21210 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries

What this occupation covers

Mathematicians and statisticians research mathematical or statistical theories, and develop and apply mathematical or statistical techniques for solving problems in such fields as science, engineering, business and social science. Actuaries apply mathematics, statistics, probability and risk theory to assess potential financial impacts of future events. Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries are employed by universities, governments, bank and trust companies, insurance companies, pension benefit consulting firms, professional associations, and science and engineering consulting firms.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 8 main duties for this code.

• Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas of mathematics such as algebra, geometry, probability and logic
• Apply mathematical techniques to the solution of problems in scientific fields such as physical science, engineering, computer science or other fields such as operations research, business or management.
• Conduct research into the mathematical basis of the science of statistics
• Develop statistical methodology and advise on the practical application of statistical methodology
• Apply statistical theory and methods to provide information in scientific and other fields such as biological and agricultural science, business and economics, physical sciences and engineering, and the social sciences.
• Apply mathematical models to forecast and calculate the probable future costs of insurance and pension benefits
• Design life, health, and property insurance policies, and calculate premiums, contributions and benefits for insurance policies, and pension and superannuation plans
• May assist investment fund managers in portfolio asset allocation decisions and risk management. They also use these techniques to provide legal evidence on the value of future earnings.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 2 of its 8 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 11102 Financial advisors
• 11101 Financial and investment analysts
• 11100 Financial auditors and accountants
• 10010 Financial managers
• 10020 Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers
• 11109 Other financial officers
• 12113 Statistical officers and related research support occupations

Excluded from this code

• Financial advisors (See 11102 Financial advisors)
• Financial and investment analysts (See 11101 Financial and investment analysts)
• Financial auditors and accountants (See 11100 Financial auditors and accountants)
• Financial managers (See 10010 Financial managers)
• Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers (See 10020 Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers)
• Other financial officers (See 11109 Other financial officers)
• Statistical officers and related research support occupations (See 12113 Statistical officers and related research support occupations)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

actuarial analyst · actuarial assistant · actuary · analysis supervisor - statistics · applied mathematician · applied statistician · associate actuary · biological and agricultural science statistician · biometrician · biostatistician · business and economics statistician · casualty actuary · chemistry statistician · cipher expert · consulting actuary · consulting pension actuary · cryptanalyst · cryptoanalyst · cryptographer · demographer · education statistician · environmental epidemiologist · epidemiologist (except physician and veterinarian) · financial statistician

Employment requirements

• Mathematicians and statisticians usually require a graduate degree in mathematics or statistics.
• Actuaries usually require post-secondary education in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, economics, commerce or business administration.
• Actuaries are conferred fellowships through the Canadian Institute of Actuaries upon successful completion of professional examinations and three years of work experience in the actuarial field as an actuarial assistant or in a related position.