Build a career-ready foundation in electric cooperative accounting — from how the industry works to RUS standards, financial statements, and performance measurement.
This track is designed for professionals entering the electric cooperative industry or moving into accounting, finance, or analyst roles. Four courses progress in a logical sequence — building industry context first, then RUS accounting standards, then financial statement analysis and performance measurement.
Learn the industry knowledge that will add value to your organization and your career skills.
How electricity is generated, delivered, and priced — plus how co-ops and utilities are structured, regulated, and how electric rates are created.
The RUS Uniform System of Accounts sets the standard for co-op accounting. Learn how to apply it confidently with real-world examples and proven techniques.
What co-op financial statements really show, what matters most, and the questions that lead to better decisions.
A practical overview of utility KPIs and how they guide better financial and operational decisions for management and boards.
"I was new to co-op accounting and these courses gave me a clear, practical overview of the RUS chart of accounts and work order accounting. I can now do my job effectively and think about ways we can make our accounting process work better."
"This was an incredible overview! I cannot wait to share this with others. I LOVED how you explained things."
"I found it very helpful as a new employee needing to learn and understand RUS Accounting. I look forward to the next class."
Russ Hissom is a nationally recognized expert in utility accounting and ratemaking, with more than 35 years of experience helping electric utilities and cooperatives navigate FERC, RUS, FASB, and GASB accounting standards. As founder of UtilityEducation.com, Russ has built a comprehensive CPE curriculum drawing on decades of hands-on work with regulatory accounting, construction accounting, and rate case support for investor-owned utilities, public power, and electric cooperatives.
All video lessons and course downloads are included. Course access is for 12 months from the date of purchase. Materials are in PDF and Excel formats, available in the introduction or throughout each lesson.
Yes — examples include building a RUS Form 7 and applying the USoA to everyday balance sheet and income statement transactions. All content draws from industry best practices and the instructor's hands-on co-op accounting experience.
The information is taken from industry best practices and the direct experience of the instructor in working with power and utilities organizations across the United States and Canada. Every concept is grounded in real-world utility accounting work.
You will learn the "big picture" of how the electric co-op business works, the accounting fundamentals and how those feed into the next steps of financial statement preparation, analysis, and using KPI's to manage the organization.
Absolutely not! We take you step by step through the process and use practical, everyday examples to make the information meaningful to you.
Email or call 608-628-4020. We welcome questions anytime.
