Basic Cost of Service & Key Financial Concepts

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Timing

Monday, May 5
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Course Overview

Learn all about cost of service, from basic concepts to leveraging data for decision making. Find out how to determine revenue requirements and key financial targets and relate them to cost of service. Learn how to develop a long-term rate plan and use financial targets to determine customer rates, borrowing needs, and capital improvements. Review case studies, discuss best practices, and hear about national trends.

Course Topics

Basic cost of service concepts, terminology, and processes
Collecting and using of cost of service data
Determining revenue requirements using cash and utility-based approaches
Setting key financial targets related to cost of service
- Cash requirements, rate of return, debt coverage ratio, age of system, capital re-investment, debt policies, transfers to the city, accounting and budgeting practices
Developing a cash reserve policy
Determining rate policies and long-term rate plans
Communicating rate changes to policymakers and customers
Using customer rates to fund infrastructure replacements

Sample Agenda/Learning Outcomes

View a sample agenda and learning outcomes from the 2024 version of this course [PDF].

Course Level

Basic: No prerequisites; no advance preparation.

Technology Requirements: None

All materials will be handed out on-site in the classroom. Participants will receive an email one week in advance of the course with logistical information.

Delivery Method / Learning Environment

This course is a group-live offering and includes lecture style teaching, case studies, whole class and small group discussion and sharing, live polling, as well as Q&A sessions.

Accreditation

The following continuing education credits will be provided after successfully completing the course. (View “accreditation” drop down below to review requirements.) Certificates will be available by June 6.

Recommended CEUs .6/PDHs 6/CPEs 7.2
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

Recommended for

General managers, finance and accounting personnel, rate analysts, financial planners, as well as policymakers.

Often taken in conjunction with APPA’s Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts (May 6), and Cost of Service Workshop: Implementation and Applications courses (May 7 – 8).

Instructors

Dawn Lund is the Vice President of Utility Financial Solutions, a consulting practice that specializes in financial planning, cost of service, and rate-setting for public power utilities. Dawn has over 25 years of experience in financial analysis for utility systems. She specializes in providing financial assessments, cost of service studies and financial plans for utilities throughout the country, Canada, Guam and the Caribbean. She teaches a variety of financial planning courses and regularly speaks at conference and industry events for APPA and other organizations across the nation.

About Utility Financial Solutions
Utility Financial Solutions specializes in electric, water, wastewater, telecommunications and gas cost of service studies, unbundling studies, competitive rate designs, financial projections and special financial analysis. They are one of the largest providers of financial services to utilities across the United States. Their team includes engineers, accountants and economists that have completed hundreds of cost of service studies, rate studies, and financial projections for utilities in 39 states, Canada, Guam, and the British Grand Cayman Island. They also teach a variety of in-depth courses and speak at industry events across the country. Learn more about Utility Financial Solutions

Pricing

	Through April 4	After April 4
Individual Course Members*	$695	$795
COS/Rates Bundle (save $300!)** Members*	$2,285	$2,585
*Nonmember pricing is double the member rate.
*The COS/Rates Bundle includes registration fees for all three classes in the track: Basic Cost of Service, Strategic Rate Design, and Cost of Service Workshop.

See "Registration" tab below for more details and information on group discounts.

Questions?

Registration: Registration@PublicPower.org

Program/Content: EducationInfo@PublicPower.org

Hotel: Meetings@PublicPower.org

Billing: Finance@PublicPower.org

Registration

Register now!

Registration Assistance: Review registration FAQs or contact Registration@PublicPower.org

	Registration received by April 4		Registration received after April 4
	Members	Others	Members	Others
Accounting
Accounting Bundle: three courses (save $300)	$2,785	$5,870	$3,085	$6,170
Public Utility Accounting, May 5-6	$1,195	$2,390	$1,295	$2,490
Electric Work Order & Fixed Asset Accounting, May 7	$695	$1,390	$795	$1,490
Advanced Public Utility Accounting, May 8-9	$1,195	$2,390	$1,295	$2,490
Cost of Service & Rate Design
COS/Rates Bundle: three courses (save $300)	$2,285	$4,870	$2,585	$5,170
Basic Cost of Service & Key Financial Concepts, May 5	$695	$1,390	$795	$1,490
Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts, May 6	$695	$1,390	$795	$1,490
Cost of Service Workshop: Implementation and Applications, May 7-8	$1,195	$2,390	$1,295	$2,490
Underground Distribution
Underground Bundle: two courses (save $200)	$2,590	$5,180	$2,790	$5,380
Underground Distribution Systems, May 5-7	$1,795	$3,500	$1,895	$3,600
Advanced Underground Distribution Systems, May 8-9	$995	$1,900	$1,095	$2,000
Leadership Training/Certificate Program*
Leadership Essentials Certificate Program, May 5-8	$2,900	$5,800	$3,000	$5,900
*The certificate registration fee includes everything you need to participate in and graduate from the program: registration for the in-person courses, program enrollment fee, materials, post-course project review, and graduation plaque.

Group Registration Discounts

Save money on each registration when your organization registers five or more people for the same class. The larger your group, the more you save! Registrations must be submitted on the same order (at the same time) to qualify for the group discount; discounts cannot be retroactively applied to previous orders. If you need assistance, contact Registration@PublicPower.org.

Number of registrants	Class Discount (per person)
1-4	n/a
5-9	$50
10-14	$100
15-24	$150
25+	$200

Cancellations/No-Show/Refunds/Substitutions

Registrants who cancel in writing on or before April 28, 2025, are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after April 28 will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel by April 28 are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund. If APPA cancels a course, you will receive a full refund.

Cancellation requests should be made through your My.PublicPower portal, or addressed to: Registration@PublicPower.org or by emailing Registration@PublicPower.org.
For more information regarding refund, complaints and program cancellation policies, please contact EducationInfo@PublicPower.org.

Travel Arrangements/Hotel Parking

Travel arrangements and costs associated with hotel parking are the responsibility of the participants. APPA will not reimburse for changes in travel expenditures regardless of the cause.

Meals

A light breakfast, afternoon snack, and beverage breaks are included in the registration fee. All other meals are on your own.

Internet Access

WiFi may only be available in hotel common areas (sleeping rooms and hotel lobby), though may not be available in APPA meeting rooms. Please make arrangements to use cellular data on your device or bring a MiFi or Internet hotspot for personal use. APPA will not provide a password for WiFi.

Name Badges

Name badges can be picked up at the APPA registration desk at the hotel starting at 7:30 a.m.

Code of Conduct

Participants agree to abide by the APPA Code of Conduct. If participants engage in unacceptable behavior as outlined in the code, APPA may take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to, expulsion from the current and future meetings, with no warning or refund.

Contact Us

Registration: Registration@PublicPower.org
Hotel: Meetings@PublicPower.org
Program/Content: EducationInfo@PublicPower.org
Billing: Finance@PublicPower.org

Hotel

Hotel Information

The 2025 Spring Education Institute will take place at the:

Hyatt Regency Orlando
9801 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819

Reservations

Phone: (402) 593-5048 (reservations); (407) 284-1234 (main hotel line)
Group Rate: $239 (Single/Double) per night (plus State and Local Taxes)
Room Rate Cut-off Date: April 14
Online Reservation Link
Group Code: G-APPA

Logistics

Check-in: 4 p.m.; Check-out: 11 p.m.
Valet Parking: Valet Parking $50/overnight; Self-Parking $35/overnight

Please note: It is possible that the block of rooms could sell out prior to April 14, so make your hotel reservations early.

Reservations & Cancellations

Please contact the hotel directly to reserve and manage your reservation. If you need assistance making reservations, contact Meetings@PublicPower.org.

Internet Access

WiFi may only be available in hotel common areas (sleeping rooms and hotel lobby) and will not be available in meet¬ing rooms. Please make arrangements to use cellular data on your device or bring a MiFi or Internet hotspot for personal use. APPA will not provide a password for WiFi.

Location

All courses will be held in the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The hotel is located about 13 miles from the Orlando International Airport (MCO). Please contact the hotel for transportation options.

Travel Arrangements/Hotel Parking

Travel arrangements and costs associated with hotel parking are the responsibility of the participants. APPA will not reimburse for changes in travel expenditures regardless of the cause.

Accreditation

Earn While You Learn!

Participate in APPA programs to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Continuing Professional Education credits (CPEs).

What educational credits are available?

You can earn the following kinds of continuing education credits for attending live virtual and in-person sessions—provided the following requirements are met:

Requirements for Successful Completion: In-Person

Attendees must sign in each day, attend (and participate) in the entire course and complete an evaluation form at the end of class
Partial credit cannot be given for partial attendance
Attendance is monitored by an APPA staff member and the instructor
Completion certificates will be added within 4 weeks to member profiles on the APPA website (for those who meet the requirements)

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): The American Public Power Association is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. For information regarding certification status, attendance requirements and obtaining attendee transcripts, contact EducationInfo@PublicPower.org or 202-467-2965. Verify our IACET Accreditation.

CPE logo Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits: The American Public Power Association 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: www.NASBAregistry.com. Unless noted, there are no prerequisites for the courses offered and no advance preparation is required. Courses are group-internet based offerings at the basic program level (unless otherwise noted). Credit hours and areas of study for the courses are listed on the individual course pages. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as clarification of requirements, complaints, and refunds, please contact EducationInfo@PublicPower.org.

Professional Development Hours (PDHs): The American Public Power Association’s educational practices are consistent with the criteria for awarding Professional Development Hours (PDHs) as established by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Course eligibility and number of PDHs may vary by state.

Questions?

Schedule/Content/Accreditation: EducationInfo@PublicPower.org

Additional Information

What to Bring

If you are enrolled in one of the following courses, please note the items to bring with you. If your course is not listed, you do not have to bring anything.

Advanced Public Utility Accounting
- Encouraged to bring: A copy of your annual financial statement. Instructors will answer your questions on presentation and application of accounting policies and practices.
Cost of Service Workshop
- Required to bring: A laptop with Excel and PowerPoint, to work through in-class exercises.
Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design:
- Required to bring: A scientific calculator or smart phone calculator app
- Required to bring: A print copy (or have access to a digital copy) of the 2023 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) to reference during class
- Encouraged to bring: Interesting underground distribution photos as well as their underground distribution design guides and standards to share

Class Start/End Times

	Monday May 5	Tuesday May 6	Wednesday May 7	Thursday May 8	Friday May 9
Accounting
Public Utility Accounting	8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Electric Work Order & Fixed Asset Accounting			8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Advanced Public Utility Accounting				8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.	8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cost of Service & Rate Design
Basic Cost of Service & Key Financial Concepts	8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts		8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Cost of Service Workshop: Implementation and Applications			8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.	8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Underground Distribution
Underground Distribution Systems	8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Advanced Underground Distribution Systems				8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Leadership Certificate
Leadership Essentials Certificate Program	8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Registration/Name Badges

Name badges can be picked up at the APPA registration desk at the hotel starting at 7:30 a.m.

Meals

Breakfast, beverage breaks, and a light afternoon snack are included in the registration fee. All other meals are on your own.

Dress Code

The attire for the Institute ranges from business casual to casual—whatever you're comfortable in. Meeting room temperatures vary, so prepare to dress for cool conditions.

Travel Arrangements/Hotel Parking

Travel arrangements and costs associated with hotel parking are the responsibility of the participants. APPA will not reimburse for changes in travel expenditures regardless of the cause.