Description: This article shares tips for those starting out in the actuarial profession. The source is my experience and that of Ian Duncan FSA FIA FCIA MAAA and other actuaries.

Description: Many top-performing businesses aren’t just risk aware, but rather risk intelligent. Such a posture helps prepare companies for a major event and can demonstrate to a regulator or auditor that an appropriately strong control framework is in place. Better still, companies gain real strategic value from a “risk adjusted” understanding not only of their threats and vulnerabilities, but also the upside opportunities associated with various risks. It starts with having both qualitative and quantitative information to identify, assess and manage risks. Strategic risk management, at its core, is about creating value by increasing transparency and accountability, and quality of information. More than a mere compliance exercise, effective risk management enables more informed strategic decision making, increased accountability and transparency, a greater likelihood of organizational success, and – ultimately – competitive advantage, as borne out by many studies that correlate risk management and financial results.

Description: This article discusses challenges that short-term predictions have on actuaries' reputations, both as individuals and as a profession, and discusses strategies to improve our professionalism and better manage this risk.

Description: This article summarizes the issue of good control over internal meetings, identifies some symptoms to watch for and identifies tangible actions that can be taken to bring control over financial resources being invested in meetings.

Description: Review of The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande, and author insight into the importance of actuarial checklists.

Description: The Wells Fargo case highlights the importance of creating and preserving documentation establishing actuarial and legal foundations for return positions.

Description: A summary of the risk that the use of spreadsheets pose, along with key controls to reduce the risk.

Description: Preparing an effective actuarial memorandum in support of the health actuarial opinion.