Actuaries look at current trends, whether they are social, economic, or legal, and determine their financial impact on future events. This requires a broad understanding of the business world and extensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and economics. Accurate estimates of these events are crucial for the survival and prosperity of the companies who employ actuaries. Insurance companies need them. Investment firms and companies dealing with employee benefits also need them, just to name a few. Any company looking to place a price tag on financial risk can use a good actuary. There are many career opportunities in the field of actuarial science. Actuaries, because of their extreme importance to the business world, must pass a series of rigorous examinations. The first exam is on probability with insurance applications. Later exams cover aspects which bring statistics and the business world together.