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| About Us Actuarial Risk Management (ARM) leads the way in providing the next generation of actuarial services. Companies may face similar challenges and share similar goals, but ARM recognizes that no two companies are exactly alike. Thus, the standard "one size fits all" approach traditionally utilized by large actuarial firms is both antiquated and ineffective, especially in our current economic and risk climate. ARM’s mission is simple and our approach is direct—we are here to help you maximize profits and mitigate risks at a cost you can afford. Why pay more for less? ARM has a proven success record in delivering more value at an average cost savings of 15% or more over current actuarial and risk management costs. Our actuarial and risk management experts provide our clients with a flexible hands-on partnership, which covers all risk sectors including: Insurance (P&C, Life, Annuity and Health), Managed Care, Employee Benefits, Retirement and Banking. Increased accessibility to top industry experts across all disciplines is the cornerstone of our successful business model. In addition to our highly skilled actuaries, compliance experts and risk managers in Austin, TX, our clients benefit from the knowledge and expertise of our extensive network of industry experts located throughout the United States. Developed by ARM’s principal founder, Corwin Zass, this growing network ensures ARM can deliver support to local, regional and national clients. To date the ARM Network consists of more than a dozen core member firms with over 45 highly skilled consulting actuaries and numerous risk experts averaging over 20 years experience in all disciplines. Under Zass’ direction, ARM seamlessly oversees the delivery of all risk management and actuarial services by coordinating the appropriate resources for each project based on complexity and client needs. ARM may bring in colleagues with specialized expertise from outside the network if it is advantageous to our clients. ARM’s successful business model and hands-on approach continues to earn the trust and respect of a growing number of public and private organizations. ARM is an independent member of the BDO Seidman Alliance and since 2006 has been the sole provider of actuarial services within BDO Seidman, which is the U.S. member of BDO - the fifth largest global accounting and consulting firm. Our arrangement with BDO has ARM supporting BDO, other BDO Alliance members and their respective clients. Our relationship with BDO also gives our clients access to BDO’s accounting and tax expertise, worldwide. In mid 2008, ARM and the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, an insurance and risk-management education provider, formed a synergistic partnership. Beginning in 2009, ARM will provide advanced actuarial curricula and instruction for the National Alliance, which offers a series of five 20-hour courses designed to educate business people about risk management. The National Alliance and ARM believes in an educated workforce with regard to risk management. ARM’s capabilities also include access to a broad range of non-actuarial services, ranging from captive services, insurance operations, and retirement administration to asset valuation experts to pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) experts and life settlement underwriters. If you're looking for a true actuarial and risk management partner, more cost-effective solutions, or simply want to explore other options to mitigate future risk, please contact us to begin understanding why so many organizations are choosing ARM. |
ARM Senior Bios
| Corwin K. Zass, ASA, MAAA, FCA Principal, Actuarial Risk Management In his 15 plus years as an actuary, Mr. Zass evolved from working in an insurance company as Chief Actuary to a Consulting Actuary. ARM, an Independent Member of the BDO Seidman Alliance, is the only actuarial service provider in the BDO family. Mr. Zass directs all actuarial assignments, whether or not the engagements come from BDO, the 5th largest global accounting and consulting firm. As a qualified actuary, Mr. Zass has extensive knowledge of Probability & Statistics, Financial Mathematics, Micro and Macro Economics, Construction of Actuarial Forecasting Models, Advanced Finance and Enterprise Risk Management, Financial Reporting and "Quant" skills. Over the years, Mr. Zass consulted on a variety of assignments across the insurance and health care sector, including projects for fraternal, mutual, and stock insurance companies acting in the capacity as direct carriers and reinsurers. Regardless of the client, he strives to translate complex actuarial commentary into easy to understand language for his clients. Mr. Zass has aided various sized insurers on financial risk management; specifically, ALM, capital management, interest rate risk, asset adequacy testing. More recently, he has begun working with clients and BDO on the best practices for economic capital and enterprise risk management. He consults with many life insurance companies on both product related matters and financial matters relating to their individual and group portfolios. Mr. Zass graduated with a BSc degree from the University of Manitoba and attained his Associateship from the Society of Actuaries shortly after completing his post secondary level education. He is a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries and a Fellow of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries along with volunteering his time to various American Academy of Actuaries Working Groups. He continually expands his risk management skills and has memberships with the Association for Corporate Growth, and the American Association of Insurance Management Consultants. Mr. Zass is the chief editor of ARM’s monthly actuarial newsletter "Risk Review". He recently joined the Gerson Lehrman Group Financial & Business Services Council. Mr. Zass has presented to various professionals, including:
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BDO Seidman Alliance
 | The BDO Seidman Alliance is a nationwide association of independently owned local and regional accounting, consulting and service firms with similar client service goals. By accessing the resources of BDO Seidman and each other, the Alliance presents an opportunity for these accounting and consulting, and business and technology firms to expand services to their clients - without jeopardizing their existing client relationships or their autonomy. |
| The BDO Seidman Alliance was developed to provide member firms with an alternative strategy for gaining competitive advantage in the face of a changing business landscape. The Alliance represents an opportunity to develop and enhance relationships with reputable firms that share a mutual business understanding. | |
Who are our Clients?
| • | Insurance Carriers (Life, P&C, Managed Care) | • | Insurance Agencies |
| • | Employers with Employee Benefit Needs | • | Employers with Retirement Needs |
| • | Employers with Self-insurance Needs | • | Hospitals |
| • | Physician Offices | • | Private Investors, including Hedge Funds |
| • | Regulators and Rating Agencies | • | Accounting Firms requiring Audit Support |
Services Cost Structures
Actuarial Risk Management provides actuarial and management services under various cost structures designed to meet client budget requirements and to fit each project profile. The most typical cost structures are described below.
- Hourly rates for individual consultants and support staff. Costs are monitored and reported to clients on a regular basis during the course of extended engagements.
- Fixed-prices for project phases or total project completion when the project is such that scope, deliverables and time line can be specified precisely.
- Flat prices for certain types of projects and assignments.
- Combination of reduced direct costs based on one of the above structures, along with profit or equity participation, especially in projects involving start-ups.
- Production-based compensation for product development assignments.
Actuarial Risk Management can provide you with the highest-caliber expertise at highly competitive costs. The knowledge and experience of our professionals can significantly shorten the time required for completion of the services you require for risk management, strategy and finance.
We provide you with people who have 'been there - done that' so that we can offer you advice that can be relied upon, within flexible cost structures as briefly outlined above.
Contact Us: If you would like to discuss in strict confidence your company’s specific service needs and cost alternatives, please call 512-345-5200 and speak with a managing director at Actuarial Risk Management, or email us and we will contact you promptly.
Additional Actuarial Risk Management contact details are available on the Contact Us page on our website.
Thank you for your interest in Actuarial Risk Management services! We look forward to talking with you.
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