New Cooperative or Utility Board Member Learning Path

As a new Board member you may be seeking insights into what is important financial information to use to make decisions on financial statements and rate study reports. These courses provide a foundation of industry knowledge to help. The courses include 4 hours of content and 4.50 hours of professional education credits. (Total value - $478.00)

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

$217.00

Included Courses

Comprehensive Introduction to the Electric Industry!

Strategies for Developing Electric Rates

Understanding and Reviewing Financial Statements

Evaluating and Using Key Performance Indicators

What You'll Learn!

You'll receive an introduction to the electric industry

You'll have an in-depth introduction to the business, including learning how electricity is produced and delivered to customers

You'll be able to identify what people do in a utility or co-op and the impact each position has on your organization

You'll learn how electric rates are developed and how customers pay for their use of electricity

We'll discuss trends in the electric industry and what the electric industry of the future may look like

You will be able to converse confidently with your team using electric industry terms

We'll study how the revenue requirement is used in budgeting

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

We'll discuss how the revenue requirement feeds the cost of service study

We'll discuss how the revenue requirement is used to provide service to customers

You'll learn the questions to ask to make management and board decisions on approving an annual revenue requirement

You'll learn how key performance indicators are used in managing a co-op or utility

You'll learn how the financial statements are used in the electric business

You'll learn how KPI's are calculated based on the financial statements

We'll discuss how KPI's are used in spending, staffing, financing, capital, and strategy decisions

We'll discuss questions to ask in order to get the information needed on how KPI's are used in rates and budgeting

You'll learn how to review financial statements and how key performance indicators are used in a co-op or utility

You'll learn how the financial statements are used in the electric business

You'll learn about the accounting oversight bodies

We'll do a high-level review of the financial statements, so you'll learn how to "speak accounting"

You'll learn the important KPI's that impact performance and rates

You'll learn how the financial statements tell the story of your organization

We'll discuss cost of service studies and designing customer rates

You'll learn where the amounts used in the cost of service study come from

We'll demonstrate how "load curves' are a key component in determining the costs to serve customers

We'll discuss the main allocators in a cost of service study

We'll discuss the "art" and the "science" in rate design

You'll learn the direct questions to ask to make management and board decisions on approving electric rates proposed by management and/or consultants

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?

40 + course video lessons

Video lessons are short and to the point, providing 4 1/2 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 #: 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

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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