Opportunity

• Do you have good mathematical ability?
• Are you creative?
• Do you enjoy solving complicated financial and social problems?
• Do you have effective communication skills?
• Do you enjoy working as part of a team?

If you answered “Yes” to these questions, then a career as an actuary may be the perfect career for you.

The Jobs Rated Almanac, which ranks professions and occupations, states that a career as an actuary is amongst the best jobs in North America.

What do actuaries do?

Actuaries work in the world of risk. They are business professionals who use specialized mathematics and financial theory — in combination with analytical skills and business knowledge — to identify, and evaluate the likelihood and the financial consequences of uncertain future events. Much of their work involves the design and valuation of insurance, pension, health and other benefit programs and products, and the management, modeling and measurement of financial risk.

Based on their analyses, actuaries estimate the costs and funding expected to be necessary to maintain financially sound programs. They also design creative ways to reduce the financial impact of adverse events that may occur. For example, how much will a pension plan sponsor have to set aside to pay for pension promises 20, 40 or even 80 years from now? An actuary could tell them.

The actuarial profession serves society well — it facilitates proper accounting for risks and contingencies so commercial activities can be transacted at fair value.