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What does an actuarial associate do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does an actuarial associate do

The duties of an actuarial associate depend on one's industry or place of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis to identify new opportunities, creating forecast models, calculating accounts, and crafting different payment plans. An actuarial associate must also coordinate with actuaries and other department personnel to gather extensive and accurate data, maintain a database of records and transactions, and respond to any inquiries and concerns. Furthermore, it is essential to report to senior associates and adhere to the company's rules and regulations.

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Actuarial associate responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real actuarial associate resumes:

  • Evaluate capitation agreements between provider groups and manage care plans, including commercial and Medicare populations.
  • Take ownership of quarterly Medicaid cost benefit ratio dashboard by compiling several state's claim cost/utilization data and premium information.
  • Present findings and recommendations, via Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, from research projects to senior management within the organization.

Actuarial associate skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Actuarial Associates are proficient in Life Insurance, Financial Results, and FSA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Computer skills.

We break down the percentage of Actuarial Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Life Insurance, 13%

    Implemented new methodology to update monthly Group Life Insurance data received from customers, considerably reducing manual work and associated errors.

  • Financial Results, 9%

    Monitored external risks and forces that may alter financial results.

  • FSA, 8%

    Completed all FSA designation requirements within three years at company.

  • GAAP, 6%

    Reported Statutory, GAAP, and tax information for Life, Stop Loss, Disability, and Dental Group Insurance Products.

  • SQL, 5%

    Use SQL Server SSIS to extract, transfer and load client information from Excel into a SQL Server database.

  • VBA, 5%

    Learned VBA work in Excel and Access.

"life insurance," "financial results," and "fsa" are among the most common skills that actuarial associates use at work. You can find even more actuarial associate responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an actuarial associate to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "actuaries identify patterns and trends in complex sets of data to determine the factors that affect certain types of events." Actuarial associates often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "rotated through retail life product development, business planning & financial analysis, and individual disability & health. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform actuarial associate duties is communication skills. Actuarial associates responsibilities require that "actuaries must be able to explain complex technical matters to those without an actuarial background." Actuarial associates also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "shadowed mentor gaining valuable actuarial skills such as communication, teamwork, excel, sas, & sql. "

Computer skills. actuarial associates are also known for computer skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to actuarial associate responsibilities, because "actuaries must know programming languages and be able to use and develop spreadsheets, databases, and statistical analysis tools." An actuarial associate resume example shows how computer skills is used in the workplace: "developed original spreadsheets and computer systems used in statistical analysis. "

Math skills. For certain actuarial associate responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of an actuarial associate rely on this skill, as "actuaries quantify risk by using the principles of calculus, statistics, and probability." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what actuarial associates do: "applied various mathematical and statistical modeling techniques to perform actuarial valuations and pricing. "

Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in actuarial associate job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what actuarial associates do. Actuarial associate responsibilities rely on this skill because "actuaries identify risks and develop ways for businesses to manage those risks." You can also see how actuarial associate duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "provide solutions to complex life and pensions loss calculations. "

Most common actuarial associate skills

The three companies that hire the most actuarial associates are:

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Compare different actuarial associates

Actuarial associate vs. Finance systems analyst

A finance systems analyst specializes in overseeing the financial systems in a company or business. Their responsibilities revolve around producing reports and presentations, liaising with the information technology team, maintaining information on databases, and monitoring and updating the financial systems. One must also handle spreadsheets and other files, modify menus, troubleshoot errors, and teach the finance staff how to use all courses for a smooth workflow. Furthermore, it is essential to implement all policies and regulations, ensuring all files' security within the database.

We looked at the average actuarial associate salary and compared it with the wages of a finance systems analyst. Generally speaking, finance systems analysts are paid $6,639 lower than actuarial associates per year.Even though actuarial associates and finance systems analysts are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require gaap, vba, and calculation in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between actuarial associates and finance systems analyst. For instance, actuarial associate responsibilities require skills such as "life insurance," "financial results," "fsa," and "sql." Whereas a finance systems analyst is skilled in "financial systems," "hyperion," "customer service," and "project management." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Finance systems analysts tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $90,823. In contrast, actuarial associates make the biggest average salary, $100,827, in the insurance industry.The education levels that finance systems analysts earn slightly differ from actuarial associates. In particular, finance systems analysts are 3.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an actuarial associate. Additionally, they're 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Actuarial associate vs. Client services analyst

A client service analyst examines a customer service department's operation and gives directions on ways to enhance productivity and customer satisfaction levels. Customer service analysts can create strategies and techniques to improve the service department's effectiveness by using data, which includes customer satisfaction reports, complaint logs, and surveys. They are part of the customer service department, which can directly with customers helping to resolve issues and customer dissatisfaction. Their duties include gathering data and perform research, developing strategies, training employees in new processes and strategies.

On average, client services analysts earn a $29,232 lower salary than actuarial associates a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Actuarial associates and client services analysts both require similar skills like "sql," "sas," and "annuities" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, actuarial associate responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "life insurance," "financial results," "fsa," and "gaap." Meanwhile, a client services analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "client service," "project management," and "client facing." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, client services analysts earn a lower salary than actuarial associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, client services analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $78,120. Whereas actuarial associates have higher pay in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $100,827.In general, client services analysts achieve similar levels of education than actuarial associates. They're 3.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Actuarial associate vs. Product development actuary

Operations analysts serve an essential role within the operations team that supports data management, trade processes, client reporting, and problem resolution. They have to ensure data systems integrity by working closely with the operations team and the client support services manager. Their work focuses on several areas, including maintaining trading systems and portfolio accounting, creating and verifying client performance files, and performing electronic operations reconciliation. To be qualified for this position, one should possess several qualities, including proficient computer skills, excellent communication skills, and attention to detail.

An average product development actuary eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of actuarial associates. The difference in salaries amounts to product development actuaries earning a $23,574 higher average salary than actuarial associates.Using the responsibilities included on actuarial associates and product development actuaries resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "fsa," "sql," and "annuities.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, actuarial associates are more likely to have skills like "life insurance," "financial results," "gaap," and "vba." But a product development actuary is more likely to have skills like "administration system," "life insurance products," "uw," and "corporate models."

When it comes to education, product development actuaries tend to earn higher degree levels compared to actuarial associates. In fact, they're 17.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Actuarial associate vs. Operations analyst

Operations analysts tend to earn a lower pay than actuarial associates by an average of $29,352 per year.According to resumes from actuarial associates and operations analysts, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "sql," "vba," and "sas. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between actuarial associates and operations analysts, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an actuarial associate might have more use for skills like "life insurance," "financial results," "fsa," and "gaap." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of operations analysts require skills like "customer service," "data analysis," "project management," and "process improvement. "

The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for operations analysts, with average annual pay of $66,582. Comparatively, the highest actuarial associate annual salary comes from the insurance industry.operations analysts reach similar levels of education compared to actuarial associates, in general. The difference is that they're 1.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of actuarial associate

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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