What Does an HRIS Analyst Do?
An HRIS analyst uses information technology skills to manage human resources data and ensure accuracy and reliability. They work with HRIS (human resources information system), which stands for Human Resource Information System and is a software system used by companies to store information about their employees.
An efficient human resources department is crucial for organizational success, regardless of industry or niche. Modern software plays an essential role in ensuring the efficiency of HR workflows, and HRIS is a prominent example of such software. It helps HR departments with employee data and payroll management.
The HRIS analyst role is versatile and requires a diverse skill set since the job description has varied duties. Therefore, you should know about the general responsibilities of an HRIS analyst, such as practicing and upskilling yourself in the required areas and benefiting from great HRIS analyst opportunities.
This article explains the HRIS analyst role, their duties, and the tools they use. Watch the video below or skip ahead to read more.
HRIS Analyst Role
Some analysts are responsible for managing the entire system, while others focus on specific areas such as payroll processing. An HRIS analyst may also be a business intelligence specialist, business systems manager, or enterprise resource planning consultant.
The HRIS analyst works closely with other team members, including those in finance, marketing, customer service, sales, and more. They collaborate with these teams to develop strategies and implement solutions. Therefore, their role involves project management or business process management, too. Regardless, all HRIS analysts need skills in computer science tasks and project management practices.
If you want to pursue a quality human resources certification that will prepare you for a great HRIS analyst role, check out our people analytics certification.
Duties and Responsibilities
Since the role varies within different industries and organizations, the duties and responsibilities of an HRIS analyst can also vary. Nevertheless, most responsibilities revolve around ensuring human resource data quality and using tools that promise an efficient workflow.
Here’s an HRIS analyst qualification list.
Maintain Data Consistency
One of an HRIS analyst’s primary responsibilities is to ensure that the information in the database is correct. The HRIS analyst must check and confirm data before entering it into the system. Data entry errors can cause significant problems later and cause financial damage.
Therefore, the HRIS analyst needs to verify that the records are free of duplicates and that the data is consistent throughout.
Ensure Data Accuracy
Another responsibility of an HRIS analyst, as per common HRIS analyst job descriptions, is ensuring the information stored in the database is up-to-date and accurate. For example, if someone changes their address or phone number, the HRIS analyst must update the database for data consistency and more efficient future searches.
Analyze Data and Report Trends
Some job descriptions require the HRIS analysts to perform statistical analysis on the data for better decision-making. Their responsibilities include assisting the department whenever they need aggregated data analyzed according to specific requirements. In addition, HRIS analysts work with reports and dashboards to show managers their analyses and general trends within the organizational data.
Use the Best Software Tools
An HRIS analyst works with different kinds of tools to fulfill their responsibilities. However, many options are available on the market for each type of tool. For example, different HRIS databases are available today, and each type has advantages and disadvantages.
Therefore, an HRIS analyst has to choose the best tools for their duties based on the scale of the organization, resources available, and complexity. It is a crucial responsibility since they have to train newer analysts, and the choice of tools will determine the difficulty of the learning path.
Develop and Document New Features
No organization constantly has the exact human resource needs, and this aspect significantly changes as the organization grows. Therefore, the HRIS analyst has to analyze the requirements and create features that optimize their fulfillment.
Such new features must focus on the rapidly changing needs of the HR department’s workflows and prepare detailed documentation for future HRIS analysts.
Automate and Optimize Workflows
Since the HRIS analyst job description involves varying tasks, efficiency often gets compromised if they don’t automate some of them. After all, not all duties involve concentrated brainwork, so HRIS analysts write automation scripts to handle such mundane work.
Additionally, optimized and automated workflows help others in the HR department while ensuring the efficiency of HRIS analysts. Therefore, they must optimize their automation and provide significant productivity improvements.
Provide Technical Support
The HRIS analyst is the first point of contact for the HR department and anyone in the organization who needs assistance with HR data. Therefore, the HRIS analyst must have solid communication skills and significant technical knowledge to assist others with technical support. In addition, they should create automated support systems to satisfy support requests efficiently.
Conclusion
The HRIS analyst role ensures that the HR department uses the best tools for its work and that its data is stored in an optimized and safe manner. Apart from maintaining the data, the analyst works closely with it and analyzes it to gather meaningful insights. Such duties make the HRIS analyst a crucial position within the human resource department and the organization.
Since the role intersects human resources and computer science, you need proficiency in both fields to become a masterful HRIS analyst. Now that you know the role’s responsibilities, you can train better and nurture abilities to help you become a talented HRIS analyst.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about HRIS analysts.
What qualifications are needed to become an HRIS analyst?
To become an HRIS analyst, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in human resources, information technology, business administration, or a related field. Strong HR systems, data analysis, and project management skills are also essential.
Is there a certification available for HRIS analysts?
Yes, several certifications are available for HRIS analysts, such as the Human Resources Information Professional (HRIP) certification. These certifications help demonstrate your knowledge of HR systems and increase your career prospects.
What HR systems does an HRIS analyst work with?
An HRIS analyst works with various HR systems, including payroll, benefits administration, talent management, and employee data management systems. Familiarity with popular platforms like SAP, Oracle, or Workday can be very beneficial.
What project management skills are important for an HRIS analyst?
HRIS analysts need strong project management skills to manage system implementations, upgrades, and troubleshooting. Key skills include time management, resource allocation, communication, and efficient multitasking.
Why is data security important for an HRIS analyst?
Data security is crucial for HRIS analysts because they handle sensitive employee data, such as personal identification information and payroll details. Data privacy and compliance with regulations helps protect the organization and employees from potential breaches.
How can I start a career as an HRIS analyst?
To start a career as an HRIS analyst, consider obtaining a relevant degree, building technical skills related to HR, and gaining experience in HR or IT roles. An HRIS analyst certification can also provide a strong foundation for entering the field.
Do HRIS analysts need to have coding skills?
While coding skills are not mandatory, having a basic understanding of programming or SQL can be helpful for an HRIS analyst. This knowledge can assist with data extraction, customization, and system integrations.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into a HRIS Analyst role, we recommend taking our HR Certification Courses, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft a great HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy to gain the best HRIS Analyst opportunities.
