Work Order Analysis
Understand the complete work order process — from opening a work order and issuing materials, through applying overhead and closing to plant. Practical training built for utility and co-op accounting professionals who need to apply this on the job.
- 14 lessons with 0.5 hours of video
- Downloadable PDF course materials
- Interactive flip-card exercises
- Review questions in each module
- NASBA-compliant final exam (5 questions)
- Certificate of completion (1.00 CPE)
Follow a Work Order from Start to Finish — Including Standard Units and Property Records
Work orders are the core accounting tool for tracking the costs of capital construction projects at electric utilities and cooperatives. But understanding how a work order actually works — from the moment a project is initiated to the day it's closed to plant — is something many utility accountants learn piecemeal on the job.
This course walks you through the entire lifecycle in a single, cohesive learning experience. You'll see how materials are issued, how labor and overheads are added, how standard units are applied, how the work order closes, and how property records are established. Clear explanations, real utility examples, and hands-on exercises make the process concrete and job-ready.
- Utility and co-op accounting staff new to construction accounting
- Engineers and field staff who initiate or manage work orders
- Finance managers overseeing capital project accounting
- Accountants transitioning into the electric utility industry
- CPAs and auditors who review utility construction costs
- Anyone who needs to understand how costs flow from work order to plant
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
Sets the stage with an overview of the work order process, course roadmap, and learning objectives.
- 1.1 – Introduction
- 1.2 – Welcome! Course overview, learning objectives, and tips for success
- 1.3 – Your learning journey
Explains how materials are issued from inventory to a work order and the accounting entries involved.
- 2.1 – Issuing Materials to the Work Order Free Preview
Covers how labor costs and overhead allocations are charged to a work order, including an interactive flip-card exercise.
- 3.1 – Adding Labor and Overheads to the Work Order
- 3.2 – Flip-Card Exercise: Work Order Accounting Concepts
Explains the standard unit method for closing a work order to plant, with review questions.
- 4.1 – Closing the Work Order with Standard Units
- 4.2 – Review Questions 1
Completes the lifecycle with work order close, property record establishment, a cost classification exercise, and the NASBA-compliant final exam.
- 5.1 – Work Order Close, Property Records, and Course Summary
- 5.2 – Review Questions 2
- 5.3 – Exercise: Classify the Work Order Costs
- 5.4 – Course Evaluation
- 5.5 – Final Exam (5 questions, 70% to pass)
- 5.6 – Your Journey and Future Path!
Trusted by Over 1,000 Utility Professionals
"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."
"Great training for our Board members. Very clear and easy to follow."
"Good basic understanding of the chart of accounts. I came from outside the utility world and was quite lost. This class provides a basic foundation."
"Russ was great and explained everything really well — someone who has actually been in the industry. I will be taking more courses!"
"This was an incredible overview! I cannot wait to share this with others. I LOVED how you explained things."
"Very good overview. I just started a job with a utility and will definitely be taking another course through UtilityEducation.com."
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue Your Development
Part of the New Electric Utility Accounting Professional career track — a structured set of courses to build core electric utility accounting skills. Courses may be taken in any order.
Ready to Master the Work Order Process?
Build the construction accounting skills that utility and co-op finance professionals need on the job every day.
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.