177

One-time enrollment · 12-month access

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

22 lessons · self-paced video
Downloadable templates
KPI prompt builder & workflow evaluator
30-day AI implementation plan
Final exam
Certificate of completion (2.00 CPE)

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—all with conversational AI tools.

★★★★★ 5.0

CPE Hours

| Self-Paced Video

| Basic Level

| NASBA Registered

▶ Watch Free Course Preview

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.

Put AI to Work in Your Finance & Accounting Office

About This Course

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

Taught by a Nationally Recognized Utility Accounting Expert

Russ Hissom, CPA

Principal, UtilityEducation.com · 35+ Years of Industry Experience

Russ Hissom is a national utility accounting and rate expert with 35+ years of hands-on experience helping electric cooperatives and utilities improve accounting processes, strengthen financial performance, and design fair, sustainable rates. He has provided expert witness testimony before FERC, state commissions, and in arbitration proceedings — and has trained 1,000+ utility and cooperative finance professionals nationwide.

Learning Objectives

This Course Will Provide You With the Knowledge To

✓

Identify data security principles for working with AI—what's safe to share and what should never be entered into AI tools

✓

Use AI to perform financial statement review and analysis in minutes instead of hours

✓

Apply AI to variance analysis, budget preparation, month-end close, regulatory reporting, and board report preparation

✓

Write a detailed AI security policy suitable for management and board approval, serving as a framework for the finance and accounting office

✓

Write effective prompts that produce useful, accurate results for financial analysis

✓

Implement a 30-day integration plan to incorporate AI into your daily work routine

The Learning Experience

How You'll Learn

✓

Short Lessons, Not Long Lectures - Focused video lessons you can fit around your workday.

✓

Interactive Videos - Questions, activities and interactive content inside each video keep you engaged.

✓

Hands-On Practice - Exercises let you test your judgment and reinforce key points.

✓

Job-Ready Toolkits - Downloadable tools and guides for future reference or on the job.

✓

Practical Applications - Apply concepts to realistic situations.

✓

Built-In Reinforcement - Review questions throughout the course support retention of the material.

Student Feedback

What Our Students Say

"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. Will definitely be taking another course!"

— Jennifer

"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

"I came looking for an introduction to utilities course and I'm glad I took this one. Russ explained everything really well. I will be taking more courses!"

— Kritant

Course Curriculum

What You'll Learn

Course Accreditation

Course #

FT-8

Area of Study

Finance-Technical

Delivery

QAS Self Study

Prerequisites

None

Last Reviewed

1/5/26

Passing Grade

70%

Adv. Preparation

None

Program Level

Basic

NASBA CPE Credits

Course materials are provided for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute legal, accounting, or professional advice. Users should consult their own qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors regarding their specific circumstances.

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 Introductio | 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 | 1.7 AI Security — Data and Policies | 1.8 Developing Security Policy and Procedures

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?

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

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

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

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

Inside the Course

See the Course in Action

How AI Is Transforming Financial & Management Reporting

Common Questions

Questions You May Have

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.

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. Emailruss.hissom@utilityeducation.comor call 608-628-4020.

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.

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

← Back to Courses & Career Tracks

177

How AI Is Transforming Financial & Management Reporting