Co-op & Utility Board Member Training
Govern with confidence. Five courses designed specifically for board members — not accountants — covering how the electric industry works, how to read financial statements, how rates are built, and what questions to ask at every step.
The industry knowledge that makes board service meaningful
Most board members come to their role with professional expertise from other industries — but very little context for how an electric utility or cooperative actually operates. That knowledge gap makes it harder to ask good questions, evaluate staff recommendations, review consultant reports, and govern with confidence.
This track fills that gap. Five practical courses build the financial literacy, industry context, and analytical framework board members need — without requiring an accounting background. No prerequisites, no jargon — just clear, relevant knowledge you can apply at your next board meeting.
- New and experienced electric cooperative board members
- Public utility board and commission members
- City council members overseeing a municipal utility
- Executive leadership seeking deeper financial and operational context
- Consultants and auditors serving co-ops and utilities
After completing this track you will be able to:
Recommended sequence
Work through them in order for the best result. No accounting background or prerequisites required. Co-op boards: see the add-on below.
How electricity is generated, delivered, and priced — how utilities and co-ops are structured, who does the work, and what the industry of the future looks like. The essential starting point for every board member.
What utility financial statements really show, what matters most, and the questions that lead to better governance decisions — written for board members, not accountants.
The KPIs that matter most for utility financial health and operational performance — and how board members can use them to monitor results and ask better questions of management.
How electric rates are built from the ground up — revenue requirements, cost allocation, and rate design — and what board members should be asking when reviewing or approving a rate study.
Patronage capital is unique to the cooperative model — how it accumulates, how it gets retired to members, and how cash reserve targets connect to rates and long-term financial health. Essential for co-op board members. Available as a standalone course.
Enrolling your board as a group? Group enrollment options are available for organizations that want to bring their entire board through this track together. Email or call 608-628-4020 to discuss group pricing and options.
"As a new board member I was never sure what to look for in the financial statements or the right questions to ask about rate studies. These courses gave me the background to develop questions that get me the information I need to make informed decisions."
"I've been on our utility board for two years and always felt like I was one step behind in the financial discussions. After the financial statements and KPI courses, I finally feel like I can contribute rather than just listen."
"We sent four of our board members through this track before our rate study review. The quality of their questions to our consultant was noticeably better. It made the whole process more productive for everyone in the room."
Russ Hissom, CPA has worked directly with utility and cooperative boards for more than 35 years — presenting rate studies, explaining financial results, and helping board members understand the business well enough to govern it effectively. These courses reflect what he's learned about what board members actually need to know, explained the way they need to hear it.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Govern with the confidence that comes from understanding the business
Earn 6.00 NASBA CPE hours and a Co-op & Utility Governance Foundations Certificate. No accounting background required.