Comprehensive Introduction to the Electric Industry: How the Power Business Really Works
A practical, in-depth introduction to the electric industry — how power is produced and delivered, how utilities and co-ops are regulated, how rates are set, who does the work, and where the industry is headed.
- 15 lessons · 1.5 hours of video
- Downloadable PDF & Excel materials
- Industry trends and future outlook
- Review questions in each module
- NASBA-compliant final exam (10 questions)
- Certificate of completion (2.00 CPE)
The Foundation Every Utility Professional Needs
Whether you're new to the electric industry or moving into a finance, accounting, or operations role, this course gives you the big picture — how the electric system works from power plant to customer meter, how utilities and cooperatives are structured and regulated, and how the costs of running an electric system flow into customer rates.
You'll learn what the major job functions are across an electric utility, why regulatory oversight matters, and how rate design connects to the day-to-day accounting and financial management of the organization. The course wraps up with a look at the trends shaping the industry — from distributed energy resources to grid modernization — and what the electric business of the future may look like.
This is the recommended first course for anyone entering the utility industry, and it anchors both the New Electric Utility Professional and New Electric Cooperative Professional career tracks.
- New utility and co-op accounting, finance, and operations staff
- Professionals transitioning into the electric industry from other sectors
- Board and council members seeking a foundation in how utilities work
- Engineers, IT, and field staff who work alongside finance teams
- Auditors and consultants serving utilities and cooperatives
- HR and training directors building new employee onboarding programs
Russ Hissom, CPA
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 35 years of hands-on industry experience, he brings real-world expertise to a modern learning platform trusted by more than 1,000 professionals.
What You'll Be Able to Do After This Course
Inside the Course
Course orientation, learning objectives, and downloadable materials.
- 1. Welcome & Course Introduction
- Lesson Menu / Index
- 2. Course Overview
- 3. What You'll Learn
- 4. Course Materials Download
- 5. Course Goals
Trace electricity from generation to the customer meter and understand the roles and functions across a utility or cooperative organization.
- 6. How Does Electricity Get to My Home?
- 7. What Do People Do in an Electric Utility and Cooperative?
- 8. Review Questions — Part 1
Understand how electric rates are developed, how regulatory oversight shapes pricing, and what the electric business of the future may look like.
- 9. How Do Electric Co-ops and Utilities Set Rates?
- 10. Electric Industry Trends — What Does the Future Look Like? Free Preview
- 11. Review Questions — Part 2
Review key takeaways and pass the final exam to earn your 2.00 CPE certificate.
- 12. Course Summary & Key Takeaways
- 13. Course Evaluation
- 14. Final Exam
Trusted by Over 1,000 Utility Professionals
"Very good overview of the introduction to the electricity business. I just recently started a job with a utility and will definitely be taking another course through UtilityEducation.com."
"I came looking for an introduction to utilities course and I'm glad I took this one. Russ explained everything really well — someone who has actually been in the industry."
"I am new to the co-op world and this did help me. Thank you!"
"This was an incredible overview! I cannot wait to share this with others. I LOVED how you explained things."
"Great training for our Board members."
"Was a quick, easy and great information!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Courses
Start with the Big Picture
Build the industry foundation that makes every other course make more sense — and earn 2.00 NASBA CPE credits.
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.
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.
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.