About NSAC

The National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives (NSAC) is a professional society, formed in 1935, comprised of individual members actively involved with the financial management and planning of cooperative business. NSAC members are either employed by a cooperative or provide professional services for cooperatives.

The National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives (NSAC) serves individual members and their respective organizations. Employees of cooperatives such as CFOs, controllers, tax directors/managers, accountants, bookkeepers, office managers, internal auditors, in-house legal staff, and other financial professionals are included as members. Professional service providers advising cooperatives such as CPAs, attorneys, banking professionals, government employees advising cooperatives and cooperative association employees are amongst members as well.

The organization provides professionals with education, resources, and connections needed to stay actively involved and on the cutting edge when it comes to the financial management and planning of cooperative business.

In 1935, auditors for the Northern States Cooperative League began holding regular meetings and discussing the need for collaboration and a more formalized organization. Out of these meetings, the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives was formed:

1943 – Formally structures as an independent, nonprofit corporation
1948 – Begins publishing The Cooperative Accountant
1952 – Publishes first cooperative accounting report
1980 – Hires first professional manager
1998 – Organizes nationwide Electric Cooperative Chapter
2001 – Begins actively participating in FASB projects that impact co-ops
2008 – Becomes industry leader in international accounting standards development
2011 – Celebrates 75th Anniversary
2015 – Partners with the NRECA to bring the profession the premier tax, finance and accounting conference for cooperatives
2020 – Continues efforts to bring more virtual opportunities to professionals globally

Upcoming Events

NSAC 2026 Knowledge Exchange
December 7 - 8, 2026

NSAC 2026 Knowledge Exchange

What is the Knowledge Exchange? Not a Conference. Not a Presentation. More than a Roundtable. Have you ever sat in a conference session wishing you could ask a follow-up question directly related to your cooperative? Wondered how other cooperatives are addressing the same challenge you’re facing? Or wished you could hear what industry experts would say about your situation? That’s exactly what the NSAC Knowledge Exchange is ...

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Key Internal Controls: Lessons from Real-World Fraud
November 5, 2026

Key Internal Controls: Lessons from Real-World Fraud

If you think your organization is too vigilant to fall victim to fraud, the case studies in this session may surprise you! We'll take an eye-opening look at the schemes and warning signs affecting cooperatives right now, from classic internal abuses to fast-moving trends in cyber risk and shifting workforce dynamics. Participants will explore the internal control components that matter most and see how gaps in everyday processes can quietly open ...

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What a Record-Setting El Niño Means for Cooperatives and What Lies Ahead
November 11, 2026

What a Record-Setting El Niño Means for Cooperatives and What Lies Ahead

How could changing weather patterns affect your cooperative in the months ahead? In this session, Brian Bledsoe, meteorologist and climatologist, will provide an overview of the long-range and seasonal weather outlook, exploring what the current record-setting El Niño could mean for agricultural, electric, and other cooperatives. From potential impacts on growing conditions and agricultural production to electricity demand and ...

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