Starting your journey
What being an actuary means
Actuaries manage risk to make sure people and organizations are prepared for whatever challenges or opportunities we might face. We are problem solvers that apply our knowledge of math, statistics, data modelling and analytics, and business to help Canadians face their financial future with confidence. Actuaries can work in traditional fields such as insurance, retirement and investments, but have an increasing sphere of influence in Canada and globally.
If you enjoy math, helping people and taking on complex challenges, this might be the career for you. Are you a math-loving high school student exploring career paths? Visit All About Actuaries to learn what it’s like to be an actuary and chat with AI to see how the problem-solving actuaries do with math is related to risk.
Explore the siteThe future of actuarial science
What actuaries do constantly evolves with the world around us. Our role adapts to align with increasing globalization, advancements in technology and automation, emerging challenges like climate change and the corresponding shifts in what organizations need. With strong communication, technical, analytical and risk management skills, along with unequalled professionalism, actuaries have the opportunity to become brilliant business strategists and effectively lead businesses forward. CIA members are leading the way.
Canadian education for actuaries
Canadian education in actuarial science is world-renowned. Dedicated to the development of high-quality actuarial programs, the CIA assesses universities to ensure they have the people, structure and resources to deliver the fundamentals of actuarial education. Programs that have demonstrated their quality and rigour are added to the CIA’s University Accreditation Program. Furthermore, the CIA itself has a robust education and qualification system that provides innovative, flexible and accessible options for candidates with diverse backgrounds and career goals.
Pursue your professional designation
An ACIA designation shows potential employers, clients and other professionals that you possess the knowledge and skills to be an effective and professional actuary. An FCIA designation demonstrates that you possess a particular and highly sought-after professional skillset and the experience to apply it in a specialized way. Both designations can help advance your career and open new opportunities in traditional and emerging areas of actuarial science.
As a CIA member, you are part of the premier actuarial community in Canada. Your credentials show employers, regulators and the public that you are committed to the highest level of professionalism and actuarial expertise. And you are backed by a profession that punches above its weight class – creating opportunities across Canada and around the world.
The CIA’s education system will strengthen the recognition that our designations hold internationally. Currently, the CIA has several recognition agreements with actuarial organizations in other countries.
Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA)
CIA Associates and Fellows can apply for equivalent membership status with the ASSA. CIA Associates can qualify for ASSA Associate membership by meeting eligibility, educational and professional requirements. Fellows of the CIA may apply for ASSA Fellowship, with further requirements such as work-based South African actuarial experience. For more details, see the CIA-ASSA mutual recognition agreement.
Associates and Fellows of the ASSA can apply for equivalent membership status with the CIA by meeting the requirements under CIA Qualification Pathway 2 (ACIA) or Pathway 3A or 3B (FCIA).
American Academy of Actuaries
The American Academy of Actuaries accepts Fellows of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries who meet their membership requirements.
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA)
We agreed to terminate our recognition agreement with the IFoA as we respectively move toward individual assessment of qualifications for membership. The IFoA continues to accept CIA Associates and Fellows as the basis for IFoA membership; CIA members may be subject to additional requirements.
The CIA recognizes associates and fellows of the IFoA as the basis for CIA Associateship and Fellowship, subject to completion of the requirements under CIA Qualification Pathway 2 (ACIA) or Pathway 3A or 3B (FCIA).
Institute of Actuaries of Australia (IAAust)
Associates and Fellows of the CIA may obtain corresponding membership status with the IAAust provided they meet eligibility, educational and professional requirements.
Associates and fellows of the IAAust can apply for equivalent membership status with the CIA by meeting the requirements under CIA Qualification Pathway 2 (ACIA) or Pathway 3A or 3B (FCIA).
For more information, please see the CIA-IAAust mutual recognition agreement.
The Society of Actuaries in Ireland (SAI)
CIA Associates and Fellows are eligible for fellowship with the SAI provided they meet Irish work-experience and professional-development requirements.
Associates and fellows of the SAI can apply for equivalent membership status with the CIA by meeting the requirements under CIA Qualification Pathway 2 (ACIA) or Pathway 3A or 3B (FCIA).
For more information, please see the CIA-SAI mutual recognition agreement.
Deutsche Aktuarvereinigung e.V. (DAV)
(German Association of Actuaries)
Fellows of the CIA may apply for DAV fellowship, with requirements including three years of post-qualification practical work-based experience of German actuarial practice. There is no equivalent membership category for CIA Associates with the DAV.
Full members (Ordentliches Mitglied) of the DAV may apply for CIA Fellowship using CIA Pathway 3A (experience route) or 3B (fast-track route).
For more information, please see the CIA-DAV mutual recognition agreement.
Qualification pathways
Three qualification pathways have been developed to provide an inclusive approach to becoming an ACIA or FCIA.
Explore the pathwaysTestimonials
“It’s a business job, it’s a people job, it’s a math job, it’s a decision-maker job.”
– Harold Remisiar, FCIA
“What I like is that we get to see our impact directly onto the company and clients. It’s beyond the numbers. We’re actually making a difference in people’s lives”.
– Salina Young, FCIA
“I think actuarial science can be used pretty much in every industry. Our work for the most part speaks for itself.”
– Navaz Cassam, FCIA
“I get to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry and help them think through their most challenging problems.”
– Melissa Carruthers, FCIA