Finance & Accounting AI Skills Learning Path

Master AI tools for financial reporting and analysis. This two-course series takes you from foundational concepts through document creation to advanced applications—giving you practical skills to transform your accounting workflow.

All of the courses in every learning path are included with an annual membership!

About this learning path

The Finance & Accounting AI Skills Learning Path is a comprehensive, hands-on training package designed to give accounting and finance professionals the practical AI skills they need to work smarter and more efficiently. This two-course series takes you from foundational AI concepts through document creation to advanced applications like prompt chaining, quality control frameworks, and team implementation. The content is curated specifically for finance professionals who want to leverage AI tools for real tasks—financial analysis, board reports, rate strategies, and management communications—while maintaining accuracy and appropriate human oversight.


Completing this learning path will give you the skills to:

Understand foundational AI concepts including how large language models work, their capabilities, and their limitations
Use AI to analyze financial statements, identify trends, and generate insights from your data
Apply AI tools to calculate, interpret, and communicate key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial ratios
Apply effective prompt formulas to generate professional variance explanations, board reports, and management communications
Transform raw financial data into clear, accessible narratives for boards, management, and non-financial audiences
Verify AI-generated content using systematic checklists to ensure accuracy and compliance
Recognize common AI errors including hallucinated statistics, fabricated references, and overly optimistic framing
Implement advanced techniques like prompt chaining and few-shot prompting for complex financial analysis
Develop AI security policies, governance frameworks, and team rollout strategies for your organization
Earn a verifiable Finance & Accounting AI Skills digital badge upon completion—ready to add to your professional profile.

This learning path is for:

  • New and experienced accountants.
  • Controllers.
  • Chief Financial Officers.
  • Operational Managers.
  • Board Members.
  • Those who want practical, usable AI skills that improve everyday reporting and analysis.
  • Those who have no coding skills or technical background — the focus is on real tools you can apply immediately.

"I went from being intimidated by AI to making it part of my daily workflow. The courses build on each other perfectly, and the templates and checklists are exactly what I needed to get started with confidence."

Avatar
Glenn

This learning path includes the following courses:

courses

AI-Powered Financial Writing: Board Reports, Policies, and Professional Communications

Value: $127.00 Included!

Master AI tools to transform your financial analysis workflow. Learn to build automated business and reporting processes that save hours of manual work. (1.50 credits)

16 Lessons
courses

How AI is Transforming Financial and Management Reporting

Value: $157.00 Included!

Master AI tools to transform your accounting and financial workflows. Learn to automate reporting, analyze data faster, and make confident decisions—all while protecting sensitive information. No technical background required.(2.00 credits)

21 Lessons

Taught by a nationally recognized utility accounting expert

Avatar
Russ Hissom

CPA

Russ Hissom, CPA, is a national utility accounting and rate expert with 35+ years of experience helping electric cooperatives and electric, gas, water, wastewater, and broadband utilities improve accounting and work order processes, strengthen financial performance, enhance operational excellence, support strategy development and implementation, and design fair, sustainable rates.

Frequently Asked Questions:

No. The series starts with foundational concepts and assumes no prior AI experience. Course 1 covers how AI works, what it can and can't do, and how to get started with common tools. Each course builds on the previous one, so you'll develop skills progressively.

You can use any major AI platform such as ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, or Google Gemini. The courses focus on techniques and principles that work across platforms, so you're not locked into any specific tool. Most offer free tiers that are sufficient for learning.

The examples and templates are tailored to utility finance, but the skills apply to any accounting or finance professional. The prompt formulas, verification practices, and implementation strategies work across industries.

The course number of CPE hours are shown in the course description. You'll receive a course completion certificate that also shows the number of CPE hours when you complete 100% of the course and take the course quiz. CPE hours are computed based on a 50 minute presentation hour.


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.

All course materials can be downloaded for each lessons. These include course slides, exercises, and Excel templates that can be tailored to your organization.

Upon completion, participants earn a Co-op & Utility Governance Foundations Certificate and a verifiable digital badge. The certificate documents course completion for professional records, while the digital badge provides a shareable, online credential that can be added to professional profiles (such as LinkedIn) to demonstrate foundational governance knowledge.

Immediately. Each course includes ready-to-use templates, prompt formulas, and downloadable implementation guides. Most participants report using AI for real tasks within the first course, and building more advanced workflows as they progress through the series.



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$227.00
  • 2 Courses
  • 3.50 hours of NASBA Certified Professional Education Credits (credits awarded after each class)
  • Earn a Finance & Accounting AI Skills Foundations Certificate and a verifiable digital badge upon completion—ready to add to your professional profile
This course also includes:
  • $284 value - save 20% over individual course prices
  • All course downloads and templates you can tailor to your organization
  • 30 Days Money Back Guarantee
  • Study on your own terms with 24/7 access
  • Revisit any lesson as many times as you like
  • Access from anywhere across desktop, table, and mobile app
Buy $227.00

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

Course Accreditation, Requirements, and Refund and Cancellation Policy
Course #: FT-1, FT-4, FT-5, B-1

Program Level: Basic

Area of Study: Accounting - Technical

Delivery: QAS Self Study

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

CPE Credits: 4.50 for all courses

Last Reviewed: 8.1.24

Access Period: 12 months

Exam Questions: 20 for all courses

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].
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.

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!