http://www.beanactuary.org/examprocess/exams.htm

>John,
>
>>>I'm more in favor of tough professional accreditations than advanced
>>>degrees. Holding a degree in accounting, actuarial sciences, law, and
>>>finance is not sufficient (and not always a pre-requisite) to bve called an
>>>Chartered General Accountant, Associate of the Society of Actuaries,
>>>Attorney, or Chartered Financiual Analyst respectively. These exams are
>>>tough and may require years of studies (after graduation) and several
>>>attempts before you pass.
>>>
>
>>But in order to sit for the exams, you usually have to have the
>>educational requirements met.
>
>Not necessarily. Everyone is allowed to sit for the acturial and charatered
>financial analysts exams. The acturial exams are particularly expensive -
>registration fee and study material - and typical require 10 hours of study
>per credit for someone to have a chance of passing (50% passing rate). It
>used to take 200 credits to obtain the ASA designation and 450 credits to
>obtain the FSA but I know they changed th ecurriculum to make it even harder.
>
>Obtaining the FSA (Fellow of the Society of Actuaries) typically requires 5
>to 7 years of 500-1000 hours/year study after graduation. The designation
>is very meaningful to employers ($30-60+K more per year).
>
>Daniel