Course sequences designed by role, experience, level, and topic
Learning Paths for Co-op and Utility Professionals
Learning Paths for Co-op and Utility Accounting, Rates, Management, and Governance
Choose your own path — New Accountants, Analysts, Controllers, CFOs, Board Members, and Experienced Professionals!
Earn a professional certificate and a verifiable digital badge with each learning path—designed to recognize your expertise and support your professional profile!
Master the Specialized Skills Trusted by Over 1,000 Industry Professionals
Utility Education & Rates Specialists delivers industry-specific education that helps utility professionals strengthen accounting, rate, and financial decision-making. We have successfully trained over 1,000 professionals representing the full spectrum of the industry—including electric cooperatives, public power utilities, investor-owned utilities, and gas, wastewater, and water utilities. Our curriculum bridges the gap between complex FERC, NARUC, RUS, and accounting standards and practical application, delivering the definitive training in utility accounting, rates, work order accounting, financial analysis, and AI in the finance office.
Taught by a nationally recognized power and utilities expert
Russ Hissom, CPA, has over 35 years of experience in utility and cooperative accounting, cost of service analysis, ratemaking, and expert testimony before regulatory bodies. He has trained thousands of professionals nationwide and speaks at national industry conferences.
Join 1,000+ power and utilities professionals who have advanced their careers!
What Our Students Say
Our students have grown their skills by taking our courses. Here are just a few of their stories.
This learning path is designed for new electric industry accounting professionals and provides a practical overview of utility finance and accounting, including core RUS accounting standards.
Courses included in this learning path:
- Comprehensive Introduction to the Electric Industry – How the Power Business Works
- Co-op and Utility Rate Study Fundamentals
- Mastering Electric Construction Cost Accounting under FERC & RUS Standards
- Optimizing Patronage Capital and Cash Reserves
- RUS Accounting 101
- Understanding and Reviewing Financial Statements
- Using Key Performance Indicators to Drive Better Performance
Build a strong foundation in electric utility and RUS accounting that supports day-to-day responsibilities and future professional growth.
This learning path is designed for new electric industry accounting professionals and provides a practical overview of utility finance and accounting, including core FERC accounting standards.
Courses included in this learning path:
- Comprehensive Introduction to the Electric Industry – How the Power Business Works
- Co-op and Utility Rate Study Fundamentals
- FERC Accounting 101
- Mastering Electric Construction Cost Accounting under FERC & RUS Standards
- Understanding and Reviewing Financial Statements
- Using Key Performance Indicators to Drive Better Performance
Build a strong foundation in electric utility and FERC accounting that supports day-to-day responsibilities and future professional growth.
This learning path is designed for experienced accounting professionals seeking deeper insight into advanced topics in accounting, rates, and financial reporting for utilities and cooperatives.
Courses included in this learning path:
- Applying Best Practices in Regulatory Accounting (GASB 62, ASC 980)
- Advanced Topics in Regulatory Accounting (GASB 62, ASC 980)
- Co-op and Utility Rate Study Fundamentals
- Electric Construction Accounting – Advanced FERC & RUS Topics
- The Keys to Allocating Interdepartmental Costs
- ASC 360 – Impairment Accounting
- GASB 42 – Impairment Accounting
These advanced courses provide the practical background needed to navigate a changing utility industry and confidently account for complex and non-routine transactions.
This learning path is designed for Board, Commission, and Council members seeking practical insight into utility financial reporting and rate-setting.
Courses included in this learning path:
- Approaches and Strategies to Optimize Patronage Capital and Cash Reserves
- Co-op and Utility Rate Study Fundamentals
- Introduction to the Electric Industry – How the Power Business Really Works
- Understanding and Reviewing Financial Statements
- Evaluating and Using Key Performance Indicators to Drive Better Performance
These courses highlight where to focus attention in financial reports and rate materials to support informed oversight, approvals, and decision-making.
This learning path equips finance leaders with best practices in electric construction accounting that directly support accurate cost recovery, defensible rates, and reliable financial reporting.
Courses included in this learning path:
- Accounting for Asset Impairments (FERC and GASB Standards)
- Advanced FERC & RUS Topics
- Analyzing and Classifying Project Costs
- Building and Using Standard Units
- Building Accurate and Defensible Overhead Rates
- Keys to Allocating Interdepartmental Costs
- Mastering Fixed Asset Accounting
Strong construction accounting practices lead to better cost-of-service results and more reliable financial statements.
For a broad range of classes in accounting, rates, and business strategy, an All-Access Annual or 3-Month Membership may be the perfect fit for your professional development needs.
An All-Access Membership includes:
• Unlimited access to 30+ expert-led courses and materials
• Over 30 continuing education credits, certified by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
• Downloadable spreadsheets, templates, and tools you can use immediately
• New content added regularly
• On-demand access from desktop, tablet, or mobile app
• Auto-renews with easy cancellation anytime
• Continued access through the end of your membership period, even after cancellation
We’re continuously expanding our course library with practical, example-driven content rooted in real-world best practices—so your learning evolves as the industry does.
This learning path is designed for accounting professionals seeking a practical understanding of regulatory accounting and how it is used to manage expenses, revenues, and rate recovery under ASC 980 and GASB 62.
Courses included in this learning path:
- Applying Best Practices in ASC and GASB 62 Regulatory Accounting – Expenses and Revenues
- Advanced Topics in Regulatory Accounting
- A Utility Accountant’s Yearly Journey Using Regulatory Accounting
Build a strong foundation in regulatory accounting that supports day-to-day financial management, rate stability, and long-term professional growth.
Learn how retail electric rates are built—from revenue requirements and cost allocation to modern rate design decisions. This learning path gives you the practical foundation needed to participate confidently in rate studies, pricing discussions, and board or management reviews.
Courses included in this learning path:
The Keys to Allocating Interdepartmental Costs
A Utility Accountant’s Yearly Journey Using Regulatory Accounting
Co-op & Utility Rate Study Fundamentals: Building Revenue Requirements, Cost of Service, and Rates
Developing Electric Vehicle Rates
A Practical Guide to Modern Water Pricing Strategies
Ideal for utility finance professionals, analysts, managers, and board members who want a clear, real-world understanding of how retail electric rates are developed, evaluated, and explained.
We offer on-demand courses and structured learning paths customized for your utility or cooperative, with discounted group pricing.
Practical Business Training
Courses are designed for operations, accounting, finance, management, and leadership teams, and can be combined into short courses or full learning paths covering:
• FERC and RUS accounting and construction standards
• New board member and employee training in accounting, finance, and rates
• Cost-of-service studies and rate design
• Financial statement analysis and key performance indicators
• Regulatory accounting and rate recovery
We support bulk enrollment and provide progress tracking for your team or training manager.
Let’s Talk
Contact us to discuss a tailored group training program aligned with your team’s needs.
Companies and markets that we serve
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.
Course Accreditation, Requirements, and Refund and Cancellation Policy
Course #: AT-3
Program Level: Basic
Area of Study: Accounting - Technical
Delivery: QAS Self Study
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None
CPE Credits: 1.00
Last Reviewed: 8.1.24
Access Period: 12 months
Exam Questions: 5
Passing Grade: 70%
Retakes: Unlimited
Refunds and cancellations: Requests for refunds must be made in writing within 30 days for 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 [email protected].
FAQs for professionals at all experience levels and roles
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Is this learning path suitable if I’m brand new to co-op or utility accounting?
Yes. This path is designed to build foundational knowledge step-by-step, starting with how cooperatives and utilities operate before introducing accounting standards and financial analysis.
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Do I need prior experience with FERC or RUS accounting?
No prior experience is required. The courses assume no background and explain concepts in plain language with real life examples.
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Is this learning path too basic for senior finance staff?
No. While foundational concepts are covered, the courses emphasize decision-useful insights, cost recovery, rate impacts, and financial controls.
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Can this be used to train multiple staff consistently?
Yes. Learning paths provide a structured, repeatable training sequence that ensures consistency across your finance team.
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Is this only for accountants?
No. Many courses bridge engineering, operations, and finance—especially in construction accounting, work orders, and asset records.
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Will this help improve coordination between departments?
Yes. The training highlights shared data needs and common breakdowns between field crews, engineering, and accounting.
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Are the courses aligned with FERC, RUS, GASB, and ASC guidance?
Yes. Courses are grounded in applicable regulatory and accounting standards used across utilities and cooperatives.
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Is this learning path technical or accounting-heavy?
No. The content is designed to explain what to focus on, what questions to ask, and how financial decisions impact rates and long-term sustainability
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Will this help me review financial reports more confidently?
Yes. Courses emphasize how to read, interpret, and question financial statements, KPIs, and rate studies.
New Co-op and Utility Accounting Professionals
Experienced Controllers, CFOs, and Finance Leaders
Engineers, Operations, and Cross-Functional Staff
Auditors and External Advisors
Board, Commission, and Council Members
Choose Your Path!
Earn a professional certificate and a verifiable digital badge with each learning path—designed to recognize your expertise and support your professional profile!