What is Risk management?
Risk management is the process of analyzing risks related to finances involved in a company. It also includes micro-managing other risks associated with any business concern which might impact the overall health of the company. The business environment is uncertain hence understanding how a business will do in the future is also uncertain. Therefore, efficient risk management also means efficient forecasting of the future results and the factors which might affect the company in multiple ways. With good management of risks, loss by the way of uncertainties can be minimized to a very large extent.
Risk management is quite challenging as the risks which have not been encountered by the company yet have to predict and strategies have to be formulated to come out of such a situation safe and sound. Therefore, these activities cannot be performed by regular individuals but by those who have an area-specific knowledge and are also well versed with the tools of predicting the unseen and managing the risks associated with it efficiently and effectively.
Who can become a risk manager?
A risk manager is someone who has in-depth knowledge of how to manage the unforeseen risks associated with any particular business. Various risk management courses are available in the market which will provide a quantitative as well as a qualitative approach of dealing with companies and helping them out in predicting the future and manage the multiple risks associated with it.
People who have the mind for analyzing the shortfalls and coming up with alternative solutions are the right people for this job. It requires both an analytical as well as a creative bent of mind to become a risk manager as it involves analyzing the problem and then coming up with various new and innovative techniques to tackle and come out of those problems.
How can someone become a risk management consultant?
Risk consultants have expertise in finance, business, analytics, mathematics and all other factors which are the primary indicators of the general health and functioning of any business entity. These professionals analyze and predict the occurrence of a mishap and come up with strategies to overcome them. Such risks include losses due to policy changes, death of a member from the higher management, loss of property, a slowdown of revenues, closure of any revenue channel, etc. Various consultants have different specialization in different sectors of the economy like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, industrial goods, commercial goods, etc.
The first step of becoming a Risk Management Consultant is to get a bachelor's degree. Only a graduate can keep his foot forward if he has an interest in taking the path of a risk management consultant. Thereafter, the individual must go for an entry-level job which should be closely related to risk management. Usually, these individuals start as finance trainees, insurance trainees or something similar. This job will help you in understanding the basics of the corporate world hence prepping you up for your career in risk management.
With more and more exposure, trainees are made to analyze and do specific researches which in turn broadens their perspectives. The next step is to become an Associate Actuary. One can do this by gaining certification through CAS or SOA. This degree will grant a professional status to risk management consultants. To become eligible for this certification, one has to pass in a series of examinations and participate in various seminars. After the above certification, one can opt for fellowship certification. This requires you to work for another 2-3 years. Along with this, an individual will have to get himself registered with federal government agencies. After all this, the individual is all set for his career in risk management. He can operate independently or as a corporate risk management consultant.
