This interactive webinar series is designed to build a strong foundational understanding of the RUS Uniform System of Accounts (RUS USoA) for cooperative accounting professionals—particularly those who are new to the industry or seeking to strengthen their core knowledge. This training also serves as an excellent refresher for experienced accounting professionals who are new to cooperative accounting and have not received formal training in the RUS accounting framework and practices. In addition, operations and management professionals will find the series equally valuable, as it provides insight into how accounting standards and practices influence day-to-day operations and business decision-making.
The series introduces key accounting principles and requirements that RUS borrowers must follow, providing a clear, structured overview of how the USoA is applied within a cooperative environment. Participants will explore essential concepts related to asset and liability classification, financial statement structure, and the role of RUS accounting in supporting cooperative financial management.
Through a combination of guided instruction, examples, and facilitated discussion, participants will gain confidence in understanding the “why” behind RUS accounting practices and how these standards connect to their day-to-day responsibilities.
Note: Participants seeking application or deeper understanding will benefit from follow-on, application-based Cooperative Accounting Essentials: From Transactions to Financials Webinar Series.
Audience
New and seasoned co-op accounting and finance professionals
What You Will Learn
By participating in the series, you will be able to:
- Understand the structure and purpose of the RUS USoA
- Recognize how common accounting transactions are classified within the framework
- Interpret key elements of balance sheets and income statements in a cooperative context
- Identify areas where RUS accounting influences financial performance and decision-making
Basics of Utilities and Introduction to RUS Accounting
This on-demand session provides a high-level overview of electric utilities and the electric co-op’s role in delivering electricity to its members. It introduces the accounting standards framework, key components of financial statements and accrual accounting as they apply to electric cooperative financial reporting.
This foundational session supports learning across the five-part webinar series, so we encourage participants to review the session prior to the start of the live sessions.
Applying RUS Standards to Your Balance Sheet
This webinar provides participants with an introduction to electric cooperative finance and the RUS standards. Attendees will explore the differences between private-sector and cooperative accounting, gain a comprehensive understanding of the RUS standards and learn how to apply them to transactions involving asset accounts. Participants will also have the opportunity to build a balance sheet using asset accounting within the RUS framework.
Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Application of RUS USoA Revenues, Expenses and Cash Flow
This webinar session offers participants an in-depth review of the RUS standards for revenues and expenses. Participants will learn how to apply everyday transactions using the RUS standards, prepare an income statement and explore methods to analyze key areas of the income statement for making informed management recommendations.
Thursday, February 11, 2027 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Optimizing Cooperative Finances by Managing Cash Reserves and Patronage Capital
This webinar offers participants with hands-on experience with the RUS standards to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) for managing budgets and finances effectively. Attendees will learn to calculate the optimal cash reserves for their co-op and understand the importance of maintaining appropriate reserve levels. The session also covers patronage capital, including strategies for managing, building and refunding it, and highlights tax issues related to capital credit allocations.
Tuesday, February 16, 2027 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Governance and Ratemaking Essentials
This webinar provides participants with a high-level overview of the electric co-op governance structure, including how the co-op operates, its governance and oversight responsibilities and the fundamentals of the ratemaking process.
Wednesday, February 17, 2027 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Effective Project Costing and Management with RUS Standards
The RUS approach to construction accounting is practical and designed to fully cost projects for proper inclusion in electric rates. This webinar offers a high-level overview of the RUS construction accounting process, including overhead calculations, project cost analysis and classification and fixed asset retirement accounting.
