How AI Is Transforming Financial & Management Reporting | UtilityEducation.com
AI for Finance & Accounting  ·  Foundational

How AI Is Transforming Financial & Management Reporting

Automate Reporting · Analyze Faster · Work Smarter

Master AI tools to transform your accounting and financial workflows. Learn to automate reporting, analyze data faster, write effective prompts, and build a secure AI workflow—no coding required.

★★★★★ 5.0
2.00 CPE Hours Self-Paced Video Foundational Level NASBA Registered
Watch Free Lesson Preview
Module 1 — The Impact of AI on Productivity & the Workforce · Opens in course platform
$157
One-time enrollment  ·  12-month access
Enroll Now — $157
This Course Includes
  • 22 lessons · self-paced video
  • Downloadable PDF & Excel materials
  • KPI prompt builder & workflow evaluator
  • 30-day AI implementation plan
  • NASBA-compliant final exam (10 questions)
  • Certificate of completion (2.00 CPE)
2.00
CPE Hours
6
Modules
22
Lessons
5.0
Average Rating
1,000+
Professionals Served
About This Course

Put AI to Work in Your Finance & Accounting Office

Artificial intelligence is changing how finance and accounting professionals work—but only if you know how to use it safely and effectively. This course gives you a practical, no-hype foundation for applying AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to real accounting tasks.

You'll learn how to write prompts that get results, automate KPI calculations and variance explanations, use AI for financial statement review, and build a personal prompt library that saves time every day. The course also covers data security policy—what's safe to share with AI and how to develop governance your board can approve.

The course wraps up with a 30-day implementation plan so you leave with a clear, actionable roadmap—not just ideas.

Who This Course Is For
  • Utility and co-op accounting and finance staff
  • Controllers and CFOs evaluating AI adoption
  • Staff responsible for KPI reporting and board presentations
  • Anyone writing variance explanations or management reports
  • Finance professionals curious about AI but unsure where to start
  • Teams building an AI security policy for leadership approval
Your Instructor

Russ Hissom, CPA

RH
Russ Hissom, CPA
Principal, UtilityEducation.com  ·  30+ Years of Utility Accounting Experience

Russ Hissom, CPA is a principal of UtilityEducation.com, providing on-demand professional education in FERC, RUS, FASB, and GASB accounting, finance, and ratemaking for electric utilities and cooperatives. With over 30 years of hands-on industry experience, he brings real-world expertise to a modern learning platform trusted by more than 1,000 professionals.

Learning Objectives

What You'll Be Able to Do After This Course

Identify data security principles for working with AI—what's safe to share and what should never be entered into AI tools
Write a detailed AI security policy suitable for management and board approval, serving as a framework for the finance and accounting office
Set up and use AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to streamline finance tasks
Write effective prompts that produce useful, accurate results for financial analysis
Use AI to perform financial statement review and analysis in minutes instead of hours
Automate KPI calculations using universal prompt templates and batch processing techniques
Apply AI to variance analysis, budget preparation, month-end close, regulatory reporting, and board report preparation
Build a personal prompt library to ensure consistency and efficiency in your AI-assisted workflow
Implement a 30-day integration plan to incorporate AI into your daily work routine
Detailed Curriculum

Inside the Course

Module 1 Welcome & Course Overview

Orientation to the course, an AI skills self-assessment, and a deep dive into the impact of AI on finance productivity and the workforce—plus how to develop data security policies your organization can actually use.

  • 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.2 Course Overview & Tips for Success
  • 1.2A Your Course Journey
  • 1.3 AI Skills Self-Assessment
  • 1.4 Learning Objectives
  • 1.5 Course Materials Download
  • 1.6 The Impact of AI on Productivity & the Workforce Free Preview
  • 1.7 AI Security — Data and Policies
  • 1.8 Developing Security Policy and Procedures
Module 2 Reviewing Financial Statements

Learn how to use ChatGPT and other AI tools to conduct financial statement reviews, and discover what separates an effective prompt from one that wastes your time.

  • 2.1 Financial Statement Review Using ChatGPT — What Makes a Good Prompt?
Module 3 Using AI to Analyze Key Performance Indicators

Apply universal prompt templates to automate KPI calculations, generate commentary, and build a reusable KPI prompt tool for your office.

  • 3.1 Using AI to Analyze and Calculate KPIs
  • 3.2 KPI Prompt Builder
Module 4 Additional Practical Applications

Apply AI to variance analysis, budget preparation, month-end close, regulatory reporting, and board presentations—then reinforce your learning with review questions.

  • 4.1 Additional Practical Applications
  • 4.2 Review Questions — Modules 1–3
Module 5 Building Your AI Workflow

Create a sustainable, repeatable AI workflow tailored to your role—then evaluate it using the AI Workflow Evaluator tool included with the course.

  • 5.1 Building Your AI Workflow
  • 5.2 AI Workflow Evaluator
  • 5.3 Review Questions — Modules 4–6
Module 6 Course Wrap-Up & Final Exam

Summarize key takeaways, complete your 30-day implementation plan, and pass the final exam to earn your 2.00 CPE certificate.

  • 6.1 Applications for Everyday Work & Course Wrap-Up
  • 6.2 Course Evaluation
  • 6.3 Final Exam
  • 6.4 Additional Materials for Your AI Journey
  • 6.5 Continue Your AI Journey
Course Accreditation
NASBA QAS Self Study
Course #FT-8
Program LevelBasic
Area of StudyFinance – Technical
DeliveryQAS Self Study
PrerequisitesNone
Adv. PreparationNone
Exam Questions10
Passing Grade70%
Last Reviewed1/5/26
2.00
NASBA CPE Credits
What Our Students Say

Trusted by Over 1,000 Utility Professionals

★★★★★

"Clear, practical, and very relevant to utility accounting. No coding, no hype—just useful workflows that save time."

— David
★★★★★

"I appreciated the focus on governance and policy. It helped us introduce AI in a way our leadership and board were comfortable with."

— Caroline
★★★★★

"This course finally made AI feel practical for utility finance—not theoretical. I was able to apply the tools immediately to KPI reviews and variance explanations."

— Mark
★★★★★

"The 30-day implementation plan was extremely helpful. It gave our team a realistic roadmap instead of another abstract AI discussion."

— Caroline
★★★★★

"The examples and prompts were immediately useful. It helped our team move from curiosity about AI to confident use."

— Lisa
★★★★★

"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
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included and how long do I have access?
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 and are available throughout each lesson.
How quickly can I apply what I learn?
Immediately. The course includes a 30-day implementation plan so you can begin using AI in your reporting and analysis workflows as soon as the course is completed.
What AI tools are covered in this course?
The course focuses on widely available AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude) and prompt-based workflows that can be applied using common platforms. The emphasis is on how to think about using AI in finance, not on any single software product.
Do I need a technical or coding background?
No. This course is designed for finance and accounting professionals with no technical or coding experience. All concepts are explained in plain language with practical, finance-focused examples.
Are courses eligible for NASBA CPE credits?
Yes. This course is approved for 2.00 CPE credits through NASBA. Upon successful completion and a passing grade of 70% or more on the final exam, you'll receive a Certificate of Completion that meets NASBA documentation standards.
What if I have more questions?
We welcome your questions anytime. Email russ.hissom@utilityeducation.com or call 608-628-4020.
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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.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Requests for refunds must be made in writing within 30 days of 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 russ.hissom@utilityeducation.com.

Legal Note

Course materials are provided for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute legal, accounting, or professional advice. © 2026 Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists, LLC. All rights reserved.