First Actuarial is a growing actuarial consultancy business with a focus in the UK pension arena. The firm was established in 2004, growing relatively fast from a team of 25 to over 80 people, now with five UK offices in Basingstoke, Leeds, Manchester, Peterborough and Tonbridge.
Graduate Schemes
First Actuarial are looking for graduates with strong academic achievements. In particular, the firm are interested in strong results in mathematics, statistics, economics or similar subjects.
The firm are also interested in soft skills and competencies such as:- Being able to accept responsibility at an early stage in your career (see - responsibility).
- Be personally motivated (see - career motivation and commitment to career).
- Have strong communication skills (see - communication).
- Have an ability to tackle and solve problems (see - problem solving).
Graduate Development
First Actuarial provide graduate trainees with support to study for the Fellowship of the Institute or Faculty of Actuaries. The firm's current study package includes:- Exam success rewarded through pay rises.
- Payment for required study materials and tutorials.
- Up to 40 study days per year.
- Exam entry fees.
- Membership subscriptions for the Institute or Faculty of Actuaries.
Benefits
The firm encourage a casual dress policy and flexible working hours.
Application and Assessment Process
Candidates can make applications to join First Actuarial from August each year. The recruitment process is typically just one interview. To apply candidates should send a CV and covering letter to the firm.
Summer Placement Programme
First Actuarial offer internships to potential employees. These are available to penultimate year undergraduates aiming for a good degree result.
Placements involve working in a team of actuaries and actuarial students on a wide range of pensions related work. You are likely to get involved in drafting letters and reports, carrying out pension scheme calculations and working on spreadsheets.
5 March 2010 - 3:01pm
gradtrainee
I applied about 6 months ago and still not heard anything from them. Apparently they have a large volume of applicants and are still processing them.
13 March 2010 - 3:35pm
raheel 88
i applied back in december. i emailed them twice to ask about my application status and, as gradtrainee has said, they have a large number of applicants this year.
Anyone applied to the Manchester office?
13 March 2010 - 3:49pm
gradtrainee
I've applied to the Leeds office....still nothing from them yet.
20 January 2012 - 9:03pm
hanre
Yes, I have an interview but I'm not sure what to expect, does anyone have any idea/experience?
20 January 2012 - 9:03pm
hanre
Yes, I have an interview but I'm not sure what to expect, does anyone have any idea/experience?
21 January 2012 - 10:03am
WastedFun
Which office?
I think it will just be a general interview testing your career motivation and understanding of what First do.
21 January 2012 - 11:15am
hanre
Hmm I know thre is a '30 minute maths test'-I was curious if anybody had any experience of what this might entail....
Followed by 2 interviews, so I imagine one will be motivation/understanding of role but was wondering about the other one.
All of my other interviews have been competency based with at most one logical maths question so this one is a bit different!
4 February 2012 - 1:19pm
vardhana.bhalla
Hey, I've got an interview on Monday, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what it's like? What are the questions?
and is there a numerical test or something like the shl tests?
Please get back to me soon because I only have a couple of days to prepare.
Thanks
4 February 2012 - 2:52pm
WastedFun
Which office is it for?
Process was quite straightforward. Relatively informal interview just discussing your education and work history followed by a bespoke case study test. Not too difficult.
4 February 2012 - 5:39pm
hanre
I had a very time pressured maths test thing, which wasn't really hard just not enough time to finish it! Followed by a really easy verbal test.
That was followed by an interview which was very long but straightforward and focused solely on my education and my personality.
Had mine about 10 days ago now...fingers crossed not too long to wait!
5 February 2012 - 10:51am
vardhana.bhalla
m applying for peterborough actuary.
what kind of maths test was it? was it like the shl papers?
what was the case study about? what did you have do to?
i'm a little nervous cause im not brilliant at maths.
thanks
5 February 2012 - 12:11pm
WastedFun
You're not brilliant at maths and you want to be an actuary???
The case study involves the use of Maths and also assesses your verbal reasoning skills; there is no specific maths test.
5 February 2012 - 3:57pm
vardhana.bhalla
What was the case study about? What were the questions they asked?
7 February 2012 - 12:51pm
Bhasin
Hi. has anyone applied to the basingstoke office and heard back yet? i emailed them a few days ago asking if any progress had been made yet and haven't had a reply yet.
7 February 2012 - 1:15pm
WastedFun
They're quite slow aren't they. I had my interview over a week ago and still haven't heard anything back.
7 February 2012 - 1:43pm
hanre
Same! They said that the were interviewing all of last week and into this week and then that the interviewers were going on personal vacations for a week each though..doesn't look like it will be a quick turn around!
7 February 2012 - 2:08pm
Bhasin
may i ask what you credentials are hanre and wasted fun? are you recent mathematical graduates with 2.1's or above? They still havnt got back to me from my application form! I have a 2.1 in mathematics from the university of nottingham
7 February 2012 - 8:40pm
hanre
I'm expecting a 2:1 this year also in Mathematics, will probably stay on and do a masters if I don't get a grad scheme. I sent my application in before Xmas, and they started interviews last week so perhaps you won't be considered in this intake if your forms only arrived then? Obviously that is just a guess as to why you haven't had a response.
7 February 2012 - 10:34pm
Bhasin
do they have more than one intake per year? I sent my application like the day before the deadline day. when did u send yours off? i think the deadline was well before xmas.
8 February 2012 - 7:16am
WastedFun
I thought the deadline was in November. Have you been invited for an interview yet?
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Has anyone applied to their graduate scheme and received a reply?