Build your skills and boost your impact - explore on-demand courses made for co-op and utility professionals!

Electric Co-op and Utility Accounting, Rates, and Management Courses

Join over 1,000 students in expanding your skills!

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Add Value to Your Organization, Build Skills and Confidence

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Co-op and Utility Accounting

Master FERC and RUS accounting, work orders, asset retirement, and financial reporting tailored for electric utilities and cooperatives.

FERC/RUS Construction Accounting

Learn construction accounting best practices, including capital project tracking and work order processes aligned with utility standards.

Rates

Understand revenue requirements, cost-of-service allocations, and rate design principles that impact your customers and your organization’s financial health.

Finance

Sharpen your budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis skills with practical insights that support smarter financial decision-making.

Learning Paths

Develop your own tailored learning path based on your experience level.

Management

Managers and Board Members can learn high-level skills in financial analysis and rates to assist with informed decision making.

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Power and Utilities Industry Best Practices in Accounting, Rates, and Management

These courses are designed for

New co-op accountants
New utility accountants
Controllers
Board Members
Finance managers
Rate analysts
Chief Financial Officers

Our courses are designed for cooperative and utility employees and board members at every experience level, from brand new to seasoned professionals.

We Have Served Over 1,000 Professionals from All Experience Levels!

What Our Students Say

Our students have grown their skills by taking our courses. Here are just a few of their stories.

“Very good overview of the introduction to the electricity business. I just recently started a job with a utility and am taking some courses to learn as much as possible about the electricity industry. Will definitely be taking another course through utilityeducation.com”

— Jennifer

“The Intro to FERC class is a well thought out, easy to understand course for beginners!”

— Ted

“This was an incredible overview! I cannot wait to share this with others. I LOVED how you explained things. You have great speaking and explanation skills.”

— Nicole

“The title of the Introduction to FERC Accounting is a great description of the course materials. Very informative course!”

— Tara

“I came looking for an introduction to utilities course and I'm glad I took this one. Russ was great and explained everything really well. It was great learning from someone who has actually been in the industry and knows about both the finance and utility sectors. I will be taking more courses!”

— Kritant

“I did not have a lot of knowledge about utility construction accounting or standard units, but this course was a good overview of the process and very understandable to a newbie.”

— Matt

“Great training for our Board members.”

— Noah

“I am new to the Coop world and this did help me. Thank you!”

— Kristin

“Good basic understanding of RUS and the chart of accounts. I came from outside the utility world and was quite lost. This class helps to provide a basic foundation.”

— Julie

“Was a quick, easy and great information!”

— Mary

Why Choose Us?

Courses Provide Practical Applications

Course materials provide best practices and industry insights from our years of experience in assisting electric cooperatives and power and utilities companies.

Gain Certified Professional Education Credits

Courses provide certified education credits from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

Customize Your Learning Track

Choose individual courses or build a customized learning track based on your experience level.

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Russ Hissom, CPA

Course instructor

Hi, I’m Russ Hissom. I’ve been an instructor for national industry organizations since 1990 and previously served as a partner in a national accounting and consulting firm for over 20 years. I’ve had the privilege of working with electric cooperatives and utility organizations across the United States and Canada, providing accounting, rate, and financial consulting services, as well as expert testimony before FERC and state utility commissions.

I’ve used this experience to design courses for professionals and board members at every level. The courses cover everything from the foundational concepts you need to manage utility accounting, finance, and rates, to advanced financial analysis tools for more complex challenges. Each course is built on industry best practices and designed with a practical approach so you can immediately apply what you learn in your organization. I hope you’ll join me in a class and see the difference first-hand.

Real-World Expertise: 35+ years of consulting, teaching, and expert testimony in the utility industry.
Proven Educator: National instructor for APPA, NRECA, AGA, AWWA, EEI, and other industry groups.
Practical Application: Courses are grounded in best practices and focused on tools you can use right away.
Comprehensive Perspective: Experience serving electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and power organizations across the U.S. and Canada.
Trusted Leader: Former partner in a National Accounting and Consulting firm's Energy Group, guiding utilities through complex financial and operational challenges.

Companies and markets that we serve

Learn at your own pace with industry experts with online, on-demand professional development courses!

Join thousands of students and take your skills to the next level!

Instructor

Utility Accounting and Rates Specialists, LLC is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: NASBAregistry.org.

Course Accreditation, Requirements, and Refund and Cancellation Policy
Course #: AT-3

Program Level: Basic

Area of Study: Accounting - Technical

Delivery: QAS Self Study

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

CPE Credits: 1.00

Last Reviewed: 8.1.24

Access Period: 12 months

Exam Questions: 5

Passing Grade: 70%

Retakes: Unlimited

Refunds and cancellations: Requests for refunds must be made in writing within 30 days for purchasing the course. No refunds will be granted after the qualified assessment has been completed. For any concerns, please contact us at 608 628 4020 or at [email protected].
Train your full team with a discounted business package!
Classes for co-op and utility finance teams, accounting staff, rate analysts, and managers.
Train new hires and experienced professionals efficiently with structured learning paths.
Package includes dedicated homepage and class cirriculum.
Access over 30 hours of practical, industry-focused courses. You select the courses!
Obtain discounted group pricing. Courses are priced at 45% off for groups of four or more students.
Staff get individual logins to on-demand courses, trackable for HR or training managers.

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Our courses have been taken by over 1,000 professionals from all experience levels!

I have questions!
Help & FAQ
What is included with the courses and how long do I have access?
All video lessons and course downloads are included in all courses. You have lifetime access to the courses and future updates.
Where does the information come from in the courses?
The information is taken from industry best practices and the experience of the instructor in working with power and utilities organizations.
How do these courses add value to my organization and my career knowledge?
Knowledge is power (forgive the electric pun). But these courses add to your knowledge, making your career skills deeper and giving you tools to provide value to your organization.
Are the courses eligible for continuing education credits?
Yes! Utility Accounting and Rates Specialists, LLC is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: NASBAregistry.org.
Are there course downloads so I can follow along?
All of the course materials can be downloaded for each lesson. They are in PDF and Excel formats. You'll generally see them at the beginning of the course in the introduction section, Lesson 1, or scattered throughout the lessons as fitting the topic.
What if I have more questions?
We welcome your questions anytime. Just email [email protected]. Thanks!