This interactive webinar series is specifically designed for cooperative accounting professionals to gain a foundational understanding of the RUS Uniform System of Accounts (RUS USoA). The series provides deep insights into accounting principles and procedures that RUS borrowers must follow to maintain their books and records. It offers a practical blend of theory and application and features hands-on exercises, real-world examples, the opportunity to engage with peers and gain insights from experts in the field. Through this highly-interactive online experience, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to immediately apply these accounting principles to your role.
By attending the series, you will develop practical skills in applying the RUS USoA to various accounting transactions, including asset and liability management, and will learn to prepare accurate balance sheets and income statements. Additionally, participants will explore how to use key performance indicators to manage the financial health of their co-op.
NOTE: This is a comprehensive 5-part series. Live attendance at each of the 5 webinars is required. As a result, registration for individual sessions is not available.
Audience
New and seasoned co-op accounting and finance professionals
What You Will Learn
By participating in the series, you will be able to:
- Become familiar with RUS reporting requirements governing regulatory compliance for the electric cooperatives. Effectively support the co-op's financial health and contribute to the overall success of your cooperative.
- Apply RUS standards to accurately record asset and liability transactions and create a clear financial picture on the balance sheet.
- Use RUS standards to record daily revenues and expense transactions and generate income statements that reflect the true financial performance of your co-op.
- Develop KPIs that help make informed financial decisions, ensuring the co-op remains financially robust and can fulfill its commitments to members.
- Apply RUS standards to calculate accurate construction project cost for inclusion in electric rates.
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 18, 2026 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 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 19, 2026 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 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 24, 2026 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 2026 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Governance and Ratemaking EssentialsThis 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 25, 2026 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ETWednesday, May 13, 2026 | 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.
