In a Q&A, outgoing Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline (ABCD) Chairperson Rick Block discusses the changes he has seen in six years on the board, including the past two as chairperson, and how the ABCD’s investigative and request for guidance processes work. (Actuarial Update, December 2018)
The November “Professionalism Counts” column looks at the continuing education (CE) requirements under the Qualification Standards for Actuaries Issuing Statements of Actuarial Opinion in the United States (the USQS) that apply to all actuaries in the U.S. that issue SAOs, and most do. (Actuarial Update, November 2018)
Celebrating 30 years of the Actuarial Standards Board (ASB), the “Professionalism Counts” column, written by ASB Chairperson Beth Fitzgerald, incoming 2019 Chairperson Kathleen Riley, and Vice Chairperson Maryellen Coggins, recaps some of the ASB’s many accomplishments and invites actuaries to become involved by volunteering for ASB-related professionalism activities and promoting use of the actuarial standards of practice. (Actuarial Update, October 2018)
More than 2,700 people attended the Oct. 17 professionalism webinar, “The Anatomy of the ASOPs,” in which presenters examined issues related to the actuarial standards of practice (ASOPs) promulgated by the Actuarial Standards Board (ASB). Presenters ASB Chairperson Beth Fitzgerald, Vice Chairperson Kathy Riley, and member Cande Olsen explained the key concepts that help keep actuarial practice appropriate and compliant with the Code of Professional Conduct. The presenters covered how ASOPs are developed, key terms that apply to all ASOPs, and actuarial communications. Look for more coverage in the forthcoming October Actuarial Update. Slides and audio are available free to Academy members.
Actuarial Standards Board (ASB) Vice Chairperson Kathleen Riley writes in the September “Professionalism Counts” column on actuarial standards of practice (ASOPs) and the exposure process that the ASB utilizes a robust and transparent exposure process, which is necessary to develop ASOPs that serve both the actuarial profession and the public. (Actuarial Update, September 2018)
The Academy’s Council on Professionalism maintains an online tool to help practicing actuaries stay abreast of actuarial standards of practice (ASOPs). The Applicability Guidelines can help actuaries initiate an analysis of which ASOPs may be applicable to particular assignments and to keep current with new and revised ASOPs. (Actuarial Update, August 2018)
The July “Professionalism Counts” column, written by current members of the Committee on Qualifications, looks at the U.S. Qualification Standards 10 years after the current version came into effect in 2008. (Actuarial Update, July 2018)
In “Self-Regulation of the U.S. Actuarial Profession: A Model for the World,” Academy Past President Cecil Bykerk writes about his recent experience at the International Congress of Actuaries in Berlin. (Actuarial Update, June 2018)
More than 2,000 people attended the Academy’s June 18 professionalism webinar, “The Code of Professional Conduct—Learning From the Mistakes of Others,” which walked attendees through mistakes that have landed actuaries on the wrong side of the Code, and offered insight on the Code’s key precepts. (Actuarial Update, June 2018)
In “An SAO by Any Other Name,” Committee on Qualifications Chairperson Andrea Sweeny spells out why any actuary who is subject to the Code of Professional Conduct should clearly understand what a statement of actuarial opinion is. (Actuarial Update, May 2018)
Academy President Steve Alpert presented a session titled “Why Professionalism?” to about 100 attendees at the Actuaries Club of Philadelphia’s meeting on May 15, and Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline member David Driscoll delivered a professionalism presentation at the May 22 meeting of the Actuaries’ Club of Hartford & Springfield, in Hartford, Conn. (Actuarial Update, May 2018)
The Academy’s president, Steve Alpert, and immediate past president, Bob Beuerlein, led April’s professionalism outreach efforts, sharing their insight with hundreds of actuarial science students about professionalism and the profession. (Actuarial Update, April 2018)
Wondering about the differences between the continuing education requirements of the U.S. Qualification Standards (USQS) and the continuing professional development requirements of other actuarial organizations? It is important for actuaries to understand the difference, and the Academy has created useful tools to help actuaries document their compliance with the USQS. (Actuarial Update, April 2018)
The Academy’s professionalism webinars—typically four per year—offer expertise on a range of professionalism topics across all practice areas, and insight from members of the Committee on Qualifications, Actuarial Standards Board, Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline, and other distinguished speakers from Academy boards and committees. (Actuarial Update, March 2018)
More than 2,200 people attended the Academy’s March professionalism webinar, “A Guided Tour of the U.S. Qualification Standards,” which took an in-depth look at issues and commonly raised questions received by the Committee on Qualifications. COQ members Tom Campbell, Keith Passwater, and Hal Tepfer engaged in a lively discussion of the experience requirement, what counts as a statement of actuarial opinion, the “look in the mirror” test, and more. (Actuarial Update, March 2018)
In “Disclosure: The Cornerstone of the ASOPs’ Strength,” Actuarial Standards Board (ASB) Chairperson Beth Fitzgerald outlines the ASB’s process in developing actuarial standards of practice (ASOPs) and the ASB’s role in what disclosures actuaries will need to make to comply with an ASOP, and specifically notes the importance of ASOP No. 41, Actuarial Communications. (Actuarial Update, February 2018)
“New Standards for the New Year,” by Actuarial Standards Board (ASB) Chairperson Beth Fitzgerald, highlights several new actuarial standards of practice (ASOPs)—Nos. 51, 52, and 53—offering explanations behind their promulgation last year, and the role of the ASB’s committees and task forces in creating the ASOPs. (Actuarial Update, January 2018)