However, many are employed by consulting firms, government agencies, accounting firms, industrial corporations, banks, and financial services companies. There is a growing need for skilled mathematicians in the derivative financial markets for portfolio management and option pricing. Actuaries enjoy working with people, applying analytical and mathematical skills to real life situations, working in a flexible career, and earning a good salary. The demand for actuaries remains high even in tough economic times. Although actuaries are skilled mathematicians, they are also business men and women who need broad-based business skills.
Many actuaries find themselves in high level management positions.
In addition, the prospective actuary needs to prepare for the professional qualifying examinations offered by the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society . Fellowship in either of these two professional societies assures the public that the actuary has been trained to perform at a high level of competence. Actuaries, as well as other business professionals are often asked to make decisions that have far-reaching social implications. Very often these decisions involve a balancing of competing social and ethical values that are never fully disclosed or discussed. Examples of such decisions may include issues involving the environment, affirmative action, right to privacy, and plant closings.