Up to Code Index of Previous Articles
Date | Title | Author | Topic |
Jan/Feb 2006 | Basics of the ABCD – Who, What, Why, When, Where, How and Why | Julia J. Philips | Inaugural article describing ABCD structure and process |
Mar/Apr 2006 | Living with Precept 10 | Edward E. Burrows | Considerations when transitioning work using a defined benefit pension plan as an example |
May/June 2006 | ABCD Advice for New Actuaries: Top 10 Ways to Immunize Your Professionalism | Julia J. Philips | Ideas for providing preventative care to your professionalism |
July/Aug 2006 | International Actuarial Standards of Practice – Suggestions or Requirements? | Lauren Bloom | The interaction of Precepts 1 and 3 and US and International Standards of Practice |
Sept/Oct 2006 | The Look-in-the-Mirror Test | Carol R. Sears | Precept 2 and the importance of carefully considering whether you are qualified using two case study examples |
Nov/Dec 2006 | Qualified…or Not | William J. Falk | Precept 2 and some specific questions to ask in determining whether you are qualified or not |
Jan/Feb 2007 | An Ounce of Prevention – The First Step | Jack Turnquist | Considerations in evaluating and selecting potential assignments |
Mar/Apr 2007 | The Case of the Careless Subordinates – Is an actuary responsible for the work performed by others under his control? | Michael Toothman | A cautionary tale of undue reliance on subordinates, overconfidence and a lack of quality control |
May/June 2007 | Mercy or Justice | Lawrence A. Johansen | A review of the investigative process and the first 15 years of the ABCD |
July/Aug 2007 | Precept 13 – A Snitch in Time | Edward E. Burrows | The importance of Precept 13 in preserving the status of the actuarial profession as a self-regulating body |
Sept/Oct 2007 | We Need to Do Better | Richard Robertson | A discussion of common causes leading to an inadequate work product |
Nov/Dec 2007 | Affordable Virtue – Ethics for Pension Professionals | Kurt F. Piper | Instilling and increasing ethical behavior – applicable to all – despite the title |
Jan/Feb 2008 | The Rules are Your Friend | Linda Bell | Attention golfers! This article discusses the “rules” of the actuarial profession with analogies to golfing |
Mar/Apr 2008 | Paul’s Puzzle: A Fable for Actuaries | Julia Philips | A fable of inadequate reserves, internal pressures and professionalism with numerous possible outcomes |
May/June 2008 | An Actuary Defends Herself | Julia Philips | An illustrative story on the power of documented compliance with professional standards |
July/Aug 2008 | Requesting Guidance from the ABCD | Tom Griffin | A description of the RFG process |
Sept/Oct 2008 | Broaching the Subject of Professional Behavior | Julia Philips | A story of handling a sensitive topic with a coworker |
Nov/Dec 2008 | Actuaries, Hill Street Blues and Data Security | Robert J. Reitz and Beth R. Sanders | Tips for proactively protecting data |
Jan/Feb 2009 | When is a Violation Resolved? | William J. Falk | An example RFG exploring if an apparent material violation is resolved |
Mar/Apr 2009 | I’m an International Actuary? | Curtis Huntington | A reminder that the Code’s scope is not limited to US practice |
May/June 2009 | Student of Change | A Conversation with Carol Sears | Getting the message of professionalism out early and often |
July/Aug 2009 | Interviewing with Integrity | Margaret Resce Milkint and Mary Kilkenny | Demonstrating integrity in and out of the interview rooms – for candidates and employers |
Sept/Oct 2009 | Don’t Regret Having Filed a Complaint | Julia T. Philips | Ways to comply with Precept 13 |
Nov/Dec 2009 | The Carol of the Bells | Robert J. Reitz | Three warning bells – situations that can lead to problems |
Jan/Feb 2010 | Moving from Discipline to Guidance | Paul Fleischacker | Insights from an actuary who moved from investigator to ABCD member |
Mar/Apr 2010 | In Answer to Your Many Questions | Mike Toothman | Answers to questions regarding the Code collected from recent presentations |
May/June 2010 | Your Comments Please: Changing the Disciplinary Process | Roger Hayne and Robert J. Reitz | A request for comments on changes to the disciplinary process – see summary of answers Jan/Feb 2011 |
July/Aug 2010 | Regulator as Resource | John Purple | The benefits of developing a professional working relationship with regulators |
Sept/Oct 2010 | Are You a Rule Follower? | Julia T. Philips | Five questions to ask in assessing rules |
Nov/Dec 2010 | Materiality | Richard Robertson | An exploration of what may be a material violation of the Code |
Jan/Feb 2011 | Comments on Changing the Disciplinary Process | Robert J. Reitz | A summary of comments on proposed changes to the disciplinary process |
Mar/Apr 2011 | Non-Actuarial Services Under the Code | Kurt F. Piper | Applying Precept 1 to non-actuarial services |
May/June 2011 | Question Time | James Gutterman | Impressions from a first-year ABCD member |
July/Aug 2011 | International Compliance | Curtis Huntington | Establishing international standards – see more current discussion in the Nov/Dec 2021 issue |
Sept/Oct 2011 | Are You an Expert? | Paul R. Fleischacker | Navigating your Precept 13 obligations in expert witness cases |
Nov/Dec 2011 | A Look at Transparency | Robert J. Reitz | Balancing confidentiality and transparency |
Jan/Feb 2012 | Types of Discipline | Nancy Behrens | An overview of the types of dismissals and discipline levels |
May/June 2012 | Peer Review | Janet Fagan | A critical look at the peer review process and what it can and cannot provide |
July/Aug 2012 | Keeping the Code | Kathy Riley | Precept 13 and assessing a potential violation |
Sept/Oct 2012 | Let’s Be Perfectly Clear | James Gutterman | A discussion of ASOP No. 41, Actuarial Communications with a focus on responsibility, reliance, disclosure and defending deviation |
Nov/Dec 2012 | Modeling to Code | John Purple | Identifies ASOPs to consider for Predictive Modeling (note: predates ASOP No. 56, Modeling) |
Jan/Feb 2013 | New Year’s Resolutions | Nancy Behrens | Tips for making a professional development plan and sticking with it |
Mar/Apr 2013 | Moral Turpitude | Curtis Huntington | A look at Precept 1-4 |
May/June 2013 | There’s an App for That | Janet Fagan | The Code of Conduct, ASOPs and the USQS are only a click away |
July/Aug 2013 | How to Evade the Code | Robert J. Reitz | Several examples of missteps to avoid |
Sept/Oct 2013 | Phone a Friend | Kathleen A. Riley | How the RFG process can work as your professional lifeline |
Nov/Dec 2013 | New Kid on the Block | Rick Block | Insights into the ABCD process by a new Board member |
Jan/Feb 2014 | When Harry Met Sally | Janet Carstens | An overview of the target timeline for an ABCD complaint. Spoiler alert – this is not a comedy |
Mar/Apr 2014 | A Show of Hands | Nancy Behrens | Encouragement to put the Code on your annual reading list |
May/June 2014 | Owning Precept 13 | John Purple | Precept 13 is the cornerstone of our profession. Be aware of the requirements. |
July/Aug 2014 | CE Checklist for Enrolled Actuaries | Rick Block | Considerations in meeting continuing education requirements |
Sept/Oct 2014 | You Sign It, You Own It | Janet Fagan | Reliance on the work of others is both common and acceptable with appropriate disclosures |
Nov/Dec 2014 | Must or Should? Read ASOP No. 1 | Kathy Riley | Read ASOP No. 1 |
Jan/Feb 2015 | Six Years Before the Mast | Robert J. Reitz | Reflections on the cases seen during six years of service on the ABCD |
Mar/Apr 2015 | A Case Study | Dave Ogden | An outline of a hypothetical complaint and how it is processed by the ABCD |
May/June 2015 | Why an Actuary Must/Should Read ASOP No. 1 | Allan W. Ryan | An overview of ASOP No. 1 effective June 1, 2013 |
July/Aug 2015 | What is a Profession? | Nancy Behrens | Defining a profession with a focus on the Code and how we self-regulate the profession |
Sept/Oct 2015 | Don’t Be ‘That Actuary’ | John Stokesbury | Examples of potential Code violations |
Nov/Dec 2015 | The ABCD Process from the Inside | Anonymous | Perspectives from an actuary who was the subject of a disciplinary hearing and what they learned and changed |
Jan/Feb 2016 | Doing the Right Thing | John M. Purple | A reflection on the Academy’s 50th anniversary and building the professionalism infrastructure on a foundation of doing the right thing |
Mar/Apr 2016 | Because I Said So | Jan Cartsens | The need to document what you did and why in selecting data, methods and assumptions |
May/June 2016 | No Fee, No Foul? | Rick Block | Three examples of no fee advice – all could be considered Statements of Actuarial Opinion |
July/Aug 2016 | Whose Assumptions are They? | David F. Ogden | The importance of scrutinizing the work of others and requirements for disclosing reliance on others |
Sept/Oct 2016 | Test Your Professionalism IQ | Allan Ryan | The title says it all – an online 10-question test. A follow-up exam is given in the Nov/Dec 2020 issue. |
Nov/Dec 2016 | The Dog Ate my Homework, and Other Justifications | Janet Fagan | Exploring some commonly heard excuses and why they do not hold up |
Jan/Feb 2017 | Peer Review – Small Investment, Big Return | Debbie Rosenberg | Uses and benefits of a peer review |
Mar/Apr 2017 | A ‘Checklist Manifesto’ for Professionalism | David Driscoll | An encouragement for creating checklists to facilitate compliance with aspects of professionalism with two examples |
May/June 2017 | Controlling Communications | John T. Stokesbury | Examples of situations where a reader might be misled by an actuarial communication and how to mitigate that risk |
July/Aug 2017 | Lessons Learned | John P. Tierney | Four common-sense guidelines to good actuarial practice gleaned from a career spanning more than 40 years |
Sept/Oct 2017 | Control of Work Product – Be Upfront with Clients | Godfrey Perrott | Steps that can be considered to protect and control the work product, before and after accepting an assignment |
Nov/Dec 2017 | Precept 1 and ‘Bad Conduct’ | Jan Cartsens | Examples of bad conduct that have resulted in disciplinary actions from the US-based actuarial organizations |
Jan/Feb 2018 | To Tell or Not to Tell? Unpacking Precept 13 | Rick Block | Examples to help us decide what to do in certain circumstances including asking the ABCD for an RFG |
Mar/Apr 2018 | Precept 10 – Actuarial Disagreements | David Ogden | A story of disagreeing respectfully and disclosing reliance using a state rate filing example |
May/June 2018 | Know Your ASOPs | Allan W. Ryan | An overview of then-recently revised ASOPs 21, 23, 24 and 52 |
July/Aug 2018 | Communicating Uncertainty: The Importance of Acknowledging Limitations | David Driscoll | Straightforward statements about the limitations of our work are increasingly important to actuarial practice |
Sept/Oct 2018 | A(E)SOP’s Fables | Deborah Rosenberg | The ASOPs function to pass along certain core values to the actuary. |
Nov/Dec 2018 | If You Want to Grow Big and Strong, Eat Your Spinach | John Stokesbury | A close look at Precept 3 and staying compliant and current with ASOPs – even if you do not like change |
Jan/Feb 2019 | Hidden in Plain View – The Treasure Trove that is the Academy’s Practice Notes | John Tierney | An article featuring the Academy’s practice note – Statement of Actuarial Opinion on Property and Casualty Loss Reserves ending with encouragement to be aware of the Practice Notes in your area of practice |
Mar/Apr 2019 | Feeling Conflicted? The Code Can Help | Godfrey Perrott | Exploring conflicts of interest – the requirements and considerations of Precepts 6 and 7 |
May/June 2019 | Communicating Clearly with ASOP No. 41 | David Ogden | A look at ASOP No. 41 and some of the pitfalls to avoid in our rapid-fire electronic world of communication. |
July/Aug 2019 | Exercising Judgement in a Self-Regulated Profession | Allan W. Ryan | Maintaining our clients’ and the public’s trust with high standards of service and self-regulation |
Sept/Oct 2019 | The ABCD Goes to the Movies | David Driscoll | An exploration of the ABCD process featuring a 1948 musical comedy, Are You with It? (which is about an actuary!) |
Nov/Dec 2019 | Getting Political – Can an Actuary Weigh in on Thorny Issues? | Alice Rosenblatt | Considerations when expressing a public opinion, whether actuarial in nature or not |
Jan/Feb 2020 | Precept 11 – Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth | Kenneth A. Kent | A discussion of the infrequently highlighted Precept 11, Advertising |
Mar/Apr 2020 | Actuarial Assumptions | Deborah Rosenberg | Identifying, disclosing, and assessing the reasonableness of assumptions with a focus on ASOPs 41 and 43 |
May/June 2020 | Looking for Truth in Shades of Gray | John T. Stokesbury | Three example cases of complaints before the ABCD |
July/Aug 2020 | Communicating the Unknown | David Ogden | The importance of communicating and disclosing assumptions, reliance and limitations using a novel rate setting example |
Sept/Oct 2020 | The Gifts and Responsibilities of Age | Godfrey Perrott | Wisdom is valuable; compliance with continuing education is necessary to maintain technical competence and avoiding a visit to the ABCD |
Nov/Dec 2020 | Follow-Up Exam | Allan W. Ryan | An exam to test your professionalism IQ in 12 questions – also see the original test Sept/Oct 2016 |
Jan/Feb 2021 | A Little Help From My Friends | Albert J. Beer | How the RFG process adds value by providing confidential professional advice and counsel |
Mar/Apr 2021 | The Art of the Possible | David L. Driscoll | The value of the Code of Conduct and the ASOPs in delineating an actuary’s professional responsibilities |
May/June 2021 | Follow the ASOPs, Inside and Out | Alice Rosenblatt | Should there be a difference in the actuarial services provided to an internal or external client? The author details why her answer is “no” |
July/Aug 2021 | The Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics | Ken Kent | An exploration of the Code of Conduct, ethics and the decisions we make with examples of determining qualification and disclosing errors |
Sept/Oct 2021 | Who Knows 14? | Debra Rosenberg | A tour of the Code of Conduct |
Nov/Dec 2021 | Where Do You Practice? | William Hines | Applicability of the Code of Conduct and ASOPs to international work |
Jan/Feb 2022 | A Million Little Things | John Schubert | The importance of the Code and the role of the ABCD using a popular show (with an actuary in a leading role) as an example |
Mar/Apr 2022 | Risk to the Actuary | Richard Kutikoff | Identifies numerous risks that actuaries face in performing services and ways to mitigate those risks. |
May/June 2022 | Mythology and Actuarial Professionalism | Albert J. Beer | Three common myths debunked |
July/Aug 2022 | Conflicts of Interest and Codes of Conduct | Godfrey Perrott | A look a Precept 7 |
Sept/Oct 2022 | Our Resilience | David Driscoll | A tribute to a recently deceased dear friend, and lessons from his life story pertaining to personal and professional resilience |
Nov/Dec 2022 | A Fine Mess | April Choi | Ripped from the headlines: CPA continuing ed exam cheating, and how the situation might have been handled if it had involved actuaries instead |
Jan/Feb 2023 | Tattoos and Ponytails | Tammy Dixon | A look at precepts 1 and 2 as they pertain to how an actuary presents to the public |
Mar/Apr 2023 | That’s So Meta | Shawna Ackerman | A roundup of every Up to Code article that’s been written |