-100 Exam costs $165. Prices may vary depending on your country or region.  

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7. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

This eight-course certification program introduces you to the fundamentals of data analytics. It can also serve as your launchpad for starting an entry-level analytics career. 

Upon completion, you’re expected to gain skills in collecting, cleansing, analyzing, and visualizing data. The other skills you can get are problem solving, decision making, metadata, and more.  

Who is it for?

This certification program is ideal for beginners who want to develop foundational knowledge in data analytics. It’s a good starting point to land an entry-level position in data analytics.  

No prior experience, training or knowledge is required to take this certification program.  

Fees

You can access this course via Coursera by paying a subscription fee of $39 per month. On average, completing this course takes more or less than 6 months. That means the entire certification can cost around $234 depending on how long it takes to finish it.  

Prominent educational institutions also offer data analytics certification programs that are longer and more intensive. However, such programs can cost thousands of dollars. But if you’re serious about enhancing your analytics capabilities, then they might be worth considering. 

What certification should you take?

The list of certifications listed above is considered the best in the data analytics industry. Thus, taking any of them can earn you a better spot for your desired career. There are some considerations, though, to help you decide which certification to take: 

• Career needs
• Goals
• Lifestyle
• Personal interests
• Budget 
• Field of focus
• Minimum skill level required 

The type of certification you must take right now still depends on your personal circumstances and career goals. Whatever you choose from the list, what’s important is you’re taking the step to enhance your knowledge in data analytics. 

Take it one step at a time. At the end of the day, it’s the quality of knowledge you acquire from these certifications and how you apply that learning to your work that matters. 

Technology-based accounting services

If you’re looking for outsourcing accounting services managed by certified data analytics accountants, consider D&V Philippines.  

As an accounting outsourcing company, we’re dedicated to offering robust employee development programs and financial assistance to our staff who are interested in taking certifications and training relevant to their roles.  

Through this, we can help you build a team of globally competitive accountants who are up to date with the latest developments and skills in data analytics. We’re also working with multiple clients in Canada, making our accountants knowledgeable about your local rules and regulations when doing business. 

Contact us today to learn more about our technology-based accounting services. You can also download our whitepaper, The Rising Frontier: Harnessing the Power of Business Analytics, to know how we use technology in enhancing your accounting support services.

This article was first published on 7 October 2022 and edited on 22 June 2023. Edited by: Mary Milorrie Campos