Experienced Accounting Professional Learning Path

The electric industry accounting professional must have a command of FERC, RUS, FASB, and GASB accounting, finance, ratemaking, construction and regulatory accounting, and using Key Performance Indicators. This learning path includes 8 courses, 10 hours of content, and 13.50 hours of professional education credits. (Total value - $1,566.00)

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

$357.00

Included Courses

Advanced Topics in Electric Construction Accounting

Asset Impairments & Decommissioning Costs

Applying Best Practices of ASC 980 and GASB 62 Regulatory Accounting

ASC 980 | GASB 62 Regulatory Accounting for Liabilities and Revenues

Allocating Interdepartmental Costs

ASC 360 - Framework for Impairment Accounting

Strategies for Developing Electric Rates

GASB 42 - Capital Asset Impairment Accounting

What You'll Learn!

The process for developing rates for providing service to customers

You'll learn about the components of the revenue requirement

We'll demonstrate how to determine the rate of return to apply to the investment in utility infrastructure

High-level cost of service and rate design principles will be discussed

We'll discuss electric rate philosophy and the "art" and "science" of developing electric rates

You'll learn the direct questions to ask to make management and board decisions on approving an annual revenue requirement and its impact on electric rates

Regulatory accounting implementation and examples

You'll learn the fundamentals for regulatory accounting under private, electric cooperative, and municipal utility accounting standards (FASB and GASB)

You will learn how to implement regulatory accounting in your organization, including determining regulatory items, initial journal entries, and financial statement disclosures

We'll use practical examples to show how GASB 62 and ASC 980 are used in timing of rate recovery of major impacts to expenses and revenues

You'll learn the regulatory accounting treatment of major storms, commodity swings, early retirement of assets, contributions in aid of construction, and rate stabilization reserves

ESG reporting standards

You will learn the meaning of ESG

You will review real-life actual ESG reports prepare by utilities

You will learn the reporting standards of GRI, SEC, and TCFD

You will learn the ESG reporting requirements

You'll see some great-looking visual formats to consider in preparing your organization's ESG report

Advanced construction accounting applications

You will review of the basic fundamentals of electric system construction accounting

You will learn more complex areas of construction accounting, including asset retirement obligations, completed construction not classified, accounting for spares, cost of capital, contributions in aid of construction (FERC and GASB approach), and overhead calculation and accounting

You will learn the financial statement presentation of these areas

More regulatory accounting examples and impact of discontinuing reg accounting

You'll learn regulatory accounting treatment for revenue decoupling, contributions, and long-term pension and post-employment benefits

You will learn the financial impacts of discontinuing regulatory accounting in your organization

Accounting For Asset Impairments

You'll learn causes for asset impairments

You'll learn the asset impairment rules to follow in ASC 360 (private sector) and GASB 42 (public sector)

You'll learn how asset impairments are calculated and recorded

You'll learn how ASC 980 and GASB 62 regulatory accounting standards are commonly used to recover impairment losses in customer rates

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

What Comes With This Training Path?

65 + course video lessons

Video lessons are short and to the point, providing 15 hours of content.

Library of templates and guides

The courses include downloads, spreadhseets, templates, and quizzes.

Certificate of completion included with each course

A certificate of completion is provided on completion of each course.

We provide high-quality and in-depth content

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

You can take the courses at your pace

Binge watch all of the courses or take your time on the topics.

Courses can be watched anywhere at anytime

Watch any course on desktop, table, or phone using the course app.

Buy Now!

Russ Hissom, CPA

Course instructor

Hi, I'm Russ Hissom and I've been an instructor for national organizations in the industry since 1990 and was a partner in a national accounting and consulting firm for over 20 years. I have the privilege of serving electric cooperatives and power and utilities organizations across the United States and Canada with accounting, rate, and financial consulting services, and expert testimony at FERC and state utility commissions.

I've used my experience to design courses for all experiences levels of professionals and board members. The courses range from the foundational areas you need to know to operate the accounting, finance, and rates side of the business to the more complex financial analysis tools required to be successful. All courses are based on industry best practices, showing a practical approach so you can apply them in your organization. I hope you'll take a class and see what I mean!

Course Accreditation, Requirements, and Refund and Cancellation Policy

Course accreditation and requirements

Course #: AT-8, AT-9, AT-10, AT-14, AT-15, AT-16, ATG-1

Program Level: Basic

Area of Study: Accounting - Technical

Delivery: QAS Self Study

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

CPE Credits: 13.50 total for all classes

Last Reviewed: 8.1.24

Access Period: 12 months

Exam Questions: 5

Passing Grade: 70%

Retakes: Unlimited

Refund and cancellation policy

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].

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.

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