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As a CFO, you know the frustration of making decisions with outdated tools and incomplete data. It’s even more frustrating when your team’s knowledge in business intelligence isn’t keeping up with the demands of modern financial analysis and strategic planning. When your team hasn’t accessed the right training, you risk losing efficiency, clarity, and valuable insights that drive growth and profitability.

Having spent years as a financial controller, I’ve seen how powerful the right knowledge can be in transforming financial operations. With hands-on experience managing budgets, analyzing data, and leading teams, I understand the challenges you face in aligning your financial strategies with today’s technology. As such, my expertise in financial management helps me identify what courses bring true value to leaders like you, not just theoretical knowledge.

Using this experience, I’ve identified the best business intelligence courses that are tailored to support financial operations and decision-making. These programs are designed to help you and your team stay ahead of the curve, make smarter decisions, and achieve stronger results.

Overview of the Best Business Intelligence Courses

1. Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate (GBIPC)

Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate course page screenshot
The Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate course teaches students how to use Google software to enhance decision-making processes. (Source)

This certificate program equips learners with essential skills in business intelligence, focusing on hands-on data analysis, reporting, and creating dashboards. It emphasizes using tools like Google Sheets, SQL, and Looker to process and visualize data for decision-making.

  • Who It’s For: Data scientists looking to gain foundational knowledge in business intelligence
  • Topics Covered:
    • BI project management
    • Data analysis with SQL
    • Using Google Sheets for data processing
    • Data visualization with Looker
    • Building reports and dashboards
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: Yes
  • Duration: 2 months
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced; 10 hours total
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Individual Course: $49-$79/month + a 7-day free trial
    • Coursera Plus Monthly: $59/month + a 7-day free trial
    • Coursera Plus Annual: $399/year
  • Take The Course: Coursera

2. Business Intelligence Analysis (BIA)

Website page screenshot of Business Intelligence Analysis course
The Business Intelligence Analysis program focuses on BI strategies and tools at an advanced level. (Source)

This course provides in-depth training on analyzing business data to inform better decision-making. It focuses on the practical application of business intelligence tools and techniques to interpret large datasets and drive business outcomes.

  • Who It’s For: Professionals seeking advanced BI skills
  • Topics Covered:
    • BI implementation strategies
    • Data warehousing and integration
    • Data mining and analytics
    • Predictive analytics and statistical methods
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Both
  • Exam Required?: No
  • Duration: 6 to 12 months
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: $3,700 
  • Take The Course: UC San Diego
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3. Business Intelligence & Data Analyst (BIDA®) Certification

Business Intelligence and Data Analyst course landing page screenshot
The Business Intelligence and Data Analyst Certification focuses on training students how to transform data into informative insights. (Source)

This certification program offers in-depth training in business intelligence and data analysis, focusing on transforming raw data into meaningful insights. It combines technical business analytics skills, reporting, and visualization with practical business applications.

  • Who It’s For: Aspiring data analysts and BI professionals
  • Topics Covered:
    • Data visualization with Tableau and Power BI
    • SQL for data extraction
    • Data modeling and forecasting
    • Dashboard creation and reporting
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: Yes
  • Duration: 4-6 months
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Full-Immersion with Special Offers: $847/year
    • Self-Study with Unli Access: $497/year
  • Take The Course: CFI

4. Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (BIDA)

Business Intelligence and Data Analytics course webpage screenshot
Business Intelligence and Data Analytics reviews the basics of BI strategies and tools. (Source)

This course provides training on leveraging data analytics and business intelligence to drive informed business decisions. It focuses on applying analytical tools, credentials, and techniques to interpret complex data sets for real-world applications.

  • Who It’s For: Anyone interested in BI and data analytics
  • Topics Covered:
    • Data-driven decision making
    • Data visualization techniques
    • Predictive analytics
    • Business intelligence systems
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: Yes
  • Duration: 5 weeks
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced; 1-12 hours/week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Limited Access without Certificate: Free
    • Unlimited Access with Certificate: $149
  • Take The Course: edX

5. Business Intelligence and Competitive Analysis (BICA)

Business Intelligence and Competitive Analysis course page screenshot
Business Intelligence and Competitive Analysis leverages BI to analyze current trends. (Source)

This course focuses on the use of business intelligence tools and techniques to analyze market trends and competitive landscapes. It provides practical strategies for leveraging and presenting data to support decision-making, helping companies maintain a competitive edge in business.

  • Who It’s For: Business professionals focused on competitive strategy
  • Topics Covered:
    • Market and competitive analysis
    • Business intelligence tools
    • Data-driven decision making
    • Strategic planning with BI
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: No
  • Duration: 3 weeks
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced; 15 hours 
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Individual Course: $49-$79/month
    • Coursera Plus Monthly: $59/month
    • Coursera Plus Annual: $399/year
  • Take The Course: Coursera

6. Database Design and Operational Business Intelligence Specialization (DDOBS)

Page screenshot of Database Design and Operational Business Intelligence Specialization Course
The Database Design and Operational Business Intelligence Specialization looks at database design and methods for business optimization. (Source)

This specialization provides a deep dive into database design, focusing on how to build and manage databases that support operational business intelligence. It covers practical aspects of database development and using BI systems to optimize business operations.

  • Who It’s For: Individuals interested in database design and BI
  • Topics Covered:
    • Relational database design
    • SQL for database management
    • Business intelligence systems
    • Data warehousing and reporting
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: Yes
  • Duration: 1 month
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced; 10 hours
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Individual Course: $49-$79/month
    • Coursera Plus Monthly: $59/month + 7-day free trial
    • Coursera Plus Annual: $399/year
  • Take The Course: Coursera

7. AI Essentials for Business (AIEB)

Website page screenshot of AI Essentials for Business Course
AI Essentials for Business explores AI technology and how it can aid in business development. (Source)

This course offers an introduction to the applications of artificial intelligence in business. It focuses on how AI technologies can be used to enhance business processes and improve decision-making in a corporate environment.

  • Who It’s For: Business leaders and managers
  • Topics Covered:
    • Introduction to AI and machine learning
    • AI-driven decision making
    • Ethics and risks in AI
    • AI technologies and business strategy
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: No
  • Duration: 4 weeks
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced; 5-7 hours/week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: $1,850
  • Take The Course: Harvard University

8. IBM: Data Warehousing and BI Analytics (DWBIA)

IBM: Data Warehousing and BI Analytics course page screenshot
IBM: Data Warehousing and BI Analytics examines data warehousing and BI analytics as a whole. (Source)

This course provides advanced training in building data warehouses and using business intelligence analytics to derive meaningful insights from large data sets. It emphasizes practical knowledge of data management and reporting to improve organizational decision-making.

  • Who It’s For: Data professionals and BI analysts
  • Topics Covered:
    • Data warehousing fundamentals
    • ETL processes and data integration
    • Business intelligence analytics
    • Data visualization and reporting
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: Yes
  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced; 2-3 hours/week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Limited Access and without Certificate: Free
    • Unlimited Access with Certificate: $99
  • Take The Course: edX

9. Tableau Business Intelligence Analyst Professional Certificate (TBIAPC)

Tableau Business Intelligence Analyst Professional Certificate course page screenshot
The Tableau Business Intelligence Analyst Professional Certificate helps users enhance their Tableau and overall BI knowledge. (Source)

This professional certificate program focuses on building proficiency in Tableau for business intelligence. Learners will acquire skills to create interactive dashboards, analyze data, and produce compelling data visualizations to drive decision-making.

  • Who It’s For: Aspiring Tableau BI analysts
  • Topics Covered:
    • Data visualization principles
    • Creating dashboards in Tableau
    • Data preparation and cleaning
    • Advanced Tableau functionalities
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: Yes
  • Duration: 8 months
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced; 10 hours/week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Individual Course: $49-$79/month
    • Coursera Plus Monthly: $59/month + 7-day free trial
    • Coursera Plus Annual: $399/year
  • Take The Course: Coursera

10. IBM Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst Professional Certificate (BIAPC)

IBM Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst Professional Certificate course webpage screenshot
The IBM Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst Professional Certificate explores BI through the lens of data analysis and visualization. (Source)

This professional certificate program offers training in business intelligence with a focus on data analysis and visualization. It equips learners with the skills needed to analyze data, build dashboards, and use BI tools to make data-driven decisions.

  • Who It’s For: Individuals wanting to specialize in IBM BI tools
  • Topics Covered:
    • Data analysis with Excel and SQL
    • Building interactive dashboards
    • Data visualization with Cognos Analytics
    • Data-driven decision making
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: Yes
  • Duration: 4 months
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced; 10 hours/week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Individual Course: $49-$79/month
    • Coursera Plus Monthly: $59/month + 7-day free trial
    • Coursera Plus Annual: $399/year
  • Take The Course: Coursera

11. Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate (Microsoft)

Website course page screenshot of Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate
The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate uses Microsoft Power BI to explore BI analytics. (Source)

This professional certificate program provides in-depth training on using Microsoft Power BI for data analysis and visualization. Learners will gain skills to transform raw data into actionable insights through interactive dashboards and reports, enhancing their decision-making capabilities.

  • Who It’s For: Individuals aiming to become Power BI data analysts
  • Topics Covered:
    • Data modeling and transformation
    • Data visualization with Power BI
    • Creating interactive dashboards and reports
    • Data sharing and collaboration in Power BI
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: Yes
  • Duration: 5 months
  • Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced; 10 hours/week
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Individual Course: $49-$79/month
    • Coursera Plus Monthly: $59/month + 7-day free trial
    • Coursera Plus Annual: $399/year
  • Take The Course: Coursera

12. Business Intelligence Data Analyst (BIDA)

Business Intelligence Data Analyst course webpage screenshot
Business Intelligence Data Analyst focuses on the foundations of BI. (Source)

This course provides foundational training for those looking to become business intelligence data analysts. It covers key concepts in data analysis, visualization, and reporting, enabling learners to extract and present insights from data effectively.

  • Who It’s For: Beginners to BI and data analysis
  • Topics Covered:
    • SQL for data analysis
    • Data visualization with Tableau
    • Data cleaning and preparation
    • Dashboard creation and reporting
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: No
  • Duration: Self-paced
  • Hours Of Instruction: 50 hours
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price:
    • Basic Plan: Free
    • Plus Plan: $11.99/month
    • Pro Plan: $15.99/month
  • Take The Course: Codecademy

13. Business Intelligence on Oracle Analytics Cloud (BIOAC)

Website page screenshot of Business Intelligence on Oracle Analytics Cloud Course
Business Intelligence on Oracle Analytics Cloud is a subscription-based module focusing on BI analytics on the Oracle platform. (Source)

This course focuses on leveraging Oracle Analytics Cloud for business intelligence, teaching users how to analyze data, create reports, and build interactive dashboards. It provides practical experience in using Oracle's cloud-based analytics tools to transform data into actionable insights.

  • Who It’s For: BI professionals using Oracle
  • Topics Covered:
    • Data visualization in Oracle Analytics Cloud
    • Creating and sharing interactive dashboards
    • Advanced reporting techniques
    • Data modeling and preparation
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: No
  • Duration: Self-paced
  • Hours Of Instruction: 11 hours
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: $4,995/year
  • Take The Course: Oracle University

14. Business Analysis Fundamentals - ECBA, CCBA, CBAP Endorsed (BAF)

Business Analysis Fundamentals course landing page screenshot
Business Analysis Fundamentals - ECBA, CCBA, CBAP Endorsed reviews fundamental BI concepts and strategies for different exam styles. (Source)

This course provides foundational knowledge in business analysis, covering key concepts and techniques to help learners prepare for business analysis certification exams like ECBA, CCBA, and CBAP. It focuses on the core skills and frameworks necessary to perform effective business analysis in real-world scenarios.

  • Who It’s For: Aspiring business analysts
  • Topics Covered:
    • Business analysis planning and monitoring
    • Elicitation and collaboration techniques
    • Requirements life cycle management
    • Strategy analysis and solution evaluation
  • Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
  • Exam Required?: No
  • Duration: Self-paced
  • Hours Of Instruction: 7.5 hours
  • Eligibility Requirements: None
  • Price: $161 + 30-day money back guarantee
  • Take The Course: Udemy

What Next?

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Drew Robertson

Drew currently works as the Financial Controller for Black & White Zebra, leading the finance department for the company. Prior to BWZ, he was at EY for six years, including two as a manager.

He received his undergraduate degree at the Ivey Business School in Canada and MBA from Oxford University.