Get with the program – actuaries are software engineers
Get with the program – actuaries are software engineers
Code is crucial to our industry – but coding is seen as a secondary skill, and writing software a different career. Time to change all that, argues Guy Brett-Robertson.
The actuarial profession is undergoing a process of modernisation that is driven by technology. Despite this, many actuaries are unsure how to improve their technology and programming skills, lacking experienced mentors and any knowledge of best practices. There is a valuable opportunity here for actuaries to draw insights from software engineering.
Why should actuaries learn from software engineers?
Actuaries and their stakeholders increasingly understand that the innovative use of technology is one way to gain a competitive advantage. Tools and systems built with code can improve efficiency and reduce costs, among many other benefits. This means that the demand for actuaries who can code is higher than ever, and will continue to rise.
