Category: excel

Data Visualization: Key Communication Skill for Actuaries

By Mary Pat Campbell, FSA, MAAA In the current coronavirus pandemic, one of the most impactful pieces of communication has been this:

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Use Technology to Auto-Document and Be Professional!

By Mary Pat Campbell Have you ever thought about how your spreadsheets are actuarial communications?

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Automate the Boring (and Persnickety) Stuff with VBA

By Mary Pat Campbell Many years ago, I had “ownership” of a monster spreadsheet that had been used for preparing exhibits for an insurer’s Annual Statement. This spreadsheet had grown over the years, with each additional owner adding their own touch to try to make sure the results were correct.…

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To Err is Human; To Detect and Prevent, Divine

By Mary Pat Campbell Over a decade ago, I wrote my first article on spreadsheet errors. It was titled “To Err Is Human; To Correct, Divine”, and ran in the SOA’s technology section newsletter, detailing the commonality of spreadsheet errors – even among (or, I should say, especially among)…

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Spreadsheets: Best Practices are Needed to Prevent Disasters and Optimize Productivity

Guest blog by Mary Pat Campbell, FSA, MAAA, PRM Did you know that a simple spreadsheet formula led to a $6 billion trading loss? Did you know that the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act caused a considerable amount of work removing hard-coded rates?

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Excel, Python, R, C++ and more -- Use the Right Tool, Use the Tool Right

Guest Blog by Mary Pat Campbell, FSA, MAAA, PRM,

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My Journey with R

Guest Blog from Brian Fannin, ACAS

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What Technical Skills Should I Learn As an Actuarial Student?

Guest Blog from Mike Jennings, FSA, CERA

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