Tim McNeilly (202) 690-0498

USDA ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF HIGHLY ANTICIPATED USDA GRADUATE SCHOOL ELECTRIC BORROWER ACCOUNTING COURSE

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2004 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development today announced the availability of the highly anticipated redesigned and updated “Rural Utilities Service (Electric) Borrower Accounting Course”. This self-paced course is offered through the USDA Graduate School and is popular with CPA firms, employees of the USDA, electric utility borrowers and other parties interested in USDA Rural Development rural utilities accounting procedures.

The objectives of this print-based distance learning course are the same as the previous 1991 version, however, the newly designed course uses contemporary information resources such as an auxiliary web page and resource CD. Students can log in to the web page to check for updates as well as expand on the learning resources through links to related information sources. The CD portion contains links to the USDA bulletins, forms and regulations that are cited in the course. It also contains an electronic version of the worksheets and forms required for many of the lesson assignments. Students will now be able to complete assignments on their computers and submit them via e-mail. All of these course updates mean a more streamlined course offering information that will assist USDA electric utility borrowers

This course was last revised in 1991, but that version was cut from the curriculum in December 2002. Since then, a standby list for the new version has been maintained and has over 150 points of contact at electric cooperatives all over the country. The American Council on Education (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service has recommended this course for two college credits. For more information about the newly revised course, telephone the USDA Graduate School at 303-236-8500 or, visit their web site at http://www.grad.usda.gov/

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $50 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. As a result, over 800,000 jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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