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The Council on Professionalism

The Council on Professionalism encourages actuaries to achieve and maintain a high level of professionalism in their practice. It coordinates its activities with two boards that operate independently and serve the U.S. profession: the ASB and the ABCD. Joeff Williams is the Academy's vice president for professionalism issues.

Code of Professional Conduct The Code identifies the professional and ethical standards required of actuaries who practice in the United States.	U.S. Qualification Standards U.S. Qualification Standards define the basic and continuing education and experience requirements for issuing actuarial opinions.
Actuarial Standards of Practice ASOPs provide guidance on the techniques, applications, procedures, and methods that reflect appropriate actuarial practices in the United States.	Professionalism Webinars An archive of webinars on professionalism topics including U.S. Qualifications Standards, the Code of Conduct, and Actuarial Standards of Practice.
Professionalism Discussion Papers Read papers on actuarial professionalism, standards of conduct, qualification, and practice.	Applicability Guidelines Guidelines on which ASOPs might apply to actuarial assignments.
Professionalism and the Practicing Actuary Get an overview of the Code of Professional Conduct, the U.S. Qualification Standards, Actuarial Standards of Practice, and the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline.	Request a Professionalism Speaker Request one of the Academy’s experienced and knowledgeable speakers who have volunteered to share their expertise on actuarial professionalism.
Order a Copy of the Code of Professional Conduct Members of the Academy may order a complimentary pocket-sized copy of the Code by logging into your member account here.	Mobile-Friendly ASB Site For instructions on adding an icon to your handheld device that directly links to the ASB’s mobile responsive website, click here.

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Professionalism News & Events

Professionalism Counts, September 2017

As the third quarter comes to a close, it’s time to evaluate your annual required—and documented—continuing education (CE) requirements, writes Academy President Bob Beuerlein. CE is required under the U.S. Qualification Standards, and the Academy offers many opportunities for actuaries to gain their necessary credit, including the November Annual Meeting and Public Policy Forum. (Actuarial Update, September 2017)
(September 29, 2017)

Presidential Papers, September/October 2017

In the fourth and final installment of his presidential papers series “Professionalism in Action,” Academy President Bob Beuerlein focuses on the importance of implementing professional and ethical standards in the actuarial profession. (Contingencies, September/October 2017) (September 1, 2017)

Professionalism Counts, August 2017

The words “must,” “should,” and “may” in Actuarial Standard of Practice (ASOP) No. 1 offer guidance to all ASOPs, which help to protect the public by defining what constitutes appropriate practice. Understanding their definitions and professionalism implications will help you to satisfy all of standards of practice that apply to your work and, thereby, also help you to achieve this broader purpose. (Actuarial Update, August 2017) (August 31, 2017)

Professionalism Counts, July 2017

Following the Academy’s June professionalism webinar on actuary-to-actuary communication, former Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline (ABCD) Chairperson Janet Fagan writes about questions surrounding Precept 10, “Courtesy and Cooperation,” when a principal replaces one actuary with another, and the ABCD’s role in providing guidance. (Actuarial Update, July 2017) (July 31, 2017)

Presidential Papers, July/August 2017

In Part 3 of the “Professionalism in Action” series, Academy President Bob Beuerlein looks at professionalism and new and emerging practice areas, and urges actuaries to use the Code of Professional Conduct and the resources of the Committee on Qualifications and the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline. (Contingencies, July/August 2017) (July 1, 2017)

Professionalism Counts, June 2017

Making sure your continuing education (CE) is relevant involves completing and documenting 30 hours of CE each year, as required under the U.S. Qualification Standards (USQS). While there are many ways to earn CE, keep in mind it must be relevant to the actuarial services you provide to satisfy USQS requirements. (Actuarial Update, June 2017) (June 30, 2017)

Professionalism Counts, May 2017

What do the varied stages of life, and one’s professional career, mean for the practical application of professionalism principles to issues actuaries deal with in their everyday work? Joeff Williams, vice president, professionalism, and Committee on Qualifications Chairperson Keith Passwater look at these issues in the context of the Code of Professional Conduct and more. (Actuarial Update, May 2017) (May 31, 2017)

Presidential Papers, May/June 2017

In Part 2 of the “Professionalism in Action” series, Academy President Bob Beuerlein explores actuary-to-actuary communications, including elements of Actuarial Standards of Practice (ASOPs) No. 1 and No. 41, Precepts 10 and 13 from the Actuarial Code of Professional Conduct, and the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline’s request for guidance process. (Contingencies, May/June 2017) (May 1, 2017)

Professionalism Counts, April 2017

Wondering which actuarial standard of practice (ASOP) applies to a particular situation? Check the Applicability Guidelines, published by the Academy’s Council on Professionalism, which can help actuaries determine which ASOP applies to the task at hand, including those that apply to every assignment. (Actuarial Update, April 2017) (April 28, 2017)

The Academy and the Web of Professionalism

In a four-part series in Contingencies, Academy President Tom Wildsmith examines the infrastructure of actuarial professionalism and how the Academy is instrumental in supporting that infrastructure and the U.S. actuarial profession. Wildsmith terms this infrastructure a “web of professionalism,” and the series explores how the Academy developed these foundational documents and bodies to provide the professionalism framework for the profession:

The Code of Professional Conduct binds Academy members to the highest standards of conduct, recognizing that all members have a moral responsibility to all the many people who may depend on their work.
The U.S. Qualification Standards provide actuaries with the guidance needed to meet the ethical obligation to practice competently and responsibly.
Through the Actuarial Standards Board, the Academy has promulgated 50 actuarial standards of practice covering all areas of actuarial practice.
Through the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline, the Academy provides the basic disciplinary framework for the profession.

“The Academy was founded so that the U.S. actuarial profession could earn the public’s trust,” Wildsmith writes. “Our primary mission is to ensure that U.S. actuaries—both individually and collectively—provide the public with the professionalism it deserves.”

The series was redesigned as a standalone publication. Read it here. (April 27, 2017)

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Professionalism

Professionalism News & Events