Mission
The Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline (“ABCD”) was established in the bylaws of the American Academy of Actuaries to strengthen the adherence of members of the five U.S.-based actuarial organizations to the recognized standards of ethical and professional conduct.
Primary Functions
- Respond to requests from members of the five participating U.S.-based organizations for guidance regarding professionalism
- Consider complaints about possible violations of the Code(s) of Professional Conduct
- Counsel actuaries in good professional practice
- Mediate disputes between actuaries and others
- Conduct educational outreach efforts, which include making oral presentations and writing magazine articles to help actuaries, regulators, and other stakeholders become more familiar with the ABCD’s work
Structure
The ABCD consists of a Chairperson, two Vice Chairpersons, and six other members. They are appointed to three-year terms by a Selection Committee, established in the Academy bylaws and chaired by the Academy President. The Selection Committee appoints ABCD members in such a way as to ensure that all practice areas are adequately represented.
Jurisdiction
The ABCD’s jurisdiction to investigate alleged violations extends to the actuarial practice of the five U.S.-based organizations’ members in every country. By virtue of agreement between the five U.S.-based organizations and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA), the CIA has jurisdiction to investigate actuarial practice of the participating organizations’ members in Canada; similarly, CIA members’ actuarial practice in the United States can be investigated by the ABCD.
Up to Code
This regular column in Contingencies highlights the ABCD’s work and important professionalism issues.
Risk to the Actuary
March/April 2022
by Richard Kutikoff
A Million Little Things
January/February 2022
by John Schubert
Where Do You Practice?
November/December 2021
by William Hines
Who Knows 14?
September/October 2021
by Deborah Rosenberg
The Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics
July/August 2021
by Kenneth A. Kent
Follow the ASOPs, Inside and Out
May/June 2021
by Alice Rosenblatt
The Art of the Possible
March/April 2021
by David Driscoll
A Little Help From My Friends
January/February 2021
by Albert J. Beer
Follow-Up Exam
November/December 2020
by Allan W. Ryan
How can we help you?
Ask for guidance.
Did you know when actuaries need help with thorny professional problems, they can ask an ABCD member for informal advice?
Ask UsLearn about the complaint process.
How do you complain to the ABCD about an actuary's conduct? What happens once a complaint has been made?
Learn MoreRequest a speaker.
ABCD members make educational presentations at actuarial seminars and clubs, regulators' meetings, and elsewhere.
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