Previous 2007 Audiocasts:

GASB Overview
February 14, 2007
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM EST
Credit: CE 1.5, EA Noncore 0.75

Presenters:
Leslie Thompson

   Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company
Kathleen E. Manning

   MWM Consulting Group

This audiocast on GASB 43/45 provides a quick background of the new accounting standard quickly moving into the key issues in the valuation process and actuarial assumptions. The discussion highlights issues that have arisen for some of the early adopters and provides a discussion of the implementation problems that are keeping some public entity contacts awake at night.

For those interested in a more in-depth look at GASB 43/45, register today to attend the seminar being held March 28-29, at the Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, DC, immediately following the Enrolled Actuaries meeting.

Executive Compensation - Disclosure; Looking Back, Looking Forward
April 11, 2007
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM EDT
Credits: CE 1.5, EA Noncore 1.50, PD 1.0

Presenter:
John H. Lowell

   CCA Strategies

In 1992, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted rules for disclosure of executive compensation.

In 2006, the SEC decided they don’t work. The new rules have far more application for actuaries.

Do you know how and why? Attend this audiocast to find out.

Actuarial Discipline/Ethics Debate - What Should I Do When?

May 9, 2007
Credit: CE 1.5, EA Core 1.5
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM EDT

Presenters:

J. Gregory Gaston
   J. G. Gaston & Associates Inc.
Stephen N. Eisenstein
   Ernst & Young LLP
Thomas H. Shelby
   T.H. Shelby & Company
Rich Brew
   Greene-Hazel & Associates, Inc.

Sleep easier at night! Register to attend this audiocast to hear the presenters:

• Review case studies involving professional responsibility and disciplinary matters;

• Listen to an E&O carrier representative review actual case studies ranging from review to litigation;

• Offer tips and mechanisms for ensuring that you are doing the right thing at the appropriate time;

• Review the mechanics of efficiently and clearly having a project peer reviewed when two small firms are working together;

• Be involved in a Q&A session addressing ethical dilemmas.

Don’t delay! Educate yourself to be better equipped to handle the ethical situations you encounter in your professional life.

Actuarial Communications

July 11, 2007
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM EDT
Credit: CE 1.5, EA Core .75, EA Noncore .75

Presenters:
S. Aquil Ahmed
  Mercer Human Resource Consulting
Robert J. Rietz
   Deloitte Consulting LLP

Ann M. Sturner
  Mercer Human Resource Consulting

Given the increasingly complex legislative and compliance controls that have come into being over the last decade, actuaries have a much greater need to communicate with their clients. Such member communication needs to be clear, concise and accurate, ensuring that the recipients understand and appreciate the information being provided. Our clients can’t make a better decision if they are unable to understand our documents.

This session covers “Actuarial Communications.” Attending the session will help you effectively communicate technical concepts and results to non-technical audiences and aid you in selling your decisions to clients.

By learning the essence of communication skills, ASOP 41, and the risks and complications surrounding email communication, you can move from actuarial consultant to your client's trusted advisor.

Topics from the Code of Conduct: Precepts 4, 5, 6, 7 & 9
September 12, 2007
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM EDT
Credit: CE 1.5, EA Core 1.5

Presenters:
J. P. Neal
   Watson Wyatt Worldwide
James A. Stinchcomb
   Towers Perrin

The audiocast focuses on four of the 14 Precepts of the Code of Professional Conduct. Specifically we address:

• Precept 5 – making sure that any actuarial communications clearly identifies your principals (clients or employers) and describes the capacity in which the actuary serves;

• Precept 6 – making appropriate and timely disclosure to current or prospective principals of all direct or indirect material compensation that you or your firm receives that relates to any assignment from that principal;

• Precept 7 – avoiding actual or potential conflict of interest with a principal; and

• Precept 9 – avoiding disclosure of confidential information to another party unless authorized or required by law.

During this 75 minute discussion the speakers use case studies to explore and explain these important aspects of the Code to educate and inform the actuarial profession of potential pitfalls.

Actuarial Aspects of Investment Education
October 10, 2007
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM EDT
Credit: CE 1.5, EA Noncore 1.5
 

Presenters:
Kathleen E. Manning
   MWM Consulting Group
Bryan R. Ward
   Hewitt Investment Group
Phillip M. Kivarkis
   Hewitt Associates LLC

Experienced pension investment consultants review case studies to discuss important elements in assisting retirement plan sponsors manage their investments; make asset allocation and other decisions. The presenters show how actuarial results are used in asset/liability modeling; how actuarial input is integrated with the investment analysis; and how investment professionals present their analysis and perspectives. The speakers address degrees of involvement and the various roles actuaries may experience in the process of helping plan sponsors with their retirement plan investments.

Setting Assumptions in the New Environment
November 7, 2007
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM EST
Credit: CE 1.5, EA Core 1.5
 

Presenters:
Tonya B. Manning
   Aon Consulting
Donald J. Segal
   JPMorgan

With the passage of pension funding reform, the responsibility of actuaries in selecting funding assumptions has been cut back. The setting of interest and mortality assumptions for funding is no longer left to the actuary’s judgment. The speakers examine the parameters for setting assumptions in the new environment. Is there anything beyond retirement age, turnover, and disability? What about assumptions for expense purposes? Should they be the same as for funding? Will the actuary still come up with a recommended contribution based on his/her best estimate? A very important aspect of this discussion is the application of the relevant ASOPs.

Code of Conduct – Issues and Case Studies
November 14, 2007
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM EST
Credit: CE 1.5, EA Core 1.5
 

Presenters:
Alice Pegel Stuart
   Towers Perrin

John T. Stokesbury
   Deloitte Consulting LLP

The Code of Professional Conduct ("Code") requires actuaries to adhere to the high standards of conduct, practice, and qualifications of the actuarial profession. Through its fourteen precepts, it specifies professional and ethical standards that actuaries must comply with in order to fulfill their responsibility to the public and to the actuarial profession. During the audiocast, various case studies regarding professional issues are discussed to examine how the Code may be applied in day-to-day situations.

The provider believes in good faith that the activity qualifies as a Recognized Organized Activity, under the Qualification Standards, Appendix 4, Subsection II.