About Us - What Actuaries do?

Actuaries are typically recognised for managing the risks associated with life insurance, general insurance and superannuation. The profession has over 150 years of tradition, until recently largely in these areas.

But there is growing demand for actuarial skills across a diverse range of business disciplines such as management consultancy, investment, finance, stockbroking and health insurance, as well as government, education and software development.

We have members working in each of these businesses, contact us if you would like more specific information.

 The Actuary's role in today's business is to:

analyse and manage risk,
construct financial modelling frameworks to fit particular circumstances,
communicate complex analysis in an easily understood form for senior management,
make calculations which take account of changes in economic and other conditions, and
provide financial advice.


Actuaries are intricately involved in the increasingly competitive financial services industry particularly in the areas of:

enterprise risk analysis and management
product pricing, targeting profitable segments of business,
advising on the appropriate value of reserves, which are often the largest item on an insurer's balance sheet,
reinsurance program analysis,
capital management and investment strategy,
management information systems,
business forecasting,
company valuations, and
merger and acquisition advice.

The profession has a statutory role responsible for the solvency of life insurance companies in many countries. Actuarial involvement in the financial management of general and health insurance companies is increasing.


 Actuaries can also play an important role in:

Superannuation, where mathematical and statistical modelling is used to determine the financial aspects of superannuation plans such as making recommendations on the levels of contributions and reviewing the adequacy of funding levels,
Funds management, providing advice on investment performance measurement and asset allocation, as well as quantitative modelling,
Stockbroking firms, where actuaries may work as analysts particularly for insurance and gambling stocks, and
Banking, where an actuary could analyse a mortgage portfolio to determine likely rates of default, rates of payment of mortgages, future expenses and suitable levels of mortgage guarantee insurance.