Description: This article looks at the recent trend of mergers and acquisitions between very large organizations. The driving forces, issues involved and keys to success are discussed. The role of the actuary in this process is also reviewed.

Description: Insurance accounting is in the midst of significant changes, many of which were proposed during a time of severe economic uncertainty. Given the concern about these regulations by many insurance finance executives, it is time for a re-examination of the capabilities of the financial reporting function. For insurers, actuarial components are a critical part of the financial reports, and so actuaries can be expected to play a critical role in moving the overall financial and regulatory reporting function forward. In fact, the financial and regulatory reporting function in an insurance company cannot advance significantly without actuarial expertise. This article explains how actuaries are therefore in the position of being able to help drive the evolution of a company’s finance function.