Actuarial

In a lot of ways actuarial work is 'risk management'. We use complex financial and statistical theories to identify and measure risks and their financial implications for our clients. It's a challenging and highly technical area, made even more so by the fact we have to present our complex findings in easily digestible formats that clients can use to help them protect their interests.

Our actuaries work in two key areas: the specialist field of pensions and the wider insurance and financial services industry.

Our work in the insurance industry is equally diverse. We advise a host of institutions and insurers on key topics like solvency, economic capital, underwriting, new legislation, the viability of new products and the efficiency of their claims processes.

In AIMS, you could be involved in building detailed predictive models to calculate optimal premium rates; or reviewing the amount an insurer needs to set aside for future claims. Whatever the project, you'll capitalise on your analytical skills to deliver real commercial insights. Insights that will enable our clients to prepare for events you see on the news every day.

Within AIMS you can choose to specialise in Life or Non-Life insurance. Life is very technically focused and uses mathematical models to identify trends within large pools of data. The issues we face include the fact that improvements in medical science mean we're living longer, which is obviously having a direct impact on the suppliers of financial products.

Non-Life encompasses insurance for everything else. At one end of the scale there's car and home insurance; at the other, events like global warming. The increased frequency of hurricanes and floods raises a huge question mark for insurers. By calculating the risks and weighing up the odds of what might happen, we can help businesses and private individuals plan strategically.

During your first few years, while studying for your professional exams, you'll split your time between office, clients and study leave.

You'll start by learning a lot about actuarial work - not only through your formal studies, but also through your day-to-day work. It's a highly technical field and you'll be getting your head around quite complex issues.

Your study will include time off during the working week, complemented by additional study time during evenings and weekends. It's hard work but we'll support you throughout.

We give you study leave (about one day per week), pay for study materials and external tutorials, and allocate you your own study mentor, someone whose first-hand knowledge of the exams will prove invaluable. These help reinforce certain aspects of the study material and give you the extra edge needed to perform well in your exams. What's more as a further incentive and to reward all your hard work, we give you a pay rise on passing each exam.

Just as important is the practical experience you gain by working with multi-disciplinary PwC teams including tax, business recovery and deal experts on a wide range of client projects. Ultimately, however, your development is your responsibility. While we'll give you all the support and guidance you need, you must be committed to building your own future. At every stage of your career, we'll encourage you to identify your own development needs and choose the appropriate training solutions to meet them.

Experience in a leading firm. Excellent, ongoing training and development. An expert understanding of the area you in specialise in. We’ll also offer you plenty of variety and excellent development opportunities throughout your career. You'll quickly develop excellent communication, project management, business awareness and coaching skills. It's a great basis on which to build your career.

Loads. Here are just a few:

• Excellent analytical skills
• High-level technical skills
• Communication skills
• Project management skills
• Strong business awareness and industry knowledge
• Networking skills.

We don't make a secret of the fact that it can be very hard work. Indeed your first few years will be quite intense, especially as you work towards your professional qualification. But the more committed you are, and the harder you work, the faster you will see the rewards.

When you join us as an actuarial graduate you will study to be a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (FIFA). You can also find other interesting information from the Society of Actuaries in Ireland.