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.
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
The Gifts and Responsibilities of Age
September/October 2020
by Godfrey Perrott
Communicating the Unknown
July/August 2020
by David Ogden
Looking for Truth in Shades of Gray
May/June 2020
by John T. Stokesbury
Actuarial Assumptions
March/April 2020
by Deborah Rosenberg
Precept 11—Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth
January/February 2020
by Kenneth A. Kent
Getting Political—Can an Actuary Weigh In on Thorny Issues?
November/December 2019
by Alice Rosenblatt
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.
Contact Us