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Graduate profiles

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Jobs on offer: graduate training schemes46internships: what to expect44education required42

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Key skills required by employers50

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05

philip scott, president of the institute and faculty of actuaries, introduces the Inside Careers Guide to Actuaries, and outlines the many benefits and career highlights that await graduates who choose to work in this industry.

introduction

on behalf of the institute and faculty of actuaries, i am pleased to introduce the latest edition of the Inside Careers Guide to Actuaries and thank you for your interest in this exciting and rewarding career.

In this guide you will find a wealth of information about the profession, our education system and the range of employment opportunities. if the work sounds appealing, please take the first step towards an actuarial career by applying to the employers listed at the back of the guide, or learning more by visiting www.actuaries.org.uk.

the actuarial profession represents the members of the institute and faculty of actuaries. While the majority of our members come from the uK, a significant number (41%) live and work overseas and, if you join us, you will be joining a truly global community.

if you are like me, deciding the direction in which to take your career is both exciting and daunting. With so many choices, it can sometimes be difficult to pin down exactly what will be the right career path for you. no doubt you will want to make sure that it all pays off.

a career as an actuary offers a wide range of opportunities and challenges to those who want to apply their skills in mathematics or statistics to problems in the real world of business and finance. these skills give actuaries an unrivalled appreciation of financial risk management, one of the most fundamental but least understood areas of business.

actuaries are able to analyse past events, assess the present risks involved and model what could happen in the future. they may then forecast the long-term financial implications of business decisions. the ability to stress test different scenarios is invaluable to business planning.

traditionally, actuaries have been heavily involved in life insurance and pension scheme work. While actuaries remain at the heart of those disciplines, the range of what actuaries do is expanding dramatically. Today, you will find actuaries in financial product design, in investment management, in financial modelling and in helping their clients harness the power of new financial instruments to manage their risks better. outside these traditional areas, actuaries are increasing their influence in general insurance, corporate finance, banking and risk management.

Risk management is a significant growth area for actuaries. the actuarial profession has its own risk management qualification, the Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary (CERA), and for those interested in pursuing a career in risk management, an actuary’s skill set provides the ideal base.

actuarial work is especially suited to those who enjoy solving problems by analysis, mathematics and logical reasoning. yet the challenge does not end there – communication and management skills are vitally important if an actuary is to be effective in what he or she does.

many actuaries trained in the uK will spend some, or all, of their career working abroad and the uK qualification is highly valued all over the world. actuarial work provides a rewarding career in terms of intellectual challenge, financial rewards and status.

there is no doubt in my mind that a career as an actuary is exceptionally fulfilling and the profession continues to attract fresh new talent.

Introduction

for actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

Philip Scott is president of the institute and faculty of actuaries.

the profession

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11

10

08

Mark Crail

12 fields of WorK

salaries and benefits

Why become an actuary?

What is an actuary?

Alex Jefferson16 the future of the pensions sector

18 faqs

08

the profession

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an actuary is more than just a number cruncher. they not only have to be good at maths but an innovative thinker and problem solver in order to help companies manage their risk.

actuaries analyse past and present data to solve real business problems. a lot of actuaries’ work is about risk management: assessing how likely an event may be and the costs associated with it. to make things more challenging, actuaries really need to understand how businesses operate; they need to keep up to date with legislative changes, long-term demographic trends and have general commercial and economic awareness.

Career paths an actuary’s early training has a split focus on passing the professional exams and building practical experience. Once qualified many actuaries go on to be practising specialists in one of the traditional fields, with many actuaries becoming senior managers in firms of consultants or insurance companies.

there are many different career paths: some actuaries specialise in technical research, whilst others may focus more on commercial activities. the different roles require different mixes of skills, but whatever a particular actuary’s strengths, there will be a niche for them.

How do you become a qualified actuary?Passing the professional exams is the first hurdle to becoming an actuary, and this must be coupled with at least three years’ practical experience to fully qualify. it takes a lot of hard work, so ensure you work towards your actuarial qualifications with a firm that really supports you, meets the costs associated with your exams and study, provides you with study leave and also gives you the practical experience you need to make your mark.

beyond this you will need to develop the capacity to give expert advice. often this will involve dealing with non-actuaries and the general public, so the

ability to communicate and articulate difficult topics to non-specialists is of paramount importance.

And the rewards?being an expert in such a complex area brings great rewards. actuaries’ pay and conditions compare well with other leading professions.

the rewards of being an actuary are far more than financial. It is a stimulating job that challenges you to think at all times and offers you the opportunity to make a positive impact on the organisations and their employees.

Expert domainsthe traditional areas in which actuaries operate are: consultancy, investment, life and general insurance and pensions. actuaries are also increasingly moving into other areas of the financial sector such as risk management, banking and capital project management, where their analytical skills can be employed.

Consultancyactuarial consultancies offer a whole range of services to their clients on issues such as

What is an actuary?

The different roles require different mixes of skills, but whatever a particular actuary’s

strengths, there will be a niche for them.

09

for actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

What is an actuary

acquisitions, mergers, corporate recovery and financing capital projects. Many also offer advice to employers and trustees who run occupational pension schemes. in fact, such consultancies are probably the biggest employers of actuaries in the uK.

a successful consultant will work to develop a real partnership with their client, allowing them to gain an in-depth understanding of commercial operations and business objectives. actuarial consultants also need to be able to communicate effectively, often explaining complex technical issues and ideas to all kinds of people, whether they are finance directors, ceos, shareholders or trustees.

Investmentin the area of investment, actuaries are involved in a range of work such as: pricing financial derivatives, working in fund management, or working in quantitative investment research. Often investment actuaries work in fields where their understanding of insurance or pension liabilities helps them to manage the investment of the corresponding assets.

Insurancethe work carried out by actuaries in insurance includes designing new insurance policies,

setting premium rates, calculating a company’s financial status (based on the policies already sold) and answering technical queries from policyholders. insurance actuaries also undertake detailed investigations of different experiences such as how assets and expenses have performed and the extent of different types of claims for different types of insurance policies (e.g. death claims for life insurance or car theft for motor insurance).

Pensionsthe work of actuaries is vital to the health of pension schemes. actuaries are heavily involved in designing and advising occupational pension schemes. this could be a formal valuation for one person’s benefits or for a whole scheme with one million members.

as actuaries gain experience, they spend less of their time working on the strictly technical aspects, instead applying their expertise to wider business challenges. these may include advice on financial strategy advising a client on remuneration policy, consultancy around a corporate takeover and other large scale projects. this demands proactive and creative thinking, as well as technical prowess and great interpersonal skills.

What next?if you have found this overview interesting then read the rest of this guide, where you will find more information on all the areas that have been touched on here.

As actuaries gain experience, they spend

less of their time working on the strictly technical

aspects, instead applying their expertise to wider

business challenges.

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the profession

Intellectual challengean actuarial career is a very stable and secure one, as our society will continue to demand pensions and insurance whatever the state of the economy. the actuarial environment also offers constant intellectual challenge and variety, requiring the application of a multi-faceted skill set. to be successful you will need to demonstrate excellent analytical thinking and an ability to solve complicated financial problems. solid commercial and economic understanding alongside the skills to interpret and communicate complex information in a clear way is also essential.

A prestigious industrythe actuarial profession in the uK is relatively small compared to other professional bodies. With over 23,000 members, you will become part of a high-profile, prestigious and well respected profession. you will work towards a world-recognised qualification. The exam syllabus reflects the latest developments within finance and industry. It is not easy to qualify and you must be willing to work hard to get through the rigorous examinations alongside performing well in your day job. on average between 15-20 hours study at home in the evenings and weekends are required per week. this requires great focus, determination and an ability to cope well under pressure. the training can be undertaken at your own pace; the usual time to qualification is between three to six years, but could be longer.

Excellent study support and trainingthe help and support given by employers is generous, although this will vary from employer to employer. the training company provides a great deal of assistance. the actuarial profession can review any failed exams and give you pointers as to what went wrong. exam failure is a part of life: very few get through all papers first time. it is important to assess what training support

and help is offered by the employer: how much paid (or unpaid) study leave is given, whether they pay for all the external tuition and exam costs, what their attitude is to any hiccups with exams, how varied the training placements offered are and what the longer-term opportunities are.

A wide range of opportunities the range of opportunities within the profession continues to grow. actuarial careers used to be found mainly in the life insurance and non-life insurance industries. Over half of our qualified actuaries in the UK now work in non-traditional areas. there are some qualified actuaries in the UK and over half now work in these non-traditional areas. Qualified and trainee actuaries are now to be found in investment management, corporate finance, liquidations, mergers and acquisitions, derivatives, fund and asset management, project finance and risk assessment.

Well paidGraduate entry salaries are offered from £25,000 to £35,000, newly qualified actuaries can command in excess of £55,000, and senior positions can attract £100,000 plus. a very satisfying and clearly defined career progression is there for the taking for highly motivated and driven individuals.

if you’re looking for an opportunity to apply your mathematical skills to real life problems, then an actuarial career could be for you.

Why become an actuary?

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For actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

SalarieS and beneFitS

What are the financial rewards for being an actuary? We ask Mark Crail from XpertHR to provide us with an overview of expected earnings for this challenging and prestigious profession.

Salaries and benefits

What can I earn?XpertHR publish salary surveys for a number of professions annually; the following results come from their findings from ‘Salary Survey of Actuaries and Actuarial Students’ October 2011.

Average earnings Despite the economic gloom elsewhere, this has been a good year to be an actuary. Basic salaries increased by 5.5% in 2011, while average earnings (which includes both basic pay and earnings) went up by 10.3%.

Actuaries at all levels of the profession commonly receive an annual bonus, with 86.6% receiving a bonus in 2011, averaging £11,327. These are

obviously skewed towards more senior staff and partners, but if you push yourself and perform well you can progress quickly, getting your hands on that bonus in the longer term.

Recruitment We are pleased to reveal that of the consultancies and companies who took part in the XpertHR survey, 95% were recruiting qualified actuaries during Sept ’10 – Sept ’11. So, get your CV up to scratch and investigate your options by looking over the Employer Directory.

Mark Crail is Head of Salary Surveys and HR Benchmarking at Xpert HR. (www.xperthr.co.uk).

ACTUARIAL SALARIES BY SENIORITYResponsibility level Average basic salary

Student Actuary £32,842

Actuary £46,515

Senior Actuary/Junior Consultant £59,836

Section Leader/Consultant £67,298

Section Manager/Senior Consultant £81,239

Department Manager/Managing Consultant £87,557

Function Head/Practice Head £110,747

Senior Function Head/Practice Director £134,343

Chief Actuary/Senior Partner £221,250

Source: Salary Survey of Actuaries and Actuarial Students - 2011-12, published by XpertHR Salary Surveys, www.xperthr.co.uk.

BACK TO CONTENTS

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12

the profession

the business world today is becoming more complex, fraught with uncertainty and often with conflicting pressures. The need for a business both to perform competitively, and to respect the interests of its customers and the economy in which it operates, poses some particular problems. see how you can help tackle these issues in the different areas of this profession.

actuaries have the skills for tackling the risks and uncertainties that financial businesses face in the interest of both customers and owners.

as the skills of an actuary are increasingly recognised, the range of employment opportunities will increase. traditionally actuaries have worked in pensions, insurance and investment. however, actuaries, alongside the profession, have sought new opportunities to move into other areas of business whilst at the same time maintaining their presence in traditional employment areas. ageing populations, damages, finance, genetics, healthcare, personal finance planning and risk management are all new areas in which the effective contribution of actuaries has been recognised.

Where do actuaries work?Of the 10,498 Fellows of the Profession, 72% are based in the UK, 8% in the rest of Europe and 20% in the rest of the world. 35% of those Fellows work in Insurance, 37% work in consultancy, 7% work in finance and investment and 4% work in the public sector and education, as well as other newer areas such as industry.

Consultancyactuarial consultancies are the biggest employers of actuaries in the uK. many offer advice to employers and trustees who run occupational pension schemes. the 1995 pensions act made it a statutory requirement for the trustees of a pension scheme to appoint an actuary. the advice given to clients covers a wide range of topics, from setting up a new scheme, to assessing the level of contribution to be paid by the members and valuing the fund if the company is to be taken over. additionally, consultancies

will offer a range of services to their clients, such as enterprise risk management, merger and acquisition advice, corporate recovery and financing capital projects.

The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) provides advice to the Government via royal commissions, as well as giving advice to other government departments and a wide range of public sector bodies, including local authorities and the nhs. an important part of this work concerns the occupational pensions for about four million people via the operation of the national insurance fund.

Fields of work

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fields of WorK

Insurance industryLife insurancelife insurance companies provide life insurance, pensions and other financial services. Actuaries are involved at all stages in the product development and in the pricing, risk assessment and marketing of the products. in addition, actuaries fill key roles in financial management and the investment of policyholders’ money by developing strategies that ensure customers get a good return.

it is currently a legislative requirement that each UK life office appoints one or more actuaries to perform the ‘actuarial function’, advising the firm’s directors on the firm’s ability to pay claims and how to ensure that the life insurance and pensions benefits from the many millions of pounds invested by policyholders are secure. Firms that have with-profits business must also appoint one or more with-profits actuaries to advise the firm’s directors on the use of discretion in the management of with-profits funds: in particular, the addition of bonuses to policies, having regard to the fair treatment of with-profits policyholders.

With recent legislation leading to more private healthcare provision, insurance companies are extending their range of products to include medical insurance, critical illness and disability insurance.

in an increasingly global business world, mergers between life companies are becoming more frequent. When life offices are bought and sold or life funds merged, actuaries tend to be retained by both sides.

General insuranceGeneral insurance is a fast-growing area for actuaries, both within insurance companies, consultancies and at lloyd’s of london, where they have certain statutory duties. many are employed by consultancies which provide services to insurers and lloyd’s syndicates.

General insurance actuaries are also to be found in reinsurance and broking operations. General insurance includes personal insurance, such as home and motor insurance, as well as insurance for large commercial risks. as there are many different factors that can affect the size and number of claims, general insurance companies employ actuaries to assist with their financial management, in particular in connection with premium rating and reserving.

actuarial and statistical techniques are used extensively in the analysis of often substantial amounts of available data. statistical models are thus a key part of an actuary’s work. this analysis is then used to rate the risks and to ensure that claims reserves are adequate to meet the eventual settlement of insurance claims. terrorist attacks, caribbean windstorms and industrial diseases like asbestosis are all examples of insurance liabilities where actuaries have been integrally involved in estimating ultimate costs into an uncertain future.

Finance and investment Investment managementActuaries have been involved in the field of investment management for decades. indeed, it is probably true to say that more people see the word ‘actuaries’ through the daily stock exchange indices than through any other

Terrorist attacks, Caribbean windstorms and industrial diseases

are all examples of insurance liabilities where

actuaries have been integrally involved

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the profession

source. actuaries are involved in buying and selling assets, investment analysis and portfolio management. in addition, actuarial techniques are ideal for use in measuring investment performance. solving problems while making correct investment decisions is a constant stimulus. many employers recognise the skills that the training provides and have allowed actuaries to develop these skills as well as others, such as the skills of financial economists. actuaries are seeking to improve their tools both in the development of valuation models and in the refinement of traditional methods.

Corporate financealthough generally regarded as the province of the investment banker, actuaries can add value in this area. an actuary’s basic skills in forecasting and assessing risks are ideal for estimating whether a capital project (e.g. for a new hospital or a transport infrastructure project) is financially viable. Employers might include government departments, management consultancies, or property companies specialising in this area.

Bankingactuaries are becoming increasingly involved in banking. for example, some of the leading insurance companies now have their own established banking operations, with actuaries

filling some of the senior executive positions for finance and risk. The leading retail banks are also increasingly employing actuaries, as they recognise that the longer term approaches advocated by actuaries can add value to their businesses. as insurance companies increasingly hedge their risks, we have seen a corresponding increase in the demand for actuaries from the investment banks that provide the hedge products.

as the insurance and banking markets continue to converge, we can expect to see the demand for actuaries within banking fields continue to grow.

International opportunitiesThe UK qualification is highly valued throughout the world. Of the qualified members of the UK profession, 41% are working internationally. the actuarial profession works with other international actuarial bodies to arrange reciprocal recognition of the professional qualifications between the different bodies. most overseas opportunities arise in australia, continental europe, india, new Zealand, pakistan and south africa.

hopefully this brief overview demonstrates the variety of opportunities available. an actuarial qualification is an excellent base for a business career that is recognised worldwide.

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the profession

the pensions industry is no longer the slow moving, tried and tested one of years ago. The actuaries of today (and tomorrow) will need to be sharper and more innovative than ever if they are to find the solutions to ever more challenging – yet fascinating – problems.

this article highlights the opportunities and challenges that exist in the pensions sector – and what this could mean for the graduates and actuarial careers of the future.

Changes in the sectoractuarial techniques are continually evolving and being applied in more and more sophisticated ways. the ability to match up projects, appropriate actuarial techniques and the needs of your client requires an in-depth understanding of both your specialism and your client.

the range of work has widened and the need to communicate issues and solutions is a genuine challenge. the world is taking more and more notice of the need and difficulty of saving for retirement. a key role for the pensions actuaries of the future will lie in leading the way to identifying, communicating and presenting solutions to both clients, governments and to the wider public.

Education and learning the pensions industry is a complex area which is constantly evolving. new graduates need to gain a thorough grounding in the pensions world and why it exists as it is. the early years of your career are vital in building up this knowledge and understanding.

the exams for actuarial qualifications help to bed down the key concepts and the best graduates use the exams as a springboard to apply and extend their knowledge. some students now study part of the actuarial exams through a part-time university-based course and many find this helps to put actuarial work into a business context as well as enabling them to build up a strong network within the industry.

The current environment: challenges and opportunities the pensions sector is not without challenges (or opportunities, depending on how you view these things): • the economic environment is tough, but

many of our clients see the value that pensions actuaries add – particularly in helping them to manage the financial risks associated with their pension funds.

• the bread and butter work of years gone by will inevitably start to reduce as many final salary schemes have closed or are closing to new members. the opportunity exists to broaden the range of work we can provide to clients and also shape the future of pension provision (and indeed benefit provision) more widely. Graduates who are flexible and embrace the changing face of the sector still have the chance to make a big impact.

The future of the pensions sector

Graduates who are flexible and embrace the changing face of

the sector still have the chance to make a big

impact.

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for actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

The impact on the graduate job market the graduate job market is tough and as things stand, the number of graduates being recruited and trained as pensions actuaries in the uK will fall in the coming years. at first glance, this may sound a daunting prospect, as it will inevitably be a more competitive recruitment environment. however, graduates who demonstrate the aptitude, the attitude and the drive to become a pensions actuary will increasingly be expected to progress their career quickly and develop consulting skills earlier in their careers than those who have gone before.

for example, an increasingly common business model is for the employers of pensions actuaries to move the tried and tested – mainly calculation-based – pensions work to ‘offshore’ locations. This leaves the ‘onshore’ team to focus on delivering bespoke work and projects.

Career prospectsa grounding in pensions actuarial work provides a good base from which to expand your career. the people in the industry who are making the most from their careers are those who embrace change, are open to new opportunities and push themselves out of their comfort zone.

actuaries can go down a variety of career paths such as:• specialising their actuarial/consulting skills

to advise either companies, trustees or public sector clients.

• Joining specialist teams, for example driving thinking and techniques used in the area of consulting on the issues of increased longevity, or focusing on the lively space of corporate transactions.

• developing strong careers in less technical (but key business) areas of sales, people management, project management and communication.

quite often people combine all of the above – mixing a specialism with business management responsibility. there are many combinations of things in which you can get involved if you are proactive and willing to put yourself forward.

Traditional skills, new approaches some things do not change. the pensions actuaries of today need to be every bit as numerate and capable of learning the technical skills that underpin ‘being a good actuary’ as has always been the case. in addition though, the pensions actuary of the future needs to be willing and able to evolve and to apply their skills in a changing market-place. it’s a challenge that the best graduates will relish.

the future of the pensions sector

Alex Jefferson qualified as an actuary in 2009 with aon hewitt and now works on a variety management projects in addition to his actuarial consulting work.

Get actuarial news online

www.insidecareers.co.uk

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18

the profession

in this section, some of your more common queries are answered by the Actuarial Profession, including ‘where can I get work experience?’ and ‘how many years does it take to qualify?’

Where can I get work experience?Work experience can prove to be a real asset when job hunting and indeed is now often used as part of the recruitment process. However, work experience can be hard to find as places are limited and you need to apply early. companies which offer work experience placements are listed on the inside careers website: www.insidecareers.co.uk and the actuarial profession’s at: www.actuaries.org.uk.

Where can I get sponsorship for studying?employers will usually sponsor you through the whole of your qualification route, however, the Worshipful company of actuaries do offer funding through a charitable trust. their website details are: www.companyofactuaries.co.uk. also, the Staple Inn Actuarial Society (SIAS) offers funding at university level. find more details at www.sias.org.uk/aboutsias/universitystudents.

What recommendations do you give to mature entrants?there is no age limit for joining the profession, but securing employment and sponsorship for the professional examinations may prove difficult for mature entrants as you will be competing against recent graduates. We recommend that you study for one or two examinations

independently in order to improve your chances of employment and to show you are committed.

What is the difference between working for a consultancy and an insurance company?although there are many opportunities available for actuaries, generally actuarial trainees start working for either an insurance company office or a consultancy firm. These opportunities offer different lifestyles and challenges.

Working in an insurance company environment means that there is usually only one client; your employer. a variety of work is available, but tends to come more slowly – often you’ll be asked to work in one area for a period of about one year before moving on to the next challenge, taking the experience you have gained with you.

The day to day work within consultancy firms tends to be more varied, as in any year you are likely to work for a number of different clients (and partners) solving different types of problems. this can become particularly challenging if you have a number of projects running in parallel and you need to ensure that you meet and manage each of your clients’ expectations and deadlines. some consultancy

Frequently Asked Questions

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for actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

faqs

projects can involve working at the client’s premises, which may not be in the same town as your own office. This can give you an excellent opportunity to work with other people and see the running of an organisation other than your own consultancy. however, you would need to consider the impact of being away from home. You may also find yourself working on just part of a project rather than seeing it all the way through from start to finish.

How many years does it take to qualify?in order to become a fellow of the institute and faculty of actuaries, students must pass examinations, demonstrate satisfactory completion of modules and acquire a satisfactory level of work-based skills. average qualification time is currently three to six years. What exemptions from the professional examinations could I obtain? this will depend on the scope and standard of the subjects covered by the university examinations you have taken and on the performance you have achieved.

it is possible to gain exemptions from all eight of the core technical subjects on some undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. some postgraduate degrees offer the opportunity for exemptions from core applications and specialist technical subjects.

details of the universities and courses we have agreements with are available on the actuarial profession website, along with information on how to apply. if you have taken a different university course, you may still be eligible for exemption from some of our exams, but will need to apply to us for confirmation. You must be a member of the profession before you can gain any of the exemptions.

How do I obtain a work permit to work in the UK?Work permits are issued by the borders and immigration agency, which are part of the home Office. Work permit applications can only be made by employers based in the uK who wish to employ people from outside the european economic area. individuals are not allowed to make applications on their own behalf. To find out more information about the borders and immigration agency visit their website: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk.

Do I have to work as an actuary to qualify?yes – as well as passing the examinations, fellowship requires the satisfactory completion of a work-based learning log.

Will I need to continue training once I have qualified?members are required to maintain their competence once qualified through continuing professional development. this is mandatory for regulated roles.

Graduate profiles

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Associate - Advaitpwc

Actuarial Trainee - Claire Singerhymans robertson

Actuarial Analyst - Chris AppsGuy carpenter

Trainee Pensions Actuary - Emma Cruddasaon

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i graduated from oxford university with a masters degree in physics in July 2011. Guy carpenter kick-started my actuarial career with an analyst position in september. i am currently studying for the actuarial exams and sat my first modules in april.

What does Guy Carpenter do?Guy carpenter is a reinsurance and risk intermediary. reinsurance is basically insurance for insurers. our primary task is helping our clients place their reinsurance with lloyds of london or other reinsurance companies. if effectively placed, it helps clients cope with large claims they wouldn’t otherwise be able to survive – similarly to how primary insurance protects the public. it also spreads the risk of losses over larger populations than insurance companies can effectively manage; preventing insurers from losing out if a big loss affects an entire region, or an entire population subgroup, where they make business.

How did you get your job at Guy Carpenter?i was contacted by a recruitment consultant in the summer following graduation, who suggested the actuarial profession would suit someone of my background. i interviewed for several actuarial positions in the following month and – following many challenging, and many more unsuccessful interviews – received several offers. i started working at Guy carpenter in september.

What is a typical day like for you?the reinsurance workplace tends to be closer to consulting than traditional

insurance. i frequently work with many clients simultaneously, which can get very intense. The tasks I perform vary in both difficulty and length; from cleaning up spreadsheets just received from clients, so we can input data into our models; to building complex reinsurance structures, and their respective models, completely from scratch. as an intermediary, Guy carpenter is completely focused on serving its clients in the best way possible. my actuarial training has equipped me with strong technical expertise to allow me to achieve this.

What do you enjoy most about your job?there are many things to enjoy about working at Guy carpenter, as there is with many actuarial firms. The pay is good, the work is interesting, and i’m actively improving my skills in a way which many careers do not offer so early on. most of all, i enjoy working with a team of like-minded individuals on a common objective we all believe in.

Name chris apps

University university of oxford

Degree physics msc

Location london

Role actuarial analyst

Guy Carpenter

Graduate profiles

The reinsurance workplace is closer to

consulting than traditional insurance. I work with

many clients simultaneously, which can get very

intense.

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What are the most stressful parts of the job?i rarely get stressed at work. better overworked than underworked! fitting in study and adequate exam preparation, however, is not easy. if an exam is a week away there’s a lot less time remaining than at university – as i’d most likely be in office for five days out of the available seven. rigorous time management is critical. fortunately i’ve learned to manage data well, with spreadsheets, as part of my training. a few thousand hours is nothing compared to a few million insurance claims!

What was the interview process like?the interviews were hard, but it’s understandable why it was necessary. thinking and communicating on the spot, in unfamiliar territory to unfamiliar audiences, is an important part of my role. my interviews at Guy carpenter were fairly standard for graduate positions – questions about me and my experiences mixed in with technical ‘critical thinking’ style problems. the key in both types of question is how you communicate your answers as opposed to what you say. practice was very important.

Any advice for the interview process?be prepared to do a lot of them. it’s not uncommon for an interview to go perfectly well and yet not be offered a position. this can happen for a variety of reasons; the competition

for the role could be very fierce, and an employer needs to be completely certain you’ll fit in with existing employees. In either case – it’s never personal. if a recruitment consultant is getting you plenty of interviews, it’s mostly a numbers game before you get a position. Just ditch the recruiter if they aren’t (there’s plenty out there!), and make sure you really want the jobs you’re applying for. interviewers can sniff out lack of motivation instantly.

Is there a work/life balance?yes, although i don’t agree with the term ‘balance’ as it implies the two are separate. If my home life is good i rock up at work with a smile on my face, bursting with energy, and perform well; if not my work suffers. it’s also important for work to provide a continuous, but not overwhelming, challenge otherwise it affects my home life in a negative way.

What ‘soft skills’ have you found useful?managing time well has been paramount. it’s important to manage both long-term important, but not urgent, tasks along with those that are urgent, but less important. an ability to work well in any team is important, but this is something interviewers try to assess before employing you. staying proactive and on the ball in fast-paced environments is also important – not just so you can do your job well, but so you enjoy doing it!

actuarial analyst

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We’re the professionals...so you’re considering a career as an actuarial consultant...

When you first came across it you may have screamed with delight simply at the fact that there exists a career that actually rewards you for your mathematic genius! but i’ve learned that there’s so much more it can offer you.

learning to become an actuarial consultant is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. the exam process is tough; tenacity is undoubtedly the most important quality you should possess, and you have to ensure that you can balance the technicalities with common sense.

Choosing an actuarial careerpursuing an actuarial career for me was a natural step from my university degree, but so too was the choice to enter into the consulting world. although i really

enjoyed the mathematical and technical aspects of my course, i also loved working with people, especially communicating the technical aspects and breaking them down in a straightforward way.

Joining the working worldi joined hymans robertson in august 2010 as an actuarial student in the new edinburgh office. We are an employee benefits consultancy providing a wide range of services including actuarial, investment, benefit consulting, third party administration, longevity risk consulting and enterprise risk management. We are a forward looking, innovative company, and specialise in tailored solutions to meet our clients’ needs.

The sorts of things I do even in the short time that i’ve been here, the opportunities and experiences i’ve had really has reflected hymans robertson’s wide range of services. for example, my work has varied from the more traditional work of calculating transfer values (the value in today’s money of pension payments that will be made in the future), to more modern risk analysis work, using our internal models to carry out scenario testing on a pension scheme for quantifying future uncertainties.

a lot of my work also involves drafting reports and emails to clients who don’t necessarily have an actuarial background, which requires a different skill set. having a more numerical mindset, I find this really pushes me to become a more well-rounded person.

Name claire singer

University heriot Watt university

Degree BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science

Location edinburgh

Role actuarial trainee

Hymans Robertson

Although I really enjoyed the mathematical and technical aspects of my

course, I also loved working with people.

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The studying...there’s no getting away from the exams! the work/life balance may sometimes tip too far in the direction of study, but most employers will give you study days to lighten the burden and the work you put in will definitely pay off in the end. Working alongside studying can be rewarding in itself, as you can see the concepts you’re learning from the textbooks being applied in real life.

I love my role!What i really enjoy about working in a consultancy is seeing the process of how a real life practical problem can be solved, communicated and implemented to the benefit of everyone involved. it’s through this process that i’ve realised what being a professional really is all about and why an actuarial consultant is so well respected. to be able to balance both an understanding of complex real life problems, often involving long-term

outlooks with many uncertainties, and apply professional judgement to the situation at hand takes a certain type of individual. it’s for this reason that the examination process to become a qualified actuary is so demanding, but the rewards are endless.

actuarial trainee

What I enjoy about working in a

consultancy is seeing how a real life problem can be solved, communicated and implemented to the benefit

of everyone involved.

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Graduate profiles

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as a typical student, i wanted to put off having to enter the terrifying world of work for as long as possible, but inevitably, the time came to choose a career.

i completed a masters in mathematics, operational research, statistics and Economics (MORSE) at the University of Warwick. this is one of only a few courses in the country that helps prepare you for an actuarial career, offering exemptions for up to seven of the 15 exams.

actuarial work offered a good combination of being able to use my degree, a reasonable work/life balance and pretty good starting pay compared to my other graduate friends.

How did you get your job at Aon?i applied for an internship in the summer before my final year at university. this gave me great insight into what the day to day work would be like. you are treated as a normal member of the team and have the opportunity to get involved in small projects. Without any formal training i did feel slightly out of my depth at times but everyone was really approachable and helpful if i didn’t understand something.

i was lucky enough to be offered a graduate position at the end of the ten weeks, which meant that i could spend my final year focused on studying and not having to worry about job applications and interviews.

What is a typical day like?I work in the Leeds office in the Pensions and actuarial services team, providing support for consultants who advise companies and trustees of pension schemes (mostly final salary). I work on around 11 client teams, with the schemes varying in size from less than ten members up to tens of thousands of members.

as a more senior member of the team, part of my job is to liaise with the consultants to find out what work our clients need doing and to distribute the work amongst the client team. trustee work mainly involves statutory work, such as a valuation of the scheme. this must be carried out every three years and is a 12-15 month long project.

Work for companies is focused towards managing their costs. over the last few years many companies have been looking to cut their costs and running a pension scheme can be a significant part of this. We recommend ways of cutting costs and help to implement these ideas.

most of the day tends to involve performing complex calculations, sometimes by hand but usually using excel models. for example, to value future pension promises in today’s money you need to take individual member data, perform checks on the data, set and apply assumptions about the future (such as how long will people live for) and test the sensitivity of the result by looking at the effect of changing each assumption.

Name emma cruddas

University university of Warwick

Degree msc morse

Location leeds

Role trainee pensions actuary

Aon

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an important part of the job is being able to draw conclusions from the calculations and communicate these effectively to the client through a report, email or presentation. the calculations can be quite complex so you need to be able to avoid jargon and put things in a way that can be easily understood so that the client has enough information to make decisions. Good communication skills, both written and verbal, are therefore very important.

on average, one day a week is set aside for study, which involves reading course notes, completing assignments, revision and practicing past exam papers. you need to have good self motivation to make the most of study days (resist the temptation to have a lie in and watch daytime TV!). You also need to set aside time in the evenings and at weekends as study days alone are not enough to be thoroughly prepared.

What are the most stressful parts of your job?As a student it can be difficult to juggle the demands on your time of work, study and having a social life. client work can involve demanding deadlines and the odd late night is necessary, however normal hours are roughly 9-5.

the bi-annual exam period can be tough. although study days are weighted more towards the exam period it is not like university where you could just coast through the term and spend a week cramming, you really need to work throughout the year as you still need to be in the office most days.

the feeling of satisfaction at passing, not to mention the celebratory night out and pay rise make it worthwhile!

What would you like to achieve in the future?after three and a half years of studying i now have just one exam left to sit. once i qualify i hope to become a consultant and continue to expand my knowledge of the field of pensions. actuarial skills are quite transferrable so it is possible that I could move into another field such as risk management or insurance.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to get into the industry?1. Get some work experience. this is highly

valued by employers and will help you decide if this is really the right career for you.

2. practice your interview technique. your careers department should have courses you can attend and may be able to offer you a mock interview that will highlight areas you need to work on.

3. do your research. spend some time looking at the website of the company you want to work for and keep an eye out for relevant actuarial stories in the news. this will give you an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are already taking an interest.

4. Get as many exemptions as you can from your university course. this will give you a head start on other graduates and mean less time spent balancing work and study in the long run.

trainee pensions actuary

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PwC

Name advait

University imperial college london

Degree MSci (Hons) Physics

Location birmingham

Role associate

Introductioni can’t honestly say that i wanted to be an actuary ever since i was a child. in fact for a long time, i didn’t really know what an actuary actually did. however, studying for a degree in physics, i quickly realised that i wanted a job that would allow me to use the numerical and analytical skills i was developing and apply them to real life business situations. it was only after completing an internship in the pensions team at pwc that i realised this was a career i wanted to pursue. after graduating, i joined pwc on a full-time basis.

What do PwC do?the actuarial practice at pwc is split between two key areas – human resource consulting (HRC) and Actuarial & Insurance Management Solutions (AIMS). Within HRC, the primary focus is on providing corporate advice to companies with occupational pension schemes on a range of issues, such as:

• funding of schemes. • strategies for managing pension scheme

liabilities in various ways, including member incentive exercises.

• managing pension scheme and investment risks, including transactions which aim to reduce or transfer risks.

• pensions aspects of mergers and acquisitions.• accounting disclosures for pensions schemes

and stock option disclosures.

What do you enjoy most about your job?Working in a consultancy means that you get to work on a large variety of projects, making the work both interesting and challenging. no two clients are the same which requires us to come up with new and innovative solutions to the multitude of problems they’re looking to solve. it’s also really satisfying to work with a range of clients both big and small, including some highly prestigious companies which are household names.

the most enjoyable aspect of my work though would have to be the team i work with. not only is the atmosphere fun and supportive, i get to work with some highly talented individuals who are keen to pass on their knowledge and experience.

What challenges have you come across and how did you overcome these?by far the most challenging aspect is working full-time whilst studying for a tough qualification. it does take a lot of time management and discipline, but it doesn’t get in the way of a normal work/life balance.

I wanted a job that would allow me to use the

numerical and analytical skills I was developing and

apply them to real life business situations.

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The support, both financial and in terms of time off to study, is second to none at pwc. not only that, there’s a strong focus on ensuring we develop our careers as well as passing our exams. the team take a keen interest in making sure we’re able to manage our workloads – particularly during the busy exam seasons.

What would you like to achieve?my immediate goal is to pass my exams and become a fully qualified actuary. i would like to continue gaining a range of experiences and one day bring in new clients of my own. i also hope to be able to travel and work in different pwc locations to get a flavour of working internationally.

What ‘soft skills’ have you found useful?despite actuaries having a reputation for being back-room number crunchers lacking social skills, the truth is quite the opposite. apart from being actuaries, we’re also consultants and as result communication and team work are at the heart of what we do. from trying to win new clients, to working with other lines of service, to presenting our results in a way that’s easy to understand for clients – we’re always required to be able to communicate effectively. in fact there’s even a whole course and exam on communication. We also need to be able to manage our time, be flexible and work well under pressure.

associate

Apart from being actuaries, we’re also

consultants and as a result communication is at the

heart of what we do.

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Head of Insurance Pricing - Nick Reillyhsbc

Senior Qualified Actuary - Laura Goodwinprudential

MCEV Reviewing Actuary - Chris Darbyfriends life

Senior Consultant - Bhavna Kumarmercer32

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36

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1998

1999

2005

Completed a summer placement at Aon Hewitt (Then Aon) as a student.

Moved to Mercer as a Consultant, later being promoted to Senior Consultant.

bhavna wanted to become an actuary ever since she heard of its promise of intellectual fullfilment and rewards whilst still at school. After gaining a degree in maths, she fulfilled her early ambition and joined Aon’s graduate scheme in 1999. 13 years on, she tells us what it’s like to work as a senior consultant in pensions.

i always liked maths, but didn’t want to be an accountant; i had heard rumours it was quite boring! When i learned at a school careers evening that becoming an actuary would give me the opportunity to become a technical expert in my field as well as the chance to learn how to communicate that knowledge to other people, i decided that becoming an actuary was the plan for me.

i kept my options open by studying for a maths, rather than an actuarial degree, but once i had completed a summer placement prior to my final year I decided to make the commitment to a career in actuarial work. i started my training in pensions actuarial work in 1999.

What do you enjoy most about your job?i love the fact that every day and every piece of work is different. even if the piece of work seems to be the same on the face of it, because every client, every member and every pension scheme is different, the advice required will differ for each case. This means I’m learning all the time and each day flies by.

the overarching satisfaction comes from helping clients make the decisions they need to by simplifying the complexities and making the process as painless as possible.

What is a typical day like for you?My days involve working with trustees of defined benefit pension schemes and employers who sponsor those schemes. my clients need assistance and advice in relation to securing the promised benefits, operating their scheme on a day to day basis and their statutory duties. this includes:

Meeting daysafter a frenzied couple of weeks preparing agendas and papers, making sure all the items that require decisions are covered, meeting days are a satisfying culmination of all my hard work. they usually involve an early start to reach the client with time to spare and a bit of last minute panicking on the journey – but once you’re there, it’s great to be able to share your knowledge and steer your clients through the difficult arena within which they need to operate.

Mercer

BHAvNA kUMAR

Began training as an actuarial student at Aon Hewitt, going on to become a consultant.

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Non-routine workSometimes I have to figure out a query that has been raised – not always as straightforward as it seems. We need to make sure that we answer the question the client needs to know the answer to, which isn’t necessarily the same as the question they’ve asked. this work is delegated to a ‘doer’, followed by a ‘checker’ and will come back to me for sign-off.

i will also need to arrange a peer review to ensure the advice provided is appropriate, hasn’t missed any possible angles and is easy to follow. a fair proportion of my time is also spent ‘peer reviewing’.

Sign-off or peer review routine workthis usually involves using prior knowledge to review work completed by the team or colleagues.

Responding to emailsthis might involve doing some quick sums to provide costings, checking legislation for finer points of detail or clarifying the detail of a case.

What would you like to achieve in the future?i hope to continue to learn new skills and expertise on a daily basis and thereby step up to the next level in the profession – to have a portfolio of clients for which i am responsible from both an actuarial and a business perspective.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to get into the industry?consider carefully the area of actuarial work in which you would like to work. even the traditional specialisms of pensions, investments, life insurance and general insurance are very different and it is not necessarily as easy as you might think to transfer between them once you have some experience under your belt.

also, complete some work experience to ensure it is what you think it will be!

finally, be prepared for hard work. it’s not easy working and doing exams (and having a life outside of work) all at the same time.

senior consultant

It’s great to be able to share your knowledge and steer your clients

through the difficult arena within which they need to

operate.

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2011

2006

Moved to Aon Hewitt to become an actuarial consultant.

Works as an MCEV Reviewing Actuary for Friends Life.

having worked in a wide variety of actuarial roles i have obtained experience of the rich and rewarding career paths within the actuarial profession. my own career path has involved time spent in the following practice areas:

• private sector pensions consulting• actuarial software development• public sector pensions consulting• life insurance.

When i graduated from southampton university with a degree in Mathematics in 1999 I had no firm idea as to what I wanted to do next. i started to do some research into various careers and found myself drawn to the actuarial profession as it was mathematically based and offered a variety of career paths. i was fortunate enough to become an actuarial trainee shortly after.

Working history:Private sector pensions consultingi spent my early years working in a small department within a private sector pension consultancy, whilst also making progress with the actuarial exams which you are required to pass to qualify as an actuary.

in this role i developed basic technical skills and enjoyed the team atmosphere and variety of work. being a smaller actuarial department, it also enabled me to pursue my interest in software development, and i spent time developing software to perform various pension related calculations for use within the company’s actuarial and administration departments. the experience i gained enabled me to move to a specialist actuarial software development company.

Actuarial software developeras an actuarial software developer i worked for a small niche employer where i specified, wrote and optimised internet based software products. this was a less traditional actuarial role, but one which i found used my technical actuarial skills, as we were developing actuarial based solutions. as the software was innovative and there was no set template to follow, it offered the opportunity for some

chris started off in a more unusual end of the profession, developing actuarial software. since, he has become an mceV reviewing actuary, reporting on the value of a company’s assets and projecting future profitability for shareholders. He reflects on the wealth of different opportunities within the actuarial profession.

Friends Life

CHRIS DARBy

2004

Worked as an actuarial software developer for Pensions and Actuarial Software (PAS).

2001

Joined Heath Lambert as an actuarial trainee.

2000

Worked as a pensions review loss assessor for HSBC.

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creativity: both over how the calculation code should work, as well as the look and feel of the software.

Public sector pensions consultantmy next move was to become a consultant within the niche area of public sector pensions consulting within a large multinational consultancy firm. This involved providing advice connected to several different public sector pension schemes and various sub funds within those schemes. this included large local government pension scheme funds with pension fund assets of over one billion pounds.

public sector pensions consulting has its own unique characteristics and i found myself adapting my thought process accordingly. it was during this time that I qualified as an actuary, which was a highly rewarding experience. before long this led to me taking more control and responsibility for client work, including final scrutiny and sign off of written advice to clients and presenting the results of our analysis in client meetings. i also enjoyed training more junior members of the team, managing others and taking ownership of some key projects.

MCEv reporting actuaryIn my current role I work within the financial reporting team in a large life insurance company. there are many different areas within the company in which actuaries may choose to specialise and rotate. i currently work on market Consistent Embedded Value (MCEV) reporting. this involves placing a value on the company’s current assets and future profitability from the perspective of its shareholders.

this helps shareholders to monitor the performance of the company. the primary role involves analysing how the overall embedded value changes from one reporting period to the next. this requires an understanding of what drives profitability within the business. Life insurance company products are rich and varied and different products respond differently to changes in underlying conditions. this makes the work both challenging and interesting. in addition, the role requires liaising with various other departments within the business, managing the work to tight timescales and

explaining the results to others who are not so close to the calculations.

variety one of the things i like about the profession is that there are different roles and companies to suit to different people. there is no such thing as a typical actuary, and this is encouraged by the profession whilst ensuring a high level of technical expertise and professionalism which is common to all.

Whilst there is a mathematical grounding required to complete the actuarial exams, a career within the actuarial profession can develop a wide range of skills from the more technical:

• actuarial analytical skills• interpreting regulations and professional

guidance• software programming and development• spreadsheet development• project management.

to softer skills such as:

• training and development of others• managing people• producing marketing literature• presenting complex issues to a non-

actuarial audience • drafting documentation for internal and

external use.

on top of this there is a wide range of specialist areas within the profession of which i have sampled only a few. this means that there is likely to be a role to suit most people interested in working in the actuarial industry.

Looking forwardthe ever changing world, including technical and regulatory development and fluctuating economic conditions, continuously impacts on actuarial work. this means the profession is always evolving and there is always something new or unexpected around the corner. however, actuaries are always ready to embrace and face new challenges. every change presents a new opportunity, and with a strong actuarial grounding challenges can be overcome. i look forward to my years ahead in my chosen profession.

mceV reVieWinG actuary

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Prudential

2007

2008

Why did you choose a career in the industry?from a young age i had always wanted to be a teacher, and as i really enjoyed maths at school it was my intention to become a maths teacher. i therefore chose to go to stirling university where it was possible to complete teacher training at the same time as my degree.

Whilst i enjoyed the teaching, i also felt a bit too young to go straight into a teaching career. the bulk of my fellow trainee teachers were mature students and i had joined university a year earlier than most of my peers. i therefore decided to look into other possible career opportunities.

i did a bit of research and went along to careers fairs, where i spoke to representatives from a wide variety of professions. becoming an actuary seemed to be an ideal career for me. it made use of my mathematical, analytical and communication skills, provided a challenging career and had the added bonus of paying reasonably well!

I joined Prudential (formerly Scottish Amicable) in 1999 after graduating and have been here ever since.

i’ve worked in a number of different areas in my time here, and since qualifying in 2007 have been in financial reporting where i am now in charge of a team responsible for reporting results for a number of financial metrics. The team is made up of a wide range of people and includes sandwich students who have taken a year out of university, staff who are not actuaries or sitting exams, trainee actuaries and other qualified actuaries.

What is a typical day like for you?no two days are the same, but a typical day would involvegetting up around 06.30 and getting both myself and my toddler son dressed, fed and watered. i drop him off at nursery for 08.00 and head into the office where my first job is checking and replying to emails (both from within the actuarial department and wider afield). Being in charge of a team of people, I need to be on top of all the deadlines for the work required that day, week or in the longer term and ensure the work is being progressed as needed to meet those deadlines. i need to make

1999

Trained as a graduate trainee actuary with Prudential after graduating.

Qualified as an actuary whilst at Prudential in the Financial Reporting team.

Promoted to senior qualified actuary at Prudential with the role of Team Leader.

balancing a family life and a demanding job with high responsiblity can be extremely difficult to achieve; Laura explains how she does it and why she loves life as an actuary.

LAURA GooDWIN

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senior qualified actuary

sure that everyone in the team is coping with their workload and on track to achieve our targets. Generally a chunk of my day will be taken up answering queries, supporting team members and providing ‘on-the-job’ training. I will also be attending meetings, which can be on anything to do with future projects, reporting metrices, reporting deadlines, people management or a number of other topics. finally i also need some time to review the numbers prepared in the team.

i try to keep work to work time, however it is not always possible, particularly around the main reporting times for year-end, mid-year and forecasting. as a result i sometimes need to work long hours. my son always comes first though, so where I can I leave work at a reasonable time to pick him up from nursery, and spend a couple of hours with him before logging back on when he goes to sleep.

outside of the main reporting periods i avoid this, as a work/life balance is very important to me, and I like to find ‘me’ time as well as family time outside of work.

What do you enjoy most about your job?there is a real sense of achievement in preparing and understanding all the results we provide in such tight timescales. i enjoy being in charge of a hard working financial reporting team. I have a good set of colleagues within the office and we get on both at work and socially.

The location of the office is also great, as I live only ten minutes away. this helps me to manage my work/life balance, as i don’t lose a large portion of my day to travel.

What would you like to achieve in the future?i don’t have any specific goals for the future at the moment, although perhaps i should! as long as i continue to be happy and challenged within my role then i am content. With all the changes happening in the industry at the moment there is plenty of opportunity for personal development.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to get into the industry?be prepared for interviews. think about the skills that we might be looking for in you, which will include being a team player, motivated and professional as well as having numerical skills. be prepared to give some practical examples where you have demonstrated these skills. also do your research and be prepared to talk about the company you are applying to with some understanding of their business.

Getting a job as an actuarial trainee is only the start, you need to be prepared to work hard in the office and study hard outside of the office in order to progress in your career and pass the exams.

With all the changes happening in the industry at the moment, there is plenty of opportunity for personal development.

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2009

Moved to Swiss Re.

Qualified and was promoted to product actuary with Swiss Re.

Moved to SCOR Global Life as a pricing actuary.

Moved to HSBC, becoming Head of Insurance pricing in 2010.

my dad once said to me that i was not a typical actuary. i took this as a compliment.

Ignoring all of the (unfunny) jokes about staring at shoes and so on, in the current world, actuaries must be more than just number crunchers. We need to understand why we are doing what we are doing, challenge where needed, and, equally importantly, develop relationships and a rapport with those individuals we deal with.

i hope that’s what made me different, but i hope future generations make me look like a typical ‘new’ actuary.

What made you choose to become an actuary?being honest, i don’t think i really planned on having a career as an actuary. it was a friend of mine who suggested i look into it, and a role was available near to where i lived after graduating, so i took it.

i had been told the exams were hard, but i had never had a problem with exams before, so my first exam results session was a real shock, as i had managed to fail all of them. instead of putting me off, it ensured that i never went into an exam under prepared, and i ensured i understood the notes, rather than just rote learning them.

after two years i took a year off to go round the world, to give me time to decide if i really wanted to qualify. as you can guess, i decided to start studying again, and within a few years had qualified.

... and would you do it again?Possibly not, after all, at the time the financial services market was buoyant, opportunities were everywhere, and the time spent studying could have been used working the crazy hours needed to earn the telephone number salaries prevalent in other areas of financial services.

However, am I now glad I did it? Definitely, as I now have one of, if not the, hardest and most respected qualifications in financial services. This means I can command a high salary, have a range of employment opportunities and can expect to take

Nick qualified as an actuary when the financial services market was booming and opportunities were everywhere. Now, he finds that his actuarial qualifications have ensured respect and stability, something that’s sought after in today’s economy. he gives us an insight into what he looks for when hiring new actuarial candidates.

HSBC

NICk REILLy

2007

2006

2001

Joined Winterthur Life as an actuarial student.

1997

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on more responsibility. becoming an actuary also gives the financial stability needed with a mortgage and children.

so, overall, would i do it again? on balance yes, as the security and stability, as well as future opportunities outweigh the short term benefits if i hadn’t done the exams. after all, i’m relatively risk averse!

What is the best part of your role?seeing others learn and develop. i was fortunate to work for a range of actuaries who gave me guidance and support, as well as teaching me the technical aspects of the job. this meant i could think for myself, self-check my work, and actively learn.

i now feel it is my responsibility to pass this on. there is nothing better than seeing individuals who work with, or for, you take on board what you have said and then use it to improve their future output.

i also feel that student mentoring is essential for the future of our profession, so that we can pass on the lessons we have learned the hard way.

What do you look for in graduates?The obvious answer of ‘an actuarial science degree’ is not going to be my answer. While this can be useful, it doesn’t put a candidate ahead of any other candidate. my main requirements are that a candidate is:

• intelligent – so possessing a good degree, although not necessarily a numerical one – with maths a level.

• Personable and reasonably confident.• interesting, with other hobbies and skills

they have acquired.• driven, with a desire to do well for

themselves (and ideally others).• possessing of an understanding of

financial services.

An ideal first impression is someone who can hold a conversation on the topics of the day (PPI for example, or the continued woes of the eurozone) and who adds their views but also listens actively. they need to have belief in

themselves, and will ideally demonstrate some degree of passion over their choice of career or the company they are applying to.

In short, I look for people I think will fit into my team and add to it, as well as having the potential to become future decision makers.

i once had someone come up to me at a careers fair and ask ‘what can you do for me?’. This was more than just confidence; it was bordering on arrogance. in this current environment, there is no right to a job, so please think of your approaches, as first impressions do count.

in case you are wondering, he didn’t get an interview with us – in fact, i didn’t even look at his cV.

Where do you see your future?in my own career, i see myself moving further into management, and so further from the traditional actuarial roles. ideally, i see myself having ownership of my own Profit & Loss account, and being able to drive and shape that business.

during my future in the industry, i hope to really make a difference. after all, we sell promises (whatever area of financial services that is), so we need to ensure that they are kept. i’m passionate about developing clear and simple products that fit the needs of our customers, and i see myself continuing to add my input wherever possible in this area. my own test is: ‘is that right for my mum?’ If it’s not, don’t do it, it’s that simple.

head of insurance pricinG

In the future, I hope to really make a difference. After all, we sell promises, so we need to ensure that

they are kept.

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Jobs on offer: Graduate traininG schemes

Rohan Jaininternships: What to eXpect

education required

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Key sKills required50Dr Geraldine Kaye

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do you have what it takes to become an actuary? are you worried you don’t have the right grades? this article tells you all you need to know about what you need to join the prestigious actuarial profession, as well as what to do if you don’t meet the requirements.

the actuarial profession is one that demands a high level of academic attainment. Generally, employers will demand a minimum of a 2.1 at degree level and excellent a levels from potential candidates.

alternative routes are available: some companies ask for these requirements, but also offer an alternative route for those who can demonstrate, through extracurricular activities, that they have the skills and characteristics they are seeking.

the minimum entrance requirements for admittance as a student of the actuarial profession are:

• Grade b or above at maths a level (or equivalent).

• an additional grade c or above at a level in any subject.

• Grade c or above at english Gcse.• Grade c or above in two further Gcses in

any subject.

for holders of a second class honours degree or above in any subject, the maths a level requirement is reduced to a grade c.

for holders of a third class honours or above in a mathematical science degree, the maths a level requirement is dropped.

What if I don’t meet the requirements? There is the option to take the CT1, Certificate in financial mathematics. it will give you the option to see whether you have the capability to take the actuarial profession’s exams, if you do wish to carry on the process and will give you an idea of the exam structure. if you

do take and pass the exam, then you will be eligible to become a member of the profession. find out more at the actuarial profession’s website: www.actuaries.org.uk/students/pages/certificate-financial-mathematics.

it is advisable that you speak directly to employers if you do not meet their entry requirements; you could enquire as to whether you could join them any other way, whether by taking a couple of exams you would be exempt from any entry requirements, and finally what requirements are unavoidable.

What degree subject should I study?Graduates from any discipline are welcome, provided the minimum entrance requirements have been met. however, most employers recruit numerate graduates – those with degrees in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, economics, business degrees, engineering, physics and chemistry.

The pros and cons of a degree in actuarial scienceseveral universities offer undergraduate degrees in actuarial science. some of these degrees offer exemptions from all the core technical subject examinations. other actuarial degrees offer exemptions from a subset of these subjects.

The advantages of studying an actuarial degree:• finding out more about actuarial work

before starting employment.• exemption from some professional exams,

if a high enough standard is reached in the corresponding university course.

• quicker qualification as an actuary

Education required

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in comparison to graduates from other courses. this could lead to quicker promotion.

• a higher number of exam passes may mean that the actuarial graduate may receive a higher salary (probably staggered and dependent on future exam success).

• an actuarial degree gives an excellent grounding in subjects like economics, finance, mathematics and statistics, as well as the more actuarial subjects (making actuarial graduates suitable for a range of careers, not just actuarial work).

The benefits to studying alternative degrees: • non-actuarial degrees enable students to

experience a greater range of courses and to pursue a variety of interests outside actuarial work.

• non-actuarial degrees may still lead to exemption from a few of the core technical subjects.

• some employers are less enthusiastic than

others about employing actuarial science graduates, so you may wish to seek the views of your favoured employers.

• Experience in the office is at least as important as exam passes. actuarial graduates should not expect that they will necessarily be paid more than other graduates.

What about postgraduate degrees?postgraduate degrees that offer exemption from core technical subjects or specialist technical subjects are available. these have similar advantages to the actuarial science degrees noted above. however, students typically have to find private funding for these postgraduate courses.

of course, your formal qualifications aren’t the only important requirements. take a look at our article on key skills to see what personal qualities you will need to become a successful actuary.

education required

Universities in the Uk accredited by the Actuarial Profession:

Go to: www.actuaries.org.uk/students/pages/university-courses-and-exemptions for further details.

• bristol university• cass business school• city university london• heriot-Watt university• imperial college business school • imperial college london• lancaster university• london school of economics• newcastle university• queen’s university belfast• said business school• swansea university

• university of birmingham• university of cambridge• university of east anglia• university of Kent• university of leeds• university of leicester• university of manchester• university of nottingham• university of oxford• university of southampton• university of stirling• university of Warwick

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Internships: what to expect

if you’re still a student, but are keen to get a taste of a business sector before you’ve completed your studies, then an internship is for you. not only will you gain invaluable hands-on experience, you could earn yourself a place on the company’s graduate scheme.

I’m an actuary, not an actuarist!the actuarial profession is growing rapidly, as is the public’s knowledge of what actuaries do. the actuarial profession describes actuarial work as using ‘mathematical skills to help measure the probability and risk of future events. this information is useful to many industries, including healthcare, pensions, insurance, banking and investments, where a single decision can have a major financial impact.’

this article outlines what to expect from an actuarial internship.

What kind of academic background do most actuaries have?in order to enter the profession, most actuaries will have achieved an a level or a higher in maths or an equivalent qualification, and a numerical degree (normally 2.1 or higher).

What does an intern do?interns are typically involved in the same projects and roles as graduates – highlighting to interns the challenges they might face as a

full-time actuary. by doing this, opportunities are provided to work on projects from the client’s or firm’s offices around the country.

Routine tasks• day to day tasks such as managing emails

and attending meetings with project teams. • speaking to colleagues and ingratiating

yourself with the firm’s culture. • scanning documents, formatting

presentations and documentation. • extracting and manipulating data from systems

e.g. to produce triangles of claims data.• reading slides from past training sessions

or online documents from regulators. (These tasks are occasionally given when colleagues are extremely busy or there isn’t enough work suitable for an intern.)

Challengesthere are a range of challenges that actuarial interns will face. these include:

• understanding the technical side of what is being discussed whilst taking meeting minutes, not being afraid to ask questions and being proactive afterwards to cement any new knowledge.

• building new and using existing spreadsheets and models.

• presenting and justifying work to a manager, team or senior member of the department

• understanding and using technical methods.

Interesting opportunities and unexpected responsibilitiesas an intern you will be involved in the same projects as other junior staff. responsibilities may include researching information about clients and

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the current issues affecting them, or an analysis of some part of the firm’s business (for example methods used to model unusual contracts) to identify trends. in addition to attending training sessions and workshops (for example about Solvency II, reserving, calculating pensions liabilities) you will attend meetings with clients and organise the department’s exam result celebrations.

through these opportunities you will gain the same respect given to full-time junior staff and vital experience of working in an office environment.

old skills developed:• use of microsoft Word, excel and powerpoint. • Research using the internet and firm’s own

internal databases.• time management to meet deadlines and

the relative amounts of work required to meet them.

• interpersonal skills.

New skills learnt:• Actuarial techniques specific to the role.• Justifying and explaining work to others.• a mix of on-the-job training and potentially

a structured scheme provides the opportunity to develop a range of technical skills specific to the industry in which the team specialises and softer skills e.g. writing and delivering presentations.

• other training is focused on topics such as money laundering or health and safety, awareness of which is required in any occupation.

After the internshipif you perform well during the internship, you may be offered a graduate job but if this doesn’t happen you will still have gained invaluable training and skills that can be used at university, in other jobs and in the future. in the worst-case scenario, it is another line for the cV, some pocket money, the beginnings of a network and a taste of what being an actuary involves.

internships

Case study: Mercer

my internship at mercer ltd gave me an excellent insight into pension scheme designs, their specific funding arrangements, and the factors affecting the worth of a pension. i developed my interpersonal skills and became more confident in my ability to learn new information quickly.

How did you get your placement at Mercer?i applied in september to several internships for the following summer. the application process involved:

• Online forms: covering my academic history, career motivation and asking knowledge and competency based questions.

• A phone interview: an extension of the online form.• An assessment day: with a group task, numerical test,

verbal reasoning, a presentation and interviews.

ADvICE: apply early as most internships operate on a rolling basis. think about which skills an actuary needs and then think about experiences in which you developed these skills.

What do you like about Mercer?• its supportive atmosphere and the buddy system.• the varied and interesting work.• the excellent training opportunities. • the team structure and approachable colleagues.

ADvICE: Apply for several firms to consider the differences and which would best suit you.

What type of work did you do on your internship?

• calculating transfer values for pension scheme members.

• compiling presentation slides summarising actuarial valuations.

• submitting scheme returns on the pensions regulator.

• updating the client database with regards to auto-enrolment.

• i worked with three other interns to prepare a presentation for the final day of the internship on the future of the pensions industry.

ADvICE: ask different team members if you can help them with anything they are doing to gain a broader insight. on my team were colleagues with very different levels of experience and client responsibilities that i could learn from.

Abbie Phillips, Actuarial Trainee (Retirement, Risk and Finance), Mercer

Rohan Jain is a student actuary working in General insurance and banking at pwc.

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if you have started to think about jobs after graduating, you have probably come across employers offering graduate training schemes. but what are they and why should you apply to them?

these schemes are predominantly found within the finance, management and engineering industries, including actuaries. they offer tailor made routes into the profession for capable graduates. they are designed to give you a fuller understanding of the profession and company and will help you develop your technical skills, support you during studying for professional qualifications, build your commercial knowledge and soft skills as well as giving you opportunities to develop your professional network.

however, have no illusions, they are hard work. Competition can be fierce to get onto them and a lot will be expected of you during the scheme, you will also be expected to balance working full-time and studying. but these schemes are well respected and the benefits are manifold.

What are the benefits?

Actuarial firms that use graduate training schemes usually have one intake a year (often two, autumn and spring), with a September start date. at this time there can be from 20 to as many as 550 graduates starting (this depends greatly on the size of the company). This can produce an almost university style atmosphere

and a good way to start building those vital professional relationships.

this structured programme can often mean it is easier to settle into departments as you may have met some of your colleagues already. it is also common to have a ‘buddy’ scheme in place where graduates have access to recent trainees to ask their advice. in addition to a mentor, which is a more senior member of staff who can help with more career related queries.

study support is often built into these programmes, with staff available to give advice on exams and studying as well as days off to ensure that you pass your professional qualifications such as the diploma in actuarial techniques from the actuarial profession.

other support which may be offered is financial. Companies may cover the cost of course materials and fees for exams, tutorials, and institutes. this may be in addition to a competitive salary and benefits package.

Jobs on offer: graduate training schemes

Have no illusions, graduate training schemes are hard work. Competition can be

fierce to get onto them and a lot will be expected of you

during the scheme.

• comprehensive training• ‘Buddy’ scheme• mentoring• study support to gain

professional qualifications• financial support

• experience of different areas of the company

• networking opportunities.

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What to expect

actuarial graduate training schemes can last between one to two years and often involve a number of placements within different departments during this time. this can be useful because it can help you decide where you would like to end up but also provide an overview of how the different departments function together. these placements can be across the uK and sometimes abroad.

the programme will usually start with an induction period where you will be introduced to the company, the type of customer or clients they deal with and the type of projects they are involved in. you will then embark on a number of placements which will have training opportunities integrated into them, these can be for both technical and soft skills. you will be given time to study but also a fairly large amount of responsibility early on, which may be quite daunting.

A work/life balance can be difficult but possible, especially if you communicate any problems with your line manager. however, during periods where the assignments and exams are coming up you may be expected to spend around 20 hours per week on your studies.

social events are common especially amongst graduates from the same intake but you will be given opportunities to interact with more senior staff as well. many companies value these events because they give you a chance to build your work relationships across different departments and levels of seniority.

Graduate traininG schemes

Case Study: Aon

aon recruits summer interns and actuarial graduates into three business streams: General insurance, retirement and investment consulting.

as you build a successful career with us, you’ll be moulded for a client-facing role, become a technical specialist and advise clients on our market-leading products. on our graduate programme you will develop:

Business knowledgeyou will gain business acumen and comprehensive knowledge of our business solutions, including:• Industry qualifications • Knowledge sessions • hands-on learning.

Professional skillsthrough our development programme you will gain vital communication skills, including the ability to make professional presentations. you will also learn project management skills and build your team-working capabilities through practical, real life experiences.

RelationshipsWe help you to build relationships with people with the experience, knowledge and skills that you need, through: • your graduate network • a mentor• business seniors – senior people within aon

will take an active interest in your progress.• hr, learning and development and the

Graduate programme management – always there with help and advice.

Professional StudyWe’ll fully support your study towards professional qualification as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries.

aon works with imperial college to provide a leading-edge alternative to achieving actuarial qualifications through self-study. You will receive day release to study at imperial college business school whilst achieving an msc in actuarial finance.

We can put you in contact with experts to help you with specific exam topics, and organise tutorials to give you practical advice. regular reviews will highlight your achievements and help you stay on track towards attaining your aspirations.

Visit www.aon.co.uk/graduates to find out more.

• 1-2 years long• placements across the uK

and overseas• induction period• responsibility early on• study and career

development support.

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Minimum requirements and the application processthe application process for these schemes can be quite tricky.

the application process may entail an online application initially, followed by interviews, assessment centre sessions and possibly psychometric testing. during these occasions you need to demonstrate your communication skills and behave professionally with other potential applicants and the company staff at the event.

remember that this process is as much about you deciding whether a company is right for you as it is the company deciding whether or not you are right for them.

most companies will have one intake period, usually during the autumn (October–December) for graduates to start the following september. some companies may have two intake periods or have on-going recruitment. but it is still worth applying early for these positions as they will fill them up as and when good applicants come along.

How to find them• careers fairs• company presentations• university careers centres• Graduate recruitment sites such as

inside careers.

many of the employers who recruit graduates into these schemes can be found on campus. they will usually attend careers fairs but will also host their own presentations and meet & greets. if they are not visiting your university they can also be found at the larger regional fairs, open to anyone looking for graduate opportunities.

further information can also be found at your university careers centre, where the trained staff should be able to help you find a scheme and provide advice on your cV and the recruitment process.

many of the graduate training scheme positions can be found on the inside careers website, www.insidecareers.co.uk. find out more by visiting the site.

Many employers can be found on campus. They usually attend careers fairs, but will also host their own

presentations.

more articles to help you decide online

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What are the skills you need to impress future employers? With the actuaries profession, numerical aptitude is a given, but you also need softer skills in order to analyse and communicate complex situations. dr Geraldine Kaye describes her own experiences to shed some light on the skills needed.

maths was always my favourite subject. i lived, ate and slept maths. but it was not until a friend mentioned actuaries that I first thought about a career as an actuary.

she told me that actuaries not only used maths and economics every day of their working lives, but they required good interpersonal skills, as they are in regular contact with clients, senior colleagues and the staff they manage. this certainly appealed to me. but my eyes really sparkled when i heard of the salaries that actuaries could command at that time. and they still sparkle over some of today’s levels!

ideally, you should be studying for a degree with significant mathematical content; statistics, maths, engineering, science and economics are all ideal subjects. the advice that i was given as a student, and that i still give, is to study a subject that you enjoy. you are better with a good

class of degree than a poor degree and some exemptions and you are more likely to do well at something you enjoy.

tenacity is essential, as the actuarial exams are demanding. to be accepted as an actuarial student usually demonstrates that you have the ability to qualify. the two reasons for not qualifying are that a) the student ‘learns well how to fail’ and gives up, or b) gives up, albeit for some wholly justifiable reasons (such people are often referred to as ‘unqualified successes’).

actuaries need good communication skills. it used to be said that you know you are talking to an extrovert actuary because they look at your shoes rather than their own when they speak. this is no longer true. as an actuary you will often need to explain complex technical information to non-technical audiences.

Key skills required by employers

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actuaries work across diverse industries, from insurance, pensions and benefits, investment and asset management through to banking, healthcare, capital projects and risk. Working individually or as part of a team, you could find yourself being a consultant, analyst, trouble-shooter and risk assessor – all in the same day; so because your own future will be wide open, you will also be the kind of person who’s ready for anything. you need to be able to distinguish between the essential and the inessential, and once qualified, to have a long-term perspective. I often describe the actuarial qualification as a qualification in ‘applied common sense’.

in theory, exemptions make it easier to qualify, but you need practical experience in an office in order to integrate the theoretical knowledge and to learn the jargon. take advantage of the long summer holidays before you graduate to gain as broad a range of experience as possible. While at university i chose something different each year.

First, it was the City head office of a large life assurer, The Northern (before it was taken over by what is now Aviva). The second summer, i chose dominion lincoln, a minnow of a life office based in London’s West End. Then, in the final year, I tried my hand at consulting, at Lane clark & peacock. on leaving university, i started my full-time career, as an actuarial student and trainee analyst in the investment department of Sun Alliance (now RSA).

born with an inquisitive and acquisitive mind, i have never been slow in asking questions and i certainly asked plenty during my days as an actuarial trainee. if i have any one message for today’s graduate entrants to our profession, it is ‘never be afraid to ask questions’. It is a superb way of building up knowledge.

it is important to remember that different employers are looking for different things; actuaries are a diverse bunch and one size does not fit all. Before you apply, research the different companies, read their websites and speak to their representatives at careers fairs. Get a feel for the companies so that you can apply to the employer that is right for you.

Skills in brief:• excellent academics• excellent communication skills• strong numeric and logic skills• be able to distinguish between the

important and the unimportant• never be afraid to ask questions.

nb: it may be possible to demonstrate these other than just by examination results.

Dr Geraldine kaye is managing director of Gaaps actuarial.

Key sKills required

If I have any one message for today’s

graduate entrants to our profession, it is ‘never be afraid to ask questions’.

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actuarial syllabus and eXams

the uK actuarial profession

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What do we do?the aim of the actuarial profession is to support actuaries throughout their careers so they have the skills, attributes and knowledge appropriate for the evolving needs of the uK financial sector, primarily as risk professionals. in addition, it has the twin roles of regulating and representing members to the outside world. it achieves this through:

• education of new entrants who wish to become actuaries and the continuing professional development of existing actuaries.

• cooperation with government, business, regulators and other professions.

• innovation through research and debate, to expand the horizons of actuarial knowledge.

• promotion of the work of actuaries in general (but not of individuals or firms).

• regulation of members by enforcing adherence with the ethical standards and the technical standards produced by the Board for Actuarial Standards (BAS), an independent body under the financial Reporting Council (FRC).

the actuarial profession has a strong tradition of encouraging community and companionship among its members, locally and internationally. there is close cooperation between actuarial societies around the world through mutual recognition agreements with the organisation, enabling qualified actuaries to obtain full membership status in another country. the actuarial profession is governed by a council elected by the membership helping to set its strategic direction.

members are encouraged to sign up for practice areas and member interest groups, and to volunteer to help with other working parties or committees. it is through this work that they seek to influence government, regulators and thinking in the actuarial profession.

Professional qualificationsthere are a number of different membership classes. the current classes of membership are:

• Affiliate• student• associate• fellow• honorary fellow.

in order to qualify as either an associate or fellow, students have to pass examinations, demonstrate satisfactory completion of certain modules and acquire a satisfactory level of work related experience.

the actuarial profession is the professional body for uK actuaries. through membership, education and research they set the high standards which professionals must adhere to. this ensures the quality of consultancy that actuaries provide. read more about the actuarial profession and how they could help with your career.

The UK Actuarial Profession

The Profession has a strong tradition of

encouraging community and companionship among its members,

locally and internationally.

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Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary Qualification (CERA)With the increasingly complex and changing business environment, organisations are seeking enterprise risk management professionals to join their teams. a new and exciting global risk management qualification (CERA) was launched to develop the skills of those professionals. in order to obtain the CERA qualification students need to pass a subset of the actuarial examinations including a specialist technical subject enterprise risk Management (ST9).

Continuing Professional Development all fellow and associates who are in work and are fully regulated by the actuarial profession are required to demonstrate that they have undertaken appropriate and sufficient Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

the cpd scheme demonstrates commitment to the protection of the public interest through the provision of sound and appropriate actuarial advice delivered in a professional fashion. it is important for actuaries to be seen to clearly demonstrate that they have maintained their skills through relevant development. it is clear that the development of professionalism is every bit as important as technical skills.

the uK actuarial profession

It is clear that the development of

professionalism is every bit as important as

technical skills.

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the actuarial profession is committed to helping students meet their goal of becoming an actuary. this goal has formed a total education strategy, which has been outlined for you here.

Qualificationsthe syllabus and examinations described below cover the full range of study required up to fellowship.

Syllabusconsiderable time has been spent to review what should be included and what excluded in the training of actuaries. a major review has taken place in recent years looking at the shape of actuarial education, which is described below.

the syllabus is reviewed and updated each year. in addition, the actuarial profession has prepared an extended version of the syllabus termed core reading., which is also reviewed annually. examinations are based on the extended syllabus.

Core Technical Stagethe core technical stage is designed to give students a solid grounding in the key actuarial

techniques. these are examined by a three-hour examination containing short answer questions and longer problem solving questions.

in addition, a business awareness module (CT9) is taken about a year after joining the profession. this includes attendance at a two-day introductory course, online study and examination.

Core Applications Stagethe aim of the core applications stage is to teach actuarial concepts across a range of application areas. the aim is to encourage thought about how these concepts can be applied, in both familiar and unfamiliar situations.

the main core applications subject is ca1 core applications – concepts. this subject enables candidates to understand strategic concepts in the management of the business activities of financial institutions and programmes, including

Actuarial syllabus and exams

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actuarial syllabus and eXams

the processes for management of the various types of risk faced and to be able to analyse the issues and formulate, justify and present plausible and appropriate solutions to business problems.

in addition, there is a core applications, model documentation, analysis and reporting (CA2) module, with the aim of ensuring that a candidate has data analysis skills and can communicate the results to a technical audience. it involves the use of spreadsheets for producing models from given data sets. students are assessed at the end of a two-day event, which is held at a limited number of locations.

the third part of the assessment at this stage is an examination on communication (CA3). A two-day event was introduced in 2009 which involves a presentation skills exam along with a written communications exam. the aim of the communications paper is to ensure that a candidate can communicate with a non-technical audience.

Specialist Technical Stagethis stage builds on the core applications stage, but in individual specialisms with choice introduced at this stage. the student chooses two subjects from the list shown on the following page.

each specialist technical subject, which is non-country specific, is assessed by one three-hour examination.

Specialist Applications StageThe final stage of the examinations is one specialist subject chosen from the list on the following page.

each subject is offered within a uK context. There is only one compulsory (three-hour) paper at this stage. there is no requirement to have passed the corresponding specialist technical subject, however, the specialist applications subjects will typically assume knowledge of the corresponding specialist technical subject. in addition the students have to pass a short test of uK practice, regulation, guidance and taxation if they wish to work in a regulatory role in the uK.

Work based skillsstudents will be required to maintain a logbook of work undertaken, of courses attended and other learning activities undertaken as part of the development of their work-based skills. this includes some technical actuarial skills as well as more general business and management skills.

Exemptions and examsuniversity exemptions for students reaching the agreed standard are available for all stages except the specialist applications stage. candidates may also gain an exemption from one specialist technical paper if they have a relevant professional qualification recognised by the actuarial profession.

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all examinations for all subjects, except business Awareness (CT9), Model Documentation Analysis and Reporting (CA2) and Communications (CA3), are held twice yearly. With two opportunities each year, students, in consultation with their employer, determine the optimal pace of study through the subjects.

Tuition opportunitiesthe syllabus and core reading provide a guide to tutors preparing tuition material for students working for the examinations. examinations are based on the syllabus and core reading so students can prepare for them in any way they choose. as the key route, the actuarial profession has an agreement with a tuition

provider, the actuarial education company (ActEd), for a series of distance-learning texts which cover the syllabus.

these texts are written with a key emphasis on making this material user-friendly and student-orientated to help students prepare for the examinations in an effective and efficient way. A series of units have been written for each subject covering the core learning and the objectives of the syllabus and containing a number of self-assessment questions and solutions. the material is presented in loose-leaf form and is updated year on year where necessary. assignments are included which can be used independently or in conjunction with a marking service.

specialist technical staGe

st1

st2

st4

st5

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st8

st9

health and care

life insurance

Pensions and Other Benefits

Finance and Investment (A)

Finance and Investment (B)

General insurance – reserving and capital modelling

General insurance – pricing

enterprise risk management

specialist applications staGe

sa1

sa2

sa3

sa4

sa5

sa6

health and care

life insurance

General insurance

Pensions and Other Benefits

finance

investment

core technical staGe

ct1

ct2

ct3

ct4

ct5

ct6

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ct9

financial mathematics

finance and financial reporting

probability and mathematical statistics

models

contingencies

statistical models

business economics

financial economics

business awareness

core application staGe

ca1

ca2

ca3

actuarial risk managements

model documentation, analysis

& reporting

communications

Visit our NEW website, for an even closer look at the actuarial

profession

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Further study

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uNiversity OF KeNt

imperiAl COllege BusiNess sChOOl

heriOt-wAtt uNiversity

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There have always been plenty of excellent reasons to study actuarial science at Heriot-Watt. After all, we pioneered degrees in the field. Today, we enjoy a worldwide reputation for the quality of our teaching and research. We offer a range of accredited courses from BSc to MSc/Diploma.

The reasons for starting your professional journey with us are much more than academic. We’re certain your experience at Heriot-Watt, both at study and at play, will be unforgettable. The Times newspaper agrees. That’s why they’ve named us Scottish University of the Year. Based in beautiful west Edinburgh parkland, we’re within easy reach of the bustling city centre. Which means you’ll have world-renowned attractions and stimulating culture on your doorstep. What’s more, you’ll be close to the heart of Scotland’s largest financial hub, where companies such as RBS, Lloyds Banking, Standard Life, Aegon, Mercer and Scottish Widows have a presence. We have graduates in all of them. Perfect.

Our courses are accredited by the actuarial profession, and carry exemptions from professional examinations. Actuarial Science courses correspond to CT1 - CT8, while our MSc/Diploma in Actuarial Management offers CA1, CA3 and a choice of up to three Specialist Technical (ST) subjects. There’s the chance for work placements and overseas study, too.

BA (Hons) Actuarial Science

BA (Hons) Financial Mathematics

MSc/Diploma Actuarial Science

MSc/Diploma Actuarial Management

MSc/Diploma Financial Mathematics

MSc/Diploma Quantitative Financial

Risk Management

All of our courses are designed to get you ready for life in the financial world. To discover more, visit our website, email enquiries@macs.hw.ac.uk or call 0131 451 8337.

www.macs.hw.ac.uk

Distinctly Ambitiouswww.hw.ac.uk

There have always been plenty of excellent reasons to study actuarial science at Heriot-Watt. After all, we pioneered degrees in the field. Today, we enjoy a worldwide reputation for the quality of our teaching and research. We offer a range of accredited courses from BSc to MSc/Diploma.

The reasons for starting your professional journey with us are much more than academic. We’re certain your experience at Heriot-Watt, both at study and at play, will be unforgettable. The Times newspaper agrees. That’s why they’ve named us Scottish University of the Year. Based in beautiful west Edinburgh parkland, we’re within easy reach of the bustling city centre. Which means you’ll have world-renowned attractions and stimulating culture on your doorstep. What’s more, you’ll be close to the heart of Scotland’s largest financial hub, where companies such as RBS, Lloyds Banking, Standard Life, Aegon, Mercer and Scottish Widows have a presence. We have graduates in all of them. Perfect.

Our courses are accredited by the actuarial profession, and carry exemptions from professional examinations. Actuarial Science courses correspond to CT1 - CT8, while our MSc/Diploma in Actuarial Management offers CA1, CA3 and a choice of up to three Specialist Technical (ST) subjects. There’s the chance for work placements and overseas study, too.

BA (Hons) Actuarial Science

BA (Hons) Financial Mathematics

MSc/Diploma Actuarial Science

MSc/Diploma Actuarial Management

MSc/Diploma Financial Mathematics

MSc/Diploma Quantitative Financial

Risk Management

All of our courses are designed to get you ready for life in the financial world. To discover more, visit our website, email enquiries@macs.hw.ac.uk or call 0131 451 8337.

www.macs.hw.ac.uk

Distinctly Ambitiouswww.hw.ac.uk

Further study

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Crystal grantrecruitment and development executiveimperial College Business schoolmsc.actuarial@imperial.ac.ukwww.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/msc-actuarial-finance

t: 020 7594 9553

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The imperial route to becoming an actuaryimperial College is truly world-class and is consistently ranked as a top ten global university. This reputation for excellence is reflected in the msc Actuarial Finance which was developed in partnership with the Actuarial profession and leading employers of actuarial trainees.

the programme allows actuarial trainees in full-time employment to combine on-the-job training with day release access to imperial’s unique mix of knowledge and research.

Along with the high quality of education offered by imperial, world-class academics and a 94% Acted exam exemption rate, the programme enables students to gain a triple qualification:

• the imperial msc Actuarial Finance (which includes a block exemption for the majority of actuarial exams).

• CerA – the global Chartered enterprise Risk Actuary qualification.

• Fellowship of the institute and Faculty of Actuaries (on passing the Profession’s final Fellowship exam).

the programme is practical, with students applying what they learn to group discussions and project work, building problem-solving skills and confidence. This combination of academic rigour and practical application is what makes our msc graduates so valuable to employers.

Graduates also benefit from life-long access to one of the most influential alumni networks in the world.

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MSc ActuAriAl FiNANcEto learn more, visit www.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/programmes/msc-actuarial-finance

i was attracted to the imperial college programme specifically because of the high regard in which the Business School is held. You’re taught by people with practical experience in finance who can tell you how the topics you are learning relate to the real world, rather than just remaining as concepts in a book.

Daryl BoxallMSc Actuarial Finance 2011Financial Strategy Group, Mercer

IMP_2027 Finance Advert 148x210mm v2.indd 1 27/07/2012 15:17

Further study

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Actuarial science and Financial Mathematics courses• msc in Applied Actuarial science• postgraduate diploma in Actuarial science• international masters in Applied

Actuarial science• Bsc (hons) in Actuarial science (with an

optional year in industry)• Bsc (hons) in Financial mathematics.

All our actuarial science courses are accredited by the uK Actuarial profession.

Msc in Applied Actuarial sciencedesigned for students who already have knowledge of the fundamentals of Actuarial science, this 12-month, full-time taught course provides the opportunity to gain exemptions from subjects CA1, CA3, st2, st4, st5, st6, st7, st8 and st9 within the Core Applications and specialist technical stages of the examinations of the uK Actuarial profession.

students can also choose an optional modelling module which prepares them for CA2.

A two-year, part-time version of this course is also available.

Postgraduate diploma in Actuarial sciencethis nine-month, full-time taught course enables graduate students to acquire the core skills and knowledge required by all actuaries. it offers the opportunity to gain exemptions from eight subjects (Ct1–Ct8) within the Core technical stage of the examinations of the uK Actuarial profession.

international Masters in Applied Actuarial sciencethis two-year course for international students is equivalent to a pre-masters graduate diploma, covering the subjects taught within the postgraduate diploma, followed by the msc in Applied Actuarial science and offers the opportunity to gain exemptions from subjects in the Core technical, Core Applications and specialist technical stages.

Bsc (Hons) in Actuarial science (with an optional year in industry)this three-year full-time taught course offers the opportunity to gain exemptions from eight subjects (CT1–CT8), as well as giving a firm foundation for some specialist technical stage subjects.

Bsc (Hons) in Financial Mathematicsthis is a three-year, full-time taught course which offers the opportunity to gain exemptions from seven subjects (Ct1, Ct2, Ct3, Ct5, Ct6, Ct7 and Ct8).

introduction to PROPHeTthe university of Kent has entered into an arrangement with sungard, who market the industry’s leading actuarial software package prOphet. As a result, students on all of our Actuarial science courses have the opportunity to get practical experience of using prOphet, which is used by commercial companies worldwide for profit testing, valuation and model office work. In addition, the PROPHET module marks also count towards the degree award.

Centre for Actuarial science, Risk and investmentthe Centre for Actuarial science, risk and investment is part of the school of mathematics, statistics and Actuarial science at the university of Kent, where actuarial science has been taught for over 25 years. the centre includes 13 professionally qualified actuaries with many years’ practical experience in insurance and pensions and maintains excellent links with the actuarial profession.

t: 01227 827 181

imsadmin@kent.ac.uk www.kent.ac.uk/casri

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ACTUARIALSCIENCE/THEUNIVERSITY OF KENT

Kent offers academic excellence, inspirationalteaching and a superb student experience.

We are located at Canterbury, just over an hour from London by train. The University occupies a large and very attractivecampus overlooking the cathedral city of Canterbury. It providesexcellent accommodation for a large proportion of its students,much of it connected to the PC network, allowing internet access.

For more information, please visit the department's website at:www.kent.ac.uk/casri

For undergraduate and postgraduate enquiries:E: imsadmin@kent.ac.uk T: 0044 1227 827 181

To apply for the undergraduate or postgraduate programmes:E: recruitment@kent.ac.uk

To apply online for the postgraduate programmes, please visit:www.kent.ac.uk/studying/postgrad/gradapply.html

Kent was ranked 1st inthe UK for mathematicsgraduate employmentprospects in The CompleteUniversity Guide 2011 and The Times GoodUniversity Guide 2011.

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9270

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millimANApr

95 muNiCh re74 BArNett wAddiNghAm

96 phOeNix grOup76 BuCK CONsultANts

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s How to applyApply online at www.aon.co.uk/graduates

Contact informationt: 0845 026 4587graduates@aon.co.uk

Application deadlineCheck website

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Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of work experience vacancies40

No. of graduate vacancies50

disciplines recruited fromAll degrees considered, although numerate subjects are required for some streams

Min. degree required2.1

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefitslife assurance and pension scheme

No. of employees61,000

No. of qualified actuaries120

locationsOpportunities nationwide, depending on your chosen stream

international opportunitiesNo

Few things are certain in life. economic upheaval, political crises, natural disasters – and plenty more besides – all mean the world can be full of surprises. At Aon, we draw on the expertise of 61,000 people to help the biggest names in business plan for every eventuality. Our size, global network and emphasis on innovation mean where we lead, the industry follows.

we’ve recently moved our global headquarters to the UK. Here we rely on 6,500 employees across 30 offices to uphold our reputation for excellence, insight and outstanding service delivery. it’s the skills, knowledge and attitude of these people that help us do what we do best. So, if you’re looking for a sure-fire way to start your career and have a 2.1 degree or higher, we’d like you to join them.

We recruit summer interns and graduates into five streams: pensions, general insurance, insurance reinsurance and risk management, investment consulting, and health & benefits broking and consulting.

depending on the area you join, you’ll be using your numeracy, analytical abilities and strong customer service skills to help clients address key questions that affect the running and growth of their businesses. how can risk be predicted and spread to minimise the impact of natural or man-made catastrophes? how can financial markets effectively manage their risks? Where can employers invest to improve the value of their pension schemes? will a company be able to meet its pension obligations decades down the line? how can it provide a benefits programme that rewards employees and represents a shrewd business investment for the employer? whatever the question, it’s our business to provide the answer.

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67% chance of buying your first house before turning 30.

33% chance of keeping in touch with your first-year friends.

2% chance of leaving uni debt free.

0.01% chance of making a tutorial after a big night out.

100% chance of moving onwards and upwards.

Actuarial Consulting – Pensions | Actuarial Consulting – General InsuranceInsurance, Reinsurance and Risk Management | Investment ConsultingHealth & Benefits Broking and ConsultingThere are few things that are certain in life. Economic upheaval, political crises, natural disasters and more all mean the world can be full of surprises. At Aon, we draw on the expertise of 61,000 people to help the biggest names in business plan for every eventuality – be it in pensions, general insurance, insurance, reinsurance and risk management, investment consulting or health & benefits broking and consulting. Our size, global network and emphasis on innovation mean where we lead, the industry follows. So if you’re looking for a sure-fire way to start your career – and have a 2:1 degree or higher – don’t leave your future to chance, visit aon.co.uk/graduates to find out more.

find OuT mOrE

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s How to applyCv & covering letter via email or post

Contact informationlindsay.jeffs@aprllp.com Apr, 6 Barwell, wantage Oxfordshire, Ox12 9AZ

Application deadlineCheck website

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No. of work experience vacancies0

No. of graduate vacancies3

disciplines recruited fromAll degrees considered

Min. degree required2.1

Min. UCAs points340

starting salary£30,000

Benefits22.5 days holiday, life assurance, performance bonus and study support

No. of qualified actuaries and trainees17

locationsCentral london and edinburgh

international opportunitiesNo

Who are we?Apr is an expanding actuarial services company with a growing reputation for providing high quality interim solutions and niche consultancy services to assist our clients, characteristically large UK financial institutions such as insurance companies. we are looking for exceptional graduates to join us in providing these services.

Why you should consider joining uswe see the following as the key advantages of starting a career with Apr:

• variety of work: typically each client project lasts 3-12 months so you’re likely to see a wider range of work, across a number of clients, than you would in a more traditional actuarial role.

• Training and development: our genuine commitment to ensuring our actuarial students gain technical skills and knowledge that many of their peers don’t is aligned with your interests because without this our services would not be in such high demand. You’ll see this from your first day of employment when your intensive initial training starts.

• Financial rewards: we offer one of the highest starting salaries in the actuarial sector and ensure this is maintained throughout your employment via guaranteed salary increases, and generous bonus and profit share terms.

• Culture: our staff retention rate is testimony to the informal and enjoyable work environment we seek to create.

What we are looking forthe key qualities we seek in individuals are intelligence and confidence. We believe that most other characteristics we look for flow from these two qualities.

Because we place emphasis on rounded knowledge and intelligence, we accept applications from candidates with a degree in any discipline (minimum 2.1). however, the high mathematical content of the actuarial exams means candidates need a minimum grade A in mathematics A level. A minimum grade A in english language gCse is also required.

successful candidates can be based in Apr’s central London or Edinburgh offices but must be prepared to work on client projects throughout the uK.

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Actuaries can’t predict the future ... but we can predict its impact

Actuaries can calculate the probability of future events occurring and quantifythose risks to a business.

They are problem solvers and strategic thinkers with a deep understandingof financial systems. They work in a variety of exciting roles internationally.An actuarial career is one of the most diverse and rewarding in the world.

www.actuaries.org.uk

Where could you work? Every area of business is subject to risks so an actuarial career offersmany options. A typical business problem might involve analysing futurefinancial events, especially when the amount or timing of a payment isuncertain. It could also involve assessing when and where devastatingstorms may hit to help predict risks, and their associated costs, forinvestments or insurance.

Salaries for graduate trainee actuaries are around £25,000-£30,000 andas you become more senior this can rise to well over £150,000. So therewards are substantial.

How do I find out more? To find out how to become an actuary, the benefits of studying towards anactuarial qualification and areas that actuaries work in, then look at thefollowing web link www.actuaries.org.uk/becoming-actuary/pages/how-become-actuary or contact our careers team.

Email: careers@actuaries.org.uk

Telephone: 01865 268 228

The Actuarial Professionmaking financial sense of the future

A5 Advert:Layout 1 06/08/2012 10:20 Page 1

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BackgroundFounded in 1989, Barnett waddingham has grown to become the uK’s leading independent provider of actuarial and consultancy services with over 50 partners, over 500 employees and seven offices throughout the UK. Our business has grown predominantly through referrals from our clients and professional contacts. the business is based on a culture which aims to provide all of our clients with an excellent professional service through strong personal relationships and tailored solutions whilst remaining competitive on fees. Our values can best be summarised as ‘doing it the right way’ and we take the long term view to all of our services and relationships.

Barnett waddingham strives to recruit graduates who share our values, and can bring special skills which will enhance the service we provide to our clients. we look for graduates with good, relevant degrees, and who are eager to join a firm where they can make a difference. graduates are very much the focus of our actuarial recruitment and we look for those who are ambitious, and who value the chance to join the partnership in due course.

All our partners understand the importance in looking after all their employees, and see employee engagement as fundamental to continuing success. This was reflected by the Firm being awarded a ‘One star’ Best Companies Accreditation in our first year of participation in the ‘Best Companies to work For’ award scheme. Barnett waddingham is a rewarding, enjoyable and satisfying place to work.

How we workFrom day one you will be an integral part of the business, working in our actuarial teams who advise various bodies and organisations including pension plan trustees, insurers and employers. the work you carry out could relate to anything from the broad spectrum of areas on which we

advise – examples include analysing longevity trends, providing strategic investment advice and advising on acquisitions.

each client is the responsibility of a partner who builds a team dedicated to meeting that client’s particular needs. the partner maintains a close personal involvement at all levels of work. you will be given genuine opportunities to contribute to our success, both working as part of a client team and in assuming responsibility at an early stage of your career. we believe that it is important to nurture talent and enthusiasm.

As a new recruit you will have the opportunity to work closely with the partners and other experienced employees offering you excellent development opportunities and a unique learning process. we are keen for our employees to gain wider business knowledge and experience of our other practice areas where this is possible. you will be encouraged to show initiative and develop areas of responsibility that are not directly related to client work, raising both your own and your team’s profile, whilst gaining good experience.

Professional development policies and programmesyour professional and personal development is important to the firm and we are strongly committed to developing our employees. As an actuarial trainee, you will work towards qualification and we will give you every support to achieve this, including offering a generous study package. As part of this you will receive study days, funding for external courses and a mentor from within the firm to support you. you will also be rewarded for passing exams as you progress. As well as supporting your studying, your mentor will review your work based experience and help you identify the development opportunities available, with the aim of enabling you to reach your full potential. In addition, the firm will help you to

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How to applyComplete an online application form via www.barnett-waddingham.co.uk

Contact informationgraduaterecruitment@barnett-waddingham.co.uk st James house st James square Cheltenham, gl50 3pr

Application deadlineNovember 2012

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Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of work experience vacancies7-10

No. of graduate vacancies10-12

disciplines recruited fromAll degrees considered, although an A at A level is required

Min. degree required2.1

Min. UCAs points300

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits22 days holiday, bike scheme, gym membership, healthcare scheme, interest-free loan, life assurance, pension scheme, season ticket loan, social events and study support

No. of employees567

locationsAmersham, Bromsgrove, Cheltenham, glasgow, leeds, liverpool and london

international opportunitiesNo

develop your technical and consulting skills with regular performance development reviews, internal courses and most importantly, experience.

The social sideSocial activity is taken seriously across the firm; from inter office sporting events to the annual Christmas party. sporting events include bowls, cricket, croquet, football, golf, poker, pool and table tennis. the non-sporting side is equally active and includes walking weekends, excursions to uK and european cities, wine and beer tasting, charity events and picnics.

there is something for everyone to choose from, but, suggestions for further social events will always be welcome!

Who are you?you will have a minimum of a 2.1 degree and at least 300 uCAs tariff points, including an ‘A’ grade in A level maths or equivalent qualifications.

excellent communication skills are essential, together with a positive and enthusiastic attitude. As a self-starter you have ambitions to develop both individually and in a team environment. A team player, you work in a cooperative and supportive way for the benefit of the team, understanding how your actions impact on other team members or goals and how they affect the bigger picture. in addition, you must be organised with a meticulous attention to detail, capable of solving problems of all sizes.

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How to applyOnline at www.buckconsultants.co.uk

Contact informationBuck Consultants limited 160 Queen victoria street london, eC4v 4ANt: 0207 429 1000 buck_graduates@buckconsultants.com

Application deadlineCheck website

scan for Buck Consultants’ live jobs

No. of employees350

No. of qualified actuaries40

No. of trainees40

locationsBristol, edinburgh, ipswich, london, manchester and reading

international opportunitiesNo

Type of work experience offeredinternships and industrial placements

No. of work experience vacanciesOn request

No. of graduate vacanciesup to 6

disciplines recruited fromNumerically related degrees

Min. degree required2.1

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefitsup to 25 days holiday, bike scheme, life assurance, healthcare scheme, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events and study support

About Buck Buck is a global pensions, employee benefits and investment consulting firm. We provide real-world solutions to our clients’ complex hr and business challenges.

After nearly 100 years, we’ve remained true to our core values: innovation, unparalleled client satisfaction and the highest professional standards.

The requirements we look for graduates who are both literate and numerate, have a strong academic background, are good communicators and highly analytical. In addition, graduates need to be flexible, confident and committed to their profession.

Training and career developmentsuccessful graduates will join Buck as an Actuarial/investment Analyst in one of our pension or investment teams.

• Pensionyou will progress from simple pension transfer calculations to more detailed functions, such as full actuarial valuations of group pension schemes, assessing the funding requirements of a retirement plan, and evaluating pension obligations as part of a merger, sale or acquisition of a business.

• investmentyou will progress from valuing pension scheme assets and monitoring their ongoing performance to more complex investment work, such as drafting and implementing advice on the transfer of assets between investment funds and asset classes, carrying out asset-liability modelling studies and advising on pension schemes’ long-term investment strategies.

we aim to ensure that all new staff are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to develop into consultants. in order to facilitate this, we place a high value on training and development provided both in-house and externally, and professional qualification.

Benefits packageBuck graduates receive a competitive starting salary with a contributory final salary pension scheme, and will be able to participate in the Buck’s flexible benefits scheme, incorporating wealth, health and life benefits. We also provide generous study support (financial and study leave).

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s How to applyCv, covering letter and application form. email to: Claire.reeve@canadalife.co.uk

Contact informationCanada life place,high street, potters Barhertfordshire eN6 5BA

scan for Canada life’s live jobs

No. of work experience vacancies0

No. of graduate vacanciesc. 3 per year

Min. degree required2.1

starting salary£25,700

Benefits23 days holiday rising to 30 with service and seniority, bike scheme, flexitime, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events, stocks/shares and study support

No. of employees900

No. of qualified actuaries25

No. of trainees25

locationsBristol, hertfordshire (potters Bar), isle of man and london

international opportunitiesNo

About usFounded in 1847, Canada life is a wholly owned subsidiary of great-west lifeco inc, one of the largest Canadian life and health insurance companies. Canada life began operations in the united Kingdom in 1903 and looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals and companies. Our uK operations are headquartered in potters Bar, 15 minutes from central london by train.

Benefits of working at Canada LifeCanada life offer the advantage of working in a professional, fast moving, financially strong company, yet with a better work/life balance than you would usually find in London. We offer excellent starting salaries and great opportunities for career progression. A competitive study package is available to all our actuarial trainees, which includes study days, tutorials, course materials and first exam entry fees. Every new starter is assigned a mentor to oversee their progress. Canada life has a strong culture of success in the actuarial examinations, and provides an environment for new actuaries to study and develop.

Who are we looking for?Applicants will have at least three A levels (or equivalent) and a degree (2.1 or better), ideally in mathematics or another numerate subject, although exceptional candidates with other degrees will be considered. we are looking for excellent communicators with strong problem solving skills. successful candidates will be motivated to maintain our strong record in the challenging professional examinations

The roleOur actuarial trainees have the opportunity to work in a variety of roles in areas including reserving, financial reporting, pricing, risk management, investments and systems. we expect that trainees will work in at least two or three different areas before qualification, which means our newly qualified actuaries tend to have a valuable breadth of experience.

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s How to applyCv, covering letter and application form via email

Contact informationactuarial.applications@capita.co.uk

Application deadline31 march 2013

scan for Capita’s live jobs

Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of work experience vacanciesup to 3

No. of graduate vacanciesup to 5

disciplines recruited fromActuarial science, economics and mathematics

Min. degree required2.1

Min. UCAs points300

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits23 days holiday, bike scheme, pension scheme, performance bonus, social events and study support

No. of employees10,000+

No. of qualified actuaries12

No. of trainees30

locationsCheltenham, dublin and other locations throughout the uK

international opportunitiesNo

Capita Capita is the uK’s leading provider of outsourcing and professional support services across both public and private sectors.

Our flexible structure enables us to deliver multiple services to individual clients and multiple services across multiple markets, highly efficiently. Capita is therefore a vibrant, challenging and rewarding place to work.

life & PensionsCapita is the uK’s leading provider of business process outsourcing for the life and pensions industry.

services to the life and pensions industry account for 18% of Capita’s business.

Our market leading position, handling over 21 million policies, is maintained through a dedication to service and a belief in constant evolution. we pride ourselves on being progressive and at the leading edge of service transformation.

Actuaries within Capitawithin Capita, the opportunities for actuaries are endless. Actuaries provide project management, business planning and life assurance expertise to other departments within Capita as well as performing professional corporate reporting and project services direct to our clients.

At Capita, you will enjoy the freedom to choose how your career progresses as we offer an experience which sits between consultancy and life office work… so you choose where the journey takes you!

From your first day in the office, you will have opportunity and variety in the high speed, quick changing, business improving environment which is… Capita!

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For actuaires jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

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Type of work experience offeredinternships and industrial placements

No. of work experience vacancies20

No. of graduate vacancies40

disciplines recruited fromAny but maths, statistics and business/management degrees are ideal

Min. degree required2.1

Min. UCAs points300

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits25 days holiday, bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events and study support

No. of employees15,000+

No. of trainees30

locationsBromley, Croydon, glasgow, leeds and london

international opportunitiesNo

How to applyOnline with a Cv, covering letter and application form

Contact informationwww.joininsurance.co.uk/graduates

Application deadlinegraduates: 30 November 2012 interns: 4 January 2013

scan for direct line’s live jobs

About direct line GroupFor us, it’s not all about insurance. it’s about people too. doing what’s best for them – customers and colleagues alike. we believe in building long-term relationships. relationships that reduce the risk for our customers and that help our own people build a career that matches their ambitions.

we’re home to some of the nation’s best-loved brands, including direct line, Churchill, privilege, green Flag, trACKer and Nig. And we’re building on our heritage by growing internationally too.

we’re a group of people with a single ambition: to be Britain’s best general retail insurer. we want to be known for treating our customers better than anyone else. we want to work in a way that’s more creative and more effective than other companies. put simply, we want our people to lead the industry in every area.

Graduate and internship programmes with direct line Groupwhether you’re looking for a paid work placement during your degree studies or to begin your career after graduation, you’ll find there’s an opportunity here to suit you. Analytics, Business transformation, Claims and market research. these are just some of the areas you can become an expert in here.

life at direct line Groupultimately, life here is about doing your very best, every day – for your customers, for your colleagues and for the business you’ll soon become a big part of. we’ll encourage you to push yourself, and to enjoy finding new strengths.

what’s more, we’ll make sure you’re rewarded for your hard work with a whole package of benefits and opportunities to help you create and live the life you want outside of work. plus you can expect a competitive salary that will grow as you do.

People at direct line Groupso, what do we look for? well, you’ll need to be as people focused as we are. you’ll need to be courageous, creative and accountable. you’ll need to be a good listener as well as a good communicator.

that’s not all though. everything we do is built on teamwork – so this needs to be at the heart of the way you work. we encourage each other to excel. we recognise achievements – and you can be sure you’ll be rewarded for yours.

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Who we aregAd was established as a government department in 1919. today, we provide actuarial analysis for public sector clients throughout the uK. we are based in central london in the heart of the financial community, with a second office in Edinburgh, and currently employ around 60 actuaries and 40 trainees. we are a not for profit organisation. What we do Our analysis enables government to formulate national policy and manage public sector finances. This work is crucial to the welfare of millions of people both in the uK and overseas. we provide advice on a wide variety of topics in many fields. Our aims gAd provides actuarial analysis to the public sector from the public sector. Our aim is to be a highly valued principal provider of actuarial analysis and advice to all parts of the uK government and other relevant uK and overseas public bodies.

For uK Central government (and the devolved administrations) to deliver and be seen to deliver: • top notch service and policy advice • A full range of actuarial analysis whenever

appropriate for actuarial input to be provided • All the actuarial analysis on pensions as

the ‘shared service’ supplier of actuarial analysis to government.

For other public sector (uK and overseas) to win and deliver as much actuarial analysis work as we can, subject to: • meeting the commitments to quality in all

we do • Anything we do must be consistent with

government policy • Nothing we do must impair our ability to

deliver Aim 1 • Meeting our financial criteria

• having a sustainable long-term gAd in government.

Our valuesin addition to the core values of the Civil service (integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality), gAd has values of: • making client service our priority • professionalism (Civil service core values

as above and actuarial professionalism) • treating people fairly and with respect • Being flexible, sharing and collaborative (i)

with clients, (ii) within and between teams, and (iii) with peer group and above

• delivering a work/life balance to the extent consistent with our themes

• Being forward looking and pro-active • Pursuing a fulfilling and varied career • public sector ethos consistent with the

ethos of our respective counterparts (i.e. clients and colleagues of equivalent pay/grade) in government departments generally.

Who are we looking for? each year we recruit a small number of people who have the clear potential to become fully qualified actuaries and who will relish the challenges of our diverse and public interest orientated work. As a minimum, candidates should: • expect to graduate, or have graduated,

with a first or high 2.1 honours degree in a subject with a high mathematical content or expect to achieve or have achieved an equivalent postgraduate qualification and

• have an A level in mathematics at grade A, or scottish/irish equivalent

• have a gCse in english language at grade B or above, or scottish/irish equivalent.

Applicants must be highly numerate, but do not need to be maths graduates. many people come to gAd from other disciplines, such as physics or economics.

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For actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

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Contact informationrecruitment@gad.gov.uk

Application deadlineCheck website

scan for GAd’s live jobs

No. of work experience vacancies0

No. of graduate vacancies5-10

disciplines recruited fromdegrees with a high mathematical content

Min. degree required2.1

starting salary£28,500 pa

Benefits25 days holiday (30 upon qualifying), bike scheme, flexitime, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan and study support

No. of employees130

No. of qualified actuaries60

No. of trainees40

locationslondon and edinburgh

international opportunitiesNo

At the government Actuary’s department we are renowned for the quality of our advice. this is because we select only the most promising recruits.

providing actuarial support to some of the largest pension schemes in the uK, our work is crucial to the welfare of millions of people. Our graduates are the actuaries of the future.

As a trainee actuary you will work as part of a team with qualified actuaries in both our London and Edinburgh office, to deliver advice across a broad range of areas such as valuations, benefit design, investment strategy and government policy. in addition to advising government, trustees and employers, there may also be opportunities to work in uK and international social insurance, long-term care, health, risk and insurance.

As your experience grows you can expect to have regular client contact. to help you qualify as quickly as possible we offer substantial study support with generous study leave, discussion classes, and paid for tutorials, courses, exam entry and exam counselling. we also provide an internal business training programme to help trainees grasp the opportunities we offer and to assume new responsibilities, including: • A comprehensive induction and technical

training programme • In-house seminars and professional briefings • managerial and business training including project

management, team working, presentations, it skills and managing client relationships

• A friendly and cooperative working environment, where actuaries and senior students are enthusiastic about teaching new trainees and passing on their experience.

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Make the most of who you are. Be you. get your career off to the very best start with hymans robertson, the uK’s leading, independently-owned pensions, investments and benefits consultancy.

we offer a comprehensive programme of training and support to our trainee consultants, plus unprecedented opportunities to work with people from across the firm right from the start. That means you’ll get all the help you need to achieve your professional qualifications, while also receiving some of the best possible hands-on experience.

if you’ve already decided to work in pensions and benefits or are looking for a rewarding career in the financial industry, becoming a consultant with hymans robertson is a great step forward and will provide you with an array of skills you simply won’t find in any other profession.

you’ll be trained in economics, probability, statistics, financial mathematics and more, and also be given the opportunity to apply those skills in real business situations. And you’ll receive lots of in-house coaching to help you develop your commercial awareness, communication and problem-solving skills. we’re totally committed to providing a well-rounded understanding of the industry so that you can fulfil your potential and really make your mark.

spirited performanceindeed, our whole culture is based around teamwork and wanting everyone to do really well – we notice great work, and always reward it. you will be actively encouraged to take on new challenges and get involved in client projects from a very early stage. you’ll also work alongside some of the sharpest minds in the profession, including our specialist teams, senior partners and owners of the firm.

Go your own wayyou can create a completely individual plan of study with your appointed mentor, who will be

a recently qualified actuarial consultant and on hand to prepare you for each challenge. we offer great flexibility in which exams to take and when, and what combination of subjects to study together. there is no rigid programme that you have to stick to, and you can advance your career as quickly as you want and in your own way.

we offer a comprehensive study programme at hymans robertson, with a generous bank of study days to support you through the various exams and formal qualification process. Plus, if your degree was in an actuarial-focused subject, you may also be able to push straight onto the second level of exams. Our support of graduates is reflected by our excellent exam pass rate and the career success of our employees. many of our partners have built their careers with us, and how far you go will be based entirely on your ability and ambition.

it’s all about youAnd if you’re right for us, you will already stand out against your peers. you‘ll have strong A level, ‘higher’ or equivalent results, including a grade A in mathematics. And you’ll have at least a 2.1 classification in your honours degree, which will be in a discipline that provides for a solid foundation in maths. indeed, you may also have completed additional postgraduate qualifications or work experience.

But academic ability is only part of your story. you’re able to analyse an issue from a technical perspective; devise a creative, practical and coherent solution, and then help people understand and feel comfortable with your proposal. you are also highly determined and have the drive to be successful.

Award-winning independent thinkinghymans robertson is an independent, specialist consultancy that’s determined to provide the very best, most agile, professional service to clients. we believe in being our clients’ most trusted adviser.

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For actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

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How to applysubmit an application form online at www.hymans.co.uk/careers

Contact information Arthur rahn t: 0207 082 6192 (london and Birmingham) Carla henison t: 0141 566 7894 (glasgow and edinburgh)

Application deadline5 November 2012

scan for Hymans Robertson’s live jobs

No. of employees550

No. of qualified actuaries100

No. of trainees75

locationsBirmingham, edinburgh, glasgow and london

international opportunitiesNo

Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of work experience vacancies7+

No. of graduate vacancies14+

disciplines recruited fromEconomics, finance, mathematics, science, statistics and other numerical disciplines

Min. degree required2.1

starting salaryhighly competitive

BenefitsA generous leave entitlement with the option to purchase more, bike scheme, healthcare scheme, interest-free loan, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events and study support

the quality of our people and the excellence of their advice are what have driven our strong growth in recent years and we now employ over 550 people across offices in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Our reputation is built on our friendly, partnering, confident and straightforward values, and being able to retain highly personal relationships and rapport with our clients. we offer a fresh and independent perspective on pensions and benefits, and our free-thinking specialists are expert in every sector of the industry.

many of the uK’s biggest pension schemes rely on our advice and we provide consultancy services to leading organisations, including Ftse100 and public sector organisations. Our core services include actuarial and investment consultancy; financial and risk management; benefits strategy and design; communications and engagement, and third party administration. we also continually seek to offer innovative, practical and bespoke solutions for our clients, making use of sophisticated quantitative analysis and modelling tools to supplement our broad market knowledge and expert consulting skills.

the quality of our work has been recognised by numerous industry awards, including ‘Auto-enrolment Advisor/provider of the year’ at the 2012 uK pensions Awards as well as ‘Actuarial Consulting of the year 2011’ and ‘Auto-enrolment Consultant 2012’ at the annual Ft pension and investment provider Awards.

We are also proud to be recognised as a top employer, having been awarded a ‘One star’ rating for three years running by Best Companies, the people behind the Sunday Times’ ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list. Being a best company is about excelling in every area for Hymans Robertson. This goes beyond the bottom line and demonstrates our commitment to what we see as our most important asset – our people.

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so you’re considering a career as an actuarial consultant...When you first came across it you may have jumped with joy simply at the existence of a career that rewards you for your mathematical genius! But i’ve learned there’s so much more it can offer you and being brilliant at maths is just the start.

learning to become an actuarial consultant is an amazing challenge. the exam process is tough, so tenacity is a key quality, and you also have to ensure you can balance the technicalities of the job with common sense and pragmatism.

A day in the life of an actuarial consultantevery day is different at hymans robertson, which makes life interesting and really stimulating. in the time that i’ve been here, i’ve done technical calculations, data analysis, valuations and risk analysis; produced accounting disclosures; calculated transfer values of individual members’ benefits, and many, many other interesting activities.

the support from fellow trainees has been great, with a real sense of camaraderie, and i’ve worked with all levels of colleagues, right up to senior partners. everyone’s been really supportive and helpful, offering advice and help with any piece of work. i’ve also had training in lots of different areas, from technical disciplines to developing consultancy skills.

The most enjoyable aspectsthe best and most enjoyable thing is that i’m

always being challenged. the varied nature of the work means i regularly get to have a go at projects that i’ve never come across before. I need a bit more of a briefing with some of these than with others, and a spot of extra training is also required sometimes, but rising to the challenge is really satisfying. i’ve also enjoyed the opportunity to take on specialist roles within my team, which are helping me develop my skills while also being useful to my immediate colleagues.

The least enjoyable aspectsthere’s no getting away from the exams! the most stressful part of the job is finding time to study for the professional exams and it requires real commitment. On the plus side, hymans robertson provides all the materials and tutorials, a study day every week, and a dedicated mentor to guide you. Although stressful, it’s also rewarding to see the concepts you’re learning from the textbooks be applied in real life.

Overall impressionAt the moment I can definitely say that this was the ideal career choice as it combines maths and statistics with a career in consulting – the perfect combination for me. i really enjoy the process of working through real-life practical problems, and then communicating and implementing the solution for everyone’s benefit. Everyone at hymans robertson has been so friendly and welcoming that i couldn’t have asked for a better start to my career.

Name xxx

University xxx

degree xxx

location xxx

Role xxxx

Trainee profile

Name Claire singer

University heriot-watt university

degree Bsc (hons) Actuarial science

location edinburgh

Role trainee Consultant

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Take a truly personal step forward on your road to success. At Hymans Robertson, we know that the best way to help graduates become the finest consultants in the financial industry is to treat them as individuals.

That’s why we put you in control of your own training, provide one-to-one mentoring, and create the best opportunities for practical, hands-on learning, right from the start.

To find out more about becoming an actuarial consultant with the UK’s leading independent pensions and benefits consultancy please call us or visit our website.

Call Noreen on 020 7082 6296or Carla on 0141 566 7894Visit www.hymans.co.uk/careers

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HistoryLCP is a specialist actuarial consulting firm with over 85 partners and over 400 personnel, including approximately 120 qualified actuaries and 70 actuarial students. The firm originated from a sole practice founded in 1947 and in 1962 began to trade under the name ‘lane Clark & peacock’.

we set ourselves high professional standards, reflected in the fact that we have won the european pensions Consultancy of the year in 2012 and a host of other awards. so whether you join our pensions, investment or insurance team, you can be sure you’ll be working with some of the very best and brightest in their field.

lCp offers a full range of actuarial and related employee benefit advice to employers and pension scheme trustees of various sizes and in many industries as well as to individuals, especially directors and expatriates. specialist departments also provide pension administration services, investment consulting and general insurance advice.

The work of the actuarial studentOne of the great benefits of working for lCp is the variety of projects you’ll be working on and the range of tasks involved in completing them. For example, you could be helping with pension scheme valuations, monitoring investment manager performance or assessing the impact of unlikely events. you could be building a spreadsheet model, using our own software, drafting letters to clients or writing full reports.

there are also plenty of opportunities for client contact, right from early on in your career.

What areas can i work in?you’ll be working in one of four teams, covering our specialist areas:

Pensions – advising companies and trustees on designing pension schemes, valuing and managing accumulated pension commitments, the impact of new legislation, and the pensions implications of mergers and acquisitions.

investment – helping companies and trustees to manage risk and decide on the best way to manage the assets of their pension funds.

insurance (London office only) – giving advice to general insurance companies on reserving and financial risk management, building models to calculate capital requirements, pricing insurance contracts and helping insurance companies implement solvency ii.

Business Analytics (London office only) – using mathematical modelling to help companies make better decisions and reduce risk . Our Business Analytics team works on a wide range of projects, from modelling the effect of government policy on the future of the gB electricity market to estimating the regulatory capital requirements of financial organisations. We also offer flexibility to move between teams if you wish, as well as the opportunity of secondments to our European offices.

Number of graduate trainees required in 2013up to 21 for positions in pensions, investment, insurance and business analytics consulting.

Minimum academic requirementswe welcome graduates from a wide range of disciplines who are prepared for the high level of mathematical content the actuarial training and profession delivers. ideal graduates would have at least a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) and an A grade in A level mathematics (or equivalent). we also require good A level grades in other subjects equating to a total of 320 uCAs points.

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For actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

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No. of employees400

No. of qualified actuaries120

No. of trainees70

locationslondon and winchester

international opportunitiesNo

Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of work experience vacancies12

No. of graduate vacancies21

disciplines recruited frommost degrees considered

Min. degree required2.1

Min. UCAs points320

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits22 days holiday, bike scheme, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events and study support

How to applyvisit the website for a downloadable application form

Contact informationgraduate careers@lcp.ukt: 020 7439 2266

Application deadline16 November 2012

scan for lCP’s live jobs

starting salaryto be announced. the competitive package includes bonus and other benefits.

Annual leaveescalating holiday entitlement and facility to buy and sell holiday.

Professional developmentlCp sets great store by students passing their exams and qualifying as quickly as possible; the firm also has a major programme of in-house training. After an intense introductory course, regular training sessions are held throughout the first three years, covering every aspect of the business. senior staff also receive training to keep their technical knowledge up to date and to improve their managerial, reporting, and presentation skills. we provide comprehensive support for external tuition for the actuarial exams, including payment of tuition, tutorial, and examination fees and we provide generous study leave.

Working hoursthe professional examinations are challenging and require hard work. we do not therefore expect staff to work regular overtime during their first two years, as passing the exams is the main priority. As staff develop and assume more senior roles within their client teams, more flexibility is needed to respond to the needs of clients and extended hours of work may become necessary during busy periods.

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i joined lCp in september 2010 along with 15 other graduates after completing a summer internship with lCp the year before. we started with a two week training course, which offered a great opportunity to get to know one another and introduced us to the company and what was to be expected of us. there was a lot to learn, but everyone was very approachable and encouraged us to ask questions.

This eased me into the general everyday office work, particularly in getting to grips with the in-house programmes and models. the work is diverse, ranging from performing individual member calculations to attending trustee meetings to discuss the results of their pension scheme triennial valuations. the work is supported by an excellent three year graduate

training programme, including sessions on topics covered in the actuarial exams (e.g. actuarial functions and annuities), ‘hot topics’ such as tax and regulation and softer-skills training (e.g. on presentational skills). The size of the firm gives me the opportunity to work directly for senior consultants and partners and to work on a number of different clients, varying in both size and the type of work involved.

the technical and challenging work is balanced by a friendly, supportive work environment and a lot of socialising. the saying ‘work hard, play hard’ is definitely practised here. The social committee arranges frequent social events such as trips to the theatre, pub quizzes and our annual summer party and there is always somewhere to go for a few drinks on a Friday.

Trainee profile

Name rachael Casey

University university of Cambridge

degree Natural sciences

location london

Role Analyst

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GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

See the world from a different perspective.

Want to work for an award winning consultancy? Now recruiting up to 21 highly numerate graduates with strong communication skills in London and Winchester within our Pensions, General Insurance, Business Analytics and Investment consultancies.

For more information and an application form please visit www.lcp.uk.com/graduatecareers

Find out about the exciting journey towards a successful career as an actuary

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we are a leading provider of risk, savings and investment management products in the uK. established in 1836, we’ve been in business for 175 years, which not only gives us credibility but it demonstrates our experience in every kind of economic climate. we are responsible for investing £370 billion worldwide (as at 30 June 2011) on behalf of investors, policyholders and shareholders. we also have over seven million customers in the uK for our life assurance, pensions, investments and general insurance plans. we are one of the UK’s top assurance companies for financial strength.

we recruit, by the middle of march, a limited number of graduates each year in order to meet our demands for actuarial students. this policy means that all of our new actuarial trainees have specific responsibilities from the moment they join the company.

Our Kingswood office is in the heart of the Surrey countryside, but central london is only a 45 minute train journey from the station, which is a five minute walk from the office. The site has excellent sporting facilities (including football and cricket pitches, tennis courts, swimming pool and sports hall) and a staff restaurant. Kingswood is home to over 1,800 people involved in an extensive range of activities. these include our company pensions and life insurance businesses, compliance, group finance and sales.

Our Birmingham office is located in the heart of the city near the Arcadian and the famous Bullring Shopping Centre. Based only a five minute walk from New Street Rail Station, the office is ideally situated for commuters around the midlands area. Our Birmingham office houses over 500 people working mainly in the area of general insurance. we provide a busy and successful environment that offers excellent resources, a friendly working atmosphere, a wide choice of career opportunities and of course, easy access to some of the best shopping and entertainment venues in the midlands.

How to applyOnline via legal & general’s website:www.legalandgeneralgroup.com/careers

Contact informationJessica sheeransenior recruitment Consultant - ActuarialActuarial.recruitment@landg.com

Application deadlineCheck website

scan for legal & General’s live jobs

Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of graduate vacanciesvaries

Min. degree required2.1

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits22 days holiday, bike scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, stocks/shares and study support

No. of employees6,500+

No. of qualified actuaries200+

No. of trainees90+

locationsKingswood, Birmingham and london

international opportunitiesNo

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NEW HORIZONS.

Actuarial skills are always in demand at Legal & General and with the challenges and changes ahead of us, we see our business moving forward in new directions. We’re looking for focused, commercially aware graduates who want to join us on the journey our actuarial teams are making.

Please email actuarial.recruitment@landg.com to fi nd out more or visit our websitewww.legalandgeneralgroup.com/careers

EVERYDAYMATTERS.

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Contact informationwww.mercer.com/ukgradst: 020 7178 7192

Application deadlineCheck website

scan for Mercer’s live jobs

Type of work experience offeredsummer internships

No. of graduate vacancies50

disciplines recruited fromNumerical or semi-numerical

Min. degree required2.1

Min. UCAs points300

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits25 days holiday plus the ability to buy or sell days, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, season ticket loan, stocks/shares, study support and much more

No. of employees19,000

No. of qualified actuariesc. 250

No. of traineesc. 150

locationsengland, scotland, Northern ireland and over 40 other countries around the world

what makes mercer the perfect place for your actuarial career? well, let’s start with the facts and the figures. Operating in 41 countries, we’re one of the world’s leading providers of talent, health, pensions and investment services. in the uK alone we have 3,000 professionals who support a huge variety of organisations – including most of the Ftse100.

You will benefit from a distinctive and highly supportive culture. we are driven by a passion to be the best at what we do. we champion diversity and encourage collaboration. we promote innovation and the sharing of ideas. And we deliver exceptional results in ways that always respect clients, colleagues and the communities we belong to.

Become an actuarymercer offers a variety of different paths to becoming an actuary, including either an investments (focusing on the assets side) or pensions (dealing with liabilities) route. whatever your particular path, you’ll gain technical experience and credibility across a wide range of projects, allowing you to excel in a client-facing role in the future. variety, challenge and personal development are why actuaries thrive at mercer.

Training and developmentAs you study for the actuarial qualification, we’re here to support you. we’ll pay for your tuition fees and study materials and give you a comprehensive and generous study leave package. Our 18-month graduate development programme has been designed to identify and build on your existing strengths to equip you with the skills you’ll need to become an exceptional consultant.

Attractive benefits and rewardsyour expertise, hard work and commitment are vital to our success – and we believe in giving you and everyone on our team the recognition they deserve. that starts with a competitive salary, which will be reviewed annually and increased as you progress through your professional exams. We also provide you with a flexible benefits plan that offers you the freedom to choose from a wide range of benefits.

To find out more and to apply, visit www.mercer.com/ukgrads

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PROFESSIONAL, INCLUSIVE, CHALLENGING AND FRIENDLY.WITH OUTSTANDING CAREERS FOR GRADUATES.Find out more at: www.mercer.com/ukgrads

TALENT • HEALTH • RETIREMENT • INVESTMENTS

LC15272_Mercer_1-c.indd 1 14/8/12 09:37:48

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Contact informationrecruitment.uk@milliman.com11 Old Jewry, london, eC2r 8du

Application deadline3 december 2012

scan for Milliman’s live jobs

Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of work experience vacancies0

No. of graduate vacancies5

disciplines recruited fromNumerical degrees

Min. degree required2.1

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits25 days holiday, bike scheme, gym membership, life assurance, healthcare scheme, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events and study support

No. of employees74

No. of qualified actuaries35

No. of trainees25

locationslondon

international opportunitiesNo

Who we are milliman was founded in 1947 and is one of the world’s largest independent actuarial and consulting firms. We have more than 50 offices in key locations worldwide employing over 2,500 people. the uK milliman practice is located in the City of london and is among the leading uK actuarial consultancies, with over 70 members of staff. we specialise in consulting work for a wide range of life insurers, financial services companies, general insurers and healthcare companies. we provide each of them with a client-focused approach, a broad range of multidisciplinary skills, cutting edge analysis and practical solutions to challenging business problems using our own software and programmes.

What we offerif you join us, you will be using your natural strengths and talent in either our life or general insurance teams. A team is only as strong as the people who comprise it. that’s why we have designed an outstanding training programme, which will help you reach your full potential and become a consultant able to provide effective solutions to the challenges facing our clients. you will be exposed to a wide range of client assignments, enabling you to build a strong portfolio of experience, and you will receive on-the-job training to assist you in your day to day work. during your career at milliman you will also be involved in our marketing efforts through participating in research and development activities, preparing material for publication and assisting in proposals to new clients.

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s How to applydownload an application form from the website and submit online or via email. Application process opens October 2012

Contact informationwww.munichre.co.uk/About-us2/Careers/graduate-recruitment-application mruk-graduates@munichre.com

Application deadlinedecember 2012

scan for Munich Re’s live jobs

No. of graduate vacancies2-4

disciplines recruited frommathematical degree or other numerate discipline

Min. degree required2.1

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits25 days holiday, life assurance, healthcare scheme, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events and study support

No. of employees172 (uK & ireland life)

No. of qualified actuaries30

No. of trainees28

locationsCanary wharf, london

uK & ireland life is part of the munich re group, one of the world’s leading reinsurers. we have over 125 years experience as a risk carrier and provider of financial services, and have operated continuously as a branch in the uK since 1977. Our integrated business model encompasses three pillars: reinsurance, primary insurance and munich health. to support this we have an international organisation comprised of over 60 business units with offices on each continent. This has enabled us to build and share local knowledge globally so as to develop munich re experts in a variety of market-wide issues.

At uK & ireland life we: • reinsure all life and disability products. • reinsure the longevity risk of pension schemes and

annuity portfolios.• support insurers’ balance sheets through

reinsurance structuring (including cash financing).

uK & ireland life employs a small number of exceptional graduates each year as trainee actuaries. to maintain our leading position we are selective about technical aptitude and wider skills.

Our graduate programme offers numerous opportunities, including visiting our Munich offices to attend various training modules, giving you the chance to network with other graduates in our global offices and expand your knowledge of the business. we actively encourage our graduates to undertake actuarial qualifications and offer a competitive study policy within a supportive culture.

the actuarial graduate programme is ideal for individuals who have recently graduated from, or are currently studying towards, a mathematical degree or other numerate discipline and are seeking a career that will allow them to use their skills and knowledge to solve problems and measure risk. if you feel that you are reliable and ambitious with excellent communication skills and would be committed to completing your actuarial exams, this opportunity may be for you!

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s How to applyCv and covering letter by email

Contact informationtia.pinnock-hamilton@thephoenixgroup.com www.phoenixgroupcareers.co.uk/actuarial

Application deadlineOngoing

scan for Phoenix Group’s live jobs

No. of work experience vacancies0

No. of graduate vacanciesvaries

disciplines recruited fromAll degrees considered, but numerate related degree preferred (maths, Finance, Accountancy etc.)

Min. degree required2.2

starting salary£26,495

Benefits26 days holiday, flexitime, gym membership, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, social events and study support

No. of employees835

No. of qualified actuariesc. 90

No. of trainees0

locationswythall (near Bimingham), dublin, glasgow, Jersey and london

international opportunitiesNo

experience the differenceFrom the moment you arrive here at our prestigious head office location in Wythall, we guarantee that you’ll be impressed. set in 42 acres of grounds, it really is the perfect place to live, work and play.

For any graduate or student actuary, phoenix offers a great way to learn, develop and progress in a unique working environment, providing a genuine route to passing your actuarial exams with one of ‘Britain’s top employers 2012’.

As the uK’s largest closed life and pension fund consolidator, currently in the midst of a major technology transformation project – converting in excess of 50 actuarial systems into one single, world leading modelling platform – we can promise a level of exposure you’ll find hard to beat.

right from the start you’ll have your very own mentor and development plan, rotating between actuarial and finance functions, with the aim of achieving Senior Actuarial Analyst status, whilst studying for your professional actuarial qualifications and enjoying our full financial support.

the rewards are designed to meet your growing aspirations and come with a fantastic range of benefits and prospects. Our student salaries are benchmarked at three set stages – on entry; on completion of the CT series; and on qualification. Following each exam passed or qualification gained, we’ll review your salary to ensure that it’s relative to the market – but more importantly that it reflects your hard work.

taken in the context of the great environment and fantastic location, not forgetting the quality and scope of work on offer, it all adds up to a fantastic proposition, with a clear route to forging a long term career in the actuarial field – and we’re sure you’ll want to know more!

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How to applyOnline at www.pwc.com/careers – we encourage early application to avoid disappointment

Contact informationrecruitment helpline: t: 0808 100 1500

Application deadlinedeadlines apply in some areas. please visit our website

scan for PwC’s live jobs

Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of work experience vacanciesc. 15

No. of graduate vacanciesc. 70

disciplines recruited fromAll degrees considered

Min. degree required2.1

Min. UCAs points320 including a B in maths A level

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits25 days holiday, bike scheme, gym membership, healthcare scheme, interest-free loan, life assurance, pension scheme, season ticket loan and study support

No. of employeesc. 16,000 (uK) c. 169,000 (worldwide)

No. of qualified actuaries167

No. of trainees148

locationsBirmingham, Bristol, edinburgh, leeds, london and manchester

international opportunitiesvisit our global site for more information – www.pwc.com

your career is just that, yours. you choose it. you live it. you make it happen. To get the best from it, you need the best opportunities. That’s why opportunities are at the heart of a career with us. Opportunities to grow as an individual, to build lasting relationships and make an impact in a place where people, quality and value mean everything.

Actuarial opportunities with PwCOur actuarial practice is looking for graduates who, whatever their degree discipline, background or aspiration, are highly analytical people who enjoy working with others to help solve complex problems, but also have qualities that make them stand out.

we help clients evaluate risks to their businesses, using financial and statistical techniques to analyse the likelihood and implications of different events. it’s a challenging and highly technical remit, made even more so by the need to communicate complex findings in a simple way, so that clients can implement actions that best meet their interests. very early on you’ll get the opportunity to interact with clients – enhancing your experience and supporting your development along the way.

your developmentActuaries need professional qualifications and we give all the support you’ll need to attain them. On average it takes six years to qualify; PwC graduates usually take less than four. You’ll be supported during your training and benefit from on-the-job commercial experience. you’ll also be working with colleagues from a range of backgrounds and expertise outside of your direct team - helping you to build your skills and be best equipped for the future.

Find out morego to our website to understand each area in more detail: Actuarial & insurance management solutions which works primarily in the insurance field and also in the growing non-insurance field; Human Resource Consulting covering pensions, or reward consultancy.

whichever route you choose, by joining our actuarial practice, we’re sure you’ll have a rewarding and stimulating career with us.

Take the opportunity of a lifetime. www.pwc.com/uk/careers www.facebook.com/PwCCareersUK

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About uspunter southall was established in 1988 by Jonathan punter and stuart southall with nine employees to provide actuarial and investment advice to uK pension schemes. in 1999, punter Southall became a limited company; this was an important step in our company’s growth strategy.

the business was originally set up to introduce a fresh, competitive presence to a largely static pension services market and primarily to put client service first. These guiding principles have not changed.

Our key services to occupational pension schemes and their related employers include:

• Actuarial consulting• Defined contribution consulting• health and protection consulting• international consulting• investment consulting• pensions administration • transaction services.

we currently have eight sister companies, which form the punter southall group, providing a unique combination of actuarial, pensions consultancy, administration and investment services specifically for: pension scheme trustees, corporate sponsors, private clients and institutions.

Key facts about Punter southall Group • 800 employees in 11 locations throughout

the uK • 1,000 companies and trustees of pension

schemes receiving services including: actuarial, administration, investment, employee and risk benefits advice

• 4,000 private clients • we administer more than 225,000

occupational pension scheme members• £10 billion assets under management • £30 billion assets under advice.

Our servicesOur trustee and employer consulting teams provide friendly, professional and jargon-free advice for all aspects of occupational pension schemes including: funding, investment strategy, benefit design and reporting of pension costs in company accounts. we also have a wealth of experience in takeovers, mergers, acquisitions and management of buy-out situations. this has long been a growth area and existing clients, lawyers, venture capital houses and strategy consultants, who appreciate our practical and commercially minded approach, regularly instruct us. punter southall transaction services is our specialised division dedicated to mergers and acquisitions pensions consultancy. we also provide high quality pensions administration for a large number of our clients.

Our actuarial and administration employees work closely together in multidisciplinary client teams. this encourages cross-fertilisation of ideas, a wider understanding of our clients’ needs and enhances the services we provide.

Minimum academic requirementsA 2.1 honours degree (any discipline), 340 uCAs points or equivalent (excluding general studies and As level grades) including a grade A in A level mathematics. in addition to the necessary academic achievements, candidates need to be able to demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team and possess excellent interpersonal skills both verbally and in writing.

Professional development we offer generous study leave and pay for course notes, annual subscriptions and examinations. Actuarial students are assigned a mentor, who is normally a newly qualified actuary, to support them in their studies. students are given the opportunity to sit mock exams before their first actuarial exams.

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For actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of work experience vacancies6-10

No. of graduate vacancies6-8

disciplines recruited fromAll degrees considered

Min. degree required2.1

Min. UCAs points340

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits23 days holiday, bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, social events and study support

No. of employeesc. 800

No. of qualified actuaries95

No. of trainees74

locationsBirmingham, Bristol, edinburgh, guildford, london and wokingham

international opportunitiesNo

in addition, employees are offered an induction programme upon joining and an extensive programme of internal training courses that are held throughout the year, together with on-the-job training. Career planning and personal development are assisted by an in-house appraisal system which applies to all employees. Other forms of training include regular staff nights, weekly actuarial technical training and technical seminars.

we are committed to the continued support of our employees, which is reflected in our Investor in People (iip) accreditation.

Award winning

highly commended at the engaged investor trustee Awards 2011 in the most innovative Pensions Consultant category; and for Third Party Administration at the pension and investment Adviser Awards. in 2012, punter southall was the only shortlisted entrant to be highly commended in the category for Actuarial Consultant at the pension investment provider Awards.

How to applyCv and covering letter online, by email or post. All applications will be reviewed together after the closing date

Contact informationJacqueline weller (recruitment manager) t: 01483 540 300 opportunities@puntersouthall.com

Application deadline2 November 2012

scan for Punter southall’s live jobs

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i started my graduate career at punter southall shortly after completing a six week summer Internship at the Guildford office. I was keen to be able to use my mathematics degree, but also wanted a career that could provide me with varied and interesting work, and so far this has been the case!

In the Guildford office, the actuarial teams are made up of 7-10 people each with varying levels of experience. As a new graduate there is certainly a steep learning curve, but i receive plenty of support from the team as they have all been there before, and there is always someone to answer your questions. A new graduate has recently joined our team and i have also been able to provide support to them and to pass on the knowledge and skills that I have developed. One of the benefits of the team structure is it encourages each person to take on more responsibility, as new graduates join, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for progression.

punter southall provide an internal training programme, which means there are plenty of opportunities to learn more in addition to the

day to day work. i was responsible for running several training courses for the summer students last year and the new graduates this year. this proved to be excellent experience for improving my presentation skills, and also for realising how much i have actually learnt so far in my career.A key part of an actuarial career is studying for the exams. whilst this can seem daunting at times, punter southall provide generous study support and i have my own study mentor to help me progress through the exams. my team are also very supportive throughout exam periods and the hard work pays off as there are usually plenty of celebrations when exams are passed and for those who qualify.

The atmosphere in the Guildford office is very friendly and sociable. there are plenty of events happening both within the office as a whole and also within our individual teams. From the annual Christmas party and summer event to team meals and office quiz nights, there is something for everyone to get involved with. The Guildford office itself is also in a great location, close to lots of restaurants, bars and shops and all within walking distance, perfect for socialising after work!

Name xxx

University xxx

degree xxx

location xxx

Role xxxx

Trainee profile

Name gemma walker

University university of Bath

degree Bsc (hons) mathematics

location guildford

Role Actuarial trainee

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For acctuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

As with many people, i had not come across the word ‘actuary’ until i reached university. however, the more i found out about it, the more i realised that this was the industry for me. it seemed the ideal way to mix mathematics and logic with a chance to apply the answers in the real world.

i started working for punter southall in September 2005 at the Wokingham office. the ethos within the company means that colleagues are always on hand to share their knowledge. everyone is very approachable and make you feel very welcome. there is also good camaraderie in the teams, with everybody developing and growing in the job.

the high intake and retention of graduates has meant that the Wokingham office has a vibrant and friendly feel to it. the majority of students live within the town itself, which allows for frequent social evenings out and significantly reduces the stress of a long commute to work in the mornings. there are also regular outings arranged by the social Committee, as well as a

chance to do a spot of exercise in our weekly 5-a-side football game.

As is the case with most professional careers, further exams are necessary and the actuarial exams are certainly tough! Fortunately at punter southall you are assigned a mentor who you can turn to for guidance, together with a weekly study day which is essential to progress with the courses. having the time, motivation and self-discipline required to study whilst working can be difficult, but the rewards are certainly worth it!

initially, the day to day work mostly comprises of individual calculations such as transfer values and retirement quotations. however, as your experience and knowledge grows, you are soon given opportunities to work on actuarial valuations and larger projects. i am now responsible for overseeing projects and checking other team members’ work. i also have regular direct contact with pensioners, trustees and company directors.

Name graham robinson

University university of warwick

degree msc mOrse

location wokingham

Role Qualified Actuary

Employee profile

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How to applyCv & covering letter via email. early application strongly advised. please specifiy if you are applying to our Edinburgh or Wilmslow office

Contact informationactuarial.opportunities@royallondongroup.co.ukwww.royallondoncareers.co.uk

Application deadline31 december 2012

scan for Royal london’s live jobs

Type of work experience offeredindustrial placements

No. of work experience vacanciesvaries

No. of graduate vacanciesvaries

disciplines recruited fromAll degrees considered, however candidates must have strong numerical skills

Min. degree required2.1

Min. UCAs points300

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits25 days holiday with ability to buy/sell days, bike scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan and study support

No. of employees2,900

No. of qualified actuaries70

No. of trainees50

locationsedinburgh and wilmslow (south manchester)

international opportunitiesNo

Who are we? royal london is the uK’s largest mutual life and pensions company with £46.8 billion funds under management, serving around four million customers (all figures as of 31 March 2012). We offer a range of pensions, protection, investment and savings products, which are distributed principally through iFA’s and other third parties. we are committed to becoming a leading provider of financial services products in the UK. we aim to provide the highest standards of customer service and to develop products and services that are recognised as market leading. Our specialist businesses are clearly positioned in each of their markets. their goal is to provide adaptable solutions that match the needs of distribution partners and customers.

What we can offer you Our actuaries and actuarial students occupy key positions right across the group. As you would expect from such a diverse company, we have a range of roles in which our actuarial students operate, including financial reporting, projects, investigations and pricing, depending on location. Our actuarial students have the opportunity to experience a number of different disciplines within sites. As well as the traditional actuarial areas, our actuaries work in a number of other fields where they apply their actuarial skills to bring a fresh perspective to solving business problems.

What we are looking for in addition to an excellent academic record, we’re looking for individuals who have:• strong problem-solving and numerical skills (maths

A level or equivalent grade B minimum).• A drive to succeed in both the actuarial

professional exams and the business.• the ability to write reports and communicate

clearly with a variety of stakeholders.• excellent team-working skills.

we do not normally recruit trainees with exemptions from the actuarial professional exams at our wilmslow office. Eligibility to work in the UK is essential.

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Name Nicki Blakeway

University manchester university

degree Bsc mathematics and management

location wilmslow

Role Actuarial Assistant

The worki joined royal london’s actuarial department in wilmslow in september 2009 straight after graduating from university. there are four teams in our department which carry out activities such as financial reporting, actuarial servicing, capital monitoring, and systems risks and controls, so there are opportunities to gain experience across different areas. i currently work on the servicing team, which supports the distribution, marketing and administration of business and have been involved in a wide variety of work. this helps to keep day to day activities interesting and challenging.

working within a large business also gives me the opportunity to meet and work with lots of different people. we are expected to provide technical support to other areas of the business which creates great links with other departments.

when i first started, the people in the department were very approachable and always willing to answer even the simplest of questions. this helps to create a good atmosphere in the office and has allowed me to learn at a much quicker rate.

The examsstudying and working requires a large amount of commitment, but if you manage your time well there is still time for a social life. i play for a basketball team, go swimming and regularly enjoy catching up with friends.

royal london offers an excellent study support package. we are given a day off most weeks to study along with tutorial days and plenty of materials. there are quite a few actuarial students in the department which I find very useful as there is always someone to discuss your studies with.

The locationThe Wilmslow office is set in attractive grounds with plenty of space. there are some good facilities such as a restaurant, snooker room, gym, and a starbucks for coffee fans such as myself. wilmslow town is only a short walk away and here you will find a few shops and some good pubs and cafes. there is a great social atmosphere within the office, with many nights out, five a side football and a pub lunch every Friday. many people in the department are students, meaning that the social life is well placed around exams.

Trainee profile

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s How to applyOnline at www.standardlife.com/graduates

Contact informationgraduate_recruitment@standardlife.comt: 0131 245 6069

Application deadlineearly application is advised

scan for standard life’s live jobs

Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of work experience vacanciesCheck website

No. of graduate vacanciesCheck website

disciplines recruited fromFirst or 2.1 degree/postgraduate qualification in an analytical based subject

Min. degree required2.1

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits31 days holiday plus 3.5 designated company holidays, life assurance, pension scheme, social events and study support

No. of employees9,000

No. of qualified actuaries110

No. of trainees60

locationsedinburgh

international opportunitiesNo

standard life is a leading long term savings and investment company. we provide life assurance, pensions and investments to over six million customers worldwide. standard life employs approximately 9,000 people worldwide with operations in the uK, Canada, ireland, germany, Austria and joint ventures in China and india.

Our actuariesThe actuarial profession is at the heart of financial risk management, so it stands to reason that actuaries are at the heart of standard life.

Our graduate opportunitiesAt standard life, our actuaries apply their expertise to solving business problems in a complex and fast-changing environment and we see your training programme as a two-way partnership. Our actuarial programme will help you work towards your professional exams while also giving you first hand experience of the real life applications of your knowledge.

Our training and study packagewe understand there are demanding professional standards in this area, so we offer generous study leave, in-house tutoring and mentoring to give you excellent support.

this might be why the pass rate of actuarial trainees at standard life has been consistently higher than the national average. you’ll need an analytical mind, logical decision-making abilities, strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication and enjoy working as part of a team.

Our outstanding study package includes • generous study leave• Study materials and first exam costs funded • Funding for tutorials• individual mentoring• professional fees funded.

Our requirements• minimum of a 2.1 in an analytically based subject

(or a relevant postgraduate qualification). • minimum grade A at A level or equivalent in maths.• minimum grade B at gCse or equivalent in english. • Commitment to succeed in the professional exams

and desire to develop an actuarial career.

Our benefitsto attract and retain the best graduates, our generous study package is complimented by a highly competitive salary and flexible benefits package. Salaries are linked to individual contribution and progress through professional exams.

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How to applyOnline with Cv and covering letter

Contact informationwww.sungard.com/graduatecareersemea.campus@sungard.com

Application deadline28 February 2013

scan for sungard’s live jobs

Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of graduate vacancies4-6

disciplines recruited fromNumerical disciplines including mathematics, actuarial science and computer science

Min. degree required2.1

Min. UCAs points300

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits25 days holiday, bike scheme, healthcare scheme, pension scheme, season ticket loan, social events and study support

No. of employees17,000

locationsOffices across EMEA, APAC and Americas. uK graduate vacancies are in Chertsey

international opportunitiesvaries year on year

About ussungard is one of the world’s leading software and technology services companies. sungard has more than 17,000 employees and serves more than 25,000 customers in more than 70 countries. sungard provides software and processing solutions for financial services, education and the public sector. sungard also provides disaster recovery services, managed it services, information availability consulting services and business continuity management software. with annual revenue of $4.5 billion, sungard is ranked 434 on the Fortune 500 and is the largest privately held business software and it services company.

iWorks Prophet sungard offers a range of products serving the insurance sector. sungard’s iworks prophet is an enterprise-wide actuarial modelling system used around the world to model companies’ financial business. It is used by 8,500 customers in more than 650 sites, in more than 55 countries. the iworks prophet department contains three core actuarial teams:

• Actuarial systems team – design and architecture of the iworks prophet professional and enterprise editions.

• library development team – development of the actuarial codebase, to meet the latest international business requirements.

• Consultancy team – working with sungard’s customers around the world, implementing solutions to get the best out of iworks prophet.

Graduate careerssungard is looking for innovative graduates to drive and direct their suite of prophet products into the future. successful candidates will become part of the actuarial profession with a focus towards becoming a qualified actuary. sungard will support you in all ways towards achieving this goal including study support and training.

What we are looking forin addition to a strong academic record, successful candidates will have an interest in it, systems and finance. Strong technical communication skills are vital for this role, both in discussing requirements with clients and within the prophet team. problem solving and analytical skills are also critical for success.

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Online at www.towerswatson.com/graduate/uk we encourage you to apply by the first deadline

Contact informationgraduate.uk@towerswatson.com

Application deadlineCheck website

scan for Towers Watsons’s live jobs

Type of work experience offeredinternships

No. of work experience vacancies40-45

No. of graduate vacancies80-85

disciplines recruited fromvarious

Min. degree required2.2

Min. UCAs points300

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits25 days holiday, bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events and study support

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No. of employees14,000

No. of qualified actuaries600

No. of trainees350

locationsBirmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, edinburgh, epsom, leeds, london, manchester and reigate

international opportunitiesyes

towers watson is an exciting place to begin your actuarial career. Along with a formal actuarial training programme, you will gain valuable insights into the business needs of some of the world’s most sophisticated organisations.

Who we aretowers watson’s mission is to contribute to their clients’ success through utilising their unique capabilities and deep expertise. we provide the vision, ideas and answers to positively affect their business results. towers watson’s roots may go back more than 130 years to the world’s oldest firm of actuaries, but their vision is firmly fixed on the future. In March 2012, Fortune magazine ranked towers watson as number one in its industry and on its list of the world’s most Admired Companies.

What we offerwe are a leading innovator in the market and one of the largest employers of actuaries in the uK. this provides our trainees with a unique support network for achieving the Institute of Actuaries qualification. you will be helping clients to forecast and manage risk by analysing the likelihood of an event and its potential impact on cost and other factors.

in a nutshell, at towers watson you will gain the necessary technical and non-technical skills actuaries need to gain a detailed understanding of relevant legislation, economics and the business world, and strong mathematical modelling and statistical expertise.

What do we look for?We need talented and flexible individuals with superb problem-solving and communication skills who meet our entry criteria: A level mathematics (or a numerate degree) and on track to obtain a second class degree.

Top three reasons to join us• Fully funded study – up to 40 study days per year.• Opportunities from day one for involvement in

client work.• Collegial working environment with world-

class experts.

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Name sam Chesterton

University university of Bristol

degree meng mechanical engineering

location london

Role Analyst

Trainee profile

How did you get your job at Towers Watson? i initially became aware of towers watson through the actuarial institute’s website, and applied for their graduate intake. i wanted to work for a life insurance consultancy, and the company immediately stood out as one of the largest and most prestigious.

What made you decide to become an actuary?i became aware of the role of actuaries during my third year of university. throughout my degree i found my preferences lying with the mathematical and theoretical modelling side of engineering and consequently utilised my university’s career service to analyse my options. the typical job roles and functions appealed to me so i contacted a family friend who operated as an actuary to talk about the profession, by the end of which I was confident in my chosen career.

What was the recruitment process like? the recruitment process at towers watson separated the company from the others i had attended. i already had two job offers, but found myself extremely impressed with both the organisation of the day and the quality of other applicants. i received my contract shortly after and then enjoyed a relaxed Christmas break where i accepted the job and planned a few months travelling before beginning work the following summer.

describe a typical day as an actuary A typical day begins by checking my emails and planning the day to prioritise tasks by deadline. i then attend to the responsibilities i have been assigned on my client project which will often include discussions with my project manager, executing analysis and replying to client emails. i also make sure that i take advantage of other development opportunities available at towers watson. lunch and learn sessions are an enjoyable way to experience aspects of the industry through presentations made by my colleagues. i am also involved in recruitment initiatives by attending university events and providing the office tour during assessment centres. recently i have acted as mentor to the summer intern students which has been both challenging and rewarding.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your role? recently, the most challenging aspect of my role has resulted from increased exposure to the client. discussing details of the work required by them involves ensuring that the client is satisfied and also that the deadline and task is manageable for myself and the team.

What do you hope to achieve in the future? my plans for the future are to continue sitting the actuarial exams to qualify within the next two years. during this time i will rotate onto different projects with towers watson to widen my experience and deepen my ability as an actuarial consultant.

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Do you want to work for one of the world’s largest actuarial employers? Considering a career in consulting? Then make your mark at Towers Watson.

We bring together professionals from around the world – with expertise in their specialist field – to deliver advice that gives our clients a clear path forward and helps them succeed.

We offer talented graduates actuarial career opportunities with fully funded and supported study packages.

To learn more, visit us online at towerswatson.com/careers

Copyright © 2012 Towers Watson. All rights reserved.TW-EU-2012-27350. August 2012.

Towers Watson is an equal opportunities employer.

towerswatson.com

TW-EU-2012-27350 Inside careers advert_V01.indd 1 09/08/2012 13:49

Visit our NEW website, for an even closer look at the actuarial

profession

NEW & latest vacancies

EVEN more employers

NEW employer Q&A sessions

BRAND-NEW actuarial forum

LATEST industry news & updates

EVENTS & presentations

Go to www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

Follow us

f

Get online...

Do you want to work for one of the world’s largest actuarial employers? Considering a career in consulting? Then make your mark at Towers Watson.

We bring together professionals from around the world – with expertise in their specialist field – to deliver advice that gives our clients a clear path forward and helps them succeed.

We offer talented graduates actuarial career opportunities with fully funded and supported study packages.

To learn more, visit us online at towerswatson.com/careers

Copyright © 2012 Towers Watson. All rights reserved.TW-EU-2012-27350. August 2012.

Towers Watson is an equal opportunities employer.

towerswatson.com

TW-EU-2012-27350 Inside careers advert_V01.indd 1 09/08/2012 13:49

emplOyer direCtOry

110

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Ail

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How to applyOnline at www.xafinity.com

Contact informationgraduate.recruitment@xafinityconsulting.com

Application deadlineNovember 2012

scan for Xafinity Consulting’s live jobs

No. of work experience vacancies0

No. of graduate vacancies8

disciplines recruited fromeconomics, maths or a science-based subject

Min. degree required2.2

Min. UCAs points300

starting salaryCompetitive

Benefits23 days holiday rising to 25 after two years service, bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events, stocks/shares and study support

No. of employees400

No. of qualified actuaries46

No. of trainees58

locationsBelfast, leeds, london, reading, stirling and manchester

international opportunitiesNo

Company history and structureXafinity Consulting focuses on helping clients maximise the value of their pensions and employee benefits. We use leading edge technology to enhance decision-making and delivery of cost effective services. Xafinity Consulting provides consulting and administration services across the full spectrum of employee benefits covering:

• Flexible benefits • Strategic benefits• Corporate pensions and actuarial services• Communications• investment• healthcare • ssAs/sipp• Corporate transactions• Risk benefits.

Actuaries are employed in the consultancy division in the pensions field, where our core business is the design, implementation and maintenance of pension schemes and other employee benefits packages.

Professional developmentActuarial students are encouraged to study for the actuarial examinations. the company provides a generous paid study leave per annum and meets the costs of subscription, tuition courses and examinations. in addition, the company has a series of comprehensive in-house and external training programmes which are tailored to the needs of each employee.

Minimum academic requirementsA good honours degree in a mathematical, economics or science based subject is required.

starting salary packageAn excellent remuneration package is available including a flexible benefits scheme to suit the employees’ personal needs.

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For actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

111

emplOyer direCtOry

Name Charlotte dyer

University university of york

degree Bsc (hons) mathematics and Finance

location reading

Role Actuarial Assistant

Trainee profile

My degreei enjoyed studying for my degree in mathematics and finance and wanted a career where I could continue developing my skills in this area and build on the knowledge i gained whilst at university. i knew i wanted to pursue a career as an actuary, because it allows me to combine further study with the opportunity to work in a respected and dynamic profession.

Choosing Xafinitythe recruitment process was intense and challenging but also enjoyable. i had the opportunity to meet several members of staff during the evening of the assessment centre.

this allowed me to ask any questions i had about the company and the profession in a less formal environment. The process helped to confirm that I wanted to be a part of Xafinity.

My jobFrom the start i have been involved in a variety of tasks. these range from calculating benefits for individual members to valuing an entire pension scheme. i am encouraged to work on a variety of tasks for different clients, which all have different benefit structures, helping to expand my knowledge and skill

base. Even after a year, I find that I am learning something new every day.

Professional development at Xafinitywhenever i am allocated a new task, i am given one to one on-the-job training, to make sure i have the knowledge and skills i need to complete it. there are often times when there is something new for everybody to learn, such as changes in legislation, in which case group training sessions are organised. Xafinity also offers an excellent study package to help with progression through the actuarial exams. As well as paying for study materials, tutorials and mock exams, Xafinity gives me plenty of study leave.

Life at XafinityOne of the best things about working at Xafinity is the office environment. My colleagues are great and keen to answer my questions regarding both work and the exams. there is a big social scene including work organised events such as trips to the races, pub quizzes and summer and Christmas parties. we also organise our own activities such as film nights and outdoor pursuits. Overall i couldn’t be happier with my decision to join Xafinity Consulting and look forward to the challenges of becoming a qualified actuary.

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reCruitmeNt CONsultANts

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114 gAAps ACtuAriAl

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reCruitmeNt CONsultANts

114

C

ON

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register atwww.gaaps.com

For more information, check out the gAAps Facebook page, or gaapsblog.com

scan for more information

ethical actuarial recruitment by actuaries and consultantsthe graduate recruitment market is at its most competitive for years. At gAAps graduate division, we are dedicated to getting your actuarial career off to a flying start.

we do more than just place candidates! we take the time to get to know you, as well as our clients. so, rather than being just a name and number, you are a real person with hopes, dreams and ambitions and we will introduce you as such to our clients, with whom we have long established professional relationships.

We want you to get that first step on the actuarial ladder absolutely right. we will do everything to ensure you are happy with the position and company.

We place graduates, part-qualified and qualified actuaries all over the world, so whether you want the uK, europe, Australasia, the Far east or south Africa, look no further than us!

How can we give you an edge?• specialist support • Cv guidance • Advice on interview techniques • psychometrics • Career and salary advice • A shoulder to lean on.

…and it won’t cost you a penny. Give us a ring and we’ll talk. No obligation, no pressure, just a friendly ear and a chat!

A bit about us• we are different – we are a specialist

actuarial recruiter. we have been

sourcing and placing in the uK and internationally for nearly 20 years.

• gAAps was established by dr geraldine Kaye, herself a highly respected and experienced actuary.

• since then, we have grown to become one of the world’s best known actuarial recruitment consultancies.

• As well as energy and dedication, our consultants bring a wide range of skills to gAAps. directors and senior staff play an active role in numerous professional bodies worldwide.

we understand your problems and issues: loans, salary expectations, a bewildering array of companies, maybe even work permits. Our experience and contacts within universities, as well as with our graduate recruitment clients, means we chart the way for you to sail into your first job.

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GAAPS Actuarial22 Bevis Marks, London EC3A 7JB

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7397 6200

www.gaaps.com

Need direction with your careerYour career. Where in the World?

Register at www.gaaps.com to find the latest opportunities

Part of the GAAPS Group of companies

GAAPS Inside Careers Adv 2008 22/6/07 17:33 Page 1

reFereNCe tABle

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JOB reFereNCe tABle

118

Com

pany

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of

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No.

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actu

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No.

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Aonwww.aon.co.uk

61,000 120 - Nationwide internships 40 50 2.1 - Competitive -life assurance and pension scheme

OnlineCheck website

70

Aprwww.aprllp.com

-17 (actuaries and

trainees)Central london and

edinburgh- 0 3 2.1 340 £30,000 22.5

life assurance, performance bonus, study support

email Cv & covering letter

Check website

72

Barnett waddinghamwww.barnett-waddingham.co.uk

567 - -

Amersham, Bromsgrove,

Cheltenham, glasgow, leeds, liverpool and

london

internships 7-10 10-12 2.1 300 Competitive 22

Bike scheme, gym membership, healthcare

scheme, interest-free loan, life assurance, pension

scheme, season ticket loan, social events, study support

Online application form

Nov 2012 74

Buck Consultants www.buckconsultants.co.uk 350 40 40

Bristol, edinburgh, ipswich, london, manchester and

reading

internships and

industrial placements

On request

up to 6

2.1 - Competitive 25

Bike scheme, life assurance, healthcare scheme, pension

scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan,

social events, study support

OnlineCheck website

76

Canada lifewww.canadalife.co.uk

900 25 25Bristol, hertfordshire (potters Bar), isle of

man and london- 0

c. 3 per year

2.1 - £25,700 23

Bike scheme, flexitime, healthcare scheme, life

assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events,

stocks/shares, study support

email Cv, covering letter and

application form

Check website

77

Capitawww.capita.co.uk

10,000+ 12 30Cheltenham, dublin and other locations throughout the uK

internships up to 3up to 5

2.1 300 Competitive 23Bike scheme, pension

scheme, performance bonus, social events, study support

email Cv, covering letter and

application form31 mar 2013 78

direct line groupwww.joininsurance.co.uk/graduates

15,000+ - 30Bromley, Croydon, glasgow, leeds and

london

internships and

industrial placements

20 40 2.1 300 Competitive 25

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance,

pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events,

study support

Online with Cv, covering letter and application form

30 Nov 2012

79

gAdwww.gad.gov.uk

130 60 40 london and edinburgh - 0 5-10 2.1 - £28,500 pa 25

Bike scheme, flexitime, pension scheme,

performance bonus, season ticket loan, study support

OnlineCheck website

80

hymans robertsonwww.hymans.co.uk/careers

550 100 75Birmingham,

edinburgh, glasgow and london

internships 7+ 14+ 2.1 -highly

competitive-

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, interest-free loan, pension scheme,

performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events,

study support

Online application form

5 Nov 2012 82

lCpwww.lcp.uk.com

400 120 70london and winchester

internships 12 21 2.1 320 Competitive 22

Bike scheme, pension scheme, performance

bonus, season ticket loan, social events, study support

Online application form

16 Nov 2012

86

legal & generalwww.legalandgeneralgroup.com

6,500+ 200+ 90+Kingswood,

Birmingham and london

internships - varies 2.1 - Competitive 22

Bike scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, stocks/shares,

study support

OnlineCheck website

90

BACK tO CONteNts

For actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

119

JOB reFereNCe tABle

Com

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No.

of

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loca

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type

of w

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offe

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No.

wk

expe

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canc

ies

No.

gra

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min

. deg

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min

. uC

As

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sala

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of d

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ts

how

to

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App

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dead

line

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info

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Aonwww.aon.co.uk

61,000 120 - Nationwide internships 40 50 2.1 - Competitive -life assurance and pension scheme

OnlineCheck website

70

Aprwww.aprllp.com

-17 (actuaries and

trainees)Central london and

edinburgh- 0 3 2.1 340 £30,000 22.5

life assurance, performance bonus, study support

email Cv & covering letter

Check website

72

Barnett waddinghamwww.barnett-waddingham.co.uk

567 - -

Amersham, Bromsgrove,

Cheltenham, glasgow, leeds, liverpool and

london

internships 7-10 10-12 2.1 300 Competitive 22

Bike scheme, gym membership, healthcare

scheme, interest-free loan, life assurance, pension

scheme, season ticket loan, social events, study support

Online application form

Nov 2012 74

Buck Consultants www.buckconsultants.co.uk 350 40 40

Bristol, edinburgh, ipswich, london, manchester and

reading

internships and

industrial placements

On request

up to 6

2.1 - Competitive 25

Bike scheme, life assurance, healthcare scheme, pension

scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan,

social events, study support

OnlineCheck website

76

Canada lifewww.canadalife.co.uk

900 25 25Bristol, hertfordshire (potters Bar), isle of

man and london- 0

c. 3 per year

2.1 - £25,700 23

Bike scheme, flexitime, healthcare scheme, life

assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events,

stocks/shares, study support

email Cv, covering letter and

application form

Check website

77

Capitawww.capita.co.uk

10,000+ 12 30Cheltenham, dublin and other locations throughout the uK

internships up to 3up to 5

2.1 300 Competitive 23Bike scheme, pension

scheme, performance bonus, social events, study support

email Cv, covering letter and

application form31 mar 2013 78

direct line groupwww.joininsurance.co.uk/graduates

15,000+ - 30Bromley, Croydon, glasgow, leeds and

london

internships and

industrial placements

20 40 2.1 300 Competitive 25

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance,

pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events,

study support

Online with Cv, covering letter and application form

30 Nov 2012

79

gAdwww.gad.gov.uk

130 60 40 london and edinburgh - 0 5-10 2.1 - £28,500 pa 25

Bike scheme, flexitime, pension scheme,

performance bonus, season ticket loan, study support

OnlineCheck website

80

hymans robertsonwww.hymans.co.uk/careers

550 100 75Birmingham,

edinburgh, glasgow and london

internships 7+ 14+ 2.1 -highly

competitive-

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, interest-free loan, pension scheme,

performance bonus, season ticket loan, social events,

study support

Online application form

5 Nov 2012 82

lCpwww.lcp.uk.com

400 120 70london and winchester

internships 12 21 2.1 320 Competitive 22

Bike scheme, pension scheme, performance

bonus, season ticket loan, social events, study support

Online application form

16 Nov 2012

86

legal & generalwww.legalandgeneralgroup.com

6,500+ 200+ 90+Kingswood,

Birmingham and london

internships - varies 2.1 - Competitive 22

Bike scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, performance bonus, season ticket loan, stocks/shares,

study support

OnlineCheck website

90

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JOB reFereNCe tABle

120

Com

pany

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empl

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s

No.

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type

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No.

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No.

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info

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mercerwww.mercer.com

19,000 c. 250 c. 150 worldwidesummer

internships- 50 2.1 300 Competitive 25

healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, season ticket loan, stocks/

shares, study support

OnlineCheck website

92

millimancareers.milliman.com

74 35 25 london internships 0 5 2.1 - Competitive 25

Bike scheme, gym membership, life assurance, healthcare scheme, pension

scheme, bonus, seasion ticket loan, social events,

study support

email or post application form

3 dec 2012 94

munich rewww.munichre.co.uk

172 30 28Canary wharf,

london- - 2-4 2.1 - Competitive 25

life assurance, healthcare scheme, pension scheme, bonus, season ticket loan,

social events, study support

Online application form

dec 2012 95

phoenix groupwww.phoenixgroupcareers.co.uk

835 c. 90 0

wythall (near Birmingham),

dublin, glasgow, Jersey and london

- 0 varies 2.2 - £26,495 26

Flexitime, gym membership, healthcare scheme, life

assurance, pension scheme, bonus, social events and

study support

Cv and covering letter by email

Ongoing 96

pwC www.pwc.com/careers

c. 16,000 167 148

Birmingham, Bristol, edinburgh, leeds, london and

manchester

internships c. 15 c. 70 2.1 320 Competitive 25

Bike scheme, gym membership, healthcare

scheme, interest-free loan, life assurance, pension

scheme, season ticket loan, study support

Online Check website

97

punter southallwww.puntersouthall.com

c. 800 95 74

Birmingham, Bristol, edinburgh, guildford, london and wokingham

internships 6-10 6-8 2.1 340 Competitive 23

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance,

pension scheme, bonus, social events and study support

Cv and covering letter online

2 Nov 2012 98

royal london groupwww.royallondoncareers.co.uk

2,900 70 50edinburgh and

wilmslow industrial

placementsvaries varies 2.1 300 Competitive 25

Bike scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, bonus, season ticket loan, study

support

Cv and covering letter via email

31 dec 2012

102

standard life www.standardlife.com

9,000 110 60 edinburgh internshipsCheck website

Check website

2.1 - Competitive 31life assurance, pension scheme, social events,

study supportOnline

Check website

104

sungardwww.sungard.com

17,000 - - worldwide internships - 4-6 2.1 300 Competitive 25

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, pension scheme, season ticket loan, social

events, study support

Cv and covering letter online

28 Feb 2013 105

towers watsonwww.towerswatson.com

14,000 600 350 Nationwide internships 40-45 80-85 2.2 300 Competitive 25

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pesnion scheme, bonus, season ticket loan, social events, study support

OnlineCheck website

106

Xafinity Consultingwww.xafinity.com

400 46 58

Belfast, leeds, london, reading,

stirling and manchester

- 0 8 2.2 300 Competitive 23

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, bonus, season ticket loan, social events, stocks/shares ,

study support

Online Nov 2012 110

BACK tO CONteNts

For actuaries jobs & more info, visit www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

121

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type

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No.

wk

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No.

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to

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dead

line

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info

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mercerwww.mercer.com

19,000 c. 250 c. 150 worldwidesummer

internships- 50 2.1 300 Competitive 25

healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, season ticket loan, stocks/

shares, study support

OnlineCheck website

92

millimancareers.milliman.com

74 35 25 london internships 0 5 2.1 - Competitive 25

Bike scheme, gym membership, life assurance, healthcare scheme, pension

scheme, bonus, seasion ticket loan, social events,

study support

email or post application form

3 dec 2012 94

munich rewww.munichre.co.uk

172 30 28Canary wharf,

london- - 2-4 2.1 - Competitive 25

life assurance, healthcare scheme, pension scheme, bonus, season ticket loan,

social events, study support

Online application form

dec 2012 95

phoenix groupwww.phoenixgroupcareers.co.uk

835 c. 90 0

wythall (near Birmingham),

dublin, glasgow, Jersey and london

- 0 varies 2.2 - £26,495 26

Flexitime, gym membership, healthcare scheme, life

assurance, pension scheme, bonus, social events and

study support

Cv and covering letter by email

Ongoing 96

pwC www.pwc.com/careers

c. 16,000 167 148

Birmingham, Bristol, edinburgh, leeds, london and

manchester

internships c. 15 c. 70 2.1 320 Competitive 25

Bike scheme, gym membership, healthcare

scheme, interest-free loan, life assurance, pension

scheme, season ticket loan, study support

Online Check website

97

punter southallwww.puntersouthall.com

c. 800 95 74

Birmingham, Bristol, edinburgh, guildford, london and wokingham

internships 6-10 6-8 2.1 340 Competitive 23

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance,

pension scheme, bonus, social events and study support

Cv and covering letter online

2 Nov 2012 98

royal london groupwww.royallondoncareers.co.uk

2,900 70 50edinburgh and

wilmslow industrial

placementsvaries varies 2.1 300 Competitive 25

Bike scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, bonus, season ticket loan, study

support

Cv and covering letter via email

31 dec 2012

102

standard life www.standardlife.com

9,000 110 60 edinburgh internshipsCheck website

Check website

2.1 - Competitive 31life assurance, pension scheme, social events,

study supportOnline

Check website

104

sungardwww.sungard.com

17,000 - - worldwide internships - 4-6 2.1 300 Competitive 25

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, pension scheme, season ticket loan, social

events, study support

Cv and covering letter online

28 Feb 2013 105

towers watsonwww.towerswatson.com

14,000 600 350 Nationwide internships 40-45 80-85 2.2 300 Competitive 25

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pesnion scheme, bonus, season ticket loan, social events, study support

OnlineCheck website

106

Xafinity Consultingwww.xafinity.com

400 46 58

Belfast, leeds, london, reading,

stirling and manchester

- 0 8 2.2 300 Competitive 23

Bike scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance, pension scheme, bonus, season ticket loan, social events, stocks/shares ,

study support

Online Nov 2012 110

BACK tO CONteNts

Do you want to work for one of the world’s largest actuarial employers? Considering a career in consulting? Then make your mark at Towers Watson.

We bring together professionals from around the world – with expertise in their specialist field – to deliver advice that gives our clients a clear path forward and helps them succeed.

We offer talented graduates actuarial career opportunities with fully funded and supported study packages.

To learn more, visit us online at towerswatson.com/careers

Copyright © 2012 Towers Watson. All rights reserved.TW-EU-2012-27350. August 2012.

Towers Watson is an equal opportunities employer.

towerswatson.com

TW-EU-2012-27350 Inside careers advert_V01.indd 1 09/08/2012 13:49

£In-depth career adviceGraduate & senior profilesSalaries & career pathsProfessional qualifications explainedDirectory of graduate employers

what’S InSIDe

Live jobs at www.insidecareers.co.uk/act

2012/13

“the definitive guide to a career as an actuary.”

Jenny elliott, Chair of the Career Committee, the actuarial Profession

ac

tua

ries

actuariesthe only graduate career guide to

2012/13

in partnership with