What a data analyst does
A data analyst collects data from your systems, checks it for accuracy, analyses it and presents what it means. Day to day, that can mean writing SQL queries, building spreadsheet models, preparing weekly or monthly reports, investigating why a number changed and answering ad hoc questions from sales, finance, operations or marketing. Analysts often become the person managers rely on to explain what is happening in the business.
A good analyst saves managers hours of manual reporting and catches errors before they reach a board report or client presentation. The difference between an average analyst and a strong one is often curiosity and clear communication. Finch screens candidates for SQL and spreadsheet skills, accuracy, experience with your reporting tools and their ability to explain findings plainly, so your shortlist includes people your managers will trust quickly.
Typical responsibilities
- Write SQL queries to extract and combine data from business systems
- Clean, validate and reconcile data for accuracy
- Prepare recurring reports and dashboards for managers
- Investigate changes in key measures and explain the causes
- Answer ad hoc questions from finance, sales, operations and marketing
- Document data definitions and reporting logic
Qualifications and credentials
- A degree or diploma in business, economics, statistics, computer science or a related program
- Strong SQL and advanced Excel skills
- Experience with a reporting tool such as Power BI, Tableau or Looker
- Python or R is often an asset for more technical roles
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
Who hires a data analyst
- Retailers and distribution companies
- Banks, insurers and financial services firms
- Hospitals, health care organizations and public sector agencies
- Marketing agencies and e-commerce businesses
- Manufacturers and logistics companies
Where we recruit data analyst candidates
We fill data analyst roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- SQL and spreadsheet ability, assessed through practical questions
- Accuracy and the habit of checking their own numbers
- Experience with your reporting tools and data sources
- Clear, plain-language explanation of findings
Interview questions to ask
- Monthly sales dropped in your report. How do you check whether it is a real drop or a data problem?
- Tell me about a report you built that people actually used. What made it useful?
- How do you handle a manager who wants a number by end of day when the data is incomplete?