Powering Strong Communities
Virtual Course

Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Cost of Service Studies: What Managers Need to Know

Gain insight and understanding on financial management, budgeting techniques, long-term financial planning methods, and an understanding of the various forms of electric rates.
September 29, 2022

Event Format/Learning Environment

This virtual offering—through Zoom—provides the opportunity to interact with the instructor, your industry peers, and earn continuing education credits. This course combines live presentation, polling questions, real-world examples, Q&A, and group discussion.

Course Overview

A critical aspect allowing managers to complete projects and programs is the ability to fund the system with a limited impact on customers and elected officials. This program provides managers with insight and understanding on financial management, budgeting cost of service studies, and the various forms of electric rates. Attendees will also learn how to convey these methods to utility policymakers to aid in decision making.

Timing

This course consists of one, real-time virtual session on Thursday, Sept. 29, from Noon – 3:30 pm Eastern, with two 15-minute breaks. The session is recorded and registrants will automatically get access to the recording.

Course Topics

  • Determining revenue requirements
  • Contributions to city governments
  • Financial targets such as:
    • Debt coverage ratio
    • Cash reserves
    • Rate of return
  • Developing a long-term financial plan
  • Cost of service studies and information
  • Electric rate designs and significant factors affecting rates

Course Level

Basic: No prerequisites; no advanced preparation.

Technology Requirements

  • Zoom meeting application: Attendees are required to have strong Internet access, in order to run the Zoom meeting platform. 
  • Audio/webcam: You will need to enable computer audio to listen and speak (alternatively a call-in number will be provided). We also recommend having a webcam, so you can fully engage in the group discussions.

Course Access and Materials 

  • Zoom links: Zoom log in credentials will be sent out 24 hours before the start of the session.
  • Course materials: Attendees will receive access to APPA’s secure online document portal the day before the course, where the eManual will be made available.
  • Recording: The session will be recorded and can be accessed through APPA’s document portal (within a week after the program concludes), in case you can’t attend the live class. Recordings will be accessible for 90 days. Note: Continuing education credits can only be issued for attending live sessions.

Accreditation

The following continuing education credits will be provided, after successfully completing the live session (review requirements). Certificates will be emailed by Oct. 13.

Recommended CEUs .3/PDHs 3.25/CPEs 3.8
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

Recommended For

Utility managers, staff, and policymakers looking for a high-level overview of financial planning concepts.

Instructor

dawn lund headshot 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. She and 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.

Questions?

Registration: [email protected]

Program/Content: [email protected]

Billing: [email protected]

Register Now!

Registration Fees

  • Members: $350
  • Others: $700

Group Discounts

Save money on each registration when your organization registers five or more people. The larger your group, the more you save!

Your group discount will be automatically applied when you register a group of 5 or more people. 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 [email protected].

Number of registrants

Discount (per person)

1-4

n/a

5-9

$50

10-14

$100

15-24

$150

25+

$200

Cancellations/No-Show/Refunds/Substitutions

All events will be recorded and attendees will automatically receive a copy of the recordings, in case you can’t attend live.

Registrants who cancel in writing at least five business days before the course are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $50 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after that will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for this event only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel at least 5 business days before the course start date are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund.

Cancellation requests should be made through your My.PublicPower portal, or addressed to: [email protected]

Communication

  • 24 hours after registering: You’ll receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of registering, which contains some preliminary information.
  • 24 hours before
    • You’ll receive your Zoom login link the day before the first session (sent from the APPA Academy’s Zoom account <[email protected]>)
    • You’ll also receive a final logistics email 24 hours in advance of the first class. 
  • If you don’t receive this correspondence, email [email protected].

Course Access and Materials

  • Zoom Links: Zoom log in credentials will be sent out 24 hours before the start of the first session.
  • Course Materials: Attendees will receive access to APPA’s secure online document portal a day before a course, where the eManual will be made available.
  • Recordings: All sessions will be recorded and can be accessed through APPA’s document portal (within a week of the last class in the program), in case you can’t attend the live versions. Recordings will be accessible for 90 days after the last session. Note: Continuing education credits can only be issued for attending live sessions.

Questions?

Registration: [email protected]

Program/Content: [email protected]

Billing: [email protected]

 

Format and Log-In Information

This class will be offered on the Zoom meeting platform. Presented in a 3.5 hour session, this engaging and practical courses will feature real-time presentation, Q&A, polling questions, and group discussion. 

Communication

  • 24 hours after registering: You’ll receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of registering, which contains some preliminary information.
  • 24 hours before: 
    • You’ll receive your Zoom log in link the day before the first session in a course (sent from the APPA Academy’s Zoom account <[email protected]>)
    • You’ll also receive a final logistics email 24 hours in advance of the first class. 
  • If you don’t receive this correspondence, email [email protected].

New to Zoom?

If you haven't participated in a Zoom meeting before, please download the Zoom web client from the Zoom Download Center. This will enable you to access all of the Zoom tools and functionality vs. using the web version. Then, visit Zoom.us/test to ensure you are able to join a meeting. 

If you are not able to download the Zoom web client, you can still participate via your Internet browser. We recommend using Chrome for the best results. If you use your Internet browser, your functionality may be more limited (for example, you will only be able to see one video feed at a time), and you will need to create a Zoom account. (account creation is a free and straightforward process, but you will want to do this in advance so you do not miss any part of the meeting).

  • Internet access: You will need a strong Internet connection to run the Zoom meeting platform. 
  • Audio and webcam: You will need to enable computer audio to listen and speak (alternatively a call-in number will be provided) and you will need a webcam to fully engage in the small group breakout exercises and discussions.

Privacy and Security

The American Public Power Association takes your privacy and security very seriously. For this reason, we have put the following security measures in place for this course:

  • A random Meeting ID
  • Password-protected
  • Enabled waiting room to screen meeting participants
  • Restricted screen sharing to hosts only

Code of Conduct

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

Questions?

Registration: [email protected]

Program/Content: [email protected]

Billing: [email protected]