This interactive webinar series is specifically designed for cooperative accounting professionals to gain a comprehensive 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:
- Effectively support the co-op's financial health, ensure regulatory compliance and contribute to the overall success of your cooperative.
- Apply RUS standards to accurately record asset transactions and create a clear financial picture on the balance sheet.
- Use RUS standards to generate income statements on daily transactions that reflect the true financial performance of your co-op.
- 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.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Electric Cooperatives: Operations, Governance and Ratemaking Essentials
This webinar session will provide the participant with a high-level overview of the electric cooperative's role in providing electricity to its members. This session will cover how the co-op operates, its governance and oversight structures and the intricacies of the ratemaking process.
Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Applying RUS Standards to Your Balance Sheet
This webinar session provides participants with an introduction to electric co-op finance and the RUS standards. Attendees will explore the differences between private sector and co-op accounting, gain a comprehensive understanding of the RUS standards and learn how to apply it to transactions involving asset accounts. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to build a balance sheet using asset accounting within the framework of the RUS standards.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
(Please note that there will be no session on November 11 due to the Veterans Day holiday.
Application of RUS USoA to Liabilities, Revenues, Expenses and Cash Flow
This webinar session offers participants an in-depth review of the RUS standards for liabilities, 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, October 02, 2025 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 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 for managing budgets and finances effectively. Attendees will learn to calculate the optimal cash reserves for their co-op and understand the critical importance of maintaining appropriate reserve levels. Additionally, the session will cover patronage capital, including strategies for managing, building and refunding it.
Tuesday, October 07, 2025 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm ET
Effective Project Costing and Management with RUS Standards
The RUS approach to construction accounting is practical, aiming to fully cost projects for proper inclusion in electric rates. This webinar offers a high-level overview of the RUS construction accounting process, covering essential topics such as overheads in construction projects and their calculation, analyzing and classifying project costs and fixed asset retirement accounting.
