Description: This session from the 2003 SOA Orlando Meeting focuses on the actuary's role and responsibility in the financial reporting process. It covers peer-review standards in Canada, Sarbanes-Oxley and the implementation of both in financial reporting. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 3.

Description: This article focuses on the challenge of validation of quality data particularly with regard to outsourcing, reviews the standards of practice concerning data quality and the steps that can be taken to ensure data quality.

Description: This article provides a brief synopsis of the paper Limitations on Liabilities for Actuarial Services and describes the paper's availability. From Pension Section News, March 2004, Issue No. 54.

Description: A discussion of the role and responsibilities of actuaries beyond crunching numbers

Description: This article describes a hypothetical workplace dilemma, then invites SOA members to submit their comments and solutions. This situation deals with a mortality study and what disclosures should be made in the report on the study with regard to the treatment of reinsurance.

Description: Chairperson's Corner discussing actuarial principles and what we as actuaries value in our work.

Description: Actuaries and the Actuarial profession have an obligation to act in the public interest. It is not enough to pass exams, keep current and do "good actuarial work.” Both Science and public service must be reflected in all of our activities...The intent of this article is to clarify what "acting in the public service” means for actuaries, particularly U.S. actuaries. It emphasizes the importance (necessity) of examining the "public interest" in everything we do ... and to warn the public where we have concerns. ...Acting in the public interest (a requirement for any profession or professional, is critical to the profession's future reputation and relevance.

Description: In this era of enterprise risk management, actuaries should reassess what we tell the public about what we provide. We should allow buyers to make informed choices based upon all the facts. We should recognize that regulatory and judicial forces will be focused on the products we produce for a very long time. This 2004 editorial from The Actuary Magazine discusses some common financial practices that are undergoing closer regulatory scrutiny.

Description: The author summarizes reader responses to the previously published “Jam Sandwich” case study, which illustrated one challenge of being stuck in the middle of a management situation. Reader responses including references to potential violations of the Code of Professional Conduct and to Actuarial Standard of Practice No. 23, ‘Data Quality’ as well as suggestions for corrective action. From ‘The Stepping Stone’ issue number 43.

Description: Feature article describing a hypothetical workplace dilemma and asking readers for answers to the problem.