Public Utilities
Knowledge and insights in a complex industry
Serving water, wastewater/sewer, solid waste, and electric throughout the West, we understand the challenges utility providers face in providing essential services to the public while maintaining rates at an affordable level.
Utility industry expertise
- Corporate and cooperative tax filings
- Assistance with regulatory filings and compliance
- Rate studies and rate design studies
- Cost of services studies and cost allocation studies
- Financial statement audits
- Capital credit strategies
Improving performance and operational effectiveness
Our consultants understand utilities and the challenges they face. At Aldrich, we help our clients succeed by using our broad industry knowledge and best practices to achieve their goals. Some of the consulting projects we have completed in the utilities industry include:
Utility rate studies
Utility rate studies determine how much revenue a utility may receive. Our studies determine whether, at existing rates, a utility is operating at a revenue surplus or at a deficit. From these results we can determine the percentage rate increase or decrease needed to existing rates so the utility can achieve the revenue level necessary to meet its service requirements to ratepayers.
Cost-of-service studies
Cost-of-service studies determine the contribution margin associated with a utility’s services by service category. These studies provide information to policymakers to determine if rates should be adjusted to reflect their direct costs.
Rate design studies
Rate design studies are developed when the utility proposes to change its existing rate structure. Aldrich helps clients design rate structures to meet their objectives, whether they involve changing the rate structure to match cost causer with cost payer goals; conserving the utility’s resources by modifying rates from a flat rate to metered rate application; or conducting other public policy objectives that can be achieved through changing the utility’s rate structure.
Cost allocation studies
Cost allocation studies determine how costs are shared between affiliated entities, both regulated and non-regulated. In the case of a municipally owned utility, these studies determine how general government departments and the utilities share indirect centralized services costs. These studies ensure that cross-subsidization does not occur between a utilities mix of regulated and non-regulated utilities and operations or between service areas. In the case of municipally owned utilities, these studies ensure that the utility does not incur more than its fair share of the municipalities’ indirect centralized services cost.
Regulatory compliance at the state and national level
- Annual filing for state public utility commissions
- Quarter and annual online data submission for RUS
- Filings for the FCC, including 499A and 499Q
- Development of cost allocation manuals
- Revenue requirement studies
- Depreciation studies
- Tariff filings
Connect With an Advisor
Partner
Scott Daniels, CPA
Aldrich CPAs + Advisors LLP
Scott Daniels oversees the assurance services to our clients and consults with them on a variety of regulatory matters. He also acts as a business advisor to these organizations providing guidance on strategic planning, financial analysis, and system assessments. Scott graduated with his Bachelor of Science in accounting from Oregon State University.
Scott's Specialization
- Telecommunications
- Utilities
- Accounting and assurance services
- Certified Public Accountant
- Strategic planning, financial analysis and systems assessments
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