I read the requirements to receive a BSA Certification. Its say that you must first be a BSA, or systems analyst or have a job wth similar responsibilities before you can take exam for CBAP. If this is the case how does one even get his/her foot in the door to be a BSA. I am very interested in pursueing this career. I am currently taking an online course toward the cerfitication that is sponsored by IIBA. However it seems pointless to do this if I must first get a job  as a BSA, in order to get certified. I was thinking that if I get the certification, I  could then use it to open doors into the career. Any advise. How do you get into the field of BSA. Can you actually get into if with just a BA, or is there some entry level position you must go through first, if so what? My professional experience is in the financial services field, as a Fund Accoutant, Securities analyst, and Investor reporting, and Corporate actions analyst. but none of these lead to BSA. Please help. Can I take the exam without being a BSA first. Is there some other institutuion that offers an exam, or traing certification?

Thanks for any input.

Thanks Tankfish for your reply.

That is my delima, Most every post I see for BSA require experience as BSA. So how do you    break in the field if you must have experience first, and when certification or training in the field require that you have experience first also. That really doesn't make sense. Is there somewhere you can get training. A BSA course? I would appreciate any help and advice.

Thanks to all for any response.

The same issue shows up in becoming a certified project professional.  It is partially answered by having a 2nd project professional certification which is cheifly education oriented.  It is called CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management).

I believe it is more helpful to take the begining course-work and to get an entry-level job as a BA than to pursue the BA certification.  The BA certification will be helpful after your career has been launched to increase your visibility to your management and/or to get another BA job or contract.

Tom