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How to become an Actuary

Actuary

Career progression and salary expectations for an Actuary

1

Actuary

| Up to £30,000
2

Senior Actuary

| Up to £70,000
3

Chief Risk Officer

| Up to £185,000

The role of an Actuary

Want a career you can really count on? You should become an Actuary…Actuaries use their knowledge of business and economics, alongside other statistical theories, to analyse data and evaluate financial risks within an organisation. This enables them to predict the financial impact and probability of particular events, and provide strategic advice to non-specialists.They commonly work within banking, pensions, public and governmental corporations, or in various types of insurance – but it’s also possible for an Actuary to branch out into less conventional areas like climate change, genetics, or energy.Their specific duties will vary dependent on the field they’re based in, and could include tasks such as assessing pension scheme liabilities in relation to insurance pricing, or researching and analysing data based on specific groups of people.Other general duties for an Actuary could include:
  • Building statistical models using computers
  • Analysing various types of data
  • Monitoring and mitigating risk
  • Simplifying complex information to share with clients
  • Preparing and presenting periodic reports and presentations on findings
  • Ensuring systems comply with regulations
  • Keeping up-to-date with current events in business and economics
An advanced knowledge of maths, as well as excellent statistical analysis skills, is absolutely essential for anyone looking to become an Actuary. You’ll also need to be able to combine your mathematical mind with an in depth understanding of business and economics.However, if you often find yourself using complex technical terms without explanation, you may need to change your ways – without the ability to simplify complex terms and make them clearer for non-specialists, you’ll struggle to effectively get your recommendations across.An Actuary will also need to be:
  • Logical
  • Computer literate
  • Confident
  • An excellent communicator
  • A good problem solver
  • Meticulous
  • Technically minded
  • Responsible
"I’m an Actuary specialising in general insurance, having recently finished my actuarial training programme. To me, it’s a really exciting job. It’s all about assessing risks and essentially making sure an organisation doesn’t end up losing revenue due to an unforeseen economic downturn – or you know, bad decisions. My day-to-day involves a lot of research, analysis, and planning, alongside reporting and presenting my findings and sharing advice. It can be tough to tell people what to do when it comes to their business, but I find it’s all about laying the facts out on paper and just explaining it in black and white. And when I’m confident in my decisions, they are too."

Get qualified as an Actuary

You’ll need to be working towards, or have a relevant degree to be accepted onto an actuarial training programme, which will involve working as a trainee alongside studying for three to six years. Alternatively, undertaking other courses will be of benefit to you.

Recommended Actuary courses

  • Pension UK & Tax Accounting - CPD Approved Training

    Cambridge Open Academy
    CPD Accredited | Interactive Learning Materials | Gift: PDF Certificate + 1 Free Course | Tutor Support| Lifetime Access
    • Online
    • 6 hours · Self-paced
    • Certificate(s) included
    • 20 CPD points
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    **2 in 1 Pension UK & Tax Accounting - CPD Approved Training bundle** Did you know that the UK's Pension system is a labyrinth of regulations and governance? Dive into our CPD Approved Training on Pension UK & Tax Accounting, a comprehensive exploration across six modul …
    £25

  • Actuary Training Course

    Knowledge Gate
    Valentine's Day Special Deals>CPD Accredited>Instant Free Certificate> 14 Video Lessons> 10 CPD Point> 24/7 Support
    • Online
    • 2.5 hours · Self-paced
    • Certificate(s) included
    • 10 CPD points
    • Tutor support
    ...of risk and finance! Dive into the "Actuary" course, where you'll sail through valuation of cash flows, dance with the laws of probability, and face the dragons of inflation and taxation head-on. Bring certainty to an uncertain world. The "Actuary" course offers a comprehensive journey …
    £19.99
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